=== Boucheron & Lindon === --- C --- [Boucheron] ... [Lindon] My, my. What happened here to bring you to such a state? [Boucheron] Oh... I, um, found a book lying around. [Boucheron] But when I started reading it, it was so moving that I...I couldn't hold back the waterworks. [Lindon] A tragedy, is it? Tell me more. [Boucheron] It's a story of a great sage known only as "L." [Lindon] Oh? Tell me more about this "L" fellow. [Boucheron] It starts off with L as a young boy who's at the top of his class at an academy in Elusia. [Boucheron] Then, it follows him as he becomes a royal soldier─even ending up as the prince's retainer. [Lindon] Mm-hmm. I'm with you so far. [Boucheron] The prince was supposed to ascend the throne, but it ended up being somebody else instead. [Boucheron] The prince left the castle in frustration. L just stands there stunned as he goes. [Boucheron] That was too sad to take, so I don't know what happens next. [Lindon] Oh, you poor thing. Here, dry your eyes. [Boucheron] Thank you, sir. [Boucheron] You know, lots of books make me cry, but this one hit me really hard for some reason. [Boucheron] Thinking about the prince's bitterness and the way L felt to see him go...it's just too tragic. [Lindon] You've got me invested now. If you keep reading, do tell me how it turns out. [Boucheron] Sure thing, sir. [Lindon] And you can keep the handkerchief. --- B --- [Lindon] So, how's that book of yours coming along? [Lindon] Oh, but where are my manners? I meant to give you a treat first. [Boucheron] These are some tasty-looking pastries. [Lindon] I baked them myself. There's apple filling inside. [Boucheron] You bake, Sir Lindon? [Lindon] Oh, yes. Nothing bakes a pastry like a good jolt of thunder magic. Go on, try one. [Boucheron] Oh, don't mind if I do. [Boucheron] Wow! I had no idea a little zap of lightning could make such a tasty treat. [Lindon] Good, aren't they? Now, back to the subject of your book. [Boucheron] Oh yeah. Last time, the prince L worked for didn't inherit the throne, so he left the castle. [Boucheron] Then, L meets another royal soldier and finds comfort with her. [Boucheron] They get married and begin an ordinary, but happy, life together. [Boucheron] That's as far as I've got for now. [Lindon] Fascinating. This story has its hooks in me. I was a royal soldier once myself, you know. [Lindon] I notice you don't seem to be crying today, though. [Boucheron] It's actually pretty tough to hold it in. L's wife goes through so much for his sake... [Boucheron] But I'm embarrassed to be seen crying all the time, so I'm doing my best to keep it together. [Lindon] Heh, don't hold back on my account! [Lindon] There's nothing to be embarrassed about. Cry as hard as you like. Let it all out! [Boucheron] Are...are you sure? Well...if you say so... [Boucheron] UWAAAAH! [Lindon] Oh my, your nose is running! Here, something to wipe it with. [Boucheron] Thanks again... --- A --- [Lindon] I baked cookies for us, Boucheron! With thunder, of course, as always. Now, eat up. [Boucheron] Oooh, I can't wait. Hey, there's raisins in these! Yum. [Lindon] Read any further in that book yet? [Boucheron] I finished it, actually. [Lindon] Have you, now? Well then, tell me everything. [Boucheron] Sure... After the wedding, L's life was simple but happy. [Boucheron] The couple went through hard times, but they did it together, and saw their children grow up. [Boucheron] But just when the kids were all grown and they could enjoy their sunset years...L's wife passed. [Boucheron] L never got to feed his wife the last pastry he baked for her...with a bolt of thunder. [Boucheron] ... [Boucheron] ... [Lindon] There, there, Boucheron... I find myself crying as well today. [Boucheron] I realized when I got to that part...this story is about you, isn't it? [Lindon] Indeed it is. "L," of course, is my first initial. [Boucheron] But why is there a book about you? [Lindon] I thought─before I join my wife in the beyond─ I'd record my life for posterity. [Lindon] But I was careless and lost the manuscript. [Boucheron] So you wrote this book? Well, now I'm sorry I read it without permission. [Lindon] Nonsense. I'm genuinely glad that you picked it up and read the whole tale. [Boucheron] It was wonderfully written, for what it's worth. [Lindon] Why don't we spend more time together? You can get to know me until my last pages. [Boucheron] It would be my pleasure. [Lindon] Splendid! I'm in such a good mood that I think I might bake another batch of sweets! [Lindon] But lightning-baking takes time, so why don't you tell me your story? [Boucheron] Let's see, where to start? I guess with the day my parents met... --- S ---