Leona: Being King

Leona’s NBC vignette is titled “Two Great Kings,” where he is shown being an effective and admired leader in what is possibly contributing to his frustration with never becoming king: Leona seems to be presented in the game as someone who would become a good king, to the point that his father wishes that he would aid his struggling brother, the actual crown prince.

Leona himself observes, “When it comes to kings, what they’ve done matters way more than their title.”

After Jack Skellington explains the various things he does as King of Halloween Leona reflects, “Their requirement for being king is being a coordinator? The standards for selecting a ruler here are simpler than I thought.”

Skully compliments Leona by saying he has a keen eye for everyone around him, both the students from NRC and the local residents of the town: “You’ve known most of them for a scant few days, yet you coordinate them so effectively…your skill leaves me astounded.” Jack Skellington also compliments Leona, mentions how impressed everyone has been with Leona’s suggestions for improvements. 

Dr. Finkelstein observes, “Leona’s quite astute. A capable individual if I ever met one,” the mayor says, “When I asked him for advice, he offered immediate suggestions. And they all worked out fantastically!,” and Sally adds, “He knew exactly what was going on and gave proper directions, all without ever leaving the plaza…It was amazing.”

Skully follows with, “Focusing on issuing orders while resolutely staying in one place… Heh, Leona is a king indeed. Perhaps it’s fitting to say this Halloween was made possible by not one but TWO great kings,” and Jack Skellington agrees, with Sally saying that they are both “wonderful leaders” and Dr. Finkelstein again complimenting Leona’s innovative ideas.

Skully says Leona has earned the respect of Jack Skellington and all who admire him and Leona responds, “Your praise is deeply humbling. If the people who need you and admire you say you’re their king…then I guess that means you are.”

Back at Savanaclaw Leona confronts slacking younger students who obey him immediately, with Jack observing, “They were in full lounge-mode, but their expressions sure changed in a hurry the moment they saw Leona.”

Ruggie says, “There’s something commanding about his presence… It’s like the whole dorm’s more coordinated with him here. That’s Leona for ya. Our king’s the best around!”

Leona downplays himself, saying, “I snap at a couple of froshes and you call me king? Must be an awfully cheap crown,” but Jack insists that it wasn’t just flattery and “Ruggie’s absolutely right. You’re our —,” but Leona interrupts the “pointless chitchat” before he can finish.

Ruggie does refer to Leona as their king in his dream of Book 7, when Leona is not there to hear. When the Kifaji of Leona’s mind refers to him as his king in Leona’s own dream Leona responds, “I’m nothing of the sort, and you know it.”

During the NBC event Leona steps in to educate Malleus on how to be a proper king: when Malleus threatens to strike Shock with lightning (“Mannerless curs deserve far more punishment than this”) Leona intervenes, asking, “If it was someone from your kingdom and they got injured, you’d instantly agree it was their own fault, no argument at all?,” and Malleus concedes.

During the Cloudcalling event Lilia reveals that Leona has been “gazing at the stars all wistful” and Leona explains, “Back in the time of the King of Beasts, they said the stars were the dead kings of old. That they’d watch over the royal family, and set them back on the path when they felt worried or alone.” 

Leona says it is “nothin’ more than a cheap lie. Makes me sick,” and we have no confirmation if his displeasure with this traditional belief partially comes from how he is to never be counted among them as he will never be king himself.