Eshe's Dialogue

Another Human! This village is practically becoming overrun.

I'm sure you want to talk to me about securing a housing permit.

Well, it's nice to want things...

I want the crown jewels of Akwindu, but you don't see me prancing around in a tiara.

If you need someone to hold your hand, talk to my dimwitted husband.

Please only disturb me if you have important matters to discuss.

You have an Air Type personality, don't you? You're the most mischievous of the personalities.

There you go, proving my point! Everything is a joke to you!

I could never keep up with your like, and I don't think I ever will...

You have an Earth type personality, don't you? I can recognize my own kind from miles away.

As are you.

We earth types are destined for nothing but greatness. Stay true to yourself, and a world of opportunity will open up to you...

You have a Water type personality, don't you? Yours is the most virtuous of the four personalities.

You are guided by principle and empathy, and you wear your heart on your sleeve.

A few words of warning: not everybody has your best interests in mind, even those you consider "friends".

Lady Kenyara Bahari, Kenli's foul sister, is The Duchess of the Bahari province..

Kenli was the rightful Duke of Bahari, but somehow Kenyara managed to snatch the title out from under him.

...and out from under me as well.

I've been in a constant state of war with the Duchess for as long as I can remember.

One that started well before I married her idiot of a brother...

Kilima may be a small village, but it comes with no shortage of responsibilities.

Every day, I thank the Dragon that I am the magistrate.

Let's just say the village would look very, very different if my husband were the one in charge.

Kenyatta always complains that it’s too chilly for evening walks.

I keep telling her she needs to bring a sweater.

But she never listens.

I feel quite ready to proceed with checking off all the boxes on my to-do list.

I got my required four hours of rest, as I do every night.

That’s the first check right there!

There’s so much to take care of today, and so little time to take care of it.

Delaila’s late on her tax payments for the farm again.

Hassian wants the sernuk hunting season extended.

And I’m neck deep in paperwork.

Why are you trying to keep me company?

Do you think of me as a frail old woman who can't even go for a walk on her own?

I’ve received numerous complaints about my daughter’s attitude.

Could you go to the front desk and remind her our family reputation is on the line?

I have to get through this paperwork in time to give my daughter her afternoon etiquette lessons.

Feel free to join in if you like, it seems like you could use all the help you could get in that area…

I stopped by your house on my rounds and I must say it is coming together nicely.

You must have me over for tea sometime.

Then I’ll get a chance to see if the interior is as well-appointed as the exterior.

It feels like just yesterday, the first Humans arrived in our village.

Now, they’re quite literally everywhere, from the farmost corners of our valley to the most improper of places.

Why, the other morning, I woke up to the sound of thundering footsteps on my roof!

How your kind manages to reach the most impossible places both alludes and infuriates me!

Don't be deceived by the enormous size of the delivery boy's backpack. Most of that space is filled with letters.

I wake up to heaps and heaps of them letters ever morning. Most of them are formal documents and reports, but occasionally, I do receive a few... unusual messages.

I just want Kenyatta to make the life for herself that I never got to.

Following a childish love over your own best interests only ends in pain.

Trust me. I know.

I have to admit...interacting with you Humans has been quite the challenge.

But, it turns out, I like being challenged. So it’s all worked out.

I haven't told you this, because I didn't want it to get to your head, but I see your practical ambitious nature and I applaud it.

You remind me of me at your age. And yes, you're welcome for the high praise.

I tripped on several bug-catching smoke bombs on my way up to the estate last night.

Tell your fellow Humans to exercise more care when throwing those things around.

Yes, they are biodegradable, and yes, the chapaas pick them up for us, but they're a safety hazard for anyone with high-heeled shoes!

My husband asked me why I spend so much time patrolling the village.

If I don't keep trouble out of our community, who will? Surely not him!

...

As a magistrate, it's my job to oversee all permits, legislation, laws, bylaws, and ordinances...

I also maintain order by making sure those laws are properly enforced.

Better to ask what I DON'T do if you want a brief answer.

My husband is supposed to help me manage the village as Mayor.

But unfortunately he’s too busy kissing babies and complimenting the neighbor’s shrubbery to do any real governance.

