No Time To Mourne

Ember awoke early the following day, making his way down into the tavern to order something for breakfast. Maggie remained asleep in the room while Ruori was nowhere to be seen at the moment. Still, Ember found that Lian was already awake as well, sitting at the table and enjoying some eggs and sausages. Carrying a plate of toast and ham that he fastened into a sandwich and wooden cup of milk to wash it down with, Ember took a seat beside her and began to eat.

“So, you still think’n of going today?” Lian asked before handing a sausage down to Koumei who eagerly began to chow it down.

Ember took a moment to swallow his mouthful of food and gulp some milk before sighing. “Yea, I am. Look, I get it if you still don’t wanna go right now, and now that we know the risks we’re taking, it’s probably even harder to think about. Still it just… I can’t just get it out of my head, you know. Sure, we know we’re not safe in this world, but that somehow just makes me even more determined to figure things out… I dunno, it’s… it’s a lot to take.”

“Yea, I know how you feel. Sure, I still find his take on this world questionable, but ultimately, I think he was a pretty good guy. He always seemed to look out for us, you know? I suppose his job as a tank was part of that, but, I can’t imagine anyone better for the role… Anyway, I thought about it, and whatever you decide to do, I’m gonna be with you. I just worry about Maggie though, you know? I know she’s capable, but she’s still just a kid. She shouldn’t have to go through this kind of stuff.” Lian disclosed as she swirled a cup of apple juice around.

“Yea. Then again, just another reason to get to the bottom of things.” Ember replied.

“Yea, maybe… So, about what that cucolvo suggested last night. Do you think we should see about doing something for Moze?” Lian asked.

“Hmm… I dunno. Maybe. I was thinking about paying a visit to the church anyway though to ask about it. It sounds bad to say, but I’m not sure I’m ready to part with his gear or anything yet for something like that. It… could still be useful.” Ember said, his ears drooping as he looked downward.

“No, I understand. In many ways, this is survival for us now after all. Still, it could be nice to see about doing some sort of service for him.” Lian suggested, turning her head to look at Ember.

“Yea, I think so too… Anyway, I’m gonna finish eating, maybe when this is all over, we can think on it more.” Ember replied.

After breakfast, Lian and Ember made their way up stairs to fetch Maggie who had fortunately already woken up. She was sat at the side of her bed, staring off at nothing in particular. Still, she showed no reaction at the sound of the door opening until Koumei hurried in and lept up on the bed right beside her. As she reached up to pet him, the others tentatively made their way over to her.

“Hey Maggie, how you feel’n? Ember asked.

The girl turned her head to meet him before her attention turned lazily to the floor. “I… I dunno. I’m… I’m okay I guess. I just miss him. He was really nice… Mister Ember, do you think I could have saved him if I did my healing better?” Maggie asked.

Ember shook his head. “No, you did your best Maggie. None of us knew what we were getting into there. I don’t think any of us ever fought a monster like that before. He was doing things we had no idea he could do but… Well, now we know, and because of that, I want to go back and beat that monster. I know we can do it, but I also know we can’t do it without you.”

Maggie sniffled. “B-but… What am I supposed to do? I tried so hard to help you guys, but I kept getting hurt by his attacks.”

“That’s cause you weren’t paying enough attention.” Said a voice from the window.

Turning their heads, the three of them caught sight of Ruori, rapidly pulling herself inside.

“Ruori! What the heck you do’n coming through the window?” Ember asked incredulously.

“Faster than climbing the stairs. But yea, as I was saying, from what you guys told me of the fight, it sounded like Maggie fell into a healer’s trap. She found herself so focused on healing all of you that she wasn’t taking care of herself.” Ruori explained, taking a seat on the table with her leg hanging off of the side.

“B-but, isn’t that what I’m supposed to do?” Maggie asked.

“Generally, yes. But think about it like this, you can’t help anybody if you’re unconscious and on the ground. Unless the tank, presumably Ember now in this case, is in a particularly bad way, you need to prioritize yourself and make sure your hit points are topped off as much as possible. Not only that, but you need to pay constant attention to what’s happening around you. Those rocks fell on you because you weren’t doing that. If our healer’s gonna do her job, she needs to be standing and able. You get what I’m tell’n ya?” Ruori explained.

Maggie went silent for a moment before nodding. “Y-yea, I think so.”

“Good! Now, speaking of, I went and got everyone some healing potions to try to take the pressure off Maggie. If one of you is out of position and are hurt, don’t rely on her to come bail you out. She she can’t be making suicide runs to come help you, so just down one of these potions and try to get out of whatever mess you put yourself in” instructed Ruori, reaching into her pack and retrieving three potions for everyone.

“Well, thanks Ruori. Glad to know you’re look’n out for us.” Ember replied before taking his share of the potions.

“Don’t think anything of it. I’ll be with you guys this time around, so I don’t want you dropping before we can finish off the boss. Speaking of, what’s the verdict? We gonna go finish this today or what?” Ruori inquired, hands out expectantly as she locked eyes with everyone.

“Yea, I’m down. I’d rather get this rematch over while it’s fresh in my head.” Ember confirmed.

“I… well, if I don’t, I’m just gonna be stuck here thinking of Moze all day. We can’t mourn for him until this is taken care of so, yea, I’m in, but only if Maggie is okay to do this. I don’t care what either of you think, I will not force her to fight if she doesn’t want to.” Lian replied sternly, glaring between Ember and Ruori, but mostly Ruori.

“H-hey, woah! I wasn’t trying to force her or anything. I was just saying I wanted to go. But yea, Lian’s right, what do you think Maggie?” Ember asked in a fluster.

Maggie was silent again, lost in thought for another moment before giving her reply. “I’m… I’m sad about Moze. I’m scared to fight the monster again but… I’m also mad about it. It wasn’t fair at all. I’m gonna face the monsters that make me afraid, just like daddy said cause… I want to see him again. I want to go home and see everyone again. Yes. I want to go with you, and I won’t let anyone down this time.” She said, her tone filled with sadness, but also the telltale spark of determination, the very spark needed for them to finally move forward.