Southtown Inn
Early Morning
Cail woke to a disorienting sense of nausea and pain, and for a brief moment he was lost in his own body as the dream released him and left him senseless. He lay prone on his back, blinking rapidly in an attempt to clear his mind, and a dull throb in his temples warned of the beginnings of a migraine. Wincing, he closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, willing his stomach to settle and his heartbeat to slow through sheer force of will.
It wasn't the first time he had woken up in such a way, and months of practise allowed him to quickly regain his equilibrium. Continuing to take deep breaths, Cail was only glad that his dream hadn't had him waking up yelling as they had often in the past. Once he felt his heartbeat regain its normal rhythm, he allowed himself to open his eyes and expel his held breath in a soft and irritated sigh.
Automatically he raised his left hand to push against his still-throbbing temple, only to find his arm was weighed down by something warm and soft. Confused, the tactician glanced to his left to find a pleasant surprise awaiting his gaze. Nestled against his side and using his chest as a pillow, his wife was fast asleep beside him. His arm was curled about her waist to hold her in place while they'd slept, and he chuckled a little with the realization. 'Still asleep... Good to see...'
As he reached with his free hand to brush her messy hair from her face, Cail relaxed back into the mattress to watch her. The muted light from the window not too far from the bed told him it was still early morning, and he smiled as he recalled that he and his comrades weren't leaving Southtown until late noon. Trying not to laugh, he moved his fingers errantly through the tangled spring-green locks in an attempt to put some order to it, 'I don't even remember falling asleep...'
The thought was a bittersweet one, and moving with extreme care so not to jostle her while she slumbered, Cail rolled onto his side and lovingly pressed a kiss to her temple. She murmured softly at the touch, a little smile curling unconsciously at her lips before she cuddled closer to his warmth in her sleep. Tightening his hold ever so slightly about her waist, Cail pulled her closer and muttered against her tapered ear, "Even if you don't want to hear me say it, I still am sorry for leaving you."
Tiki had scolded him something fierce when he had tried to apologize again for leaving her, and knowing full well there were some battles that could not be won, Cail let her have the final word. She meant it when she said she understood and forgave him, he knew her too well to ever be fooled by a lie, but it didn't mean that half of a year of separation hadn't hurt. He had left her alone, much sooner than he had ever intended to, and that absence had been only a small taste of the future that awaited her. Hating himself for giving her those bitter memories, Cail hugged her close and sighed in pained defeat. Even if she wouldn't let him apologize, he still was sorry and would whisper those words every morning until the guilt began to abate.
He watched as she shifted against his chest, murmuring again before she became comfortable and grew still. He felt a smile pulling once more at his face as she used him as a pillow as she so often did when she slept, and as he finished putting some order back to her hair, he let his hand drift lazily down her back in an absent caress. He could spy a darkening mark peeking through her hair at the juncture of her throat and shoulder, and he wondered when he had put it there. 'Huh... I don't remember doing that, either...'
A quick examination of his own naked chest revealed several similar brands on his skin, and he ran his free hand over his throat as he wondered if other markings decorated his flesh there, too. He didn't much doubt it, even without a mirror to prove it, and he chuckled to himself as he mused on how he'd best be able to hide them once they left the room. 'We got a little bit out of hand last night, I see... Normally we're more careful. Then again, nothing about last night was very ordinary, so I guess it's not right of me to complain... and I definitely didn't do any of that, if memory serves...'
The thought made him laugh a little bit more, and overall lightened his mood considerably. His muscles were knotted and sore, and he was relatively sure she had added several new scratches to his back, but he had a difficult time trying to be concerned about it. He was certain she would be just as stiff once she woke up, and the thought did give him a certain sense of proud male satisfaction. If he had fallen asleep without even realizing it, they had spent quite the night together, and that was more than all right with him.
Moving his fingers rhythmically up and down the curve of her spine, Cail felt completely at ease and content lying with her under the sheets. He couldn't count the times he had simply lay in bed beside her and watched her sleep, listening to the sound of her even breathing and the occasional mumble she was prone to making in the midst of her dreams of ancient days gone by. Stretching his aching muscles, Cail winced as the dull throbbing in his temples grew slightly more intense, and as carefully as he could, he withdrew from the bed so not to disturb her sleep.
Once he was sure she hadn't noticed his move, Cail reached for his discarded trousers and pulled them on before moving to the other end of the room where his canteen lay discarded beside his cloak and weaponry. He took a deep gulp of water before pouring a small bit into his hand and running his wet palm over his forehead in an attempt to soothe the pounding with the cold liquid.
