Can You Eat A Smile?

Hmm... We could...but, nah...

What's wrong, Wryz?

Just thinkin'. Mostly about provisions.

Provisions? Like supplies and food?

Uh-huh. We shipped in most of our stuff from off the island, and we're gettin' what we don't have off the land... But this village is totally self-sufficient. It'd be nice to figure out how they do it, y'know, cut down on our workload. But there's no way we can just go self-sufficient overnight.

You're really thinking this through.

Of course I am. I'm the commander now.

I'm just not super good at much aside from fighting. I can't be like Flaudia used to be...

You don't have to do it like her. Just do it like you. That's good enough.

Yeah. I think so too. No point worrying about it. I'll just ask them right out.

I know! You should ask Melpi!

Hey, Tiryluna. Heading to Melpiphia's house?

I was thinking about it... But something just came up.

So, can you look after her for me? Just for today, I promise!

Hang on, what do you mean by "look after"?

Sure, why not? You can ask her about the village, too. We scratch her back, she scratches ours, right?

Ugh... ...Fine. So what exactly do you want us to do, anyway?

It's nothing big, really! Just hang out with Melpi and have a good time with her.

A good time, huh...

Okay, let's go to Melpiphia's.

...Hehe. I'm such a liar.

But this should help Wryz out, and also help Melpi make better friends with all of them...

It's two birds with one stone! I'm a genius!

Hey, Melpiphia? Are you here...

...What?! She's passed out?!

Hey, Melpiphia! Are you okay?!

......zzz...

Why you...why I oughtta... How dare you...sand down our ears to make them all round...

Huh...?

Take THIS! Burning Fist of JUSTICE!

I'm very sorry for my previous conduct. I was half-asleep and wasn't aware of my surroundings.

You don't throw that kinda punch being half-asleep...and besides, it's already past noon.

Oh dear, so it is. Look at that. Usually Tiryluna wakes me up before now.

Wow. You can't even get out of bed without someone to help you?

Haha...yeah, imagine that...

Tiryluna said she had something to take care of, and she asked us to come over in her place. And I think Wryz wanted to ask you a few questions, too?

Oho, a consultation? With moi?

Uh, yeah. You see...

I see, a problem of provisions...

It's not like we're runnin' out. It's just something I wanna think about, that's all.

Well, all this talk of food has made me pretty hungry. Make me something?

Were you even listenin'?! Besides, this is your own house. Make your own food.

Don't be silly, I can't cook. Tiryluna always cooks for me.

Try to have SOME shame!

(I should've thanked you more, Feinne...)

You're more of a slob than I thought. You always seemed sort of respectable... When you're not bein' weird.

You mean, you're so taken aback by my loveliness that you think I must be lovely on the inside too? Thank you!

That is NOT what I said!

How about a compromise, then? Let's go look for food in the forest.

Huh? As in, right now?

Yes. And as it happens, I think what I'm looking for will help solve your provision problem too.

Really? That's good to hear!

...Yeah. Okay, then, sure. Can't say I feel confident about this...

...And we're back! If you're just tuning in, this is Cooking With Melpi In The Morning.

Um...does that mean this food you were talking about is around here?

......

Hey, look, Melpiphia. I know I'm the one who asked you to start with, but are you sure you're good with this? We don't wanna steal the food you guys need to live.

Oh, don't worry about that. I'm the only one who dares to eat this particular lil' delicacy.

Uh...dares?

I suddenly have a bad feeling...

Ta-dah! I give to you... The humble yet delicious mushroom! It can be eaten fresh or cooked, and it's very tasty. And of course, it's just fun to look at!

...I see. Makes sense you'd value something that doesn't need to be cooked if you can't cook for yourself.

Just one thing I've gotta ask...

These are NOT poison, right?

Oh, ye of little faith. How about I eat one right now?

Nom, nom... ......

...How is it?

The rich, almost nutty flavor spreads along my tongue, up my nose, into my brain...shaking the very heavens... Yes...this is the flavor I tasted in my youth, the one I've been searching for all these years!

I feel like you're exaggeratin'... Is it really as tasty as all that?

What do you think? Should we try it too?

I guess so. Doesn't look like it makes your guts melt or anything... And come to think of it, I'm kinda hungry myself, after that walk.

By all means, do dig in.

Oh...oh! It's really good!!

This is a real surprise. I didn't know anything this tasty grew on this island.

Hee hee. It's a surprise, right? But now your eyes have been opened.

These grow all over the forest, and they're tenacious, too. You can take as many as you like.

I see...thanks, Melpiphia. Sorry I doubted you before.

I'm really glad. This solves a lot of problems for us.

I can't wait to see everyone smile... Haha! Hahaha!

Haha. Good to see you smile, Wryz.

We can all go mushrooming together. Hee hee hee hee.

Yeah, that sounds great! Hahaha!

...Uh, is it just me or is something weird going on?

Yeah. I keep feeling laughs come bubbling up like hiccups...

Ahahahaha! What the hell is this?!

Ooh, is this finally my chance to make it big as a comedian? Let's see, what's the deal with...

Not the time...hahaha! Wait, is this because of those mushroomshahaha?!

Hehehe. These are called laughshrooms. They have the power to make people happy, see? But, hee hee, no one likes them haha. Laughter is, hee hee, the best medicine though!

So I was right hahaha! These ARE poisonahaha!

That's the first time I've ever seen someone laugh in anger...haha!

W-what's so funny, Aldo?! Ahahaha!

I-I'm not, haha, laughing because I want to, hahaha!

Gyoooohohohohoho! That's my impression of Old Man Bel.

No one asked for comedy! And who the heck is Old Man Bel, haha?!

O-okay...laughing while you're yelling at someone is, haha, that's kinda funny...

Well, just when I thought to come check in on you all...

Looks like you're all getting along wonderfully! I'm so happy for you, Melpi!

I don't know about that.

No more...haha... I-I can't breathe...hahaha...!

W-what do we do...?! Haha...hahaha...!

Well, that was a lovely snack. We're all full, and we got to have a little chuckle too. That solves your food problem, right? We may have run into some troubles, but I did good work, if I say so myself.

We can't use these at all! If we don't laugh our heads off, the dragons will bite them off instead!

Maybe we should have asked Tiryluna for help instead...

I feel like she's got enough on her plate as it is...