Lucas had a sudden realization that made him want to smack himself in the forehead.
Of course these people know each other. How did I not put this together sooner?
Zacard knew Marie through Leyla since they were engaged. And since Damion was Zacard's best friend in this timeline, he obviously knew Marie as well.
Throw in the fact that Lydia and Marie were besties, and boom - instant friend group.
The connections were so obvious Lucas felt like an idiot for not seeing it earlier.
This was a major lapse in judgment on his part, especially considering how much time he'd spent analyzing timeline changes.
But there was one person who didn't fit the pattern: Raymond James.
Lucas leaned closer to Lydia, lowering his voice to a whisper. "How did Raymond end up with you guys?"
The movement brought him uncomfortably close to Lydia's face, and he could see a faint blush creeping up her cheeks.
More importantly, he could FEEL Celeste's death glare boring into the side of his head like twin daggers trying to pierce his skull.
Lydia cleared her throat awkwardly and stepped back slightly.
"Oh, right. I remembered you wanted to befriend him, so when we stumbled onto him wandering alone at the festival and Marie pointed out who he was, I invited him to tag along."
"He was pretty reluctant at first," she added, "but once I mentioned I was your friend, he got all excited and agreed immediately."
Lucas glanced at Raymond, who was standing slightly behind the group looking uncomfortable but happy.
The kid gave him a shy wave when he saw that he was looking.
You naive little sh*t, Lucas thought.
If Lydia had been an evil kidnapper, you would've been gone without a word. We are definitely having a talk about stranger danger later.
Out loud, he said, "That's... great. Thanks for including him."
"Speaking of which," Lydia said, clearly noticing that Lucas hadn't been properly introduced to half the group, "formal introductions are probably overdue. Marie, would you do us the honor."
"Of course," Marie said, "Lucas, this is Damion Valorheart and Zacard Tosin. Guys, this is Lucas Estellan."
Damion stepped forward with an easy smile and extended his hand. "Nice to finally meet you properly. I've heard about you from Marie."
"Nothing too embarrassing, I hope," Lucas said, shaking his hand.
The protagonist's grip was firm but not aggressive, and his whole demeanor radiated that effortless charisma that main characters always seemed to have.
Lucas could see why people would follow him into battle against impossible odds.
Zacard offered a more formal nod but didn't extend his hand. "Estellan. Your reputation precedes you."
"I'm working on improving that reputation," Lucas replied.
"So I've heard," Zacard said. "Garrett Mills has been talking about your match. He speaks highly of your... unconventional tactics."
Before Lucas could respond, Marie clapped her hands together.
"Well, since we've all run into each other, we might as well enjoy the festival together! It'll be way more fun with a bigger group."
"I'm down for that," Damion said immediately.
"Fine by me," Lydia agreed.
"Sure," Raymond said quietly.
Lucas could see that he still looked a bit overwhelmed by suddenly being part of this noble-heavy friend group.
Zacard shrugged. "I have no objections."
The group started moving toward the next section of festival stalls, already chattering amongst themselves about what to do next.
Marie was pointing out a performance stage in the distance. Lydia was explaining something about traditional harvest ceremonies to Damion.
Zacard and Raymond had somehow ended up in an awkward conversation about alchemy supplies.
Nobody noticed they'd left someone behind.
Celeste stood frozen in place, her stuffed bear clutched to her chest, her mouth slightly open in disbelief.
Her carefully planned date had just been hijacked by a whole group of people, and they were WALKING AWAY without her.
Her expression cycled through several emotions in rapid succession: shock, anger, hurt, and finally settling on an adorable pout that would've been heartbreaking if Lucas didn't know she was an absolute psycho.
"Wait!" she called out. "You're all just leaving?! What about - wait for me!"
She gathered up her skirts and hurried after the group, her earlier grace abandoned in favor of speed. The stuffed bear bounced against her chest as she ran.
"Don't leave me behind!" Celeste caught up and immediately latched onto Lucas's arm again, slightly out of breath but trying to maintain her composure. "I thought we were spending the day together."
"We can all spend it together," Marie said cheerfully,. "The more the merrier, right?"
"Right," Celeste said through gritted teeth.
Lucas sighed internally. This was going to be a long afternoon.
The group made their way through the festival crowds.
Damion naturally took a sort of leadership position, pointing out interesting stalls and suggesting activities.
It wasn't that he was being bossy. It just happened naturally, like gravity pulling everything into orbit around him.
Yep, definitely protagonist energy, Lucas thought.
They stopped at a vendor selling decorative masks. Marie immediately grabbed an elaborate butterfly mask and held it up to her face.
"What do you think? Should I get it?"
"It suits you," Lydia said. "Very whimsical."
"I think it makes you look like you're about to rob someone," Zacard said dryly.
Marie stuck her tongue out at him. "You're just jealous because you don't have the face for whimsy."
"I'm a duke's son. I don't need whimsy."
"Everyone needs whimsy," Damion interjected, grabbing a ridiculous dragon mask and putting it on. "See? Whimsy!"
Even Zacard cracked a small smile at that.
Raymond was examining the masks with academic interest.
"These are actually pretty well-made. The paint work is detailed, and the materials are quality. I wonder what kind of adhesive they use for the decorative elements..."
"Raymond," Lucas said gently, "sometimes you can just enjoy things without analyzing them."
"Oh. Right. Sorry." Raymond looked embarrassed but smiled. "Force of habit."
Celeste had found a elegant silver mask with blue accents that matched her dress perfectly. She held it up, looking at Lucas expectantly. "What do you think?"
"It's nice," Lucas said.
"Just nice?" Celeste's pout returned.
"It's very nice?" Lucas tried.
"Lucas Estellan, you are terrible at compliments," Celeste said, but she was smiling again as she purchased the mask.
The group began walking and talking again all while Celeste clung to Lucas's arm like a beautiful, possessive barnacle.
This is fine, Lucas told himself.
Everything is fine. Nobody is trying to kill anyone. Celeste hasn't revealed any psycho tendencies in public. Raymond hasn'tbeen kidnapped. This is actually going pretty well.
[Host is tempting fate,] the System warned.
Shut up.