After the second trip into the Dungeon, Soren had been hesitant to go out acting as a supporter to make ends meet. He was absolutely terrified of being used like that again and cast aside once his purpose was done. If he hadn’t decided to run when he did, he would’ve ended up dead. So the boy was content with staying at the café Briareus had just opened up and did his job as a waiter. It was a peaceful job, one he liked. Maybe it was because of the calm atmosphere, maybe it was the friendly customers. In any case, it was a lot less rowdy than the tavern he and his father used to work at and he relished being able to serve people their food or drink. He’d just finished serving one of the customers when he overheard something going on a few tables ahead. He looked up to see that his father was comforting a distraught young lady. “Is there something wrong?” he asked as he went over to the table. “Stress,” his father replied, “She’s been working hard and it got to her.” The girl sniffled and wiped her eyes. “S-Sorry…for causing you both trouble,” she said, tears streaming down her face. It alarmed Soren when he saw her face. “It’s alright, miss. No trouble at all really!” he exclaimed, “How about this? I’ll pay for your order, would that be okay?” She blinked back her tears and just stared at Soren. It made him really uncomfortable in all honesty. “No…you don’t have to do that,” she said, smiling through her tears, “But thank you for offering. Um...” Theo looked at his son, an idea forming in his head. “Soren, why not take a break? I’ll handle the customers while you two can chat.” Both of them were startled by the sudden proposition. “Um…okay?” the 15 year old boy said hesitantly as his father nodded. “Alright, you two have fun!” And then he left his son and a customer in an awkward situation. He sighed as he slipped into the booth and sat down. “Has there been anything troubling you, miss?” he asked, thinking that this would be one way to start a conversation. And who knows, maybe it will snowball into something cathartic. She wiped away her tears as she burst into fresh sobs, once more alarming him. “Sorry, shouldn’t have asked-“ “N-No it’s f-f-fine,” she said in a shaky voice, “I just…I need to get this off my chest. Life’s so unfair to me right now.” “Take all the time you need. I’ll listen.” “Thank you…” He would have offered the girl a napkin if he had one on him right now. She sighed as she began to spoke. “Where to begin? Well…I’m a supporter. You know how supporters get treated like dirt.” “…Oh.” He fidgeted uncomfortably as she continued. “I at least have my familia looking out for me and making sure I pick all the soul stones, otherwise they’ll just yell. A-And…I’ve been doing my best! Is that so wrong?! They acted like I didn’t even know what I was doing and it just frustrates me to no end that they can’t seem to see-“ She coughed for a bit before saying more. “A-Anyway, I was out picking soul stones when one person from a different familia kicked me. I yelled at him and then my familia started to get on my case like I did something wrong. I was- I was just- I” She was getting increasingly more distraught as she explained her situation. It was making Soren uncomfortable. Maybe I shouldn’t have asked that question, he thought to himself as he gave a slow nod to her words. “It’s wrong that supporters aren’t treated very well,” he said, “I should know, I’m a supporter too.” He winced as she gasped. “Oh my goodness I’m so sorry for ranting and raving at you,” she apologized, “Please forgive me for my rudeness.” “I-It’s fine. The experience I went through…it’s not pleasant. Granted, they weren’t from my familia, but they just left me to die in the Dungeon-“ He froze as a fresh wave of memories washed over him. “…S-Sorry, um…rather not talk about it.” “It’s alright, I can understand. Everything is just so unfair…” “Yeah…” The two remained quiet as she sniffled and wiped her nose using her sleeve. “Um, thank you, for listening that is,” she said, not looking into his eyes. “It’s alright. I’m here to help.” Pause. “…Are all supporters treated badly?” She shook her head. “Oh no, not all. Some have it good. I think there was one supporter who was very powerful in her magic and could summon something, she sounded pretty strong. I’m sure someone like her is treated with respect.” “…Huh, sounds like someone from my familia. Maybe they’re the same person?” “Maybe. Anyway, to answer your question, some supporters are treated well while others…not so much. I fall in the latter category, unfortunately…” “I don’t know where I fall, since the second time I went into the Dungeon traumatized me enough to not go in there again.” She sighed. “Poor you. But it can get better, as long as you meet the right kinds of people. I don’t know if you’ll meet anyone like that, but I’m sure you’ll have it better when you find the right people.” He gave her a tiny smile. “Thank you for the encouragement. I really do appreciate it. I just hope things will turn out well next time I head into the Dungeon…” He sighed and noticed that his father had come back with the woman’s order. At least, he assumed it was the woman’s order. It wasn’t until he realized that she already had a cup of tea that he realized that the order wasn’t for her. “Father, you don’t need to do that-“ “Nonsense. I already paid for it, so you two can continue to chat.” The girl flashed a smile at Theo. “Your son is a great person, you know that? I appreciate him being able to listen to me.” He blushed with pride at the mention and murmured a quick “Thank you.” His father smiled at both of them. “I’m glad he was able to help. Anyway, I have to go now, need to attend to the other customers.” “I should probably help out t-“ “Soren, stay with the young lady for a bit longer, alright?” “But-“ Too late, he was already gone. He sighed as the lady chuckled. “Your father is a nice man,” she commented as she took her coffee and began to drink it. “He is. He’s the best father I could ever ask for.” He took his drink and drank it, pleasantly surprised to find it was sweet strawberry juice. “How long have you been a supporter, miss?” “Well, a few years now. I was never a really good fighter, but I needed to make money somehow. So I decided to become a supporter because they were like a pack mule.” She took one look at his stony face and immediately tried to rectify her mistake. “Of course, supporters aren’t really pack mules, but they are able to carry quite the load and help collect more money by having others focus on the fight while they stayed back.” She sniffed and rubbed at her eyes again. “I’m sorry, I must be pushing you away from the idea of being a supporter, aren’t I?” He quickly shook his head, even though that what she said described his feelings perfectly. “I’m fine, don’t worry about it. Er, how many people have you met that were, um…” He struggled to find the right words without seeming rude. “Fair?” He nodded. “Yeah, fair.” The girl hummed in thought as she sniffled. “I was only ever around my familia when I became a supporter, so it was their abuse I took. I’m not sure what it’s like for supporters who just go out there and search for a party to accompany.” He mentally sighed in half relief and half disappointment as he drank his strawberry juice. “My first time was fine. So maybe it’s a mixed bag?” “Hm, maybe.” She quickly finished her drink and waved over one of the waiters. “Can I get the check, please?” The person nodded and left the two of them alone once more. “Thank you again for listening to me, and sorry if I scared you.” He shook his head again. “It’s fine, miss. You didn’t really scare me,” he said. Liar, his mind went as the waiter came back with her check. She glossed over it and paid the waiter before standing up. “Well, I have to go now. It was nice talking with you.” “Likewise.” He watched the girl leave, leaving him alone with thoughts of being a supporter.
