Opposites
Chapter One
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The Tactician's tent was filled up, almost everyone was there. The only ones that were missing were the Lycian Lords and their tactician. Matthew, the enigmatic theif, was busy spreading the rumor that they were talking to Marquess and Marchioness Reglay. Everyone, seemed to be tending to their own business. Until, Raven began to glare at Guy. (Ever since Priscilla showed some interest in the Sacean Myrmidion, Guy had been the recent object of Raven's death glares. No one knew why, but some suspected that Raven liked Prsicilla a lot. Farina had even made a bet with Lord Hector, she favored Raven, while he favored Guy). Now most of the crew, was interested on watching Guy shift uncomfortably. Priscilla, seemed to be ignoring Raven's behavior, or she still hadnt noticed. –The young troubadour could be quite dense sometimes.-
Florina searched the room for her sisters, she had arrived with Kent, Wil and Sir Wallace. It seemed that Fiora was speaking to Heath, while Farina was still teaching Dorcas how to get money, easily. Florina felt left out now that her sisters were always too busy. They didn't spend as much time with her as they used to...
Suddenly the tent had become quiet, even Merlinus had stopped talking. That could only mean that the tactician and the Lords had arrived. Even though, they were young, they were very respected. Florina watched as the tactician settled down and began her planning almost as quickly as she settled. The rookie tactician looked cold and calculating. Florina shuddered, she could be Ravens twin. (If he were a girl that is). The tactician began to speak:
"Bern is the only country in Elibe that is surrounded by mountains, Mera sighed and gave a slight pause, to make matters worse Bern is also the only place where Wyverns still fly, so we'll be needing our best fighters in the fray. Hector, Lyn, Eliwood, Florina, Fiora, Farina, Heath, Kent, Rath, Raven, Guy, Priscilla, Wil, Canas, Ninian and Rebecca you shall be going. As for the rest of you, you're dismissed…
Florina definetely thought her tactician was way too strict with the others. It was well known that Tactician Mera didn't begin her planning until the rest of the group had departed. Surely, it wouldn´t hurt to tell the plan to the rest. She remembered that Wil had once defined her as obsessive and unbearable.
"So here's the plan…" Tactician Mera said as she opened her map. Remember that the enemy has us ambushed so you'll have to move to be able to form groups or take partners. Also, try not to get too far from the Lords, especially you Raven. Hector and Rath, I will need you to help Lyn and Eliwood, since your weapons are best suited against Wyvern Riders. Wil and Rebecca there's some ballistas, so you'll have to get to them as fast as you can. Fiora and Heath, there's a village at the South, try and protect the villagers from harm. Finally, Florina guard Ninian, while she aids the others.
Oh!!! And Farina, Kent I'll be pairing you two for this mission too so… try not to distract others, understood?
As you say, Tactician Mera. Kent sighed, knowing what would her partner say next.
Mera! Your want me next to Kent again!? Farina whined.
"Well… as a matter of fact, yes! Everyone has a partner except you, Farina." Mera calmly said as she picked her scrolls and massaged her temples.
But… We mercenaries don't need partners! Surely even you can see we don't even get along! Why don't you pair me with someone else let's say… Florina,
"Florina is Ninian's partner." Mera, sighed, again.
But what about Wil?
Rebecca's
Canas?
Raven's
Guy?
"Priscilla's" Mera stated as she left the tent, along with the Lords.
"You're an impossible one, Mera Ill give you that! AND Remember I deserve a big bonus for this!!! " Farina, stormed out.
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Florina was weary, last night had been exhausting. Fiora had tried to calm Farina down, after the tactician had Kent paired with her, for a second time. The first time, Mera paired them together their discussion had distracted the whole camp at the middle of a battle! It wasn't until Lyn and Lord Hector had showed up that they had stopped their quarrel.
Anyways Mera was right, she thought, it was difficult to predict what would come. Both Ninian and Florina were surprised by a few nomads that tried to hit them. Luckily they were able to dodge on time, and with Ninian's help she was able to strike them before any real damage was done. Unfortunately it wasn't too long, before Mera commanded Florina to carry Ninian closer to the Lords, and later told her to stay by the quarreling pair.
