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<01/16/1972 – 18:40 | Gross City, Gulop Region, Sprawn Valley>

Silence became their only expression for minutes after reaching the hotel room. Taylor and Danny sat on the large sofa together, with Jane on her lap. According to standard conditions, Jane should have waken up more than fifteen minutes ago. Nothing else appeared to be wrong with her, but Taylor watched over Jane, waiting for the right moment to use another healing orb on her again.

Danny had a theory as to why Jane was taking so much longer to wake up. Since the brutal knockout, thirty-four minutes passed up until now. He told Taylor that Jane might possibly have a longer recovery time simply because of how much she has been through today. So naturally, she should be tired even after waking.

It wasn't a surprise either. Jane wasn't the only one who had a long day. Danny and Taylor both have been traveling along side of Jane since leaving from Fronas town. In just one long day, they all battled in Blue Port together, crossed the massive Arragon Forest, trained in the Arragon Forest, reached the city of Gross, and then watched Jane conduct another battle after Jane's friends were out exploring more of the city. Therefore, what was really half a day felt like three. Taylor and Danny were tired too, after making their beds and settling in.

As the evening became darker, the television set in the hotel room and the lamp beside it was the only real source of light. Taylor couldn't stop herself from staring off towards the black sky through the slit in the blinds. There was still so much to think about. Where was she going, and what was she really doing here in Sprawn Valley? For as long as she remembered, Taylor and Danny both decided to travel alongside Jane, becoming better Leray wielders. But was the intension ever real? Only a few days ago did this idea of a long journey sound and feel so exciting. Now, there was nothing motivating about staying here, nothing but worry and grief.

"Mhmmmm."

Taylor looked back behind her, where Jane was still slumped, weak and resting on the sofa, though she was the one who made that groaning noise. Her head was softly rolling left and right out of sync, at last Jane was waking up now. Taylor was relieved that Jane was at least okay. Danny was probably right about Jane being tired, but something was off; Taylor feared that everything would be exactly as she predicted before. Jane might wake up okay physically, but she has a way of hating herself for losing any Leray fight, even if it is just one. She never acted like this in Dakota. Then again, she was never involved in a real official battle back then. Nobody was, since it would have been illegal.

Taylor went to help Jane steady herself while trying to get up. She held a med kit orb in her hand, until Jane noticed it and attempted to use that orb on herself. Jane appeared to be fazed by the current moment. Taken out by a frag grenade as a weapon - it must have really left a mark somewhere.

"What happened? Where am I?" Jane struggled for clarity. How did she get into this room so fast, and what happened with her battle?

Danny stood up off the couch, regretting to take it upon himself to deliver Jane with the bad news. "Use that healing orb Taylor is holding. You'll be fine in no time." Jane was now staring at him. Obviously those words were not enough to satisfy her curiosity, but another second later she grew an angry look in her eyes, already determining the truth. "Se— Selina won the battle. You did well, but that last attack was devastating. We used my funds to get us into this room."

Jane could remember most of the entire battle, all the way up until she threw her Magical Blitz attack at the target. But then what happened? Everything was a complete blur; though Jane was still not buying it. "I lost? Again?!"

"Take it easy. Use this orb," Taylor demanded.

Jane gave her a mean look, but her horrible attitude wasn't coming from Taylor's demands. The stain of defeat had already overtaken her once more. Jane still swiped the med kit orb from Taylor, and used it on herself. The orb gave its familiar bright glow, all until the moment it disappeared into the energy used to heal her. It happened faster than usual, Jane's recovery speedy. "First Blue Port, and now in Gross City too."

"Jane?" Danny tried.

Jane ignored him, still processing all that just happened to her. "And not just any normal battle. A live one too! All of my friends, family, and even my future rivals will see this! And it's... it's..." Jane's face became complete with the color of red. She looked like she was about to burst, her energy returning quickly.

"I hope we won't have to go through this again," Taylor begged. "It was a big loss, but it means nothing to your next battle."

