Marimo
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The Fledgling Carpenter 30
Hello, my furry friends! I've missed you both dearly.
How have you been?
Oh, fine, fine. Tell me, has Poppy figured out you're
not dogs yet?
Ha ha! Ah, sweet little Poppy.
Oh ho! What's this? Another young Carpenter?
Why are you looking at me like that? It's like you've
seen a ghost!
I assure you, I am very real. Although I've been...
traveling...for quite some time.
Ah...if only that were as exciting as it sounds.
Anyway, I must ask you a question. Do you like the
scent of fresh sawdust? Log piles? New furniture?
Yes? Yes! I do believe you have the makings of
a fine Carpenter.
Of course, as a young Carpenter, you'll need the
tutelage of a true Master. Do you know Woody?
He's already your Master? Well! Good for him. I'm
glad to see he's challenging himself.
Wait...this doesn't make sense. So when I was giving
him that little pep talk down the chimney...
he was mumbling in the general direction of
someone... That must have been you!
You're [Name 6], aren't you?
Well, nice to meet you. I'm glad you've been
spending time with my little Poppy!
Also, you probably already picked up on this, but
Woody's not the most...eloquent...teacher.
So let me help you out. Here's a technique he
probably hasn't gotten around to teaching you yet.
You got it! Now you've got everything you need to
craft my famous chair.
Well, it was good to meet you, but I've got to be on
my way. See you around, kid!
I'm afraid not, on both counts. No time for a family
reunion at the moment.
I mean, sure, I peeked in on both of 'em, just to
make sure they're doing all right.
But they both need to make their own way in the
world...feel things out for themselves.
So I've decided to let them be for the time being.
When the time is right...I'll intervene. Just not yet.
Word of advice, [Name 6]...
You show a lot of promise, but there's always more
to learn. You're still a sapling.
And...that's that. I'm afraid I don't have the time for
more visiting right now.
Farewell!
And you're a real Master now. Congratulations!
Not to take away from your fine craft on that chair,
kid. That's a nice piece of work.
Oh ho ho! Being a ghost is way too much fun...
Chat 16
The last time I visited this part of the world, a lot
of these trees were saplings!
Wanna guess my age? I just gave you a major hint.
Ahh...how many years has it been? Ten? Twenty?
A hundred? No, definitely not a hundred.
Mmm. I missed this sweet forest air...the lush forest
vegetation... What a wonderful natural preserve!
Hello. Aren't you the young Carpenter who was
working with my grandson, Woody?
Yes! I knew it. Well, I'm Marimo. I assume you've
heard of me.
Listen closely, youngster. I don't often give out
free advice.
Once you reach the Expert level, you'll be able to
modify crafts all by yourself.
Take advantage of this ability! You can make unique
items that are more powerful than they seem.
For example, you could make a magic wand that
would make a Wizard practically unstoppable!
So take this. And try mixing it into a special craft
when you're able.
Wanna learn something really cool?
Well, too bad! I won't teach you until you make
Expert!
Hah! Being a respected and feared guru is way
more fun than I imagined!
Ahhh... I can't get enough of that fresh pine scent!
Breathe it in and enjoy!
If you make furniture out of Pine Logs, you can even
enjoy it in your own home. Mmmm!
Have you ever taken a close look at any of the
furniture out here in the forest?
It seems rough and artless, doesn't it? Ah, but
take a closer look.
Better yet, take a seat in one of the chairs or try
napping in one of the beds.
Then I think you'll understand the charm and comfort
of rustic forest furniture!
Well, well, well. Look who's a Master. Not too
shabby, kid. Not too shabby.
I trust Woody has been doing a good job as your
teacher?
Hah! Who am I kidding? We both know Woody isn't
exactly the teaching type.
But boy, can that kid work the wood. He's even
better than I was, you know?
Well, he must be doing something right, because
you're pretty good.
Tell him I said that. Watch him freak out. Heh!
I'm a believer in the idea of tough love. People
either rise to the occasion or wilt.
That said, I suppose there are exceptions. I'm not
sure how Woody would respond to real stress.
Now Poppy, on the other hand—there's a girl
with moxie.
Oh, hey there.
What? Were you expecting a Hero's welcome from
me? Pfft. Come back when you've made Legend.
Heh. I'm just messing with you. I am actually
impressed. Here—take this.
If you've spent any time as a Wizard, you'll really
appreciate that wand, I think.
And even if you haven't...I think the craftsmanship
really shines through. Wouldn't you say?
You...you've actually done it. You made Legend.
For once, I am truly in awe.
In all my years of working with wood, I have yet to
reach the great heights you have.
Please take this. It's a craft fit for a Legend. As
such, I have never attempted it.
So now that you officially outrank me, tell me—what's
your secret?
Aw, come on. You can tell old Marimo. It's not like
I'll tell anyone else. I'm a recluse, ￩*
So you made Legend...and you're STILL trying to
advance? Remarkable.
You must really love the Carpenter Life. I do hope
you've tried a few others on for size as well.
See, even if you're a bit of a specialist, learning a
new Life or two can have major benefits.
Even I've got a handful of different licenses. I'm
actually a Master Cook, did you know that?
Take this. Sorry—it's not food.
Have you tried out a new Life yet? It's never too
late, you know.
Shoot, I was in my eighth decade before I so much
as touched a frying pan.
And look at me now—a Master Cook!
OK, maybe I don't actually LOOK like a Cook, seeing
as I'm sitting in the forest covered in sawdust...
Congratulations on earning the Creator rank!
You're one of the all-time greats.
It's noble work, what you're doing. Transforming
trees into beautifully crafted works of art.
How different would Reveria look without your
skill? You've literally helped craft our world!
One other thing. I wanted to thank you for all you've
done for Woody.
I know he was technically YOUR teacher, but I think
he ultimately learned more from you.
So thank you! Maybe Woody will prove to be your
greatest craft yet.