Chapter 100: Enjoying Phanes
The next morning arrived with sunlight streaming through the hotel room window, painting everything in warm tones that seemed to mock the darkness of their discovery from the night before.
Reinhard dressed in black shoes that would be comfortable for extended walking, beige shorts, and a black shirt that fit well without being restrictive.
Marie emerged from the bathroom wearing a black dress that fell to mid-calf with black heels. Her hair was arranged differently than usual, pulled back partially while letting the rest cascade over her shoulders.
They left Joseph resting in the hotel room to sleep while the others left to their own investigative tasks. Roana and Nikki are checking property records, Scáth and Gran are monitoring Phineas’s known locations.
The streets were already busy despite the early hour.
Merchants opened their stalls, arranging goods with smiles on their faces, while some had looks of annoyance. The scent of fresh bread drifted from bakeries, mixing with the aroma of coffee from cafes preparing for morning customers.
An artist was near a small plaza, his portable supplies spread around him on a cloth. He was middle-aged, his clothes had bits of paint-stained on them, but they were overall clean, and he waved at people around, inviting them over.
Marie stopped abruptly, her hand catching Reinhard’s arm, and her eyes lit up. "Let’s get a painting done!"
Before Reinhard could respond, she was pulling him toward the artist, who grinned at them.
"A portrait?" The artist asked, already reaching for a fresh canvas.
"Yes, please." Marie confirmed, positioning herself beside Reinhard. Her arm wrapped around his while her body pressed close. Reinhard’s lips twitched, but he also began smiling while Marie’s eyes shined more when she saw his expression.
Well, I did promise her.
The artist worked quickly, his hands moving as he used charcoal to sketch basic form. Then, brushes are used to add color, capturing the dark tones of their clothing, the warm light of morning, and the details behind them.
When the artist finally stepped back, satisfaction evident in his expression, he turned the canvas to show them.
The painting was remarkably good.
Capturing not just their physical appearance but something more ephemeral. Marie’s joy seemed to radiate from the canvas while Reinhard’s more reserved smile carried subtle warmth that he hadn’t realized he’d been showing.
"This is one of my best works." The artist said softly, and slowly nodded at the picture.
"Then why don’t you keep it?" Marie says with a smile.
"Huh? Are you guys sure... But don’t you-"
Marie laughed as she said. "It’s fine... We’re just happy to see a beautiful painting."
"Thank you both... Come back anytime for another painting, I promise the next one will be stunning!"
"I will hold you to that!"
They left the artist beaming, already positioning the canvas among his other portfolio pieces.
Marie pulled Reinhard toward a food vendor, her energy seemingly inexhaustible. They bought meat skewers seasoned with herbs and ate them together while feeling the meat was hot enough to burn slightly but flavorful enough to make the minor discomfort worth it.
They walked while eating, Marie humming softly between bites. Her eyes tracked across storefronts and people, taking in everything with obvious delight.
Then she stopped again, her entire body going still.
Reinhard followed her gaze to one of the city’s many fountains. Water cascaded from a central sculpture, the water moving in abstract shapes, but a person caught his attention.
Martha sat on the fountain’s edge, her purple dress pooling around her despite the casual setting. She’d removed one glove, her bare hand extended toward a duck that paddled near the fountain’s edge. Her fingers moved gently through the water, creating ripples that the duck investigated with curious head tilts.
Marie moved immediately, her heels clicking against cobblestones as she approached. "Miss Martha!"
Martha blinked in surprise before a smile appeared on her face. She withdrew her hand from the water and said. "How have you two been? Is your friend Joseph okay?"
Marie nodded. "All thanks to you, Doctor."
Martha laughed as she shakes her head. "I didn’t do much. I was just there at the right time."
Reinhard hummed thoughtfully before his expression became serious. "Miss Martha, I’ve been curious about something... Why did you come up with such medical practices? I’m sure you understand how hard it will be to continue doing it?"
Silence settled over them.
Marie’s eyes shone with interest as she looked at Martha, whose smiles faded gradually, replaced by something more contemplative.
"You don’t think it’s because I just want to make medical care a more friendly and caring place?" Martha’s tone carried no defensiveness, just genuine curiosity about his assessment.
Reinhard stared into her light blue eyes, then he gave her a tired smile. "Truthfully? No. I can believe you could start off wanting that, but as the constant challenges appear and how high a hill you must climb to even begin this type of medical practice... I think you’d need more motivation than just wanting to make it better."
