video

[snowslip]

[ Marianne appears in the video looking more anxious than usual, perhaps because this is her first time addressing so many people at once and she's never liked drawing attention to herself, but also because of the news she's about to share. ]

Um, I wanted to warn everyone that monsters around Aldrip have become more aggressive lately. They've also been roaming closer and closer to town. Even where I usually take the horses out to graze isn't safe. Please be cautious when walking about, and I would avoid the outskirts. Um, those that can fight, it might be good to band together to try and drive them away...

[ ... ]

There's something else...

[ After an agonizing pause, she rolls back the sleeves of her dress to reveal her arm, black marks marring her fair skin. Her expression turns pained. ]

These marks appeared on me shortly after encountering the monsters. Healing doesn't seem to have any effect on it. Something like this happened once before and I...I'm afraid it could make me not myself.

If anyone knows anything about it, please...

[ She trails off, unable to conclude her announcement on an eloquent note. ]

Comments

[snowslip]

Yeah... there's too much we don't know, but I'm going to try and look for a cure with Ethyln.

[ Marianne might not have much confidence in their prospects, but she doesn't want to see others come to harm, Ange included. The last time they met, it had been under dire circumstances as well. ]

Have you been alright, Ange? With everything that's happening...

[entreats]

[ Ethlyn, huh? She does think both Ethlyn and Marianne are kind and competent in their own way, so Ange does have some faith trust in that plan..

But before she can say anything about it, there's that question. It seems to catch the girl slightly off-guard, letting out a slight 'huh?' before she manages to actually answer a moment later. ]

Me?

[ Someone is apparently still not fully used to being asked how she's doing.. Some surprise even sneaks into her tone as she answers, rather than her voice being fully flat, the way it often is. ]

If you're talking about those marks.. I don't have them on me at all so far, from what I've noticed. That means I should be asking you that, rather than the other way around.

[snowslip]

That's a relief. Please take care.

[ Marianne breathes out a sigh knowing Ange is unharmed, and she will pray to the goddess it remains that way. There isn't just a mystery plague going around, but a monster still running loose and distrustful locals to contend with. Though she knows Ange doesn't believe in any higher power, she hopes the goddess will protect her just the same. ]

I'll be okay. Talking to everyone has made me hopeful that something can be done.

[entreats]

[ There's another pause.

And then, as if out of nowhere, Ange suddenly says: ]

.. this sucks.

[ It almost sounds a little pouty, like Ange is dealing with some emotions she isn't fully sure she wants to show, but then she does continue. ]

Why did someone nice like you have to get infected by that stuff? It's so unfair.

1/2

[snowslip]

Ange...

[ Realizing that she's worried her, Marianne wrings her hands, feeling a little embarrassed but also comforted. Ange may struggle to show her caring side but Marianne can sense her concern. She attempts to stand straighter and gives Ange a weak smile. No, she can do better than that— ]

[snowslip]

I'll fight it with all I have. An infection just means it can be treated, so don't worry.

[ When she thinks about it that way, her expression fills with determination. ]

[entreats]

An infection isn't really something you can fight though, right?

[ Not to be the party pooper here or anything.. Especially since Ange is so glad to see the other determined about this. It's better than Marianne just giving up in the face of it.

But despite being impressed by the other's feelings, Ange can't help but worry. She can't help but feel pessimistic. It's in her nature, and even more so when she actually does get worried about something, like the health and well being of someone she actually cares about. ]

It's not that easy to punch something in the face when it exists inside of you.

[snowslip]

[ Ange's words takes the wind of her sails and she visibly deflates a little, but Marianne knows Ange means well, and that her words carry truth. Optimism can only get one so far, and she knows better than most how difficult it is when the monster is inside of you. ]

You're right. I think that's what frightens me most of all - that it exists inside me.

[ Not giving up is half the battle, but the other half requires her to be more grounded. ]

What I can do now as a healer is search for the cure.

[entreats]

[ Ange is quiet for a slight moment.

Then she audibly exhales. ]

Let me know if there's anything I can do.

[ With the way she's saying it, it sounds like she's trying to downplay the words a little bit - despite the fact she's saying them all the same. ]

I'm not a healer, so I doubt there's anything, but.. you know. I don't want this crap to continue either. [ She doesn't want something truly bad to happen to Marianne, she means.

Even if Ange can't say that with quite as many words. It's easy to put it the way she does, leaving her not feeling quite as vulnerable. ]

[snowslip]

Thank you, Ange.

[ Just knowing that she wants to help means a lot to Marianne, especially when a part of her still feels like she isn't worth the trouble, but the people here being accepting of her has given her the courage to speak up about her condition. ]

Will you help me get the word out? If anyone knows anything or notices the mark on them, they should come by the clinic.

[ Maybe through learning more about the affliction, they can find a cure. ]

[entreats]

.. sure.

[ Talking to people isn't exactly Ange's greatest hobby in the world. But if Marianne is asking her, and Marianne isn't doing well on top of it.. Well, then Ange can be a little more flexible, no matter how she feels about being social. ]

I'll let them know. You just.. stay safe in the meantime, alright?

[snowslip]

[ Marianne's expression brightens a little, encouraged by Ange's support. ]

I will. May you be safe as well.