[ ...it seems like a tragic tale of self-sacrifice. sylvain hums quietly, expression thoughtful. he can't make much of leaks pokerface, doesn't know him nearly well enough to tell whether he's bluffing. (though he did suggest a story rooted in truth, and it seems to be what was provided. something that happened to an acquaintance, perhaps.)

there's no need to pry, even if sylvain is curious. he has what he needs to proceed. ]

...I see. I think it'll work.

[ with that, he turns back towards the elementals who don't seem to have really noticed, much less been bothered by his brief absence. he recounts leaks' story best he can, adding flourishes where he deems fit. (the living flames appear to flicker and glow with anticipation at certain times, easy cues for him to work off of.)

his own story takes on a much more different tone—not half as complex, but well-within the requested parameters. it's the narrative of the valiant loog, the first king of faerghus, and the rebellion he had instigated to liberate his people from the adrestian empire. ...a good half of it sylvain spins from his own memories of gronder field—not an experience he glorifies whatsoever, but easy enough to translate into a war epic for an audience.

...eventually, after much talking and gesticulating... he returns back to leaks with a particularly impressive star fragment, held with the blacksmith tongs. it's hot enough that the ambient heat is almost blistering against his knuckles, and he sets the object on a patch of dirt for them both to appraise. ]

Heheh, what did I say. Just gotta figure out if we wanna split it now, or later. You got anything that might help with that?