TWR, Remembering Purrcy (8-27-08)
The Weekly Refresh, Aug. 27, 2008 Earth Time
I wasn't alone in my early days of adventuring.
A stunning mithra red mage named Purrcy would run with me through the fields of West Sarutabaruta. At the time, I was a young warrior aspiring to be a paladin. Watching her inspired me to become a red mage instead.
If we weren't outside fighting, Purrcy and I spent our time wandering around Windurst. We practiced cooking and tried out fishing. During the Harvest Festival, we dressed up like monsters and joined the Federation-wide party.
One day I was in Sarutabaruta, alone, when I came across a random adventurer. He asked me if I wanted to join his group to fight in Tahrongi Canyon.
I hesitated to say yes, because Purrcy wasn't with me.
Still, I thought to myself, "what's the harm in just one party without her?"
I accepted the offer and headed out to Maze of Shakrami, crossing through parts of Vana'diel I had never before seen. Then, in the Maze, the fighting began. We battled maze maker worms for what seemed like hours. Finally, we called it a day and walked back to Windurst.
The next time I partied, Purrcy was with me. We battled monsters at the outpost in Buburimu Peninsula. The monsters seemed slightly weaker to me, but I didn't think anything of it.
Not long after -- on another day when Purrcy was nowhere to be found -- I made my first trip to Valkurm Dunes. I spent the day fighting, then returned to Windurst at night. Then I went back the next day. I was hooked on the thrill of battle.
Meanwhile, Purrcy wasn't as eager to spill beastmen blood. Content hanging out in the culinary guild, she was more intent on becoming a skilled chef. I begged her to join me in Valkurm, but she refused to leave Windurst.
So, I went off on my own to fight.
"What could it hurt," I thought to myself. “She can just catch up when she's ready."
She never did.
Several months later, Purrcy was finally ready to hone her skills as a red mage. But I had grown too strong to fight alongside of her; and there was no way she could catch up to me.
The last time I partied with Purrcy was on the beach of Valkurm Dunes, near the wreckage of the old fishing boat west of Selbina. I began fighting as a different job, just so I could fight alongside her again. She felt as if she were burdening me. She knew I was a red mage at heart.
Purrcy retired from adventuring soon after reaching Altepa.
I never saw her in Vana'diel again.
However, just the other day, amazing news spread through the bustling streets of Whitegate. We learned of a new magic to be bestowed upon adventurers, a mighty spell allowing the strong and the weak to fight shoulder-to-shoulder in the field of battle.
I wonder if Purrcy would have stayed, had this happened so many years ago. I wonder how my adventuring life would have been different.
I am grateful for the new members of Altana's army who will benefit from this magic, and for all the friends who will again be united in battle.
I can't wait to party with the newer members of my linkshell, who still face a long road ahead.
When I do, I'll think of Purrcy.
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