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From the top of the steps Leonie has a perfect view of just how flooded the market is. Makeshift stalls and shops have seemingly appeared overnight. Nothing is where it used to be and even the familiar faces have changed in the five years. Leonie takes a deep breath and enters the sea of people. Goddess it’s so loud.
“Stay alive with shields like these!”
“Fresh meats!”
“Is that the one?”
Leonie begs the goddess to deafen her. Even five years ago the market was never this busy. Or this loud. Leonie wishes she had some spare cloth, or even grass, anything to plug her ears. She damns the professor for assigning her this task.
A few flashes from last night take shape.
‘Professor you have enough…Jeralt’s apprenti…an handle this…don’t need…renz!”
The rest is a blur. But there’s enough to show she is the architect of her own suffering. Leonie checks the list the professor gave her. The first order is at the blacksmith. She dreads the clanging of metal, no doubt it will drive her mad.
Somehow, through the cacophony of the marketplace, a shrill irritating tone makes itself heard.
“Seems you decided to show up after all.”
The agony of her hangover has muted her hunter’s skills. How else could she have missed that pompous pile of purple, that is Lorenz Gloucster? He’s holding a stern expression on his pale face. His arms are tightly folded over a shirt that probably cost more than Leonie’s entire wardrobe. He raises an eyebrow when she faces him.
Leonie doesn’t need a mirror to guess how she looks. Hungover. Unkempt hair. Last night’s clothes. ‘A filthy commoner’ through and through.
“I am sure commoners were not raised to be as punctual as nobility, but surely you know the importance of keeping appointments?”
She had hoped five years was enough to bring some change to Lorenz’s behavior. Seems she was too optimistic.
“Shut up.” Leonie snaps. “I was waiting for you at the greenhouse, where we agreed to meet.”
“Yes. But we agreed to meet there nearly an hour ago. I was even so gracious to wait a trifle longer for your arrival. But no such luck.”
Leonie bites her lip. She usually doesn’t sleep late. Much less late enough to miss two meals. “Yeah well, you could have left me a note.”
“I had assumed you had forgotten your promise.”
“Do I look like the type of woman to ditch?”
“You certainly don’t look like the type to keep their arrangements.”
“Okay! Now you’re-” Leonie’s jaw snaps shut. Her hands press against the sides of her head as a dull pain echoes.
It takes a minute, and more than a few curses, before Leonie recovers. She knows she’s pissed, but can’t remember the specifics. Looking up she sees Lorenz. He’s holding her with a quizzical look.
“I take it you had a night of drinking?”
“Yeah I did. Me and some friends, who I actually enjoyed seeing again, wanted to celebrate.”
“I see. Come.”
“Excuse me?” Lorenz turns on his heel and sets off. Ignoring the cries of Leonie. “I am not some dog, mister. Noble or not you don’t just get to speak to me like-”
Another wave of pain silences her. Leonie focuses on keeping close to Lorenz. She’s gonna-
Her nose tingles. Her mouth waters. A rich aroma of meat wafts through the air. The source is a cauldron, the man stirring it is speaking to Lorenz. They’re at a food stall. She hadn’t noticed because all she could think about was her empty stomach and the hypnotic bubbling of the cauldron. The rich stew is ladled into a carved bowl. To her surprise the bowl is held out to her.
She has half a mind to eat the food, but she controls herself and says: “I didn’t order anything.”
“But I did, it is for you. Eat.” Lorenz places a few silver on the counter.
Seeing the silver, she registers the food is paid for. With that she begins digging in. She’s forced to slow down only because the scalding liquid burns her throat. Still the portions of meat and veggies are generous and Leonie feels herself come back to life.
“Thangsh.”
“Please do not speak with you mouthful.” Lorenz averts his gaze. “So unsightly.”
He bought her food, so he gets a free pass for that comment. The rest of her bitterness toward Lorenz fades, as does her headache. By the time she’s licked the bowl clean, much to Lorenz’s dismay, she feels good as new. She belches a compliment to chef before she and Lorenz depart.
“I hope you are feeling better.” He fans the air around him.
“Sure am…wait, what did you do that for? You didn’t have any.”
“Indeed. I ate before this. I suspect that along with your illness you had not eaten anything.”
“I wouldn’t call a hangover an illness.”
“Regardless of the name, you were in pain. I could not stand by and let you suffer.”
“Ok, well, I’m gonna pay you back.”
“That is not necessary. If you truly feel the need to repay me, endeavor to be more punctual.”
Leonie rolls her eyes. He was so close to being decent.
News of Garreg Mach’s revival spread fast. The people arrived even faster. Refugees, mercenaries, and merchants flooded from all ends of Fodlan. It won’t be long until Empress Edelgard hears of this. They’ve had time to celebrate, now they must prepare.
Five years of disrepair isn’t an easy fix. Or cheap. The professor believed repairs were better than buying anew. As such their first order is to acquire smithing stones.
