Could You Grant My Wish?

Whew!

Are you okay? Let me help you with that.

No, no. You're already going to the trouble of escorting me. I couldn't ask you to carry my things as well.

If you insist, but it's honestly no problem at all.

Would you mind if I took a little break, though?

Go ahead. I'll keep watch for monsters.

You know, that's a pretty big bag you're carrying. Is it all your merchandise?

Yes, it's filled with the finest tableware from Unigan. I plan to export it to the east.

Tableware?

The monsters in these parts have a thing for shiny objects. Do you think tableware counts?

Regular tableware, probably not. However...

My tableware is no regular tableware. They all come with this gold inlay, see?

Wow, they're beautiful! I'm sure monsters wouldn't be the only ones desperate to get their hands on them.

Ah, you're a man of fine taste, I see. Maybe I could make you a special offer, if you're interested?

Thanks, but no thanks. They look a bit too fragile for my lifestyle.

Waah! Give it baaack!

What was that? A scream? No, not desperate enough for a scream.

Whatever it was, I should check it out.

You should be safe here, but call me if anything happens.

Be careful out there!

Waah! Please stop that!

Phew! That was easy.

Don't take it... It's not even worth anything...

Are you ok, Oh dear, you're really not! You look badly wounded!

Huh? Where'd the monster go?

Oh, I chased it away.

You rescued me? My hero, thank you! Erm, what's your name?

I'm Aldo.

Aldo? I'm Myunfa.

Look, now really isn't the time for this! We have to tend to those wounds!

Waah! Please stop that!

Phew! That was easy.

Don't take it... It's not even worth anything...

Are you okay? It looks like you're badly wound, Wait, is that you, Myunfa?

Huh? Aldo? Where'd the monster go?

Oh, I chased it away. Come on, we have to tend to those wounds!

Nah, I'll be fine. It's just a little scratch, it should heal in no time. Now if you don't mind, I've gotta go and...

You're not fine at all!

Ugh...

What happened? Was it a monster? Nothing's come by this way.

Don't worry, I chased it off. But we're going to have to hurry!

Goodness me! That poor girl, she looks badly hurt!

She is. She needs to be treated as soon as possible, but we can't help her out here.

Take her to an inn in Rinde. I'll call a doctor.

Just hang in there, okay? We're gonna get you help real soon.

Wh-Who are you?

I didn't lie! I just didn't know!

I didn't! I didn't trick anyone! I was trying to save you all!

...re you okay? Hey, wake up!

Hnng?

Are you okay? You were crying out in your sleep.

Y-Yeah, I'm fine. Just a bad dream, I guess.

Um, where am I?

An inn in Rinde. You collapsed from your injuries out in Serena Coast. Do you remember any of that?

It sorta kinda rings a bell... Saved again, huh. I don't have any way to repay you, I hope that's okay...

That's totally fine. I didn't expect anything, I just didn't want to leave you there.

Really? You didn't help me because you wanted me to grant your wishes?

My wishes? Um, no...

Cause, I can't, you know, grant you any wishes. ...Is what I usually have to say to people, but if you weren't expecting any wishes to begin with... I guess it's a little surprising, a little disappointing, kind of a relief, too. ...It's complicated.

Oh, really? I'm, um, sorry, I guess?

Oh, dear, now you're apologizing... It's fine, really! It just means you are someone who has their needs met. It's a good thing!

But I won't let your kindness fool me, no sir. I'm a shrewd woman, you know. You can't trick me!

Um, I'm not trying to trick you?

Anyway, I'm glad you're feeling better, but I should really get going. I still have some work to clear up.

I see. Well then, safe travels, I suppose?

Rest up until you're all better, okay? And call for me if you need anything.

Ooh, so cozy. It's been such a long time since I've slept outside my teapot.

But that dream... Was what's inside my teapot behind that? *yawn*

Ugh, I'm sooo sleepy, but I don't wanna sleep. Maybe I should get some coffee.

Huh? Where's my stuff?

My teapot! It's not here!

I never got it back after that monster took it!

But if I go back to their den, they'll just pick on me again!

And call me if you need anything.

Well, I DO need something...

Yes, that settles it. I'll ask Aldo for help. Once you've offered someone help, you gotta follow through.

(Ooh, there he is. Looks a little busy though...)

Honestly, you don't need to pay me. With what you did for Myunfa, we can call it even.

All I did was call the doctor. It doesn't sound very even to me.

And I was heading to Rinde anyway. It's not like I went out of my way to escort you. Really, it's fine.

(He's refusing payment for his work? What kind of a weirdo works for free?)

Myunfa? What are you doing here?

Who was that guy, Aldo?

Oh, him? He's just a merchant I was escorting from Unigan.

It sounded like you wouldn't let him pay you. Why not?