If you look into the distance, you can see the glow of Bahari City to the northeast and Harvest Meadows to the south.

Straight north is one of the most ancient sites in the region... the Elderwoods.

You may have heard a few things about it by now. Namely, rumors of a creature that stalks the woods.

Poppycock, if you ask me!

Most of my knowledge about governance came from my parents. The rest I gleaned through experience.

I want to pass that wisdom onto my daughter, who has been less than receptive to my tutelage.

It's for that reason I've entrusted the librarian with teaching her.

I've realized that even if she won't listen to me, she will listen to someone else.

I just came back from my nephew Eshelon's birthday ball.

It went abysmally.

He chose a path in governance and intends to follow in his mother's footsteps as Duke.

If only Kenyatta had chosen better, it could have been her ruling in his place.

She's much more capable than that pompous little oaf!

Are you here to make a noise complaint about the Inn?

Because if so, I won't hesitate to shut them down immediately.

Unfortunately, village bylaws require a complaint...from someone who isn't the magistrate.

Once you find out what Kenli does all day, why don't you let me know...

I was shocked to hear that there's a rumor going about that I named my daughter after the Duchess!

It's utter poppycock; of course! Kenyatta and her cousin Eshelon both got their names entirely by coincidence.

I can't help it if Kenyatta is an old Bahari family name.

We have to wait for the Order to get here and assess the situation before you can leave the valley.

After that, you should be free to roam about.

Provided they find nothing suspicious, of course.

I am a good Majiri. I, of course, maintain my reverence to the Dragon Moon.

But between you and me, I do find the Phoenix Moon quite fascinating.

My parents were both lawyers in Bahari.

As a child of the governance class, I went to school with much of Palia's elite.

Including Kenli and his sister Kenyara. They too me under their wing.

It wasn't until much later that I learned to regret that.

I was making my rounds the other evening when Zeki leapt out at me from the bushes!

He gave me such a fright that I dropped my coin pouch, and one of those thieving chapaas took off with it!

Mind you, that pouch was custom-tailored by Barinka Omiata herself!

Hmph! I ought to have that meddlesome Zeki pay for a new one!

The gem on my necklace is none other than the Dragon's Eye Emerald.

It's been in Kenli's family for generations.

...so don't you even think about pilfering it!

If you hear Kenli going on about a monster in the Elderwoods, please do ignore him.

That story is nothing but childish drivel.

In Kilima, it's common for several generations of a family to live together.

Children are cared for by their parents and grandparents, who also look after each other.

My husband's family had five generations occupying the same household at one point.

Of course, the property was grand enough to accomodate them all, with extra room to spare...

My husband has the tendency to obsess over one specific food for several months at a time.

His current obsession is sandwiches.

He has them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and every period in between.

His fixation wouldn't be so bad if he wasn't losing his sandwiches left and right.

Just the other evening, I found one in my BATHTUB of all places! What in Maji's name was it doing there?!

While I admire Jel's commitment to his family's craft, his style is a bit out there for me.

I only buy from his mother Barinka in Bahari. That's the only place to get a true Omiata masterpiece.

Did you know that I style my hair and makeup myself?

There was once someone I trusted with the task. We would spend hours dolling one another up.

But that time has long since passed.

I see you've been learning from that fisherman.

As long as you clean up your foul-smelling bait, I have no qualms with you fishing wherever you like.

I’ve seen how masterfully you wield your bow. Whatever Hassian has been teaching you is starting to pay off.

Perhaps the two of you together can do something about the chapaa infestation my husband caused.

I hear you’re making quite the earnings off your farm. Keep it up, and you might just put the Daiyas out of business.

...Don’t give me that look. I’m merely pulling your leg.

I have nothing but respect for the Daiyas. They’ve been members of our community for a long time.

Word has it that you’ve become quite the cook.

It just so happens that my household is in need of a chef. Just something to think about.

What do you wish to talk about?

I think it's a little too early in our acquaintance to start discussing our hopes and dreams, don't you?

By any chance, do you know where that silver-tongued salesman disappears to after hours?

What are you doing in my bedchamber at this hour?

I'm doing my morning round of tax collection.

It's important for everyone to contribute if we want to maintain a functioning society.

