Chapter 03
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One of the village elders, accompanied by his partner, approached the group with a warm, knowing smile. He introduced himself in a gentle, inviting tone.
“Welcome adventurers, my name is Kazuo Nakamura. I imagine your journey has been long and tiring. Please, allow me to guide you to our village teahouse where you can find rest and refreshment. We welcome those with good hearts into our humble abode.”
Finn, still grasping the nuances of the language, understood more than he could express. He nodded and followed, his eyes wide with admiration for the picturesque beauty surrounding him. The village, with its striking resemblance to the images of Japan from his past life, felt both familiar and enchanting.
As they strolled through the village, Finn observed residents engaged in quiet meditation within meticulously maintained gardens.
His attention was drawn to the hot springs nearby, where magic swirled in the water, casting iridescent glows and weaving rainbows that danced in the air. The village animals, tame and friendly, roamed freely, adding to the serene atmosphere.
Suddenly, a creature that resembled a panda, but was floating in the air on his back, approached Finn and affectionately licked his face. Startled, Finn sputtered, sending droplets of mysterious panda slobber into the air. The rest of the group erupted into laughter at his comical expression of shock and bewilderment.
Finn’s initial surprise turned to amusement as he took in the sight of the fluffy, buoyant creature contentedly hovering nearby. It was moments like these, unexpected and full of whimsy, that made Finn appreciate the magic of this new world even more.
The group carried on, now joined by the floating panda, who seemed to have invited himself along, and Finn found himself compelled to climb on top of the panda, who did nothing in protest, simply floating onward.
The panda was soft and fluffy, like an expensive blanket, and he too decided to lie on his back, facing the sky, immediately realizing why the panda was doing so, only now noticing the brilliant view of the sky that could only be seen from within the village.
The village was encased in a dome of barely visible magic, and Finn saw the source was a magic diagram of what he could only describe as divine energy, giving off a radiant glow and a sense of power he now realized he had been feeling since the moment he walked into the village.
The diagram was vastly complex, with multiple layers, and writing in a language dissimilar to any he had ever seen in both lives. He and the panda now floated on, allowing the voices of the group around him to wash away in the background.
Finn and the floating panda paused, both lying on their backs, gazing at the sky. The magic-infused dome above the village shimmered subtly, its divine energy pattern complex and ethereal.
Finn felt a kinship with the panda, both of them captivated by the celestial display. It was a moment of pure wonder, a shared bond that transcended their different forms.
As they arrived at the teahouse, the group’s reaction was palpable. The tranquil atmosphere was a stark contrast to their adventurous lives. Toren sighed deeply, visibly relaxing as he took in the serene setting. Elara’s eyes lit up, reflecting the peace around them. Even Branok, usually stoic, showed a rare smile. The tranquility of the place seemed to wrap around them, easing the weariness of their journey.
Constructed primarily of rich, polished wood that gleamed under the soft light, the teahouse's exterior was adorned with intricate carvings depicting scenes from local folklore — dragons, mystical creatures, and floral motifs. The roof, made of neatly arranged, dark slate tiles, sloped gently downwards, complementing the structure's overall aesthetic.
As they approached, the sliding doors, made of fine-grained wood and translucent paper, were gracefully opened by a welcoming host. Inside, the interior of the teahouse was a harmonious blend of simplicity and sophistication.
The floors were covered with tatami mats, providing a soft, earthy scent that added to the ambiance. Low wooden tables, each accompanied by cushioned seating, were spaced throughout the room, offering a comfortable and intimate setting for visitors.
Hanging scrolls adorned the walls, each brushstroke a testament to the skill of local artists, while delicate paper lanterns hung from the ceiling, casting a warm, inviting glow throughout the space. Bonsai trees, meticulously cared for, were placed at strategic points, adding a touch of living art to the surroundings.
The air was filled with the comforting aroma of freshly brewed tea, mingling with the subtle fragrance of incense. A gentle sound of a bamboo water feature added a soothing backdrop, completing the serene atmosphere.
It was in this calming environment that the group was invited to settle down. The teahouse offered not just refreshments, but also a moment of peace and reflection, a haven away from the rigors of travel and adventure. Here, in the heart of the village, the teahouse stood as a testament to the art of hospitality and the timeless beauty of tradition.
Finn realized he would have to separate from the panda, which he desperately did not want to do, and as the group went inside, he gave Elara a pleading look, wishing he knew how to express the extent to which he wanted to stay with his new companion.
As if she could read his mind, she traded a few words with the host, who simply smiled and slowly walked up to the panda, speaking a few words and gently stroking its head.
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The panda floated at its sedate pace inside the building, and Finn grinned, a flood of relief flowing through him as he realized he wouldn’t have to leave his fluffy new friend behind.
The hosts poured tea for the group, and offered Finn and the panda wooden sippy cups. One of the hosts, a female, went to the corner of the room, and conjured what looked like an archway made of bamboo, and pulled out a plethora of cushions, putting them presentably in the corner of the room.
The panda made a low hum of appreciation and floated over, slowly lowering himself comfortably, allowing himself and Finn to relax while the adults talked among themselves. Finn pulled out his magic tablet, and worked on practicing more words.
Instead of using the voice function, he practiced by pulling up images and their corresponding words, sounding them out until it felt right, as he had been doing since he had gotten the tablet.
While Finn was practicing in the corner, the team drank their tea and discussed their situation with their hosts.
“We’ve traveled a long way to get here, and we are very grateful sir”. Said Toren. “You see, my wife here is with child, and we have been looking somewhere that can offer us the safety to raise our child just long enough until we can resume our adventuring careers”.