Though he had gotten more than his fair share of migraines, Cail still sighed as he massaged his temples while absently swinging the canteen against his hip. He had hoped his days of waking up in cold sweats with a throbbing head were over. A frown creased his brow as he gazed at nothing in particular, allowing his mind to wander over the handful of images that had flashed through his brain before he had woken up.
'White flowers... A house in a thunderstorm... and a tombstone with no name. One hell of an unclear set of images... but they did seem important...' Shaking his head, Cail took another deep pull of water as he mulled over the significance of such odd things appearing in his dreams. He was used to the vivid memories Grima had given to him, those nightmares he doubted he would ever outlive, but his latest dream had been of a much different nature that left him both puzzled and irritated.
He was no expert on flowers, and admitted the small bouquet he had dreamt of really had no significance to him. The white blooms had been pretty to look at, but otherwise he had no idea what they meant. The fragile petals of ivory with gentle violet streaks made him wonder if perhaps the flower was rare, and he filed away the image of the bloom to bring up to a gardener at the castle later for identification. 'One mystery...'
The thunderstorm however was slightly easier to understand, and he cringed unconsciously as he imagined the rolling sound of thunder. He appreciated a good rainfall more than most, and was prone to taking walks in downpours to relish the sensation of cold water hitting his skin, but storms were a different monster altogether. He both loathed and was terrified of the sound of thunder, and no matter the cures suggested to rid himself of the phobia, it still haunted him mercilessly. There was no worse torture to him than the brutal claps of thunder and the sound of shrieking wind. 'Because just living through them isn't hell enough, now I have to dream about them, too...'
His hand tightened somewhat about the neck of his canteen as the last image hovered in his mind, and a frown pulled deeply at his lips as he wondered at the dark gray slab that had been the last thing he'd seen before waking. Though there had been no name upon the stone, the shape was too obvious to ever mistake as anything else. His stomach tightened into an uncomfortable knot, and a feeling of icy unease crept down his spine as he spoke quietly to himself, "Then the tombstone... Not exactly the most cheerful of things to dream about..."
Shaking his head in an attempt to clear the images from his mind and hopefully restore his good mood, Cail glanced about the room as his stomach tightened a little in hunger. He found what he was looking for in moments, and made a mental note to thank the innkeeper for having the courtesy and foresight to keep a small bowl of fresh fruit on the desk in every room for the occupants. It saved him from having to dress properly and make a trip to the bottom floor to fetch breakfast.
Picking up an apple from the bowl, Cail likewise retrieved one of the smaller bowls that had been set aside with the fruit for an easily accessible meal. He then quickly fetched a dagger he usually always kept in his pack for such occasions, and was about to set to work cutting the fruit before a soft murmur from the bed behind him stopped him in his tracks. Forgetting the food for a moment, Cail turned to watch Tiki shift somewhat under the blankets, stretching languidly as sleep began to release its hold on her body. Smiling at the sight she made waking up, Cail set everything aside on the bedside table before sitting down on the edge of the bed. Playfully he reached out to brush her hair back over her shoulder, and he spoke with a little laugh as she opened her eyes blearily, "Well, hello there. The sun's not even fully risen and you're already waking up? This is a surprise."
Tiki blinked twice as the sound of his voice was coupled with the feeling of his hand moving lazily down her hair, and she shook her head to clear the cobwebs sleep always left in her mind as she propped herself up a little. For a brief moment, as she took in the sight of her husband sitting beside her and grinning cheekily, she wondered if she was still sleeping. Her dreams constantly featured him being there when she woke up, and she wouldn't really have been surprised if she was once again lost in the realms of comforting fantasy.
Still, that gentle touch in her hair was more real than her imagination could ever dream up, and she let out the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding as a fierce wave of relief tore through her heart. Cail's eyes narrowed as he noticed the change in both her posture and expression, and with a worried frown he reached to touch her cheek as he spoke quietly, "Tiki? Hey, are you all right?"
Smiling, Tiki turned her face into his palm and let out a pleased sigh at the feeling of his fingertips ghosting along her skin. His warmth immediately soothed the last hints of doubt that clung to her mind, and she answered softly as she peeked at him from underneath her eyelashes, "There's no need to worry... I'm quite all right. It's just a pleasant surprise to see you when I first open my eyes, that's all."
Completely abandoning pretense with those words, Cail hopped into bed and knocked her flat with a fierce embrace when she tried to sit up. Her gasp of surprise melted into laughter as he pinned her down and tangled her within the sheets, but she paid no mind to it as he hugged her tightly. He kissed the crown of her hair before letting her go and resting his weight on his hands, and he propped himself lazily above her with a smile that stretched clean across his face. She was still laughing, caught off guard but greatly amused by his show of affection, and she spoke softly through her giggles as their eyes met, "And good morning to you, too. Was knocking me over really necessary this early in the day?"
