A Strange Encounter

So this is Ratle?

You did say you wanted to explore some new sights...

And I do! Besides the area I grew up in and the local village, I've never really explored anywhere else.

Everything's so different here... And there must be all kinds of folks living in a village like this.

Thanks for bringing me here, Aldo.

Haha, you're welcome.

I'd be worried about you traveling alone anyway...

Whaaah!

That sounded like a child crying! Over there!

*sniffle* *sob*

What happened?

I...I fell... My leg huurts...

Let me take a look.

Okay, doesn't look like you're cut. Just a little bruise, that's all. It will heal up in no time, just take it easy for a bit, okay?

......

What's wrong?

N-Nothing... Um... Thanks for...for helping me... ......

Oh dear, are you hurt anywhere else?

Hey, mister... Can I talk to you for a second?

Oh, you want to talk? Then why don't we go someplace else and...

N-Not you! You stay away!

Huh?!

Just him!

H-Hey!

Okay, you two go ahead and talk. I'll just wait here.

Sorry, Eleanor...

Quickly!

...... "Stay away"? And here I thought I'd never have to hear those words again...

Everything okay? You've just been standing there for a while now.

Who? Me?

Who else? I mean, you kinda stand out, just standing there, all pensive.

Everything okay? You've just been standing there for a while now.

Who? Me?

Who else? I mean, you kinda stand out, just standing there, all pensive.

Your problem must be serious. Not to worry, Thillelille can help you!

And this Thillelille you speak of... That's you?

I'm Eleanor, by the way. But I don't know if I need any help...

Excuse me! Are you the one who helped out the boy before? The one who fell over?

Um, yeah. That was me.

Okay, listen. Some random guys came up to me and asked me to deliver you a message. They said to come to Lake Tiilen at once. Apparently, they have something important to tell you.

Guys? What guys? And what would anyone want with me? They must have the wrong person.

I-I dunno, but they looked kinda scary.

Hmm...not ringing any bells. It must be a case of mistaken identity. Besides, I need to wait here for my friend to come back. I can't just wander off...

Grr...

Oh...but...they said you had to come! U-Unless you want your friend and the boy to die...

What?! They're gonna hurt Aldo, too?!

So they said not to delay, not even for a second! If you do, you'll be putting the hostages' lives at risk!

How horrible! Come on, Eleanor! There's no time to lose!

Right!

No! Wait! Why are they both going?!

Urghhh! That message was only meant for one of them!

Man, I hope I didn't mess that up. Things kinda escalated there...

Meh, whatever. Not my problem now. Easiest money I've ever made...

*huff huff*...

Is this Lake Tiilen? I don't know the area.

Don't worry, Thillelille will show you the way!

I'll stick with you until we get these guys back safe and sound.

Thanks.

But first, there's something I have to ask. Do you have any idea why your friend was kidnapped?

Not at all, no. And thinking about it now...

It's pretty hard to imagine someone as strong as him getting beaten so easily anyway. But that would mean...

They could have kidnapped the boy first!

Child-nappers?! Not if Thillelille has anything to say about it!

I'm with you!

What's this little one's name?

Oh, this is Moke.

You remind me of a cat I knew back at the orphanage. She used to get riled up when children were in danger, too. Now, what do you say, little kitty? Shall we go rescue them?

Orphanage?

Yes, my parents died when I was little, so I was raised in an orphanage. But there were so many other children there...

So I used to hide from them all and play with the cat instead.

You used to...hide from them? Why didn't you play with the other kids?

Oh, I... Um...

......

Well... Others always used to keep their distance from me when I was little. I have this mysterious power, you see, and well, you know how people can be...

......

Even that boy I helped told me to stay away from him. It really stirred up memories...

So that's why you looked so upset.

And that's why you decided to talk to me? I must have looked pretty distraught for you to come up and offer to help...

Yeah, I could see right through you!

But um...you still wanna rescue that boy? Even though he rejected you?

Of course! Whatever his opinion of me...

He still deserves to be rescued!

Can't fault your resolve there!

When I was younger, I had this power, yet I was still powerless. I lacked the strength and knowledge to fight. But that's just being a child. There are so very many powerless children in this world. I know that very well.

