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The clank of metal armour and the thud of heavy boots precede Ralsei’s own soft footsteps.
They are walking through a Dark World market. Rows of stalls selling all manner of items, decorated with colourful banners and flashing neon lights, line the street; darkners of all shapes and sizes are milling about, some manning the delicious smelling food stalls, some hawking the latest fashionable accessories and collectible trinkets, and others walking around as they browse and shop. There are even a couple of game stalls offering prizes for winning. The air is filled with the chatter of the lively crowd. Ralsei is reminded a little of the time he had spent with Susie at the festival in Cyber City, although this is on a much grander scale.
He hopes the experience is enjoyable for his two friends. It's still early enough in their adventure that they don't have to worry about the upcoming boss fights just yet.
Susie, at least, seems very excited. ‘There’s so much stuff here!’ she says, delightedly looking around. ‘What d’ya wanna do first, Kris?’
Kris … doesn't respond. Ralsei peers around Susie’s towering figure to look at the lead of their little party. They look impassive as always, most of their face hidden by their hair as they stand in the middle of the busy street.
Susie furrows her eyebrows in concern. ‘Kris?’ She shakes them lightly. They still don't speak.
Ralsei frowns. Kris is trembling, metal fists clenched at their sides. As if it’s taking them every ounce of strength they have to even be standing up.
‘What’s wrong, dude?’ Susie asks, voice gentle. ‘You okay?’
Ralsei walks over to stand in front of them. ‘Kris?’ He cups their face in his hand, noting their shallow, quickened breath. It's always hard to see their eyes when the Soul has control.
‘Maybe … we should take a break?’ Susie suggests.
‘Susie,’ Ralsei says softly, turning towards her. ‘Please, um, don't take this the wrong way but could you go on ahead?’
‘Huh? You want me to leave?’
‘Yes. I'm sorry, I promise I'll explain later, okay?’
Susie frowns. She looks between him and the almost statue-like figure of Kris before saying, ‘If I leave … you can help Kris?’
Ralsei’s heart almost breaks at how sad she sounds. But this is the only way, unfortunately. ‘Yes, Susie. Why don't you go check out some of the stalls? I'm sure there's lots of fun games and yummy food for you to try.’ He clasps one of her hands in his own paws, trying to squeeze reassurance and understanding into her. ‘We’ll catch up to you, okay?’
Susie squeezes back and gives him a small smile. ‘Alright. I'll see you two dorks later then.’ She gently claps Kris on the back and saunters off.
Kris barely reacts to her.
Ralsei quickly turns back to them the moment she is out of sight. ‘Kris,’ he begins, a rehearsed script. ‘Don’t you want to know what Susie is doing?’
They twitch a little. Ralsei can't see their eyes yet but he gets the distinct feeling that they are staring at him.
‘Why don’t we close our eyes and think about what she’s doing?’
Ralsei prays that the Soul will choose yes. To let go of Kris for just a little bit.
Kris stumbles. Ralsei reaches forward just in time to catch them.
They cling to him, gasping for breath. Ralsei feels tears soak into his robe where their head rests on his shoulder.
He doesn't know what's wrong and worry is buzzing beneath his skin. He wants to ask questions but it is clear Kris won't be able to answer them right now.
Okay. He can try to help them feel more comfortable at least.
‘Let’s find a quiet spot,’ he murmurs, holding them securely. ‘Can you walk with me?’
They sob quietly, unable to respond at all. Ralsei leans down and hooks a hand behind their knees, picking Kris up in his arms, their head tucked against his neck. He blushes a bit at this intimate position, but walks forward resolutely – until they reach the end of the street, where it is quieter, darker, and, most importantly, there is no one else around.
Ralsei carefully lowers Kris to the ground, sitting down with them. Shudders run through their body as they cry; face hidden in his scarf, hands tangled in his robes, clutching desperately.
‘Shh, I've got you, Kris,’ Ralsei pets their head gently. ‘You’re okay.’
Their breathing is heavy and erratic. He keeps his own breaths steady, hoping Kris will be able to follow along and calm down a little.
Kris pulls back after a bit. Tears are still steadily dripping off their face although their breathing has slowed a little. One of their hands grasps hold of their cape and weakly yanks on it.
Surprised, Ralsei steadies them by the shoulders. ‘You want to take it off?’
Kris thumps a hand against their chestplate. They cringe at the ringing sound and try to cover their ears.
