A pleasant past

Summer, Anore.

1396, 4 years before the arrival of Julian.

Alicia van Mahaut winced, casting a shadow on her face by stretching out a hand in front of her.

The eastern shore was pleasant, a long stretch of sandy beaches, and the ocean water glistened brightly. 

Beneath Alicia's wide-brimmed beige hat, her white and wavy hair was tied up into a bun. She wore black, circular sunglasses that concealed her yellow eyes.

"Haa… It's enjoyable out here. Nice, hot, humid. I can almost taste the salt in the air."

"I don't taste any salt."

A familiar voice could be heard in front of her, which was followed by the obnoxious smacking of lips. She lowered her hand.

Standing in front of her was an elven boy. His hair was pastel green, short to a buzz. (which was unorthodox for an elf.)

He stared at her with hazel eyes.

The name of that fair-skinned elf?

"Lunan Mumixir. I didn't take you as someone who would enjoy the beach," Alicia van Mahaut said, a teasing tone in her voice.

"What do you mean, you're the one who invited me here?"

"… Never mind. Take a seat. I brought an extra chair for you."

Lunan hesitantly sat down.

After a few seconds, he allowed his back to touch the chair, lying down.

"Basking in the sun like this, I haven't done something like this in a while. But, since you've invited me, I might as well enjoy it."

Lunan's eyes were closed. Slices of cucumber were placed atop his eyelids. The white coat of the sunscreen he recently applied lingered.

"Where did you-?"

"Shhh… Relax. You brought me here to relax. So I'll relax."

Alicia giggled, moving a stray strand of hair out of her face.

The sound of the waves pushing onto the shore was a calming melody for the duo. If they relaxed too hard, they would've likely fallen asleep. 

For a moment, she stopped to glance at Lunan's serene face. White skin, green eyes.

"Wow. When we're at the blacksmith, you have this hardened resolve on your face. Always serious. But you have a playful side, too?"

"Sure. You could say that. If playful equates to me trying to relax, sure."

"I never would've expected you to be so experienced with skincare."

"Mmhm."

"I mean, seriously!"

"Right."

"Also, when I look at you, you don't really give me the vibes of a blacksmith. More like a teacher's assistant."

"… So you've just been trying to aggravate me this whole time."

"Hehehe… did it work?"

"… How's your sister, Alicia?"

"She just turned 18, you pervert."

"N-No, I wasn't asking like-"

"Haha! I'm kidding. But she did just turn 18. She's fine. Hoping you could visit again."

"Oh. I see. Then maybe I'll visit again."

"For my sister?"

"No. For you."

"I think you're doing it for my sister."

"You wanna know what I think?"

"What?"

"I think you should shut up. Enjoy the beach, like everyone else."

"Stop bickering! Have you guys forgotten me!"

"Is that a talking head?" Alicia asked.

Sticking out of the stand, was a black-haired head. His eyes were hazel and furious, and his neck flailed all about, trying to escape.

Alicia laughed aloud. Lunan slowly took off the cucumbers, then quietly snickered.

"Zion… you're the one who told us to put you in there. Now you want to get out so quickly?" Lunan asked, a mocking tone still in his voice. The laughter still lingered within his speech.

Alicia groaned, before getting up. 

After a bit of digging between Lunan and Alicia, Zion was free. All three of them laughed about the absurd situation.

If you were to tell me that everything would change a few days after this, I wouldn't have believed it.

Life… it was pretty nice, though. 

. .

.

Lunan watched keenly, as Alicia swung the sword he had crafted an hour ago. Fine craftsmanship.

The metal was of good quality, sharp, and rigid. The handle was curved and wrapped in leather.

Basic design, but efficient.

"It's light."

Alicia said as she demonstrated elegant swordsmanship. She danced gracefully, moving delicately even within the limited space of the smithy.

"Doing tricks like this in a tight space, I feel like you're trying to show off."

"I'm not."

She fought thousands of imaginary opponents, thrusting, cutting, kicking, slicing. She used her blade to its maximum potential.

Her footwork left no spaces for counterattacking.

"…"

Finally, she stopped for a moment. Panting.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that, Lunan?"

"You're really amazing, Alicia."

"… Stop. Don't flatter me."

"You're really undermining your own skill. I think that level of swordsmanship might even rival Alexander of Venichian."

"Stop."

"I'm fully serious."

"…"

Lunan stopped to jot down a few things in his notebook. About the performance of his sword, if it wobbled while it moved. He also wrote down the minor complaints and problems that Alicia had mentioned.

"If you're serious… Thank you, Lunan,"

The tips of her ears were a bit red. She continued, coyly.

"It's not… often that you compliment me. I knew you would come around eventually, but not on my swordsmanship."

She placed the sword down on the table.

"You're amazing as well, Lunan. Although you have no physical aptitude—"

Lunan's brows furrowed. 

"y-you're the smartest person I know, so please relax," Alicia nervously laughed. Lunan's eyes softened.

"I already know that."

"Alright! My Warhammer is completed. Although— it's a little heavy."

The sound of hot iron being pounded on dissipated, as Zion stopped. He wore a dirty brown apron, and an iron mask over his face.

He lifted the mask up with one hand. With the other, he lifted up the heavy monster of iron in the shape of a spiked hammer.

"What do you guys think?" he asked.

"I don't think anyone is going to use that, besides an unintelligent brute."

"I think Lunan's jealous of your strength."

"…"

Zion and Alicia laughed, while Lunan turned his head to the side, embarrassed.