But now that I have the strength and knowledge to protect children, I intend to use it!

Then let's go save that boy!

Okay, let's keep a lookout for these scary-looking guys!

Found them! Scary-looking guys, check. Captured girl, check.

To think there were more kidnapped children?!

What the? There was only supposed to be one of you...

Prepare yourselves! And fear not, little girl!

Because the sword-wielding savior is here!

(The sword-wielding savior? She even has two swords...)

(Now's not the time! Focus on the task at hand, Eleanor!)

Ah, shoot! I dunno what's happening here, but I don't like the looks of it!

Send out the monster!

Please, this creature is hardly much of an obstacle to us!

Too easy.

We make a great team!

Dammit!

P-Please stop fighting! Please don't fight for my sake!

You...don't want us to?

But you've been kidnapped! We have to fight for you!

I...I haven't been kidnapped! They're my guards!

What?!

Okay, let me get this straight. You have a crush on the boy I helped...

But you were worried that he'd become captivated by me, so you wanted to warn me to stay away...

Exactly!

Sorry. We just wanted to support the young lady in her quest for love. That's why we decided to help her.

Then, where did that whole kidnapping story come from?

We asked a woman from the village to summon this lady to us. I guess she just made the kidnapping thing up to make sure you'd come.

We paid her a lot of money for her troubles. Maybe she was worried about failing.

So much for the kidnapping, then. It was just love troubles all along.

JUST love troubles? How dare you! This is deadly serious to me!

Oh, I apologize.

But if you truly are serious about him...then is this really the way you want to go about getting your man?

Wouldn't it be better to confess to your crush in person?

Thillelille believes that if you truly have feelings for someone you must tell it to them straight and true, like an arrow!

...Easier said than done, I know. But when it comes time, that is what I intend to do!

...!

It's the best way to make sure he knows how you feel.

......

...Okay. I'm sorry, miss...

Good luck!

Well, that was a whirlwind. I never thought I'd find myself dragged into a child's romantic problems.

Teeheehee!

What are you so happy about?

Just...all that panic about kidnapped children, when really it was just an adorable little lovers' quarrel. The fact that the children were able to create all this drama over their love life...

It just goes to show what peaceful lives they must lead. Knowing that, how can I possibly be mad at them?

...!

Yeah, you're right! Teehee!

Ah, I need to hurry back to the village! If those two weren't kidnapped after all, then they're probably wondering where I am!

Looks like my friend isn't back yet.

Okay, I'd better be off. There's a sweet old lady I have to go see, who promised to bake me some goodies!

Say hi to your friends for me!

I will! Thank you so much!

...... Come to think of it, Thillelille's sword...

Eleanor!

I'm so sorry! That took longer than expected.

It's fine, I had quite an eventful time while you were away.

Uh oh, I don't like the sound of that... Please don't tell me you got yourself caught up in more trouble.

Don't worry, it's all good! I just learned that the children in these parts lead peaceful lives, that's all.

Anyway, how'd it go with the boy? What did he want of you?

Basically... When he saw you acting so kind toward him, it reminded him of a girl he had a crush on. He wanted to know how to talk to a girl like that, so he asked me, as your companion.

He said she's from a wealthy family and is always surrounded by guards, so he's too nervous to talk to her.

Oh!

Were you able to advise him?

Not really, no. Since I've never felt nervous around you, I didn't really know how to help... Ultimately, all I did was offer up a listening ear.

I see. But don't worry. I have a feeling everything's gonna work out fine between them!

You...do?

Oh, and he seemed worried about telling you to stay away.

Oh, really?

He said he'd like to apologize to you in person, so he's waiting just over there.

Okay, let's go see him, then...

(I wish I could have told Thillelille that the cute little romance between the kids is all going to work out...) (Speaking of, Thillelille reminded me of a legend the bishop once told me. If only I'd asked her about it!)

That the one who can raise twin swords up to the heavens shall be a savior to the people.

Maybe it was fate, meeting her.

Eleanor! Are you coming, or not?

Sorry, I'll be right there!