Chapter 3: Erk's Diary
Day 16
The weather is warm, sky clear.
Four days after moving into my new room. I can finally see my floor. And my bed. My desk is arranged as it should be, which was the first thing I made sure of. My cupboards, however, are a different. They look like someone's shaken them, pushed them over, picked them up, then flipped them over in the air. Maybe I'll sort that some day. Maybe not.
The other students here are still jealous that I'm Lord Pent's apprentice. Ha! They can shove it. That'll do for today. Gonna go read.
Erk
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Nino was shocked. She had found Erk's diary! He seemed to be a different person in here. She wanted to read more, but knew she was invading Erk's privacy. She glance at the door, and listened for footsteps. Nothing. She skipped forward several pages, and read again.
-
Day 32
The weather? Usual.
In less than a week (6 days) I have to escort a priestess to Ostia. Apparently, she's frail and needs taking care of. Guess I'd better be careful around her. I suck at talking to girls (or anyone). I should at least be polite and try to keep my temper (good luck with that).
Maybe one of these days, I'll finally be able to cast Elfire properly. I'm so lame. The other students are laughing because they're all better than me. Only Ella is being nice about it (bless her), and even trying to help me. She's so nice to me.
I'm writing such short entries lately. Maybe my brain's fried? Nah. Well, I'll write again tomorrow.
Erk
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Nino grimaced. Erk had a girl he liked? And who was this frail priestess? Intrigued, Nino skipped a few pages.
Day 42
The weather... I'm too busy being annoyed to notice. Might be raining, might be snowing.
Yeah, raining. I noticed after all.
It's only been a couple of days since I started escorting the Devil's Daughter to Ostia, and already I'm considering giving her the money back and leaving the witch out here alone. How she fooled everyone into thinking she's frail is beyond me. Even the most psychopathic murderer would be crying for his mommy after spending five minutes with her. Where's Ella when I need her?
-
Nino stopped there. This girl, Ella, again. Did Erk like her that much? Was Ella still here? Was that why Erk was taking so long? Nino glanced to the door, but there was still no activity outside.
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Day 50
The weather isn't bad. Shame about my company.
Serra almost got herself killed. It wouldn't have been so bad, except she hid behind me, so I almost killed instead. Stupid woman. Then, she ordered me to join a rabble of complete strangers to help them kill all the bandits nearby! And then she decided we were going to go with them on their journey! Hello? Going to Ostia, remember?? Idiot.
I'm too mad to write any more.
Erk
-
Serra? The cleric? Sure, she could be annoying at times, but was she really as bad as Erk described? Nino skipped a few more pages.
Day... whatever.
The weather? Well, it's sunny, but the water spraying makes it feel like raining.
Yes, we're on a boat. We're going to the Dread Isle, of all places. I don't think Lyndis, Eliwood and Hector realise that the Dread Isle has its name for a reason. NO-ONE COMES BACK. Freaks. Well, Her Infernal Stupidness insisted that we go, too. Guy's vomiting is making me feel ill. Nils is singing and dancing like a lunatic, and Lyndis is watching him like a mother watching a child. She thinks he's so cute. Honestly, how can that brat be cute? Well, whatever. A small boat has been spotted, and they're bringing someone aboard off it. It's a girl who looks like
Oh, it is Nil's sister. Obviously, Lyndis was all over her. I have to go fetch Serra and Priscilla (a much better employer than Serra ever could be) to heal the girl's wounds. Write again tomorrow.
Erk
-
Nino sighed, and checked the door again. Still nothing. Erk clearly didn't like the people he was with, except maybe Priscilla. As Nino recalled, Priscilla rode a big horse, had red hair, was cute, and very very nice. Did Erk like this girl, too? She skipped some more pages.
-
I've given up counting the days. It only makes me realise how long I've been stuck with Stupid and Annoying.
Weather's not bad.
We're in Lord Eliwoof's castle. Eliwoof. Nice. Well, everyone insisted on staying here, me included. It's nice to have a room and soft bed again. I may be sharing with two other people, but it's not bad. Lucius may annoy me, but I can't dislike the guy. If he's a guy. Hard to tell sometimes. Sissy-man. Yesterday he freaked out when he broke a nail, then threw fit because his hair 'wouldn't go'. My other room-mate is the tactician. She's probably my favourite person out of them all. Yes, I'm sharing a room with a girl and a...
Oddly, our tactician is the only girl I can talk to. Besides Stupid and Rebecca, but that's only to tell them to get lost. I don't mind Rebecca, but she's always with Stupid. Annoying has been bugging me alot, too. Keeps asking me to show him some magic. I send him to Lucius. He seems to enjoying playing with children.
Oh, I'm done. I think I'll enjoy my nice, soft bed. Here I come, my love.
Erk.
-
I've already said I'm gonna stop counting.
Not bad weather, actually.
There's another mage with us! A girl! I think I might just die. No doubt I'm gonna be with her alot, helping her and stuff (please ask Lord Pent to do it). I really can't talk to girls. And she's such a sweet and innocent girl, too. And so talented! Really, even Lord Pent looks average compared to her. She's cute, too. That short green hair of hers just shows off her cuteness more.
-
Nino gasped. Was this her Erk was talking about? Did he think she was cute? She read on.
-
There's only one problem. Jaffar. That guy chills me to the bone, and he's super-mega-protective of Nino. Even more worry if we're paired. If I upset her, Jaffar's gonna kill me.
I'm scared.
Erk
-
Nino stared at the page, dumbstruck. Though she still had trouble reading, she managed to read the 'super-mega-protective' part. Had Jaffar really been so protective?
-
Weather's pretty good. Not like my mood.
I did it. Tried not to, but I did. I upset Nino. Curse me! All she did was try to show an interest in what I was doing, and I had to shoo her away. I'm such a moron. Right now I'm hiding, in case Jaffar is after me. Though he'll probably find me anyway. Rebecca and Serra gave me an earful, as did the tactician. Getting told off by the tactician was the worst part. I like her.
Where's Ella when I need her? I miss her so much.
I should apologise to Nino, too. I like her, too. She's so cute and nice. But, what should I say? If I can say anyting at all. I know. I'll give her the book I was reading at the time. She wanted to read it, so I should give it to her.
I'll do that tomorrow.
Erk
-
Nino remembered this. Erk had sounded so rude at the time, and Nino had been very upset. Rebecca and Serra had tried to comfort her, as had Jaffar, and they all promised to have a word with Erk. Nino turned the page.
-
Good weather.
I gave the Nino the book. Guess what? She can't read. Just my luck. My apology gift is useless. I'm going to find the picture book Lord Pent gave me. I'll give that to her. Maybe even tell her the story behind it, if my courage is up to the challenge. I hope it is. I really like Nino. Maybe I can drag her away from Jaffar, and take her home with me.
...
...
...
Hey, a guy's gotta dream.
-
Nino snapped the book closed. Not only because she could hear footsteps outside, but because of what she had just read. Erk really did like her! This made her happy. But, what about Ella? Or the tactician? Or Priscilla? Erk liked these girls, too. She quickly put the book back, then returned to Erk's desk. At that moment, Erk walked in, looking tired.
"Leave." He grumbled. His eyes were red, face sagging. He flopped onto his bed, and felt straight asleep. Nino stifled a giggle, and stacked her parchment into a neat pile. She then pulled Erk's boots and cloak off, then laid him down on the bed. Considering their differences in size, this was quite a challenge. Nino quietly walked out of the room, and quietly closed the door. It wasn't particularly late, so Nino went to see Lady Louise.