After bidding farewell to Patty and Yanna, Mia headed for Orania’s room in the dormitories. “Is she here? I hope she hasn’t gone off fishing again... Oh!”
Orania opened her door with perfect timing. She gave Mia a curious look. “My, Princess Mia... Did you need something...?” she asked in her usual calm, slow tone.
Mia nodded. “I was hoping to speak with you. Do you have time?”
“Oh, um... If you’re suggesting a tea party, then come again later...” said Orania, already prepared to flee.
But Mia’s eyes were sharp! She didn’t miss the fishing pole and basket Orania had on her. Orania was about to go fishing!
Oho ho! She’s an even bigger fish maniac than I thought!
Mia’s tone was grand and dignified. “Rather than a tea party, I was hoping to discuss fishing...”
As soon as the word “fishing” left Mia’s mouth, Orania froze in her tracks.
“Fishing...you said?” She slowly turned around.
Mia nodded. “Yup, fishing!”
“Fishing? The fishing where you catch fish with a pole and a line?”
“Yes, but I’ve never heard of any other type of fishing before...” said Mia, flashing a gentle smile. “I was hoping you could tell me more about fish. I take it you’ve heard that the student council will be holding a fishing tournament soon?”
“Yes, I have...” she said, fully turning to face Mia.
Oho ho! I’ve caught her now! thought Mia, inwardly snickering. But she kept her expression composed as she looked at Orania’s hands. “I see you were about to head to the lake. Why don’t we chat on the way to your favorite fishing spot? I’d love to hear more about the hobby...”
Orania now had nowhere to run. She couldn’t return to her room, and now that Mia had offered to chat as they walked, she couldn’t use needing to be somewhere as an excuse either. Mia had caught her hook, line, and sinker.
“Let’s be on our way then, shall we?”
Orania left the dorms and headed for a narrow road located behind the academy, which the girls traversed walking side by side with quick steps.
Moons, I think I’ve walked this road before with Abel. It leads to that secret beach!
With that realization, Mia quickly checked her feet. Luckily, there was no horse dung in sight.
“Um... What did you want to talk about?”
“Hmm? O-Oh, right. After everyone’s gone fishing together, I was hoping to prepare those fish for dinner,” said Mia, glancing at Orania.
“I see...! That’s such a great idea,” she said, her eyes twinkling. “Eating the fish you caught yourself is really fun, and they’re tasty too...” she said with a laugh.
Oho ho! It’s human nature to crave the tasty fish you’ve caught! It’s just like how mushroom hunting makes you crave what you’ll cook with them later!
Quite frankly, Mia had begun to fear that Orania was a creature beyond her comprehension when she had said she wasn’t a fan of sweets. It had thrown her for a loop, but now, she realized Orania was someone she could understand after all. She wasn’t some weird alien from outer space, just a princess who loved seafood!
Eventually, the canopy of foliage gave way to reveal a clear sky. Soft sunlight shined down on the white sand of a beach, which Orania headed for with gumption. Once she had reached the water’s edge, she peered into the lake. “I really love fish, but I love shellfish too... I heard Noelige Lake had plenty, but I don’t see any around here...” Still wearing her shoes, she kicked some water into the air and laughed.
“I’m quite fond of the sandiness of shellfish myself,” responded Mia, not really meaning it.
“There’s a shellfish known as the mushroom of the sea. It’s delicious...”
“Mushroom, you say? How peculiar. I’ve never heard of a shellfish like that before.” Now that caught Mia’s interest! Still, she decided to put this welcome news aside for now. “But anyways, I’ve heard some fish are edible while others aren’t. I was hoping you could tell me how to distinguish them from—”
“I’d love to help,” interrupted Orania. Her enthusiasm left Mia assured of her victory.
“Thank you, Orania. That would be excellent.”
She giggled. “I didn’t know you could be so fun...”
“My? You didn’t?” asked Mia, looking slightly confused.
“I love fun people...! Life really is all about eating tasty food and having fun...” responded Orania, beaming.