TWR, Remembering Purrcy (8-27-08)  

The Weekly Refresh, Aug. 27, 2008 Earth Time

I wasn't alone in my early days of adventuring.

A stunning mithra red mage named Purrcy would run with me through the fields of West Sarutabaruta. At the time, I was a young warrior aspiring to be a paladin. Watching her inspired me to become a red mage instead.

If we weren't outside fighting, Purrcy and I spent our time wandering around Windurst. We practiced cooking and tried out fishing. During the Harvest Festival, we dressed up like monsters and joined the Federation-wide party.

One day I was in Sarutabaruta, alone, when I came across a random adventurer. He asked me if I wanted to join his group to fight in Tahrongi Canyon.

I hesitated to say yes, because Purrcy wasn't with me.

Still, I thought to myself, "what's the harm in just one party without her?"

I accepted the offer and headed out to Maze of Shakrami, crossing through parts of Vana'diel I had never before seen. Then, in the Maze, the fighting began. We battled maze maker worms for what seemed like hours. Finally, we called it a day and walked back to Windurst.

The next time I partied, Purrcy was with me. We battled monsters at the outpost in Buburimu Peninsula. The monsters seemed slightly weaker to me, but I didn't think anything of it.

Not long after -- on another day when Purrcy was nowhere to be found -- I made my first trip to Valkurm Dunes. I spent the day fighting, then returned to Windurst at night. Then I went back the next day. I was hooked on the thrill of battle.

Meanwhile, Purrcy wasn't as eager to spill beastmen blood. Content hanging out in the culinary guild, she was more intent on becoming a skilled chef. I begged her to join me in Valkurm, but she refused to leave Windurst.

So, I went off on my own to fight.

"What could it hurt," I thought to myself. “She can just catch up when she's ready."

She never did.

Several months later, Purrcy was finally ready to hone her skills as a red mage. But I had grown too strong to fight alongside of her; and there was no way she could catch up to me.

The last time I partied with Purrcy was on the beach of Valkurm Dunes, near the wreckage of the old fishing boat west of Selbina. I began fighting as a different job, just so I could fight alongside her again. She felt as if she were burdening me. She knew I was a red mage at heart.

Purrcy retired from adventuring soon after reaching Altepa.

I never saw her in Vana'diel again.

However, just the other day, amazing news spread through the bustling streets of Whitegate. We learned of a new magic to be bestowed upon adventurers, a mighty spell allowing the strong and the weak to fight shoulder-to-shoulder in the field of battle.

I wonder if Purrcy would have stayed, had this happened so many years ago. I wonder how my adventuring life would have been different.

I am grateful for the new members of Altana's army who will benefit from this magic, and for all the friends who will again be united in battle.

I can't wait to party with the newer members of my linkshell, who still face a long road ahead.

When I do, I'll think of Purrcy.

Final Fantasy XI
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Category: Final Fantasy XI
This page last modified 2008-09-10 21:52:24.