Chapter 134: Easy Come, Easy Go
Alone on a single hill of many, covered in fair green grass that rolled in the gentle breeze, sat six witches. Each charged with their respective Sin, or rather Authority, the after-party to the tea-party was now taking place. Gone were the guests, and now was the time for the host to enjoy her own private gathering.
All centered around a shaded table, the Witches had their banter of that party's happenings.
Really, the reason the party had ended was Subaru's will to leave. After speaking with Satella, he had been given new motivation to press forward, and that was the true cause of the party's end.
They also all discussed how that because all of them had used their abilities so prolifically, even in this Citadel of Dreams, it immensely drained their host, Echidna. Because of that, Echidna announced to them all that neither of their guests would be coming back again.
While the conversation had been almost entirely about Subaru and his own personal revelations he had crossed and overcame, the topic now briefly shifted over to YN.
Carmilla: It's sad YN won't be back... H-He was nice... and not s-scary...
Being the first to bring up YN exclusively now, Sloth answered Lust with a loud yawn.
Sekhmet: *Huuuuaaaa...* Minerva seems the most sad about it.
Minerva: —Huh?
Typhon: Is she? Nerva, why do you like such a sinner so much? Are you one too now...?
At both Sloth and Pride's taunting words, Minerva quickly stood up from her chair, banging the heal of her fists on the tea table while she did.
Minerva: —T-That's not true! N-Neither of those things are!
Daphne: Ner-Ner don't lie, it's obvious to us all.
Echidna: Now now, let's just not rush to be so harsh. Even if her affection is wasted on an anomaly, let's hear her out.
Being the one to give Wrath a leg to stand on as Gluttony egged her on, Greed invited her to speak.
With all eyes on her, Minerva sat back down in her seat and lightly prodded her utensil at the small tea-party morsel she had upon her small plate.
Minerva: It's not often someone who does the right thing comes along... Even if he does bad things like Typhon says, he does more good than bad. It's worth trying to help someone like that in such a world filled with pain... especially if they come from somewhere worse.
Giving them all her honest motivations, no one could fault her for feeling that way, as they all had their own impossible to understand outlooks on life, creed, and ways of thinking.
Echidna: Regardless of all that, you still gave something to him without taking anything in return. That will leave us all weaker for a while until we can build back up our energy.
Being the only to levy a criticism to Minerva, it was aimed rather for the consequences of her action, rather than her reasoning. Pouting in response, Minerva then launched an accusatory finger, pointed right for Echidna.
Minerva: What you took from them both is more than enough compensation. How do you expect them to solve their problems now without it?
Saying what everyone already knew was true, they all silently awaited an answer from Echidna on this and how she'd find a way to justify it.
One thing they all wondered though, was why they had even bothered helping Subaru and YN if Echidna was just going to turn around and take that from them?
Grinning among their waiting eyes, Echidna took a sip of tea before announcing her revelation.
Echidna: You all seem to forget a certain anomaly still has to take his third Trial. So I didn't take it from him.
Everyone Else: —Huh?!
Slightly frowning at their combined, identical reaction, Echidna better explained herself.
Echidna: It's simple; I didn't help him, therefore, I didn't take anything from him.
Carmilla: ...Wouldn't have Echidna-chan taken something else from him then?
Daphne: Yeah! Isn't Dona-Dona helping Subarun the same thing as helping YNyn.
Hearing them be doubtful of her words, Echidna further scoffed at the very idea.
Echidna: What are you all on about? As if I'd desire anything from an anomaly anyway.
Even as she got more defensive over it, Sehkment further questioned Echidna on it, calling the Witch of Greed's bluff.
Sehkmet: You couldn't take it in the first place, could you? *Huuuuaaaa...* You tried the first time he ever came here and took a Trial *Huuuuaaaa...* that you didn't want him to take.
Having her true reason as for why she hadn't taken this "something" from YN be exposed, she couldn't fight the fact Sehkment was entirely right.
Echidna: —Tch...
Typhon: It must make Dona really mad if she can't control that!
Levied ridicule for this by her peers, Echidna could only give in and sigh.
Echidna: At the very least, the anomaly will entertain me that much more because of that. His third Trial will be... interesting to say the least. I wonder if it will fully break him?
Professing she had darker things planned for him, her enthusiasm for the sight was cut short by a soft voice turning stern.
Carmilla: Echidna-chan... Don't be cruel to YN with the Trial... It wouldn't be fair if you make it harder than it's supposed to be just for him...
While usually Echidna would back down should Carmilla stand her ground on something even she knew was pushing the envelope, this time, the Witch of Greed did combat it, even if only in a placating manner.
Echidna: I'm afraid I can't let the transgression of things getting outside of my control be ignored. Even if he's responsible for that or not, if he fails the third Trial, I will use that opportunity to take control of my own domain. I will right the wrong I previously attempted to correct whilst he took the first Trial.
Laying her reasoning out bare and flat now, none of the Witches could hope to question her on it. She had the right to control her own domain, damn whatever an anomaly might think or do otherwise.
Waking up, YN quickly realized he was no longer in the Tomb like he previously was. Alarmed by this, he quickly stood up to look around and see where he was.
Outside of the Tomb, just on its uppermost step, he saw Subaru waiting just at its entrance, as if waiting for YN finally awake.
From the black-haired boy's account of things, the groundskeeper had taken a lot longer to wake up then he had, and had slept through a number of things in this time.
Patrasche had come to drag them out of the Tomb, having been worried for their safety, more than likely due to how long they'd been inside whilst the tea-party and Trials went on. The loyal ground dragon had injured herself in the process, being actively rejected by the Tomb like Roswaal had been. Otto too, had come to see what all the fuss was about.
YN had missed all this though, and with the ground dragon and merchant were nowhere to be seen presently, having already left, Subaru spoke of how he had offered to wait here by YN's side to wake back up. That of course, was only due to the fact they had a great many things to do in this Loop.
Up to speed on what he had slept through, YN and his fellow wayward traveling companion now stood at the entrance of the Tomb again now.
YN: —So the plan now is to take the Trials again? It's so soon, but the more time we can buy ourselves...
Subaru: As much as I hate to say it... If you beat the third Trial... go ahead and Liberate the Sanctuary... We need to just get past all of this. There's too much at risk to not take every advantage we have. I'll try and reattempt the second Trial again as backup in case you can't pass it.
