Aroma of a Flower

None here...

Daisy?

Ah...!

Oh... What do you want, Aldo?

What do I want? Don't you want me here?

Oh. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that.

You're not acting like yourself. You seem restless...

Restless? I'm not restless.

I'm just a little concerned.

Concerned? What about?

Well... ......

The souls in the mortal realm are so profusely excitable at this time of year.

The souls whose regrets cause them to remain in the mortal world can easily fall into danger. To make matters worse, those dangers are even more dangerous at this time of year. It makes me uneasy.

So you came to see how they were?

Well... Was this area okay?

Yes...

I found no issues here.

That's good.

But if the souls are usually excitable around now, does that mean it's possible they won't be faring so well elsewhere? If you want to make the rounds, I'd be happy to go with...

No. I'll go alone this...

Aaagh!

Was that a scream?!

It came from up above.

Could it be an evil spirit?! Let's go, Daisy!

I did not sense any evil spirits about...

But that cannot be helped now.

The scream must've come from somewhere around here.

S-Stop it! Go away!

Ouch! That really hurts!

That's no evil spirit!

I can see that.

But this still isn't good! We have to help her.

Wait there.

Stop it!

Stop.

There is no reason for me to stick my neck out over some beast.

But if I leave you be and things turn violent, that will only increase my workload.

I wonder... Are you a smart beast, or a stupid one?

Child's play.

That was amazing, Daisy! A sharp look from you was all it took to drive it off!

Don't concern yourself with me. Focus your energy on the girl.

Erm...

Thank you so much for saving me!

I was so busy looking for something that I must've wandered into a monster den without even realizing. I know you reap what you sow, but if I'd been chased to the ends of the earth, I don't know what I would have done...

Right. So that's what you were doing here.

I'm glad you're all right, though. If Daisy hadn't chased off that monster...

Daisy?

You...

Um? Is there something on my face?

...!

No... Tell me, elven maiden. You said you were looking for something? What, exactly?

A star daisy flower...

What's a star daisy?

It's this fantastical flower. I heard it grows around here.

I understand... But you could not find it, could you? It is not an easy thing to find.

Huh? Uh...

Wait one moment. It should be...

Aha, found you.

Wow, it was so close all along! It's sooo pretty!

That was amazing! I never would have realized it was there, even though I was staring right at it. Anyway, this "star daisy" sounds pretty similar to your own name. Is there any connection?

Good question.

More importantly, did you need this, young maiden? Here, take it.

Th-Thank you...

Now I can finally visit the grave. Isn't that great, Granny?

Oh, so that's what it's for? To make an offering to a grave?

Thank you so much you two! Well then, I'd best make haste.

Wait!

What is it, Daisy?

Um... Is something the matter?

Oh, I... ......

I will come with you to visit the grave.

You will?! But why?

Well...

A young maiden traveling on her own could spell danger. Thus, I will escort you to the grave.

You saved me from that monster and now you're even worrying about my journey. I can't presume upon any more of your kindness.

Come now, there's no need to be shy! Besides, I shall still follow, even if you say no...

*cough* What I mean to say is... I believe that meeting you here was some kind of fate.

You don't mind, do you, Aldo? There's no harm in you coming either. You're skilled enough.

No, I don't mind. I'll try and make myself useful.

(But why is Daisy being so persistent? It's strange.)

*sniffle*

What's wrong?! Are you crying?!

I-I'm sorry, I just felt so helpless and alone. Thank you. I will take you up on your kind offer, if it still stands?

Of course. You can rely on me.

But you made it this far.

Yes... Thank you.

So whereabouts is the grave?

Lake Tiilen... I say it's a grave, but it doesn't even have a gravestone. Or any sort of marking, really.

......

Lake Tiilen? Let us depart at once.

What's up with Daisy? She's definitely acting strange. I wonder if she has any connection to this girl?

Aldo, what are you doing? You won't be any help at all if you get lost yourself.

I'm coming!

By the extra tall sapling and the pinkish flower with enormous blossoms... This is it. This is the grave.

So there really isn't a gravestone or marking of any kind. Why here then?

There is no one way to mark a grave. Concepts will vary according to location, community, custom, and species...

Is this... Where she died?

