"Saint Indech and Saint Cichol were friends," Bernadetta explained. "A-At least, that's what I'd like to think."

"I can see it," Leonie assured. "I mean, for example, let's say Bernie is Saint Indech, and Seteth is Saint Cichol. You two seem to get along pretty well."

"Just because we bear the crests of Indech and Cichol, respectively, does not necessarily mean that we are in their likeness." Seteth sighed as he placed his chin in one hand, and used the other to keep a casual yet firm hold on the fishing rod. "For example, I'd suppose that two Saints would have better luck at fishing tonight than I would."

"Maybe it's time to change out the bait?" Leonie suggested as she sat down next to Seteth. The dock's wooden slats stressed underneath her weight. "I have some herring bait that one of the merchants gave to me for free. You can try it out, if you want."

"F-For free?" Bernadetta hesitated, before she took up residence on the other side of Leonie, barely able to sit down without being uncomfortable. "How'd you manage that?"

"Long story short, that merchant owed me since I took care of their excess products the other day." She seemed proud of herself, and even pulled out a small vial of unknown liquid from her pocket, shaking the contents slowly and surely. "Mostly oils for soap and that kind of thing."

"How resourceful of you," Seteth said. "If you're willing to part with such expensive bait, I'd be happy to compensate for you." He started fumbling with the herring, attaching the bait to the hook and letting it sink in, drift towards the bottom of the fishing pond below them.

"No need for that. This can be a gift between friends." Leonie smiled widely, and leaned back, eyes trained towards the stars. "Right?"

"Friends…" Bernadetta murmured, and stared into the water endlessly, as if its dark depths would tell her anything she didn't already know. "I-I guess the three of us really are friends...huh?"

"I'd say so! I mean, if you two are like Indech and Cichol, I guess I'd be left out since I don't have a Crest, but—"

"Your strength and skill with weaponry and horses reminds me of Macuil," Seteth points out. "In one rendition of our story books, Macuil even joins Indech and Cichol, and the three of them seek shelter during a storm that ravages all of Fodlan."

"That sounds nice, actually. Although, if the stories are as based off of imagination like you say, maybe you guys should make a story where they go fishing, instead."

As if on cue, Seteth's line started tugging, and the three of them were surprised as the wire stretched and wriggled. He chuckled heartily at the new development, and stood up to his feet as he tried to reel in the fish. Bernadetta backed up instinctively, afraid of the splashing water and the monstrous fish that could come out of the other end. All the while Leonie was in between the two of them, cheering on Seteth and calming down Bernadetta in the same fell swoop.

At the end of it all, the crystal clear surface of the pond rippled and broke, as a large and shiny fish leaped from its depths, hooked to the end of Seteth's silvery line. The three of them gaped at the sight, and it was as if everything slowed down infinitely, so as to let them enjoy the moment. A moment worthy of remembering, a moment that someone like Ignatz should see so he could paint the sight later on. A moment that connected the three of them, with their scattered allegiances and house alignments—Black Eagles, Golden Deer, Church of Seiros—together.

The fish landed on the dock and thrashed. Strangely enough, it ended up with Bernadetta being the one to pick it up with her bare hands, and put it into the bucket that Leonie and Seteth procured for them at the start of this fishing escapade. By the time she realized what she had done, her hands were covered in water and fish slick, eyes wide as her body seemed to move without realizing.

The three of them were silent for some time. Then, like some spell had cast over them, they broke out into raucous laughter.

"You know, if I make a more lighthearted story about Indech and Cichol, this scene could be a very good inspiration for—"

"Please," Bernie whined, "don't."

"I say that, but you're the one that ends up illustrating them, so it's all in your hands."

"On the bright side," Leonie said, "at least you have firsthand experience with this one!"

"Great," she muttered. "Just great."

Yet she didn't hate the idea, despite her complaints. Later that week, when Seteth and Bernadetta worked on their latest issue, she had no trouble depicting the sparkling blue waters, or the fish that dazzled like a jewel in the moonlight.

Or better yet, the looks of surprise and happiness that stretched across Indech, Cichol, and Macuil's faces.

On their faces.