Dear Painted Mesa,
You'll be happy to hear that I followed your advice and took a nice vacation this summer - and, as proof, you'll find some pictures enclosed within. Sure, it's not exactly like you suggested (getting drunk and waking up next to a different ale wench every day isn't really my thing) but I did enjoy it all the same.
My initial plan was to spend a couple of months asleep in
my apartment since what happened in
the Praetorium took its toll on me. I just felt very, very tired.
A couple of weeks in, however, the fatigue subsided and I became very, very bored. What can I say, one takes to adventuring after a while! But just when I started thinking of throwing a rock on a map and journeying to wherever that rock landed, I happened to receive a very interesting letter.
It was from Master Gegeruju, owner of the resort in Costa Del Sol. He apparently read my book and was itching to give me feedback in person - he invited me to stay with him for the duration of the Moonfire Faire, which he was also hosting this year.
That seemed perfect, so I went, and oh, I don't regret it one bit.
Last time I was in that area, I didn't exactly have the opportunity to enjoy the weather! This time was different: I swam, I fished, I watched the fireworks... and I patiently listened as Gegeruju explained in minute detail why my work suffered from a painful lack of alluring miqo'tes.
Now that I think about it, that's very similar to what
you said to me after you read it. You'd probably get along very well with Gegeruju; you could bond over how you both don't quite understand what "autobiographical" means.
Once the Faire was over, I knew I'd have to leave the resort, but I'll confess I wasn't ready to do that just yet. Part of me feared that once I did, the spell would be broken and the realm would face mortal danger once more. Hah, as if evil followed my schedule! My worries are so silly sometimes.
Anyways, I stayed at Costa del Sol until after the Rising to help clean up. The weather was getting a little colder as summer was ending, but I enjoyed taking long strolls on the beach and picking up whatever debris the sea had delivered to shore. Among other things, I found many bottles containing letters entrusted to the waves by hopeful Eorzeans, some dating back as far as the Calamity.
Reading them soothed my fears. I don't want to bore you with an extensive account of my feelings - you've had plenty of that when you read my journal! - but I've been having a bit of a rough time lately. Some of the things
I saw and did haven't truly left my mind, and I'm only noticing it now that I'm not just chasing after the next goal.
Those letters reminded me that the realm and her people have been through many terrible things, and yet, they still thrive, they still hope, they still grow.
"
Care for a wound and it will heal", as conjurers say.
I returned to my apartment yesterday; swing by whenever you want to have
a drink and a chat. Ah, also, I've been crafting again now that I have the time, so I'm going to have to ask you to
get a couple of things for me. Please bring
Jospaire along, provided you can find him.
Your faithful friend,
Lalli