Yes. Where I'm from, it is said that the souls of the dead are connected to the place where they died.

I see. So what do you do with that flower you brought?

I will set it afloat in the water, so that it can make its way to the deceased. It carries with it the hopes of the living.

May the star daisy bring our hearts to yours.

Now, there can be no more regrets.

Huh?

Thank you both so much for helping me safely visit her grave.

Now, at long last... I can be with my granny once more.

What did you just say?!

You can't follow your grandma to your death! She wouldn't want you to send yourself as well as that flower! I'm sure she'd be turning in her grave!

Huh?

Huh?

But my granny's still alive...

She is?! Th-This isn't her grave?

No?!

Then whose...

This grave belongs to... Granny's friend.

Her friend?! Oh...

But you mentioned regrets. I was sure that you were planning to follow her...

Wait, what DID you mean by all that?

I'm sorry for confusing you. What I said about regret, I wasn't talking about myself, I was talking about Granny.

What do you mean?

I fear she's not long for this world. She's been bedridden for a while now. So she can't...

......

She wanted to offer a star daisy to her friend's grave before she passes, so she can rest in peace. She asked me to do it for her.

I was really worried about her, but I went to Corinda Plains as fast as I could. She has fond memories of searching for star daisies there with her friend, you see...

I had no idea...

I know Granny really wanted to come here herself...

But now, I can go back to her. If I don't hurry, her condition might... I'm sorry, but I must be off. Thank you so much for saving m...

I will accompany you.

Huh?!

Daisy?

She is nearing the end, yes? So will you let me pay her my respects?

But... Why?

The truth is... Your grandmother and I once knew each other.

I can see her face in yours. I was not sure at first, but I am convinced of it now.

Ah! So that's why you were so concerned about me, right from the start!

I understand. Of course you can come see Granny.

I thank you.

She settled down near Ratle, no? So let's head east. We don't have much time.

Daisy?

Daisy, you know where her grandma lives?

Well, I've never actually been there myself, but...

Um...

What is it, maiden? Are we not in a hurry?

W-We are. It's just... There's something on my mind.

......

What is it?

Granny always told me... She could never find star daisies, no matter how long she took.

But she had a dear friend who could sniff them out as if by magic, who would always give them to her. But that friend...

Look, even I know that this is a strange thing to think. But, um...

Will you hear me out anyway? Are you Granny's...

Get back!

Daisy?! What's with you?!

Aldo, can't you tell?

I smell something foul.

What's going on?!

Are they evil spirits?! Is this what you meant by the souls being excitable?

Tsk! Such bad timing. How annoying...

Be gone, you fiends. We have more important matters at hand. Come on, Aldo! I could use your help!

Got it!

All right, I think that's...

Tsk!

Oh no! There's more of them?!

There is a veritable swarm of them. How obstinate.

You, girl! We will clear the way! You go on without us!

What?! B-But you...

You are of her blood, you must go to her! I...

I am just a woman she knew for but a fleeting moment in her life. I have no need for farewells. Go on, run! Before the thin thread connecting her soul to this world breaks!

Quickly!

Tsk!

Okay, but make sure you come straight after!

Let's finish this quickly, Daisy!

You dare try to strand me here, you brutes? Unacceptable!

Hah. You're not so bad after all. Have I ever told you that before?

*huff puff*

Granny! Granny, I'm back!

That was a tough fight. I never imagined I would have to work so hard outside of the Lotus Hall.

This is no time for a chat, Daisy! We have to go!

We have to visit her grandma!

There is no need now.

Huh?

She has passed. But she wasn't alone in her final moments. The girl made it in time.

Oh no...

Oh, don't look like that. As I said before, it was but a brief time we shared together.

Even so...

I can tell just by looking at you. She was really important to you, wasn't she?

Pfft...

She was my friend when I lived in this world.

When you lived in this world?

Wait, you mean you were once human?!

Why are you so surprised? You see...

I am not alone in this regard. Everyone who lives in Purgatory once lived in the mortal realm.

But I thought all the souls that went to Purgatory ended up being reincarnated.

Generally, yes. But in rare cases, some choose against reincarnation, in favor of remaining in Purgatory. They keep their memories from their time alive, and continue to live, well aware of who they once were.

