[Center][img]https://i.postimg.cc/m2b53xXY/Leon.webp[/img][h1][color=fff200]Danger is a Distant Horizon[/color][/h1][hr][hr][b][colour=fff200]Event:[/colour][/b] White Thresher: Central Alliance [b]|[/b] [b][colour=fff200]Location:[/colour][/b] Zengali[hr][hr][h3][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaYvENBPFwU&ab_channel=DmytroBerbets]♫[/url][/h3][/center]
[hider=Letters]
Leon did carry much hesitation in exchanging the letter with Ayla. He noted that the letter had been sent out by the same person, which raised an eyebrow in the performer given the curious and indirect method it was delivered. [color=fff200]"Ayla, if you don't mind me asking, how did you come across your letter?"[/color] He spoke quietly to her, but not so quietly that a nearby interested party couldn't listen in. 

Ayla raised an eyebrow toward Leon, trying to understand his meaning. [colour=009fff]“How did you come across the letter?”[/colour] She tugged on his sleeve, her voice lowered as she whispered to him. [colour=009fff]“The courier handed it to me, of course?”[/colour]

Leon followed her wordless suggestion for secrecy. [color=fff200]"Well, I got the letter given to me by a female fan. I had initially thought it would be a letter confessing her love to me, using a letter in substitute for words that nerves could never allow to be spoken... ... And I would politely decline it of course,"[/color] he felt the need to add matter-of-factly. [color=fff200]"Anyway, it seems a curious delivery method for our mutual friend to use."[/color]

Leon's attention was caught by Roslyn who seems to be watching him and Ayla's exchange. He gestured over for her to join and whispered. [color=fff200]"Is there anything strange on your letter too, Roslyn?"[/color] As he asked that, he did sneak a look at Ciro and Trypano, particularly Trypano. Wondering how they reacted to their exchange.

Roslyn had tried not to eavesdrop, but her efforts failed. When she spotted Leon beckoning her over, she moved closer and nodded. She considered how much to reveal as she spoke. 

[color=#cbc66d] "A bit. First, it arrived with my family's shipment rather than courier. It mentioned my ship and then some privateers being... [i]obligated[/i] to work with the Marquis."[/color] As she offered her letter for Leon to look at, her eyes darted briefly toward Ciro.

Leon couldn't help but twist in some part scepticism and some part offence as he read Roslyn's letter. Even more than Ayla's, the intent of this one differed from his own. [color=fff200]"It seems our mutual friend is quite the plotter as well..."[/color] He whispered back.

Where it had been a sneaky look before, Leon outright looked over to Ciro and Trypano before turning back. [color=fff200]"Thank you Roslyn."[/color] With a smile he handed the letter back.

Ayla nudged Leon in the side, as he didn't offer to share the letter's contents with her and looked toward him expectantly


[color=fff200]"Oh, yes, my bad."[/color] Leon replied with a chuckle. [color=fff200]"I do think it's best we all share our letters. How thoughtless of me."[/color]

Ciro, having turned to head out, twisted back. [color=FFE4C4]"Ah!"[/color] he exclaimed, [color=FFE4C4]"I thought I could feel someone burning a hole in the back of my shirt with their gaze."[/color] He pivoted fully. [color=FFE4C4]"How fitting that it should be the Sun himself."[/color] His smile was easy enough, but his words gave away a degree of annoyance. [color=FFE4C4]"So perhaps it is this that you look for?"[/color] He strode back over and extracted the letter carefully from his satchel. [color=FFE4C4]"I should expect that you are not one of those to whom this refers. Dare I say our dear count is a touch paranoid."[/color] After briefly taking the measure of Leon, he handed it over. [color=FFE4C4]"I do wonder what yours holds as well."[/color]

Leon didn't hesitate to hand Ciro the letter with an easy smile, the merchant was not the one in the group he distrusted after all. [color=fff200]"Of course."[/color]

Before the performer knew it, a simple exchange with Ayla had become a big sharing of letters among the group save Trypano. In some calculating sense, Leon had turned it into a measure of figuring out who he could trust, and whose hidden motives he would need to keep an eye on. The results of such a test were… unsurprising.

