Halfhill

So today was supposed to be fancy tea time. Star heard about this thing called Quilen and Cloud Teahouse in Sri-La Village and it sounded really nice. We were all going to go - me, Star, Savadra, Arti.

But we got there and... nothing? Place was quiet, no event, nobody knew what we were talking about. Guess it got canceled or maybe it was never real in the first place? Anyway. Plan B.

I can't remember who said it, but Savadra or Arti suggested we go visit my farm. Actually, it might have been Arti that said it, she mentioned wanting to stop by the market in Halfhill and I said that's where my farm was. The group was in favor, so we now had a plan B in action.

Star had this airship thing. Small one, personal size. She's never flown it before, which she told me right up front, and I was like "Star? Are you SURE you can fly this thing?" I wasn’t mean about it, just... you know, checking. But she seemed excited about flying it, so I got in. We were going to fly to Halfhill then.

Okay so. It was definitely an adventure. Star was laughing the whole way, having the time of her life, and I was holding on and trying to be supportive, with a tad bit of wincing mixed in there. At one point we came REALLY close to a mountain and I was like "WHO PUT THAT MOUNTAIN THERE?!" with a nervous laugh.

But Star just laughed and corrected course and honestly? It was kind of fun in a terrifying way. She might have said "oops" or "what's this button do?" at one point while I was holding on for dear life, which maybe wasn't the most reassuring thing to hear while you're in the air but we made it. One piece.

Met Savadra and Arti at the Halfhill inn. It was pouring by then, that warm heavy rain Pandaria does, so we were stuck inside. And that's when I saw them - sin’dorei couple in the corner, all dressed up, clearly on a date. They kept looking at each other like they were trying to be subtle about it. It was actually kind of sweet seeing them there.

Halfhill's not exactly a place you'd expect to find sin’dorei, but honestly? It made me happy to see them there. The market, the food, this whole corner of the world - it shaped a lot of who I am. Nice to think of someone else discovering it for the first time over a bowl of noodles or yummy dumplings.

Rain stopped eventually. Star and I went down to the market while Sav and Arti... did something else, I don’t remember exactly, Sav didn’t seem like she was feeling too good. Hope she’s alright.

The market was exactly how I remembered it, which - yeah, of course it does, I haven't been gone that long. All the same stalls, same people shouting about their food, same argument about stir-fry technique that I'm pretty sure has been going on since before I got here the first time. The smells hit you the second you turn the corner. I always forget that until I'm back in it. I love this place.

Old Mrs. Yan was the first to spot me from her vegetable stall, and then it was all "Vamiko! Vamiko's back!" like I'd been gone years instead of months. Yan practically dragged me over by the sleeve, wouldn't let me leave without tasting three different peppers and telling me all about her nephew's wedding. The Chan brothers stopped their eternal argument over stir-fry oil long enough to both yell questions at me, and even grumpy Lao at the tool shop cracked something that might've been a smile.

I introduced Star around. Everyone was really nice to her - asked where she was from, offered her samples and to try things. I definitely had a pang of pride, getting to share part of the community I know and sharing it with a new friend who had never been here before. Star bought a couple things, so I think she was able to enjoy it as much as I hoped she might.

We stopped by my farm and it was... mostly okay! I’ve always had to keep after Chi to pull weeds and make sure things are watered like it should. But, to my surprise, it looked pretty much how I left it! Maybe a few tooks in weird places, but I almost teared up knowing Chi’s doing just fine without me there to kick him in the butt.

And speaking of, Chi wasn't there! Which was probably good timing ‘cause I love him but, he would have done the thing. You know the thing. "Stay for dinner, stay for the week, stay for the harvest, when are you coming home for good?" He wouldn’t be serious, but I would have still felt guilty to say no. Cause deep down I just want to be here.

Buuut, I’m learning about so many new things being in Silvermoon. I’m close to learning more about my parents. Aaaand, The Velvet Lily too! That whole society life I accidentally fell into, which is new and different, and I don't know how to do any of it, but I'm figuring it out and my new friends have been a great help showing me around.

Anyway. We left before it got late. Said a quick goodbye to the farm and left a note for Chi, sharing where I’m staying in Silvermoon, and that Star had given me a place to stay at the Lily as well. He knows where to get ahold of me now!

As we left, Star asked if I wanted to fly back with her. I walked instead.

V