Memories - King's Return (Wakfu): The Hub

Chapter #43 - Eniripsa Concernment

Ralo was woken up to footsteps entering the room. He sat up still tired and a mess and slowly opened his eyes. As he expected, he saw Xenlyr looking at him, but with an expression he didn't recognize. It was maybe curiosity or concern, but he didn't know.

"Ralo?"

"Yes?" he responded annoyed.

"I remembered that you were here yesterday, but I forgot until then... I put this bowl of food in your cell then, but you didn't eat it, I see," he told Ralo.

"Yesterday? You didn't come in yesterday, the day before that, or the day before that," Ralo responded, "This is the first I've seen of you since we met three days ago..."

"Oh, uhm..." Xenlyr trailed off, "Goodness, I thought there was a clock in here or something."

"A clock? In an Eliatrope castle? Who decided to put a clock in here, and considering our history?" Ralo remarked.

"I don't get it... I really need to spend more time learning about Eliatrope history."

"Haha, really? Does Nox ring a bell?"

"Oh..." Xenlyr sighed, feeling defeated. "Anyway, you've been here for almost a week."

"Interesting," Ralo said in a voice clearly filled with boredom. Xenlyr rolled his eyes, now slightly annoyed himself.

"Just don't starve yourself, bouftou," Xenlyr demanded, pointing at the bowl. He then added in a quieter voice, "You're the only hope Tuto has, after all."

Ralo was suddenly invested in the conversation and stared directly at Xenlyr, a dark emotion spilling across his face.

"What did you just say about Tuto?" he asked with a slightly threatening voice. Xenlyr, who was ready to just go to sleep again and ignore him, didn't feel like starting a fight, especially with no backup. He, again, really didn't think of himself as a fighter.

"She's in critical condition."

"Then why am I her hope? All I've done so far is ruin her life, ever since we were teenagers," Ralo asked further, now aggravated. He stood up and walked closer to Xenlyr.

"If you are mentally sane and I bring you to her, I think she'll hold on a little longer. She hasn't said a word to me or Madellinn, which means either she's paralyzed, or she's depressed. Take your pick," Xenlyr answered. Ralo got angry and looked up at him frowning because he was just a bit shorter. Xenlyr laughed a little at the situation. An Eliatrope older than him looked up at his face angry even though he was, what? Not even five feet tall? Xenlyr felt more confident, but Ralo took the laughing the wrong way.

"Ah, so you don't care," Ralo remarked, "Not about her and not about me either."

"I care! My whole job is to care! I'm an Eniripsa, Ralo."

"Suuuure..." Ralo trailed off, the anger slightly leaving and just being replaced with frustration. He backed away and sat back down. Xenlyr sighed.

"I'm going to leave to check on her. You should eat and get more sleep, Ralo," Xenlyr reminded him. Ralo made no response and silently watched him exit the room.

Xenlyr went back to Madellinn and Tuto. He switched on the light to see Madellinn sitting up looking at him. She tried to tell him something, forgetting that he couldn't speak English. The fact she tried to speak, though, was very good. Xenlyr looked at her and asked if she could use Dragonish. Oh, goodness.

"Xenlyr, I wonderedign if could seen Ralo soon?" she whispered. Xenlyr thought for a moment, trying to piece it together in his head.

"Ralo? It's not a good idea. I think I'm the only one who should go in there for the time being. If only I had access to his scarf..." he responded. Madellinn took a minute think, probably translating it to herself to understand.

"Did Tuto.... uhm...." she stopped, trying to remember the Dragonish word, "Like... 'not given' it?"

"Take it?" Xenlyr asked.

"Yeah, 'take it'."

"I don't think she did, did she?"

"I haven't recalled it."

'If only we did have it,' Xenlyr thought, 'This really wouldn't have to be this hard.'