ugetsu-urabito

[ugetsu-urabito]

Journal Entry: Daughter's (Re)Training-Day 1

I had found a decent enough location to evaluate my daughter's skills as what she referred to her new training as... paladin, it's a small location within the lower extremeties of La Noscea, just north of Moraby. My gaze was fixated to the east to watch the time, the sun has yet to fully rise as I awaited Ko Zakura's arrival, she isn't late to my requested time... yet. Just prior to the first rays of light escaping the horizon, I heard the soft scraping sounds of metal rubbing against each other from her plated boots as she approached. I lifted my gaze to peer at her from under my Jingasa, her choice in armor wear was rather... interesting.

Ko Zakura wore a bright-golden plated armor that seemed to glow whenever light struck it, with a long flowing drapes made of a very thin material, I am unsure of what it would be called. However, despite the rest of her body being well covered with plated gauntlets and greaves to match her chest piece... her lower extremeties were not as well guarded, all she had covering that region was a plated tabbard that covered her crotch, the back area was more exposed and showed a black bikini. Is this a fashion trend of Eorzea?

"I pray you've rested well, daughter." No sooner had those words left my lips, that her expression shifted towards one of distaste, was she not pleased with my greetings?

"Good morning to you too, Father." She retorted in an annoyed tone. "Did we HAVE to come out here this early? The sun hasn't even rise..."

The tone she was taking me was unacceptable, so I interrupted her before she could finish her response, "A Samurai is always early to rise." I snapped, then turned my attention towards the east as the first rays of sunlight had penetrated the skies, I smirked towards her and continued in a lighter tone, "Besides... what was that you were saying about the sun not rising yet?" Her expression narrowed to that of a disgruntled tone at my poor attempt of a tease. Giving her no time for another retortion, I continued with briefing her on a minor task that I managed to overhear at a nearby village during my scouting of the area, since my arrival to the continent.

"You are here to deal with a minor nuisance of some river toads. I want to see how you handle this situation, you will also need to collect their legs and deliver them to a woman at the Red Rooster Stead, nearby, I recall her name to be Arenlona." Already I have discovered the first issue to be addressed for her soon-to-be training regimen... getting past her disgust of ruined fashion.

"What?! B-but, toads are gross! I'll get their blood and gunk all over my armor!" She whined.

I fixated my glare upon her as she started to cringe in slight fear, in one of her letters that she had written to me, I recalled her mentioning about a company mission to deal with a frenzied Morbol in one of the swamps of the Black Shroud... perhaps it's time to remind her of worse creatures than an overgrown amphibian. "Would you rather fight another Morbol in the swamps of the Black Shroud?"

The threat worked as she unlatched her shield from her back, the shield was once owned by her elder brother, whom was lost many years before. My Daughter groaned as she began making her way towards the mouth of the cave behind me. "Nooo..."

Seizing the perfect opportunity to brighten her mood, I added, "Then 'hop' to it." Which earned an ashamed growl from her, "Really, dad?! Heavens... you're so embarassing!"

A bit of laughter couldn't be helped as I let out a chuckle, "That's part of my job description as a father." Though other than her cringing at my laughter, I noticed that her sword still sat in its sheath, why had she not drawn it yet? "Draw your sword, Ko Zakura." I reminded her. Thus her next mistake occurred... letting down her guard as she turned her focus upon me. Before she could respond, I saw a long deep-colored tongue lash out and wrapped itself around both her legs, then pulled her further into the cave. Keeping my calm, I strode towards the cave's entrance myself to watch her reaction, assuming she would be able to escape the creature's clutches.

Unfortunately, with her struggles, she drew ever closer to the massive toad's gaping maw as its long tongue retracted, still with no progress of her escape. As she raised her arms to shield herself from her impending doom, I shook my head in disappointment and drew my trusted katana. With a swift and precise focus, I dashed towards the beast, and thrust my blade deep into its gaping maw, then turned the blade upwards and launched myself up into the air, slashing the creature's head and upper back in half. After landing near my daughter, I flung some of the blood, that coated my blade, into the water at my feet as my glare remained upon the defeated giant toad.

As soon as I heard Zakura's movement from behind me, I kept my back to her and growled with disappointment. "You dropped your guard... that is why you must always have your blade drawn." Using the inner bend of my left elbow, I wiped the remaining blood from my blade and flung it downwards onto the ground, then sheathed my katana and marched back towards the mouth of the cave in discontent, turning my glare towards the ground and never once glancing back towards my daughter, "I've seen enough, let us return to your company. I have much planning to do."

From behind me, I could hear the soft splashing of her feet trudging through the waters of the creek as we exited the cave. We travelled the remainder of the journey back towards her company in silence. Upon our arrival, I immediately dismissed her and returned to the Drowning Wench in Limsa Lominsa. I have a lot of work to do with her... my stay in Eorzea would have to be extended.