As she headed towards the troublesome duo, Wil's newest nickname for both, Florina kept on thinking about them. But mostly about her sister, she just couldn't understand Farina, Kent was polite. He was one of the only men she could talk to without stuttering, too much. Why couldn't Farina get along with Kent? Florina, truly, wondered if opposites really attracted. Having Farina and Kent together would be great! After all, Fiora was engaged to Heath now, and seeing her middle sister with Kent WOULD be hilarious! Florina quietly chuckled as she watched the pair advance and take some Wyvern Riders down. They were truly opposites, but she had this feeling that they both cared for each other more than they liked to admit. She couldn't say much about herself though…
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FLORINA!!! FLORINA! Farina shouted from afar at her distracted sister. Farina was tired of having to "alert" her little sister in such circumstances! A wyvern rider was heading to her right now! Oh, how she loathed those wyvern Riders! They were even difficult to kill with bows and only magic would deal some damage to those idiots. Farina was about to strike, but it seemed that Wil had hit the Wyvern with the ballista before she could even touch it. Whoa! She would have to thank Wil later, after making sure that Florina wouldn't fall from her Pegasus.
Hmmm…Wha…Ugh… AH!!!
"Hey! Florina! Watch out!" Unfortunately, Farina's warning was a little too late and her less fortunate sister landed on a tree.
"Florina are you all right?" Kent said while approaching Farina and helping little Florina up.
-Luckily Kent and Farina where the only ones around… Because Florina would have died of embarrassment if anyone else had seen this! Surely, Merlinus wouldn't waste any time telling everyone that she had fallen of her Pegasus… for the third time, this week.-
"Florina, are you alright?" Kent asked somewhat concerned.
"Of course she's alright Kent! Pegasus knights are accustomed to this, right sis?" Farina said as she helped her lithe sister. Anyways what are you doing here Florina?
"Um... I guess so, thank you for your concern Kent" Florina confirmed as she turned to check on her Pegasus, Huey. Mera told me to keep an eye on you two.
"Hey Kent, Farina! Tactician Mera wants both of you on front!" Lord Hector interupted
Florina as he commanded them hastily and at the same time tried to catch up with Lyn and Eliwood. Seeing, of course, that He was always behind the other Lycian Lords, didn't they ever slow down and think about him?
"Florina, are you coming? Florina? Hey, where'd she go Kent?"
Perhaps she needed to get something, Farina. Kent calmly stated as he mounted his steed.
"Nonsense Kent! Fiora and I made sure that she came prepared! Farina said as she mounted her faithful Pegasus, Murphy. Florina's been acting quite weird lately, and I'll get to the bottom of this! Hey are you listening to me Kent! Kent? I swear you and Fiora are so annoying!
"Are you coming or not Farina?" Kent yelled, already ahead of the irritated Pegasus Knight.
"Hey wait for me! Don't you dare leave me behind!" Farina swiftly raced, towards her partner.
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-Phew! that was close. - Florina thought. Lord Hector had almost spotted her! She couldn't see Lord Hector, at least not yet. She needed some more practice before trying to tell him. Sure, Florina had gotten less shy, at Caelin. But she hadn't improved too much either. The first time she had tried to thank him for catching her in Caelin; Lord Hector left before she could even tell him. On her second try, she had been so frightened! She was still practicing, who knew that he would interrupt her like that! Florina had to admit it was one of the scariest moments she had ever experienced.
She had, secretly, tried to get help from most of the girls in the army; but to no avail. Just thinking about going back and asking Serra for help made Florina rub her neck. Serra had once tried to boost her confidence, but that had been terrible! Why couldn't she treat people as equals, plus her neck hurt a lot! (Just after one lesson)! She talked to Ninian about it too, but Ninian, was as well quite shy around men. Lastly, she wanted to inquire Nino; however she couldn't tell her, and they finished up chatting about siblings. She remembered how Nino told her that her brother acted a lot like Hector; Florina wondered how Nino managed. Everything about Lord Hector was bold, strong and even harsh. Especially, Lord Hector's fighting style. The Pegasus Knight had even heard from Lyn that Hector taught himself how to use axes.
Anyhow, Lord Hector was the complete opposite of Florina. He was brave, strong, loyal and even though it was hard for Florina to admit, Lord Hector was handsome too. Sadly,it wasn't the first time that she had given thought to it. But Lord Hector would never like someone who couldn't even say thank you without stuttering, she wasn't even strong like Lyn, Fiora or Farina; and she was even shy around other women. Sometimes she wished she could be more like her sisters, especially Fiora. Farina was ok too, but Fiora; she was her role model. Surely, Fiora could help her; she always knew what to do in any situation.
Florina was beginning to lose concentration every time Hector was around or whenever someone spoke about him. It seemed that most of the time Mera ignored her clumsiness, because the novice tactician almost always sent Fiora or Heath to her aid. They were both stronger, but she still couldn't help but to think it was some sort pampering, after all she wasn't that helpless, she was a full fledged Pegasus knight.
Was she?
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Author's Note: Read and Review Please!