From the exchange of letters, Leon could conclude one thing. The same person wrote a letter to everyone and each seemed purpose written to the student. Roslyn’s letter in particular turned his stomach because its intent and tone differed greatly from the one he received. He shouldn’t trust the emotions communicated to him in his letter. Even the tear stains could be crocodile tears.

[/hider]

[colour=009fff]“It would be important for us to make a positive impression with the authorities here, especially when it comes to discussions with the Sovereign Pact-aligned members. We have a mutual goal in mind, so it is a good opportunity to work together. Though, there is potential for things to come apart quickly if we don’t account for the human factor,”[/colour] she remarked, referring to people with their own agendas who might attempt to derail things.

Leon listened to Ayla's plan as he noticed a shadow flickering over him from above. He looked up, shielding his eyes from the sun above, and watched Ayla’s Froabas soaring above. He thought of his Harlequin Kite, Luminosa, and how her collection had been put on hold because of the mission. He had only come to realise recently how much he missed her.

Ayla flashed Leon a playful smile. [colour=009fff]“That is when we need your smooth talking to help us out.”[/colour]

As she finished her talk and addressed Leon directly, he brought his focus back down to the rest of the group and smiled back at the girl. Even if he was a little distracted, he had been listening. He gave a playfully exaggerated bow in response. [color=fff200]"I would be happy to oblige. I'm sure I could win us a few friends before the festival starts. And even more after it's done."[/color] He joked.

His eyes wandered off [color=fff200]"I could be of use at the encampment, so I'll start there."[/color] His curiosity was caught by a young Mezegol nobleman going in between tents. 

Leon stuck around for a following discussion and sharing of skills, then made his way over to the tents. He inspected the lyre as he approached to be sure it was tuned up and ready for playing. The grace of Ipte-Zept's Lyre had healing properties, but he would like to think that the music itself also helped. Somewhere along the way, he was sure to draw the young nobleman's attention too.

[color=cbc66d]"I'm guessing we're all meeting up at the festive later? Do we meet back here or somewhere else?"[/color]

Leon pivoted on his heel while walking away to answer and keep his pace backwards in a half-waltz. [color=fff200]"I, for one, intend to enjoy the festival to the fullest."[/color] He called with a smile. [color=fff200]"We fight tomorrow, so why not enjoy today? But you can find me if you need me, I don't exactly blend into a crowd."[/color] And with that, he spun back around again and was off.

[hr]
Leon had spent a good half hour playing delicate, calming songs with the Lyre of Ipte-Zept around the encampment. As he played, he left a trail of soldiers suddenly cured of their diseases and on the gradual path to recovery. It didn't outright cure wounds, but it seemed to help on that front as well.

He had made his way toward the tent where the noble was. Raimy was his name, or at least from what he had heard, and he seemed dedicated to healing the sick and wounded. It was a noble goal that was ironically ignored by many nobles. Why would this young man risk his health for people that weren't even his own?

Concluding another song, Leon thought it would be best to take a break. What fortune that the soldier Raimy was healing had suddenly stopped coughing and was miraculously recovered. It would give the two boys a seat on the now-empty medical stretcher.

[color=fff200]"It’s a strange sight to see a noble in a medical tent."[/color] Leon remarked, offering Raimy to sit with him. [color=fff200]"I don't know why you are so dedicated, but I assume it has something to do with forbidden love."[/color] He continued with a feigned knowing smile.

The green slough slicked off their wounds. Clear liquid dripped from their skin that only to congeal with the slough into a mass on the bedding and floor. It quivered for a few moments, ever pulsating at times, only to then lose all structure. Slipping back to just green murky water. Whatever the disease was, it was dispelled by the lyre but it was no ordinary disease, anyone could see that. 

Upon second inspection, Leon decided it was perhaps best they both stand. His lip was turned up somewhat by the disgusting byproduct of the disease. He was no medical expert, but he was certain the human body didn't produce that.

Raimy looked at the man who played his song and watched him do what he had struggled with for the last week. 