Refreshed, Leonie is no longer dreading the trip to the blacksmith. She spots a plume of smoke and tracks it to an open-topped tent. There’s no proper sign, but the display of weapons and sound of hammers tell enough.
The air inside the tent is scorching hot and packed with raw materials. Lorenz looks out of place. Is fancy clothes do nothing to help ventilate. He stands in the center of the tent, dabbing sweat from his brow. Leonie strides to the end where a burly man shovels coals into the furnace.
He turns to Leonie’s whistle and grunts.
“I’m here to buy some smithing stones.” Leonie pats herself before finding the folded paper. She does her best to smooth out the crumpled note before handing it over.
The man’s eyes slowly drag across the paper. He looks up and in a gruff voice says:
“60,000 silver.”
“What?”
“Ain’t easy to get stuff these days. I’m being generous.”
Generous? An offer like that would work on Lorenz. But just because she’s travelling with him doesn’t mean she’ll fall for that.
“I could get a better deal in half the time from the guy at the gate. Forty.”
The man snorts and spits on the ground.
Leonie plucks the paper from his massive hand and turns around.
“C’mon Lorenz.”
“What? But-”
“Shhhhhh.” Of course Lorenz wouldn’t know the mechanics of haggling.
“We need those materials.” He whispers into her ear. He smells like flowers. Of course he does. She rolls her eyes, but his aroma is not unpleasant.
“Yeah, but we don’t want to go broke. Just play along.”
They reach the mouth of the tent.
“55.”
Leonie continues walking. Lorenz awkwardly follows.
“53!”
Leonie stops. Lorenz travels a few more paces before doing the same.
“45.”
“50.”
“47.”
“48.”
“Deal.”
Leonie smirks. She would have settled for 50, she’s surprised-
“I believe 50,000 silver is a fair deal.”
Leonie whips around to shoot a glare as hot as the furnace.
“What are you doing?”
“50 it is.” Laughs the forgemaster.
“Hey we agreed-”
“We agreed on nothing. 50. I ain’t going lower.”
Leonie knows the man won’t budge. She grimaces and reaches for the coin purse the professor gave her.
“Allow me.”
Lorenz struts past Leoni and brandishes his own funds. He pays in triangular cuts of silver coins. A denomination so large Leoni rarely sees it. Let alone handle so causally.
Lorenz arranges the delivery of their purchase and graciously bows to the merchant. He receives a simple grunt and ‘if you’re done shopping leave’ in return.
“His manners leave much to be desired.” He wipes his brow with a handkerchief as they leave. “I dare say- Ow. Leonie, what possessed you to strike me?”
“What possessed you to intervene. Do you know how good of a deal you just cost us?”
“Indeed, which is why I stepped in.”
‘You saved too much money so I had to step in.’ She needs an explanation for something that stupid.
“Look around you Leonie, what do you see.”
“Blacksmith. Armorer. Fishmonger. M-”
“People Leonie, look at the people. Skinny frames, ragged clothes, I’d hazard a guess some merchants live in the very stalls they work in.
“Yeah, well not everyone is able to get the luxuries you enjoy.”
“Indeed, I imagine they only purchase the necessities. While I applaud your prudence in aiming for a lower price, think of what those funds could do. The blacksmith could buy a plump roast for his family. The butcher could take that coin and take her husband to the doctor. So on and so forth. Don’t you see, the extra coin could do marvels for the community.”
“Uh,” Leonie is taken aback by his answer. Lorenz always talks about ‘the duties of nobility’ but this is her first time actually seeing him live up to those words. “That’s great, really it is, but you shouldn’t be so careless with your- wait, did you pay with your money?”
“Of course. You’re the one with the Professor’s coin purse.”
“You were just carrying around that much money?”
“Of course. And I have plenty more-”
His eyes go wide when one of Leonie’s rough hands clamps over his mouth. Compared to the brittle skin of her palm, Lorenz’s lips are soft. Silky and gentle. A stray thought floats buy.
‘What it would feel like if I-’
Leonie yanks her hand back. There’s a smudge of grime around his perfect lips.
“Sorry.” A flush Leonie fumbles for some clean cloth. The hem of her shirt will do. She lifts it up to wipe the filth, unknowingly flashing her toned abs to a wide eye Lorenz. She acts fast, trying to ignore the scent of flowers around Lorenz.
“W-what possessed you to do such a thing?” Lorenz’s cheeks burn red.
Huh? It takes Leonie a second to recall that herself. It had something to do with money.
“Oh, you shouldn’t go talking about how much money you have. People here are desperate.”
“Which is precisely why it is good I am spending such money.”
Leonie closes her eyes. Whatever chance they had of going unnoticed just vanished. Lorenz has let everyone in earshot know what a valuable mark he is. As expected, a quick survey shows plenty of people eying Lorenz.
Leonie grabs Lorenz. She makes sure to grab him by his wrist where his soft skin is covered. She can’t afford to get distracted. Leonie stands up straight and cracks her neck. It deters a few onlookers but not enough.