Seemingly now, Subaru had abandoned his desire to see Emilia be the one to liberate the Sanctuary. To his frustration at coming to this decision, Subaru kicked at the ground with his shoe and softly cursed under his breath.
While it made sense to YN that for the sake of Emilia's development to be the one to lift the barrier, he also knew this decision didn't come easy for Subaru. Choosing rather to comfort his friend, YN did not object.
YN: Alright... Let's do it your way.
Subaru: Thank you. Let's do our best.
Entering back into the dark, dank, dusty Tomb, Subaru remained about two paces ahead of YN. Watching his footsteps, YN saw just as Subaru's next pace crossed the threshold to where the light from outside could no longer reach inside the Tomb. Just as he did, the black-haired boy stopped.
YN: —? Su—
Subaru: Ugh...
With a brief whimper of sorts, Subaru collapsed as if his legs gave out from under him. Bracing himself against the Tomb wall, Subaru couldn't find the strength to support himself even on this, and slid down the stone to the floor.
YN: —Hey! Subaru!
Running around to the front his friend, YN knelt down and grabbed his shoulders. With a few shakes, Subaru mustered the strength to look up at the panicked groundskeeper.
YN: —!
Subaru's face was drained of all its blood, but his eyes themselves were bloodshot red. Sweat dripped off the tip of his nose, and a look of nausea went across his face.
Subaru: *Barf* Uuuuooohhhh...
Upchucking part of his breakfast, it was clear something was very adversely affecting Subaru.
This better not be what I think it is!
Wasting no more time, YN slung his wayward traveling companion over his shoulder with the intent on getting him out of, and far away from the Tomb.
Shouldered, Subaru was ushered out as he continued to vomit. Even as YN felt some unfortunately get on himself in the process, his number one concern now was evacuating Subaru from this place.
With his bearings regained, Subaru sat up from the green grass he had been placed on, some distance from the Tomb, but still near the craggy clearing before it.
Seeing his friend was back to being conscious, YN had just finished removing his vomit-covered upper layer of his normal work uniform, choosing to toss it onto a nearby low hanging branch of a tree.
YN: What the hell was that all about? Huh?
Spitting a few times to clear his mouth of the taste of vomit in immediate response, Subaru could only shake his head as he grunted out his words.
Subaru: I'm still getting back to my senses... but it feels like I was rejected.
YN had feared that was exactly what was happening given how quickly Subaru had become sickly appearing. Still though, it wasn't like that made sense.
YN: How is that possible? I mean, it looks that way, sure... But—
Subaru: —I gotta go and see.
At first wanting to protest he try something so potentially dangerous again, YN knew that knowing the answer to such a scary thing was immensely important to what they'd need to plan next.
Subaru stood as he wiped the remainder of vomit from his face with his sleeve, stumbling forward to the Tomb as he did so. Meeting his side, YN helped Subaru up the first half dozen steps or so until he brushed aside the assistance.
Back again at the entrance of the Tomb, Subaru took a deep breath.
Subaru: —Here goes...
YN: — — —
With bated breath of his own, YN watched on, his worry on full display too, as well as his known immediate need to react should he have to.
One step into the Tomb, and without even crossing the threshold of where the light ended up, Subaru stopped before his knees gave out from under him again. Staggering backwards, Subaru attempted going inside again with the same result.
Both times, tempting rejection, Subaru was denied entry to the Tomb unless he should wish to perish. With it being entirely apparent what this was, Subaru angrily slammed his fist into the Tomb's stone facade.
YN: —Subaru!
Subaru: —That vile witch—!
With the mention of who was responsible for the denial of entry he now faced, YN stated the obvious.
YN: Your Qualification is gone...
Shaking his head in a mix of shame and anger, Subaru suddenly snapped his vision back to YN.
Subaru: —C-Check yours! If you still have it... There's hope!
YN looked down the Tomb's long and narrow entryway, shrouded in darkness. Without another word, he walked down and into the Tomb. Crossing the threshold where the light ended, he turned around to face Subaru.
YN: —Nothing.
Even though he was partially silhouetted against the daylight behind him, YN could see that Subaru's eyes were wide open in shock.
It was clear what had happened.
Subaru had his Qualification to take the Trials revoked, whereas for YN, it remained.
YN: Well, you did pretty much say you were choosing Satella over Echidna essentially. Maybe this was Echidna's punishment for saying no to her...?
Subaru: But to go as far to revoke my Qualification?!
Sat at the bottom of the steps to the Tomb, the two wayward travelers were both amiss on just what they should do now. Taking a moment to calm down, Subaru had his head in his hands as he tried to manage the newfound stress this entire situation commanded.
YN: It's important to note too, if you've lost the Qualification, it's not just the Trials you can't access anymore, you won't be able to take the Command Authority either now if you need.
Subaru: Oh great, more options we don't have now.
YN: Subaru...
Hearing him begin to get somewhat snappy at him, YN weakly tried to clue Subaru into the idea that getting angry wasn't going to solve anything, but as he did, Subaru quickly sat back up, and grabbed ahold of YN by the shoulders.
Subaru: —YN! Y-You gotta go take the Trial right now then! O-O-Or go back in and talk to Echidna and try to convince her to give the Qualification back! Y-You gotta do something! Please! We're in an even worse spot now than before!
Being violently shook back and forth towards the end there, YN gently took Subaru's hands off his shoulders and returned them to him.
YN: Subaru. We both know she won't give it back. Not now. She wouldn't even if you offered to go back on your deal.
Letting his words sink in for a second, Subaru turned away, embarrassed at his own desperate outbreak.
Subaru: —Tch... You're right... I know you're right... I'm sorry...
Turning back to YN, Subaru sighed and weakly looked at him.
Subaru: I've put a lot of pressure on you now, huh?
YN: I'll manage.
YN stood as he said that, and offered a hand down to Subaru to help him up.
With Subaru standing now, he turned to look back at the Tomb, where the origin of his newest concerns came from.
Subaru: Now what?
YN: Huh?
Surprised that he asked such a guiding question, YN was somewhat lost as to what he wanted to hear.
YN: Isn't this where you formulate a plan? That's your thing...
Subaru: Even if that's the case, I want to know your input. What should we do?
Asked this, YN could only shrug his shoulders in reply.
YN: I mean... I guess I should try and take the third Trial. While I'm doing that, you could try something else...
Subaru: —Roswaal.
YN: Hmm?
Wondering why he decided to blab out such a random name now, Subaru elaborated.
Subaru: I'll try talking to Roswaal. Alone this time though. If I get kidnapped away again, you at least know where to look now.
