The next day arrived. It was another warm morning.
Leonard woke up in cold sweat as usual. His hairs standing on end. And he's a sweaty mess.
His bed is in disarray. Sheets rumpled and his mind a slur. The norm for him.
"Guess, it's the usual..." He said with deep breaths in each word.
He wipes off his sweat off, washed his face and he puts on casual clothing. But still takes his sword and sheath just in case.
He polished the sword and checked its sharpness.
He hesitated... It's a date. Not a war.... He thought to himself.
It's for protection. Yeah. That's the reason. It's just in case... In case of what? Leonard slapped himself to snap himself out of... out of these thoughts...
"Snap out of it. It's safe... Yeah.." He looks at himself on the mirror... "Just. For. Protection..." He reassured himself.
Leonard fixed his hair and put on his casual clothing. He exited his barracks and went to the market she noticed Marinda isn't in her usual stall.
"Lookin for someone?" Marinda whispers from behind.
"Oh," He sees her. In a beautiful sun dress with a rose design.
"You look stunning." Leonard complements with a wide smile.
"Thanks. You too. You're handsome when not in armor."
Leonard held her hand. Walking hand and hand through the town. He was awkward. He didn't really have experience or knowledge with any of this...
Leonard was awkward but he was trying.
"Hey, Leonard?"
"Yes?" Leonard reacted immediately
"What do you like to do? Any hobbies?" Marinda asked hopefully
"Hmm... Cooking."
Flashback: I used to cook for my unit. It wasn't much but in that place. A home cooked meal is a luxury.
"Cooking? How about we go at your place and cook for us? I'll help in cooking." Marinda said enthusiastically
"Okay." He responded.
They walked through the village passing by the church
"Oh my? Leonard and Marinda? Going out I presume."
Father Mavrick said stroking his beard knowingly. He adjusted his glasses to see more clearly.
"Oh it is you two. Good luck on your date you two."
Father Mavrick waved his hand as a goodbye.
"See you around father." Leonard says
"Don't have too much fun you two. You can't rush things like these things... Hohoho~"
He chuckled lightly
Marinda blushed while Leonard smirked a little.
The two walked to the market to shop some ingredients.
The two of them walked until they reached the outskirts of the town. There it was,next to the dirt path stood Leonard's Barracks.
It was good enough. A wooden cabin that's old yet stable. The floorboards creaked when they entered.
"This is where you live?" Marinda asked looking around
"Yeah. This is where I live." He responded
As the sun sets and the sky is blanketed by the darkness of the night. Leonard tossed some fire wood into the open fire of the fireplace. Marinda prepared the ingredients in the kitchen.
"I'll cook a stew." He states as he rolled up his sleeves and started cutting the already peeled potatoes and carrots. His experienced hands handle the knife like it's an extension. Slicing with extreme precision.
Marinda noticed the scars on his forehead arms but didn't comment on it. Instead she washed and seasoned the beef they bought.
The kitchen filled with the domestic sound of preparation. Both Marinda and Leonard fulfilling their roles.
The meat was first into the pot. Along with the aromatics. The smell of onion, garlic, and beef filled the air. After a minute he added tomatoes for the base of the sauce.
It was a comfortable atmosphere. It reminds Marinda of when her parents we're cooking dinner together... When the tomatoes got soft Leonard mixed it then adding water after.
About 10 minutes he added the potatoes and carrots. Now placing the lid to let it simmer and build up flavor.
"This was a fun day Leonard." Marinda leaned her head to his shoulder.
"It was." He said flatly.
The dinner was warm. It was mostly Marinda happily talking and complementing him.
Back in town it was also peaceful. Brutus was grilling some river squids on stick and Salmon with his pet bear.
"Aghh that's the stuff." He said Gruffly as he flips the the salmon and squid on the sticks. His bear eats a raw salmon as Brutus continues to grill.
Leo was in his guild enjoying their freshly hunted monster in his office. "The taste of Boar is still immaculate". He continues to fill out his stack of paper work.
Father Maverick was in his chambers eating his dinner. He looked at the town happily moving along.
"God protects our town." He states honestly to himself. His cross necklace shines in the night.
After their dinner Leonard sits in front of the fire quietly. Marinda was next to her silently enjoying his presence.
"It's cozy here." Marinda states to start a conversation.
Leonard doesn't respond. Not because he doesn't want to. He just doesn't know what to say.
As night goes deeper and people started sleeping. The moon reaches it's peak. Leonard also prepared to sleep. Marinda decided to stay to keep Leonard company.
"Ever felt alone here?" Marinda asked worriedly
"Not really" He lied.
Leonard only had one bed so they both slept on the same bed. He wrote his day on his journal sneakily then went to sleep.
Marinda wasn't asleep yet. She scoots closer to him feeling his firm muscles. She gets closer to the crook of his neck.
"Goodnight" Marinda whispers as she succumbs to the comfortable sense of slumber...