Tale Thirty, Treasure What You Have
While the crowd groaned at the notebook that Tressa offered to Noa, the Octopath Travelers cheered in varying degrees after the merchant presented her treasure. Those around them stared at the odd display, but from the stage, Tressa saw her traveling family supporting her.
It warmed her heart and only further strengthened her resolve that she had chosen the right treasure to present at the Merchant's Fair.
After all, the stories of her travels, from Olberic's duels to Primrose's charms, from Cyrus's thirst to H'aanit's quest to save her master, were written in her prized notebook. Thinking on those many stories, she held the notebook close to her chest and smiled.
A part of her hoped that Noa wouldn't choose her prized treasure. But that was a small, selfish part of her that Tressa quickly threw away with a shake of her head and a bob of the feather in her cap.
She knew why she had presented this notebook. It truly was her treasure.
A sneaking suspicion told her that Noa would be involved in the quest for these priceless treasures somehow. If it was for her to see the world through these items, as Noa's father had just described, then what better way to do that than through the eyes of the eight greatest adventurers Orsterra had ever seen.
If fulfilling the small family's dreams meant parting with her written memories, then Tressa would gladly part ways with it.
Besides, Tressa was living her adventures right now with her friends.
Even after they had concluded, she would have the memories to hold onto and cherish as she lived out her days as a merchant seeking out further wondrous treasures.
What happened next was a whirlwind of events that could have occurred over a week, much less in the span of a few minutes.
Tressa sold Wyndham the diary she held so close to her heart. However, despite the man's wealth, it didn't come at a price. The merchant said it was a fair trade, despite the cavalcade of merchants and Ali saying otherwise.
Yet, the honest gesture could only make Wyndham shake his head and smile fondly.
It took a bit of prodding, but Tressa eventually agreed to have a fund set up for her by Wyndham in the emergency that she or her family may ever need money in the future.
She didn't think they would, but someday, the merchant may find something to bring back to Noa that would require such funds.
Tressa and the Octopath Travelers then left the Auction House, only to be chased down by a man in a brown hat, wanting to speak with the merchant and her friends.
He introduced himself as the man who made the very same diary that Tressa had just sold to Noa and Wyndham.
That was when they found out that the original owner of the diary was none other than Graham Crossford.
That caught Alfyn's attention.
It took a little prodding to confirm that it was the same Graham Crossford whom the apothecary called his mentor. Once he had, he let out a whoop and took Tressa's spot in the conversation, immediately stealing away the bookmaker.
Out of the corner of her eye, Tressa noticed Ali walking out of the Auction House.
She turned to him, only to be beckoned to come over and join her rival on a walk.
Turning to see Alfyn still talking to the man, Tressa was nudged towards Ali by Primrose, who gave the younger woman a wink.
"Don't worry, Tressa, I am sure Alfyn will be able to keep this conversation warm for you," she assured.
Beaming and lightly blushing, Tressa thanked the dancer, taking off to join Ali.
They quickly walked to the beach to enjoy a calm moment after a whirling rapid storm of events. It didn't take long for them to throw their jabs at one another, rekindling their rivalry.
But then Ali did something unexpected.
He complimented Tressa.
Ali sat on the beach next to Tressa and stuffed his hands in the sand, nervously playing with it. "You know… what you did, while stupid, was really incredible."
His rival could only stare at him in confusion.
"Don't make me spell it out…" Ali groaned.
Tressa smirked, leaning back on her hands, waiting for Ali to continue of his own accord.
Realizing this, he did just that. "I mean… you gave a little girl a real window to the world outside of this city. Only people who could do magic should be able to do that. But you gave Noa that journal and she'll be grateful for that her entire life. Don't think I've made a customer that happy since working with my dad."
Ali leaned back on his hands, too, brown eyes locked on the blue ocean.
"Makes me wish I was back helping him run the shop."
"Then why don't you do it?" Tressa asked.
Ali sighed wistfully and smiled. "I think I will."
