“Do you think Loraena’s actually going to convince him to come this time?” Regind asked casually as they walked through town together.
“I don’t expect much,” Lynette replied. “I mean, there’s… a lot of work that needs to happen before that. Especially if he hasn’t gone anywhere since his mother died.”
Regind, of course, remained the more cheerful of the two. “Well, I think she’s making progress! She talks about it like she’s making progress, anyway. I think the two are really getting along with each other.”
“Honestly, I… can barely believe that you’re right. It does sound like they’ve been able to talk about it, but there’s still a lot more out there. Unwrapping that whole… thing… is going to take more than a month.”
“I dunno, I think she can do it. We got you to open up to us, right? Now here we are, enjoying another great day, because you’re here with me.”
“I beg to differ. I didn’t spend several years locked up inside an otherwise abandoned estate creating illusions to keep myself company. I wouldn’t go that far in comparing the two of us…”
Regind shrugged. “I think you have a lot more in common than you think you do. But, instead, you can think of it this way: someone once helped you get comfortable in an unfamiliar place. People helped you see that not everyone was bad and that there were people worth trusting. Now you’ve been given what I think is one of the best opportunities I can think of.”
“And what’s that..?”
She looked over at Lynette and smiled. “You get to help someone else realize the same things, too. Guide them down the path you’ve already seen and help them past the hurdles on it.”
Lynette didn’t know if she wanted to be flattered or mildly embarrassed. She got herself to nod. “Well, I’ll try my best. But I’m not so sure how well I’ll do…”
“It’s not like we’re going to make you do it all on your own! You’re in good company, I promise.” Regind quickly got distracted by the familiar face on the other side of the street. She gestured for Lynette to follow her and, without really looking back, went up to greet him.
Ragnis, when he noticed the two of them, quietly bid farewell to a woman—his mother, as Lynette had been told—and met the two halfway.
“You’re looking happy this morning!” he remarked as he waved to them. “I hope the two of you aren’t getting into any mischief together!”
Lynette let out a sheepish chuckle while Regind gave a more genuine laugh. That level of blunt confidence was one Lynette still couldn’t get herself to share.
“So, have you seen Loraena at all?” Regind asked. “We were trying to figure out if she was going to bring Astyu out today. Everything’s set up and I think it’s as good of a time as any, you know?”
Ragnis nodded. “I saw her earlier, but Astyu wasn’t with her. She looked distracted and I was busy so I decided not to bother her. If they are coming, they’re probably coming soon, though.” He looked around but must’ve seen no sign of them. “But I get it if they don’t, either. Afterlife’s Promise might not be the best time for him to come. There’s probably still a lot he needs to work out about the whole thing and having ‘let’s celebrate the God of Death and the Strings’ thrown in his face might not help.”
“Yeah, I guess that’s a fair point. Are you doing anything, at least? The three of us could walk around together to try to find Loraena.” She glanced at Lynette. “You don’t mind, right?”
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She shook her head genuinely. “No, there’s other times we can be together. As long as Ragnis stops whatever he’s thinking and doesn’t say anything.”
“I am not thinking about anything,” he replied casually. “My mom on the other hand? I’ll spoil the surprise now. She’s got her study group in on a romantic date for the two of you.”
That, at least, got both of them flustered.
“Oh, come on, I’m not joking! Alright, don’t believe me. But don’t come running to me saying I didn’t warn you!”
“I’m starting to wonder what I got myself into…” Lynette mumbled.
Regind laughed. “It’s not going to be that bad. Probably.”
Ragnis smirked and began leading the way in their wandering. “You’re right. There’s not much match-making to be doing, you’re already perfect for each other.” That, however, was the end of the topic. He spared them from further embarrassment. “So I’m guessing the two of you haven’t heard from Loraena, either? I know she’s alright so I’m not worried, but it seems weird that she hasn’t randomly come in for some snacks or to help you out.”
Regind shook her head. “No, Nana and Papa said she hadn’t even come over while I was working. Apparently she’s just really busy. She’d still asked them for some stuff, though. They’ve just been bringing it to her house instead of letting her come and get it.”
“Quite frankly, with the amount of baked sweets in those baskets, I’d be surprised if the two of them were eating anything else,” Lynette remarked. “I’ve seen neither of them in the market. Unless someone else is doing that for her, too, while she’s helping Astyu?”
“Maybe. I think most people realize by now what she’s trying to do. A lot of us just want to help out in whatever way we can.” Ragnis stopped and grinned. “Ah, and speak of the devil! Turns out we can ask all these questions to her directly.”
“Oh, really?” Regind moved around him so that she could see Loraena herself, then waved her over. “Loraena! The rest of us are over here!”
Loraena smiled when she noticed them. She looked over her shoulder to say something—and Astyu slowly walked out from behind the corner. His smile looked a little more forced than genuine but, at the very least, he wasn’t completely against what was happening.
“Perfect timing! I was just trying to find the three of you.” Loraena gently gestured Astyu a little closer to all of them. “He decided he’s ready to join us. I was showing him around and he wanted to talk with the rest of you, too.”
“We didn’t do anything,” Lynette pointed out before she could stop herself. “It’s not like we’ve really contributed to all of this…”
Astyu shook his head and tried his best to make a wider smile. “Loraena talked about you a lot. You’re all close friends of hers, and… you all came with her to try to help me. I wanted to meet with you, too. And thank you—for helping her help me…”
Regind gave him a bright smile. “Well, yeah! No matter what, you’re still one of our neighbors. I’d do it for any of us—and I’m glad to see you outside! What do you think about everything so far? Enjoying the festival?”
“I recommend the snacks in that stall over there,” Ragnis added. “They’re one of the best here. And I’m not just saying that—I know! I got some for helping out the stall owner. I could probably ask them to give me another for you, if you want.”
Astyu nodded, though it was a bit nervous. “I like it. There’s a lot of people here. I… haven’t been around people in a while, though… It’s kind of loud. And a little scary…”
“What matters is that you’re out here anyway,” Loraena said kindly. “You were able to get past your fear and come out here despite it. I think that’s definitely something great.”
Lynette smiled, too. “The first step is always the hardest.” She looked at the other three and knew that she meant every word she said. “Some people and places are terrifying—things you thought you’d never be able to walk away from. But there are good things out there, too, just waiting for you to find them. There’s always a light at the end of the tunnel. You’ve just got to be brave enough to be ready to move out of that darkness, no matter how comfortable it has become. Only then will things get better.”
“Couldn’t have said it any better myself!” Regind remarked, beaming.
“Thank you,” Astyu mumbled. He paused, then louder repeated, “Thank you, for everything you’ve done. I know Mother would’ve wanted me to do this. You reminded me of that… that there are other people there. She… can’t protect me anymore, she told me that. But I’m not alone, either. Because now, I have you.”
“And we’ll stay with you every step of the way,” Loraena said. “I promise.”