Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Beyond Fate

Victory, But At What Cost?

Lanz:" Ow! Ow! I'm sorry!"
Eunie:" I was this close to apologizing again and you ruined it!"
Lanz:" I said I was sorry! Ow!"

Eunie has Lanz in a chokehold as he struggles to get her off. Mio was finally able to pry me off of Noah who was now trying to get air back into his body.

Sora:" Shit, man, I'm sorry. I didn't think I was holding onto you that hard."
Noah:" *Panting* It's fine. Thanks again, Mio."
Mio:" No problem."
Sena:" *Laughs* I find it funny that the Man of Fate, the guy who went against Consuls, a Squire, an Amalgamation and walked on a bridge with no visible bottom, is scared of an Arachno."
Sora:" I'm telling you, those things are scary. Their hairy legs... Oh, it's so weird."
Taion:" *Chuckles* Oh, I'm sure. You went a bit crazy when Lanz put one on you."
Sora:" Don't remind me... Actually, I'm gonna go stop them before she actually kills him."
Noah:" Good plan."

I wake up to Eunie and Lanz, the latter trying his hardest to sign "help" to me. With a shrug, I pull Lanz away from Eunie and just set him aside.

Eunie:" Why'd you do that for? I wasn't finished with him yet!"
Sora:" As funny as it was to watch, and trust me, it was, we still need him to be our meat shield."
Lanz:" That's right!... Wait, wha?!"
Eunie:" Ugh... Fine, he can live."
Sora:" Actually, what were you trying to say to me before Lanz did what he did?"
Eunie:"...I'll tell you later."
Sora:" Why not now?"
Eunie:" Because... I think it's time we had that "talk" you promised back at Colony 4."

I think back and she's right, I did promise her I'd talk to her. A serious talk, just me and her, the perfect way for us to mend this relationship for good.

Sora:" I'm fine with that."
Eunie:" Good."
Sora:"..."
Eunie:"..."
Lanz:" So... You two back to normal or...?"
Eunie:" Are we?"
Sora:" Don't think so."
Eunie:" Then I guess not."
Lanz:" Wha? But... You two... Sparks sake, you two make it so hard to help."
Sora:" And I appreciate your help, man."
Eunie:" I do as well so I'll let it go... Piss me off again, I won't stop."
Lanz:" I know..."
Sora:" Actually, has anyone seen my jacket?"
Riku:" Riku has not seen jacket."
Manana:" Manana has not seen jacket either!"

I look over at the two Nopons and I see them just sharing my jacket. Both at each side, one arm in each sleeve since my jacket is short sleeved so it's easier for them to wear it.

Sora:" I want to be upset since you two might stretch it... But honestly, you both look adorable sharing it like that."
Sena:" He's right, you both are so cute right now!"
Manana:" We are?! Riku and Manana cutest!"

Manana starts jumping up and down while Riku looks away embarrassed. Since she's still has one side of the jacket on her, it's jumping as she is and I run towards them.

Sora:" Don't jump with it on, Manana! You're gonna stretch it!"
Mio:" Haha, telling Manana not to jump is basically the same as telling her not to cook, Sora. She can't help it."
Sora:" That's not helping!"

After a bit of a struggle getting my jacket back and checking if it was stretched, I put it back on but notice Taion looking distracted. I head over to him and speak with him.

Sora:" We're getting close to Colony Lambda."
Taion:" We are. Sora, do... Do you think the colony is safe?"
Sora:" I don't know... We spent a few days doing other things so I don't know if the others at the colony are ok or not."
Taion:" True... This is real life, as you've said before. I'm worried, Sora."
Sora:" We'll get through it. We always do."
Taion:" Do you think we'll encounter a Squire? We haven't encountered one in a while."
Sora:" Chances are the same as before; likely and unlikely. If we're near ones, I'll know since Squires are able to sense the other if they are in close proximity."
Taion:" Hm... I'm worrying too much, aren't I?"