Suikoden Equestria

We reached the town early the next day after getting enough rest. The road had been quiet enough with only a few timber wolves along the way. Sombra not wanting to wait in order to repay for looking after him jumped at the chance to show off. He was a skilled swordsman but somewhat rough with his shots, he couldn't help but feel as if this couldn't come close to repaying what she had done for him. It was his turn to drive the cart as they were crossing the bridge at the forefront of the lake. I was taking in the view of the sunset as it shone on the crystal clear water, I would have felt better if it was under better circumstances for seeing this view. I knew though that it was something I couldn't change... no matter how much I wished.

"I see the town now Redy!" yelled out Sombra as he saw the small fishing town coming up across the bridge. I popped my head out in order to view the town. It was a small town alright, I had only been there once before and that was years ago in order to take the job at the port. Even with the recent years and the influx of people that seemed to come to the port it was still a small town. The only thing that seemed to stand out was the nobleman's house towards the back of the town. The lord of the town had been appointed prior to her arrival at the port. Never bothering to meet the lord when I first arrived it seemed like it would be pointless now considering the circumstances. It simply wasn't my business to know someone from noble standing, if it was at all important I would have done so long ago.  The wagon stopped in front of a building before I realized it Sombra was talking to me.

"I'm sorry, did you say something?" asking wondering about the confused look Sombra had on his face. I stared at him for a moment, I hadn't really noticed the boy the past few days. My mind was heavy with how the situation we were in could be resolved but now that I had time, I started to take notice that the boy was actually not so much boy as he was man. Jet black hair and tan skin; he had the build of someone that lived at sea though he was just a cabin boy for his father's ship for only a while before the incident. The way he carried himself made it seem like he just lived for the open seas. He wore a red shirt that was slightly burnt due to the fire at the time and tan slacks with leather boots, the rifle was slung across his back by a string and the short sword he carried barely hang from his right side as the strap was heavily deteriorated. I certainly hadn't noticed that I was staring for longer than one normally would until Sombra tried to get my attention once more, it was embarrassing to say the least.

"I said, whats the funds situation for us? I know I skinned a few deer and foxes so we can sell those pelts, but I would like to buy some new clothes." he said while looking away from and heading towards the store; once he was done tying the reins of the horse in front. He grabbed the pelts from the back and something from the chest that his father had given me before we left.

"Oh! I'm sorry...I have about 200 bits, its not much but then again I worked for room and board at the port as well. I kinda regret that now." I answered handing the money to him and climbing off the wagon. "I think I'll go take a walk around town for a bit, see if there might be someone in need of medical attention." I told him as I started to walk towards the center of town with a small brown bag of medicine.

"I'll come get you when I'm done here then. Don't get lost and careful of strangers Redy!" Sombra yelled as I walked off.

"I know already! Geez....who is taking care of whom?" I muttered to myself as a slight smile formed. The closer I got to the center of town the more people there seemed to be. I knew that it was a small town, but it seemed to boast a larger amount of citizens than the pier. Small children running around playing, wives gossiping about who did what and men laughing loudly about certain deeds better left unsaid. I loved the energy that surrounded me and loved to help bring smiles back where there were none. It was something I will never tire of in all my years as a nurse, the smiles people had whenever they knew everything was going to be alright.  Stopping at the fountain that was dead center of the bustling little town I sat at the edge and dug through my bag pulling out a small sign. It was a black potion sign with a red cross in the middle, I placed it beside me and immediately people crowded around knowing the sign for clinical services.

"Oh my! Is it true? Are you a doctor?" asked an elderly woman that was the first to show up.

"Nurse. I'm afraid my knowledge is limited but that doesn't make it useless. Is there anything troubling you ma'am?" I replied with a gentle smile.

"Well I have a slight pain on my hand, do you have anything for that? the old lady asked stretching out her hand for me to examine. I took her hand and noticed a slight wince on the old lady's face, digging around the bag and pulling out an ointment that I made herself for such things. I gently applied a bit on the lady and rubbed for a while, the old lady's expression changed from pain to comfort. "Oh my! That feels a whole lot better dear. Thank you" said the old lady as she pulled out 2 bits from her purse and handed them to me.

"Take the ointment ma'am, apply it twice daily for a week." I said handing over the small bottle and taking the small payment. As soon as the lady left the line seemed to form properly for minor scrapes to mysterious rashes. Throughout all this, I was truly delighted my knowledge of simple medicine could help both the townsfolk and gain a bit for the journey ahead.

"Redy?! Is that you?" asked a voice full of cheer. I turned to see fuchsia haired woman near my age coming closer, at first I couldn't tell who it was but that changed as the distance was closing fast. She jumped up nearly dropping all her things from the realization of who had asked that question.

"Cheerie?!" was all I could say before I was picked up by the cheerful woman who was now screaming with delight, she stopped and put me down trying to compose herself again.

"I thought that was you Redy. I really missed you all these years, you never wrote and I never knew where you went." Cheer said fixing her purple dress with a floral pattern on the side. She couldn't help but smile at the wonderful event that was happening before her. A reunion with the friend that was practically a sister to her after six years of wondering about her well-being.

"What are you doing here Cheer? Last time I saw you was right before I left the orphanage to learn about medicine." I said still amazed at the turn of events unfolding before me. The reunion of with one of the closest people I could call family was a blessing with all the recent events.

"I know! Oh I was so worried after that, I missed you everyday." Cheer said with tears forming and hugging Redy again."Well after you left I got adopted shortly after, I live here with my new family and work as the local teacher. I love it here, everyone is so nice and friendly. Oh sorry, i guess i disrupted your work. I can wait for you and then you have to come over. We simply must catch up." Cheer added wiping the tears away and sitting down next to Redy as she began her work again.