A Path Through the Woods(A RiaEgg Story)

CHAPTER 11: "Keep Pressing On."

The lobby went silent when Ria spawned in, sporting a bright shade of coral instead of her usual lime color, which was currently being used by Gnome...Their hearts sank when they saw the grim look on her face, and they all crowded around her, anticipating bad news.

"Ria?" Captain asked. "Did...something happen with MrEgg?"

She sighed deeply, and the crew prepared to hear the worst.

"He's...been put into a coma. They found pneumonia on his X-ray, and said that putting his brain into a deep state of activity would give him more energy to heal and increase his chances of survival by 10%...He just went under an hour ago."

"So, he's still alive?" Veteran asked.

"For now," she responded quietly. "Even with the increase, the odds of him making it are...still not good."

They all hung their heads somberly...Player emitted an audible sniffle and brought the back of his hand up to his visor.

"You okay, man?" Veteran asked him, resting a hand on his back.

"...I don't know, Veteran. It's just..."

He let out a shuddering breath, then looked back up at Ria again.

"...D-did he tell you anything before he went to sleep, Ria?"

"Yeah. he did," she nodded lightly. "...First off, he told me what he was up to over the past month."

She looked at TheGentleman, and she saw his eyes begin to widen as she started to approach him.

"I'm so sorry, TheGentleman..." Ria whispered, her eyes full of remorse and sorrow. "I...I was really wrong about you two. MrEgg said it was his fault for trying to keep things like that a secret from me just for the sake of surprise, but...all you were trying to do was help him out. And...and I went and hit you in the face and said all of those horrible things for something you'd never even thought of doing."

The black-clad crewmember reached his hand out for her to take, and she met him the rest of the way, gripping it tightly. He placed his other hand over the hold and looked her in the eye.

"...It's alright, Ria. You didn't know...And really, if I were in your shoes, I'd likely have thought the same thing," he admitted. "And I'm sorry, too. I...I should have explained a bit more to you instead of making things look even more strange."

"Was it because you just didn't want to go behind his back and tell me things he wanted to be a surprise?"

"I do believe."

"...TheGentleman?"

"Yes, young lass?"

"MrCheese?"

"Yeah?"

"...Before he went under," she told the two of them. "He wanted me to let you guys know that you were his best friends. And...and that he couldn't have seen himself without you being there for him, MrCheese, once you two finally got off on the right foot."

"H-he said that?"

She sniffled dryly; she'd have cried some more, but there didn't seem to be any more tears to cry...They'd all been drained.

"...Yeah. He did say that...And he meant it a hundred percent."

Ria managed the tiniest indication of a chuckle, then stepped closer and brought TheGentleman into an embrace...MrCheese joined them a moment later, and within less than a minute, the entire lobby had gathered around to take part in the massive group hug.

"I think it'd be a good plan to stay together throughout all of this," Captain proposed. "We just have to support each other, and...keep pressing on. I'm sure MrEgg would want that...You think?"