Martha laughed before she nodded slowly. "Funny enough, I agree... To be honest, the reason is pretty simple. I dislike seeing the expressions of those kids after they go to the doctor."
Marie blinked, her head tilting slightly. "Because you believe kids shouldn’t be like that?"
Martha gave Marie a calm smile, but something haunted lurked in her eyes. "It’s because it brings up bad memories of me going through the same thing."
Marie’s eyes widened while Reinhard trembled, a barely visible shudder that ran through his entire frame.
Martha noticed both reactions. "Surprised? Me too, when I really thought about it. But every time I look at their expressions, my chest tightens up, it becomes hard to breathe, and my mind flashes back to the past..." She paused, her smile turning self-deprecating. "It’s pretty selfish, isn’t it?"
Marie hummed, her expression thoughtful. "But what’s wrong with that?"
Both Martha and Reinhard blinked, surprise mirroring between them.
Marie continued as she placed her hands on her side. "It would be odd to do such a long-term and difficult thing without motivation that is very selfish. It’s no different than me wanting to explore the world and try out different places, not because it’s for some grand purpose or for the good of the continent. It’s simply because I want to satisfy my curiosity, to make memories, and to be content in life."
Reinhard’s smiled as he nodded. "That’s true."
Martha laughed lightly as her shoulder slightly slumped. "I haven’t had anyone say something like that, but it does help me be more at ease with my reasons. I know what I’m trying to do is hard, but I believe if it can be done, the entire world would benefit."
Reinhard nodded before crossing his arms. "Is this how you charmed Phineas into sponsoring you?"
Martha blinked, then chuckled nervously before her hand rose to touch her hair. "Well, I admit I did go to him with a speech and diagrams, not expecting much... But somehow it was enough to convince him to invest, and he even introduced other investors to me."
"And in exchange, he’s getting a cut of the money?" Reinhard asked.
Martha’s teeth caught her lower lip briefly. "I’m not supposed to talk about my business partners..."
Marie smiled brightly, her expression innocent. "We’re just curious because we’re planning to set up a business to help lots of people in Phane City. We’re looking through investors, and Mr. Phineas was a potential one, that’s what the three talked about with him yesterday."
Martha’s eyes widened, then her smile returned with full warmth. "That’s lovely! I hope it will work out." She paused as she hummed before she continued. "As for Mr. Phineas, the only thing he asked is for us to accept some of the people he sends to the clinic for jobs, and to give him a report on the patients that come through every week. He says he wants to know the condition of the people of the city, so that he can create new businesses that will help them."
Marie clapped lightly. "Mr. Phineas is amazing! But I’m curious, doesn’t he send a frequent number of workers to the clinic?"
Martha shook her head. "He only sends a few, but oddly enough, they’re always Beast Tamers. Which is weird since wouldn’t it be better for them to go to an Academy or join one of those famous guilds? I’m sure some of them have the talent for it."
Reinhard’s mind raced as he thought about why Phineas would send Beast Masters to the clinic. What was inside that facility requiring their specific capabilities?
"Are they in the morning shifts?" Reinhard asked carefully.
"They usually do the night shift. As someone needs to stay in the clinic just in case someone has an injury and comes during the night," Martha explained.
Marie blinked in surprise. "They’re just past eighteen, right? I’m surprised they’re willing to do night shifts when it’s around that age, they’d party like crazy."
Martha nodded as she giggled. "I asked them about it before, and they said guarding the clinic at night is extremely important. I was obviously touched by this, but I wished they could have just gone to have fun. After all, you only live your younger days once before they pass away, and you wonder where it all goes."
Reinhard and Marie both fell silent, staring at Martha in a daze. Before Reinhard inwardly sighed at words, as he kept blocking the memories that tried to rise up and kicking them down over and over.
Martha stood, stretching her arms above her head with a satisfied sigh. "I have to go now. Thank you for the conversation, you two. And I think before you guys start investing or making a business... Go enjoy your life a bit more. I think it will be amazing."
She walked away with a wave, her elegant gown trailing behind her. As she moved through the plaza, other people greeted her, such as vendors calling out friendly hellos, children waving, and elderly citizens nodding respect.
Marie sighed heavily. "What an interesting person... But that clinic makes me curious."
Reinhard nodded. "Suspicious... Just what are those Beast Masters doing at night?"
Marie hummed thoughtfully. "We know Phineas sees the clinic as important. The question is simply why..." She turned to look at Reinhard, catching the expression forming on his face. A knowing smile appeared. "I can see that smile. You’re planning to break in, aren’t you?"
Reinhard’s beaming smile was answer enough.