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Growing up, Garen had always been a handful of trouble.
He was the type of rambunctious kid to always tempt fate with the amount of mischief and high activity he got up to back on the isles he called home. Always on an adventure of his own making. Always chasing after his Da into stormy seas during boating trips. Always messing around in one way or another that might potentially put himself into harm’s way.
It was enough to make his Ma fret day in and day out for her sole son at the time. Weak and frail as she was, it worried her to no end when she couldn’t keep her eyes on him and make sure he hadn’t wandered off into some unknown danger. The isles, lovely as they may be, were still quite dangerous if one weren’t too careful. Or worse, her son would meet the ire of their neighbors for whatever hi-jinks he found himself a part of that day.
No matter how much his parents pleaded with him to take care in his surroundings and actions, that there could be consequences in doing so, Garen would somehow always get away with it in the end. A few scratches or bruises at best at times, but naught that would worry the idea of an early grave before he saw adulthood.
Well. Not until his eyes shined so brightly for adventure during his teenage years.
In those fleeting days, Garen would stray towards the docks and watch as ships traveled between their homely island and the mainlands of grander continents. He’d beg his Da to take him out on the boat more, to visit Limsa Lominsa on one of his trading trips, to have his Da retell the grand adventures he went out on during his pirating days. It was clear as day to any how much he yearned to sail the seas over himself.
“I don’t know if my heart could stand to see my little boy leave for the far shores.” His Ma, Duduni, would lament with tears in her eyes when confiding in her husband. She cared for her precious boy so much. She was afraid that the moment he went off on his journey, she’d never see him again. Whether it be too busy making a name for himself or truly earning himself a path to the heavens too many years early. It was too much to bear.
That love and care pushed her into a yearning desire for more children. To grow her family on the off chance that she’d find herself grieving the future, and to fill the present with as much love as she possibly could. With her body weak as it was, this was her answer to surround herself with what she might accomplish before she’d inevitably pass. And that it was the greatest gift she could give to her eldest son—a reason to return home even should she pass. That love still awaited him here wherever he so traveled.
Those cherished days passed as swiftly as they came. Before they knew it, Garen was raring to leave for the adventure he so sought. Many tears would be shed. By then, he’d have a younger brother no more than 5 summers old whom had ever clung to his elder brother’s coattails! And another would soon be on the way, as his Ma was pregnant once more on the day he would make for La Noscea. Garen swore that he would return. That he would support his family even from afar and send home what earnings he managed. The only gesture he could afford which would not only prove that he was still alive and well, but would guarantee their livelihood in his absence.
Oh, how much Duduni cried once Garen had boarded ship and bid farewell! With so much hope and fear in her heart, she could only with him the best and home that her son remain safe in his travels. For all of their sakes.