"You just don't get it!" Jane snapped, standing up to fit her rage. "The same thing happened again. Selina wasn't a high level wielder. I shouldn't have lost!"

Danny knew this was about to get ugly, and it would get this way fast if something wasn't done. The only way to calm Jane down was to distract her from this nonsense. "Hey, Jane? Quiet down. Don't forget that the battle happened in the streets too. All things considered, you should go ahead and take a shower, after which we should all rest up."

"I'll help clean your dress sphere," Taylor offered.

It was nearly a useless gesture. Jane could see right through them both. They didn't want to deal with her right now, and so they were just trying to send her away to wash off. Still, she could feel the ick all over her. The cement on the ground outside was far from clean. "Fine. I'm going now." Jane picked up one of the white towels sitting on the dresser, and headed for the large bathroom. She was visibly tense in every moment, losing more than a mere battle. Jane slammed the door shut behind her after entering the bathroom, leaving them both with their judgmental thoughts.

Danny and Taylor waited in silence until Jane turned on the shower head to add to the noise in the room. "That went well," Danny muttered with a short sigh.

Taylor glanced down in her thoughts. It was still surprising to see Jane's emotion spilling out like that. "I knew she would be upset."

"Did you?"

Taylor knew Danny was right. She still didn't expect this to be so bad. Taylor faced the floor in worry. "Not this upset."

"Hmph!" Danny laughed. He thought this was a bit humorous. "I never thought someone could enjoy Leray battles this much."

"Enjoy them?" Taylor retried. "I think Jane is starting to hate this more than anyone."

"No," Danny denied. "Jane does enjoy them so. It's probably why she hates losing so much. Understand that Jane is not actually an adult. Neither are we," he reminded. "She has a lot to learn about what it means to lose a battle. And you and I have a lot to learn about how to fend for ourselves."

Taylor's face was wracked with remorse immediately. She looked around, uncertain of how to ask. "You really think we're doing the right thing? Learning Leray magic, following Jane around?"

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Danny went quiet; he needed to think about this without giving Taylor the impression of uncertainty. The thoughts initially circled around Jane. The very reason they teamed up with her was due to her incredibly unique personality. Jane can be so energetic at times, and overall, it affects how everybody feels in her own environment, just like now. If Jane is happy and ready to move, it helps Danny feel a similar sense of courage. But any time Jane is depressed or down, it has the opposite effect. How can her thoughts and emotions determine the feeling of his? It was like that for everybody else too. Jane attracts so much attention to herself. It's good so long as she is faring well, but to answer Taylor's question, Danny wasn't certain if this was the right thing to do. Following Jane around feels more like the only thing he can do right now.

Danny finally twisted those thoughts back to the more important subject. Taylor was worried again about what is to happen with her family. Danny had family he was temporarily abandoning too.

It's like this:

Taylor must not reunite with her parents at all costs, even though they will soon be in this country searching for her. Danny has no grudge against his family at all, but since both of them are so well acquainted, his own parents will be assisting Taylor's. If they find Danny, they find Taylor too, and if Danny were to reunite with his parents, it would eventually force Taylor to meet hers again.

Then there is Junon. There are five key regions in Sprawn Valley, but Junon is the biggest and most significant place in the nation, complete with an airport. That airport allows anyone with a passport into the country. Many fear this country, afraid of the magical properties they do not understand, but one of these days, Jane will inevitably lead them to this airport without realizing the consequences. Once that happens... "Of course we are."

Taylor looked up at Danny quickly, surprised by his certainty.

Danny didn't need permission to continue his explanation. "The way I see it, we're just biding our time in this place. The Leray magic can protect us too, if you remember. I still don't have a super solid plan for what will happen should we reach Junon just yet. But give me more time. I promise, no harm will ever come to you. No Banshee is going to stand between you and your future." Danny felt like he could choke on his own words at any moment. After all, the plan to move towards Tilsit Port had been sped up by Jane's impatience, much faster than he was comfortable with. They're about three days ahead of schedule!

