(note: I have since changed back into a male. This journal entry reflects time still as a female a few days prior to my change because I got lazy and didn't write it when I should have. Many apoligies.)
Hey, journal! I had something odd happen to me earlier that seemed of note.
So, it seems that the Songbirds have once again decided to make an appearance. I honestly don't know what they do for the rest of the year, but that's up to their seneshals. I've had the occasion to attend a few of their past performances and they do rather good work. But this time around I wanted to actually experience what it feels like to be like them, you know?
So in preparation of this I went through an old footlocker of clothing I bought a long time ago and found an imported dress with some rather interesting tights and a pair of clogs that seem to go all together.
I must say I look reasonably good in it and the fabric hugs the body in a rather pleasant way. I think I'll miss this when I change back. Which is why I'm doing my best to enjoy and learn from these experiences while I still can.
Anyroad, I make for Ul'dah where the performance of the songbirds will take place, and believe me the place is packed! My sense of aether can detect a few friends amidst the crowds, but that seems secondary at present.
One of the seneshals of the event beckoned me over to discuss something of an odd nature before the next set of songs could be performed. He was concerned for a young teen that several had seen on the fringe of the crowds during past performances and pointed me in the general direction of the entrance of the gate of Nald where the crowd once again gathers.
Being taller than most people, it took little effort to spot the youngster. She was plainly dressed in a spring gown and had her hair done up slightly. I approached her as she was contemplating something, looking slightly frightened and staring off into the middle distance. I politely called out to her and she was only mildly startled. She was shy at first but after I struck up a conversation, she revealed to me that she really wanted to attend this years' Little Ladies day, but had been playing out in the thanalan fields and was attacked. In her panicked haste, she dropped her earrings and a necklace. She was terrified to go back out there.
So, being the good-natured person that I do my best to be, I volunteered to go searching for her jewelry. This instantly brightened her day. I asked her how I may search for them because the fields were pretty big. She pulled out some paper and drew me a remarkable image. So well drawn it was I instantly knew where to look. I asked her to remain and left through the gate.
Finding the area depicted in the drawing was only a matter of minutes walk and soon I started combing the area. However what I had found puzzled me. I had half expected simple gems attached to brass chains or ear studs; possibly even mid-grade cuttings of finer gems that a father would give to his young daughter to make an impression on the crowd. Instead I found old and tarnished jewelry that has seen decades of weather heaped upon it. The gems lost their luster and the clasps and studs were, well, I wouldn't hang them on a child without decent replacements.
However I did sense that these are the correct items, so after carefully stowing them in a belt pouch, I made the trip back to the gate where she waited my return. I opened the bag and carefully gave them to her. I don't understand what she saw in them, but she called them 'her most precious possessions'. She then went on to explain that she too wanted to feel like a princess--then proceeded to call me her own seneshal. This surprised me greatly, but I smiled at her and--for the life of me I have no idea what came over me--I knelt before her, thanking 'her highness' for the opportunity to give me a task as her seneshal. She giggled and went old time language on me. Then bade me to take the same jewelry to one Tobyn out in Crescent Cove. With a smile on her face, she bid me carry out this last request.
Without hesitation, I nodded and made to leave. She spoke to me as I left, something that I rightly can't remember presently but caused me to turn around.
The square was empty.
Just moments ago she was off to the side, very distant from other people, and now she was not. Puzzled, I got my company chocobo out and made for the small fishing town. It didn't take me long to seek out this man. He was working at one of the fishing nets responsible for drying and preserving what the fisherman bring in.
He was in his middle to late years and held himself as if he had a weight on his shoulders. We made some polite conversation then I brought out the jewelry. He visibly paled and made a grab for them. Shocked, I asked him what the matter was. he shushed me and looked them over, frowning. I waited patiently until he nodded his head.
He then wove a tale about his late aunt who has been thought dead for many a year. hers was a sad story that, on another Little Ladies Day she vanished from the crowd by false seneshals that acted like they were to be guards. The strange part of this tale is that she was still a youth at the cusp of womanhood. I described the girl that sent me on this errand and he confirmed that it was indeed her...or at least her spirit made physical. He speculated that her desire to attend or attempt to attend kept her spirit here, preventing its return back to the Lifestream. He kindly thanked me, saying that they had no proof of the deed and that perhaps after all these years she could rest her soul and join the rest of her kin in the hereafter.
Upon this reflection, he excused himself to get back to his work and I went back to Ul'dah. The day was still fairly young and I wanted to experience it to the best of its ability. Though I should probably wash this dress when I get home; it is a bit dusty.
-Drail Silverleaf journal entry
