A long time ago, a young farmer and his intelligent wife were blessed with a healthy son and daughter. Both were quite bright and well-rounded, and handily made their parents proud with their various talents. While the older son was more versed in textbook intelligence, the younger daughter seemed more inclined with artistry and the outdoors. Their individual inclinations, however, never stopped them from becoming borderline renaissance children, being able to excel at many things beyond their comfort zone, just as their father had done before them. And despite their differences, the sibblings remained close and without drastic conflict. It could be considered a miracle that this family of four lived so harmoniously together.

2nd Farewell: Last Supper

As the sun set, Saria returned home in time for a last supper with her family.

"Welcome back, my girl!"

The first to welcome her back was Keith, her loving father who would typically arrive shortly before she would.

His sharp eyes, tall figure, and strong build suggest a man perfectly fit for the profession of agriculture, though his taste in exotic, red eastern clothing while off work revealed a more laid back side to him.

"Papa!"

The loving daughter leaped into her father's arms for a strong, warm embrace.

"Hello, dear. Glad to see we've raised such a punctual daughter to the very end." A woman's voice chimed.

The second to greet her was Phoebe, her ever patient mother who would always return from Garmon Mines after days with good weather.

Her narrow eyes were almost always covered by her trademark red glasses. With her consistently active lifestyle, she was almost never seen without her light tan work outfit that Saria personally admired.

"Of course, Mama! There's no way I'd be late for such a feast as my last dinner with you all/ It helps everyone actually knows how to provide in one way or another." Saria replied.

"That's a good daughter for you." Her mother chuckled.

Not too long after her brief exchange, she was met with yet another embrace. This one came softer and gentler than that of her father's.

"Welcome home, Saria." A kindly voice spoke.

"Brother…"

"Glad to see you two are as still as close as ever." Keith grinned.

"And never a fight between the two of you. Sometimes makes me wish I had a sibling of my own." Phoebe added.

"I just wish he didn't coddle me so much," Saria confessed as her face reddened.

Her brother then released her and stepped back with a big grin on his face.

"I can't help it when you're so adorable like you are! Besides, I can't be the only one guilty of this kind of treatment!"

This only forced Saria to blush even further when she realized just how much she was practically babied by the other residence with the unusual exception of her parents.

"Then it was a good thing that we actually expected any responsibility from her as her parents." Keith added, "She sounded like she was dangerously close to being spoiled rotten by everyone else."

"It was more like we were more lenient than tough, dear. Though she did grow more independent because of it. Maybe this kind of dynamic runs in my side of the family…" noted.

"Maybe it was a good thing we kept her under our wing before she grew too independent too fast?" Marich teased.

"Brother!" Saria cried.

"But it looks like we couldn't even stop you from doing that. You're supposed to be the younger sister, yet you were the one to jump at the chance to go off to some faraway place with an important task to complete."

"But… you have way more reason to stay behind, Brother. What about Vivan? She's going to run for Mayor when she's legal to do it in a few years. There's no way she'd be interested in leaving town for this, and she's going to need you at her side like she always does." Saria argued.

"That maybe so. I know I have my girlfriend to look out for, but I think this island's needed you more than you realize…" Marich lamented.

Saria clenched her right hand as she personally noticed her brother' sudden change of tone.

"But now she's needed else were." Their father interjected.

The siblings turned towards their father, who had a solemn look in his eyes.

"I only agreed to give her this task because I'm aware how much she's grown now. This doesn't make her any more or less grown up than you, Marich. You're both growing up at your own decent paces. The fact of the matter is that you have too much to take care of here. Whether or not the farm will be one of your future responsibilities will ultimately be up to you, but the desperate situation in Waffle Island needs more immediate action, and Saria took up the call with earnest. We'll just have to learn to stand on our own without her, just as she will have to stand her own without us." He elaborated.

"Papa…"

"Saria, this doesn't mean that we want you to go out into a new world trying to be some sort of lone wolf and just forget about us. Use your memories to give you strength and wisdom, then grow and learn from the new community you'll befriend. You don't ever have to be alone to be strong. My strength comes from my love of Castanet and what it gave me in return. It's what allowed me to help get the five bells rung and the Goddess Tree revived. I'm sure the love you'll find will allow you to accomplish even greater things."