YN: I'll try to muster a rescue party before you have to shit yourself again.
Subaru: That's what I wanted to hear.
Going to leave YN now after giving him a pat on the back, Subaru was surprised by him actually coming along.
Subaru: Huh? Aren't you going to face the Trial again?
YN: Let me distract Ram while you meet with Roswaal. That way you shouldn't have any interruptions. If anything happens, even one Confession will let me know, and I'll bring the pink-haired calvary.
Subaru: You see? I knew you could come up with a plan too.
Giving YN a gentle punch into his shoulder, Subaru was impressed by the foresight he offered to his current plan.
Setting off, the two each played their part.
Things seemed to go rather fast for the two fellow wayward travelers.
Subaru spoke with Roswaal, and actually managed to tell him he had lost the Qualification to take any further Trials, but in doing so, made it sound like YN had also lost it.
With nothing gained from the talk really, Subaru had wandered outside, wondering what YN had done to occupy Ram's time for so long, but as he walked in the night, he had come across Emilia. Speaking with her for a while, he had received a lap pillow of all things from her towards the end of their talk.
All the while, YN had looked for Subaru after he could no longer occupy Ram's time. He had done so by offering to help with the laundry she was attending to, and had managed to switch the topic to Rem and how the blue-haired maid had usually gone about laundry. While it was somewhat hard for YN to speak about, it was in a way therapeutic for him to speak to Ram about this to her. The topic of Rem to Ram had been a good distraction as well, keeping her occupied for all the time Subaru needed.
But as he discovered Subaru and Emilia were having a moment, like his time in the Tomb, YN gave them space, and simply went to retire for the evening.
It was the next morning though, waking up late and with drool on his face, he had discovered all he had missed.
Rather than going to bed himself, Subaru had run out into the forest at night, and managed to knock himself out on a tree branch of all things. Waking up to a suspicious Garfiel, they were also interrupted by Otto. Building off the conversation YN had also missed from Otto the day before, the merchant had given Subaru a punch square to the face, and in a really backwards, but effective way, got Subaru to recognize the friendship they had, and had managed to convince the black-haired boy to let him on what was going on and to take his offered help.
This all of course came as a great surprise to YN, as he was told all this by Subaru himself all after the fact.
YN had gone looking for Subaru that very same morning himself when Otto, who appeared to be in a hurry, had spotted the groundskeeper, and told him it was Subaru that was looking for him.
Not wanting to waste hours looking for each other as they moved about, YN decided to wait in one, open space that he knew Subaru would eventually come to.
With a now long cold bowl of soup before him, barely touched, YN was finally visited by the one he was waiting for.
Subaru: There you are. This is honestly the last place I expected you to be...
Going over everything that YN had missed, by this point, Subaru had finished his bowl of soup, and was working on YN's cold remainder.
YN: —So Otto's joined the party in terms of being in 'the know' about things? I'm surprised he believed everything you had to say without having to mention anything about Return By Death...
Subaru: Well, we're going to need some kind of extra help if we wanna get out of this mess now. We've got a plan mapped out actually on how to do this.
YN: Really? Is there any way I fit into it?
Subaru: Of course. I've actually got something for you to go work on right now while I help Otto with another part of it all... It's safe to say you're probably the one who's the most familiar with Ryuzu-san now, right?
Wondering why this title was given to him now, YN asked for further clarification.
YN: How do you reckon that?
Subaru: You've been right there every time we've had some kind of critical dialog with her, not to mention that replicant seemed pretty attached to you.
YN: Okay, I'll concede to that point then if you really feel that way. So, do you want me to go talk to her?
Confused on what Subaru actually wanted him to do, YN was finally given his marching orders.
Subaru: Exactly. We need to know how ingrained Ryuzu-san is with Roswaal and his plans. It would also be beneficial to find out more info on Garfiel, namely about the Trial he took and what was in it, and how that relates to us being able to convince him to come to our side. Think you can do that?
YN: Sure. I'll give it my best try.
With a plan devised, and tasks levied, YN and Subaru broke their secluded table talk, and went about their own goals.
YN spent the remainder of that afternoon chasing a lead to find Ryuzu when she'd be on her own. Traversing to the building that housed the original Ryuzu Meyer, suspended in the crystal, he found Ryuzu.
Asking her outright how involved she was with Roswaal, Ryuzu confessed to only knowing that the Margrave possessed a Gospel given to him by the Witch, to that, she knew he followed its instruction to guide history in the way it specified. Ryuzu had only gone along with him because of that. To this she swore absolute honesty based on the contract she was born with, as it contained a clause that she could not lie.
The conversation moved in the direction of if Ryuzu could in good faith tell him anything of importance, to which YN could only honestly tell her that their intention was to lift the Barrier to the Sanctuary as soon as possible, and how to manage the post-barrier life for the Sanctuary. YN led on from there with an appeal to the short pink-haired girl on the contention between those in favor of liberating the Sanctuary, those against, yet as he described these factions, he was very bluntly informed that such two factions in fact did not exist; Garfiel had made up their existence.
Ryuzu described it simply as a choice for those wishing to remain, or follow Roswaal. That was it.
This cropped up tons of questions for YN. Why had Garfiel gone about creating a more complex situation? Why was he so afraid of the outside world? Why not simply just take the easiest route and just use his means of overwhelming strength he possessed to keep the Sanctuary closed and be done with Subaru, YN, and Emilia?
Asking these things to Ryuzu, she spoke how Garfiel admittedly had a sense of cowardice towards the outside world due to its unknown nature, and that the reason he didn't immediately resort to violence despite his strength and bombastic approach to things was his own inner gentle nature.
He only transforms into that Golden Tiger to escape his own morals, huh? He intentionally becomes mindless to circumvent his own apprehension when he's pushed into a corner...
Since Garfiel was only someone who acted tough to protect things he held dear, that could only mean he was only merely being told of these dangers the Emilia Camp possessed towards the Sanctuary. Someone was manipulating his information in a way to get him to be more hostile.
That's inline with his sudden 'smelling' of the Witch's scene too... It has to be someone capable of the same thing...
That ruled out Roswaal, or Ram on his orders. Was it Ryuzu-san herself then?
Or maybe—
—one of the other clones.
Posing a new question to Ryuzu, YN asked if she was aware of what Garfiel had seen in his Trial.