I rise at 2 every morning. No earlier, no later.

Why? Because that is the time for taxes to be collected, and I am the only one who can do it.

I'm out on my evening patrol.

The hooligans think they can get away with their tomfoolery just because the Sun's not watching them.

But the joke's on them, I still have my eyes open.

If you came to reflect on the beauty of the sunset, you should go and bother Kenli with your nonsense.

He can drone on for hours about the beauty of a burlap sack dancing in the wind.

It's on nights like this that I sometimes miss the hustle and bustle of living in Bahari.

When I was a young woman, hardly a fortnight would go by that I wouldn't accompany a young man to a ball.

I could have hardly imagined the young lord I picked to wed would settle us in a quiet little town like this.

But I suppose there's no use thinking about the past.

My duty is this village.

Wishing things had gone another way would be like an Ormuu wishing it had been born a fish.

It's time I retire for the evening.

I must get some rest before I'm up bright and early in the morning.

It's important to do a proper patrol at night.

That's when the hooligans prowl after all.

As the magistrate, I must be constantly vigilant.

The decor around here isn't exactly my style.

But a City Hall should reflect the qualities of the governed, not the governor.

It's not my fault this village's tastes tends to skew...rural.

Why are you here? Do you need a permit for another housing expansion?

If so, there's no need to pander. Just come by my office during standard business hours.

Coming over to admire my home, are you?

Being married to a Lord does have its advantages, few though they may be.

You're in my home past nightfall and I haven't arrested you yet.

...I guess that says something about how much I value you.

Do me a favor and don't let the praise go to your head.

As a young woman, I had no shortage of suitors, all from families as distinguished as my own.

There were a select few who even managed to win my parents' favor. None were able to earn mine, however.

Yes, until Kenyar-- I mean, Kenli-- Ugh!

You just had to go and sour my mood, didn't you?

Would you believe it if I told you the Duchess and I were actually best friends once upon a time?

We were. But her parents never liked her spending so much time with a mere lawyer's daughter.

She convinced me to marry Kenli so I could be one of them.

But then she got the title and shipped me off here.

She says she didn't know her father intended to pass her brother over for his birthright, but I don't believe it.

I think she just set the whole thing up to make a fool of me.

Look, you know I’ve started to grow fond of you. So, I’m saying this for your own good.

You need to learn to take yourself more seriously. If you don’t, nobody will.

Some days I very dearly regret my marriage to Kenli.

Because I made a commitment to him.

A good Majiri is nothing if she can't stick to her commitments.

Best you remember that if you want to fully integrate with our society.

I've been noticing that you and my daughter have been huddled in the corner, whispering about something lately.

And I have just two words to say about that.

STOP. IT.

You know that cook is not as clever as he thinks he is.

Between you and me, I'm letting him get away with his little "extracurricular pursuit" for the time being.

It's Zeki I'm really interested in. Imagine the clout I'd receive if I was able to take down a Grimalkin cartel.

Tell me, do you know how Kenyatta lost the pearl?

Think before you speak. I have ways to tell if someone is lying...

I recently had an important meeting with the Duchess of Bahari in my office at the City Hall.

All was fine until a foul odor permeated the room.

Before I could investigate the source of the smell, the Duchess hastily excused herself...

But not before giving me a strange look, like I was the one responsibile for that stench!

I toiled endlessly to make her visit run as smoothly as possible, only for it to end like this.

When I find out who or what was responsible for that stink, not even Maji himself will be able to control my wrath!

You didn't happen to read that letter in my room, did you?

Life in this village was never what I wanted for myself.

But now that I have it, the Duchess will have to pry it from my cold, dead hands if she wants to take it from me.

After you prepared those dishes for my dinner with the Duchess, I scrambled like a headless peki to plate everything.

I finished just before she arrived, and the meeting went without a hitch.

Thank you again for your help. Without you, the night could have ended much, much worse.

Kenyatta told me you know about my dinner with the Duchess.

I suppose I can't get one by you, now can I?

And if you know she was here, you must also know why.

I suspect this isn't the last we see of her either.

We'll just have to be prepared for whatever comes.

I have to thank you for the food you made for my last minute diplomatic dinner.

It was quite palatable.

