Disclaimer: Ys is definitely not mine.
I stood there, alone in my own room in a motel me and Dogi rent for our stay in Altago. I was thinking to just hit the bed and let it all wash away, because today has been a rough day for everyone, Especially for Tia.
The three of us had finally found a medicine for Maya's Iskan Fever. That being said however, the medicine is sadly not a cure. It will help her through the fever, as the doctor said, but for how long no one really knows. Despite all of our hard work, we are just left with that. I don't know how I would feel if I were Tia.
The doctor and Scias told us to just leave her be, alone with Maya. I understand their reasoning, but even with that order, I just can't help having this thought to just go there and comfort her. I just can't let her be drowned in her sadness alone. Without much thinking, I opened the door, and when I set my foot outside, I saw Dogi, sitting outside his room.
"You want to go there?" He asked me, half curious in tone yet somewhat forbidding by his facial expression.
"Yeah… I just want to see if I can help her in any way" I answered.
"Go ahead, then. With that look on your face, you will go even when I told you not to" He replied, understanding my reason. With that set in mind, I nodded, and went there without any doubt. When I arrived in front of her home, I saw her, still with the outfit she wore when we are in the old waterways. She gazed into the sky as if hoping things can change. I called her, waking her from her rumination in the process. She was surprised to hear someone called her and turned her head to face me, and straight away I know that she is even more troubled than before.
"Adol? Shouldn't you be resting now?" She asked me that question, ironically.
"I can say the same thing to you, Tia" I paused for a moment, in case that she has anything to say. She didn't. "I just want to accompany you, if you don't mind of course" After I said that, I am really glad that she smiled in response. She then asked me to come into her home "Well, if you say so, Adol. Come in. I will make us some tea first"
With the tea served, we sat together. The tea was good, but more importantly I don't know what to do nor say from here. I definitely do not want to ask about Maya's condition. I'm here to ease her mind off that, not remind her.
"Adol?" She asked me. Was I that obvious? "Yes?"
"You don't have to force yourself to say anything" She said to me with that smile she wore often. Thankfully it was not a pained smile. I am also happy to know that I don't have to force myself, but I need to make myself clear for her
"Thanks, Tia. It's just that I'm not very good with words"
"It's alright, Adol. You know what people here often say. Action conveys more than words can offer" She then hold my hand, and softly yet firmly hold it with her own. "And I'm just happy that you are here"
With that, we just spent our time by gazing outside of her home. My left hand still holding her right for what seemed to be a long time. Moments passed, and tiredness finally setting in on me. I then tell her that I will have to rest for tomorrow. She smiled understandingly, and we went outside for her to see me off.
I told her to rest well; She definitely need it with eye bags that even I can see. I patted her shoulder, but I did not expect what happened after that.
She surprised me by hugging me tightly. I can't help but hug her too. At that moment, I noticed several markings on her back as I hug her. I slapped myself mentally for peeking like that; in this situation, no less, even if it was an accident. But that markings definitely made me curious
Before I have the chance to think about it however, I heard Tia mumbled, as if she is on the verge of crying.
"Adol, I'm so sorry to drag you into this mess. I'm just so helpless that I can't even help Maya at all…"
Nonsense. Why would she even thought of that when she is the one who needs any kind of help the most. I then said this to her.
"Tia, no matter what will happen, I will do whatever it takes to find a way out of this mess" I took a slight pause, retracting my head slightly so that I can see her face "And remember. You are not alone in this"
The dam has collapsed, and she broke into tears. I hug her tightly and rubbed her back to ease her off this stress. To see someone who always smiled this stressed is disturbing for him.
When she finally recovered, she told me to rest. I told her the same, and we part ways. But not before she said this to me
"With everything that is happening, I hope you good luck, Adol"
"I wish you good luck too, Tia"
No matter what will happen, I will need to find a way out of this mess. For everyone in Altago, and for Tia.
A/N: Thank you for reading this! Hopefully you enjoy this chapter. Uni has been cracking me down, but I've held myself through and somehow, I have a motivation to write again. On this game, no less.
Anyway, feel free to drop a review if you like this one. Constructive criticism is more than welcome.