That Which Lays on the Horizon

Excuse me, Mister! Do you have a minute?

Sure. What is it?

Could you help me fix a boat?

Um, I don't know if I can...

Please, Mister! No one else wants to help me.

Before I agree to anything, tell me more about this boat. Is it yours?

Um...not really.

It's for a friend, you see.

So it's your friend's boat?

I think so. My friend goes to Corabel at the same time every day. I followed her one day and saw her looking at a broken boat at the bottom of a cliff. She looked very sad, so I guessed it was her boat. I'd really like to help her and get that boat fixed!

So that's why you're recruiting passersby for boat mending.

I can't do it by myself, but I can't just do nothing either!

Okay then. I'll lend you a hand.

What, really?

Helping people in need is what I do. In your place, I'd also do all I could for my friend.

Thank you, Mister!

My name is Vetille. Thank you so much! I was starting to lose hope.

Pleased to meet you, Vetille. I'm Aldo.

I don't know what you're expecting of me, but I have zero knowledge of boat mending.

Don't worry about that! Dad taught me a thing or two about boats.

Okay. If you think we're good, let's do this.

What do you need from me?

If would be great if you could collect some of the materials needed for repairs. I'll need Limberlumber and Snakeweave.

Sure, no problem.

You can get Limberlumber in Gabaraki. For Snakeweave, go to Igoma. There's some other stuff we'll need, but I can get it myself. Come and see me when you have the goods!

That's Snakeweave, huh.

Whoa, this vine is strong!

I guess that's what makes it so good for boat building.

All right! This should be Limberlumber.

It's flexible but sturdy. This type of wood won't break easily even under a lot of stress.

I can see why it's perfect for boats.

All right, that's everything. Back to Konium!

I got everything you asked for.

Thanks! I'll get started at once.

Oh, have you made a new friend, Vetille?

Sh-Shemila?! Uh... Hello.

Hello. What are you up to?

Nothing much...

You feeling all right, Vetille? Your face has gone red as a lobster.

I-I'm fine!

Sorry, it looks like I interrupted whatever it was you were doing.

It's okay, you weren't interrupting anything.

Your face really is red, Vetille. Are you unwell?

I'm okay! You worry too much!

I don't think I've met you before, Shemila. Are you Vetille's sister?

No, just a friend. I should have introduced myself properly, sorry for being rude.

Shemila helps me out with homework and we play together too. She lives nearby.

Sorry that I don't have much time for you lately.

I see. I'm Aldo. Pleased to meet you.

Likewise. I have to confess, it's a bit of a relief to see Vetille made a friend. And a human friend at that.

Aldo is a really nice person. He offered to help me!

Request?

Um...well...

Vetille was just looking for someone to play with and I agreed. That's what he meant. Haha.

Yes, that's it! And he's been telling me about his adventures and whatnot!

Ah, that's good then.

Haha...

He can be a bit of trouble sometimes, but he's a very good boy. Please be nice to him!

Not a problem.

I'm afraid I have to leave you now. I have a busy day! Bye!

Phew, that was close!

Was that the friend you're fixing the boat for?

Yes, but I want to keep it secret for now. She almost found out! I want it to be a surprise, you know?

I guessed as much, so I played along.

Thank you, Mister!

We'd better hurry, though. You said she goes to Corabel daily? If that's where she's going, she might see us working on the boat on the way.

You're right! We can reach the boat from Gabaraki. Let's hurry!

We did it in time! Good job, us!

Okay, now all we need to do is head to Corabel and wait for Shemila to come by this way...

Heeelp!

That was Shemila's voice! From the direction of Corabel!

Come, Aldo! She needs help!

Is that...?

Get away from her!

I won't allow you to hurt this lady!

Shemila, are you all right?

Yes...yes, I'm fine.

Phew!

But you shouldn't have got mixed up in that! It was really dangerous! What if you got hurt?

I just... I just wanted to save you...

Don't be so harsh on him. Besides, it wasn't looking rosy for you either.

I'm sorry I overreacted. I guess I'm still shaken after that ordeal.

I shouldn't have told you off, Vetille. You were very brave. Thank you.

No need to thank me. I'm just glad you're okay!

It was a lucky coincidence you were nearby.

Uh... Yeah...

I think it's a good moment to tell her.

Yeah...

What do you mean?

Shemila, you know the boat at the bottom of the cliff?

The broken boat, yes. What about it?

Well we...we fixed it for you!

Huh? For me?

I noticed you stopping to look at it on the way to Corabel, and you seemed very sad. I figured it was your boat and you were sad because it was broken. That's why Aldo and I repaired it for you.

......

Why aren't you happy?

It was very sweet of you to do that. But it's not my boat, and I won't use it.

Huh?

You can keep it. Go sailing with your friend Aldo, if you like. Excuse me, I need to go back home.

No, wait! This boat seemed to matter so much to you, but you're saying it's not even yours?

It belonged to someone I knew very well. Every time I passed by it, I thought maybe I'd see him again...

Who was he?

It doesn't matter. It was a foolish hope, anyway. Please don't ask me about it again.

I can't just leave it when I see that it makes you sad! I want to help. Don't push me away!

......

Oh no.

I wonder what her story is.

Why won't she tell me... Aren't we friends?