His gaze turned to Tressa. "You helped me realize that's where I belong, even after this big adventure to prove myself as a merchant. But maybe that's where I was always supposed to end up. Guess there could be worse places."
Ali shrugged.
Tressa chuckled. "Yeah, like being stuck with you forever isn't the worst thing possible. I feel bad for your dad."
She shoved his shoulder with hers playfully, nearly knocking him over.
It was unexpected but funny.
"Sorry, working with H'aanit really buffs up your arms and shoulders."
As proof, Tressa flexed her arms under the short sleeves of her fur-trimmed merchant's attire. Unsurprisingly a small bit of firm muscle protruded, showing how much training she had done as a huntress with her bow.
Ali whistled lowly. "Wow, remind me not to steal from you. And what do you mean there are worse things in life? I think I'm pretty great."
Tressa stood from her spot on the beach, brushing off the sand that clung to the back of her skirt. She reached a hand out to Ali to help him up.
"That's your ego talking. It tends to be wrong sometimes."
Her rival shook her head with a smile. "Ouch."
Ali reached for Tressa's hand, allowing himself to be pulled up by her.
Even after he was up on his two feet, neither let go of each other's hand and watched the other's eyes, daring them to let go. In the background, the lapping waves brushed onto the shore and the sound of gulls searching for land could be heard for miles. The wind blew Ali's hair around his face and caused Tressa's feather to bounce.
A near-perfect moment.
But that was something only written about in fairytales or diaries.
With a small smile, Tressa sheepishly broke eye contact first. Then, Ali released her hand, smiling the same way. They each left an endearing impression on the other that way, one they could speak of the next time they met, as now was not the time.
"So…" Ali began, scratching the back of his neck, "what's the master merchant's next big plans?"
Tressa made to answer quickly but caught herself.
She was originally going to say, "I think I'll go back home."
Until she thought of her new family - the Octopath Travelers, those who still needed her.
It didn't take long for Tressa to openly finish her new train of thought:
"I think… I think I'll keep traveling with my friends."
Satisfied with her decision, Tressa nodded her head as a smile crept onto her face.
"Yeah, that's what I'm going to do."
Ali smirked.
"Sounds as good a plan as any, and hey, who knows? Maybe… you'll end up in my neck of the woods someday?"
Tressa laughed. "Maybe so."
The merchant tucked her hands behind her back before stepping forward on one foot and pecking a quick kiss on her rival's cheek.
She walked backward, leaving the beach and waving at her rival and friend. "I'll see you around, Ali."
Thinking as Primrose would, Tressa added, "Don't think too much about that kiss, just a sneaky way to get a few minutes ahead of ya."
Ali, who was rubbing the cheek Tressa had kissed, shook his head and came back to his senses. A small blush rose to his face. He smirked before calling out to Tressa.
"I won't think about it too long, but I'll let you have a bit of a start on me!"
He waved at her as she left, knowing that the next chapter of his life had begun.
Not a single doubt lay in Ali's mind that Tressa would be more involved in it than she had been this past year. A part of him was excited to see how her role in his life would play out.
The merchant didn't know it then, but Tressa, as she ran to rejoin her friends, felt the same way.
"That's my girl! So you left him on the beach, like a mysterious vixen?" Primrose jeered happily. "I have taught you well, now you have him wrapped around your finger."
The dancer twirled her finger in the air to emphasize her point.
Tressa chuckled. "Thanks for the tips, Prim. It kinda just… happened."
Primrose leaned over the table with her drink. "As these things do, my dear. So, here's to Tressa and her future adventures."
"Cheers!"
A round of voices echoed throughout the Grandport tavern as the Octopath Travelers enjoyed their dark and stormies, a blend of spiced rum and beer made from ginger root. It proved to be quite the spicy cocktail, tickling the tastebuds of each of the Travelers as the sweet liquor warmed their insides against the cool breeze of the Coastlands.
Tressa wiped her mouth with her arm. "Ah! What a day! And by the way, I think you mean our adventures, Prim."
