L woke up the next day slightly later than usual. He had a hard time falling asleep, as the anticipation kept his imagination afire. He sprang up, biting carelessly into the hay that somehow always finds its way into the recess of his mouth.

"Today is the day! Today is the day!" L sang, as he walked out of the stable, winking at the grimacing horses. "Time to cut some monsters and barry the..." he paused, searching for the next word. "Hay? Ray? Day? No, that doesn't work, can't rhyme day with day. That's just lazy.” L looked above him curiously as he exited the stable. Directly above him, the sky was a mixture of light gray and yellow, the sun piercing through the sky in beams. There were heavy clouds, in the distance, but it would not rain for a while. The breeze, however, was cooler than normal.

L snorted at that. It was a thing he had been doing quite a lot of recently, snorting, but he it was entirely too appropriate to do it now and here. What perfect timing, for the sky itself to ready its cries. No wonder people are superstitious. It was either the game world attempting to create an appropriate setting, or just pure coincidence. Different worlds did different things, and L had no way of finding out. He chose to believe it was just a coincidence. As it would make his epic much more dramatic.

Upon arriving at their somewhat secret meeting spot, L noticed that Braj also seemed to have shared his enthusiasm. The man's eyes were drowsy, his body leaning against the wall in a sluggish manner.

"Good Morning onto you, L."

"It is a good morning, Braj, how goes life?"

"Good. Great. It's good," Braj said. L nodded, but did not say anything more. He simply smiled and looked at him. "So," Braj began again, his eyes darting the floor. "We doing it?"

"Oh, you'll be doing it a WHOLE lot after today," L said, bringing his brows up and down somewhat perversely.

For the slightest second Braj looked back plainly. Then his face broke into awkward giggles and weak rebuttals. He swallowed, and then coughed into his hand. It was an attempt at gaining a serious demeanor, but it did not combine well with what he said next. "Where will I confess to her?" he said, in a slight whisper.

" Today is where most of the workers get the material, right? Come outside, towards the lumberjacks spot at evening time, when everyone finishes with their work Act like your studying the wood, and come as close you can to the edge. Remain out of sight, don't let them know what you're there for. Rumors will spread. I'll be able to find you."

"We won't be needing them for the building today. It's more precise work for now, so we'll only keep the skilled laborers. Why though? I'll still be working here, and not outside."

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L shook his head. "Sillyhead, don't question my plans."

"B-but why are we meeting outside? Why can't I go to the store and--"

"Oh yes, of course. Go to where she works, a place that reminds her of the responsibility she'll have to keep, and something she needs to keep away from greedy suitors. Confess your undying love to her as she is taking care of the store, as she serves other potential customers, where the smell of dead animals reeks their scent down your throats. I'm sure she'll entirely be so happy that she will fall into your arms, blushing and secreting love juices between her legs, and you two will prick each other until the next day comes."

Braj sucked his lips in. "You didn't have to say it that way!" he said, his voice a pitch higher.

"I'm glad we established that I am correct. Now, wear something nice, but something easy to take off."

"Take off? Why?" Braj asked.

L bent his neck forward, his face full of exaggerated surprise. He narrowed his eyes at him until they were nearly slits, and his mouth gaped open wide enough for a bird to fly into. "What will a man, and a woman, whom are both in love, will do once they confess their love to each other in the cover of trees and shrubs, Braj?"

"Oh," he said, his voice a wheeze.

"Oh indeed, Braj, oh indeed." L said, nodding quickly. "Now, where is my daily fee? Extra bread and potatoes? Awesome. Is this meat? Chicken! What is the occasion today? Nevermind, don't bother explaining. See you soon!" L said in a storm, and then left Braj to his own devices.

As L left, he squeezed his left hand (unexpected pun +3 points) together. The flesh on it was an odd texture. It was soft and slippery, a bit like a balloon filled with water. When he pressed on it, the flesh squeezed together, and then slowly returned to its normal form. It looked peculiar as well, like a different shade of black.

The clouds above him parted as he walked, and the sun fell upon the village in abundance. The light glistened off of his hand, making it somewhat shiny. Probably to reduce the mana lost to the sun. Smart going, me.

A fresh breeze tickled L's short strands of hair, bringing with it the smell of dried leather. A ginger-haired man came out of Malia's store with a new looking tunic on his chest.

L nodded towards him in greetings, and the man nodded back.

Here comes the difficult part. The door was already open to allow the fresh air in, and through it, he saw Malia, stretching a gray pelt.

Both frowned as he walked in.