Mila finished explaining what had happened to her during her trip. Her father and Zunari stood by her bed in Doc Bandam's house/shop, both looking down on her with odd expressions on their faces.

It had been two full days since the incident with the ChuChu. While Mila was feeling much better than she had, she was still a little tired. She really didn't have any complaints about Doc Bandam's orders to take it easy for the next few days. Of course, compared to what her father and Zunari were likely about to say to her this morning, the poison may have just been a warmup.

"Dear me, that sounded like you had a rough time," Zunari finally spoke after a moment of silence. Mila simply waited, bracing herself for the hammer to fall. "It's a pity you did not try to speak to the Rito chieftain again after meeting this Valoo..." Zunari mused, his expression thoughtful. "Wait," Mila's father interjected, "Do you actually think this...Valoo...really exists?" Zunari calmly regarded the other man, "What reason would I have to doubt it? Dear me, the things I have seen would make your eyes larger than dinner plates!" The short merchant chuckled at this, before turning back to Mila.

"Of course, if what you said is true, the Rito really aren't open to dealing at this time...and it is possible that you have opened the path to strike a deal with them later," Zunari continued, "However, the fact that you didn't so much as look at the goods I sent with you is disappointing."

"Well, I thought...thought you didn't want me opening them," Mila said quietly, feeling very worried. Just perfect, she had already blown her chance at a better job. She wondered if she would ever actually ever succeed at anything...

"Dear me, that's hardly what I wanted," Zunari replied, frowning, "A good merchant always looks to take initiative...and I thought you would be perfect at doing just that, given how you rushed off when you departed. You didn't even to bother to ask me any questions about what you should do!"

Mila felt stupid, realizing that was exactly what had happened. Thinking back, she realized she had just been trying to follow orders, not assert herself...and Mila stopped, realizing that Zunari had read her eager departure as asserting herself, and furthermore approved of it. Confused, Mila worried about this job and if she would have to go back to her old self in order to keep it. The thought of it scared her.

"But...I'm not...that's not how..." Mila began to stutter, trying to explain.

"Mila," her father spoke, "That...that IS who you are...my daughter..." Reaching down, he hugged her tightly. Mila gasped as he squeezed her a little too tightly, "Ow...that hurts..."

"Sorry," he said sheepishly as he backed off, "But Zunari is right...you're really an amazing independent young woman. Look at me, due to my back I can't even really work. And you're the one taking care of me, providing for us when I can't. " Mila stared at him, wondering if someone had kidnapped her father and taken his place. This didn't sound like anything he would say.

"You being that way...taking the initiative...is what got us this far, and it will get you even farther." her father finished, and both him and Zunari looked at her expectantly. Flustered, Mila said the first thing that came to mind:

"Are-are you sure you feel okay, father?"

Zunari promptly burst out laughing. Meanwhile, her father smiled sadly and replied, "Well, I am a little afraid...you going off like that. After all, you didn't even tell me you were leaving!" Mila gulped as she remembered that she had forgotten to tell him that. "I know there's a chance you could get hurt out on the Great Sea, and a part of me wants to stop you," he continued, as Zunari tried to bring his snickering under control, "But I know that if it's really something you think is necessary...you need to go for it."

Mila took a long look at her father...and suddenly, rising up, threw her arms around his neck. The two remained like that for some time, saying no words, knowing nothing needed to be said.

Eventually they seperated, and Mila noticed that Zunari had apparently left in the meantime. However, Doc Bandam had entered. "She still needs some rest, and I think it's best if you leave her to it, Barty." said the doctor. "I told you not to call me that!" exclaimed her father, his face turning a slight shade of red. Mila snorted at the nickname, trying to stifle laughter. Naturally, she failed.

Her father joined in a second later, while Bandam merely grinned. After the laughter died down, he said, "Fine, fine, Bartholomew, it's time to go." Her father nodded. "Goodbye, Mila. I love you...and I hope you feel better." he said, then turned to leave.

"Goodbye!" Mila called out, feeling much better than she had in a while.

::::

A knock on the door roused Mila from her thoughts. She was slightly bored, having walked around the room a few times to stretch. She was still a little sore, but Mila was certain she would be able to get back to work in a day or two. Looking up from where she sat on the bed, she called out, "Come in."

It was Zunari, holding a rather large wrapped package. Doc Bandam was behind him, grinning widely for some reason. "Good, you're actually feeling better. It's good to see you up and about," Zunari said, holding out the package. "What is that?" Mila asked curiously, taking it and setting it down next to her.

"Dear me, you can hardly be expected to go around being a merchant wearing that outfit," Zunari stated amusedly. Mila looked down, and realized that her outfit she had been wearing had become badly stained. Shuddering, she nodded. Zunari continued, "That's why I bought you more new clothes, so you can continue to make a good impression."

Mila opened the package. Within were several outfits that, while none of them quite as fancy as the ones she had worn before the Reversal, looked to be of higher quality than what she saw most people wearing.

