Fleeting Bella

'My longing will linger, as fireflies and stars, lighting your way home.'

When her once-familiar homeland changed beyond recognition, and the memories she held faded like fragments of a dream, the Tidewisp in Bella's pocket remained—a quiet reminder that their promise was never an illusion.

If the promise made eleven years ago had yet to be fulfilled, then surely it would be—whether in the year they grew up, the year their names were known, or in some future yet to unfold.

In Bella's secret treasure spot, there lies an inscribed pearl.

The pearl bears an inscription in human language, stating that Bella and Lorelei are friends for life.

When Lorelei's mother married Uncle Averdin, she received a pearl ring. The priest said that vows spoken over a pearl ring must never be broken.

Bella too made a vow to the pearl. And she will treasure it always.

This is her 'most unique birthday gift.'

In Bella's secret spot, I also found a notebook.

Inside, Bella had documented her studies of the ocean's tidal patterns, the moon's waxing and waning cycles, and the daily routines of life in Sapphire Isle... After uncovering all these patterns, Bella left her own assessment—dull.

It seems she expended every effort to understand this world, determined to uncover all its secrets.

Yakov told me that to celebrate Bella's recovery, he arranged for her to take part in a new interactive performance by the bay.

Bella, playing the Coffee Bean Princess, delivered such brutally honest commentary about the plot that it completely contradicted her character, yet somehow won unexpected praise from the audience.

Yakov was pleased that the performance had brought a long-absent smile to little Bella's face, but she declared it 'the dullest script' she had ever seen.

Bella's condition continued to improve, and she sent over a new piece of sheet music. I asked Acappella to perform it, and the music stirred distant yet warm memories. Though I couldn't clearly see their form, I could feel the 'longing' within—it was a song about my homeland.

Bella said it was the most unique song, written just for me. She seems to have an almost obsessive distinction between what is 'dull' and what is 'unique.'

Long after that, I received a package from Yakov containing a dried Tidewisp seed.

The note inside stated that when I grow this Tidewisp and it blooms, Bella will send me her next 'most unique' letter.

'And don't forget to prove our promise to the gods.'