Soft amber light bathed the inside of a tent as a raven laguz peacefully reclined into a warm, soft chair. Vika let out a blissful sigh of relief as the hole in her arm silently began to close, a soft blue light mixing with the apricot glow of the tent's lamp. The priest before her, a cute little beorc she had learned was called Laura, happily continued to mend Vika's wound, her staff moving expertly.

The Liberation Army had just taken the capital back from the Begnion occupation force and the army was happily celebrating their country's newfound freedom. Vika had spent the last couple hours nursing a wound she had gotten during the retaking of the capital, and was just recently interrupted by the little priest, insisting that she take a look at it.

''Hmm... Yep, your arm should be fine now Vika!'' Laura beamed. ''You were really brave in the capital, Vika, swooping up ledges to take out archers. Though, I wish you wouldn't take such big risks. You know flying units are weak to arrows!'' an adorable little pout on her face.

Vika smirked gently. If all humans were as nice as the doting girl before her, she would have forgiven the whole slavery business ages ago.

''Hmm, but how could I just stand there and let those soldiers fire down on a cute little thing like you, Laura?''

The little priest happily grinned as the raven playfully rustled her hair, a rosy blush on her cheeks.

''Hehehe! Oh, by the way, Nolan's gonna grill some of his famous steaks soon behind the mess tent. Are you going to come Vika?''

At the mention of the meat, Vika's mouth started to salivate. The old, former leader of the Dawn Brigade, did grill a mean steak, nice and juicy with such pungent spices. She had vivid memories of how their resident thunder mage had joyfully engulfed two cattle worth of meat before the entire mess hall, soldiers cowering under their napkins in fear.

''Ha, I wouldn't miss those for the world. You go on ahead, I'm gonna wrap up this wound.''

A sly grin widened the raven's face. ''Besides, if Aran were to see me arrive with my arm around his sweetheart, we might have another war on our hands.''

A bright blush blossomed on the beorc's face. ''Awww, no teasing Vika! Okay, but you better hurry, or else Ilyana is gonna eat them all up!''

With a cheerful wave, Laura lifted the tent flap and disappeared, leaving Vika alone with her thoughts. As the raven settled down onto her cot, she began to reflect on the last couple of days. After her little pep talk with Nailah, she had learned to interact more with the humans in the army. Surprisingly, none of them threw anything at her. Hell, she even became friends with some of them, like the adorable little priest and her bodyguard with the unfitting hair, or the swordsmaster, Zihark, who had quite a soft side for laguz. Everyone in the army, (except maybe the mumbling madman and the pitch-black wall of armour), was extremely tolerant to Vika and she never would have gotten to know their personalities or colourful backgrounds, had Nailah not helped her come to peace with herself.

As if on cue, the wolf in question burst into Vika's tent, her carefree smile wide on her face and a faint hint of alcohol fresh on her lips. She exaggeratingly tumbled her way towards Vika, plopping her body next to Vika on the bed.

''What's an adorable little bird like you doing alone, sweetheart?'' Nailah charmed, trying to force the charisma onto her face. ''How 'bout we head down to the bathhouse and make some waves.''

Vika simply scoffed as she saw the woman try and fail to waggle her eyebrows seductively. She turned her back to the wolf, her black wings smacking into the charmer's face, inciting a surprised whine.

''Is this how you treat all foreigners your majesty?'' the raven teased. ''No wonder Hatari hasn't had outside contact in ages with a queen like you.''

''How cruel! You weren't so cold that night in the meadow, bird.'' Nailah began to leisurely trace a finger down Vika's back, causing the raven to shiver in surprise. ''Perhaps I should teach you another lesson in bathing.''

''Hmph. And perhaps I should teach you one in flying.'' Vika smugly rebutted.

The two laughed in harmony at the joke, and Vika eventually inched closer to Nailah as the two enjoyed a comfortable silence. Ever since the incident in the meadow, the two laguz had become good friends, spending a lot of their downtime talking and training together. While Vika never came close to besting the wolf queen in combat, she did enjoy hearing her stories about life in Hatari.

''So, I hear you and company will be escorting me and Rafiel to Gallia.'' the wolf queen announced, breaking the silence.

Shortly after the coronation of Daein's new king, Tormod had told her that they would be escorting both Nailah and the heron Rafiel to Castle Gallia. Rafiel was the first prince of the heron clan, a tribe which only consisted of a three other members, to Vika's knowledge after the Serenes Massacre. It was imperative that he be reunited with his family, who was under the protection of the Hawk King, leader of Pheonicis, a country with close ties to Gallia. Nailah, on the other hand, was the queen of a newly discovered country in a world where there was only one continent was on the map and wished to speak with Tellius's own beast ruler in Gallia.

When Vika first heard the news, she felt strangely thrilled. Sure, she now had to spend the next couple of months or so travelling through human countries, fighting to protect one of the most sought-after laguz in all of Tellius from slavers. Yet, at the same time, it meant she wouldn't have to say goodbye to Nailah. When she thought of parting ways with the woman who had changed her life, she felt a strange sorrow in her chest and wanted to curl up in bed (though she'd never tell Nailah that). If she could stay by the queen for just a little longer, learn one more little tidbit of information about life in Hatari, hear that charming laughter just one more time, then that would be reward enough. Once again, that was something that would never leave the raven's lips.

''Yeah, I hear the hawk king pays well for favours relating to the herons.'' Vika smirked. ''But, if you want me to look after your behind, it's coming out of your pocket.''

''Stingy.'' A daunting smile began to augment the queen's face. ''Though, you look at my behind enough around camp. I don't think I need to pay you for it.''

That got a rise out of the raven as Vika threw a pillow at the wolf, face hot with embarrassment.

''Jeeeeezz, enough with the jokes Nailah!'' As Vika prepared another pillow in her hands, she suddenly remembered a certain promise to a certain priest.

''Oh yeah, Laura invited to eat some steaks. Wanna come?'' Vika saw the wolf queen's eye flash.

''Oh, is that old man making them again?'' the wolf asked with a animal-like craving, her carnivorous appetite reflected on her sharp teeth.

Nailah shot up from the bed before holding out a hand to Vika. ''After you, beautiful.'' she grinned.

''Hmm, better.'' the raven offered as she took Nailah's hand and exited the tent.

Just as she stepped into the cool, night air, however, she felt a strong and sudden hand grab and lovingly fondle her rear.

''Mmmm, though I wouldn't mind paying you to watch your behind, bird.''

''N-NAILAH!''

And so, with an another blaze of scarlet lighting up her face, Vika chased Nalilah to the camp cookout, and the two spent one last night with their Daein comrades, enjoying good food and company as the country's flag flew free.