Erk, Serra, and Priscilla – The Triangle of Love
By Davis(Davis3 on FFN)
Chapter 2: Some Sage Advice

Note: Thanks for all the reviews so far. This is the first time I have had so many reviews for just one chapter. I am aware that there is more humor than love, but the romance stuff will pick up.

Erk, Serra, Priscilla – The Triangle of Love

I can still recall those events from the past few days....and every time I do, it makes me feel worse. Those two, Serra and Priscilla, fighting over me and all because of their affections that they have. Was I really that special to them? I needed to find out some things about them so that I can understand them better.

It took me some time, but I was able to gather up the courage needed and began to find my answers. I decided to speak with Lyndis first for she, Serra and I were in the same group that helped to save her grandfather from her granduncle. Maybe Lyndis and Serra talked to each other about Serra's feelings towards me? That in my view was a possibility, but then again, they never really spoke to each other that much. But, a try's a try. I could be lucky and she may reveal some things I need to know.

Lyndis was in one of the tents, and I pulled on the flap and called out if I could see her for just a minute. Instead of her coming out to greet me, she asked me to come inside for a few minutes. I entered her tent and I was surprised to see Lord Hector as well. All he was doing was sitting down on a chair and relaxing. He turned away from Lyndis and me....he doesn't wish to interfere in our discussion. I felt nervous as the question I was about to ask, was one that in truth, was a question I have never asked before in my life. To makes things even worse for me, not once did I ever consider this question to apply to me. Sigh....how things can change so suddenly.

" Erk....so, why have you come to see me?" Lyndis asked me. She was calm and relaxed, while I was nervous and irritable. I am sure that she can see that, but she is kind, and wouldn't see it as a big deal or anything.

" Lady Lyndis....I...." I just couldn't ask her my question. I was too nervous.

" It's okay Erk. Just relax, and take your time. No one else will know about this, especially Hector over there. Now, take several deep breaths and tell me what is on your mind okay?" Like I said, calm and relaxed. I followed her advice, and relaxed a bit, then I asked her my question.

" It is about....Serra and Priscilla...." I began before Lyndis interrupted.

" I along with everyone else in this campaign are fully aware of the way they are acting, and that you are caught in the middle of their arguments." I guess their arguments from these recent days had spread around the camp like wildfire. Now, everyone knows about it, and I had hoped to keep it a secret. Oh well, I guess some things cannot be controlled.

" Lady Lyndis, if you and the others know that they were arguing about which of them deserves to be in love with me, then I ask you this. Do you know much about Serra and Priscilla? I mean, I do know about them as I have traveled with both for a time. It's just that I fear that I may not know enough about them. I figured that if I could ask some people here about their interests, it may help me decide on who I should choose." My question had transformed somehow into an explanation and now I feel stupid. What I just said sounds rather awkward, and judging by her expression, I may have offended Lyndis.

" I know what you mean Erk. I had to ask Eliwood about Hector, and it worked out in the end. As for Serra and Priscilla? I hardly know anything about Priscilla, but that man Raven may know something as he is always by her side. As for Serra, we never really talked much, so I can't help you there. I suggest you ask Matthew, for he and Serra both come from Ostia and they do talk to each other from time to time." That was her suggestion and it was a start to my answers. I thanked her and left her tent as she walked over to Hector to comfort him.

I felt sorry for Matthew, for he had to put up with Serra's attitude just as much as I do, but for some reason, when I found him, she was nowhere to be found. Rather strange, but I had to press on for I needed to know more.

" Erk, is it?" Matthew and I never talked to each other that much.

" Yes."

" What do you want?"

" I need to know about Serra." I said to him and he almost jumped up for what I just said gave him a surprise. He regained his composure and settled down before turning to me. Before he could give an answer, I told him that I already knew about her attitude and how she can be annoying at times. Then I told him, that I wanted to know about the real Serra. The one behind the one we've come to know. That at first confused Matthew as he thought that there was no real Serra, but I insisted there had to be.

" You were wise to ask me, as I've known Serra a lot longer than you have, and I will say this right now....you are lucky." Matthew said.

" Why is that?" I asked.

" Because you haven't been around her as long as I have." Matthew answered. Judging by the way he said that, it was obvious that Serra gave him a hard time, but I am sure that she doesn't mean it.

" She can be rather bossy Erk and often tells others what to do." There was no argument there, that's for sure. Serra often told me what to do and dragged me everywhere during my time with her, and every minute was a nightmare. Matthew then continued.

" The way she speaks to certain people, like you and me, she sees us as being not good enough for her and she strives to improve us."

That was true to a word. Serra often did that with just about every man she ever met, as she wanted them to be good enough to be seen with her. This gave her that annoyance people have said, but it wasn't really that. It was her attitude that made her the way she was. She said some things that got her into trouble so often that someone else always had to get her out of it. This was the same with her actions. She had such a curiosity, that she ends up in trouble for no apparent reason....but she doesn't mean to be that way, does she?

" So far, all I have said to you was the bad qualities of Serra." Matthew said.

" All of which I am already aware of." I said as I lowered my head slightly.

" There has to be some good qualities she has, as if I can't find any, maybe she isn't the one for me to be in love with."

" Oho, is that it?" Matthew's face had a grin all over it. " I had a feeling this conversation had to do with the incidents she and that Priscilla have had lately. That changes everything. I never knew she would actually have feelings about you, but I'll tell you some of the qualities that people actually do like."