"You're the one who woke up. Which is extremely odd, considering if I leave you be, you're likely to sleep until noon." Cail answered with a chuckle, and he leaned down to kiss the tip of her nose before withdrawing and allowing her a chance to regroup. Swinging his legs easily over the side of the bed, Cail shifted somewhat to give her a little room before he picked up his breakfast and begin applying the dagger to the fruit.
In a trice the fruit was sliced in half and the core removed, and as he set about cutting it into smaller pieces, he felt a pair of warm arms slide easily about his middle. Laughing lightly as he felt Tiki nuzzling lovingly against his bared shoulder, Cail continued with his work. The tell-tale sensation of fabric rubbing against his back told him that she was either still using the blankets to cover herself or she had found his shirt and decided to put that on instead, and he paused in his work to glance over his shoulder to see which she had chosen to do.
His shirt was loose and baggy on her svelte form, but he admitted he much preferred it on her rather than him considering the seductive sight she made with it on. Her shoulder peeked out from the collar, and as she sat up on her knees behind him, he couldn't help but shake his head in appreciation as the hem of the shirt hovered dangerously high above her thighs. He was rather glad he was taller than her if this was the effect his clothing would have on her body whenever she wore his shirts, and he heard her laugh as she read his mind and scolded him promptly, "Keep your eyes on your hands and not on my legs, please. You're liable to cut yourself if you don't focus on what you're doing."
Flushing somewhat, Cail forced his stare away from her and back to the task at hand as she suggested. He had no interest in adding cut fingers to the array of half-healed wounds he was still sporting, and he had a feeling his wife would not be very accommodating with him if he did slice his hands on his dagger because he was too busy staring at her. She laughed lightly at him, but nuzzled against his back anyway to prove she wasn't really in the mood to scold him.
Finishing his work quickly, Cail dumped the now cut fruit into the bowl and set aside the dagger before setting the dish on the edge of the bed. Tiki kissed his shoulder gently in gratitude before accepting the offer of breakfast, and the two sat close together as they went about satisfying their morning hunger. Leaning gently against her, Cail munched thoughtfully on his third piece of fruit as he mused, "Not that I'm complaining, but I don't think I've ever seen you get up so early before without me waking you."
Halting before she delivered her second slice of apple to her mouth, Tiki frowned and let her arm fall into her lap. Moving the piece of fruit absently in her fingers, she admitted somewhat guiltily under his curious stare, "I... haven't been sleeping well for the past few months. Truth be told, last night probably was the first night in quite some time that I've actually slept on till the morning."
Frowning as well, Cail reached with his free hand to run his fingers through her hair in a soothing gesture. She looked like a child caught breaking the rules, and the expression broke his heart. She still wasn't meeting his eyes, and he asked her quietly even though he was fairly certain he knew the answer without her having to speak, "Nightmares?"
Tiki flinched at his correct guess but said nothing, not wanting to add to the guilt she knew he was still carrying on his shoulders. He had rid himself of one burden only to take another without a word, and she hated to be the reason why he frowned. His altruistic nature had indeed been what truly sparked her attraction to him, but it always created more pain than good for him.
Sighing, Cail gently moved his hand down her cheek to her shoulder, and he pulled her closer and into a tight hug. She didn't resist the embrace, and snuggled closer into his chest with a weary sigh of her own. After a moment, Cail stole the piece of fruit Tiki was toying with, and before she could protest, popped it into her mouth. The look of baffled surprise made him laugh, and he helped himself to another slice as he explained with a cheeky wink, "No use letting breakfast go to waste over bad memories. Besides, you still haven't told me about what's been happening in the past six months. You were travelling with Chrom, but what about the others? Did you hear anything while on the road?"
Shaking her head in fond exasperation, Tiki knew better than to scold him when he was trying to lift her mood. She finished the surprise-fed slice of fruit before she nestled closer into his embrace, and she absently reached to wrap her arm about his waist before she began thoughtfully, "Well, truthfully, there wasn't much news. As you can expect, most of the army scattered once peace was restored. Many went with their spouses or friends, and simply begin searching. Mind you, they did so while journeying for home, but considering how widespread their homes were, it was a rather efficient way to look."
"Makes sense." Cail agreed with a nod, and a smile curled at his lips as he mused that now his friends likely spanned the continent in their homes, or journeying. He could well imagine which of his comrades had turned once more to the road rather than settle down in fixed locations, and he wondered absently which had trouble deciding what to do now that peace had come. Nuzzling again against her shoulder, Cail kissed gently at her neck before asking, "What about at the castle? Did you get missives often from the girls?"