Visibly, Ryuzu became more defensive upon hearing that question, but still answered it, and said she herself did not know. Rephrasing his question in response, YN asked if one of the other Ryuzu clones knew that information, to which Ryuzu entirely closed up, choosing to not answer at all.
With her previous admittance of not being able to lie due to her contract, her silence was as good as a "yes."
That didn't mean YN had to use brutal honesty either though.
Using his own Trial as justification for what he was about to say next, YN used the information he had garnered from the previous Loop where he had taken the Command Authority. With Ryuzu being silent at all his remaining questions, he had to force an answer.
It's just like Subaru did that one time.
Using the justification of what had been "revealed" to him in his Trials, YN spoke of how he was familiar with Ryuzu Meyers involvement in the Sanctuary, and its purpose.
Hearing all that, Ryuzu admitted that two replicants, neither of them being her, had gone in after Garfiel when he had taken his Trial, and that from that, they had learned of The Sanctuary's origins and its purpose, as well as Ryuzu Meyer's past.
Learning this, YN could only assume in his own mind that not just one Ryuzu had taken the Trials, but two of them. One of those two had to be knowledgeable about what Garfiel had seen in his Trial, and had to be the one getting him to act as they did.
They're supposed to be united in how they think... But eventually events happened to change their own outlooks on things. I guess that's only natural.
YN then asked when he could next speak to this Ryuzu who knew the answer to his questions, he was surprised by the answer he received.
—Two days.
He feared it being three days, and knowing his luck, that seemed exactly what would have happened. But YN would take two days. After all, Subaru had told him five days was their deadline given all their circumstances.
YN still intended to talk to the other main Ryuzu clone tomorrow too though, if only to get more information, but he was surprised to hear from Ryuzu that the one replicant he wished to speak to was not on the same two-by-two rotation he knew the other replicants were on... After taking the Trial, she had broken the contract she was born with, and was cast from her role as a caretaker of The Sanctuary. She had been forced to dawn a white cloak and live amongst the other nameless clones.
I guess once one clone saw what would happen if she admitted to taking the Trial, the other kept that to itself.
At the extent of which he could gain any info from this clone, YN thanked Ryuzu for her time, and departed. By the time their discussion was over, it was time for Emilia to face that night's Trial attempt, and among others as they awaited any results, YN could not speak freely to Subaru.
Afterwards even too, Subaru was preoccupied with speaking to Emilia, and the info YN had for him had to wait.
Choosing to retire for the evening, YN went to bed, and hoped for a better opportunity to speak at length with not only Subaru in the morning, but also the Ryuzu replicant in the evening to perhaps help him uncover more clues to Garfiel's Trial before he spoke with the one he was really waiting for the day after.
YN: —You forged a contract with Roswaal?!
Flabbergasted he was hearing this, and given the implications of this contract, YN didn't know how to respond to the news.
YN: Subaru. Do you have any idea how screwed we are if this isn't the Loop we make it out of this mess? You've gotta be kidding me...
Pinching the bridge between his eyes, YN rested his face on the table where his own bowl of soup had left minor lingering warmth before being handed off to Subaru.
The two were back again at this same table in the cathedral where the Arlem Villagers used this space as a common area.
Subaru: We need to show Roswaal we're serious about breaking his grasp over us. I needed to set in stone that we will defy his Gospel, and that he can't try and justify his way out of it. We also need to ensure that he can't just manipulate things from behind a curtain like some kind of puppet master going forward. It's something that needs to be done regardless of what we're facing now.
YN: There's a time and place for that though...
Subaru: And that time is now.
YN: So now what? What's the plan for today? I already told you I'm going to speak to Ryuzu Shima today, even though she's not the one I wanted to speak with... Is Emilia going to take on the Trials tonight? Do you and Otto still have things to attend to?
Finishing off YN's bowl again this morning, Subaru wiped his mouth on his sleeve before answering.
Subaru: Me and Otto are going to go get more answers out of Roswaal today hopefully... And if you're going to go speak to Ryuzu Shima, that's your part to play today... As for Emilia-tan and the Trial... Well... Today is going to be a bit of a wash for that...
Lifting a brow to that, YN couldn't understand how or why they could afford to lose a day of prospective progress to a part so vital to not only their plan, but this cursed contract Subaru had entered into.
YN: Aren't we limited to only a few days for Emilia to pass the Trials so we can free the Sanctuary? Subaru, we need everyday, we can't just take a rest day.
Subaru: Emilia definitely isn't going to pass tonight's Trial attempt. *Sigh...* You see, last night, I spoke with Puck.
YN: What?! He came back?!
Again astonished by this fact, YN could only look downward and shake his head.
And here I thought he really did pull the age-old dad move of 'going out for smokes and some milk' to walk out on Emilia... But he really did come back.
But thwarting any hope YN had by this news, Subaru continued.
Subaru: That's not all of it...
Hearing the tone in his voice change, YN could tell this wasn't good news.
Hey... Speaking of which... I haven't seen Emilia all morning... Or Ram.
Ram had to be tending to Emilia's needs, if not, she was out and about, or at Roswaal's bedside. YN knew Emilia had a difficult time waking up each morning, sort of like he did now that Rem was gone, but surely by now she'd be up...
Fueling the obvious tension that something was amiss, YN lowered his own voice, and asked.
YN: Subaru... Did something happen in regards to Emilia and Puck?
Was it a fight? "Why were you gone for so long?!" Or was it something worse..?
Subaru: *Sigh...*
Getting down to it, Subaru spoke of the issue.
Subaru: Puck broke his contract with Emilia-tan this morning. I spoke to him last night after I got him to show himself, and he said this needed to happen...
Eyes open wide, YN was left speechless at this news. He understood himself, as a fellow spirit arts user, the significance that a contract nullification posed.
YN: T-That's actually the worst possible outcome to this... Please tell me there's a way to fix this!
Subaru: No. Like Puck himself said, we actually all needed this. If Emilia-tan is going to pass the Trial, this had to happen. Their contract was sealing away a good part of her memories. Many from her early childhood.
YN: And her Trial has to do with these memories then, doesn't it?
Suddenly making sense to YN, he could only think of such a cruel fate that was that such a thing had to be given up for her success.
Subaru: That's exactly what Puck told me. That's why he did it...
YN: But Subaru, what about Emilia's magical strength?! Her threat at the Royal Selection Conference?! Her possession of the Great Spirit of Fire at least won her some respect there... Without any of that—
Subaru: —None of that matters now. Any of those things mean nothing if Emilia-tan can't face her own past. That's something paramount to her reaching her goal. Which, if she's going to accomplish her real goal, she needs to be able to do at least that if she wishes to ascend the Throne.
