Corrin and Leo walked through the fort, discussing the former's decision some time ago to keep their new Wolfskin companion, Keaton. In the middle of his complaint about the sudden inflow of fleas and chewed-up stuffed bears, Leo stopped and pointed out a particularly chipper Peri handing out cookies to everyone she passed. "Oh! Lord Corrin!"
Corrin dismissed Leo as the cotton-candy cavalier approached. "No tears today, Peri?" he asked once his adoptive brother was out of earshot. "That's encouraging."
"I know!" she said excitedly. "People still look at me funny..." She held the platter of sweets in front of her. "But now they all want to try my snacks!"
"I'm glad for you."
Peri pulled him in conspiratorially. "I know what you did for me," she half-whispered. "You talked to them all and told them how good my snacks are."
"Guilty as charged," he admitted with a chuckle. "I really did enjoy it, though!"
"Thanks, Lord Corrin!"
"It probably helped that I omitted the part about you killing your servants..." Corrin muttered.
She gave him a look. "Sorry, I didn't catch that."
He cleared his throat. "Oh, er, I was just reviewing my agenda for the rest of the day."
For a while, the two of them walked and talked. Before long, Peri's platter was empty. "What a great day!" she cheered as she stowed the tray and turned for the mess hall. "I'm going to keep churning out treats for everybody. Especially for you, Lord Corrin!"
Corrin followed. "For me?"
"Yup!" She grinned. "I like being your ally. You were nice to me, so I'll be nice to you. Like when you listened to my problems."
"You're very welcome, Peri. I'm really pleased to see this outpouring of goodwill from you. I can see now why Xander chose you as his retainer."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yes. And I don't think it was only because of your bloodlust." He looked around, actually finding Xander speaking with a flustered Laslow some distance away. "Xander saw the kindness in you, and that's why he wanted you in his company. I want to make sure I recognize and reward kindness, just as he did."
"Thanks, Lord Corrin. I hope you'll be kind to me too. We'll be spending lots of time together!"
"I'm looking forward to it," he said with a smile. As Peri made her way to the mess hall, Corrin couldn't help but allow his heart to flutter. He breathed in deeply to bring himself back. Clearing his throat, he made his rounds, pondering how the next part would play out.