Tiki smiled at both his play and his attempt to sound nonchalant while asking about Morgan, and she tilted her head further to the side to give him more room to nuzzle. Her voice was soft as she spoke of their daughter she had hated to leave behind despite all protests made in her defence, "As often as possible. Lucina refused to let a single thing go by without updating her father on it, and Morgan never failed to add her own observations, either. While they've always been rather close, from their letters, I think that bond has deepened in recent months. They both will deny it, but they really do spend most of their time looking out for one another rather than themselves, or anything else for that matter. It's likely the true reason why Morgan decided to stay behind at the castle."
"That... sounds just like them." Cail chuckled with an indulgent shake of his head, but his heart was warm with pride over his daughter's compassion. She always had possessed a soft spot for Lucina, and though the two bantered often, they truly did treat each other more like siblings than comrades. He could see the same relationship between the girls that he shared with Chrom, and it never failed to make him smile. "Are they keeping well?"
"As well as can be expected. Though she rarely made mention of it, I know Morgan has missed you terribly. Had she not had to worry about Lucina running herself into the ground, I have no doubts that she would have been right alongside me, searching for you." Her daughter's torn loyalties had broken her heart, Tiki had seen it, but for her credit, Morgan had kept a brave face on and refused to let her decision be swayed once she had come to it. She was just as altruistic, and just as stubborn, as her father was. "She'll likely be ecstatic to see you again."
"I'm going to have to be prepared to get knocked down again, aren't I?" Cail asked with all seriousness, but Tiki's cheeks flooded with red almost instantly at the reminder of her own greeting. Though he hadn't intended to poke fun at her rather aggressive greeting, Cail stifled a laugh as she shifted away from him awkwardly, and he tried to console her while desperately attempting to keep the laughter from his voice, "I didn't mean it like that..."
"I am sorry for yesterday..." Tiki murmured almost plaintively, and though she had moved a little bit away from him, she was close enough still to feel his body trembling from his attempts to suppress his mirth. Feeling her blush rising to the very tips of her pointed ears, Tiki hung her head in a childlike gesture as she stammered for an explanation over her out of character response to his appearance. She truly hadn't thought she would react so violently to having him back, and before she had managed to think about what she was doing, it was already over. "I truly didn't... I mean, it wasn't... Please, just stop laughing at me..."
"I'm not laughing..." Cail lied straight through his teeth, and she shot him an unamused stare that only really tipped the scales further in favour of outright mirth. Waving a hand in what he hoped looked like the dismissive gesture it really was, he tried again with less than stellar results, "No, honestly, I'm not laughing at you..."
Knowing full well he was much too kind to ever really make her the butt of a joke, Tiki let his good mood soothe her embarrassment. His warmth was tangible, and she nudged him reproachfully even as she smiled gently, "If I may say so, you are a terrible actor. You're quite fortunate that I'm not in the mood to really rebuke you."
"What kind of mood are you in, then?" Cail asked with a playful smile and suggestive raise of his eyebrows. To his pleasure, Tiki blushed again, but she was quick to dash any thoughts he may have had by flicking him promptly in the ear with the best stern expression she could manage. Shaking his head and trying his best to look contrite, Cail reached out to brush a lazy fingertip along the darkening love-bite on her collarbone, "Sorry, sorry... I'll stop with the teasing."
"No... I don't mind the teasing." Tiki admitted with a sheepish smile, and she gently wrapped her hand about his wrist as he continued with his lazy ministrations. Relishing the ticklish warmth, she sighed and leaned completely against his chest and allowed him to wrap his other arm snugly about her waist. Her voice was quiet but honest when she tucked her face against his shoulder and explained, "It's rather nice to hear your voice again like this. To laugh about silly things. It feels as if it's been an age since I've smiled... I truly have missed you. Much more than I thought possible to miss another. I am so happy to have you back."
"I made you a promise." Cail answered quietly, and he hugged her tightly as the sincerity of her words both broke his heart and warmed him to the core of his being. Though he was still adjusting to the fact that half of a year had gone by without him, he well intended to spend the rest of his life making up for those long six months his family and friends had endured while waiting for his return. "And you know that I always keep my word."
"Yes, I do." Tiki answered with a little nod, and she sighed happily as she nuzzled against his chest and allowed his warmth to saturate her entire being. For the first time in a long while she finally felt completely content and free. He was home, and as long as she could still reach out and touch him, then she was happy. The thought however brought up what was waiting in Ylisstol, and she laughed quietly to herself before peeking up at him, and asking almost shyly, "If I may be so selfish, could I possibly ask you to make me another promise today?"
