"It's nice to see you, Mr. L, after all these years."

"Thank you Count."

"How are you? How is Endonta suiting my most arrogant minion?"

"Oh, quite witty, Count. No, Endonta is fine. I'm thrilled to be back in my birthplace. I just needed a break from all the rush and such."

"I see. And Raven?"

"She's fine."

"A little sharp, commented Count Blumiere. Are you okay?"

"Very well, thank you."

"Count Blumiere has been meaning to ask... how did you two become friends?"

"It was before we met Dimentio. Back then I... didn't know happiness, or joy."

"How... horrible."

"I know. But I did not want to torture your ears of such things. Those days are past."

"So... my initial question?"

"Ah, yes. Well, when I met Raven, and talked to her quite a bit, we found we had much in common. We started training together, taught each other things, competed. And then..."

"Then?"

"Then she taught me how to smile?"

"What?"

"Not the way you would think. She made me able to smile, gave me a reason. She made me laugh, threw parties, understood me. And, quite soon, I smiled every day."

"Really?"

"Really."

"My my. How... interesting, mused Count Blumiere."

"It is, isn't it?"

"Well, how did you meet Dimentio?"

"By pure chance. We were most unlikely, but as you very well know, opposites attract. Soon, we were a trio of best friends."

"And?"

"And that was when I thought of four words. Words that sustained me through darkness, through even fear fog itself."

"What, pray tell, were these... 'magic words'?"

"'Another day, another smile'."

"I... see."

"Are you okay, Count? Your monocle is wet."

"Ah. That is... nothing. Thank you for those words, Mr. L."

"Why?"

"They are... helpful."

"To the fool, they would be foolish. To the wise, they are wise. So has been said."

"Whoever says that is extremely smart. You should promote them."

"Oh, it isn't a soldier."

"No?"

"A child told me."

"Well, youth tend to be, on occasion, smarter than full-growns. Especially when it is something personal, or emotional."

"Very much so."

"Raven is proof of this, is she not?"

"Yup."

"Well, the moon is rising. I must retire to my chambers. My Lady is out for the night."

"Ah, as must I. Farewell, dear Count."

"Farewell, L Thunder."