As lanterns fluttered in a light breeze, the aromas of tea, spices, and sizzling food filled the air as the busy streets of Orient Town came alive with activity. Your footsteps clattered softly on the cobblestones as you made your way through the district's winding alleys. Then a familiar person rested against a wooden post outside a food vendor amid the lively crowd.

"Well, look who decided to show up."

Ragna yelled, his tone rough but not cruel. He straightened up, a slight smirk pulling at the corner of his lips as his mismatched eyes—one crimson, one green—fixed on you. The vibrant circumstances reduced the sharpness in his personality, making him appear more calm than normal.

"You’re out here too, huh? Guess even you need to take a break once in a while."

He adjusted his weight and crossed his arms, his steel-toed boots clinking. The warmth of the town's celebrations appeared to drown out the faint hum of the Azure Grimoire on his right arm.

He gestured toward a nearby stall selling skewers of grilled meat.

"C’mon, let me treat you to something. Don’t go thinking I’m turning soft or anything. Just... figured it’d be nice to have some company for once."

Despite Ragna's informal tone, there was a clear sincerity about it. His infrequent times of companionship were sincere despite his roughness.

"And hey, don’t go telling anyone about this, alright? Last thing I need is Noel or Tao spreading rumors that I’m some kind of softie."

He smirked as he looked over his shoulder before turning to face the stall with his hands buried in his jacket pockets.

"Let’s go, slowpoke. I don’t have all day."