Date: Fourth Day of Journey
Location: Forest Route to Narshia — Evening Camp
---
Leander joked again today.
Something about Gideon's shield being cursed to attract tree branches.
It made Anna snort, Elric chuckle, and even Lily crack a real smile.
But his jokes stopped just shy of the usual line — the ones about "dying dramatically" or "last words on a gravestone."
He avoided those now.
Not because he was scared.
Because he understood.
---
Later That Night
Private Talk: Nitsuo & Celene
She approached after supper, barefoot on the grass like she didn't want the earth to hear her.
> "You're the quiet one," she said, standing by the fire.
I didn't answer.
She didn't seem to mind.
> "Your friend… Leander? He killed three yesterday."
I glanced up.
> "He did."
> "And you didn't scold him."
> "Why would I?"
She tilted her head.
> "Because killing is wrong. That's what they always say."
> "Then 'they' have never fought someone who laughs while aiming for your throat."
She sat across from me.
Her eyes didn't match her voice. The voice was calm. Curious. Playful, almost.
The eyes were... measuring. Focused.
> "You think there's such thing as a necessary kill?"
> "No," I said. "I think there are unnecessary hesitations."
She watched me longer.
> "You're interesting."
> "You're deflecting."
She smirked.
> "Caught me. But I had to ask. You're the first person who didn't flinch at me talking about blood."
> "You're not the first to try hiding that familiarity with death under charm."
> "Does it work?"
> "Only on people who think beauty means safety."
> "And you don't?"
> "No. I've fought too many beautiful monsters."
For the first time, her smile slipped. Not entirely. Just a corner.
She looked down at her hands.
> "Do you think Leander regrets it?"
> "He does."
> "But he laughed today."
> "That's how he heals."
> "That's dangerous."
> "Not when you have a reason to keep walking."
She nodded once. Tucked her knees to her chest.
> "...I envy that."
---
Observation of the Day:
> Celene keeps asking questions no one else does. Not to be clever. Not even to provoke. She asks to understand.
And that's what makes her dangerous.
Not her mana.
Not her title.
Not her smile.
> Her mind.
---
Leander: Post-Scene Note
Anna tossed him a flask and called him "back from the dead."
He saluted with it.
> "Still sunny," he said. "Just no more jokes about body counts."
Anna grinned.
> "So the comedy lives… but evolved?"
> "More like upgraded. I've unlocked empathy mode."
They laughed.
And that — that was enough for now.
Personal poem:
"The sword may slip. The heart may tremble.
But even if clouds darken the path,
The sun waits, steady —
And so must we."