Do You Enjoy Melancholic Love?

The poor girl... Isn't there anything I can do for her?

What's the problem, ma'am?

Oh I was just thinking about my friend's daughter. She's going through a rough patch with her boyfriend. The two families really don't get along and she's being kept away from him.

That's terrible! Aldo, we must do something to reunite these sundered lovers!

I had a feeling you wouldn't be able to resist sticking your nose in this, Pom.

Tee hee hee! You know me so well.

Now, ma'am, where can we find this lovestruck maiden?

Probably at the tavern. The two of them have been using secluded spots like that to meet in secret.

We don't have a moment to lose ♡ Let's hustle on over to the tavern.

My mother's been keeping a closer eye on me lately.

Same goes for my dad. Sneaking out was a lot harder than usual.

I say we leave this town. We can live our lives and let our families work out their dumb feud. I don't even know what started this fight between them all those years ago. It's got nothing to do with you and me.

I'd love to, but...could we really make it? My dad's got connections with the royal family. He might get them to track us down. Plus, if either of our families found out we'd eloped, it'd only make things worse.

Never fear, help is at hand!

What? Who are you? Did that meddling father of mine send you?!

No, they're probably my overbearing mother's spies!

Children, please. We're on your side! Consider me a heavenly messenger come to assist you star-crossed lovers.

What's with this lady? Is she dangerous?

I'll admit she's a little strange, but she's serious about wanting to help.

That's nice and all, but I don't think our problem can be solved that easily.

You underestimate the power of science! We can use this potion I developed... Tee hee.

Aldo, do you want to take five? I'm just going to explain to these two how it works.

For now, I'd recommend you go home and try not to draw attention to yourselves.

In the meantime, we'll go find the ingredients we need to make it.

I'm guessing we're going to the future?

No, we need to make our way to the Rucyana Sands. We're looking for a monster endemic to that desert region. They're all but extinct in my time.

I knew it would be hot here, but this is too much.

I have tonics that can numb your senses of heat and pain, if you want.

Wow, that actually sounds pretty cool! Maybe I will try some.

Be warned, there are side effects.

Oh...

It might upset your cardiac rhythms. A violent sneeze could put you in critical condition, maybe a 30% chance of recovery.

Never mind, I'll just tough it out. Wait, Pom? Is the potion we're making just as dangerous as this one?

It's totally safe! I just can't disclose all the details yet.

Why not? Are you hiding something from me?

Oh, don't be such a fusspot. I'll tell you all about it once we get our hands on the ingredients. Oh, look! There's what we need.

We finally found a specimen that's reached full maturity. I'm going to want some of this thing's mushrooms for an infusion.

All right. Guess that's where I come in.

Splendid work. I'll synth up our potion right now.

Hey Pom, is it done yet?

Be patient. I have to finish this here or we'll run into trouble later down the line.

If you say so. I'm feeling thirsty, though, and I'm out of water. I'm going to head back to town and fill up.

I've been waiting for this! ♡ Here, take some of mine.

Huh? Oh, thanks. Are you sure? I don't want you to get dehydrated.

No worries, I still have plenty. Go on, drink up!

Well, if you insist... *glug glug glug*

Now, allow me to explain the effects of this treatment. It starts by inducing a sense of vertigo.

Huh? I'm starting to feel dizzy...

Followed by loss of vision.

Urgh...where'd everybody go?

And finally loss of consciousness.

Huh? What happened to me?

Good morning, sleepyhead. Rejoice, the experiment was a success!

Experiment? What did you put in my drink?!

Forgive me, I had a feeling you wouldn't test my potion if you knew what it would do.

Is that why we stayed out here so long, to make me thirsty enough to drink it? What is this stuff, anyway? Some kind of sleeping draught?

Actually, it simulates a state of death. To all the world, you looked like you'd shuffled off this mortal coil for the past day.

A whole day?! I wish you'd have warned me about that.

If you knew, would you have tried it?

...... Probably not...

See? You're always so jumpy around my experiments, I knew I'd have to be...economical with the truth. I mean, you wouldn't have tried if I told you the risk of not waking up again.

How much danger was I in?!

You were out so long I'd almost given up on you. I was so relieved when I saw your eyes flutter open ♡

......

Thanks to your help, I was able to gauge how long the effects last for. Now I can regulate and control its potency. Let's get back to Unigan and rescue our lovers from their tragic fate!

Here's the potion I told you about.

Me too, Imelda, but be brave. We'll drink it together.

I know we're going into a state of false death and all, but...will it hurt?

No, I can vouch for that. It's just like falling asleep.

Wait, you tested it on yourself?! I can't believe you'd do that for us.

No need to thank me. Really. I wasn't exactly a willing participant.

We'll handle the rest. Let's hope your family feud dies with you.

How can this be? Why would they throw away their lives like that?!

My poor Kalyl! How am I supposed to go on without you? That wicked young woman led you astray...I'll never forgive her!

How dare you! You're the one who should be begging forgiveness from me! That blasted son of yours must have forced her into this. My dear Imelda...give her back to me!

Don't act like you're the injured party. It's your fault my dear Kalyl is gone!

Oh, will you two give it a rest?

Kalyl and Imelda loved each other, truly, madly, and deeply. This was the only choice they were left with, thanks to your quarrel. Chew on that for a minute.

I...I...

......

Now, lucky for you I happen to have a powerful revival potion here. It might just be enough to bring your two darlings back.

Wh-What? You can do that? Please, I'll do anything, I just want my daughter back!

That goes double for me! I'd give up everything I own to see my son again.

You're devoted. That's something. But if you continue to oppose their marriage, we'll just end up right back here again. This stuff won't work more than once, either. I'd rather not have to waste one of my precious inventions...

It won't be a waste, I promise! Seeing my daughter alive again and happy is all I want.

I never should have been so stubborn. Kalyl didn't deserve this.

Do I have your solemn word to respect your children's decision?

Good! That's settled, then. They got their parents' blessing! Doesn't it just warm your heart?

Yeah. I can't let my "death" the other day be for nothing. Can we trust what their parents say, though? I'd heard this was a pretty deep-seated feud.

I gave them another dose of the false death potion, just in case. If their families still don't work things out, they can "die" again and elope in secret this time.

Nice. You've really thought this through.

My plans are always flawless ♡ For I am the angel who offers help to all lovers in distress!