Taylor was seeing another one of Danny's moments. He was acting so mature and so responsible, a rarity if she ever saw one. When it came to her own safety and happiness, it draws this behavior out even more. Danny wasn't like this before, not to her knowledge. No, he was always so cocky, acting before thinking things through more often. Something has clearly changed since coming to Sprawn Valley... Taylor's eyes locked with Danny's. Frozen by her thoughts, she blushed helplessly. "Thank you."

Danny nodded, exhaling his stress away. Taylor seemed happier, or at least more relaxed than before. Banshee enforcers are dangerous, and Taylor's family has something to do with them. As long as he and Taylor are exiled within this crazy country, there is nothing to do but protect each other. In the meantime, the Banshee enforcers cannot come to take her away if Taylor isn't in Kalamo anymore.

The sound of an opening door made Danny jumpy. Jane apparently just finished with her shower, appearing in a different dress sphere this time. That made sense. Taylor said she would help clean Jane's dirty outfit she just used last time, but Jane had the emptiest expression as well. Something more than her defeat was suspicious. Just under her eyes, there was the stain of redness. Did she cry under the falling water?

Jane walked closer to Danny and Taylor, refusing to raise her voice any further. "We head for Tilsit Port tomorrow. You two should love it. It's a big beach."

There it is again! Jane is speeding up in light of her own failures. Why is she rushing this? Danny pretended to be happy about it, though without saying anything yet.

Taylor was caught by Jane's tone. Her choice words sounded cheerful on their own, but Jane was completely monotone, like it was just something she wanted to share even though it wasn't important. So she still hasn't really recovered. "Jane..." Taylor now had Jane's attention, but she didn't know what else to say.

"I'm okay," she responded. Jane noticed much more color in Taylor's entire face. What were they just talking about earlier?

Danny didn't buy it. Jane didn't sound the least bit cheery like before. "No you're not. Jane, this isn't like you."

Jane's expression quickly reflected anger. Taylor wanted to say something to shut Danny up, but it was much too late now. "Oh yeah? You want to know what else isn't like me?" At least emotion had been restored in her voice. Jane was slowly walking closer to Danny, getting up in his face while he backed away every few paces. "It isn't like me to lose battles left and right only because my endurance isn't what it should be." Jane was more certain about it now than ever before. She just checked her energy scope's damage history in the bathroom, and focused on the moment she was hit by that grenade. That specific skill has only a non-magical power level of six, so it should never do more than 20% HP damage in just one instance. Jane knew of it, but she refused to share the irrelevant details with this wimp!

Taylor was impressed. Jane was really trying hard to keep her volume at a normal level, but she was still bringing up that other stuff. How long can Jane go blaming anything but traditional skill and experience? "Jane, we already checked for that, and—"

"The energy scan didn't work." Jane cut Taylor off, leaving her silent enough to process her concern. Her sudden stillness allowed Danny to get some more distance. "I know you two can't buy that. I don't fully understand what's going on either." Jane remembered back to the beginning of her last battle. She threw a good Flying Guillotine attack at Selina, cutting down a lot of HP. "I went first in my last battle. I attacked first with a good skill and ability. And because of that, Selina's HP suffered greatly because of it."

"Okay." Danny looked around with his arms out, gesturing his next question. "You're point?"

She continued without argument, "Her HP suffered a lot of damage from my hits. That means that her natural endurance level was not nearly as high as it was for Jack. HP endurance and total MP levels are directly linked when training most often. Her level was not higher than mine; her overall training wasn't beyond my own. Yet I still lost, but, there's more to this. There's something wrong with my endurance level."

"What you're saying makes no sense," Taylor argued.

Jane was not having any of it. "It is possible to have your endurance lower than your attack power, based on the training you receive, and how balanced your growth is. But I know my own strength. I know my own tolerance to damage. I toughened it myself when I was training with Mire. And I swear to you, something has changed since I set out from Fronas."

"And..." Taylor looked at Jane, hoping to reach her entire thought. "If it hasn't? What if all you need is more training?"

Jane refused to look Taylor in the face. "You can try and say what you want, but I'll find out what is really going on. Even if I have to search for answers all by myself."

