Outbreak

Progress: Denied

Day 19

Light Steve's P.O.V.

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When I called this meeting, I really thought more than just the Orange Leader would show up.  Even more than that, I thought he would hear me out.  As I explain about the meeting I spied on, that doesn't seem to be happening.

"Now do you believe me?" Orange Leader is eyeing me with a skeptical expression.

"Listen, Light..." he begins slowly. "This isn't like you."

"Excuse me?" I stare up at my former leader, affronted.

"You literally just spied on your friend." Orange Leader points out. "And eavesdropped on his conversation. Plus, I'm not sure if that even sounds like a bad thing. It sounds like M needs Sabre's help on curing someone."

"Then why not ask a Green Steve?" I blurt.

"Maybe he has." Orange Leader shrugs. "Think for a second, Light. Sabre tends to get tangled up in everyone's problems, whether or not he's qualified to solve them. Why should this be any different?" I open my mouth to retort, but can't seem to find the words.

"Why has he been so evasive about it, though?" I ask sadly. Orange Leader puts a hand on my shoulder.

"I'm sure he has his reasons. We just need to trust him, Light. I think that was our problem with the darkness and Corrected Sun. It wasn't that we didn't protect him. It was that we didn't trust him. He handled both problems pretty well, didn't he?"

"But... it's my job to handle problems." I protest. "Wouldn't it be easier for Sabre to fix things if he had the rest of us working with him?" Orange Leader pauses for a second.

"So what you're saying is, you don't trust Sabre, because you're afraid he doesn't trust you?" I glare at him. His words are making me feel like a kid again.

There's a creak of floorboards, and we both turn to face the Green Leader, who looks like he's trying to get in and out without making a sound. His face turns red as we spot him.

"I forgot my cloak yesterday." he mutters, nodding down at the fabric bundled in his arms. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop." There's a heavy pause, then he continues. "Light, I can't offer Thera's services anymore, since he left my kingdom, but there are some Violet therapists in the kingdom that you can talk to if you want." I can feel my face growing steadily pinker.

"It's not a bad idea." Orange Leader tells me quietly. "Even if it's just to handle the stress of running the Colorless Guard." I sigh.

"I'll think about it, okay?" I mutter. Then, I remember who's in the room with me. "Oh, hey Green Leader?"

"Yes?"

"I overheard Sabre talking about a sick Green Steve. Do you know who that is?" Green Leader frowns, alarm showing in his eyes.

"I haven't heard anything about it." he admits. "Then again, I'm not the leader of all Green Steves. This Green Steve might be a member of that little village not far from here. Either way, you're right. It's concerning. Usually Green Steves can heal themselves." A chill runs down my spine.

"Is it... strange that this one can't?" I wonder.

"I wouldn't read too much into it without further details." Orange Leader points out.

"If Sabre knows where the steve is, I can offer my own healing powers." Green Leader decides. "I'm sure if it would help, Sabre would accept the offer."