To Earthland... And Beyond!

"Character counts most when duty calls."

Hargeon Town had turned out to be quite the delightful place for a visit. The ocean was always a beautiful sight to see, and Serilda had taken it upon herself to enjoy a fine meal of delicious seafood while she had the chance. Furthermore, there were many different shops of all types, both carrying mundane wares and magical ones. It was soothing to watch the citizens go about their daily lives, hard at work in the ports and exchanging in various conversations with those around them. Children raced down the walkways with sticks for swords and wands, chasing each other around like the soldiers or wizards they hoped to be when they were older. It brought the barest of smiles to her face, though for her that might as well have been an ear to ear grin.

A commotion caught her attention, and Serilda followed the sound to the moors. There, she discovered a large gathering of people elbowing their way into non-uniformed lines that lead toward a number of tables. At the tables were dozens of workers in the official robes of Council workers, bustling their way around papers and quills and stamps.

Curious, she approached the throng and greeted one of the people at the back of a line. “Pardon me, ma’am,” Serilda said to the older woman, who turned to look at her. “May I ask what the Council is here for?”

“You must not have heard, yet! The Council has opened its borders with Seven, Bosco, and Minstrel. They’re allowing people to get passports so we can travel and visit these lands if we wish.”

Serilda raised a brow with interest. “Is that so?” She had, of course, heard that the borders were being opened. However, she thought that was just for trade. The knowledge that they were also going to be allowing citizens to cross those borders by their individual merits was news to her. It interested her greatly, in fact. “Well, perhaps I shall have to join you in line, then. I might as well get one myself, while I have the chance.”

The older woman smiled at her. “My thoughts, exactly! Just keep your wits about you. These people are crazy. A lot of them keep trying to cut in line…”

“Don’t worry, ma’am. I’ll be sure they wait their turns like the rest of us.” As she said it, Serilda stared down a man she’d made eye contact with who’d try to slip in line behind his friend. After a brief pause, the man thought better of it and moved to the back.

It took several long minutes for the lines to pass. Serilda spent it chatting with the kind lady in front of her until it was finally her turn. The council worker beckoned her to the table. “I need your ID. Fill out this paperwork and take note of the Jewel fee.” He slid a paper and a quill in front of her while she handed him her identification. She was interrupted from filling it out when he spoke up again. “Sinclair?” he asked, a bit of interest in his voice. “As in the gem suppliers?”

She acknowledged the recognition gracefully. “My father owns the mines in Clover Town, yes.”

He peered at her. “But Serilda… that name is also familiar. Are you not also a wizard with the Sabertooth guild?”

“I am.”

“The same one who vanquished that demon a couple weeks ago, and freed those slaves? With that other wizard from Fairy Tail… Oh, what was his name…”

“Mythal. And yes, I was a part of that battle.” She was a little surprised to hear him mention the fight with Muturu. The council had surely been pleased by their work, but to know that everyone had been talking about it to the point where even this paper pusher was aware of it… well, that was certainly something to note.

He beamed at her. “Marvelous! Absolutely marvelous, fine work saving all those people. I look forward to hearing of your future exploits!”

Serilda bowed her head in appreciation. “Thank you, sir. You’re quite kind.”

“My pleasure, Ms. Sinclair! Now, let’s get you this passport…” Not even ten minutes later, she was walking away with the stamped booklet all ready to go, as well as many things on her mind regarding the recent past… and her future.