In Which We Tackle Some Unfinished Business
1630 Words
While our quest may be complete, we still have some unfinished business to do.
That is, that thing about a marital quarrel we've overheard while on our way to Onocho Peak.
And so, I still remain here in this town of chickens, Orion Cepheid.
Now, I'm waiting all day, all the way until afternoon, for Lorelei to return from her trip to the capital.
And she does indeed return, to no one's surprise.
“So, how's the reception of your research paper, Lorelei?”
“It went pretty well, Walter! Some scholars were even puzzled by the descriptions I gave to the red chicken... ahem... the Desucatan chicken.”
“You know, you have to get used to the name you gave. It's your own creation, right?”
“Hee hee. That's true, that's true.”
“But we still left something hanging here in town. And it's not like I'm in the mood to undergo another quest right away, anyway.”
“Ah, so we have to settle the 'battered husband' issue we've overheard a few days ago, huh?”
“Bingo.”
“I know someone who knows it pretty well. He's a friend of mine. The name's Joven Davadilla.”
“Alright, then let's go.”
She then shows me the way to her friend's house.
After a few knocks at the door...
“Hello. It's me, Lorelei.”
“Lorelei? Ah yes, please come in. I have nothing else to do this afternoon, anyway.”
“Thanks.”
Minutes later, the man named Joven prepares some snacks for us.
He looks around the same age as Lorelei, who looks around the same age as myself.
“This man here is Walter Deschantes, an adventurer. He just helped me complete my search for the elusive red chicken. I even submitted a research paper about it to the Royal Academy today, in fact!”
“Great going, my friend! Congrats. And... Walter, you seem like a reliable fellow. Nice to meet you, by the way.”
“I always want my quests to be completed in the most efficient way possible, that's all. Nice to meet you, too, Joven.”
“Sure you've heard of that marital quarrel when you two went out to Onocho Peak, right?”
“Of course.”
“Well, here's the background of this issue, based on reliable evidence as well as testimonies from other townspeople.”
He downs a glass of water before starting his narration.
“Papang Rappi is the name of the husband, and Ashley Elise Rappi (nee Sapon) is the name of the wife. In the entire history of Orion Cepheid, they are practically the only married couple experiencing a strained relationship, and they're also the only married couple experiencing what is called 'the battered husband syndrome'.
“This whole shebang started one year ago... when the husband was entranced by the sport of cockfighting. He curiously went into a cockfighting arena on the northeastern part of town after work and then stumbled upon a badass-looking rooster on the red side. Many other participants in the arena also bet on the rooster on the red side, as opposed to the one on the white. But once the fight has started... that's where things didn't go his way. The two roosters charged at each other once, and then... seconds later, the rooster on the red side was down and out, never to rise again. Papang Rappi and many others lost the bet that day.
“He bet a few guintos himself, but was aghast at his loss. So the next day, he bet at the arena again, only for his top dog... ahem, chicken, to lose again. The results were the same the days after... racking up loss after loss, never getting a single win, despite his increasing betting amounts. He even resorted to emptying his daily wage, selling off his own things, and then selling off his own wife's things... just for a shot at that highly-elusive win at the cockfighting arena.”
Lorelei then asks him...
“Then why can't he just quit betting altogether?”
“Ever heard of something called compulsive gambling? It's a kind of addiction, and no doubt the poor husband suffers from it. Moving on. Of course, the eagle-eyed wife noticed the gradually-draining funds that should've gone to the family's day-to-day expenses, as well as the things that were being sold off without her knowledge.”
“Aaaand... that's where the female-on-male abuse started.”
“No doubt about it, Walter.”
“Based on what I've heard a few days ago, her suplex was so powerful, it could knock down even a train!”
“I was curious to see why she suddenly could pull off all those brutal moves. Maybe... something awakened in her?”
Lorelei reacts...
“Then this calls for an investigation... though I'm not an investigator myself.”
“I do. I've been dabbling in the art of investigation myself for a few years, so maybe I can help you two resolve this marital problem once and for all.”
“Great! Then we can all work together starting tomorrow!”
“That's good to hear. I have nothing else to do for the time being... not just this afternoon, anyway.”
With a part-time investigator now on our side, it should be easier for us to fix the marital mess and mend that broken home.
The next day.
Loerlei, Joven, and I head towards the Rappi residence, which is located near the town's northern border.
And as we approach the house, the shouts get louder and louder.
“Shouting contests for breakfast, withdrawal for dinner, doubt for snacks. Is this what we'll be facing with every single day?”
“Yes! And don't act like some martyr, 'cause you're definitely far from one, knucklehead!”
“And hey, you forgot the part where you demolished me with your inhuman wrestling moves. You should not forget the pain and torment you've inflicted on me. I know I don't.”
“Why would I forget that? I would even repeat that salvo again today, because I'm now in the mood for some super-powered beat-down!”
It'll be a matter of time before this escalates into a full-fledged marital war.
Thus, I take the initiative and give the front door a few knocks, with approval from Lorelei and Joven, of course.
A few seconds later, I hear the voice of the wife, Ashley Elise.
“Good morning! May I know who's on the front door?”
I can't believe it! From her menacing voice seconds ago, her voice switches to a sweet tone!
With tacit approval from the two, I answer...
“I'm a roving potion salesman. I've got some Jungle Brew for 1,500 guintos a bottle. It restores some health, mana, and also heals poison, paralysis, and confusion.”
After a brief silence...
“OK. Come in.”
Yeah, I came up with that alibi on the spot.
To tell the truth, I do have a few bottles of Jungle Brew in my satchel.
In the living room...
We three sit in the long couch, while the husband and wife sit on two opposite small sofas, one each on the opposite ends of the long couch.
“Well, if it isn't the aspiring investigator...”
Ashley Elise resigns.
“Look. I'm sincere in my resolve to put an end to this case. And I don't want a broken home, because that would mean more of these in the future. Bad influence, if you know I mean.”
Joven reasons.
“Yeah, and she literally is a home wrecker!”
Papang raises his voice in a reactionary tone.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold there! Don't make us get caught in the crossfire!”
“Don't forget we're visitors here!”
Lorelei and I calm him down.
Joven then sedately addresses the two...
“So it indeed started with a simple case of losing a bet... which snowballed into a much bigger problem. Gambling addiction, pushing another person's berserk button, and now, a marriage that is in danger of being broken... plus limbs being literally broken.”
Papang and Ashley Elise, according to my perspective, are gradually coming to their senses; and I can see in their eyes that they are both at fault for almost wrecking their own marital union.
“So what I will recommend for you two is to be apart, even for a month. You definitely have issues of your own to fix. After all, those little things can have a huge impact on your relationship! Papang, I recommend that you must undergo a comprehensive multi-stage addiction therapy session at a psychological clinic in Lebenswasserheim Burghal. We three will shoulder the costs, guaranteed! And as for you, Ashley Elise, since we've discovered your fighting skills by accident, we recommend that you should register as an adventurer in this town's adventurer's guild. You'll not just make good use of your awesome suplexes and piledrivers, but you'll also learn to be calm and composed even in the heat of battle, which a great adventurer should exemplify!”
A period of silence later...
“Mr. Joven... if it's best for us two... then we'll agree.”
“Sometimes, we need to take a break from each other to rekindle the love we've lost.”
“Excellent! We'll arrange appointments for you two right away.”
And so... we all manage to solve a case of domestic violence.
I personally look forward to the reformation of the Rappi family, which has already two kids.
Two kids who, if their parents were left unchecked, would grow up into home wreckers of their own.
I know Lorelei and Joven think the same, too.
- Writer