" Such as?" I asked, yearning to know more.

" You can't deny the fact that she has great beauty. Even I will admit that such a quality as this, can't be ignored. Men are smitten instantly, every time they see her no matter how much they deny it. You're blushing." Matthew said, and he was right. I tried to hide the fact that Serra had beauty, but I can't hold it back any longer.

" You're right, she is one of great beauty."

" See? What did I tell you? What else is there....oh yes. She can be annoying with her endless talking, but in truth, she is only trying to make people more comfortable. If you really listen to her and talk back, she can quite the conversationalist. Also, you have to consider her feelings." Matthew said. No there was a new one on me. I mean, she obviously has to have feelings, but I never considered them due to the way she acted.

" A Façade?" I asked.

" You could say that." Matthew answered. " Serra....has very sensitive feelings and she takes things the wrong way if you appear to be mean to her. She knows when she has done something wrong, but she can overdo it in her placement, if you know what I mean."

And sadly, I do. Serra often thinks of me as being inferior to her and that I am nothing more than a servant. Yet, she has feelings of me in her heart. Maybe she truly cares about me, yet doesn't wish to show this to me in the eyes of others? " She realizes her mistakes?"

" Apparently, she does and is quick to correct them." Matthew answered. A Façade....I knew it. She keeps her true feelings locked away, and showcases the personality we've all come to know....and at certain times, loathe. After hearing all this from Matthew, I now see Serra as being someone much different than when we first met. All this time....I never knew the truth....until now.

" Anything else?" Matthew asked.

" No....I think you have given me all that I need right now." I answered as I thanked him and bid him good day. As I walked back to my tent, the image of Serra was fresh in my mind, and was the only thing I could think of. Yet, I couldn't let that be my only concern. I still had to find out more about Priscilla. To do that, I have to ask Raven. What was his connection with her? There had to be some family reasons for both he and Priscilla looked vaguely similar. I'll worry about that later as I need to rest for a while, before I continue. There was one thing about Serra that Matthew didn't mention, but I was able to figure it out on my own. For some reason, she speaks to women, differently than men. Perhaps she sees other women as better people to talk too, or is she able to show her true feelings with them? That has to be the reason, for she surely showed her feelings to Priscilla.

As I reached my tent, another question crossed my mind. Why does see she other women as people and men as being inferior? This new question was one that I needed to ask Serra herself as no one else would be able to answer it. Upon opening the flap and entering my tent, I was surprised to see Serra standing there. She didn't look angry which was usually the case, but instead she looked rather....glad.

" Erk...." She began.

" Serra...."

" I didn't come here to make your life miserable. I came here so that we could talk in a proper conversation." That almost caused me to fall over. Never in my time with her did she ever say anything like that.

" If you wish to talk with me, then we shall." That was all I could think of in such short notice, but I had to allow her to speak. She looked as though she really wanted to share with me her feelings, and I have to let her do so. " What is it that you wish to talk about?

" I want....to apologize."

" What for?"

" For all the times I treated you unequally. I was wrong to do that to you. I am also sorry for being so obnoxious and talkative." Serra said. I then noticed that she slowly began to cry. Then, it hit me. Matthew said that she is quick to correct her mistakes and I suppose that this is her way of fixing it. The way she looks right now....it is so beautiful, it is if I have found true peace with myself. " Erk....I want you to know....that I love you. I have since the first time we met, but I just couldn't tell you directly. If I had, I would've felt like such an idiot." I then walked over to her and put my arms around her.

" Serra, it's okay."

" No it isn't," she said as she broke free from my arms. " I treated you like you were nothing and you took it all in. I'm surprised that you don't do the same thing back at me. I deserve it!" Serra then cried and I offered her a tissue, which she accepted.

" Serra....I understand why you did that to me. I know things between you and me haven't been the best moments of our lives, but in time, we will overcome them." I said. She looked towards and smiled.

" You're right. I will try my best to overcome them. As for you, choosing me over Priscilla? I won't force you to choose me, or let this conversation sway you over to me. Rather, I'll let you decide that outcome when the time comes."

That speech made me truly think of her as being someone much more than what she appears to be. " I....haven't told you everything when it comes to my feelings, but I will let you know about them when I think it is best." She said as she walked out of my tent. So far, it seems that Serra would be the best choice, but sadly, I cannot think that way. I have to hear Priscilla's reason of loving me and from there, take both of them into account. What I did not know was that Priscilla had been hearing the conversation I had with Serra for she was passing by. I quickly looked out and saw her walking away. For sure I thought she was going to walk away in a bad mood, but she did not do so.

It then dawned on me that I had to speak with Raven as soon as possible. I had to know as much about Priscilla as I could as I did not want to make her upset or anything. Already I have heard from Serra, and now I have to hear from Priscilla.

End of Chapter 2.

Note: This chapter focuses on the Serra x Erk pairing, yet for those of you who support the Priscilla x Erk pairing, don't feel bad about it not being mentioned much, but the next chapter will focus on Priscilla's feelings of Erk. From there, things will get much more interesting.

Also, I couldn't help it, but I wanted to put a bit of the Hector/Lyn pairing into this. I only just recently acquired their A rank for their support and it made me want to put it in on the side. That's it for this little note of mine.

R&R Please, thanks.

--Davis--