The aspiring traveler faced her whole body towards her father anxiously.

"Do you really believe all of this, Papa?"

Keith nodded.

"You're my daughter. I've had all this time to watch you learn and grow all this time. You were always very bright. You're also very unique, and have found ways to help out others in ways only you can. I admit that I was surprised to hear you so eager to take on this task after how close you are with everyone, but I've decided to see this as a sign you've grown and are ready to move on. You really have grown up, and I'm proud of you." Keith smiled.

A mutual tear was shared between father and daughter. Yet at that moment they were also smiling sincerely.

"You should keep your father's words to heart, honey. He can be amazingly perceptive." Phoebe chimed in.

Saria wiped her single and tear, then faced to nod at her mother.

"I will, Mama."

"Just don't have them baby you more than we did. Otherwise, it might be harder making that reunion when you decide to come back to us." Marich added.

"I'll make sure they'll see me as a grown up." Saria replied with a giggle.

Suddenly, as if on cue, many a stomach growled among them.

"That's right… we haven't had our last supper yet. And I'm soooo hungry…" Saria growned.

"Then you're in luck, little girl! For today, we all decided to pitch in and give you a proper feast for the occasion!" Keith announced.

The entire family then directed her towards the dining table, where plenty of food was fully prepared and ready to be eaten.

Saria looked in awe as she noticed a number of dishes that she hadn't normally eaten while dining with her family. Much of this consistent of exotic fish prepared grilled, in soup, or as sashimi.

"Papa… Mama… Brother! Really? All of this just looks so good. This is all for me?" Saria asked.

"Not really ALL of it. This is all to honor your journey, of course, but we're not planning to fatten you up like some Starry Night Festival Goose,"Her father joked. "I spent most of the afternoon at Toucan Island to get all the fish for our dinner and shipped off the excess for cash. Here you can see some mahi-mahi, shark, and even some rock lobster! I tell you, Toucan Island really has the good stuff!"

"All of us decided to pitch in and make this a meal to remember. I personally prepared a few servings of my favorite Buckwheat Noodles. Even your brother decided help out a little by preparing the drinks." Her mother explained.

"I heard Honeydew Melon Milk was a favorite in some eastern cultures, so I had to try brewing some up myself! I must say it's very sweet and flavorful! And it provides that extra dose of calcium we could all use in our daily diet!" her brother explained further."

The green-haired girl took one of the cups stationed by a pitcher filled with the same substance and took a sip.

"Wow! This is tasty! I love this" Saria proclaimed as Marich's grin of pride grew even wider.

"Well, now that the girl of the hour had her first taste, how about we all dig in?" The patriarch of the family proposed.

Although Saria got first dibs on every item, it wasn't long before everyone got to sample the home cooking. Her father's extensive experience in working with seafood while on Castanet truly shone through with his fresh fish's exalted flavors. His wife's noodles, not being quite as heavy in flavor, proved sufficiently succinct in complimenting the main dishes. And their son's honeydew milk proved to be cool and refreshing with its own summer taste. After finishing the main course, young Saria was pleasantly surprised to discover a whole new course of strawberry shortcake, chocolate cake, and pumpkin pie awaited her. The time spent together on dessert proved the family's shared sweet tooth. The only regret Saria felt for this fantastic feast was that she couldn't contribute something of her own, yet she was still grateful for the efforts put into it.

After much chewing and chatting, everyone at the table became full and ready to rest. With a beautiful night sky, the residents of Regulus Farm were able to retire in peace… all except for the destined wayfarer herself. Left anxious and restless at bed, she felt no choice but to leave her home and find some solace with the stars. Unbeknownst to her, a fellow restless spirit would come to join her…

Up Next, Something Completely Differnet:

A rousing night pep talk with Mama Phoebe.

For REAL this time.

~"Screw the rules! This family has GREEN HAIR!"