Study in Crimson/Leila: Rose amid Fangs


Leila	Been a while, Matthew. How have you been?
Leila? I'm... I've been... I guess I've been speechless, mostly. But the young master is as reckless as ever. Keeps my mind off...things. Leila, I...always hoped I'd be able to see you again in this world. Now that it's happened, I...		Matthew
Leila	Hey, relax—it's only me. Why do you look like you've seen a ghost?
Ghost? Haha—no, no, of course not. You're right. No ghosts here at all. So you've, ah, been briefed by the Order of Heroes, then, I take it? On the state of Askr, I mean.		Matthew
Leila	I have. It's impressive, how much they've achieved while dealing with such hardship.
It is indeed. And it would all fall apart in a second if they let their guard down even for a moment.		Matthew
Leila	The innocent civilians are in more danger than they know. They'd be first to fall.
Spies like us never want for work in any time or place, do we? Of course, we can only treat the symptoms. The disease rages on.		Matthew
Leila	That may be, but I'm keen to do my part nevertheless. Since we're both here, we may as well work together, right? Must have been tough on your own until now.
Yes... Yes, it was. I'd like that.		Matthew


Kaze	Mirror my movements. Control your muscles—a great deal is in the legs. Good. This is how a ninja moves.
I am beginning to understand how you are so quiet. This technique will prove useful in my line of work.		Matthew
Leila	Hello, Matthew. Getting some training in, I see. Who's this?
Leila! Allow me to introduce you to Kaze, a ninja of Hoshido.		Matthew
Kaze	Another servant to House Ostia, yes? Matthew speaks well of you. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.
The pleasure is mine, Kaze. But this is a surprise, Matthew. I didn't expect to see you training with a partner. Spies usually keep to themselves.		Leila
Matthew	True, but studying Kaze's skills has been useful and intriguing so far. Maybe he'd be so kind as to give you a...demonstration? Kaze? Where did you go?
Behind you.		Kaze
Leila	Ha! You had him talking to a tree stump. Clever trick. Maybe you can show me a thing or two as well.
Kagero would make a suitable teacher for you. She is versed in the skills of the kunoichi. I will put in a word for you.		Kaze
Leila	Much appreciated. I see the appeal. If we Heroes share our tricks of the trade with each other, we'll be that much more effective, right, Matthew?
Hm? Sorry? Oh, yeah... Of course.		Matthew
Leila	Are you all right? Ever since I arrived, you've seemed a little off.
No, no. I'm fine. It certainly couldn't hurt for you to... pick up any techniques you can.		Matthew


Leila	Out with it already, Matthew. You've been acting strangely for a reason. What is it?
Acting strangely? I am sorry, Leila, but I haven't the faintest idea what you mean. I am the same as ever!		Matthew
Leila	I'm not stupid, Matthew. I can tell when something is bothering you. Whatever it is, just say it.
Ugh...		Matthew
Leila	If you won't tell me, then I'll guess. You've been acting especially weird ever since I met Kaze. You're worried about me learning from Kagero. Which means you're worried about me working as a spy. You want to protect me from the dangers of the trade. You think I should quit. How close to the mark?
Deadly accurate, as always. While we are often away from the front lines, our work is no less dangerous than a soldier's. Askr's enemies are as mysterious to us as they are deadly. Ignorance on our part could easily get us killed.		Matthew
Leila	I'm aware.
I'd like you to take on the duty of protecting the young master. That would keep you safe within the walls. That is why I asked Kaze for help... So I can take on the more dangerous tasks without risking your safety.		Matthew
Leila	You're an idiot, Matthew. Did you really think I would stand for that?!
Please, Leila... I can't bear...		Matthew
Leila	Do you think of me as some kind of damsel in distress?! I'm not going to hide away while you're out there risking your life! That's why you tried to hide this from me! You knew I'd never have the cowardice to agree to it!


Matthew	Ha... Haha... Oh, Leila... I should have expected you to say something like that... Ha ha!
Are you actually trying to pass that grimace off as a smile?		Leila
Matthew	Come on! This has all been a hilarious joke. You've fallen for the wiles I've developed as an actor! Since I fooled you so easily, you can see I've got nothing to worry about when it comes to going undercover.
Really. That's how you want to play this. Are you sure?		Leila
Matthew	Of course! I know you're tempted to save face, but don't be ashamed you fell for my act. I know it was perfect.
Whatever. I give up. Just stop.		Leila
Matthew	Look... I know I'm not a perfect spy, all right? You made your point. I can't do it all on my own. I need someone I can rely on, so... Would you still consider working with me again? As partners?
That's been my intention all along, Matthew. It's why I was summoned here in the first place.		Leila
Matthew	Good. I...was serious about not wanting you to get hurt, though.
Oh? Were you? I'd never have guessed. Please, do go on.		Leila
Matthew	I will, uh...later. I just remembered, the young master has a job for me. Gotta go, Leila. See you around!
As slippery as ever, Matthew. If only you were as good an actor as you are a sprinter... You have to know I couldn't bear the thought of staying safe in the castle while you work behind enemy lines... That's just not going to happen. When we leave this life, we'll do it together. Someday...		Leila