"Does that mean yer stayin' with us?" Alfyn interjected excitedly.
"Until we've all seen the end of our stories, yes. Then, after that, who knows?"
"That deserves another cheer," Cyrus added.
"Hip, hip, hooray! Hip, hip, hooray!"
All of the Octopath Travelers, even Therion and Linde, joined with the rousing response to Tressa's triumphant decision. Of course, the Travelers had assumed she would stay with them, as those who had finished their tales had. But to hear it from her directly and so resolutely, her traveling family couldn't help celebrating even more.
They all took another hearty drink of their beverages and sighed in satisfying unity.
"Please don't tell me it was that boy that told you to stay," Primrose jested while offhandedly hoping she was wrong.
"Of course not! You think that jerk could get me to follow my dreams?" Tressa countered with a huff. "It's as if you don't even know me, Prim!"
The merchant crossed her arms over her chest and pouted, comically bobbing her hair in the process.
"I would never think such a thing, dear Tressa."
Despite her words, the dancer chuckled like a cat toying with its prey.
"Somehow I don't think you mean that…"
"So, what was the reason you stayed, Tress?"
The merchant, surprised by Alfyn's question, turned back to her friends with an abashed smile.
"Oh, you know, just… treasure and looking after my witless apprentice…" she mumbled.
"I heard that," Therion said.
"You were supposed to, you dolt."
"Come on, Tress, while we all like pokin' fun at Therion 'ere, ya know you're dodgin' the question. Even I can see that."
"Yes, so if you would, please share with us the reason you decided to stay. You could have very well returned to your family and we would not have thought any less of you," Cyrus stated bluntly.
"Well, I…"
"And ya got yer treasure," Aflyn added.
"You see…"
"These reasons are starting to seem particularly valid," Primrose surmised.
Tressa couldn't take it anymore and suddenly stood up from her seat, slamming her hands on the table as she let loose a sound of frustration.
"It's because you guys are my treasure!" she blurted out through a furiously red blush.
Everyone at her table - and everyone in the tavern, for that matter - became silent, stopped what they were doing, and stared at Tressa. After a few deep breaths, she noticed this and sat back down sheepishly, hiding her continuously reddening face. It didn't take long for the rest of the patrons in the tavern to return to their little alcohol-fueled worlds.
Except for the Octopath Travelers, they still stared at Tressa in awe.
They didn't speak, waiting on the merchant to continue. Quickly, she realized this and took in one more deep breath.
"It's because you guys… are my treasure," she repeated in a calmer voice this time. "It's a bit embarrassing, but I want to stay because you guys are like family to me… and… and I don't want to say goodbye to my new family just yet… I feel like I only just met you guys…"
Tressa punctuated her confession with a sniffle, her eyes starting to fill with some tears.
"Aw, Tressa, come here," Primrose consoled.
The dancer stood up and came next to Tressa's side, bringing her into a warm embrace that was slowly returned.
"That is why we are all here, Tressa," Cyrus commented. "We all have found a place in this group of compatriots, I thought that was obvious, but perhaps not. I, too, view all of you as a dear family that I will treasure greatly until my last breath."
Surprisingly, the scholar was the next to come to Tressa's side and join in the hug.
"P-professor…" Tressa murmured with a sniffle.
Unable to control herself anymore, she broke out into tears, touched by the gesture her friends had shown her. Only seconds later had the other Travelers gathered around the group of three and embraced them in warm, comforting hugs. An odd display, of course, but one that showed how dearly these Travelers cared for one another and how they resolutely felt the same.
They were a family and one that, like Tressa, they treasured.
I have mentioned many times how the Octopath Travelers have become a family.
But even to those who have a family to return to, these adventurers-turned-friends had left a lasting impact on each other.
Their empathy for young Tressa, their cheering her on when others looked down on her, their sharing of advice - all of these things and more only helped them all understand:
They were family, yes;
But they treasured their family more than they had ever thought they could, thanks to their youngest member voicing her timely realization…