Ignatz

Leonie

Already done. What about you? Off to draw?

No, I'm on my way back. I was thinking of adding a little color to my latest piece, so...

Come to think of it, I've still never seen your work. Here, let me take a peek.

It doesn't work like that! You have to let me know in advance. I need time to prepare.

Wow! Look at all that paper! Are these all drawings? What should I look at first?

Wherever we travel, I try to capture the feeling and character of the landscape. I guess they've all kind of piled up. Each place is unique, not just the geography, but also the clothing and the architecture and so on. Everywhere has its own design sensibilities.

Yeah. You'd think there'd be only one way to do stuff like engraving, but it actually varies a lot.

Just within the Alliance, the styles are quite different between the north and south. And the Empire's even more diverse.

Oh, here's a landscape. What a bright blue sky! You really make it seem alive.

The blue of the sky changes with the season too. In the summer, it's darker. And yet in the winter, it's almost luminous. And, of course, the landscape below affects the sky's appearance, by virtue of contrast. It's hard to get the color just right, so I spend a lot of time experimenting with pigments, and— oh no! I'm sorry. I've been talking your ear off.

Listen, Ignatz. You need to become a painter.

Don't say it's not useful. Your talent moves people. Someday, I'm sure your art will save someone's life.

Remember that girl you told me about? You made her so happy. And you were only just starting out. Think about what you could do now that you've had so much practice! This is your calling.

Yeah! It's something you can do that no one else can. I envy you. I wish I had a gift like that. So stop apologizing for your talent and just do it!

Thank you, Leonie. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a lot to think about.

I am. I suppose that's rather irresponsible, as we're in the midst of a war. But ever since we last spoke, I've felt keen to pursue my artistic aspirations.

Like I said, it's your calling. Don't feel bad about it.

All right, I'll try to embrace it! And you, are you practicing archery today?

More just double-checking this bowstring. I want to make sure it's ready for the next battle.

That's the spirit! Does that mean you've finally accepted that you're an artist?

I'll try to discuss it with my parents after the war. There's little demand for knights in peacetime. In fact, painting might be a more reliable way for me to support my family. I'll try to persuade them with arguments along those lines.

Good point! I'm glad you've got some confidence.

Come to think of it, Leonie, what will you do when the war is over?

Me? I'm going to become a top-tier mercenary.

Even after the war's over, there'll be plenty of work for me to do before peace really takes hold. I'll pay what I owe my village back, with interest. After that, I don't know. Never thought about it.

I'm sure you can do whatever you put your mind to.

Hardly. Lots of options just don't suit me. I mean, could you imagine me as a songstress? But yeah, I don't know. Once I've paid off my debts, I guess I'll just have to find something new.

I don't think there's any rush. You can travel and relax and think about it.

Travel, huh? There's an idea. Wanna come with?

Sure. You were really excited about different styles across the world, weren't you? Don't you want more of that? Maybe even see the sky in a new shade?

Yes, I suppose I do. I'd like to see the whole world.

If your parents object, we'll just say I kidnapped you. Actually, feel free to say that, even if you go alone.

Oh, no. I want us to see the world together. Your presence makes every landscape more beautiful.

Hey, hold on! What's this all of a sudden?

Haha! You're hilarious, Ignatz. There's never a dull moment with you around.

I'm sorry! I didn't mean to interrupt you.

I'm sorry. I didn't know you were training out here.

I sometimes come here to practice by myself. It's more like a real battlefield, you know? Shooting the targets in the yard lets you train your aim and all, but the tension just isn't the same.

You're right. A real battlefield feels quite different. But if that's the atmosphere you want, I feel even more like I'm intruding.

Oh, knock it off. You're already here. May as well stick around while I catch my breath.

Ah, okay. Sorry. Thank you. Sorry to bother you.

You know you've said you're sorry about a dozen times since you got here?

It's fine. I guess it's part of your charm. Hey, what's that bundle of papers? Oh, did you come here to paint? I remember now! Someone said you're a great artist. You paint a lot, right?

Uh, yes. Yes. When I have time, that is. I enjoy painting. It helps me relax.

Last time we talked about it, you said you didn't have a thing you were really amazing at. But if you like painting so much, it must be a skill you're looking to master.

M-my paintings are nothing but a hobby! Besides, I'm not that good. I never took art lessons. When... When I was little, I drew a picture for a young girl. The picture made her so happy that I decided to keep at it. That's how it started.

So, you're practicing your art to make other people happy? Is that it?

Oh, no, that's an overstatement. I must insist, again, it's just a hobby. Even if I were to become a master artist, it wouldn't be a useful skill.

Aren't you from a merchant family employed by the nobles? I'd think it would be really useful there.

I'm not inheriting the business. My brother is. My father said that I'm to become a knight. So my art won't do anyone any good. At all. Ever.

Well... There's always next time, I suppose.

Hey, Ignatz! Didn't you have something to talk to the professor about?

Oh, no, nothing urgent. You didn't cut short your conversation because of me, did you?

Come on, do I seem like the type to do that? No, I just had a couple of questions about the bows. We're done now, so I thought I'd come and tell you.

Lots of them have come in for repairs lately, so I switched out some of the strings for stronger ones. They've been breaking less, but now they're harder to draw.

Ah, I see. I suppose people would prefer if you went back to the lighter bowstrings.

Maybe. If the only issue was draw weight, I'd just tell people to get stronger arms. But the real problem is that you can't shoot as fast. Arrows also fly too far now.

I can see how slower shooting is a drawback, but the arrows flying father... That actually sounds like a good thing.

Sure, on open plains. But up close, you lose accuracy. That's why I thought it might be good to use different bowstrings for different scenarios. I wanted the professor's opinion about that.

Oh, good point! You know a lot about bows, don't you?

Guess I do. I grew up in a hunting village, so I've been around them my whole life. I wouldn't say I'm necessarily better than anyone, but at least I know what I'm doing. And you? Do you have something you're really good at?

Well, I'm sure you'll find your thing someday.

Triangle Attack