After some extensive adventuring in the Coerthas Central Highlands and Mor Dhona, Bonga, my main retainer, personally invited me to take on the unique challenge of trying mahjong. Miss Toki, our contracted instructor, gave us a few hours lesson in the history of the game and the rules of engagement and terminology. Eventually, Zorome and I brought the kids to the Gold Saucer so that my husband and the kids could watch me play.
"Ah, you are the women that Lord Bongaboi informed us about kupo," said a moogle with a perk in his eyes. "My name is Moginho, a former resident of the Churning Mists and Moghome. I have taken residency in Ul'dah and the Gold Saucer with my sporting mates. Please, you two, introduce yourselves."
"Greetings, Miss Miku, I am Mandwell, a mandragora formerly of the Honey Yard in the East Shroud," he said. "Mahjong is the game of the future! Her Majesty the Mandragora Queen approves of this pastime! If milady patrons this challenging sport, then so do I and here I am! I also am taken good care of by House Manderville and Lord Godbert with some nice vegetables and seeds."
"My name is Spraggy, a Spriggan formerly of the Central Shroud and the Standing Corses," said the spriggan. "Riggy told me about the sport of mahjong. A fun, exciting, fast-paced game that requires luck and some skill on the side. I like Ul'dah and I have some relatives in Central Thanalan who visit me every so often. It is an honor to meet you!"
"I am Miku Argentea and this is my husband Zorome with my kids," I said, as Zorome did a cheesy Elezen bow. "We're new to this game but we have been taught the details of how to play it."
Moginho was bubbling. "Well kupo, we shall go ahead and evaluate how good you are in your knowledge of tsumo, ron, riichi, kan, chi, pon, yaku and all other bits and pieces. An intricate game that can become surprisingly simple within minutes. Let us begin. Ah, and Lord Zorome, are you making extensive, copious notes?" He held out a notepad. "Excellent, let's get started and good luck kupo."
For three and a half hours, I tested myself out. I ended up winning two games, finishing second in a few others and last in a few. There were draws and players getting knocked out of the table with negative points. Needless to say, I found punching monsters in the snow far easier than this.
"So, we have evaluated," Moginho said. "Not a bad debut, but we anticipate that there will be bigger and better things to come when you continue to play rounds with us."
"Always strive to improve, as Miss Toki would want you to," said Spraggy. "When you improve, you can better yourself in many ways."
"We'll see you next time, both of you," said Mandwell. "Thanks for playing!"
Later that day, I changed into more lighter gear. I was tired. "Ugh, if people ask me if I know anything about mahjong madness I shall punch them," I groaned, purring out of boredom in my smallclothes while trying to fall asleep.
"It's a side venture, to be honest," Zorome said. "We still have other sidequests to do, you know."
"Very true." But still, it was so much fun...I think...I have become addicted.