“Stay close to me.” She doesn’t give him a choice. She holds tight and leads them through the crowd.
“I fail to see-”
“Sorry mister.” A child bumps against Lorenz.
Oh no.
“Lorenz, check you purse.”
With his free hand he paws around his pockets. “Oh dear I must have dropped it.”
“It wasn’t dropped.” Leonie ties up her hair. “Stay here.”
Leonie moves with the speed and agility born from years of hunting. Her prey wore a green tunic, she locks onto the color as it sifts through the market. The boy had a head start but is slower. He’s also overconfident, pulling into an alley too soon.
Leonie pulls into the alley and finds the thief. They’re struggling with the knot tied around the bag. They don’t get the chance to untie it. Leonie swipes the bag back, the child jumps back in shock. The child bares his teeth and balls up his fists. Leonie isn’t the type to hit kids but she’s not backing down.
“Oh, thank goodness.”
Leonie turns to find a disheveled Lorenz. She’s impressed he managed to keep up, but clearly that meant sacrificing his proper appearance.
Leonie tosses the purse to Lorenz. “You got pinched.”
He looks towards the child, asking if he was the thief. Leonie nods and keeps a close eye on Lorenz. She’s seen the thrashings nobles give to pickpockets. Lorenz doesn’t look the type but she stands ready to intervene if she’s wrong.
“I cannot part with all my coin.” Lorenz opens his bag and produces two silver coins. “But it would be amiss of me to ignore someone in need.”
The kid, and Leonie, are shocked. The kid moves first. Snatching the coin and running off before Lorenz changes his mind.
“I hate to ask, but would you do me the courtesy of guarding my money. I would hate to go through an ordeal like this again.”
The fat purse held before her eyes snaps her from her daze.
“Do you always just toss money around?” It sounded harsher than she meant, and understandably Lorenz takes offense.
“Am I truly being chastised for assisting a child? Do you think me so heartless?”
“No it’s just, look I’m sorry. You did a really nice thing. Same with the blacksmith. But do you realize how much money you’ve spent in the past hour?”
“Is that not the purpose of money? To be spent.”
“Yeah, but you spent more money than I usually see in a year. Doesn’t that bother you?”
Lorenz shakes his head, he seems more concerned about fixing his shirt.
“Lorenz, I get what you’re doing. And that’s really…” Leonie gestures with her hands as she searches for the right word. “Inspiring. Not a lot of people are that generous.” Especially a noble. “But I think you should be more careful with your money. I’d hate to see you get taken advantage of. The professor gave us a decent budget to work with. Let’s just save yours.”
“What good is money if all it does is rest in one’s coffers?” Lorenz looks up and frowns. “Am I so unkempt?”
“Huh?” Leonie had been staring. Her cheeks are warm and colorful. “No it’s just -ahem- I didn’t expect you to be so kind.”
Lorenz puts a hand on his hips.
“Okay, I mean like.” Goddess why are words so hard to find right now? “I didn’t think you’d be ‘forgive your pickpocket’ level of kindness.”
His frown and defensive posture vanish. A relief.
“A single act of theft should not brand someone with the mark of a criminal. Perhaps this crime was born of necessity instead of greed. Ashe behaved in a similar manner during his youth.”
Ashe. Why does that name sound familiar to Leonie?
“Wait, Ashe Ubert?”
“Of course.”
“The commoner Ashe Ubert. Who told you he was a thief?”
“Why himself of course. He and I are rather close. Just last night we chanced upon each other in the library. We enjoyed a wonderful discussion about nobility and chivalry.” Lorenz brings a hand to his forehead. “I regret I had not yet unpacked my belongings. It had been so long since I last saw him and could not entreat him to any tea.”
That explains why Ashe didn’t show up at the tavern last night.
“You…” Leonie is still trying to get a grip on Lorenz’s story. “spend time with commoners.”
“Again, with that phrase. Why are you so attached to that term?”
“Me!” Leonie’s outburst draws a few curious stares. From an outsider’s perspective it seems a couple is having a lover’s spat in the alleyway. “You’re the one who’s always going on about ‘one must do well to mind the difference in status between nobility and commoners.’”
“While I find your caricature of me childish, I will not deny having said such things. But!” He raises one of his finely manicured fingers. “That is for professional practices. Kindness towards a friend should not be influenced by their status.”
Leonie runs her tongue along her gums. Lorenz is still insufferable, no that’s too harsh. He’s…out of touch in a few things. But his heart is in the right place. And back in Sauin, the heart is what matters most.
“Hey Lorenz.” Leonie finds herself struggling to maintain eye contact. “We held a celebration last night. A sort of reunion party. You, uh, you weren’t there. How about after we finish shopping, you and I go grab a drink? Catch up and stuff.”
“I would be delighted.” Lorenz’s smile causes Leonie’s chest to tingle. An unfamiliar, but not unwelcome sensation.