Favors of Pain

3

Date created: 03/25/21

Date Finished: 03/26/21

Author's Notes: None.

Warnings: None

⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱
┊┊┊┊
┊┊┊☆
┊┊ *
┊┊🔥
┊☆ °

🔥

Sorano waited patiently as Mei cooked. She spends her time telling tales of her travel to the little boy who sat in front of her—staring up at her with such big eyes, entirely interest in her stories.

"Wow, you been to many places! One day I want to travel too! To see the world and learn from other sorcerers," Ryomen exclaimed after she was finished.

Mei smiled at the two as she prepared the bowls. She fixed curry for dinner, one of Ryomen's favorites.

"You will find the day to do so in the future, love. But let's focus on eating this yummy food before it grows cold."

"Yay!" The boy jumped to his feet and ran over to his mother, taking his bowel from her hands and sat down. He didn't waste any time digging into the food...the poor child was hungry.

Mei passed a bowl to Sorano before taking her own and blessing her food before eating.

Sora no thanked her and did the same before eating. She didn't need food to live as they did. Curses could live without many things humans would need. But it was still pleasant to eat. She was just glad that she still had taste buds to appreciate the food.

The three were silent as they ate, besides Ryomen humming and asking for more when he finished. He consumed three whole bowls of curry before he was full and now sleepy.

Sorano took it upon herself to collect the empty dishes and clean them despite Mei telling her otherwise. Sora no only replied that she should put Ryomen to bed.

As Sorano was cleaning the dishes, she looked up at the night sky; she couldn't help but wonder...what if she stayed with them? At least until they were on the right track to their old lives. What if she helped make this abandoned home a home for them? What if she taught Mei to farm and create a job for herself? Maybe even teach Ryomen a little about curses and sorcery?

It seemed like a good plan to her. The sorcerers here were plenty...even if they were selfish. At least they were doing their job.

Once Sorano was finished, placing the dishes where she saw Mei get them from. Mei was sitting by the fire with a sleeping Ryomen beside her.

"Thank you for all you've done for us, Sorano," she spoke, not moving her eyes from the fire. Her voice was cracking. Sorano could see her eyes watering.

"I don't remember the last time I felt this much happiness...Ryomen poor boy is so full of life. No matter what happens. I try to keep it that way. Smiling and laughing with him during the day...but at night...I can't help but grow sad. Knowing the struggles, we go through. Trying to provide the best for him...many nights I go without food and sleep so he would not...tonight you made my day. I cannot express how much I'm thankful for meeting you".

Sorano no was deeply touched by Mei's words. She couldn't feel any happier that she brought joy to this poor family...but she also couldn't help but feel sorry...Mei makes many sacrifices to allow her son to live.

Sorano walked over to the girl and sat down beside her, moving to wrap her arms around her. She could feel that she needed some form of confronting. Mei instantly clung to her Kimono and cried. Letting out all of her pain and sorrow.