-Break-

While my two siblings sleep inside the house, I sit on the roof and stare up towards the moon tonight. “How pretty! Now Warwick stop hiding.”

“How!?”

“Shhh, be quiet.”

Sitting beside me, he says, “You must be some sort of superhuman.”

“I am the magnificent Nehalennia!”

“The mystical nymph, the decedent of a forgotten god, the angel who fell onto the world, a gem given human form, the very concept of beau-.”

Putting my hands over my face, in embarrassment, I say, “PLEASE STOP!”

“Those are all the things I hear people say about you, I swear some of the men have even started to worship you like some god.”

Falling to my side, I roll around on the roof, whilst saying, “This is too embarrassing, I can’t show my face anywhere ever again.”

“You shouldn’t say such things because I am sure anyone who sees your face will truly praise god.”

Giving Warwick a hug, I say, “You really are a sweet young boy.”

Embarrassed, he says, “Let go of me?”

Breaking from my grip, I say smugly, “Still getting embarrassed though, how adorable.”

“Leave me alone!”

Getting back into my shitting position, I say, “You’re a good kid, Warwick, despite your familial loss in this plague, you still come over to play with my siblings. Thank you so much.”

“No, I should be thanking you. I have been given a second family here.”

Mockingly, I say, “Well with how you and Maria have been getting along, I am sure you will be part of this family soon enough.”

Flustered, he says, “Me and Maria no way.”

Pushing my face against his, I say, “Oh don’t be like that I know she likes you, and you both get on great.”

“We are not like that!”

“Then why are you blushing, looks like someone’s embarrassed, looks like someone’s hiding his feelings!”

Grabbing my shoulder, he says, “I DON’T LIKE MARIA, I LIKE YOU!”

Hearing him say this I try to keep my face normal and say, “Oh I see. No chance!”

“Wait what’s with that disgusted expression, and why so quickly? You could at least think about it!!”

“I just thought about it, and no chance!”

“So heartless.”

“I am used to rejecting men, so I sort of lost all forms of poise when it comes to it, and come on Warwick you're like my little brother.”

Standing up he says, “But my feelings are the real deal, Morgan, I love you.”

Taking the confession right to the heart, I dramatically fall over, and say, “If only you were an amazing cook, and I didn’t wipe your ass when you were a baby.”

Embarrassed he says, “Don’t bring that up!!”

“And it stank as well, I had to block my nose when I did it.”

Falling to the ground in embarrassment, Warwick says, “I knew my confession would be rejected.”

“Don’t be down Warwick, and anyways I am not that great of a woman anyways.

I am a prostitute who tricks men into giving me their money, even knowing that some of them are quite literally head over heels in love with me. I lie for a living.”

And even today, I saw a man about to get killed for stealing Basileia crystals, I could have bought what he stole or offered him some of mine as an apology, but I just abandoned a human in the same situation as me, aren’t I awful?

I continue to ramble on about how horrible I am, and as I speak, I take stock of my own words. What kind of person even am I? Why does a dirty human such as myself have the right to be around such innocent kids, will my nonsense hurt them in the future? My beauty is truly the only positive thing about me.

“I don’t really see what’s wrong with you?”

Shocked, I stop then say, “Aww, how nice Warwick, but lying is bad.”

“I’m just saying how I see it. Despite your hatred for your own actions, you move past it to make sure those two, and me are safe. The willingness to destroy yourself for others isn’t something many people have. And no one on this island would judge you for keeping Basileia crystals to yourself, you would gladly help people if it wasn’t for this situation, we were all forced into.”

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“But still, that doesn’t change the results, Warwick.”

“You're right, so when I become the head of the Marines, I will make sure that no one will be put in such a situation where they must make the choices you have to. That’s a promise!”

Stunned I say, “You really are a cute one, Warwick.”

“I see, so when I become head of the Marines marry me.”

“You do realize I am not a maiden.”

“Who cares, women with experience are super sexy.”

Smacking him on the head, I say, “Watch your words you 8-year-old child.”

Rubbing his head, he says, “And besides it isn’t like you always wanted to be a prostitute. Didn’t you want to become a merchant for adventurers?”

“How did you know about that!?” I say flustered.

“You always look at adventurers with envy, and don’t you always read that new author Captivant’s books all the time.”

“Aww, how embarrassing.”

“Don’t worry Morgan when your my wife we will go on countless adventures together.”

“You do realize the prostitutes are historically the end of many great heroes.”

“Then I will become an ultimate hero, so even a prostitute wouldn’t be the end of me.”

Sighing I say, “You're really serious about this.”

“Deadset. So please when I become an admiral marry me!!!”

“Ok then, when you overcome countless trials and challenges, then finally become an admiral, I will shoot you down with a smile on my face.”

Slumped over, Warwick says, “I poured out my heart and I still failed.”

“Better luck next time.”

Sitting up, he says, “Oh well, your sister looks like you anyway.”

Tackling him, I say, “You playboy!!”

-Break-

Getting up out of bed I yawn and stretch, “Guess I stayed up to late last night.”

