Back in the Saddle (D10 Patrol EM-LM)

[GM Yuusha]

"School is lonely. How long will it be?" She looks a little sad, but she was trying to be tough. Ez wouldn't know more, but for Paula it was like when her dad had gone away. "I want to meet my family. Maybe they can get mom to come back."

[Ezmeralda]

She gave her a little hug. "Well... hopefully? It might take a while..."

[GM Yuusha]

"A day?" Paula hugs Ez back.

The pair make their way into town. It was quite lively today. The good weather had stirred people from their homes. Ez soon finds out from locals where the orphanage was, but the word provoked a strong reaction from Paula.

"Orphanages are for kids with no family. I have a mom! I don't want want to go the orphanage." She lets go of Ez's hand and looks around with a sour, upset expression. "I'll look on my own."

[Ezmeralda]

"I can help you look. We don't have to go to the orphanage if you don't want to," she tried to soothe the girl, "I just was hoping they would be better able to help find your family here. Neither of us know anyone in this town, right?"

[GM Yuusha]

"... Right." Paula was pouting, since she was still upset, but she was smart enough to realise help would be good.

How does Ezmeralda approach the problem?

[Ezmeralda]

"Well... we could go there and see if they'll help?" she paused, "Maybe ice cream first?"

She was starting to think she had bitten off more than she wanted with this.

(Negotiation)

[GM Yuusha]

"Okay."

Ezmeralda gets Paula some ice cream before taking her to the orphanage. It put the girl into a good mood. Enough to overcome her initial apprehension at least. Inside, she explains the situation to staff. When they hear the mother's name they agree to look after her and search for family. Not a minute goes by between this and the staff sharing the information among themselves than one remembers an older shopkeeper with the same surname. Enquiries are made. Ez sticks around just long enough to hear the result: they think the man is her grandfather and the mother's estranged father, which is confirmed when they get him on the phone. He'd be visiting later that day. Result!

After saying her goodbyes to Paula, Ez heads back to Yori and their patient lance mates. HQ ask what had happened and she informs them. The ending, although still bittersweet considering the likely cause of the mother's death, is received well by Angels support staff. Morale improves just a little bit because of Yori and Ez going the extra mile... literally. A few of them, all the way to Torutovy.

(+0.1 Strength)