Though perhaps "continue to live" is not the best turn of phrase.

Daisy...

When I was young, I died in that spot in Lake Tiilen. Right in front of her, I imagine...

How could such a terrible thing happen?

Hah. I was young and foolish, and it got me killed.

She and I first came across each other long ago, in Corinda Plains.

We belonged to different species, yet were strangely drawn to each other. We became close right away.

We met up again and again in the coming days, always in secret, out of the prying eyes of those troublesome adults.

Then we would look for star daisies, swap them with each other, sit forehead to forehead, and lick the nectar.

We called it cups-a-daisy. It was such a silly game.

Oh... So that's why you were so good at finding the flower before.

She taught me the secret to it, though she was never any good at it herself.

One day, I heard about a sweet-nectared flower growing in Lake Tiilen, and I invited her along.

But it was all just a big lie...

And what awaited us was actually a monster pretending to be a flower.

It attacked us and we both fell into the water.

Oh no...

I swallowed too much water, and my consciousness was slipping, but I managed to push her to shore before drowning.

I couldn't let my dearest friend die because of me.

But I passed out before I learned whether I had been able to save her or not.

And when I awoke, I was in Purgatory.

In the beginning, I looked for her every single day. How I hoped to see her. Eventually, I found out that she lived a long, good life. It was such a relief.

At the same time, I became aware that I could choose to stay in Purgatory.

And that's when I decided to wait for her, for the day when she would breathe her last breath, and we could be reunited. Even if she was only a soul. Even if she had forgotten all about me. At least...

At least, if she could smell the faint fragrance of those nostalgic flowers from which I took my name...

So that's where the name Daisy comes from.

The truth is... I was scared of her being only a soul, so I came to the mortal realm when I thought her time was nigh.

I thought if her soul was still bound to her body, she wouldn't forget me. Maybe we could talk, maybe I could attend her on her death bed. I'm so weak.

That's not true. Wanting your friend to remember you, wanting to see her in her final moments...

Is a sign of a kind heart.

Heart? Hah. It has been a long time since I last heard that word.

Still... You must have really missed her after all this time.

That matters not. It was destined to happen.

I shall return to Purgatory. I apologize for dragging you into this, Aldo.

Okay...

Daisy must want to be on her own right now.

But I'm worried about her. I should go check on her, even if only from a distance.

If I remember correctly, Daisy will be in the Lotus Hall... But, um, where exactly is that?

Hm?

What?! Why is she here?!

Hey!

Why are you here?! I thought you got back to your grandma's!

D-Did you really follow after her?!

Um, who are you? I don't know any boys like you...

Huh?

Oh?! Or have I forgotten all about you in my old age?

Old age?

Hah. You came all the way here, did you, Aldo?

I'm not a little girl. You don't have to worry about trifling little... things...like...

Daisy?

Y... You...

I found you!

Thank goodness you're here! It has been so long! We finally meet again!

You...remember me?

Of course I do! You may be all grown up, and you may talk different, and this is certainly a shock...

But that name... Did you call yourself Daisy so that it would be easier for me to find you?

Hah... Heheh... You're really..,

I'm sorry... I'm so sorry I couldn't save you.

What are you talking about? It's me who should apologize.

......

That smell...

Heheh. I think I can smell star daisies...

There's something I want to give to you.

Is this...a cup? And what's this pretty juice inside?

We don't have to play our game anymore. I brewed it in the hopes that we could drink it together the day you eventually came here.

I'm so happy! But heheh, the truth is... I always thought my first juice would be with you, so I never drank any while I was alive.

Me neither. It's a little embarrassing.

Well, cheers! Here's to our reunion!

It's delicious! It's so thick, it tastes almost like star daisy nectar!

Whoa...

Huh?

I'm floating... My whole body's floating away...

Hm? Am I... Am I spinning? Around and around I go...

What?! You're not spinning or floating or anything!

W-Wait. Are you...

Pff... Hahaha!

This is so nice! I feel so happy, so, so happy... Like I'm walking on air...

Teehee... It tastes so sweet! I know, why don't we swap cups like we used to, and drink from each other's...

Hey, wake up!

You're such a lightweight! Next time... You're sticking to star daisy nectar!