Mango's Adventures in Angst Land

Chapter 2: Mango Breaks Down

(Author's Note: 'Tis problem is getting out of hand. Enjoy!)

When Mango reached the house, Hikari was pacing back and forth on the porch. Spotting the cat, Hikari growled, "There you are! Do you have any idea how worried we were, seeing you rush into the blizzard? Especially when -"

Hikari stops scolding her daughter when she sees the injured, unconscious form of Demetria. The mother's eyes widened. "...Best come in." They went inside.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mango held Demetria's limp hand, subconsciously rubbing circles on it as she waited for Demetria to wake up and/or get up, something. Mango stayed up for the rest of the night, watching Demetria and grabbing her a fresh batch of Demetria's favorite flavored hot chocolate. Just as morning came and went, Mango started to lose hope on her older cousin. Although the frostbite was disappearing, the worry didn't, and that worry fed Mango's anxiety.

"How's she doing?" Scylla asked, slowly walking into the room. She knew the dangers of startling Mercats.

Mango's eyes welled up. "I-I don't think she will -" The dam broke, and Mango hunched down, sobbing. "Sh-she's p-probably g-gone b-by n-now a-and it w-won't -"

Scylla hugged Mango. "Mangie, she's still here. I promise you, she'll be awake soon." Scylla reassured the crying girl. Mango held onto Scylla tightly, sobbing her eyes out until she fell asleep.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When Mango woke up, Demetria was standing over her, looking cheerful and sunny, which made Mango confused and angry. Why is her cousin so happy when she literally almost died? Mango hissed, "Why are you so calm when you have a magical blizzard GROWING LARGER EVERY MINUTE?"

Demetria winced. "Nice to see you again, too. And...Yeah, so, uh, well..." She inhales. "I'm grounded from using my powers."

Mango looked like she was going to blow up. "For. How. Long?"

"An hour." Mango breathed a sigh of relief. Demetria said, "Buuuuut...Scylla said you had an emotional breakdown yesterday." Mango tensed up. Demetria asked, "Are you okay now?"

Mango muttered, "I'm fine."

"You know what? That's fair."