Cail blinked once, both at the request and her shyness in asking it. It was rare she asked him for something, and usually if she did, she would make it with the due gravity her requests usually deserved. This shyness was new, and he couldn't help but smile as he leaned back against the headboard of the bed and answered her gently, "You know I'd do anything for you."
Tiki smiled slightly, and though the words were sweet, they remained bitter to her taste. She did know full well that he would do anything for her. He had proved it. Pressing a soft kiss to that spot that marked where his heart lay, she rested her hand lightly on top of his before looking up to meet his eyes when she whispered, "Can you hold me like this... for a little while longer? Once we reach Ylisstol, our comrades will all want to see you, and welcome you home. I don't begrudge them of it, and truthfully, I'm glad you have so many good friends who have missed you like they have... But... if only just until then... can I have you all to myself?"
His eyes widened somewhat in surprise, but then pleasure quickly took over and made his smile widen. She had a point that he would likely be swarmed once they reached Ylisstol, though he admitted he didn't nearly feel as if he had spent enough time with his wife just yet. Still, she wasn't going to complain, but rather only meekly ask him if would be all right if she could spend the rest of the morning in his arms. Her charity both exasperated and amused him, and he gave her a firm squeeze before muttering into her ear, "Silly... Of course you can..."
Curling her arms about his neck, Tiki rewarded the gentle words with a sweet kiss before she snuggled happily into his arms and sighed in perfect contentment. He lay warm and willing beneath her, running his fingers absently through her hair, and the peace that surrounded them was almost a type of magic all on its own. "Thank you..."
"You're more than welcome."
Castle Ylisse
Late Afternoon
Morgan was an impatient ball of energy, and Lucina was trying her best to hold in her amusement as she silently watched her friend pacing to and fro across the hall, all the while pretending to be busy attending to Falchion's usual maintenance. The sun was beginning its descent across the sky, and though countless missives had been sent far and wide across the continent that morning, not many had been returned. In and of itself that was of no surprise, considering even a messenger on horseback could not move so fast across the land, but even that logic had done little to really soothe Morgan's unrest. Still, the two girls had high hopes that by tomorrow night at the latest most would have returned with their reaction to the news, and even more would be arriving in Ylisstol upon the week's end to see for themselves the proof of Cail's return.
The thought of the silver-haired tactician made Lucina smile, and as she watched Morgan moving with a speed given to her by impatience, she had to admit her own nerves were beginning to react. Seeing Cail again would be a joy, though she did admit with a pang of old guilt that their relationship had indeed been a tense and rocky one at many points. But the silver-haired tactician had never held a single thing against her, forgiving her with a smile when he had all the right in the world to turn his back on her. He'd earned her trust, and her love just as he had earned her father's, and she was more than proud to call him her comrade and friend.
She reflected on Chrom's tone in his letter and wondered if he finally was smiling again. Though she knew he had been fierce in his belief that Cail would return, the man's disappearance truly had taken a toll on the newly exalted prince. He had refused to come home until Cail was at his side, and though he had visited twice during the half-year trip, he had kept to that word. It had been four months since Lucina had last seen him, and though she knew it somewhat selfish when comparing herself to Morgan's solitude, she still did miss her father sorely.
Morgan continued her pacing throughout Lucina's thoughts, and the princess tried not to and failed in smiling as she paused once to glance out the window to take a measure of the sun's position. Setting down the rag she had been using to polish Falchion's pommel, Lucina gently returned the sheathed blade to its holster on her belt before finally speaking up, "Watching the sun will not stop it from setting, or speed up the process, either. If you really are that impatient, why don't you go to the outer walls and maintain guard there?"
Pausing mid-step, Morgan coloured somewhat high in her cheeks before she answered in a sheepish grumble, "I can't go up there because the last time I did, I got kicked off the parapet for making a nuisance of myself. Sully threatened to tan my hide if I showed up there again, and speaking honestly, I really think she'd take me over her knee. So, in the interest of self-preservation, I am not going up there. Ever again."
Lucina managed to keep a straight face through the answer, though she admitted it was extremely difficult. The crimson knight wasn't one for mincing words, and her attitude was more than enough to put honest fear into anyone who was irritating her. It made sense that Morgan would keep her distance from the knight if she had earned a warning, and considering Morgan, she likely had indeed earned that warning. What made it funnier however was Morgan's complete belief that Sully would make good on her threat, which likely was a very wise decision to make. "Well... I suppose that makes sense... So, if the walls are out of the question, perhaps the front gates? Or the main hall? I mean, we are rather removed from both considering our present location..."
