It had been some time since Lionel’s time in the city had coincided with the convention. If his memory served correctly, it had been seven or eight years since he had attended — a newly minted blue mage eager to attend as many lectures as possible. He didn’t think the conventions of his youth were ever quite as eventful as this one, though. A few incidents were to be expected, of course, but drunk lecturers ranting about rivals and whole lecture halls being struck with a sudden illness — it was all a bit chaotic. Lionel was just relieved he’d decided to skip out on The Secret Life of Flan. (After all, he’d ran into more than a few flan in his day and he wasn’t particularly interested in learning any more about them.)
Lionel couldn’t say the final day of the convention would be calmer with any certainty, but it certainly seemed likely. Perhaps there was a chance something could go wrong with one of the potions, or the gadgets of some machinist could begin to malfunction, but really, the blue mage was trying to be optimistic about the day ahead. Everything would go well — especially Merri’s closing speech. He knew his friend had to be on edge, but hopefully Peony could help him relax a little.
“Right here! And I hope you’re hungry” he said brightly, approaching the duo from behind Merri. He set a tray of fresh pastries down on the table before taking a seat. “I only meant to get two, but the woman at the refreshment stand was very insistent.” His cheeks were only slightly tinged with pink as he spoke; he didn’t want to tell them he’d been too flustered to say no to all her up-selling, even if it was obvious.