"But...I...Didn't this cost you a lot of rupees?" Mila stuttered, worried that she would end up paying for this. "Dear me, you are right...but it's an investment," Zunari replied. Mila frowned, unsure of what he meant. "An investment?" she asked, beginning to see what Zunari had planned.

"Correct. A merchant can't really make money without being willing and able to spend some first," Zunari nodded. Mila felt it sounded like he was reciting something from memory. For a second she thought about it, but realized that Zunari's past really wasn't her business at this point. At the moment, what mattered was that he was giving her a valuable gift.

"Thank you," she said. Zunari regarded Mila for a minute, smiling silently.

"Speaking of payment," Doc Bandam spoke quietly. Mila gulped, realizing two things simultaneously: that Doc Bandam was still present, and that her treatment probably was more expensive than the clothes. Zunari turned, and began, "Dear me, I can pay-"
"So, as for the cost of the treatment..." the doctor cut Zunari off. Mila swallowed again as the room fell silent. After a moment, Bandam finally spoke.

"The cost will be...one rupee."

Mila wasn't sure whether she should be sighing with relief or punching Doc Bandam in the face. However, physically hittting the man was something the old Mila would have done, so she quickly dismissed that thought. Zunari, meanwhile. snorted, "Dear me, you didn't have to worry us like that. But why only one rupee?"

"There are two reasons," the doctor explained, "First, I am partly responsible for the fact she was injured. Secondly, I owe her father a favor or two, so this is a good way to repay it. As for the one rupee...well, I do have to charge something, or else I would look bad, right?"

Mila probably would have laughed at that last one, except that she was too busy digesting the news about her father. She wondered what he had done for Bandam in the past...but ultimately, just as with Zunari's past, it wasn't her business. Letting the thoughts drop, she looked down at the clothing she had received.

"Anyway, you are doing much better," Bandam spoke up again, "So I'd say tomorrow you're free to go...just remember to take it easy." Mila nodded, and the two men turned to exit.

::::

Mila had to admit that the new clothes were much better than her old dress, which now lay in a heap in the corner. The outfit she had decided to try on consisted of a blue sleeveless top and brown pants, and it fit her comfortably. Stretching, she winced as a twinge of pain shot through her body.

Another knock on the door sounded. Mila walked over and opened it, to discover that sailor...Candy, that was his name...standing there.

He said, "Hello...lassie..." His voice trailed off as he regarded her new outfit. Mila looked at him, beginning to wonder about what the young man was thinking. After a minute, he swallowed and continued, "So...anyway, I heard what happened to you from Zunari. I'm sorry, lassie...I forgot to tell you about remembering not to keep sailing while asleep..."

Feeling a bit bewildered, Mila cut him off, "No, it's my fault. I should have thought about it...don't blame yourself." Both of them fell silent. Mila was unsure what to say next, a bit upset with herself for making the sailor feel guilty.

"Dear me, you could cut the silence in this room with a knife!" a familar voice behind Candy exclaimed, causing him and Mila to both jump, startled. Zunari walked in, grinning. Candy frowned, and said accusingly, "How long were you there?"

"You know, you are being very rude. Anyway, I believe you want to try to make up for what happened?" asked Zunari, a sly look in his eye. Mila had a bad feeling about this. The burly sailor nodded, a confused look on his face.

Zunari rubbed his hands together, "Since Mila still needs to take it easy, and probably could use more instruction on sailing..." Mila grimaced at that one, knowing (and hating the fact) that Zunari was right.

Zunari continued, "Therefore, I have made arrangements for you to accompany her on her next trip. " Candy took a step back, surprised, "Go with...her? But...I...the other sailors" Zunari chuckled, "Dear me, don't worry! I've paid them for your time for the next few days." Mila cautiously asked,

"Where are we going then?" Zunari nodded at her, "This time I want you to go to Greatfish Isle, and try to negotiate trading with them. Don't worry, they should be much more agreeable than the Rito were."

Candy suddenly said, "Greatfish Isle?" Mila noted there was an odd look on his face...almost wistful. Zunari replied, with a crafty gleam in his eye, "Yes, Greatfish Isle." Candy hastily said, "Ok, I'll go." It was clear to Mila that there was some reason he wanted to go to Greatfish, but she kept silent, figuring she'd probably find out when they got there.

"Dear me, this is perfect!" Zunari exclaimed, "You two can leave for Greatfish tomorrow."

Author's Note: Mila's father is never actually given a name in the original game. "Bartholomew" is entirely my idea, so don't go taking it for being actually canon.

On the subject of canon: I am being fairly careful not to contradict it. Although there a couple of borderline examples, don't expect me to make anything really different from what actually happened in the games. However, if there are obvious holes in it (such as Mila's father not having a name), I will try to fill them in. Just don't assume that what I am saying is automatically taken straight from the source material. Like I said on my profile page: this (and any of my other work, including future works) will be a lot more enjoyable if you do know the universe.

As always, enjoy the reading.