Pyggie's Secret

Ow ow ow...

We heard a loud thud! Are you okay?

Yeah, I'll be fine. I just missed my footing on the stairs, that's all. Man, that hurts!

You don't look fine to me. I think you've sprained your ankle. Here, lean on my shoulder.

Thank you. Would you mind escorting me to the inn?

How's our guy doing, Aldo? Is he going to be okay?

He's injured his ankle. He won't be able to walk for a few days.

Oh dear. And it looked like he was in such a hurry, too.

He said was supposed to be delivering food supplies to Acteul. But with his leg, that's completely out of the question. So I was thinking...

You want to deliver it for him?

Yes! How did you know?

Travel with you long enough, and you get a feel for these things. I'll join you.

I was hoping you'd say that! There's far too much for one person to carry alone.

Then why don't we get Pyggie to help out?

Pyggie! Are you there?

Guess not. Maybe he's busy today.

Looks like we'll just have to do this without him.

Pyggie? Are you okay? Are you hurt?

It's not a big deal. Now, did you need me for something?

We wanted you to help us transport some supplies, but not if you're wounded, obviously.

Yes, I'm afraid I'll need to rest.

Where did those terrible wounds even come from...?

Oh, this happens sometimes. He goes out alone and comes back hurt. And he never tells me what's been going on. I've found that it's best to just let him have his secrets.

R-Right. Then I guess we should get going to Acteul. We can pick up some medicine and treats for Pyggie while we're there.

That's sweet of you. Thank you.

Is this everything you ordered?

He fell over and hurt his leg. Since he can't walk, we offered to make the delivery instead.

Sorry to keep you waiting, Jillfunny. It looks like we're done...

Shh. I want to hear this.

It's true, I'm telling ya. This monster jumped outta nowhere and attacked our hideout!

Well, what d'ya expect, loiterin' out on the highroad? That's coelus territory.

But it wasn't a coelus! Never seen anything like it before. It was white as snow and big as a mountain!

It wasn't a coelus? That's weird... Maybe it was a broiler from Lake Tiilen?

Nope, not a broiler. It had fluffy fur, and it was standin' on its hind legs like a human!

Huh. Never heard of nothin' like that before.

And it had this pouch with it, so I think it's somebody's pet. Can you imagine that, a monster as a pet?

Oh! And I almost forgot the biggest thing! This monster, right? It talked! And it sounded like it knew about our plan!

It sounds an awful lot like they're describing Pyggie, doesn't it?

I mean, there are certainly similarities... But Pyggie would never do something so violent, would he?

Although, that would explain his injuries...

Pyggie wouldn't just randomly attack people. There must be something else going on here.

I agree. Let's see if we can get some more information out of these men.

Excuse me, mind if we join you?

Wh-What do you want?

I couldn't help but overhear. That monster you were describing sounds an awful lot like my friend. Could you tell us more about the incident?

Fine. But it'll be quicker if I just show ya. You up for a trip to our hideout?

Very well. I assume you're fine with this, too, Aldo?

Where is your hideout?

On Derismo Highroad. It ain't far, I'll show ya the way.

THIS is the hideout? It doesn't look like much of a hideout to me.

Who are you? What are you doing?

What d'ya think we're doin'? You set that monster on us!

No, there's been a misunderstanding! Jillfunny would never do that!

Hah! Are you really that ignorant? Never thought I'd get attacked, but hey, it was a blessing in disguise. It allowed me to lure ya here.

You lured us here? Why? What's your plan?

Listen, we ain't got no problem with you, boy. Not if ya know how to keep your mouth shut. Our business here's with the girl.

Me? But I don't even know you.

What's that on your head, li'l lady? A jeweled helmet? Or is that, like, growin' outta your head?

Actually, who cares. Sell it, put it on show, either way there's a fortune in it for us.

You scoundrels! This was your plan? You can't do that to Jillfunny!

Yeah, yeah. Now, li'l lady. If ya don't wanna get hurt, be a good girl and...

Look out! Behind you!

I thought you'd learned your lesson before. Apparently, I went too easy on you.

Are you hurt?

Pyggie... Why...

You think you can take us by surprise? Well, I hate to disappoint ya, but we were ready for this!

Hmph. You just don't know when to quit.

We can talk later! Right now, we fight!

I can't believe they tried to attack Jillfunny just for money. What scumbags.

Pyggie. First and foremost, I want to thank you for helping me.

But, why? Why did you fight them without telling me? If you knew they had their sights set on me, why didn't you tell me about it? We could have fought them together! And maybe you could have avoided those nasty injuries.

......

Answer me, Pyggie.

I'd guess Pyggie just didn't want to worry you, Jillfunny.

Anyway, we have more important things to deal with. We need to take these thugs to the guards. And we need to tell that merchant about his delivery. We can talk once we get back to Palsifal Palace, okay?

Fine. Your lecture will just have to wait, Pyggie.

......

......

I'm back! I've handed the thugs over to the guards and reported back to the merch, Oh, you're still at this?

Come on, Jillfunny, this has gone on long enough. Just forgive Pyggie already.

Absolutely not. Until he explains himself to me, this is NOT over.

(That might be a problem. It doesn't look like Pyggie is going to break anytime soon.) (There must be a reason why he won't explain himself to her...)

Jillfunny, why don't you let me handle this? And maybe you could step outside while I do so.

YOU want to talk to him?

All right, it's worth a shot. But make sure you share EVERYTHING with me later, yes?

Okay Pyggie, now that Jillfunny's gone, would you mind telling me what happened?

This happens quite a lot. Jillfunny just doesn't know about it. It's my job to protect her, and I often spot these threats before she does. So, I deal with them. She's a busy woman. It's only right that I keep these troubles from her doorstep.

So you did all this for her sake? (Wait a minute, didn't Jillfunny say she rescued Pyggie when they were younger?)

Is this because you feel you owe her?

No, not really. I wouldn't work so hard just to repay a favor.

She only ever cries alone.

She works so hard to protect others. She deserves someone to do the same for her.

Not a word of this to Jillfunny, okay?

My lips are sealed.

I don't get it, though. If you care that much about her, why do you always act so cold?

Well...

Pyggie! I can't believe you'd keep that from me!

Jillfunny? You were eavesdropping on us?!

Oh, my sweet Pyggie. My darling friend whose heart is as kind as his fur is fluffy.

But from now on...you're so fluffy... You've gotta tell me...sooo fluffy... And we'll face these things togeth, Fluffy, fluffy, fluffy, FLUFFY!

Either talk or pet my fur, but you clearly can't do both.

Fluffy, fluffy, FLUFFY! SOOO FLUFFYYY!

She's always been this way, always messing with my fur. Honestly, the things I have to deal with.

And yet you don't get her to stop. I'm glad you two have made up again.