The ground was bone dry and cracked as sun-baked skin. The red sun contrasted the pale, yellow sky above. There were barely any signs of life out here. Wherever this place was, Bridget knew she couldn't stay here long.

Gurenji and Midoricha looked around, trying to sense any signs of the cure around here. Gurenji was serious about finding the treatment, no matter what. Midoricha wasn’t as determined.

“Man, this place is freaky,” Midoricha started. “Also quiet, hot, and oh-so-tiring—”

“Will you shut it!?” Gurenji thundered.

“What? I’m just trying to lighten the mood...”

“Well, then do it better!”

“Ok?” Midoricha coincided.

“Ugh, we mustn’t fail, you know.”

“I do know; that’s why we’re here.”

“So you say, just don’t get in my way.” Gurenji huffed.

As he went ahead of the others, Midoricha looked at Bridget with confusion.

“What’s his problem?” He asked. Bridget could only shrug in response.

“Hey, aren’t you guys coming?” Gurenji called from a short distance ahead, “Could you be any slower?”

“Maybe he’s trying to get in good graces with the Princess?” Bridget whispered to Midoricha.

“What was that?” Gurenji overheard the last bit of their conversation.

“What? I thought that was the case, am I wrong?” Bridget asked.

“Now that’s just absurd! What made you think that?”

“Well, you seemed kind of down in the dumps before we left.”

Gurenji’s eyes widened with shock. He looked over at the floor sorrowfully before sighing.

“I just wanted her to approve of me, or even...” He murmured faintly. “I mean; I’ve been trying to make this kingdom a better place for all of us, but why doesn’t she trust me?”

“I know I shouldn’t be saying this since it’s none of my business...” Bridget said, scratching the back of her head, “But I don’t think that’s the case at all.”

“What do you mean?”

“Yeah, maybe if you mellowed out and listened to her feelings...”

“I do listen!” Gurenji exclaimed. “But me ‘mellow out’? That’s a weakness that I don’t want to have...”

“Weakness? But how can—?” Bridget started.

“They’re all scum.”

“Now, how would you know that? Do you know them personally?”

“You just love talking and asking questions, don’t you?”

“Don’t tell me you’ve tried to know or talk to someone without yelling or belittling them!” Bridget retorted.

“What, are you saying that I should change?” Gurenji questioned.

“No, I’m not.”

“Then...”

“What I’m saying is... I know not everyone in the world is friendly, and yeah, they can be scum like you said, but that doesn’t mean you have to assume or take it out on everyone around you.

“You should give others a chance at least, especially those that want to help you. Don’t you think the Princess would want that too?”

After much deliberation, Gurenji sighed once more. “You’re right. I need to learn a thing or two, after all...”

“That’s what I like to hear!” Bridget exclaimed ecstatically.

“But that doesn’t mean I need you to tell me that!”

“Yeah, yeah...” Bridget said, rolling her eyes.