Yusuke was in his inn room one morning. The first sunny morning since spring began. On his bed was a bag, yet to be filled with anything.
It was more of a pouch than anything, but it was more than enough. Reminded him of his old duffel bag. "Just like how I used to travel," he spoke aloud with a wistful smile. "Without the bike this time."
A knock on his door, and then a creak. He turned to greet the visitor, and it was Debbie, Darnell's wife. Her blonde locks could not be missed.
"Yusuke, dear, are you still looking at that empty bag?" she called out. He could only smile bashfully.
"Haha, I guess I was," he answered, rubbing his neck.
"Well, your nun friend and the priest are waiting downstairs. They're already having breakfast."
The scolding tone was not lost on him, and he could only smile awkwardly. He had been busy just thinking about luggage. Debbie left him to his own devices, trusting him to eat breakfast.
He would, after slinging the empty pouch bag with him. It was better to gather luggage downstairs anyway, since he had nothing other than the clothes on his back and a few copper coins.
He walked out of his room and downstairs to the tavern area, where Wilhelm and Joanna had already been seated and eating porridge with small beer.
"Morning," Yusuke greeted as he sat with them. His side of the table had also been served with the same meager meal.
"Good morning, Mister Yusuke," Joanna replied, with the older man nodding in acknowledgement.
"Where's Crina?"
"She said she went out foraging for herbs."
Yusuke hummed. That was a side he never thought the vampire had.
"Say, Yusuke, boy," the priest spoke after another spoonful of porridge. "Are you sure you want to depart today?"
The younger man looked at the older. The gaze they shared was of silent understanding, and a bit of sweet sorrow. They had spent some time together, after all, these three. Living a slow, but fulfilling life. No matter how short that time was.
"Yes, Father," he said, his tone quieter. "That night with Crina... it made me realize that I still have it in me, going on adventures..."
He sipped on the small beer. "I don't know where I would be... if you two hadn't found me."
Joanna, in a fit of courage, put her hand on Yusuke's arm. "But we did, Mister Yusuke. We found you, and you became a bright spot in our lives. That is enough for us."
"Thanks, Joanna. And... I'm sorry for the village's loss."
He turned his gaze downwards.
"...I will remember them."
The mood turned somber as the three grieved for the loss of their former home. A home that was dying, but a home nonetheless.
A familiar, smooth voice interrupted the air.
"My, is it not too early to be so down?"
The three looked at the door's direction and saw the red-headed vampire with a small pouch. Her grin brought a bit of levity to the mood.
"Miss Valent," Wilhelm began. He had his reservations regarding vampires, and rightly so, as they were dangerous creatures. The Central Church of Theitomme always warned about their devilish charm and lust for blood.
However, after seeing Crina, his wariness was toned down a bit. He supposed that the charm was a deliberate choice, rather than a continuous effect.
Besides, Yusuke vouched for her.
"Have you got the herbs you're looking for?" he continued.
"More than enough, but the good ones have yet to bloom."
She sat at the table with the other three. The pouch of herbs was laid on her side.
From the same pouch, Crina pulled out a fruit—a tomato, to be exact— and ate it raw. The other three looked at her incredulously. The vampire's response was:
"Do you mind? A lady needs her space when she dines," she said, looking annoyed.
Yusuke didn't question it, but the scene was still bizarre. He did see her eat the tavern's food like it was normal, but she didn't seem to enjoy it as much as he did.
And yet, there she was, eating a tomato and enjoying it like it was the best fruit in her life.
"What are the herbs for, anyway?" Yusuke asked, diverting the attention away from the tomato.
"Oh, they are for medicine," she answered as she kept eating the tomato. "Not for me, of course, but for sale. How else could I afford my travels?"
A herbalist vampire who travels. Now that was bizarre.
"Now, now," she continued, finishing the tomato. "Not all vampires live in castles, my dear acquaintances. Some are more frugal, like me."
From under her breath, she added bitterly. "Those castles have been sieged, anyway."
None could hear her, to her fortune.
After that breakfast of reminiscence, Yusuke and Crina stood. He looked at her, asking, "You're coming with me, I take it?"
She gave him a knowing smirk. "As I said before, you and your powers fascinate me. I would be remiss not to witness more of you."
Crina walked herself to the door. Before Yusuke could follow suit, Darnell and Debbie approached him.
"Kid, my wife's got something for ya," he gruffly said. On cue, Debbie gave him stuff: a pouch of hard tack, a block of pemmican, if Yusuke's memory served him correctly, and, most important of all...
"A pot?"
"My tiny, trusty pot, my darling boy," Debbie said proudly. "It was my ma's, then it was mine. Now, it's yours."
"Thank you," he said, bowing.
He stuffed the new items into his pouch. And then, he walked to the door.
He looked at the two people who took him in and bid them farewell. "Father Wilhelm, Joanna, I'm off."
The two nodded, and the younger woman felt her eyes misty. The priest held himself together far more readily. "May the Goddess Theitomme bless your travels."
Another nod from the younger man. He knew that he might never see them again. But the parting words were more than enough to encourage him.
As Yusuke and Crina left the Sleeping Forest Inn, they began their first adventure together.