Blinking in surprise, Morgan glanced about the hall and smiled in a lopsided manner as she admitted Lucina was completely right. She hadn't even really given much thought to where she was waiting, as it was now instinct on her part to go to the library, or at least the adjoining halls in the castle if anything was on her mind. She had spent so many weeks now pouring over dusty tomes and ancient scrolls that the massive room was more of a second home than the quarters she had been provided upon arriving to the castle. "That... would be a great idea. Sorry."
"It isn't something to apologize over." Lucina scolded her with a little wave of her hand, and she ambled neatly to her feet to begin the trek across the castle towards the main hallway in the southern wing. Morgan followed immediately, matching her stride automatically to the princess', and she noted as they crossed the plush red carpeting together, "You really seem to favour this part of the castle... but you haven't been reading as much as before, I noticed. Have you finally finished emptying the library of texts?"
The little joke made Morgan smile, but the perception surprised her somewhat. She had been scolded several times for falling asleep at the reading desks in the library, with tomes and history texts piled all about her and an open one usually serving her as a pillow. But as Lucina as correctly pointed out, she had paid little time to the library in recent weeks. Rolling back her shoulders as they descended the first set of stairs together, Morgan answered with a mild shrug, "It's not that I've read everything in there, it's just that I've read everything I need to know here. As big as the library is, it does only really cover Ylisse's history and lore. I'll have to travel outside of Ylisse for more answers, and different perspectives."
Lucina blinked a little, finding that she had once more discovered something she had not known about her friend. She had assumed Morgan was simply pouring over tactical treatises and the like, or perhaps applying herself to new studies in magic rather than things like history or legends."Is that what you've been studying so intensely since arriving here? History and lore? I assumed you were looking for tactical notes."
"Oh, I did. But most of what I found there, Father had already taught me. Or had compiled in his own ledgers." Morgan answered with a laugh, and she skipped the last four steps below her to land elegantly on the floor below without even registering the drop before turning to smile cheekily at her friend. Lucina took the challenge without a word and repeated the performance elegantly, causing Morgan to laugh harder as she continued, "No offence, but your library could do with a few more tactical texts from recent times. Maybe I'll rectify that one day and write a book myself."
"I can see you doing something like that." Lucina commented with a nod, and she very well could imagine it happening. Morgan was extremely bright, and though she could be difficult to follow on occasion when she really got going, when she applied herself she could do almost anything well. Still, the idea that Morgan had turned into something of a historian amused her, even though she knew why it would happen. She wanted to know everything about her parents after all, and Tiki had a very long history. Teasing gently as they continued down the second staircase that would lead to the main floor, "Of course, you may be in trouble if Cail decides to publish his own works."
"That... is another good point. Stop doing that." Morgan laughed as she reached out to fondly swat Lucina in the head, but the princess sidestepped neatly and avoided the blow without ever missing a step. Rolling her eyes at the move, Morgan glanced again out the windows trailing the hallway to note the sun was well into its descent now. The sky had turned into a canvas of art, with the clouds glowing an astonishing array of yellows, reds, and oranges while chasing away the blue. Sighing almost in a painful way, Morgan slowed her pace as she mused, "Sunset, now... Yeesh. They're late."
"Father's missive did say that they could be here from anywhere to late afternoon to nightfall. It isn't too late just yet." Lucina reminded her kindly, feeling sympathetic for Morgan's impatience. Yet the undercurrent in her voice spoke of more than just frustration with the time, and as she likewise slowed her pace, Lucina asked softly, "What is it, Morgan?"
"I'm trying to think of what to say to him. I mean, 'Hey, welcome back' doesn't exactly... seem like the right thing to say. It's been six months. I can't even imagine what Mother said to him when she found him again. It's just... weird." Morgan sighed and slouched as she continued to walk, not letting herself freeze up in the midst of her musings. She preferred to walk and think rather than stop, as she found when her body was moving it helped her mind to do the same. It was why she was constantly running to and fro, freezing up always made her brain slow down, and a slowed-down mind never helped her in anything she wanted to do. "I mean, I'm ecstatic to hear that he's home, and I've missed him so much... I just don't know what to say."
Shaking her head, Lucina wondered why the rather talkative girl was suddenly stopping to think about words than letting them spring naturally from her lips. She scolded her lightly, this time being the one to reach out gently and fondly cuff her friend in the head, "I think words are a little trite in a situation like this. He's home, and you have not seen him in six months. Let your body speak for you, rather than focussing so much on what to say. The words will follow your actions, I think. And even if they don't, you'll eventually find what you want to say."
Chuckling as she admitted Lucina had now proven herself the smarter one of the two of them three times in the past ten minutes, Morgan ceded to her better judgement with a teasing bow, "You are on fire today, Princess. I bow to your superior mind. But know that I will eventually trump you when I can put my head back on straight. I think all the excitement has knocked me a bit off kilter."