YN: 'Real' goal? I thought she wanted to create equality for everyone in the Kingdom? At least, that's what she said in the Conference Hall.
Subaru: She still does, don't worry. I know your worries with Rem, that was vital for you in your support for her... But there's a completely different reason as to why she initially even agreed to be a Candidate...
Hooked on what this was, YN listened to Subaru explain the details of the previous night and just what Emilia's origins were...
She's over a hundred years old?! And was encased in ice for that long?!
Shook to the core, YN felt like he didn't think they were speaking about the same person anymore.
It's just like Subaru said too, she's mentally very similar in terms of capacity as Felt. Physically she's a bit older, sure, but the way time passes for elves and the rest of the oddities added on by the strangeness of the events only manages to make things even more complicated when trying to measure her mental age.
Unable to draw up a full conclusion on the matter, morning was drifting into afternoon now. With YN long having said all he needed to before this long talk of forged contracts and broken ones, he stood now.
YN: I'm going to go take a short walk and then go speak to Ryuzu Shima. Good luck dealing with Roswaal again...
Subaru: I'll try. But be careful, okay?
Concluding their meeting with a fist bump, YN departed out into the sunny, warm day in the Sanctuary.
Would have been a good day for an actual walk... Especially with Rem...
Missing their times walking the perimeter of the Mansion together, the only thing YN could do was pretend Rem was right there with him, walking beside him as he went to the prospective place he knew Shima would be.
YN let himself inside, and walking in, he was amazed at the amount of dust floating about in the air of this place.
YN: Garfiel clearly hasn't been here in awhile...
Not wanting to just take ownership of this space, YN did his best to clear off a seating area for the person he knew would be joining him if he ended up here.
The Ryuzu clones are definitely watching me. If I'm here, they'll definitely alert the on-duty Ryuzu.
Beating a few pillows free of their dusty coverings, YN had made two seating areas free for use.
It might help to prove I'm serious about this talk. I gotta use every advantage I can afford.
As he finished, a small knock could be heard on the still open door YN was inside of.
?: My, what a choice for a place to converse. Was there a reason you made these old bones walk so far out of the way?
Voicing her teasing remark, Ryuzu Shima, holding her wizard-like mage staff, had arrived for their talk.
YN: Ahh, Ryuzu-san, I'm glad you showed up. I do apologize for it being so far away, but we really can't risk anyone overhearing us, so the village was out of the question.
Before she answered, Ryuzu curiously looked about at what YN was doing.
He had somewhat rearranged this small area—, the outlying structure on the Sanctuary that was Garfiel's secret base of sorts. It was the same structure Ryuzu had led both Subaru, YN and Pico to after they first investigated and questioned the Laboratory where the original Ryuzu Meyer was encased in the large crystal.
While the lower half of her face was concealed by the large collar of her dress, her cerulean eyes slightly widened as a result.
YN had prepared a seat for her, and as she walked inside, had noticed he had swept most of the dust and dirt on the floor into a small pile, as he was holding an aged wicker broom to finally remove it from the area.
Ryuzu: Such consideration from a younger person. Tis rare to see nowadays.
Leaning her staff against the wall next to her seating area, YN swept the remaining dust to the door, and with one large swoop, propelled it outside and shut the door to prevent any back draft.
YN: It's the least I can do for the hospitality we've been shown.
Ryuzu: Strange you say that without a hint of sarcasm.
Speaking of course of how they were still ultimately trapped in the Sanctuary, YN took his own seat across from Ryuzu.
YN: Given everything? I still think it's appropriate to be thankful to your host. This entire situation is no more your fault than it is ours.
Trying his best to emulate how Rem might formally speak to help keep the peace and be as cordial as possible in this meeting, YN was thankful to the maid he loved for teaching him these things.
Ryuzu: That is the topic you obviously wished to discuss, the Sanctuary and how to deal with these problems? You certainly wish to lift the barrier as part of that.
YN: I do, but, even though it's your counterpart tomorrow that I most need to speak to, I'd still like to hear some input from Shima-san.
Ryuzu: All this effort for me and I'm not even the one you wish to speak to the most? I must express that I feel rather disadvantaged here.
It was odd, how each Ryuzu seemed to have its own personality variances. But ultimately, they were entities that had existed for four hundred years like they had said. The fact they were only as mildly different as they were was a testament to the lack of unique stimuli each had from being here in the Sanctuary and it's mundaness.
YN: There's no need. In fact, I would profess I am the one disadvantaged here. I have a great amount of things I'd wish to ask you about.
Ryuzu: That certainly would have to all be about the Sanctuary and its origins, wouldn't it? But how much do you truly know or understand? Can you truly trust anything Ros-bo had told you?
Trying her hand at getting YN to self-doubt himself on the assumption he wasn't as educated as he was, and that if he were, on the validity of this information, he answered in a very resolute fashion.
YN: I'm very familiar with it all, actually. The origins of the Sanctuary, its purpose, the original Ryuzu Meyer...
Her eyes opening wide upon hearing that, YN could see the look in them stiffen right after.
Ryuzu: There are very few who are aware of any of that... It's curious how someone who's been here so briefly could truly uncover any of that, unless he is bluffing.
YN: Well, that's all thanks to the Trial you know I took. Echidna was kind enough to speak to me about it all.
That of course was a lie, however, it did give YN the ultimate justification for his knowledge he needed to flaunt he had no other way of explaining he possessed.
Ryuzu: The Witch-sama... You spoke with her...
Clearly unsteady by this revelation, Ryuzu didn't quite expect this.
YN: I know of your past, but what I'd like to hear more about rather than the exact contents of your Trial, is what you know about Garfiel's Trial. That's the origin of his desire to not see the Sanctuary liberated, yes?
Ryuzu: So Y-bo is aware I am not the Ryuzu who took the Trial then? Yes, I am the one who carried young Gar-bo away, although what I heard from him is only piecemeal to what he saw. He spoke of it only through wails and blobs of tears and snot running down his face.
Opening his eyes wide at this information, it seemed YN was dead wrong in an assumption of his own.
YN: Wait... Did not both Shima-san and Dilma-san enter the Tomb and take the Trial? Two went in so surely—
Ryuzu: —Is the reasoning not simple enough? There is only one chance for Ryuzu to enter into the Tomb to save Gar-bo, but yet two went in.
