I decided it would be strategically responsible to properly record Daddy’s and Mommy’s advice regarding my upcoming journey to Isla de la Luna.
Primarily because the more information I gather regarding Miss DeLuna’s homeland, the less psychologically stable the entire plan appears.
Daddy’s advice was direct.
As expected.
1. Prepare yourself mentally for the possibility that the island is significantly larger and stranger than you currently imagine.
2. Ensure there is always a safe method of returning home.
3. Do not bring excessive trade ambition.
4. Again — make absolutely certain you have a safe route home.
He repeated the fourth point often enough that I suspect he no longer trusts reality itself.
Honestly, understandable.
The moment Daddy learned Miss DeLuna casually speaks Quenya with Elven nobility, I believe this journey stopped resembling “visiting a friend’s homeland” in his mind.
It now resembles exploratory diplomacy toward an unknown sovereign territory.
Possibly one protected by ancient bloodlines and artifacts expensive enough to destabilize regional economies.
Naturally, Daddy also suggested I bring several emergency documents, transferable contracts, portable assets, and enough negotiable leverage to establish fallback trade relations if necessary.
I intentionally excluded those recommendations from my official preparation list.
Mostly because I suspect Daddy may now be nearly as traumatized by Miss DeLuna as I am.
Since Daddy’s advice still felt somewhat incomplete, I later sought Mommy’s perspective as well.
Predictably, her recommendations differed entirely.
1. Go with a sincere heart, not merely curiosity.
2. Listen more than you ask.
3. Make sure you protect your own heart as well.
4. Respect Miss DeLuna’s boundaries and privacy.
I understood the first two instructions immediately.
The fourth also seems reasonable.
The third, however, remains deeply concerning.
I am still uncertain what exactly Mommy believes might happen to my heart on this journey.
Frankly, I do not appreciate how knowingly she smiled while saying it.
Ronan’s contribution to this situation was considerably less nuanced.
He advised me to cancel the entire trip immediately.
Repeatedly.
With alarming sincerity.
Spathian, meanwhile, announced he wished to join us “for sightseeing purposes.”
Which, under ordinary circumstances, would already qualify as catastrophic.
Unfortunately, Miss DeLuna reacted with immediate enthusiasm.
Apparently she considers Spathian’s presence “more fun.”
Personally, I consider his presence a structural hazard.
At one point she even attempted to reassure me by explaining that Isla de la Luna is supposedly very peaceful.
According to Miss DeLuna, the island contains little politics, minimal trade activity, and almost none of the tensions common within places like Port Roderick.
She described the entire journey as “basically just a relaxing trip.”
Then she casually added:
“We do not even have markets for snacks.”
Naturally, I asked the obvious question.
“If there are no proper markets,” I said carefully, “where exactly do people acquire food supplies?”
Miss DeLuna became completely silent afterward.
Not thoughtful silence.
Blank silence.
The kind produced by someone realizing for the first time that they have never actually questioned how civilization functions around them.
Eventually she answered:
“…I do not know.”
That response somehow increased my concern significantly.
At this point, I am no longer certain whether Isla de la Luna is: a small isolated island, a hidden noble territory, an ancient autonomous civilization, or some kind of sophisticated collective hallucination shared by everyone surrounding Miss DeLuna.
Fortunately, Daddy intervened before Spathian could fully commit himself to the expedition.
After approximately forty minutes of negotiation, emotional manipulation, and what I strongly suspect were financial threats, Daddy successfully convinced him to remain behind in Port Roderick.
Personally, I believe Daddy understands this situation represents a matter of survival for the Roderick Trading Guild itself.
Because if both Miss DeLuna and Spathian disappear together into an unknown western island civilization simultaneously…
There is a realistic possibility neither of them will ever return.
Komentar
Posting Komentar