Guild Wars 2

Authors note: I have worried over this story, Taimi is such a beloved character, I hope I do her justice. Fingers crossed..

The Festival brings something new.

Chapter 1

It was a Sunny day, calm breezes blew thru the Labyrinthine Cliffs. The festival was well underway, and with the exception of a few drunken arguments, it was peaceful and enjoyed by all. Our story opens with Jory and Kas, walking towards their newest member of the team, Taimi. “I really love this place, don’t you?” Lady Kasmeer remarked, “It’s so calming and restful”. Jory nodded and said “I agree, but that makes me uneasy..” "Why sug? asked Kas. “Well darlin when you’ve done the things I’ve done and seen what I’ve seen, it’s difficult to believe all is well. Don’t forget the blast after Scarlet fell, we still aren’t sure what will come of that. And that, makes me uneasy.” “Oh poo, you just can’t relax can you?” Said Kas shaking her head. “Honestly sometimes I think you like being unhappy”. They strolled on and Jory took a deep breath, “Ok Darlin for you I’ll try, but NO SWIMSUIT. I draw the line there.”. “giggle ok, that means I’m the only one that gets to..” Kas was cut off in mid sentence, when a small balloon landed near Taimi and tiny Asuran jumped out.

“Greetings, if my calculations are correct, this is the the Festival of the four winds, and you should be Taimi. It’s a pleasure to meet you sir.” Taimi looked up and snarled “Sir? Did you miss the ribbon?” "The stranger looked up and adjusted his goggles. “Oh yes, it’s very nice, umm the color suits you sir..”. Taimi stood up and looked the newcomer up and down, and remarked “Who are you, and what do you want?”. Lady Kasmeer approached and said “Taimi, manners please.. Hello I’m Lady, er… I’m Kasmeer, you can call me Kas, everyone does, this is Jory. And you are?”. The young Asuran smiled and bowed “I am Proto, and I’ve come to speak with Taimi, about a matter thats most important”. He turned away and began again to talk to Taimi, as he did Kas walked over to Jory and whispered, “I don’t know why he’s here, but he’s so cute.”. "Jory took her arm and guided her away and whispered, “Easy Darlin, Asurans are very sensitive about being called cute, or little, and so on. They are great inventors and will be very important to us if we’re facing another dragon”. “Ohhh ok” replied Kas, “I like you taking my arm, you’re so forceful..” Jory shook her head as Kas continued to giggle.

As they walk off, Taimi is overheard saying “You’re in synergetics? So was I, but I belonged in Statics.” “Really?” replied Proto, “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. All the wonderful ideas and exchange of knowledge, I hate going to sleep, I’m even working on a device to wake me if I nod off. Oh my this must be your Golem, he’s wonderful!”. Taimi replied “His name is Scruffy and don’t get too close, he’s in guard mode”. “Oh I understand, he looks most formidable. I’m told you built him yourself, is that true?” replied Proto, being careful not to get to close. In a quick motion he extended his arm and produced a small device strapped to his wrist. He tapped a few buttons and it starting smoking and blinking. Scruffy stood up and took hold of Taimi and placed her inside. “What are you doing Scruffy it’s ok, touchy much? He can be like a mother hen sometimes!”. Proto stepped back and continued to fiddle with the device on his wrist. “Oh blast, this thing is always malfunctioning, how can I make log entries like this?”. Taimi looked on with concern and some interest. “Have you ever thought of voice control, that’s what I use on Scruffy. Ahem, Scruffy, log entry, new acquaintance is in synergetics and seems to have a similar appreciation for my work. End entry.” Proto blinked and looked Scruffy up and down, and finally said “Remarkable, voice control, how intuitive! Do you have him on your voice commands only? Well of course.. silly question, does he transmit any information to you to save time or is it more you talk and he listens? So many questions..”. Taimi beamed, she liked having a fan and the attention of someone from home.

As they chatted among themselves, the visitors and residents passed back and forth, but Taimi and Proto took no notice. They seemed to hang on each others words. Jory finally interrupted them and asked if they needed anything before she went in for the night. They shook their heads and went on talking and discussing their work. Proto adjusted his goggles and asked, “Is it true you wanted to be Scarlets apprentice? My word that sounds fraught with danger, and, fascinating too..” "Taimi sniffed the air “Mm mm smell that?” Proto looked up and sniffed the evening air “Hmmm slight ion smell, it may rain. I should notate that, umm I’ll just remember it for later..” Taimi laughed “No silly, POPCORN”. Proto looked puzzled and said “Um, Pop what?”. “Corn” she replied, “It’s the best here.. oh he’s gone now..oh well” realizing her dilemma Proto stood and replied “I’ll be right back Sir” Proto scampered off after the merchant and finally caught him before he jumped to another area. “Two please my good man”. stated Proto, trying to act dignified. The merchant smiled and said “Certainly sir, that will be two silver please..” Proto looked perplexed “Umm, right currency.. oh dear..”. Just then the steps of someone large made its way up to Proto “Here kid, use this..” Proto looked up and up and almost fell over, “Oh thank you, dear me you’re tall!” “Ha, I’m Norn, it kinda goes with the territory, call me Braham. I’m friends with Taimi. We can keep the silver a secret between us.” Braham winked and called to a nearby Charr, “Come on Rox, I wanna get to the Pavilion before all the fights are over.. The ship is ready to take us!!”.

