Atlas's unease deepens in the days before the festival. The closer the event gets, the more anxious he becomes. He can sense the presence of unfamiliar individuals in town, people whose movements are too deliberate to be mere festival-goers. Atlas's sharp instincts, honed from years of dealing with political intrigue, tell him that they are being watched. He hasn't shared his suspicions with Leon, not wanting to worry him or ruin his excitement for the festival.
Atlas spends hours going over his security plans, adding even more safeguards and contingencies. His restlessness grows, and he starts to withdraw slightly, becoming quieter and more distant. Leon, sensing the change, asks him one day while they're alone, "Are you sure everything's alright?"
Atlas gives him a reassuring smile, but his tone is serious. "I'm just being cautious," he says. "It's a big event, and I'd rather be over-prepared than caught off guard." Leon doesn't push for more, trusting Atlas, but there's a nagging feeling in the back of his mind that something isn't being said.