Fate Weaver's convergence

C61 Opening breeze, fading flowers 8

"So the summary is, Beryl's afraid of something happening to you two?"

Hatsumi asked, sitting across from Vaughn. The two were eating at a table within Brenton plaza, catching a bite as Hatsumi walked Vaughn home. In response to Hatsumi's question, Vaughn nodded to the side.

"That's... what I think. Kiyomi sees something different but she keeps her thoughts to herself. But-"

Vaughn looked down at the bowl of vegetables and meat, beef stew. His reflection is shown in the oily surface of the roast-beef juices.

"When the Bulette was attacking us, I caught glimpses of Beryl locking up. When we woke up, I didn't think much of the burn scars. They're not there anymore, but I remember'em. Those scars were from Beryl, I'm sure she's afraid of hurting us even worse. That could be holdin her back..."

Vaughn brought a brass spoon to the stew's surface, filling it before bringing it back to his lips. The child's accent came out as the conversation drew further. Hatsumi continued listening, anticipating any further comments as Vaughn chewed his food. With a gulp, Vaughn sat the spoon back into the bowl.

"Beryl tried usin magic back then... before we moved. I think she only knew mana control back then... she thought she could do somethin to stop it-"

Vaughn paused, his jaw visibly clenching.

Why am I prodding him for answers? Vaughn experienced the same thing, I- I should stop this.

"Vaughn, you don't need to-"

Vaughn shook his head to the side as Hatsumi interrupted.

"I don't know how ta think like them. But I wanna help... If talkin's all I can do, I'll do it. Either way, it's done. Beryl assumed wrong, but we're kids. Beryl blames herself for not knowing how to fight and begged to learn the strongest magic she could. It was our luck that she could actually do it."

Vaughn brought another spoonful to his mouth and swallowed.

"That's all I have, sorry, Miss Hatsumi."

"Thank you, Vaughn. I'll go talk to Kiyomi after I take you home. I'm sure Beryl is already with her parents."

Hatsumi lowered a spoon of her own into a similar bowl of stew, eating now that she was satisfied with Vaughns's answers. While she felt she had a better grasp of the situation, her conscience bore on her in turn.

"Where is it, where is it... Hmm- Ah there ya are!"

I grabbed onto the leather pouch stuffed in the back corner of my clothes drawer, shoving loose socks and other garments out of the way before pulling.

This should be enough to pay Mama's commission. I can't very well go alone, so I could pay the guild for Mama's time to go out for a day or two. But, I'm short for supplies.

Opening the pouch and pouring out its contents, I littered the top of the small dresser with a mix of coins and bits of monster parts, and rocks. I wasn't able to use them as direct currency, but the guild would exchange them, or merchants in town, even adventurers would readily buy them.

Something, something, used as materials for enchanting and making potions and stuff. All this should be just enough.

It was everything I'd managed to save instead of spending on food carts and materials for the baseball project. That and saving up for adventuring for the first time, Mother said before that her team would have sponsored us or whatever that meant.