Among the Blooming Flowers

Wheee!

Huh?

Wheeeeee!

That sounds like...

KABOOM!

Gwaaah!

Whoo, boy. There she goes again. You okay there, Aldo?

Ow, my coccyx...I-I mean, I'm fine. Was that Mona just now?

Come on, mister! Let's go play!

Wargh! I can't keep up with her.

Thank goodness you're not too banged up.

You know what they say, "Kids are bundles of fun," or whatever. Can't say I know where she gets it from, but...

Hahaha! Well it's definitely not from Sylvia, that's for sure.

Speaking of Sylvia, she's not with you two. Is she spending the day at home?

Yeah, she's staying in and getting some rest today. Remember when we were crossing the bridge and she broke into a fit of coughs?

Since Mona was born she's been suffering from onsets of that sorta thing more often.

So I do what I can to take Mona off her hands for a while whenever she needs some time to recuperate.

You've really come into your own as a dad, Terry. I almost can't believe you're the same person as the rolling stone you were before.

"Rolling stone"?

Daddy was a "rolling stone"! That sounds funny!

Hey, come on, Aldo. Not in front of the kid or she'll never let it go, man...

Ahaha! You two sure have a good relationship. I'm sure you won't have anything to worry about.

That's right, Daddy!

Oh, look! It's Mister Mayor! Hi, Mister Mayor!

Don't distract him while he's working! ...And she can't even hear me.

Hey, is Sylvia really okay? Admittedly I'm kind of worried about her.

It's not too bad, really. Just a couple coughs every now and then.

Well, if now's a good time it'd be nice to see how she's doing and say hi.

Sure, I think she'd like that. I'll go pick up Mona and see you over at our place then.

Oh, Aldo. How nice of you to stop by. Please excuse the poor reception. I... I haven't the energy to prepare any refreshments.

Welcooome!

Hey, don't be silly. You getting enough rest is far more important than me eating a few snacks. So don't worry about it, really. You know, Mona looks so much like you. The two of you could be sisters, you're so alike!

Heheh. Perhaps at a glance but believe me, she shares a lot in common with her father too.

Y'think so?

Y'think so?

Haha! You're right. I can definitely see that!

I'm glad you seem okay, Sylvia. I heard you were unwell recently and was worried.

Oh, there's really no need for that, trust me. And as you can see, I'm just fine with a little rest. But I'm touched you thought to check in on me..

Seeing that you're well puts my mind at ease. Well, I won't keep you from your rest any longer. I think I'll head off for now.

Of course. Thank you, Aldo. Drop by again whenever you like.

Huh?

Sylvia? Sylvia! Say something!

Aldo, it's bad this time!

What's bad? What was that sound?

Sylvia, she...She's collapsed!

How is that possible?!

I'll go get Henry, just stay with her and make sure she doesn't get any worse!

O-Okay!

Give it to me straight, Henry. Is she gonna be okay?

...She's asleep. Her illness appears to be acting up again.

So she just needs some shut-eye and after she wakes up she'll be all better, right?

......

Mona? Listen to me carefully, okay? I have a very important mission for you. Can you take this message to the mayor's house?

Oooh! Okie-dokie. The mayor's house!

What was that for? Do you need something from Marlowe?

Her mother...

Sylvia's condition is worse than I thought. She doesn't have much longer for this world. I wish to spare Mona the sight of her departure.

Wha, ?!

You can't be serious, Henry!

What the heck are you talking about?! You said it was just her illness "acting up"!

I wished to spare Mona the knowledge of her mother's departure also. This is the truth. Sylvia's body can no longer handle her ailment. I almost can't believe it's managed to hold out for as long as it has, in fact.

She has persisted by virtue of her sheer will. To do so with the seeming effortlessness she has presented is a miracle. Do not blame yourself.

Save the consolation garbage! Can't we do something?! If there's even the smallest hope for her to get through this, instead of telling me who to blame or not just tell me what I can do to save my wife!

...I...I suppose Elpice Herb extract could help.

Elpice Herb? I've never heard of it before.

A supposed panacea spoken of in ancient poems and records. An incredibly long shot I know, but...

It can cure any illness?

So it is said, yes. But I am unsure as to the veracity of a cure-all of any kind, never mind a lone herb found entirely in the wild. Such is the shaky reliability of ancient verse, I suppose.

Indeed, I have traveled the world far and wide but not once have I seen anything even resembling this fabled wonder of a...

Is everything all right?! I just spotted Terry dashing out into the forest like a madman!

Shoot! When did he, ?

He must have gone to look for the Elpice Herb. ...Alone.

With all those dangerous Monsters around?! I've gotta go after him!

Te...Terry...

Rest easy, Sylvia. I'll bring Terry back, I promise. So just hold on.

*huff* *wheeze* Damn it! Where is it? Where is it?!

Terry! Behind you!

Aldo?!

Get back! I'll take care of these guys!

You're not hurt, are you, Terry?

Don't waste your worry on me. I still haven't found that Elpice Herb. That's where it's needed.

You'll help me, right, Aldo? For Sylvia. We can...We can save her!

The Elpice Herb...Terry, it's...I'm sorry.

......

I knew it. Deep down I knew it. There was no way a bull-crud fairy tale of a cure-all twig like that could be real!

......

