Dimas sits alone in the area behind the hills, Lilee had gone off to 'run some errands' at least that's what she told him after leaving the tavern.
He is currently trying to decide on training or resting, considering how dangerous Sebastian is turning out to be Dimas is going to need all the training he could get, however at the same time he's feeling sore. Whatever he chooses, tomorrow's fight will still be a challenge. Maybe Sebastian will get cold feet and run away? Fat chance of that happening, he's too proud. Sebastian's threat level can only be matched by his ego. An ego that's been fed by Alastor. The man acts like he's been chosen by god to complete a mission. If anyone should be acting that way it should be Dimas.
"I lost and yet you're the one frowning in solitary." Scott sits down, despite getting his ribs broken Scott looks a lot better than how Dimas felt. That's not fair.
"This is how I celebrate." Dimas isn't lying. On Earth, he would rather be alone after his victories. Why share that moment with those who didn't earn that same win?
"That's sad."
"Says the loser."
"You got me there." Scott laughs. "I came by to thank Lilee for treating me."
"She's 'running errands' or something."
Scott lays down on the grass. Dimas can see that his much needed alone time isn't going to happen. "I don't mind waiting."
[I do.]
"I heard you were looking for Ruben." Scott says.
"Who? Oh, the guy Sebastian beat. Yeah, I needed information."
"You're trying to figure out his Brío Arts before the match, right?"
"Yeah, I'm tired of going in blind."
"That's the thing about the first tournaments, every newcomer is a mystery. It leaves us in a difficult position when trying to strategize against them. Knowing your enemy is like half the battle. Speaking of which, are you trying to win without using your Brío Arts?"
"Something like that."
"You're a real reserved guy, you know that?"
Dimas knows and he's not planning on changing that anytime soon, or at all.
"I guess you and Lilee compliment each other very well." Scott says in a playful tone.
"What do you mean?"
"Well… Lilee is a sweet girl. She could've just let my team give me that healing pellet and let me heal painfully but she didn't. Instead, she improved the pellet without a second thought and didn't even ask for compensation. You, on the other hand, were the one who broke my ribs in the first place."
"Fractured. I fractured your ribs, besides, you asked for it. I still don't see how we compliment each other."
"Of course you don't, at least not yet. It won't become apparent until you're ready to propose your love."
Propose his love? There is nothing going on between himself and Lilee. This guy has read too many romance novels.
"It's not like that. We're just friends, that's it."
"That's not what the rumors say." Scott is having fun with this conversation.
"The rumors can kiss my ass. We don't even act like a couple. Couples do sweet gestures like giving each other chocolate, you'll never catch us doing crap like that."
"Dimas!" Lilee yells happily as she comes over and down the hills, her hands hidden behind her. She runs over to Dimas. "I know you've been giving it your all and I wanted to do something special for you!" She presents the jug that she was hiding behind her back. "It's lemonade from Nicole's recipe! Remember how you said you liked it!"
Dimas can practically hear an annoying smile forming on Scott's face from behind him.
"It's not exactly chocolate." Scott teases.
"Shut it or I will break your ribs." Dimas threatens.
Dimas takes a long and slow sip of lemonade. Lilee said it was Nicole's recipe but it tastes much better than he remembered.
"How does it feel to make it to the Finals?" Scott asks.
"Probably better than losing at the Semi-finals." Dimas answers.
Lilee shoots Dimas a glare, Scott laughs.
"I bet losing at the Finals would feel much worse, one step away from victory only to fall short."
Scott's words seem to affect Lilee, Dimas can see worry appearing on her face. She's probably imagining the fight going wrong.
"Guess that means you're gonna have to comfort Sebastian in the loser's circle once I win." Dimas as always radiates unshakeable confidence while keeping any doubt to himself.
"Does that mean you have a strategy against Sebastian?" Lilee sounds hopeful.
"Nope but I think I know what his Brío Arts is."
"Are you going to tell us?" Scott leans in. Lilee does too.
"Nope. Don't want to jinx it."
Scott and Lilee slouch back, they must really want to know. If so, they should work on their deductive skills and figure it out by themselves. Dimas thinks he could at least tell Lilee as a way of saying thanks for the lemonade, maybe later, if he remembers to.
"Dimas…" Scott's tone is oddly serious. "I don't know why you're so hesitant to use your Brío Arts, that's your business but keep in mind that this tournament is going to be nothing compared to the next ones. We're all amateurs here. The next tournament, Aries, is going to be much more demanding. Those fighters will be more experienced and they're Brío Arts even more powerful. It's an uphill battle the entire way with every step becoming more dangerous than the last and waiting at the top is Alastor's surrogate, the one obstacle no one has been able to overcome."
Dimas can hear an audible gulp from Lilee.
"I'm not saying this to intimidate you or keep you from fighting. I'm saying this as a friend who wants to see you succeed, train your Brío Arts to perfection. You're a threat all on your own but a far cry from what you'll be facing."
Dimas takes another swig of lemonade. He can feel both sets of eyes on him. Waiting for his reaction.
Finally he speaks. "I'm not an optimistic idiot. I know what I got myself into but we got this. Right, Lilee?"
"R-Right." Lilee nods, her eyes show her belief in Dimas's words.
"Okay then," Scott smiles, he stands up and begins walking away. "Good luck you two. If you win, the victory meal is on me."
"When we win. You're gonna regret offering to pay for Lilee's meal."
Scott lets out one last laugh before disappearing behind the hills.