I'm sure you know me well enough to know that is a very high praise.

Ever since I fired my previous chef, Enzo, the state of our household meals has been in disarray.

He left me with only two choices: order from the Inn, or from all the way in Bahari City!

You want ME to cook? Why I never!

These hands are made for collecting taxes and signing documents, not for the kitchen!

I wouldn't trust them with a butter knife, much less my meals!

You, on the other hand, I would allow in my kitchen.

Should you find yourself in need of an additional source of income, you know who to speak to.

I see that you and the Omiata boy are an item.

I have nothing but respect for his mother, Barinka. Do give her my regards if you happen to encounter her.

That's my daughter's pin. Since when have you two been seeing each other?! And why wasn't I informed?!

In my days, courtship was handled the proper way -- through the approval of the parents of both parties!

I see that farm boy has taken a liking to you.

Hmph! Maybe he'll leave my daughter alone now.

Good riddance, if you ask me. He was never good enough for her, anyway.

If I’m not mistaken, that pin belongs to the cook.

I would question your choice in partner, but it really isn’t my business.

I may be going about my duties as usual now, but tonight I'll be at the Maji Market.

Do not be mistaken. I won't be there for the leisure like most will be. My hands will be full ensuring the event runs as smoothly as possible.

I wish to report nothing but positive results to the Duchess at our next sub-council meeting!

The Maji Market won’t be here for long. Enjoy it while it lasts.

My daughter continuously goes out of her way to make sure I know how unhappy she is running that cart.

When I passed by her earlier, she sighed so loudly that everyone turned to look at her – then at me, like I was responsible for her self-imposed misery.

I wasn’t even the one who asked her to manage that booth. If there’s anyone she should blame, it’s her father!

I imagine you received an invitation to the market from my husband?

I made sure he sent one to everyone in the area, but there’s a good chance that buffoon missed a few homes.

I once left him in charge of our wedding invitations and he forgot to include my parents, of all people!

I’m not surprised Hassian isn’t here, considering what an adversary he is of chapaas.

It’s a shame his mother hasn’t been able to make it, either. I imagine she must be busy with her work.

This is the first Maji Market that Kilima has seen in quite some time.

I thought I would revive the tradition just to see how well it does. Think of it as an experimental project, if you will.

If the experiment succeeds, perhaps it’ll return again, maybe even with something a little different.

And if it fails, I doubt we will see another one for a long time… possibly never again.

I was surprised at how many vendor applications I received for the Maji Market.

Most of them I approved. A few of them I did not, for various reasons, bribery being one of them.

You haven’t found anything worthwhile to show me from the market, have you?

All this tells me is that the Maji Market is doomed to fail. I should have known investing so much into it was a mistake…

I still find it hard to believe that boy is capable of making such a refined dessert, but I must give credit where it’s due.

It’s a shame that it’ll only be sold for a limited amount of time.

Tonight, the Maji Market opens its doors to welcome everyone in for the Luna New Year.

As the host of the event, I, of course, will be there.

I expect to see your face among the crowd as well. Don't even think about missing such a momentous occasion.

My husband gave you a lucky envelope, correct?

Just so you know, that was not a gift from him, but from our household, like many lucky envelopes are. So I hope you are not expecting any from me.

Luna New Year was not as significant a holiday in my household as others... Then again, few holidays mattered to my parents.

It wasn't until I married into the Baharis that I actually began to celebrate them.

That family is particularly passionate about Luna New Year. Their parties were always so rambunctious... but not entirely unpleasant.

Wishes... I make one every year, and always on behalf of the village. It is my duty as magistrate, after all.

So if good things come to everyone in the village, you have me to thank. I was generous enough to wish for your well-being, after all.

I had a meeting with the Duchess shortly before the Luna New Year.

It went rather well, and I was able to secure additional funding for the Maji Market.

I am confident this event will perform well, and I will have nothing but good news to boast about- ahem, share- at the next sub-council meeting.

The profits from the first Maji Market were higher than anticipated.

That allowed us to be more... ambitious this time around.

We have more vendors, more activities, and more decorations to fill the fairgrounds with. Frankly, I am quite pleased with how it all came together and it's all thanks to my hard work.