Jinhai's Notes

Have you heard about Tír Ríoga? It is said to be an enchanted land, a marvelous sight that anyone would undoubtedly call a paradise. None of that is a fairy tale; it's true. This regal land is filled with the clearest waters of Serin, fresh produce, and appetizing local dishes. It is the abode of naiads, beautiful freshwater nymphs who may bless travelers with spells of good fortune or other favors.

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But Tír Ríoga is filled with egoism, ill-willed gossip, and pettiness. Everyone cares only about themselves, engaging in chatter only to boast, and helping outsiders only when they can get something “worthy of them” in exchange. What a lonely place to belong.

Fortunately, I like being alone and enjoying the sunlight on the shore while napping, thinking long about all kinds of things, or at night, singing to the skies above. I used to seek others’ presence, but after learning that nobody really liked me being around (allegedly, I’m annoying, overenthusiastic in an annoying way, “too kind” — somehow, in an annoying way — ) I stopped reaching out to them. They always refused to hang out anyway, and any time they asked for me, they just needed something. So I no longer seek anyone’s company. I either don’t like any of them or I fear that they’d reject me. But it’s fine, since I like being alone, especially in such a magnificent landscape to call my home. Other than that, I have the kindest younger sister who, despite also liking her alone time, makes an exception for me, and so we occasionally hang out. I’m really, truly lucky to have her, since all my other siblings — all six — are the same as those I mentioned earlier.

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This started on a really sad note, even though I wanted to tell you about some special people in my life… I’m sorry.

Many come to Tír Ríoga to seek the blessings of naiads: the blessing of good fortune, or a blessing of fertility. Did you know? That naiads can bless you with fertility? Ah.. I’m sure you did; people know about this, but not its cost. It would require nothing particular, but of course, those greedy naiads make couples who, in hopeful, joyous spirits, visit our abode offer something in exchange. (And needless to say, it’s either not enough, or just “not to their liking”). When I used to see those poor souls plodding back along, I always offered my blessings. Often, some couples stayed a little while after they got their spirits back, and we talked for hours. It was really nice… They always promised to come back someday, and it was a kind gesture on their part, even though they never did.

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However, in some instances, their children did come back. They were all searching for me, with nothing to ask for, only to meet. I know that is a bit of a stretch—since the only thing I did was bless these couples so they could have a child—but I did feel like these children were mine too… a little bit. Well, to put it better, at least I loved them that much. Some of them visited me once every few years, and we talked and talked for who knows how long. We told each other what happened since we last met, and stuff like that… I’m so happy that I got to know them! Some of them are still around, and we meet once in a while, and some I don’t know about anymore. They probably moved far away, or are just busy with their lives — they are all grown up now, you know! I hope that they are doing well.

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I’ll tell you about two of them if you don’t mind, since it really weighs on my mind what they could be doing right now.

One of them is Gabriel. He’s an elf from Lelhalean, from Thar Nua. Apparently, his parents told him about me in a very favorable light, and he wanted to get to know me himself as soon as he became an adult, and they let him on the long journey alone. He wasn’t kidding when he said that he wanted to get to know me; he seemed to be intensely interested in anything I had to say, and even when I didn’t know what to talk about anymore, he just kept asking. Every single time I had to shift the conversation at one point: “I wanna know about you too, you know! So tell me about anything really, I’m starting to get annoyed by my own voice!”

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He kept visiting me; in fact, he was my most frequent guest. Others came once in a few years, but he took the trip to Tír Ríoga at least once a year. And time passed... He must be a hundred fifty-something now.

He tried to ask for my opinion on all kinds of things in his life: What kind of life path do I think he should choose? How could he get the attention of the girl he likes? Would it be wiser to move to the capital, or should he stay in Thar Nua?

Unfortunately, I wasn’t well-versed in any of those things. I’ve never been to the capital, since many outsiders see naiads as some exotic animal that can be milked for blessings and enchantment for a good life, and so it is best we stay together here on one land. And I never had a proper lover either, because every single time I learned that girls only wanted children from me, and didn’t like me the slightest. It’s not uncommon here, so I guess it’s my fault for not working like the environment around me does and wanting a proper family. Naiads usually bear many children, most of whom are girls, and so the very few males are only needed for keeping our species alive, other than guarding the land from malevolent outsiders. The many children in the families not only lack a father figure, but their mother doesn’t have time for each of them either; maybe that’s why they all end up with such poor personalities.

Needless to say, as soon as Gabriel heard my experience — or the lack of it — the roles were switched, and he immediately started giving relationship advice to me. Two clueless clowns theorizing and persuading each other on what one should and should not do. It was quite funny. It was always like that with him; at first he was looking for guidance from me, but to be fair, he knew more about the world than I. But he asked my opinion anyway. Yes, he did see me as a person. Not some magical stuff that you can treat either as an exotic pet or as a mythical deity, but definitely not as an equal individual. It’s not like only naiads have magical powers in this world anyway. So any time my wisdom was lacking, we started figuring things out together. He really does communicate well, and he’s incredibly kind.

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Well... he didn’t get the lady, but he did end up staying in Lelhalean. At one point, his homeland was facing more and more troubles, apparently, and he started training to develop combat skills. Elves are naturally skilled at archery for the most part, and I happened to be quite good at it as well, so I helped him learn the art.

Maybe it’s a bit embarrassing to say, but these times I spent with him have been the happiest days of my life. Many times, he stayed at Tír Ríoga for several weeks, so that we could train properly.

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There were times when I told these children about each other, even though they never met. (Ah.. I guess I should stop referring to them as children; we are not even far apart in age haha.) It’s quite funny, the thought that they never met, but all know a couple of things about each other. They sometimes asked for updates too, hoping that they are all doing well. When he began his combat training, Gabriel started asking more about Ly..x (who he knew was quite skilled), and w!? curious if he could somehow meet him to learn a thing or tw?. Haha, I w0nder ho? they wo_ld get alo-g… Honestly, I don’t think they would at all! Their personalities couldn’t be more different.

Let me tell y_u abo-t L?nx t!o:

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When he began his combat training, Gabriel asked if any other of them was skilled in combat. He was eager to learn more and said it would be a fun ‘family’ activity (we kept referring to each other like that just for the giggles, but the two of us were more like best friends, or soulmates, I guess). But I told him that I didn’t know of anyone interested in combat; in fact, he was the only one I regularly kept in touch with.

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I always hoped he'd visit more often. He was probably very busy.

I wish I could move to Lelhalean... Why can't I? Ah, because naiads are always at risk when they are not in Tír Ríoga. You could say that I can protect myself, since I'm "The Rebel," but...

No, it's because maybe he wouldn't want me moving there. Since he never said so.

He told me I should visit him too, but I said it'd be dangerous. So he didn't ask anymore... It was probably just out of politeness that he asked anyway. Do you hear me, Gabriel? Why didn't you try to persuade me more?

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They called me a slut. Or something like that. For giving out my blessings for free. I'm not a slut.

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Shut up...

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Shut up.......

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"They smile? They are kind? Anyone can pretend for a couple of minutes to get what they want.

They too just take advantage of you because it's so easy"

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Maybe my sister just feels sorry for me too,

that's why she visits..

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Maybe Gabriel feels like he owes me.

Because it's thanks to my blessing that he was born.

Do you visit me only because of that?

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Maybe all of them only visited because of that.

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no

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Gabriel doesn't

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I'm not a slut

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