Even so, I couldn't bear the thought of just sitting there like a moron and watching her slip away from me so I...I...!

Go home. Sylvia was asking for you. Right now, you should be by her side.

Forgive me, Sylvia. For failing you.

There might not be much time left. Come on. Let's go.

Don't you waste your energy worryin' about that! Aldo will bring Terry home, you'll see!

I...I feel so cold, Mother... And my vision, it...It grows distant...

Listen to me, Sylvia! Keep it together now, y'hear?

I'm here! Rebecca! How is she?

Oh, Terry! I knew you'd come! Go to her, please.

Sylvia? Can you hear me, Sylvia?

Terry? Is...Is that you?

Of course, I'm right here! Can't you see me?

It...It's dark. I can't see anything. But I'm happy. I can be with you in my... Final moments...

Cut the crazy talk, Sylvia! "Final moments"?!

I...I know it well enough, Terry. I can feel it. But hearing your voice one last time... I can go feeling a little warmer than... Than if I was alone...

What good is that?! I should be able to do something to save you!

No, Terry. You gave me the family and love that I... That I never had. That was all I could...Have asked for...

Take good care of Mona...For me, Terry. Please....

Tha...nk you...Every...one...

Sylvia?

Honey? Come on, say something!

......

SYLVIA!

So concludes the eulogy. If you would like to say a few words of parting, please step forward.

Sylvia singlehandedly transformed the landscape of Horai from a bleak and barren moor into the beautiful paradise of flowers that it is today. I will never stop being grateful for that. Nor will I ever forget her, as long as I live.

Seeing your child, blood or not, going before you do is any mother's worst nightmare. I just can't believe it. It feels like only yesterday we were at her wedding, all excited for her future...

As much as I know you youngsters would be happier if she suddenly jumped out and came running back saying she'd had a cold... There's no better place for her rest than here with all this bloom and beauty around her.

She'll be at peace here, surrounded by the flowers she so loved. I know it.

Hmph. If you leave her here like this nobody'll have any idea where she is. One day you might even step on her and wake her up!

Master...!

Whaaat? It's true.

So what, huh? This here's the place that the rest of us chose for my wife to spend her rest together, all right? You might be my boss but I ain't gonna stand here and take you disrespectin' that, y'hear?!

I'm just sayin' I think you should make one.

Make one of what?!

A gravestone, what else?

......

I know stonework ain't yer strong suit and you'll be needin' my help if you want somethin' that'll come out lookin' nice. But if y'ain't likin' the suggestion then I won't force you to accept it. You can leave the grave as it is.

No. You're right, boss. She should have one.

And you know your way around stone like nobody else. Sylvia deserves the best and I can't do that without your help.

All right, all right. Reel it in, now.

Y'heard that? My apprentice here needs some Stone and a coupla flowers. Can't have her final restin' place go unmarked to the world, can we? You know what to do for the Stone. As for the flowers, I think some that she grew herself would do fine.

If you can spare the time I'd appreciate the help.

Of course I can. I'm happy to help.

And what'd you do if he weren't, huh?

I s'pose that's neither here nor there now. Come talk to me when you've got all the materials. I've got the means to be puttin' 'em together.

And that's all we need. Shame it's needed at all, really. She still had so much ahead of her, she did.

Thanks, boss. You saying that means a lot.

Ah, cut it out, boy. I toldja I ain't good with that sappy stuff. An' besides, you gotta accept reality. You're makin' a gravestone because your loved one has passed and you're still here.

......

Get yourself together already, kid. You ain't a good-for-nothin' cretin with no legacy or nothin' to your name. You've still got stuff to live for, don'tcha?

You're right, I know, but....

If you ain't got the nerve I ain't gonna stand around all day til you got one. I'm goin' home. Next time I see ya y'better not be whinin' no more.

......

Hey, we should get back to the village too. Don't want to keep Mona waiting too long.

Right...

Yaaay! Daddy! Mister Aldo! You're back!

Yes we are, Mona.

Huh? Daddy? Why's your face so long?

......

Because Mommy has gone someplace really far away?

......

Oh man...

H-Hey, Mona! What've you been getting up to? Are you the one who got all this dirt everywhere?

Uh-huh, but only 'cause I was helping the flowers!

"Helping the flowers"?

Uh-huh! Mommy told me to take care of Daddy and the flowers for her. So that's what I'm doing!

You tended to this whole flower patch all by yourself?

Uh-huh! I tried really, really hard. Did I do good?

Oh, Mona...!

Ow! Daddy, you're hurting me!

O-Oh, sorry, Mona. I just... I'm just really happy, that's all. Thank you.

They look nice, huh?

Yeah.

Would Mommy say I did good?

Absolutely.

Y'know Daddy, I really like these flowers! That's why I wanna help them all grow big and strong!

Hey, Mona? Listen. I'm not as good at all that stuff your mom did like cookin' and cleanin' and washin' up, but... I love you just as much and I'm gonna do my best for you. All right?

All right! I know! I'm gonna make you a flower crown!

Thanks, sweetheart. You're the best.

Teehee! I'm the best!

I hope that one day I can fill all of Horai with lots and lots of these flowers.

Wha, ?

I gotta go pick some now! Bye, Daddy!

It's almost like she...Like Sylvia is still here. Living on through Mona. Mona carrying on her legacy.

Yeah...it really is.