Suddenly, YN realized where his error had been.
YN: One went in so they could grab Garfiel, but a second was needed since they would have been sucked into the Trial... Just like when Subaru had rushed in after Emilia, and then myself when I rushed in after Subaru...
YN himself hadn't even realized it. The Ryuzu he needed to speak to wasn't the one who knew about Garfiel's Trial.
No.
The one who's been feeding Garfiel information and doesn't want the Barrier lifted isn't the one who knew about his Trial and was using that as a means to manipulate him...
If he wanted answers, he needed to talk to the Ryuzu who had actually taken the Trial.
Of course... If she was the one to actually see the past, no wonder she'd be opposed to Liberating the Sanctuary, and she used Garf's fears to try and prevent that.
It seemed the devil was in the details.
Ryuzu yesterday was right nonetheless though... The Ryuzu I need to talk to is still coming the day after tomorrow.
However, the information about Garfiel was too important to not pursue.
Ryuzu: Were things not as they seemed initially then?
YN: I guess not... But that leaves me curious; is Shima-san not in favor of liberating the Sanctuary then? To take advantage of knowing about Garfiel's past would make him easy to influence... Tell me... what do you know about that?
Needing to be extra sure, YN posed this question to her, the elf who could not lie.
Ryuzu: That is quite the heavy thing for me to just tell to someone else. Do the things you seek to know not rather lie with Dilma-san?
YN: I originally sought answers from the one who knew about Garfiel's Trial, but now that I know I need to instead ask who took the Trial belonging to Ryuzu Meyer, I now find knowing both things to be equally important.
Ryuzu: — — —
Silent in response just like the previous Ryuzu at times had been, YN knew he needed a way around that verbally.
YN: Ryuzu-san... If I wanted to in the first place, I could have taken the Command Authority from the get-go and just made you and whatever other clone simply tell me everything I wanted to know. I don't want to do that though because I respect that such a massive change in the world you know, —the Liberation of the Sanctuary, can be an extremely scary thing to ponder.
Sighing, YN didn't like having to release such a dangerous tactic was at his disposal, so he could only weakly smile at Ryuzu hoping she'd understand he meant no harm
YN: I believe in the world Emilia-sama wants to create, —one where places like Sanctuary don't have to exist, and part of that is lending a hand out to those who are scared of the change. I'll help her to do that, because it's the world I need for the one I love the most.
Ryuzu could only look downward for a moment before responding herself.
Ryuzu: I appreciate that you wouldn't do that... I suppose I should realize you only have goodness in your heart when it comes to all this by that notion.
YN: I've got plenty of bad in me too, but it's only because of that I can recognize it and try to not replicate it.
Saying this, for a split second, YN could see Ryuzu smile at his words, as if there was an understanding behind them.
Ryuzu: The answer to my stance then, I am neutral on the topic of the Sanctuary's liberation. Rather, I will follow young Ros-bo's lead to wherever the Sanctuary's destiny lies. As far as what I know about Gar-bo's Trial, it involves his past.
Relieved to hear this Ryuzu wasn't going to be a potential adversary or need any further confrontation, YN did raise an eyebrow to the pink-haired girl's retelling of the circumstances she was privy to Garfiel's Trial.
YN: His past, huh? From the way you described it, he must have been young-young when it happened if he was crying like that...
Ryuzu: Around ten years or so ago.
Even further perplexed by that, YN had a hard time imagining what it could entail then.
YN: At such a young age... would he have much of a past to reflect back on? Granted, I don't mean to be insensitive to him about that. I can only guess what he saw revolved around something involving why he lives in the Sanctuary with you and not... ya know... his parents.
Trying to be as subtle as possible but still voice his theory, Ryuzu held up her hand that was hidden inside her cloak's sleeve.
Ryuzu: Your sensitivity to the subject is not needed, I am aware you're not asking these questions in bad faith. As for what you think, Y-bo isn't far off at all. What young Gar-bo saw was the day he first arrived here with his sister...
Ryuzu looked up and away from YN as her words trailed off slightly.
Ryuzu: —that was the final time he ever saw his mother.
An emotional cord was struck through the room, impacting both of its guests.
YN: I am somewhat familiar with both his and his sister's upbringing from the details Frederica shared with Subaru that were shared with me. They have different fathers, but as where Frederica took her father's surname, Garfiel took his mother's... I want to guess he must have a reason for that... He must have a distinct reason to be more attached to her?
Ryuzu: You may hope for a meaningful enough reason like that, but reality is usually much more cruel.
YN: ...The Trial revealed something about his mother he didn't want to know... or didn't expect... The previous attachment could make that realization a lot more impactful...
A hand to his chin, YN tried picturing what the disposition of a young Garfiel might be like and what could lead him to the way he was now, —with his hatred of the outside world, hence why he lamented the Sanctuary being liberated.
YN: Maybe young Garf naively believed his mom left him here for a good purpose... one that was more important than staying together as a family...
Ryuzu's previously spoken words echoed in his mind one last time before a concrete conclusion was built in YN's mind.
YN: 'Reality is much more cruel.' Ryuzu-san, are you saying the reason their mother left them here matched just that? Was it that reason that was revealed to Garfiel? It must be something that made him hate the outside world along with it...
Looking down at the recently swept floorboards, Ryuzu fidgeted with her hands slightly as if the reason really was a hard pill to swallow.
Ryuzu: Their mother left them here to find her own happiness... He feels the outside world stole her away from him, and because of the barrier, he couldn't leave the family he had here to go after her... It was not a choice he could ever make. His mother, everyone here... both are extremely precious to him.
YN: In a sense then... Garfiel fears the outside world because to him, it takes things away that he loves. Where the people he loves here can't leave, if the barrier goes away, the outside world might come in and take more away from him.
Ryuzu: That would be a fair assessment. Y-bo must remember too, Gar-bo is still just a child who was taken from his mother. Regardless of what he exactly saw, that simple fact remains.
YN: Even without the barrier and the Sanctuary's peculiar circumstances, it's still a heavy situation to experience... That bit isn't lost on me.
Given a great amount of information and insight into Garfiel, YN shook the guilty feeling he had brewing in his chest.
YN: Ryuzu-san, have you inquired more about how Garfiel feels about his mother now at his older age?
Closing her eyes and shaking her small pink-haired head, the little elf was forced to give YN a weak expression.