Whatever face he had watching, either awe or jealousy, faded to small relief. [color=0076a3]"Wouldn't it be stranger for a binder to not to be working in the medical tent?"[/color] Raimy answered back, [color=0076a3]“And who might you be?”[/color] giving some pause to inspect the lyre that had just been used.

When Raimy addressed him, Leon took a little offence that the noble didn't know him already. But he hid it well and looked forward to it on second thought. It was rare for the performer to talk to someone without the weight of reputation influencing the exchange. Seeing that Raimy was looking at the lyre, Leon handed it to him for a closer look. [color=fff200]"And yet, so many noble binders keep themselves absent from places like this. Don't get me wrong, I respect you for your efforts, but you have piqued my curiosity."[/color]

[color=fff200]"My name is Leon Solaire, I'm somewhat of a famed performer but you can call me friend."[/color] He went to shake his hand.

The noble took the item in with much care, quickly inspecting and seeing much beauty in it. If he was less sane, he would poster it to be the Lyre of Ipte-Zept but there was no way this random man could have it. He handed it back with no fuss. [color=0076a3]“Well that may be true for most with noble blood though I'm sure even they would be here to increase the odds just a little before tomorrow.”[/color]

There was judgement from Raimy, the man spurring him on to call him friend wasn't much appreciated. Still, [color=0076a3]“A friend in rough waters is the best friend you can have,”[/color] Raimy shook Leon's hand with a smile.

Leon took back the lyre and held it to his side; he needed a break from playing. Some may think playing is effortless, but it is a trick on the performer's end to make it look so. 

[color=fff200]"So it's worry that brought you down here then? Concern that we may not have enough people?"[/color] He questioned, trying to get a read on his company. [color=fff200]"I wouldn't worry. Tomorrow [i]will[/i] be a success, I will guarantee it."[/color] The performer expressed with sheer confidence that came off oddly comforting and egotistical in equal parts, especially to someone who didn't know him. [color=fff200]"But I would like to continue healing regardless. It's the right thing to do; that and I would hate to see your generosity be rewarded with an outbreak."[/color]

[color=0076a3]“The White Thresher is a beast like any other,"[/color] Raimy packed up his unused bandages and started to clear the stench with the gift. He knew his healing was no equal for Leon's in this case. 

Raimy shook his head in disbelief, [color=0076a3]“I thank you for your confidence my friend, truly,"[/color] Raimy slapped a hand onto Leon's shoulder, [color=0076a3]“But's let's keep ourself realistic. The beast has been cornered more than once in the past and yet it still draws water. Might you be the difference Leon?"[/color] 

[color=fff200]"If this beast has haunted your people until today, then tomorrow will be the day that changes."[/color] Leon laid a hand on the boys shoulder in turn. [color=fff200]"I would like to think myself to be one who makes difference, but even then I won't be alone in this endeavor. I would like to consider that extra assurance of our success."[/color] With that he started preparing the lyre for another song.

Raimy made his way to exit the tent, [color=0076a3]"I thank you for healing them, find me at the festival when you have a chance. Perhaps you can even perform, Sun King."[/color] Raimy repeated the whispers he heard from the injured.

Leon waved goodbye back to Raimy. [color=fff200]"Yes, I wasn't going to say anything, but it's best you clean up before the festival starts."[/color] He laughed light-heartedly gesturing toward the noble's dirtied clothes. [color=fff200]"I'll be sure to catch up with you then and treat your people to the best performance I can give. You have a beautiful city, I would like to make a name for myself for when I return in more fortunate times."[/color] He gave a wink as he saw Raimy out the door.

Leon gave a bow to the audience of sick and injured. [color=fff200]"And I would like to see all your lovely faces at the festival as well,"[/color] he called. [color=fff200]"So let's try to recover as best we can."[/color] He resumed playing.

Later on, he inquired the nurses about the strange disease caught by the sailors. He found out that the infirm had all been in the turmoiling in the water during the White Thresher’s attack. He couldn’t get more out of the nurses and he didn’t search further as to details that would be lost on him. Leon was not the most educated in medical studies after all. But one message was clear, the waters carried danger around the White Thresher. He would be sure to tell the others when he saw them next, Central Alliance and Sovereign Pact alike.


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