Part ??A - A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed.

*As Aurora lied in the green grass she had fallen upon, she felt tears enter her eyes. In just one singular moment, she had been swept away from the one person who understood her. She didn't know when he would be back with the rope, or if he would find help. Aurora began to shake, as she cried out for help into the dark, green and grassy area around her.*

???: Need some help buddy?

*As Aurora sat up and looked around for where the voice came from, she saw Harper in front of her, with a sad smile on their face. They had a leafy vine on Aurora's leg, like a friend putting their hand on someone's shoulder to give them comforting words.*

Aurora: H- Harper?

Harper: Yeah. You ok pal? You look like you had quite the fall.

Aurora: I- I'm fine.

*Aurora wiped a tear away and stifled a sob. Harper looked at Aurora's pained face and their comforting smile faded.*

Harper: You sure? You don't look like you're fine.

Aurora: I- I lost Enflared. I- I fell down here and now he's looking for some way to get back, but I'm scared. I don't know how long it'll take.

*Harper sighed and gave Aurora a warm smile.*

Harper: You know, you made it through the Painted Ruins without him.

Aurora: But I- I had Winter then!

Harper: And you have me NOW. If you don't want me to leave, I can stay with you for a while.

Aurora: You want to wait with me?

*Harper sighed and shook their head no.*

Harper: No, I mean I can accompany you so you can keep moving forward.

Aurora: B- But what about Enflared?

Harper: He'll be here in no time. If it helps and you don't want me here, I can go up to him and help him try to find a way to get down here.

Aurora: I- I don't know what I want.

*Harper looked ahead and nodded.*

Harper: How about this? I'll heal ya', then I'll go to find Enflared and help him with finding a rope or something. But first, I'll give you one of my pellets. I know it isn't the most rational way to get my attention, but I'll know if my pellet damages you, so if you use the pellet to damage yourself a little bit, the pellet will damage you and vanish. I'll know if it vanishes and I'll come to help you right away. How does that sound?

Aurora: B- But what about if I accidentally drop it or damage myself on accident?

Harper: If it hits the floor, I'll know. Even if it damages you on accident, I'll still come. I don't mind. Let me get a bag quickly.

*Harper burrowed under the ground and Aurora was left alone for at least a minute or two before Harper came back up, with a bag in their mouth. Harper carefully laid the bag on the floor and Aurora picked it up.*

Harper: Hold it open for me?

*Aurora nodded and held the bag open. Harper summoned a pellet and carefully guided it into the open bag. Aurora sealed the bag and put it in her pocket. Harper then healed Aurora with some green pellets.*

Harper: Remember, use it if you need me there, alright?

Aurora: S- Sure. Th- Thanks Harper.

Harper: Hey, a friend in need is a friend indeed. I'll go find Enflared and we'll reunite you two. Don't be too afraid to continue ahead, we'll be able to catch up. Good luck friend.

*Harper burrowed under the ground, leaving Aurora alone. After a second or two, Aurora nodded and slowly got up and walked out of the room to see what was beyond.*

*Enflared was running around like crazy, trying to find a rope or anything he could use to get down to help Aurora. Just as he was starting to get frantic in his search, Harper popped up in front of him.*

Harper: Hey! Slow down for a second Enflared!

Enflared: I- I can't! I need to find something to get down to Aurora! She-

Harper: She fell down a hole and you two got separated. I know.

Enflared: You- you do?

Harper: Yeah. I heard her crying for help and I comforted her a bit. I told her I was gonna help you find something, but we'll never be able to come up with something if you don't slow down and THINK, Enflared.

*Enflared paused for a moment, then sighed, hanging his head.*

Enflared: You're right. I'm not thinking rationally. I need to slow down a little and collect my thoughts.

Harper: That's right! And now I'm here to help you with ideas too.

Enflared: Do you think I could possibly use your vines as a rope to get down there?

Harper: That's... not the best idea. I don't know if my vines are powerful enough to hold a person without snapping... plus I kinda don't want to loose them.

*Enflared's face flushed with embarrassment and he nodded.*

Enflared: O- oh... Right. Sorry.

Harper: No no. It's fine. Why don't you take one of your little "shortcuts?"

*Enflared paused for a moment, then shook his head.*

Enflared: That's too risky.

Harper: How so?

Enflared: I've never done one for that large of a distance, or for an area further down, for that matter. I could screw up and end up in a wall or something. Or I could wind up in the throne room or something, and Sam would probably want to talk, which would just delay things further.

Harper: True. You have to talk to him eventually though, don't you?

Enflared: I already did, but that wouldn't stop him from wanting to have a chat.

Harper: Good point. Well, let's start looking for a rope then. Got any ideas on where we could find one?

Enflared: No... I don't.

Harper: How about this? I'll look in the shops around the town and harder to reach areas to see if I can find anything, and I'll just find Chloe and get her to ring you if I find something.

Enflared: Alright. I'll look around the rest of the area then. Let's get searching then. Good luck Harper!

Harper: Good luck to you too Enflared!

*Harper burrowed under the ground and Enflared ran out of the room into the Heart's CORE to begin his search.*