83. As planned.
I opened my eyes and found a short woman staring down at me.
"What are you doing?" she asked, taking in the scene.
Furniture had been overturned and fragile objects lay smashed on the floor. Amid the wreckage I was sprawled on my back with Fors above me — it looked like I was holding hert.
I let out a slow breath to calm myself. "Just an emergency measure," I replied, trying to steady my voice.
"I see," Xio replied without any peculiar expression. After all, Fors's disheveled appearance — her very long hair cascading wildly, her nails still digging into my skin — combined with the ominous glow of the Blood Moon outside, was enough explanation.
I was relieved by her quick understanding and began to push myself up, careful not to disturb Fors. Yet, just as I moved, Fors opened her eyes. The very first words out of her mouth were, "Why did you do that!"
My face twisted in pain for a brief moment — Fors had unconsciously tightened her grip during her outburst. Realizing that her nails were embedded in my flesh, she nearly screamed in horror at the sight.
"S-sorry…" she stammered, quickly pulling away as the weight of the situation struck her. She scrambled to her feet, and I followed soon after. Her gaze dropped to my arm. "Are you alright?" she asked, eyes fixed on the wound across my right upper arm. The yet healed burn mark was still there, now worsened by fresh blood trickling from where her nails had pierced the skin.
"I'm fine," I replied, then bent down to help lift the table that had been knocked over.
"So why did you do that?" Fors pressed again. Though her tone was calmer, she clearly couldn't let the question go.
"Does anybody care to explain?" Xio cut in, eyeing her best friend with a strange look.
"Ah!?" Fors yelped, whipping her head toward Xio in shock.
'She didn't realize her' both Xio and I thought simultaneously as we watched her.
"O-oh, Xio… welcome back." Fors forced an awkward smile.
"Huu…" she exhaled, then said, "For the time being, Chris — catch this." She tossed me a small bottle filled with a jelly-like substance.
"I got it from Mr. Glaint. It works well on burn injuries," she explained. After finishing her report to Audrey, she must have stopped by the apothecary to pick up medicine. "You can't go back looking like that, right?" She gestured toward my injured arm.
"Yeah, thanks." I accepted the medicine gratefully.
"So, what happened?" Xio pressed again. With no way to dodge the question any longer, Fors began to recount the events — how the Blood Moon's raving struck her as usual, how she felt herself on the brink of losing control, and how, in desperation, she recited His name.
But, of course, she left out any mention of her encounter with Mr. Fool. Even a benevolent existence like Him would never remain silent if she carelessly revealed that.
"Are you an idiot?!" Xio snapped, grimacing as she listened to the story. Then "Ugh…" She clutched her head as if the words that had turned into arrows turned back and struck herself. Then her gaze shifted sharply to me.
"I can understand Fors making a desperate choice — but why do you too?" That was the one thing she simply couldn't comprehend.
"Well…" I avoided Xio's gaze, pretending to focus on applying the medicine to my wounds. It wasn't like I could admit it was the perfect opportunity for me.
"I… I heard you've done it before too." This time, I met both Xio's and Fors's eyes directly. "And Fors… she looked like she was in so much pain. I couldn't do anything to help her, even when I was right beside her. The only thing I could do was stay with her. Sometimes… just having someone by your side helps." I forced the words out, spinning a story as I went. "And… aren't we friends?" I added, trying to make my eyes sparkle.
Gh… I want to disappear. I had to be careful not to let my inner thoughts show on my face.
"…" Hearing that, there was really nothing Xio could say in response. She turned to her best friend, her best friend's expression speaking volumes 'You see this idiot? That's why I reacted like that!'
Then, a wave of shame struck both of them.
Their first encounter had been that of burglar and victim — and yet, he had generously forgiven them. The second time, it was scammer and victim, and once again he had given her a pound, merely to secure an introduction to a gathering.
After that, their relationship had been purely transactional, built on mutual benefit. True, they trusted Chris enough not to hide their dwelling, but to call him a friend… were they really friends?
Seeing no one respond to my words, I grew more flustered. Had I failed to convince them?
Think..
"And…" I stammered, clutching my embarrassment, "the first Beyonders I met were you guys." After all, it wouldn't have gone so smoothly if it had been someone I didn't know.
"…" The two were left speechless. Then, finally, they stepped forward. "Let us help you." They took the medicine from me and carefully applied it to the hard-to-reach spots.
SAFE!
***
"Excuse me…" A homeless-looking man appeared at the entrance of the Diffodil workshop. His clothes were a patchwork of rags sewn together, his face streaked with grime, and his shoes riddled with holes. His long hair hung in tangled clumps, and a pungent stench of body odor accompanied him.
Despite the grimace that flickered across their faces, the employees maintained their usual politeness — it showed the result of Chris's parents' success in training their employees.
"How can I help you, sir?" one of them asked, keeping a cautious distance from the source of the odor.
"Can I see Grandar Diffodil, please?" the old man asked again, trying to be as polite as possible despite his rough manner of speaking.
"Um, I'm sorry, sir. Do you have an appointment?" the employee asked, fully aware that he didn't. Still, it was a procedure, so he had no choice but to ask.
"No…" The old man's shoulders slumped in dejection. "B-but he knows me… it's Moth, please tell him my name" he stammered, calling out desperately.
"Ugh, alright. I'll inform the master. Please wait here," the employee replied, gently urging him to stay put to avoid soiling other areas.
He thought it was impossible, but… procedure was procedure. 'Expand your wisdom: the customer is always the customer' he reminded himself as he watched solemnly as his master, Grandar Diffodil, emerged from the workshop, hurrying to meet the old man.
"What are you doing here?" Grandar's voice was as cold and cutting as winter, laced with restrained anger. "You promised," he added sharply.
"I… I know. I'm sorry. P-please… let me see my child!" The old man dropped to his knees before Grandar, desperation written across his face.