Piers x Hama for sw087!
Piers is bored. There is no other way to say it. Five years following the release of Alchemy, Piers no longer has anything to do.
For a while he stayed with his companions, helping them rebuild Vale and get settled again. The time soon came for him to leave though, the call of his curiosity too great to ignore any longer. He went exploring visiting anywhere in Weyard he had not seen first-hand, getting tours of Mercury Lighthouse from Mia, and of Venus from Sheba. He visited many towns and drank deep of their culture, spoke with the Waelda of Kolima and learned much, studied with Kraden and the alchemists of Tolbi, participated in Colosso, and so much more.
He had revisited anywhere he had been with Felix, being welcomed with open arms, having helped many of them during the quest those years ago. Again, he stayed with them for a time, learning of their heritage, their culture, their way of life. Eventually though, he knew enough and he left. As amazing and interesting as each town was, he just didn't feel comfortable staying in one place too long.
He had lived in Lemuria, confined, for so many years. The chance for freedom, to go where he pleased when he pleased, was too great for him to resist. But after five short years, his wanderlust has faded. He has seen the world twice over. It may have taken five years, but to him that was nothing. He may as well have been imprisoned in Madra just last week. Years were small amounts of time to a Lemurian, and he did not know how to spend his future.
He had tried to improve relations between Lemuria and the outside world, but his banishment was still semi-imposed. Most efforts were fruitless.
He ended up simply roaming, ending up back in the same places. They might have changed slightly in the few months, but nothing to excite him. The only real joys he got anymore were when he accidentally encountered one of his old companions, usually Ivan on a business trip with his father, or when he received letters via pigeon from them. He often considered settling with them. He loved the sea though, and settling never appealed to him.
Eventually he found himself in Contigo, purely by chance. The town was now booming, trade between it and cities such as Kalay, Tolbi, and even Madra, and Izumo, were especially productive. Many merchants would stop and stay, selling their exotic wares and buying several themselves, bringing increased wealth to the people.
He made his way through the crowds, politely turning down the offers shouted to him as he walked, and found himself at the door to Hama's was not particularly familiar with Ivan's sister, having only met her twice, but a friendly face was a friendly face.
The Jupiter Adept seemed surprised when she found Piers at her door, something he was not sure he had ever heard her being. She could predict the future after all.
She quickly invited him in and sat him down at a table. Within five minutes they were chatting happily about various topics over some herbal tea. She asked him many questions of her family, of his friends, of the rest of the world. He told stories of each and every topic, asking questions about her, of Contigo, and of her role.
Eventually, the topic arose though.
"What brings you here though?" Hama asked, sipping the last of her tea.
Piers sighed, his shoulders sagging a bit with the breath, "A combination of wanderlust and being lost in life." He admitted sadly. He felt rather like a child who did not know what he wanted to do when he grew up. He was lost in a sea of possibilities, and not a single one interested him, "For one who can live as long as I, I find it difficult to find a… calling. Things do not remain exciting for long."
Hama chuckled to herself dryly, "I can empathise." She replied, her small smile falling away.
"Truly?" Piers asked, leaning forward.
Hama nodded, "All my lie, since leaving this home, I was preparing for the day I would return here. I knew what the chain of events were and I knew how they would play out. I had seen them night after night through the years. Then the day came, and it happened exactly as I had seen it. The weeks that followed were filled with worry and fear. I could not see the future, I could not tell if you would succeed, even though I believed."
"Now, with Contigo restored and my role in Weyard's destiny fulfilled I am left feeling… empty." She sighed, looking down at the table separating them, "I am like you. I do not know what to do now. I have ceased using my powers to see the future, for fear it will show me living the same day, every day."
Piers actually felt rather guilty. He had come here, purely of boredom, tired of the many wondrous sights the world had to offer. While Hama, stayed in her home, fearing for her future of monotony.
"Perhaps… I have a solution." He said calmly.
Hama's head pulled up, and Piers saw a definite twinkle in her eyes.
"I can assure you, Weyard has many sights you would love to see. And, maybe, company is all I need to bring some excitement back into my life." He smiled, "So, if you would like, I would be happy to show you the world." He extended his hand across the table as an invitation.
Hama merely smiled as she took it.
Piers was surprised how accurate he had been. Seeing the world, seeing how interested and amazed the young woman became at things he had come to simply accept, made him enjoy it all over again.
What he liked best though, was how he would find the greatest joy, simply lying on the deck of his ship at night, stargazing with her as they shared stories and memories.
Were this not constrained by drabble limits, I probably would have done much better.
I'm happy enough with it, but I know I could improve on it. what do you think?