Chapter 49
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::Hidden Machina Village::
"Welcome back, young friends."
Miqol and Linada were waiting for the group to get back to the Hidden Machina Village.
"Now ... while we attend to the little lady for her check-up. There are many quests and requests from our friends here. Have fun!" The group minus Meyneth proceeds to get thrown out the door.
"Hey ... be gentle, Miqol." Meyneth looked at him disapprovingly.
::
"Wow, that was brutal." Reyn's back was sore. Who knew a senior would have that much pitching power. "Oi! How old is that old Machina anyways?"
"6000", replies Riki in a very monotone voice.
Everyone was shocked to hear such a number.
Riki continues, "Riki gossiping with Linada. Linada would not tell Riki age."
How could Riki ask such a question! A lady's age? Unless she says it herself - Off Limits!
"So Linada tell Riki Miqol at least 6000 years old. Miqol even see battle of Bionis and Mechonis!"
"Really? That's even longer than the lifespan of a High Entia!" Melia was amazed.
Reyn was surprised as well. "That's old! I bet there's nothing living as old as he is."
::
AHCHOO!
That was strange. Meyneth knew Fiora didn't have a cold and it wasn't allergy season. What was going on?
"Lady Meyneth ... Are you okay? Anyways your host, compared to when she first came in, is much better now. But with that nerve damage from Alcamoth ... Do you have to go to Agniratha now, Lady Meyneth?"
Miqol sees her looking out the window at the group, who was still loitering around in the village.
"LADY Meyneth?!"
"Yes ? ? ?" Miqol's sudden yell startled Meyneth.
" ... Lady Meyneth, please just rest ... you don't look well."
"I ... guess you're right. Sorry."
Excusing themselves out, the two Machina come upon Villager Machinas who were waiting outside hoping to know if their mistress was doing okay.
One young Machina who had been following along Miqol and Linada asks: "Uh, this might be a bit awkward to ask, but ... I've been noticing Lady Meyneth kind of just zone out sometimes. Is everything alright?"
"It's nothing too severe right now, but it seems like things are starting to get unstable with the host's Homs side since that mind control unit got damaged ... That it seems like it's affecting Lady Meyneth too ... The little lady has truly lost the ability to feel ... ... How are we going to break this to the group? With her ability to feel gone, who knows how widespread is the damage to Lady Meyneth's host's body is now. I hope it's not out of control ... But it seems like they really need to go to Agniratha soon ..."
::
Later that night, the group returns back to the village for dinner. Miqol breaks the news to them about Fiora's condition. To everyone's surprised, Meyneth accepted that fact.
"But ..."
" ... What do you all want for dessert?" Food made everyone forget their worry quite immediately. Meyneth just didn't want them to worry.
::
For dessert, the girls were busily making goodies for not only the group but also their Machina friends. On the sidelines, Shulk was happily watching the three cook away. All were still concerned with Fiora but for now she was okay. They'll work it out once the time comes.
Meanwhile, Sharla decides to try to sweet talk Shulk for Melia by saying the dessert was for him. Emphasizing the love and effort she put in to make it. To her surprise, Dunban intercedes, "But it was Fiora who taught her how to make it!"
(〝▼皿▼)メ (▼皿▼#)
(Sparks of anime-type anger flew between Sharla and Dunban.)
STUFF!
?!(O.O) (O.O)?!
Melia and Reyn forced the dessert into the two fuming adults' mouths, which shut them up quite quickly.
Riki lectures the two: "Melly and Fiora made lots for everyone. Friends don't FIGHT! GOBBLE!"
::Hidden Machina Village (Ether Light)::
"Alright Sharla, WHAT were you trying to do?" Taking this outside, Dunban was QUITE cross with Sharla trying to woo Shulk away from Fiora.
Sharla didn't expect Dunban would confront her so suddenly. "Don't get me wrong. I don't want to meddle. I'm just ... an onlooker. I don't really mind which one of the two gets the guy."
" The two? ... What is that suppose to mean?" Dunban was getting very suspicious.
"I know that Fiora is a big deal to the boy, so don't worry. Lately that's been clear as can be. Shulk looks out for everyone like the good guy he is. But he's definitely changed since she joined us. It's subtle, but he's stronger now. I think it's because he knows he has to protect her from now on ... Even if she doesn't have any memories."
"It would be disappointing for Shulk to stop being Shulk. So?"
"There are some people in our group who see him differently. I was hoping to help that one ..."
" ... Why would he pick Melia over Fiora?"
Eep! Sharla was shocked to find out Dunban knew.
"I'd ... ... ... be happy to see either of them get together with Shulk, but I want you to remember something, Dunban. Even with her condition, Fiora doesn't need our pity or anything. I do care about your sister a lot, and I do worry about her. About her being a Mechon and ... how things are going with Shulk. However, if she is not accepting him anymore, then you shouldn't force her! Besides ... you do know perfectly well that this personality we have been calling 'Fiora' is not your true sister. You are literally forcing this poor soul to accept your fantasy!"
That hit hard.
"But ... what about Shulk? He deeply regrets that he couldn't stop this happening to her. But you see it! His feelings for her are still clear as day."
Sharla had to admit that fact, but what she had said bothered Dunban greatly.