The hostess looked at them with a smile that shined warmly, and she said, “My goddess has instructed me to allow you entry and residence here as long as you need, free of charge.”
The group of adventurers went wide-eyed, on hearing her response.
“I’m sorry, did you say free? But why? It was our understanding that we adventurers who lead lives of violence were looked down upon by your goddess, and were prepared to make our case and pay full price for entrance.” said Elara.
The hostess smiled and shook her head. “The goddess does not look down on adventures indiscriminately, she understands that there is no world without violence, and she only disdains those who revel in violence, rather than engage in violence for protection or other good causes…” The hostess panned her eyes across the group.
“Each of you uphold my goddesses key principles, and have her favor. This would normally earn an adventuring group such as yourselves entry, and a discount on an extended stay, however…she has made a special exception for your group.”
“I’m not one to say no to something free,” said Branok, “but I have to ask why? Our party hasn’t made any significant accomplishments, or done anything to earn such a gracious exception, and I feel that we haven’t earned any special treatment.”
The hostess’s eyes landed on the corner of the room and the party all turned to look, seeing Finn, who waved at them with a goofy grin, as he attempted to say “G’day mates” in his new language, and he wondered if they would even understand what he was saying. The group all waved back, more confused than ever.
“Are you all familiar with the nature of that boy?” She asked the group.
“Well, he’s half celestite and half elf, is that not normal?” asked Toren.
“It is normal. If not a little rare.” She said, "My goddess was aware of the nature of the boy the moment he walked within her territory, and has given me permission to tell you all as well, if you would like to know, that is.”
The group all turned to each other and looked back at Finn again, who seemed to be deeply invested in the tablet.
Finn, for his part, had lost interest in trying to make out the quiet conversation the team was having, too quiet and complex for it to be worth trying to eavesdrop. Instead, he focused on trying to understand the language.
He had been looking for a way to incorporate his former language into this one, because he would need to significantly change his mode of language if he had to give up the world of Australian slang.
He found that the tablet had a word similar to ‘good’, and he found that by separating the formal word, he could create an abbreviation that, when added to the language’s equivalence to ‘day’, he could say g’day.
He was frustrated to learn this world did not seem to have the word “mate” in British/Australian context, but he decided that if he used the word out of context maybe no one would notice.
When he saw the group all turned to stare at him decided now was as good a time to try it, and he let out a “G’day mates”, with a happy wave. He watched their responses, getting mixed expressions. He decided he would workshop it some more.
The group of adventurers stared at their hostess in wary curiosity.
“If his mixed race is not what makes him unusual, then what is it?” Asked Toren, worried there was something wrong with Finn with the care of a father for his son.
In many ways, Toren felt for Finn as if he was his own son. They had found him, abandoned in the woods, taking him in. Now he felt like Finn was practically his son, and soon he would have a child with Elara, and they had both agreed that Finn would make a great big brother.
“As you all no doubt know, my goddess’s specific nature is peace and harmony. She sensed a deep fracture within the boy, as if his mind and body are two separate entities.”
To forestall the group's outburst, she raised a veiny hand “this is not inherently bad, and from everything she can determine, the boy is in good health, and at peace, as is her domain.”
Elara spoke up, “What would cause such a dissonance, ma’am?”
The hostess paused, contemplative, “I can only postulate, and my goddess has not informed me one way or another, but it is possible his soul has traveled across the realms, and the god of death, life, or rebirth intervened to give him a physical form in this world. Although, my understanding of these things is lacking. This is a place of peace after all, and is outside our domain of influence.”
Upon learning about Finn’s unique nature from the hostess, the group's dynamics shifted subtly. Toren and Elara exchanged worried glances, while Branok’s protective stance became more pronounced. There was a newfound curiosity mixed with concern in their eyes as they looked at Finn, who seemed blissfully unaware, engrossed in his language practice.
The hostess, her voice soft, began to recount a tale that seemed as much a part of the village's history as the ancient trees surrounding them. “Long ago,” she started, her eyes reflecting the flickering light of the teahouse lanterns, “our goddess witnessed a rare occurrence, akin to what I sense in Finn. It's a story from our folklore, about a soul journeying across realms, finding new life in our world."
She paused, her expression thoughtful, as if delicately balancing the line between legend and the present.
“In this tale, a child, reborn with faint echoes of a past life, was seen as an anomaly. It wasn't that the child was chosen or blessed with extraordinary powers, but rather that their existence was guided by the god of death. Our goddess, in her wisdom, viewed this as a natural part of the vast tapestry of life.”
The hostess's narrative continued, her voice a comforting presence in the quiet room. “The child in the legend lived a life like any other, with no grand destiny or prophesied role. However, the blend of past and present experiences in their soul offered a unique perspective, something valued in our culture.”
“However,” she said, her voice turning more contemplative, “this is a legend, and legends often mix truth with embellishment. While there may be similarities with Finn, his path is his own. He is not a chosen or a being with a predestined path but perhaps someone with a unique life story, shaped by the confluence of two sets of experiences.”
She looked affectionately at Finn, then addressed the group.
“In our village, we honor the natural mysteries of life. We embrace the unknown and acknowledge the possibility of extraordinary occurrences within the ordinary. Finn's situation might echo our legend, or he might simply be living a unique life that's his own to shape. Time will reveal what his experiences mean in the grand scheme of things.”
As the room soaked in her words, the group exchanged thoughtful glances. They looked at Finn with a renewed sense of understanding and warmth, appreciating the unique individuality of his journey.
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