"I'm not showing anything off or declaring that you are weaker than the both of us," Danny began. "But, Taylor and I won our first battle back in Blue Port Town. You have to understand that winning is a possibility for you. You just need to be persistent. You must have no idea how close you were to defeating Selina."

"That's exactly what I'm saying," Jane replied. "You and Taylor won your first battles. You took hits, and then delivered more. But in the end, your fights were fair. Right now, mine are not."

Taylor paused before making a point. "That might be true, for in the battle against Jack."

Jane continued without letting Taylor finish. "When I was learning to train with my close combat style, my daggers for weapons, I also took so many hits from my trainer. He was always trying to interrupt and anticipate my moves so that I could learn how to dodge attacks better, but he didn't hold back. As a result, my endurance improved significantly. You both already have seen how hard I train. So there should not be a problem with my endurance. It doesn't match my MP usage at all."

Jane waited. This time there was no reply at all. Did she finally tired them out with talk, or were they giving up for now? They might not listen, but at least now they weren't opposing her very thought out loud. "I'm going to bed now. Tomorrow, I'll take you to Tilsit Port. There we can train more. Maybe I can research whatever condition I have while I'm there. And if I can't, it is a beach after all. So good night."

Taylor knew something more was eating at Jane, but there wasn't a means to reach her now, and Jane simply walked away into her room. It's a three bedroom hotel, and pretty clean for how cheap it was to stay here. One night cost Jane 500 credits per night, so it sort of made sense to why she would want to depart so soon. Even if Danny used his license card, Jane officially had to pay him back. Now that Taylor thought of it some more, Jane will run out of money soon. If that happens, they will all be stuck with normal jobs until that money is regenerated. Still...

"You okay with all this?" Danny asked.

Taylor knew what he meant by that. There was a growing change in Jane's pace in her journey. It was as if she was intentionally speeding everything up. Maybe she wanted to rush her evaluations? Or maybe she wanted to find a place where the challengers were easy enough for a four-year-old to beat. She also mentioned research, implying there would be something in Tilsit Port enabling her the ability to look into something somehow. Jane isn't normally like this though. Before arriving here, they were all in agreement to stay in the city for two days, not just this one. Taylor barely got to experience all of the cool stuff the place has to offer. Sentiment Essex had a lot of different Leray items this time. Jane will want to see that in the morning. Taylor replied to Danny's question after yawning. Still, there isn't a clear way to slow Jane down yet. "Yeah."

Danny wondered if Taylor caught on to what he meant, but he decided not to ask. Taylor was looking much too tired to handle any more stress on her mind anyway. Jane's decision to speed things up means they will end up in Junon quicker than he planned to. Even so, Tilsit Port is sort of a big place. "You think Tilsit Port will give Jane some room to improve?"

Even Danny was stuck contemplating all of this, his hazel eyes trailing off aimlessly. "I don't know," Taylor answered. "Jane has never been like this before the graduation... I know; she never was involved in a real fight before either. There was that one guy, the one who stole the crystal shards?"

"Yeah, I remember. I don't think that counts as a real battle. I mean, not an official one anyway. Jane lost to that guy, but so did everyone else. Come to think of it, that crook nearly wrecked the entire town. Makes me wonder what he wants with those crystals."

"Better not remind Jane about it. In her state, it will only add to her problems."

Danny thought back to his home. The interior of this hotel room sort of matched a portion of his living room style, and that brought back even more memories. In order to protect Taylor, he had to stay out of sight from his own parents too, even though there were no family issues between them. Of course, they all know that he and Taylor are alive, Uncle Nyar made sure of that, but that's all he can hope for now.

"I think I'll get some rest too," Taylor decided. She got up off the couch, turning off the TV before the lamp. "Don't stay up too long."

Danny still had a lot he wanted to think about, but Taylor was already ending her day. "I won't." With that, she left to her room. The beds were not large at all due to the price it took for this room. He decided to head to his own bed as well. Even though he didn't want to stay up very long, Danny knew that with everything on his mind, sleep will become that much harder.