Ryuzu: Unfortunately, I have my own cowardice to blame for not being able to give you an answer for that. Anytime I've thought to ask, the image of young Gar-bo crying becomes too harsh a memory for me to form the words to the question...
YN: I see...
Ryuzu: However—
Interjecting with an idea of her own, Ryuzu went on.
Ryuzu: Gar-bo has always maintained that his name remains a connection to his mother. He always will answer with 'Tinsel' if asked for that. Perhaps he only does so to make himself remember, perhaps the reason is more innocent, I truly cannot say...
YN: That does seem like there's an important reason behind it.
Ryuzu: Nonetheless, be it anger, resentment, or sadness... What he exactly feels in regard to it now is unknown to me...
YN: Well, it must be more complex than even that.
Standing up, YN garnered he had taken up enough of Ryuzu Shima's time. Making his exit, he opened the door to let himself out, but turned back to Ryuzu to address her one last time.
YN: Garfiel isn't dumb, and neither is he a simple to understand person. I'm sure he has a reason we can't hope to understand unless he wants to willingly share it.
Looking downward, YN tried to muster all the encouragement he had for himself.
YN: —And I want him to trust me, Subaru, Emilia... —Anyone else who's willing to listen.
Leaving Ryuzu with that, YN shut the door to give the village elder her peace and quiet in the clubhouse she probably hadn't been to in years, if only so she could reminisce in peace.
It's later in the day now... Emilia might be starting her Trial attempt soon... Even if Subaru thinks this one is going to go bad, I should still be there for her. Any support Emilia can get, I should offer. We've only got three days to get everything figured out...
Walking back through the twilight lit forest, YN was reminded of a memory with Rem during a similar time when a gentle gust blew past him, stirring a few fallen leaves off the ground as it did.
YN: Ya know, when the breeze pushes your hair like that when you smile, it almost knocks the wind right out of me.
Rem: Rem doubts YN-kun would be as bold if Subaru-kun were not as far behind as he is.
Feeling his heart strings tugged at slightly by Rem's voice in his mind, her cute and playful disposition she had with him even in fargone Loops, and certainly at times from before they had even considered themselves "together," and at the very most "more than more," or "in love," all these feelings and emotions felt like they had been birthed a lifetime ago.
A hand to his chest as this breeze died down, a cold air of loneliness followed it.
Rem... I miss you so much...
In silence by himself, YN forced himself to walk forward to his destination on the back of his mind alone, lest he let himself become open to the viper pit of sadness he had been bottling up inside himself the moment he had lost Rem.
YN: Where is everyone?
YN had checked the Cathedral, the stables, even his own, Otto's, and Subaru's temporary housings, but nothing turned up any clues to anyone's whereabouts.
The Sanctuary was far from being abandoned of course, as it still hosted its population, plus the "visitors" from Arlem. It was only that YN struggled to find anyone from his camp, or anyone also adjacent to Subaru, like Otto.
The only place to check really would be Roswaal's shack, or Emilia's...
While he didn't wish to disturb either really, at this juncture, YN had nowhere else to look. Making his way to where the Margrave dwelled here in the Sanctuary, just as he went to step up onto the porch, a voice called to him.
Ram: YN.
Turning to see her, Ram stood in the nearby light of a recently lit torch.
YN: O-Oh, Ram.
YN hadn't really spoken much with the pink-haired maid this Loop thus far. While she was the twin sister of his beloved, it sort of felt wrong to have ignored her this long.
The image and memory of Rem still lingered in his mind from before, and having not had any interaction with anyone since those thoughts, YN had to quickly shift his psyche to being social.
Ram: Barasu and the Merchant are currently having a rather heated discussion with Roswaal-sama. It would be detrimental to your goal if you were to enter now.
My 'goal?'
Confused by what she meant by that, YN could only loosely assume she meant his "goal" of working with Subaru to thwart Roswaal's contract he had formed with the black-haired boy.
YN: I get that you're saying if I joined in the middle of it, that wouldn't help things for me or them... But wouldn't that actually be to Roswaal's advantage if I showed up? Ram... If I didn't know any better, that almost sounds like you're going against him there...
Ram: Ram had no idea where YN formed such a conclusion. Is it not a maid's duty to keep others from interrupting her master's meetings of the utmost importance?
Clearly, Ram's words were a farce to justifying her assistance to the side YN was on in all of this.
I don't want to toot my own horn here, but Subaru really is lucky to have me as an ally, since Ram would have been trying to impede him at every step otherwise in this entire mess.
Ram: —Regardless, it is not within YN's best interest to join the conversation at this point. Ram would suggest a different person however, to converse with, if you'll indulge her.
Halfway expecting Ram to suggest herself, YN was admittedly a tad fearful of what any exchanged words might devolve into.
Does she already view Roswaal as broken considering the Gospel's writ has already been undone by Subaru losing the Qualification? I really hope Ram isn't beginning to have that same level of emotional weakness she had last time what happened...
While of course Roswaal had also died in that Loop, YN recalled the final frosty moments of the same Loop where Ram had confessed to the feelings she now felt for him in his car, at a time where she was most certainly in a frenzy of sorts.
YN: — — —
Unsure how he should respond, YN didn't want to say the wrong thing and cause such an event to unfold.
Yet, as he stood in resolute silence, Ram spoke up again.
Ram: Please let Ram rephrase—
Swallowing a lump of anxiety in his throat, YN saw Ram slightly recompose herself.
Ram: —if YN would indulge her, Emilia-sama would wish to speak to you at your next convenience. Ram believes now would be the most appropriate time.
Surprised by her answer, YN couldn't find a reason to deny her request.
YN: Umm, sure. Let's go.
Ram: Very well.
Turning on her heel, Ram moved to lead the way back to Emilia's shack, which was rather close to where they were anyway.
Even though it was only a few moments to her door, YN couldn't help but once again think of Rem.
Ahead of him, the way Ram's hair swayed about as she walked greatly reminded YN of his beloved.
If not for the hair color, I'd have a hard time telling them apart from this angle...
It seemed even on this one short walk, YN found himself still weak-minded at times when it came to the topic of Rem popping up.
I miss you still, Rem.
Tentatively, YN followed Ram inside to Emilia's quarters.
Ram: Emilia-sama, please—
Halting her words, Ram stopped in the doorway.
Even with the evening well underway, and the outside light of the sun fading away, the contrast between inside and outside where YN still stood couldn't allow him to see the much darker inside. Wondering why Ram would suddenly halt, she turned around to gesture with her finger.
