quercu

Is that bad of you then?

It is!

Just as you cherish your brother, others have their own things, and their own people they cherish.

If you take things as you see fit, then you'll make others angry, and get your brother into trouble in the end.

Understand?

Mm-hm...

I understand.

I won't do bad things anymore.

(But who can say what form the treetop takes in this moment?)

(May life everlast.)

Here?

A... Around here...

I chased him up to around here, and then, and then I lost him.

Guh!

Now shove it.

Joe?

Are you there?

Bent!

You're here?!

Um!!

I said for you not to run off!

I went through hell to scarper out with you! Every step of the way, you know how hard it's been?!

I...

Don't you hang your head! I'm talking to you!

(Need me to help that kid out?)

(We can't leave him with someone like this, can we?)

Who're you?

Don't get in the way! Move it!

You're this child's elder brother?

And what's your business?

'Joe.' Is that your name?

Right, with me. We're going home.

I'm not going.

Can you just listen for once?!

You're stressing me out like this! Me, Mum and Dad, who do you think we've done everything for?

I'm not going.

You think I'm no use anymore, don't you? You think I can't provide for you, is it?!

Think you've outgrown the nest, don't need me looking after you?

Eh?!

Let me go!

This is <i>not</i> for an outsider like you to butt in. It's family business.

(Bitter Root.)

(Take the child aside.)

What are you doing?

Argh!

Urgh!

You let me go!

Are we clear? I could easily dispose of you right now.

And even your little brother.

All because of how reckless you've been.

You make me angry.

You!!

Argh!

Quiet!

Will you listen properly now?

Mmrgh...

I can put up with your insolence.

It's not as if I don't respect all you've done for the child.

I imagine you know the state of your infection all too well. Do you want to see the child end up the same way?

Was it you who taught him to use Arts to defend himself?

I had no other choice. It's the only thing they fear.

And do you see fear in me?

What if I killed the two of you right here and now?

You wouldn't dare!

I'd take you with me!

So you don't intend on surviving?

What about your brother, then?

What is it you want?

It's a secret between me and him.

I won't allow you to take him until he fulfils his agreement with me.

You can go back to your current dwellings and wait for him.

Of course, my people can find you at any time.

Or you could go to the refugee camp on the east end. They'll offer you help there.

Is my point clear?

See?

It turns out we <i>can</i> have a proper conversation.

Argh!

Hey! Watch it, boy!

You're biting the hand that feeds you.

Miss Quercus!

Let my brother go!

He's a good person!

He's the best in all the land!

So I won't let you hurt him!

*sigh*...

How am I the villain now?

The boy's got real strength when it counts...

Joe, do you remember what you asked me about earlier on?

Be good and come with me now, and I'll tell you all you want to know.

And I promise I won't hurt your brother, okay?

Okay!

Now, do you think we're bad people?

If you and that mister pick on my brother, then yeah.

So why didn't you use Arts just now to attack that mister, and save your brother?

Because you said using Arts would make the infection worse.

It's bad and it'll make my brother worry.

So if I told you that you had to exchange your brother for the treasure, you wouldn't agree, would you?

I wouldn't do it, even if it was for treasure.

I would never... never ever!

(A life yet to bud grows with wild abandon.)