People help people in trouble, don't they? I shouldn't be paid for simply doing the right thing.

Then, you'll help me if I'm in trouble?

...Are you in trouble?

Trouble's not the half of it! I've completely lost the pot! Think you could grant me just one wish and help a girl out?

Of course! If there's anything I can do to help, name it.

And you don't expect anything in return?

Absolutely nothing.

Yippee! You're the best, Aldo! Okay, let's get going!

Going? Going where?

Serena Coast. I'll explain on the way.

You see the thing is, I'm actually a teapot pixie.

A teapot pixie? (Same name, same mystical nature. She really does have a lot in common with the Myunfa I know.)

Have you ever heard of a kettle spirit?

Nope, never. Why, are you some kind of tea connoisseur or something?

What? No. It's just that I know someone else called Myunfa, and she's a kettle spirit. I was just wondering if Myunfa was a popular name for tea-related spirits.

Really? Well I can't help you there. I've never met anyone else like me.

Oh. Sorry, that was kind of a weird thing to ask.

C'mon, no need to apologize! You're like my knight in shining armor, you get to ask whatever you like!

A teapot pixie?

This might sound weird, but do you come from another world?

Another world? What are you talking about?

It's just, I know someone else, a kettle spirit, called Myunfa, and you look just like her.

Just like me?! Well isn't that something? But, no. I'm afraid I've never heard of a... Kettle spirit, was it?

As far as "another world" is concerned, I suppose I do get picked up a lot... And when I'm in my teapot I can't really see what's outside the teapot, till I'm outside, you know... Outside the teapot. So, I suppose I very well could have traveled to another world without even knowing it?

Oh. Sorry, that was kind of a weird thing to ask.

C'mon, no need to apologize! You're like my knight in shining armor, you get to ask whatever you like!

A teapot pixie? What's that?

Well, to put it plainly, a teapot pixie is a pixie that lives in a teapot. Oh dear, not the best explanation, is it?

Yeah... Anything else you could tell me? Not a lot to go on, here...

I'm afraid that's about all I know, unfortunately. I'm not exactly a pixie expert, you see...

(...But you're a pixie? What?)

Oh. Sorry, that was kind of a weird thing to ask.

It sure was. Maybe be a bit more considerate next time, okay?

So um... What were we talking about again?

You were going to ask me a favor.

Oh, yes! You see, the thing is, I've lost my teapot. And as a teapot pixie, that's a problem.

Your teapot? Isn't that your teapot right there, hanging over your shoulder?

Oh, this old thing? No, that's just a spare for aesthetic purposes.

(She carries a teapot with her for the aesthetics? Is that a thing?)

Remember that monster from earlier, when you and I met?

It stole my teapot. I asked it to give it back, but, um...

...Let me guess, it didn't give it back.

Indeed! So will you help me get it back? Please? That teapot is my whole world. Quite literally, I'm afraid.

Of course I'll help! Don't worry, we'll get you your teapot back.

That said, the monster could be anywhere... How are we going to find it?

That's the easy part! The teapot's a part of me, so I can sorta feel where it is.

Really? Then lead the way.

Aha! Yes, found it! Over there!

Hey, would you mind giving Myunfa back her teapot?

Yeah, I didn't think that would work. I guess they can't understand what we're saying.

Look, you're the ones stealing things from other people. This is your own fault.

Let's get 'em!

Is this your teapot? I can see why the monsters would want it, it's beautiful.

Eep! Aldo! You shouldn't be so forward!

Forward? What are you talking about?

Teapot pixies feel everything their teapots feel.

Touching my teapot is basically like touching my body.

And the way you're gripping that handle... Could you NOT?!

Whoa! I'm so sorry! I had no idea!

Anyone else, I might be mad at, but you I think I can forgive.

You're pretty rough with it yourself, considering it's basically you.

You think? Nah, we're made of stronger stuff than that.

Anyway, we've got what we came here for. Let's leave.

Are you heading back to Rinde? I can escort you if you like.

Well, where are you going?

Me? I've done what I needed to in Rinde, so I'll stop by Unigan, then head home to Baruoki.

Then Unigan's where I'm going.

I guess this is it. Be careful of monsters out there, okay?

I will, I will. Thanks for everything today, Aldo.

......

I want to visit my wife and son in Baruoki, but I know the route's plagued with monsters.

I can escort you. I was heading that way anyway.

Why thank you, young man! Now, what can I offer you for your service?

Oh, I don't need anything. Seeing you reunited with your family will be all the thanks I need.

Aldo! Sorry to be a pain, but do you mind helping me with my things?

Look at him, helping out all those people, never asking anything in return. Maybe he'd be willing to help me out a little more?

I KNOW he would!

You'll help me, right? Won't you, Aldo?