‘Okay,’ Ralsei lowers the volume of his voice. ‘I can help you.’
As quickly as he can, Ralsei works the little clasp on Kris’ pauldron and unhooks the cape from around their neck. He undoes the chestplate as well and helps them take it off. When Kris shoves their hands at him, Ralsei eases the metal gloves off them.
Kris collapses against his chest once they are free of most of their armour, curling up in his lap, still shaking. Ralsei wraps his arms around them, one of his paws securely over their exposed ear.
‘Kris?’ he murmurs softly. ‘Would you like me to sing to you? Can you tap a finger if yes?’
Kris does. Ralsei breathes in, holding them a bit tighter. He goes through his mental catalogue of melodies and chooses one – a soft, lilting tune meant to be a lullaby.
‘Let's go in the garden
You'll find something waiting
Right there where you left it lying upside down
When you finally find it, you'll see how it's faded
The underside is lighter when you turn it around
Everything stays right where you left it
Everything stays, but it still changes
Ever so slightly, daily and nightly
In little ways, when everything stays.’
The shakes taper off into trembles. The hitches in their breath calm. Ralsei rocks them gently, rubbing a hand down their back. He weaves a healing spell into the rest of the song.
‘Go down to the ocean
The crystal tide is raising
Water's gotten higher as the shore washes out
Keep your eyes wide open, even when the sun is blazing
The moon controls the tide, it can cause you to drown
Everything stays, right where you've left it
Everything stays, but it still changes
Ever so slightly, daily and nightly
In little ways, when everything stays …’
The song ends but Ralsei keeps humming. His eyes are closed now, all of his senses focused on Kris – their solid weight on his legs; their soft hair smelling of candied apples against his cheek; their heart beating heavy but steady against his own; their breaths puffing out over his robes. Their tears have stopped at last.
Ralsei hears their stomach grumble, loud and long. ‘Are you hungry?’ he pauses humming to ask.
Kris nods against his chest.
‘Would you like some cake?’ Ralsei reaches into his own personal inventory to bring out a slice of the chocolate cake he has begun carrying on himself ever since he’s found out how much Susie loves sweets (and how hungry she and Kris often are). He helps Kris sit a bit more upright, wiping their face clean with his sleeve. He cuts into the slice of cake with the fork it conveniently came with and holds it up to them.
Kris leans forward and eats it.
‘It won't fill you very much but I hope it helps you feel a bit better,’ Ralsei says, spooning more cake into their mouth. ‘Let me know if you want more, okay?’
Kris chews quietly. Their usually bright eyes are dull and tired, eyelids drooping heavily.
Ralsei feeds them a few more bites of cake. When the slice gets over, he brings out another one. Kris devours that one as well. He wonders how long they've been without proper food.
‘More?’
They shake their head. Ralsei uses his sleeve to wipe off a little smear of chocolate icing from their lower lip.
‘S-sorry …’ they croak out, voice dry.
‘You don't have anything to apologise for, Kris.’ Ralsei says gently. He brings out a cup of tea. Kris holds it in both hands and sips slowly.
‘Feeling better?’
Kris nods. ‘T-thanks …’
‘Don’t mention it,’ he says. ‘Can you tell me what happened?’
Kris blinks and sighs. ‘Haven't been able to sleep. O-or eat.’ They wave a hand around in a vague gesture. ‘Everything got … too much. Lights, sounds. People. Hurt.’
‘You got overstimulated?’
They nod. The tea is over so Ralsei puts the cup away.
‘We can rest here for a bit.’
‘Susie …’
‘She should be okay on her own for a little longer,’ Ralsei says reassuringly. ‘There’s a lot to do in the market and it isn't dangerous. Plenty to keep the Soul occupied as well.’
He does feel a little bad about leaving her alone like this. But right now, Kris needs to recover.
‘Okay,’ Kris slumps back against him, fiddling with the end of his scarf. ‘This is okay?’
‘Of course, Kris,’ Ralsei holds them safe in his arms, grateful to be able to provide some comfort. ‘Get some sleep if you want to, okay? I'll wake you up when it's time to move on again.’
Kris hums softly, settling in more cozily and closing their eyes. Ralsei is glad to see them relax, their breaths evening out as they fall asleep. He casts a milder form of Pacify on them to ensure that they get enough rest in the short time that they have.
There's still a long journey ahead of them.