Mauro in Courtship and Marriage
Little did he know I had a different itinerary for him!
I have to confess I did it so I could marry Kai, but why not do as much as possible here before I do? Consequently, as I completed the Pure Azuma Quests one by one, and raised every one to Level 12 for their cutouts, I went through Kai's Intimacy Events again, then planted the White Plum Sapling. I also waited to experience my birthday single, thereby receiving gifts from every one.
Two thoughts paused my path to wedded bliss with Kai:
The Pescapedia was incomplete.
Kai's birthday is 20 Autumn. In the game where we married and had two children, the second was born on his birthday. It really has no effect on HIS birthday, but I would hate to share my birthday with somw one close to me, so I begsn to feel it would be best to finish the Pescapedia and propose after the 20th.
I then thought I might as well create an alternate path now as I am treading water basically. So I declared my love for Mauro.
I went through every single event with every individual in the first game I actually completed. This game actually was my first where originally I had no idea what I was doing. It felt clumsy and stupid after starting another so I let it attract cobwebs... and then realised it does not matter how and when you come to the goals, but why waste any effort? So I picked it up again. It was late in the first year and four characters had not been added yet but I fixed all of that and went forward to victory. Ironically, although my progress had been very slow initially, I ended not far from the same place on the calendar for my streamlined game. There are events that cannot be rushed that much!
One notices so much more the second time. Experiencing the 'dates' with Mauro, my character behaves more like he does than I ever would! She is madly in love with him. When he is not at the meeting point, she becomes anxious and desperate. What is truly interesting is the tension and anger that erupts in the first date. For all of his romantic language, he did not seek any entanglement.
Unlike Kai, Ikaruga or Subaru, (the three whom I married so far) Mauro is a guy who has it all. He is the scion of the St. Coquille family. He has a close and loving relationship witj his family. He has good looks, charm and plenty of money. He has his own transport that can take him anywhere. The thought of creating his own family never entered his mind. One of the reasons I love Kai so much is that, from the moment I declared that love, he wanted to be better and imagined what our life together could be. He went out and took menial part time jobs because he was hoping one day we might 'live under the same roof'.
Mauro had no such desire. He liked loving me from a distance, without having any duty or obligation to stay in Azuma.
As time went on and the dating proceeded, my character was anxious, and almost devoid of faith in him altbough he promised he would not leave Azuma without warning. He told her reoeatedly she had become the most important part of his world and yet she remained insecure.
In the last date with Mauro, Tsubame assured me that if he should leave Azuma, she could find him for me for a price using her mercantile contacts
I found myself embarrassed and uneasy. If a guy left me for parts unknown, I would close the book on him. I also found my character's continuing desperation disturbing.
It will be interesting to see what our married life will be like. I have a sinking suspicion that it is the behaviour of my character that will be lacking and that she may continue to question the level of his devotion and commitment. I hope I am wrong. He certainly will have beautiful children with me!
On 13 Autumn, I invited Mauro to the Fateweaver Shrine. He was ready and willing to go there instantly but we will meet tomorrow at noon.
(I have another file at 13 Autumn saved directly after collecting the white plum branch, poised to marry Kai.)
14 Autumn:
Took my Tengus into combat along with Kai and Yachi today after the Fateweaver Shrine with Mauro. Still trying to get Golden Fletch. Ironically, they are needed for Mauro Cutouts!
I fell in the water by accident and then mounted the Dusk Tengu also by accident. Kai noticed and said:
Hey, so you're a regular monster tamer! So, where's mine?
15 Autumn: Nuptial traditions begin at 6 with visits to all four villages and blessings from all six gods. Then to the Fateweaver Shrine where Rin,Subaru and Woolby appear to be in charge. This time, it is I who reassure Mauro that he need not drink all of the Sacred Saké if it is too much for him.
We are together in our home at 8. There is the ever-critical choosing of the new nicknames. When I next turn round to look for Mauro, he is sleeping in his futon muttering directions to his airship in his dream.
I asked about his parents and their opinion of his marriage, whether they approved of me and he avoided a direct answer!
As is always the case of my wedding day, very little work was done by the villagers ... a few eggs and milk in the shipping bin. No fish at all, and only a solitary Carrot. If I do not go round to all four Villages before bed, Terra Tiller in hand, I expect a host of withered grass.
As I suspected... not one plot either watered nor any Crop harvested and many were Golden Crops. I feel like evicting the lot of them! Slaved away until 11 sorting out THEIR duties.
As I slip into my own futon next to Mauro, he sweetly says: 'Good night. Sweet dreams.'
Well, he confessed he had bern sleeping on his airship for months. He deserves a good night's rest.
16 Autumn:
Kusatsu in my Party: Time to aearch for undiscovered hot springs! Wait. We're not?
Tamed Kincho Tanuki at Fleeting Flower with Exquisite fur.
I have Kusatsu in my Party.
Kusatsu: Never thought I'd be making friends with monsters... wanna hit the hot springs?.
'What if I make a specialty bath with any ingredients we pick up? Hmm... Nah, that could go sideways real fast.'
'Sorry, think I need a breather...
'Phew. You saved my bacon there.'
And then he gets too big for his boots and becomes rather obnoxious, once he is strong enough to withstand death... so I shan't be taking him out again.
I tamed a Hawk Tengu at Glacial Island using Exquisite Fletch. Trying to get more Golden Fletch. I picked up one somewhere in the past fortnight but have no idea where or how. I know ultimately it will be like the Large Fur where I have less than a handful at first and suddenly am shipping a hundred every day.
I returned to the Shrine at 7 for dinner and dear Mauro was there waiting. 'Welcome home.' It appears that we both cook.
17 Autumn:
Speaking of Mauro, I still need Golden Fletch for more of his Cutouts. I finally got one as a drop today from the giant white chicken midpoint through FoE Level 1. I will try to tame this bird tomorrow. All the others give Mysterious Fletch!
I take my Party to the 2nd Level where I need to light a torch to open up the oath. To my surprise and anger, Yachi says: 'Who knows how much time it would have taken Kai to solve that.'
His response: 'Like hell! I could have cracked it wide open. I-I mean, metaphorically!'
Yachi: 'Ugh... you're such a sore loser.'
Just shocking really! She is very different when her claws are out in a combat zone.
18 Autumn: I went with two Tengus to the FoE Level 1 to tame the large Cluckadoodle midpoint and gave it Quality Fletch I think. Strong Fletch was rejected. I hope it yields the Golden Fletch I seek.
Level 4, FoE:
The mushroom on the left side of the bridge guarded by Oni Archers today was a Bear Toppler
Yesterday it was an Oni Toppler.
Today, the second of the two Tengu on the narrow path hugging the mountain near the start gave me a Golden Fletch.
One is a Pheasant Tengu and the other is a Hawk Tengu. I could tame both with an Exquisite Fletch.
The best Level for Golden Fletch is FoE Level 8.
Kusatsu at the door of the baths: Nice weather, eh? The baths are painted a beautiful blue thanks to these clear skies.
