Ellie was last the wake the following morning and she got up to stretch- noticing that Nozel was not in the room. She peeked outside into the hall, seeing him waiting nearby.

"Morning, sir," she called, offering him a sleepy smile when he glanced over at her.

"Morning."

"Have you been up long?"

"Not really."

"I see. Well, I just need to wash up and then I'll be right out."

Nozel leaned against the wall as he waited for Ellie and thought over the things he was able to observe when they arrived the night before. Tolsa looked like it was doing well for itself, the people were hospitable and friendly, and it didn't appear at a first glance that the town needed much help really at all.

It didn't take long for Ellie to wash up and change into a fresh set of clothes, and she didn't want to keep Nozel waiting any longer than he already had so she hurried out into the hall, offered him another smile, and they made their way out of the building. What they found outside, though, was unexpected: the entire town was decorated with banners, garlands, and wreaths, and there were tables and chairs set out around the town square.

Nozel thought it was odd that neither of them had woken during the preparations that seemed to have been completed before they woke, but his attention was quickly drawn to Ellie's excitement as she commented on how beautiful everything looked.

"Let's go see what's going on!" she said, and without thinking, grabbed his hand to pull him along after her.

Nozel would normally be annoyed at that sort of thing, but with Ellie he didn't seem to mind it at all. He let her guide him around as they took in the sights, learning along the way that the people of Tolsa were celebrating the 23rd anniversary of when Magik Knights had saved their town years ago.

There was music and dancing, there were typical festival games, there were vendor stalls for clothing and accessories- as well as food and drink stands- and all items were discounted for the festival.

At one point while they were walking about, a small group of children rushed past as they laughed and played, but one of them bumped into Ellie and spilled his treat all over her.

"You would do well to watch where you are going, boy," Nozel said sternly, his eyes narrowed at the boy.

"I'm so sorry, miss!"

Ellie looked down at her dress, seeing the candy coating beginning to stain the fabric. She sighed and rolled her eyes at Nozel's sour attitude, then looked at the boy. "It's alright, it was an accident right?" When the boy nodded, Ellie reached up to ruffle his hair and offered him a smile. "No one got hurt, so we're all good. Just be more careful next time?"

The boy nodded and hurried off, leaving Ellie to look around for a wipe or towel.

"Oh dear, your poor dress!" a woman said, having spotted the stain. "Those boys should know better."

"It's fine, it should come out easily enough."

"You can't go around looking like that, girlie. Come, let me help you get cleaned up?"

Ellie tried to decline her offer, but the woman was persuasive so she gave in, thanked her, then looked back at Nozel. "I'll be right back, try not to scare off anymore kids?"

Nozel ignored her comment, brushing it off as she disappeared into the woman's shop. While he waited, he looked around and was surprised to see how happy the people in Tolsa were given that they lived in the Forsaken Realm.

'They seem to find joy in even the littlest things.' he thought.

"So... what do you think?"

Nozel looked back when he heard Ellie's voice and his eyes widened a bit when he saw her. She was wearing a cream colored dress with flowing fabric, a golden border and trim, and butterfly style sleeves. In her hair, some white flowers had been woven into her braids.

"Does it look alright?" Ellie asked, not quite sure of it herself.

Nozel looked her over once more, then met her jade gaze. "It suits you."

Ellie found his approval to be more welcoming that she thought it would be and beamed up at him. "Really?"

Nozel felt a heat at his cheeks seeing her reaction, then looked away and cleared his throat. "I would not lie about something like that." He watched as Ellie turned to thank the woman and heard the woman say that she would get the stain out of her dress in no time, and to be sure to pick it up before they leave town.

Ellie thanked her again, then rejoined Nozel and they continued to wander about the festival.

Nozel watched Ellie throughout the rest of the day as she danced with the people, talked with them about anything and everything, indulged in the various treats offered, and found that he was beginning to admire her a bit more each time he interacted with her. While Ellie had a hard time accepting help from others, could be easily impressionable, overly emotional or moody at times, and put too much trust into others, Nozel had noted that she was also creative, empathetic, generous, idealistic, a dreamer, optimistic, and a peace keeper- often going along with what others say or do. She put others before herself, something he noticed a lot in commoners and less so among nobles.

The festivities went well after darkness had descended and the elders had invited Nozel and Ellie to join them for drinks. Not wanting to be rude, as they were representing the Magik Knights and the Wizard King, Nozel and Ellie hesitantly agreed. They were ushered into the main hall where the majority of the party had been moved to from outside, and sat wherever the elders instructed them to- which happened to be right across from each other. Within seconds, drinks were placed in their hands and the elders toasted to them and their comrades amongst the Magik Knights. Nozel and Ellie exchanged a glance, then followed suit and raised their glasses before taking a sip of the drink.

"This is really good..!" Ellie said, finding that the drink was a lychee infused sake.

"I agree," Nozel added.

"You like it? Well then have some more!"

And before either of them could protest, their drinks were refilled and another toast was made. Nozel and Ellie just sighed and indulged a bit more in the delicious lychee sake.