Ram: Shhhh.
Hushing YN, she then waved for him to follow.
Inside, with his eyes now adjusted, YN saw the only other person inside other than Ram.
Asleep in her bed, Emilia had a slightly restless expression on her face as she laid under a mess of blankets and pillows, all strewn about.
Looking to Ram for some kind of explanation, she sighed and whispered to herself.
Ram (whisper): Ram had just sorted out all these sheets before she left... And it's already like this again.
Trying to gingerly readjust the blankets and pillows to the orientation she was lying in, Ram replaced them in a way that made the most sense before returning to the other small table in the room. Using a magic crystal of sorts, Ram set about heating up some water for tea.
Ram (whisper): Emilia-sama has been stirring like this since the Great-Spirit-sama... departed. She was awake before Ram left, and I had hoped that perhaps some company might do her well, but it seems she's gone right back to rest.
Looking over to Emilia, she did occasionally turn her head and give a brief expression whilst sleeping, but what caught YN's attention the most was the occasional flicker of light appearing near her bedside.
YN (whisper): Microspirits...
Ram (whisper): Yes... Ram tries to encourage Emilia-sama to converse with them when she becomes more... emotional. They seem to be trying to console her, however I cannot tell for sure. Ram is not a spirit arts user like Emilia-sama or yourself.
About to correct Ram that he wasn't so special as that, he quickly did remember that was indeed true.
I guess the label still hasn't stuck in my mind.
YN (whisper): Unfortunately I'm just as clueless as you are... I have a spirit contracted to me sure, but controlling it is another thing altogether.
As he said that, the small familiar spec of white light entered his vision from the flank.
Ram (whisper): Ah, it appears your esteemed spirit's ears were burning.
Dancing around YN for a moment, the little spirit quickly moved over to Ram, doing a full circle around her from bottom to top. Extending her hand out, the small spirit danced about in her palm.
Ram (whisper): If only Ram had such energy.
Lamenting her own disposition, the oni did in rare form crack a slight smile at the spirit's rambunctious motions.
Acting like it was ready to depart back to YN though, the spirit darted away instead at great speed.
YN: —!
With a single "hop," it appeared next to the sleeping silver haired girl.
YN (whisper-yell): —Algol!
Getting up out of his seat, Ram held her hand up to halt him, but did not look away from Emilia.
Forced just to watch, the two who were awake observed how the larger spec of white light danced about around Emilia's head, and brought with it more smaller specs of blue-ish white towards the girl.
Moving in unison, the spirits swayed about and glittered as they danced about her head. Before long, Emilia's face began to twitch and begin to react.
Emilia: Mmmhmm?
Her eyes tightening shut for a moment before lazily opening, Emilia was awoken to a choreographed display of lights.
Emilia: —Ahhh...
In her drowsy state, she seemed memorized by the lights above her, but only a moment later, she was moving to sit up.
Emilia: It's good to see you, Algol.
Singling out the largest of these white specs, the other little lights dispersed into the area around it as Emilia held her hands out to cradle the small ball of Yang magic.
Emilia: If you're here... That must mean—
Looking up across the room, Emilia saw her two guests and began to sit up in a more straight up way.
Emilia: YN, and Ram.
At first happy to see them, a more somber expression quickly went across her face as the realities of consciousness hit her.
Here she was, bed ridden on heartache.
All because her father figure and formerly contracted spirit, the Great Spirit of Fire, Puck, had left her company, seemingly for good, after choosing to be absent for so long.
To say the least, compounding with her shame she felt for not attempting the Trial tonight, Emilia turned her eyes away as if in pain from her own actions.
Doing its best however, Algol moved to put itself in Emilia's vision, and danced around a bit to get her attention again. Seemingly communicating in some way, Emilia smiled again at the spirit.
Emilia: —Is that so? Perhaps I'll remind him.
Now warmly smiling at YN, Emilia kept eye contact with him as her amethyst eyes seemed to twinkle before Ram spoke back up.
Ram: Emilia-sama, please allow Ram to fetch some cool water.
Getting a nod from the half-elf, Ram went to depart, but before she got out the door, Emilia called to her one last time.
Emilia: —Ram.
Spinning around on her heel, Ram turned back to face Emilia with the utmost haste.
Ram: Emilia-sama.
Ram, just like she had been trained, and just like Rem would do, gave Emilia her undivided attention at her call.
Emilia: If possible... I'd like something for my strength too... Could you bring back what you tried to offer me earlier for it?
While YN figured this was just Emilia's way of humbly asking for a snack or something, YN turned to see Ram and expected her to simply bow in compliance and usher herself from the shack.
Yet what he got was a look of surprise from Ram to Emilia, which she then turned to YN, her one visible crimson eye open in unexpected astonishment. Turning that gaze back to Emilia, then came the expected bow YN had thought was coming next initially.
At that, the small spirit still in Emilia's hands began to dance about again, taking her attention away from the two like before.
Emilia: My my, aren't you happy today...
As that went on, Ram turned away to leave, but before she did, she lightly brushed YN's shoulder with her own, and spoke in a very hushed tone.
Ram (whisper): Emilia-sama wishes to speak to you alone. Please be considerate toward her at this time.
Saying nothing else and not giving YN a chance to say anything back, he could only go with the flow in this situation.
With a blunt "Thunk," the door behind Ram closed, and up stood YN. Taking his chair, he lifted it to avoid a dull dragging noise from being made as he brought the chair over to Emilia's bedside.
Setting it down, followed by himself upon it, YN weakly looked to Emilia as his spirit continued to run circles around the half-elf's pale and slender fingers. As he sat down, Emilia had a bit of a surprised look on her face that quickly melted into a look of mild embarrassment. A small silence began to grow between the two as YN thought of a way to start a conversation of sorts without making it obvious that's what she had signaled to Ram to do.
YN: Emilia-sama, I know this might be a difficult time for you, but if you could spare some time for me—
Looking to YN as if expecting something more forced from him, Emilia held her tongue and waited for him to finish.
YN: —I'd like to learn more about how to control— No. I'd like to learn more about how to work with my contracted spirit, if you wouldn't mind sharing...
Smiling as if happy to share, Emilia adjusted how she sat against the many pillows and sheets on her bed.
Emilia: Anything for a fellow spirit arts user...
Cupping up Algol in her hands, she "handed" the little white spec of light back to YN.
Emilia: —and a friend.
Giving her a small nod in reply, the two set about for a talk of sorts in the dimly lit shack.