A person's childhood can shape their whole life. Memories of school, friends, parents can be good, bad or even bittersweet. Remembering old times, times when you were young, is a normal thing for most people. The love of your parents. That sleepover you had with your best friend. Even Valentine's day at school where you got cards from all your classmates. Stardust, however, remembers none of that.
As far back as she can remember, she's lived in San d'Oria. Which is a bit odd for a Mithran child. San d'Oria is a town of proud Elvaan. The Elvaan people are not known for their kindness. She never wondered why she was there, but she desperately wanted to fit in.
At night she hid between the dumpsters that lay behind the rows of beautiful Mog Houses, dreaming that one day, she could afford her own, and staring at the lavish castle. In hopes of one day, she'd be allowed entrance. Her days were filled with hunting for food using whatever Black Magic she's learned by picking up scraps of scrolls left laying on the ground. You see, the Elvaan are a race of Warriors and Paladins. Very few try to be Mages and less excell at it. As much as Stardust wanted to fit into San d'Oria, she couldn't bring herself to pick up a sword and shield. She was a Mage, and she knew it.
Not remembering her childhood, Stardust wasn't aware of the fact that while her hunting and scavaging skills were very good, she had no parents or schooling to hone her skills into something great. She wasn't aware that there were schools out there to train her to become a Thief or a Ranger. She wouldn't have known those were actual lifestyles at the time. No, she had always felt she would become a great Mage someday, and Black Magic seemed the most logical. It allowed her to release the pent-up rage inside her.
One day, while out hunting for food or whatever items she could get ahold of to pawn for gil, she ran into an older Hume. He watched her for a bit from afar, throwing Cure spells from his distance. Stardust, being the independent kitten she was, yelled at him to knock it off. He only laughed.
"I like your spunk." He said.
"What spunk? I'm not spunky!" Stardust yelled.
"How about you go on killing, and I'll help you out for a while. I've nothing better to do." was his reply.
Trying to be proud, Stardust just stuck her nose in the air and walked off.
She found another spot, and resumed hunting rabbits. He watched her from a distance, staying hidden as to not scare her off again. Oblivious to the fact that he was watching her, she got into her groove and killed a good number of prey. When she had all she could carry, she turned to go...and ran head on into a Notorious beetle. Never one to back down from a challenge, she fought.
Stardust was doing a good job of holding her own against the foe, until it used a physical move on her that almost knocked her out. The Hume, who had seen the whole thing, decided it was time to step in. He invited her to team up. Stardust reluctantly accepted, but only because it was better than being knocked unconscious. In the time it took the Hume to run close enough, it was too late though. Stardust was laying face up on the grass and the beetle had started to run off. The Hume bound the beetle in place, cast a few Ice spells on it, and it dropped dead. Leaving behind a shield and a few crystals. He cast a Raise spell on her and helped her sit up.
"What happened?" she asked.
"The beetle used a strong TP move on you and knocked you out. Don't worry, you weren't out for long and the damage isn't bad. Nothing a good rest won't fix." he said.
"I could have killed it myself!" she yelled.
"No, kitten, I don't think you could. I watched the whole thing, you really need to work on your Magic." he said and laughed.
Stardust only stuck her nose up.
"Here," he said, picking up the shield and crystals "take these, use them or sell them."
Looking him in the eyes, she thanked him.
"I guess I did need help, huh?" she asked. "I wanted to do it myself."
"We all need help from time to time, that's how the world works. Hey, look, I'm a member of this great group of people, and I think you'd fit right in." he said. "Take this Linkpearl, equip it and say hi."
As he traded her the light blue pearl, she only stared.
"Equip it and say hi." he repeated.
She slowly equipped it, not believing this Hume's kindness.
"Hi." she said. "I'm Stardust."
She was warmly received by a large number of voices. She talked to them for a bit. When she felt ready, she got up to leave.
"Wait, let me walk you to the gates." said the Hume.
"Alright, thanks." Stardust replied.
They walked in silence to the gates of San d'Oria, and, upon reaching them, he stopped.
"This is where I let you off." he said. "Take care, kitten, and keep in touch."
"I don't even know your name." she said.
"Just call me CB." he replied and walked away.
Stardust slowly walked into the city, checking the auction house and selling what hides and crystals she'd gathered. She was just about to sell the shield the beetle had dropped, and was almost about to place it over the counter, when she stopped.
"No, I don't want to sell this." she told the Moogle behind the counter.
"Whatever you wish, kupopopo." the Moogle replied with a smile.
She took the shield back and walked to her hiding spot. Exahusted, she curled up, shield in hand, and fell into a deep sleep. Hopeful that maybe this group, this Linkshell, of people could grow to become her family. A family she has never had.