Scratching my underboob, I look around and see that under the big blanket which we all sleep that Maria is missing. “Where could she have ran off to?”

Getting up, I open the door of our house and walk around looking for her, and then behind the house. Running up to her, I say, “Whatcha doing back here!”

But then I stop and I see the arm that Maria had wrapped up is infected. As she tries to hide it, I run up and grab her arm saying, “Since when did you know about this?”

Breaking free of my grip she says, “That’s nothing.”

Grabbing her and pinning her down, I shout, “DON’T GIVE ME THAT CRAP! Is that really the plague?”

Shaken she says, “Yes!”

Hearing this my grip loosens and my heart drops, then moments later Maria says, “Don’t worry about me sister, it is only a little bit I will be fine, so just focus on getting Tana better.”

Giving her a hug, I say, “You don’t have to pretend Maria, you’re still just a child as well, no need to be strong.”

Feeling her body shake, she cries and says, “Please just leave me alone, you already work hard enough for all of us, and we still barely get by to afford Tana’s medicine. Until he is better, I am sure, I will be fine.”

“Maria we only need one adult in this household so please just act like a child and tell me how you really feel.”

Crying even more, she says, “Sister I am scared!!”

In my arms, I tell her, “Don’t worry it will be ok.” As I gently caress her back, my mind starts to focus even more. I need to find more work!

-Break-

Bowing my head towards granny, I say, “Please if there is any work you can get please send it my way, even if it is the other girl's customers.”

“That’s a hell of a thing to ask Nehalennia, even for you.”

“I know it is, but I have brought you good business so please do this kindness for me.”

“Sorry, but it doesn’t seem like we will be getting business for a while. The marines have tightened their blockade around the diseased islands, no one will be allowed to come as well as leave the islands anymore, I got the CN butterflies this morning.”

“Why the hell would they do that, the plagues have stopped spreading.”

“Apparently some are, some aren’t. They aren’t taking the chances, and just plan to starve us out. So, all the high-paying customers, the ones you take won’t be coming. The resources on this island are all we have until everyone gets better or dies.”

Freaking out I start to panic, then I say, “I got to buy up as much as I can. Granny, I need to find some more work.”

“Wait right there Nehalennia, is this truly wisdom?”

“What do you mean?”

“People won't have the money to spare for the other activities they can do with you, so basically only sex is on the table for a quick lupa. Now if the famous Nehalennia starts becoming a common whore her value will drop quickly, so after this crisis is over what will become of your life?”

Angered I say, “Did I not explain both my siblings are infected?”

“I am well aware of that.”

“Then what point are you making!?”

“Nehalennia let your brother die, and use the remaining crystals to heal your sister. You can cure your sister whose symptoms aren’t as bad and still keep your value, your livelihood will still be intact.”

“WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU, THAT ISN’T EVEN AN OPTION!!”

“It is, and one that you need to think about! Nehalennia even if your brother gets better, he will definitely face some level of physical impairment in the future due to the backlash, you know some of the survivors are currently facing that, so unless you want to spend even more on medical care in the future I suggest you give up on him.

You’re sister is also pretty like you, she could be married off to a powerful family.”

“I thought you were better than this, but you’re just heartless.”

“If I was heartless I wouldn’t be giving you this advice, would I? But whatever, do what you want, but I definitely won't be helping your self-destruction.”

Feeling my emotions run while, I dash out of the room and run down the street. I run and run and run until I run out of breath and fall to the floor. Getting up and slapping my cheeks, I say, “No time to whine got to move forward, I should just wait around the shop and solicit any men coming close.”

As I arrive close to the store I hear, someone say, “Nehalennia!!”

Turning around I see another entertainer, and say, “Carol what do you need?”

“Oh, I just overheard your conversation with the madam earlier and thought I could help you.”

“Now why would you do that?”

“If your value drops, as the number 2 entertainer I would become the most valued woman in this house, so please tell me why wouldn’t I try and help you lose value?”

Sighing, I say, “You tricky bitch. What job do you have for me?”

“You see a bunch of adventures are currently stuck here because of the tightened security, and you see these lively gentlemen need some entertainment for their long stay and will pay 100,000 lupas per night.”

“What’s the catch?”

“Well, you won’t be able to leave until they have their fill, so you might be there for nights or even weeks at a time. So how about it Nehalennia?”

Taking a deep breath in and out, I say, “Alright I’m in.”

-Break-

Giving Tana a hug, I say, “Be well.”

“You too sister.”

Patting Maria’s head, I say, “I will be back as soon as possible.”

“I know.”

Kissing Warwick check, I say, “Please care for the both of them.”

Blushing, he says, “I PROMISE!!!!”

Maria hits him in the side and says, “What is that reaction!”

“Shut up, idiot!”

Giving all three of them another big hug, I say, “I love you all.”

“I love you, sister.”

“Stop being weird sister.”

“I love you eternally Morgan.”

Letting go I say, “I will see you soon.” Then I head out the door.