ctable

But right now, it feels like... I can't feel anything.

I can't feel anything at all.

(Tries to get closer)

...Stay away from me!

Are you not afraid of me? Why are you... trying to get closer?

There are so many others here. Why did you have to fly into my room? There are so many kind, gentle, and warm people here. They...

They grew up in a safe environment. They've never witnessed cruelty. They know how to take care of you... But, I'm trembling. Can't you see that?

I'm probably going to end up hurting you, so... you shouldn't stay with me any longer!

Because I have no idea how I should treat you!

...So why won't you leave?

Your injuries aren't serious. If you hadn't come into my dorm, or if you'd flown out by yourself onto the deck, someone would've seen you and come to help...

Maybe... I can help you with that...

(Cowers hesitantly)

Do you... want to be free?

Phew...

Let's go.

Medic, can you take a look at my injury? I kinda can't feel my back anymore...

*cough*... *cough*...

Tell me the truth. This rock here's beyond treatment, isn't it?

(This place is... the sickbay? How did I end up here? The fowlbeast...)

(In the end, I couldn't throw it out... Instead, here I am, outside...)

(If I really were to do that, then I would truly be... No, I can't throw it out.)

(But I don't want to head back either... I already bothered Beanstalk earlier, so I can't cause her any more trouble. The Doctor's too busy and doesn't have time for this nonsense...)

(Medic... Maybe the same medic who saved me?)

Excuse me, but do you mind if I ask why there are so few staff here today?

Engineering found a collapse along our navigation route, which buried many of the people from nearby villages. Almost half of the Medical Department's gone out to rescue them.

Are you looking for anyone in particular? Or are you here for your routine checkup?

Actually... I wanted to see the medic who first rescued me when I came to Rhodes Island. I wanted to talk to her, but she's not here.

Do you know when she'll be back? ...I miss her a little.

Hard to say. I'm not sure what the situation is like out there, but I'm guessing tomorrow at the earliest?

I see... Then I'll head back for now. Thank you.

Wait, that's not the way to the dorms.

I... I'd like to take a stroll first.

Is everything alright?

I... I'm not sure...

Wait, hold on, young lady! I thought I was just seeing things, but there's a fowlbeast clinging to your back!

I thought you knew, but looks like you didn't notice it at all! It's gonna fall if you don't catch it!

Huh?

Cantabile reaches behind her back. The fowlbeast's talons are hooked into her clothes, the creature struggling to squeeze in behind her neck.

It's gonna fall!

What? Why is it...

Please, medic! Its wings are injured and it can't fly. Look... I applied some medicine and wrapped its wings, but the bandages have fallen off... Can you save it?

I, I...

I've seen fowlbeasts dying before, and that's how their wings looked... Is it dying because I didn't take good care of it...?

Huh? What are you talking about? It just looks that way because its wings are a bit injured, and it can't sit still because it's had too much to eat. Just let it rest for a few days.

...Really? Is that all?

The fowlbeast rests in Cantabile's hand and nestles into her palm, rubbing against her as if looking for a comfortable position.

Don't panic. There's nothing wrong with it, so why are you so nervous that you're clamming up?

Heh... How cute.

Young lady, that fowlbeast really trusts you. Reminds me of my old beckbeast I had back home.

Mind sitting over here and letting me take a closer look? Haven't seen one of those critters in a long while.

I feel like my eyes are going blank, having to lie here day in, day out.

I...

Huh? Do you want to fly somewhere?

The fowlbeast flaps its wings and flies over onto the hospital bed.

Wow! It's a fowlbeast! Can I pet it?

You'd have to ask Cantabile first.

May I, Cantabile?

Oh, you're...

Cantabile! Remember me? I'm the first person you saved! You promised you'd come visit me often, but then you never did...

Sorry, I... Recently, I've been a bit...

You've been busy taking care of this fowlbeast, huh? Hmph! Well, I suppose I can forgive you.

The nice medic lady said that if I eat well and take my medicine like a good girl, I'll be able to raise one in the future too!

The fowlbeast seems to find the soft quilt quite cozy, and happily hops around on it.

Several patients get up off their beds, leaning in to look over, their eyes shining, unable to keep from smiling.

Sorry... This is a sickbay, and I shouldn't be interrupting your rest. I'll take him back first—

Leaving already...? Why not stay a bit longer? It's nice seeing something with so much life and energy.

Can I pet it, miss? I've been away from home for so long, and... I haven't been able to pet my beckbeast in ages.

Of course you can... It's not like I own it or anything. Our paths just happened to cross.

Woah! That's how me and my beckbeast first met, haha.

You know, you really are a nice person. Fowlbeasts just like this one get hurt all the time, maybe eight hundred a day if not a thousand. But hardly anyone's willing to save them. They're just like us sick folks, lucky enough to have met you people while on death's door.

You guys really are good people...

'Good people'...

Cantabile looks at the fowlbeast, and the critter's two shiny black eyes also peer back at her.

Just then, it hops over unsteadily, trying to snuggle up to the person who rescued it.

Cantabile, the medic told me that after I get better, I can stay here and study whatever I want. And you all can help me!

That's just like going to school, right? I saw this word in a book that teaches you how to read, but you're my 'savior'!

'Savior'...?

Haha, you little rascal. How ambitious do you have to be to want to go to school?

Right? The nice medic lady told me before that you know tons of words, can read books, and even play the piano! That's soooo cool!

Woah, is that true? Can you really play the piano?

A little bit, but...

She also told me that you've even taught other people before! Can you teach me too?

I want to be just like you when I grow up!

...There's no need for that. Just be yourself.

The young patient picks up a small musical instrument placed at her bedside and plucks the strings clumsily, making an out-of-tune sound.

The fowlbeast chirps softly, as if to sing along.

Ahaha! You've been practicing for so long, and that's the best you can do?

What are you talkin' about? She hasn't had anyone to teach her. The fact that she can even make a sound is pretty good.

It might not be what you can call a song yet, but I don't mind listening to it every now and then.

A hand reaches out, covering the young patient's tiny hand—

Cantabile lightly plucks the strings, and a little ditty drifts through the quiet sickbay. She's playing a piece she's never played before. There is no score, only the mood of the moment conducting her.

Woah...

I wanna to learn to do that one day!

C'mon, it's time for dinner. Head back to your beds first, and I'll serve your meals.

The children should also behave themselves.

Cantabile, I promise to eat well and get better! You should too, so we can get strong and healthy together!

Young lady, you should come visit us every now and then, when you have the time. How about it?

I...

Phew...