"You're allowed to be a bit... bewildered, considering the circumstances. If anyone else says otherwise, they can taste Falchion's blade." Lucina replied with a playful smile, and for added effect she gently pat the sword that rested so easily on her hip. She understood Morgan's emotional chaos well, though their positions were somewhat different, Lucina had been lost for words the first time she had met Chrom again after letting down her guise and being caught calling him 'father'. Still, she imagined that the emotional upheaval had to be somewhat similar, and it allowed her to continue, "After all, I'm sure your mother was lost for words, just as you are. Speaking from experience, it isn't easy to greet someone after such a long time of separation. A little speechlessness is more than justified."
Cringing, Morgan realized with a hint of guilt that Lucina was completely right. She was the only child who had not undergone that kind of thing, having had no memory of her mother, or her travel through time. While she admitted that her first meeting with Tiki had indeed been rather awkward for the both of them, she couldn't really call it "meeting again". It more had been like coming home, and she anticipated it would be much different when she saw her father again. "I really cannot do anything right today. I've been a mess ever since I heard the news about Father. Sorry, Lucina. I wasn't thinking."
Lucina was just about to scold her again with a stern warning that she had no reason to apologize, when she was cut off by something like a roar coming from above them. Both girls started in surprise, glancing up at the ceiling in complete confusion as the noise welled up a second time. At the same time they realized what could be causing such a commotion, and they looked at each other and spoke together almost as if they had rehearsed it, "They're home."
Without further speech, both took off as fast as their legs could carry them towards the main hall. The guards standing at the main walls would see them entering from the perimeters, and it would definitely explain the roar. All of the soldiers on duty would take up the call that their exalt was returning home, and that his trusted comrade was with him. Cail was known to everyone in the castle, it was now his home just as much as it was the Exalted bloodline, and to have him returning with Chrom would definitely incite such shouts of cheer.
Despite moving as fast as possible, Lucina watched Morgan pull steadily ahead of her without much surprise. On any given day the half-blooded manakete was quicker than most in camp, and had always been the faster of the two of them. And added to the rush of adrenalin she had to feel for her father coming home, it only made her feet lighter in her race to meet him. Still, Lucina was stubborn and had added strength to supplement her slowness in comparison to Morgan, and she doggedly increased her strides in an effort to not be left behind.
Morgan was first into the main hall, not even acknowledging the soldiers that were hurrying to their posts as an honorary symbol of their exalt's return. Her eyes were fixed on the large double doors that marked the entrance to the sprawling hall, and the figures that were arriving through them with an armed guard now walking in two lines on either sides of the group. Her breathing coming in gasps, Morgan scanned the group quickly, her eyes flitting from one face to the next until she found the one she was searching for.
Cail was at Tiki's side, just behind Chrom and Lissa with Frederick walking slowly, steadily, behind them in turn. Her parents' hands were clasped together, their fingers entwined and mirrorlike smiles on their faces as they moved together in an easy and natural pace. Their shoulders brushed, and Cail was chuckling as Tiki remarked on something to him with a little shake of her head.
Her heart stopped for a brief moment as she took her father in, and Morgan found herself completely unable to move. Her father looked just as he always did, young, fit and happy, but as he walked alongside her mother, she noticed a freedom in his actions, in his smiles, that hadn't always been there. He was a man completely unshackled, and the difference in him now was striking as he held Tiki's hand with one that used to bear a rich violet symbol, but was now completely naked and unblemished.
Then Tiki was nudging him, whispering into his ear and nodding. Cail stiffened at once, and his eyes moved, scanning the growing crowd. Morgan felt it the instant their gazes met, an electric shock that freed her limbs and restarted her heart. Her eyes suddenly hurt, and she felt a gentle squeeze on her shoulder from behind, coupled with a kind whisper as Lucina leaned close and spoke directly into her ear, "Go on, Morgan. It's all right. Greet him like you want to."
The words broke the last of her reserves, and with a plan to thank Lucina later for it, Morgan once more broke into a run. Her world had narrowed to a single point, and she dodged easily about the bodies of surprised soldiers, servants and others without a second thought. She could see her mother laughing softly, gently releasing Cail's hand and stepping to the side, and Cail needed no second bidding as Chrom and Lissa immediately moved to the side as well to give Morgan the path she needed.
Her father managed to take three steps of his own forward before Morgan launched herself at him, and for his credit, he caught her bodily and without staggering backwards. Wrapping her arms about his waist, Morgan buried her face in his chest and inhaled his scent, listening to the pounding of his heart and savouring the warmth of his fierce embrace. Tears burned in her eyes, and she pressed her face harder against the front of his shirt in order to hide them from him when she choked on a sob she couldn't seem to contain. "Daddy!"
