The Furball

Showing Appreciation

Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary.
- Margaret Cousins

I want every day to be a new adventure, and every person to be a new friend. When I set out from my home on Elshimo Island to become an adventurer, I vowed to myself that I wanted people to like me, and that I would make lots and lots of new friends.

Lately I’ve been thinking about showing people your appreciation, and taking the time to show them that you value their efforts. I wrote an entry about encouraging people a few years ago, and it’s never been a better time to start to be honest.

My favorite job has always been White Mage. White Mages have the pleasure of teleporting people when they need to get somewhere, tend the wounds of weary adventurers and raise the unfortunate ones. Some have become my close friends, and some have helped me in countless ways. I’m eternally grateful for the things they have done.

Showing people your appreciation is easy. A simple thank you is all it takes. Yet no one really takes the time to thank others for their hard work. Some, especially those in the east, show their appreciation for even the little things, like getting a teleport. You are an awesome Red Mage, thank you for keeping me refreshed! Just a simple line like that is enough to put a smile on someone’s face. Sure, it may be “their job” to keep you refreshed, but show them that you appreciate them helping you.

Take a moment to think about how someone you know have helped you. Maybe they gave you a valuable item once, or just cast Silena on your for the 108th time. Thank them for being a good friend. I’m not saying you should send them 108 tells, thanking them for casting Silena on them though.

Imagine how encouraged people would be if you took the time to thank two or three people every day.

The Tarutaru Beastmaster Dartvalince

Waves the height of a dhalmel came in from the Shu’Meyo sea, crashing against the rocky cliffs of Qufim island. It was nighttime and adventurers had taken shelter by the tower of Delkfutt, hiding from the undead roaming the area. A bolt shot down from the sky, making a thundering roar throughout the island. Lightning-storms aren’t uncommon in these parts, and I was worried I’d get struck myself.

The only thing that scares me more than rats are lightning-storms. Just the thought of thunder gives me goosebumps! Aww, why does it have to thunder when I’m here, I said to myself, crouching down in fear every time I heard the rumble of a thunder. Gah! I should’ve waited till tomorrow, I said, pitying myself.

Are you alright, madam, a voice asked. I looked up, seeing a tarutaru reaching his hand toward me. Bam! Another bolt of lightning hit the ground in the distance. Excuse me, the tarutaru said. I opened my eyes, looking around me nervously. Would you please let go of me, he said, getting impatient. I suddenly realized I was squeezing him with my arms. I blushed as I let go of him, bowing and telling him how sorry I was. Afraid of the thunder, are you? he grinned.

The tarutaru, a Beastmaster, was leveling in the area it seemed. I must have been to worried about the thunder to notice other people in the vicinity. At his side was a giant crab, a Courier Carrie, famous for it’s reliable nature in the trading business. It had numerous nails in it’s carapace and some jars stuck on top of it.

I’m so sorry, kind Sir, I told him, apologizing for holding on to him when I panicked. It’s fine, he said, and my name is Dartvalince, not Sir.

It turns out Dartvalince is also writing a diary, and I although I may have given him a bad first impression, I hope I get to meet him again! It’s always nice to meet new friends.

Hug a Newbie Day™

Inspired by Xandora, I thought I’d make this my Hug a Newbie Day™ as well.

Prepare yourself for the height of teleportation excellence, Kaduru-Haiduru said as he closed his eyes, mumbling some ancient words I couldn’t recognize. Suddenly, a burst of black light engulfed me, and it almost felt as if I were about to be ripped apart. Welcome home to the Federation of Windurst, a womanly tarutaru voice said as I came to again. Did you have a pleasant trip? she asked curiously. I opened my eyes, and shook. I will never get used to this, I thought to myself. Rottata was standing in front of me, a tarutaru overseeing the swift deployment of troops in the campaign areas. I meowed in dismay as I got back on my feet, dusting off some sand I had gotten on my clothes as I landed.

It was a pleasant sunny day, and I could hear the birds warbling. I could hear the splash from a landing airship, and birds flying away in fear. The air was moist, a bit salty, but still refreshing. I’ve always liked the ocean, ever since I moved from Lemith and started as an adventurer here in Windurst. My house has a beautiful view of the sea, and I can hear seagulls squawking as the fishing boats arrive at the Fishmonger Landing plaza each morning.

I walked over to the plaza, stopping by a friendly tarutaru selling the latest issue of Magic Paradise Weekly. I carefully read through it, hoping to find some interesting stories. A friend of mine, Xandora, had written an excellent piece, and I felt really inspired by her call to hug a newbie today. What an exciting idea, I thought to myself, and decided that I would head over to the western parts of Sarutabaruta and give a helping paw to a fellow adventurer.

Just outside the gate I found a tarutaru eagerly fighting a mandragora. The little tarutaru was wearing a traditional tarutaru kaftan and cried out as he struck the mandragora. I cheered at the little tarutaru, healing his wounds. The mandragora fought back well, but were no match for the tarutaru.

I wrapped the tarutaru in a kitty~huggie, good luck my friend! May the goddess be with you on your journey. The new adventurer blushed, thank you cat. I bowed to him, before running along, hoping to find another friendly face. Just showing a new adventurer that people actually cares about them made me feel a lot better. I remember people helping me when I started out, and this was my chance to repay the community. The cures and the protective spells wasn’t much, but I hoped that just stopping by and wishing them luck would put a smile on their face.