Red Meteor Quest Season 2, Episode 4

You want to say that this morning is pleasant like any other. You want to say that you woke up nice and warm in bed, with a trusted alley laying next to you as you both sleepily awake to the new day with the prospect of fighting evil and upholding justice. You want to say that things are definitely okay and that nothing is wrong.

Everything is definitely not okay and somethihng is very much wrong.

You awoke this morning, not to the warm embrace of Sanja, but instead you were alone in the bed. Concerned, you went down to the living room of her home to see Sanja strewn out on the couch with a bottle of whiskey in hand. You can't help but sigh, as Sanja has been drinking a lot more lately and at first you all thought that'd it'd last for only a short while, but she's just been going at it nonstop.

Just a few days ago she'd nearly gotten into a fight with Saya, and it took the rest of the group to pull the two apart. The death of Jerry, her good friend seems to have really taken a toll on her.

You couldn't stand to see her like this. Passed out drunk looking like she came from a seedy nightclub.

She's your ally and someone close and important to you. Surely there's something you can do for her to try and lift her spirits. You are Red Meteor, and you must help your trusted ally and loved one as best you can!

As for now...how to wake her up...?

>Water to the face
>Gently nudge her awake
>Attempt to take the booze from her hand
>Other/Write-in

>Attempt to take the booze from her hand(98)

Well first things first, time to get that booze out of her hands. She has the thing snuggled into her like it's her child. You reach down towards her chest, her body heaving up and down as she lightly snores. You grab the the bottle and manage to slide it out of her grasp and the second it's gone you see Sanja's arm attempt to swat at you, and with her strength, it'd have done a fair bit of damage.

"Ugh...my head...Red? What are you doing...g-gimme muh booze." she groans out reaching for the bottle

"No." You reply flatly "No more of this." you toss the bottle into the trash can which causes Sanja to shoot up from her seat.

"What are you doin-ow...owowowowowowow."

She begins rubbing her temples in pain, she must have really drank a lot last night, as usually she's pretty good about her drinking...or at least you never really saw her with a hangover like this one before.

"Water...please." She mutters grasping her head still

You don't say anything as get her a bottle from the fridge, handing it to her as she begins to down the drink.

>Sanja we need to talk about your...everything.
>This is what you get for drinking like that
>Jerry wouldn't like this you know
>Other/Write-in

> Sanja we need to talk about your...everything

As she sits there drinking her water, you let out a small sigh. You are not a man for complex plans, that's Tim and Sally's speciality, with that being the case, you decide to go about this with as much grace and poise as you possibly can.

"Sanja we need to talk about your...well everything." You state

Said grace and poise comes out to a straight up zero by the way.

"What do you mean my 'everything'?" She replies "If this is some form of flirting, then I'm quite flattered."

"It's not flirting Sanja...look at you...look at this. This isn't you, All this drinking, all the fighting you've done with the others over the past few months, we need to fix this."

For a moment, she looks at you, and you see a tiredness in her eyes. It's not like how she was when recovering from the hangover. This tiredness seems different, almost as if she's tired of living altogether.

"Red. I do not want to talk about this, this is...nothing but pain. Nothing but misery."

"We have to Sanja. You're a hero, you can't go on living like this...I know Jerry was your friend, but I don't think Jerry would want you acting like this."

Upon hearing these words, Sanja's eye glaze over into an angry look you've never seen before

AND WHAT WOULD YOU KNOW?! YOU HAVE NOT LOST ANYONE LIKE I HAVE! JERRY...MY MOTHER...MY FATHER, WHERE DO YOU GET OFF TELLING ME WHAT THEY'D WANT FROM ME?!"

>I'm not telling you. You know
>Your...parents?
>You're right, but even still...
>Other/Write-in

>I'm not telling you. You know.

You let out a sigh, not letting her  anger filled words get to you. Several moments of relative silence pass before you decide to speak again.

"I'm not telling you anything. Because you know exactly what I mean Sanja. You can't keep running. Draw upon their memories to guide you. Don't Run away from them and hide from them at the bottom of a bottle."

"You...you...you're right but...it hurts! It hurts so much, That's three funerals I've had to go to in my life  Red? And the pain never gets any easier to deal with and then I think...what if it happens to you all as well?"

"Well, I can't deny that it's a risk. But it's one everyone is willing to take. Except for Helena probably..."

"Look at what happened with Koffman, someone died, and Sadie had a broken leg...what if things get worse next time?"

She's visibly shaking by this point, and whatever composure she had is all but gone.

"I...I don't want to lose anyone again. I don't want to see a friend or family member laying in a casket..."

>You won't I promise
>All the more reason you shouldn't drink like this
>No one's going to die, I can promise you that.
>Feel like apologizing to the others now
>Other/Write-in


"All the more reason you shouldn't drink like this." You reply patting her head "It's okay to be scared for your friends, but you won't do them any favors drowning yourself in booze every day in attempt to dull your pains."

"R-right..." She sputters out

"But just to make sure you've got nothing  to worry about, I promise to you that I won't die."

A small smile apppears on Sanja's face as she listens to your decleration "You're a a fool. An earnest fool though."

You ignore her little quip and continue "And I'm sure I can say the same for everyone when I say the same goes for them as well."

"Now then, the next time you see them, you'd better apologize to Saya. You're teammates, you shouldn't be fighting one another."

Yes...yes I suppose you are right. I'll be sure to remember. But I'm holding you to that promise you understand?"

>And I won't break it
>Good, that's what I want to hear
>Now stop drinking entirely
>Other/Write-in

>Good, that's what I want to hear
>And I won't break it

"Good, now that's what I want to hear, and I won't break that promise, you can count on that."

Sanja wordlessly snuggles into your chest, and the two of you are content like that for a moment,until you hear a familiar voice come from nowhere.

"Awwww...that was so cute!"

"Ja-Jane, is that you?" You call out as you and Sanja look around

"The one and only~!" Jane laughs as she appears...right next to you, causing you to jump in surprise.

You really hate the ghost powers sometimes

"H-how long have you been here?!" Sanja exclaims "Better yet, why are you here anyway?"

"Since about when Red gave you water and I came here because I was feeling a bit antsy so I thought I'd suck his di-er...I was worried about you!"

...

"Totally! 100%!"

...

"Honest! But seriously though...you should know we have your back Sanja, if anything is ever bothering you, you know we'll listen...well Sadie and I will, Saya's probably still a bit steamed at you."

"Thank you..." Sanja mutters softly

>Alright, now hug. This is the part where you hug
>Shoo Jane out of here
>Go to school Jane...
>Other/Write-in

>Alright, now hug. This is the part where you hug
>No groping though

"Alright, no you hug!" You state with affirmation "But no groping Jane!"

"Awww..."

The two women gingerly envelope one another in a genuine hug,eventually motioning for you to join them which you do. Sanja, for her part is silently weeping a bit more, it looks like this is just what she needed to at least start to try and cope with the loss.

"Jane. Move that hand." You command

"Sorry sorry! I just had to try it, at least once!"

you mentally sigh at this girl and her penchant for doing mischevious things even during the most serious of moments.

The moment is broken though as you hear your wrist communicator go off, and Sadie appearing on the other end.

"Guys, help!"

"Sadie what's wrong?" You ask, and you hear a crash from her end

"No time. Strong guy, REALLY strong guy, and he's-oh crap!"

You hear another loud crash before Sadie speaks again.

"I need everyone here, this guy just threw a cement truck at me! With one hand!"

"Red...I think it is time for you to uphold your end of the promise..." Sanja stated

You nod in agreement "Alright, everyone, let's hurry!"

>To Be Continued