She felt him kissing the crown of her hair, gently nuzzling against the spring-green curls that were so much like his own, and her fingers curled into his cloak and bunched it tight as she held onto him desperately. His arms held her tightly but gently, and the strength in them was comforting as she tried to swallow the lump in her throat and speak. Her voice shook, and the tears began to stream without effort down her cheeks when she finally managed to put her emotions into words, "I missed you... so much... Dad... Dad...!"
Resting his hand protectively on the top of her head, Cail embraced her firmly as he let her cry and release the bundle of emotions she had to have been carrying around so secretly inside. Hating himself for hearing her break down, but understanding that it was happiness that made her cry all the harder, Cail spoke gently, soothingly, "I'm home, Morgan... It's okay now. I'm back. I'm home... I kept my promise. Cry all you like... It's all going to be all right."
The words unlocked the strength in her knees, and for a moment she thought she would simply collapse on him. As if he sensed it, her father held her all the tighter and kept her upright with his own strength. Laughing through her tears, she thought about apologizing to him for it before she felt another tender touch on top of her hair. Turning, Morgan tried to blink away the moisture obstructing her vision to see her mother now standing at her father's side.
With a gentle hand, Tiki brushed away her tears and smiled as Cail stepped back to allow them a moment as well. Not needing more permission than that, Morgan happily flung herself into her mother's waiting arms, sniffling slightly as she felt Cail embracing the both of them. Tiki spoke softly into her daughter's ear, holding her tenderly as Cail's strong arms encircled the two of them, "It's over, my sweet... The waiting, the uncertainty... Everything is over. It's time to start anew."
Closing her eyes and letting the last of her tears slide down her cheeks, Morgan took Lucina's advice to heart. Her actions had said all that her lips could not, and as she stood happily in the dual embraces of her mother and father, she sighed as she let the fissure in her heart fill up and completely heal. Words spilled from her mouth as she buried her face in Tiki's fragrant hair and slipped her right hand about her father's strong arm, taking comfort in her family's coming together so long after the end of the war,"Welcome home, Mom, Dad... Welcome home."
AN:
I know I promised the party, but it was dragging, and I realized how unrealistic I was being about the timing, so I let the story take a different course. (Actually, I didn't let it do anything, it came out this way and told me to take it or wait until I was ready to take it. My stories write themselves, I just try to catch the hell up to them...) However, the party is probably going to span the entire next chapter... Probably. So, there's still time to ask for couples, peoples, or things you'd like to see take place in it! XD
And I'm not sure if anyone noticed, but Morgan isn't paired with anyone in this fic, nor will she be paired with anyone as it progresses. Just a forewarning. And also, my oneshots are all technically "canon" in this fic, so it might be a good idea to read up on them, or at least keep them in mind in case anything written here doesn't make sense. It makes writing easier to have an established baseline, lol. At least, the oneshots concerning Tiki and Cail, at any rate. -giggles-
So, the party next chapter, and the reveal of the true plot of this story. Or at least, the hints of the true plot of the story. Well, we've already gotten a bit of a hint about half of the plot. This is just as much Morgan's story as it is Cail and Tiki's, so the formula I've been following so far, (CailxTiki and then Morgan) may be the recipe for the rest of the fic... Well, when necessary. I mean, some of what happens is going to take pages to explain, so there likely will be chapters exclusively focussed on the couple, and others on the Morgan...
A little teaser on who is showing up, you ask? Oh well... Sure. Some people scheduled to make an appearance next chapter are... Inigo, Olivia, and Lon'qu... Cherche and Virion... and also Aversa. More may show up depending on things, lol, as sometimes I can't get online to read the reviews for one chapter until I'm ready to post the next chapter! There will be fun talkings, serious talkings, a bit of romantic comedy, and of course, general fluff that is always expected of me.
Oh, but don't worry, I'm determined to make as many people show up in this fic as possible, as it continues down the road. For example, Say'ri is already fitted with a role, and Severa, Owain, and Nah are all scheduled to show up much later, too. This is going to be a long fic, I can feel it, so everyone in the game will be shown at least once. I will do it, just not all at once... I am worried about writing the khans, however. I mean, to borrow a phrase from a Michiru, "How does one write the Nick Fury of Fire Emblem?" I DON'T KNOW, but it better be damn well awesome. Basilio is a walking meme to me. And I mean that in a good way. Honest. -ducks-
Mood: Amused.
Listening To: "The Man Comes Around" - Johnny Cash
~ Sky