Proto gathered up the containers of Popcorn, but became distracted looking at the device used to make them. “Did you know,” he remarked to the merchant. “If you set your oil a few degrees higher you will achieve a better yield and have less waste?” The man smiled an leaned over, “sorry to interrupt you sir, but you’re keeping the young lady waiting.”. Proto turned and then scampered off, he stopped part way and nodded to the merchant. “Hmm a few degrees higher, he may be right..” Thought the merchant and leapt to the next level. Taimi was arguing with Jory as Proto approached, he waited for them to finish before speaking. “Aww please, it’s warm tonight and I have Scruffy, don’t embarass me..please..” whispered Taimi. Jory thought for a moment then noticed Proto had returned. “Okay, I’ll let Kas know you decided to sleep outside. Sweet dreams you two!” Jory smiled at Proto and walked into the hut nearby. “Here is your Popcorn Sir, I hope it’s to your liking.”, as he handed Taimi her portion. Taimi took a few bites then turned to Scruffy “Scruffy, night time guard mode.. engage”. Scruffy stood surveyed the area then went back to his crouched position.

Taimi sniffed her container and remarked “Mm mm I love popcorn. It’s just the way I like it too. Come to think of it, how did you know how I wanted it?”. Proto thought for a moment and said, “Honestly Sir, I just asked and he seemed to know.” "Taimi lowered her head and in a small voice “I guess everyone here knows about me..” Proto looked up from his popcorn and replied “Sir?” Taimi set her popcorn down and wiped her nose, and blinked a few times. Finally she said in a wavering voice "I know they mean well, but sometimes I wish.. well I wish.. " She stopped and wiped her eyes. Proto sat by her quietly, and tried to think of something to say. He mustered up his courage and said “Do you ever worry about your.. well, infirmities?” "Taimi looked up and said “My What?”. "Proto worried he had offended her but this was important to him so he pressed on. “Your legs, do you ever worry if they’ll get worse?”. Taimi wiped her eyes and said “Sometimes, I get scared.”. “Of what Sir?” Asked Proto. “I worry about not being able to move on my own anymore. Without Scruffy, I’d be, well, I’d be..” Her voice trailed off “Less mobile?” added Proto. Taimi nodded and said “Yeah..”.

“I do as well, I have my own infirmity, and it worries me.. alot.”. Taimi forgot her own sorrows for a moment and looked at Proto, “You do?” she asked. “Yes, my eyes are not very strong Sir, I have special lenses in my goggles, see?” Proto removed his goggles and handed them to Taimi. She examined them very carefully, and said “Ohhh.. these are amazing, did you make them?” "Proto now wiped his eyes, and said “Sadly no, my parental unit, sorry my Father did before he..umm died.”. Taimi suddenly felt like she had the most precious gem in all of Tyria in her hands. She was very careful handing them back to Proto, she smiled and said “It’s nice you have something to remember him by, he must have loved you very much.” Proto smiled and nodded. He carefully put the goggles back on and then remarked, “I really need to upgrade them. They aren’t strong enough anymore, but I can’t part with them. You know?”. Taimi smiled and looked at Proto in a new light. She nodded and thought a moment and said “Have you thought about returning them to their base elements and using them to make new ones, after making a scan and creating a schematic first, of course. Then you’d still have the ones he made, and be able to see better”. Proto thought for a moment, “You can do that?” he asked? “Sure! I can help you if you like.”. "Oh Sir!! Proto stood and hugged her. “I knew coming to you was the right idea. She said it would be..”. “She?” asked Taimi.

End of Chapter 1

Authors note: I grew up loving and still love, the Peanuts characters. I added Proto calling Taimi Sir, in part to pay homage to Peppermint Patty and Marcy. Hope that’s ok

Comments or suggestions welcome, just be nice

Chapter 2:
https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/community/creations/The-Festival-brings-Taimi-Chapter-2/first#post4135801