"There is a membrane in your cells that gives them ATP now. Mi-to-chon-dri-a! Mi-to-chon-dri-a! Mi-to-chon-dri-a! It gives your cells en-er, gy—"

"Gawds, be QUIET!"

Mordin turned his head toward Severa, nodding, akin to a bow after a play. The salarian had been tinkering with his omni-tool off by a side of the medical tent. Severa, meanwhile, grumbled on one of the makeshift beds.

"My apologies. Helps me think. Improves productivity. No intention to irritate."

"If someone told me we'd have a bard for a doctor, I'd have slapped them. Actually, I think I'd do it harder if it was going to be like this."

"Good to know my skills haven't gotten worse."

"Be glad you have any, or I'd stick a sword down your throat."

Mordin's finger stopped over a button, turning his head just a little in Severa's direction. "May I suggest something for you?"

"Not a word."

"Then a sentence or two of advice." His fingers continued working on the omni-tool. "Understand that soldiers experience large amounts of stress. Would hope that you take caution with creating more tension than bearable. For others as well as yourself."

"Ex-CUSE me?! I don't ever recall entering this tent because I needed a therapist."

"You don't." Mordin placed the scalpel into a satchel. "But you HAVE entered this tent because of a sprained leg. A happening that could have been avoided."

Severa clicked her tongue.

"If I may ask, what caused the incident? Surely nothing trivial?"

"..."

Who did this man think he was? Severa flipped herself to lie on her other side, away from Mordin. Maybe his inflated head was a good indicator to his inflated ego. If that were the case, he…it, would never be able to understand.

Meanwhile, Mordin finished recording his notes. Gives no response. Shy? Agitated? Shouldn't dwell too much on the matter. Have data that needs to be looked at. Still, important, though. Hopefully nothing serious.

Should probably ask Shepard, or the Shepherds, later.


"A moment please, Shepard?"

John toweled off the sweat on his forehead while returning the practice sword to Sully. Mordin had only been around for a few days. Had something already gone wrong? John followed Mordin around a tent.

Well, hopefully it wasn't serious.

"Would like to inform you," Mordin grinned, nodding, "that living conditions are quite comfortable. Aside from the training runaways feigning injury now and again, I have ample space to conduct closed experiments. Completely safe, in case you were concerned. Any disintegrating holes should be splashed with water before elements combust though. Hmmm. Should've mentioned that to Chrom."

"I assume there's something you want to talk about, though?"

"Yes. I presume you know about the young woman named Severa?"

"I do. Has something happened to her?"

"Not something that would need Chrom's immediate attention. Or anyone else for that matter. Was more interested in any information you had concerning her condition? You explained that she was what we called to be an anomaly, but haven't pinpointed the problem."

"That's right. I only had a talk with her mother about her own issues. Severa's…not the easiest person to talk to. I don't think she really likes me."

"Nor me as well." Mordin grinned. "But to the point. Severa. Body communication suggests a large amount of stress aside from normal agitation. Understand that human adolescence stimulates emotion, meaning even small stimuli can trigger abnormal response. With Severa's condition, while no specific assumptions at the moment, certain that she is experiencing some sort of shock."

"Do you think it's with her mother? I did talk with her a while back, but I don't know how much I really helped."

"A well-founded hypothesis. However, must be attentive to any other possibility. Familial problems are complicated and require analysis on a case-by-case basis to solve. Speaking, of course, from both professional and personal experience…Ah."

John turned around when Mordin's eyes widened at something over his shoulder. Cordelia almost stumbled into a bow as she approached, a hand clasped over the other in front of her.

"I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but when I heard Severa's name I couldn't help but listen." The pegasus knight wiped some sweat from her brow.

Mordin returned a bow, hand over chest. "No offense taken, my lady. Would like to apologize if we were prying too deep into your affairs."

"Not at all." said Cordelia. "Actually, I wanted to know if you two knew anything more about Severa. With the Commander and Robin's advice, I've been able to place myself in my daughter's position much more clearly than I have before."

John shook his head. "I haven't heard or seen anything. Besides the fact that she's been trying to avoid everyone even more than she has before."

"Everyone?" Mordin put a hand under his chin.

"Yes." Cordelia did the same. "I've been getting the worst of it. Other than the normal pleasantries and fighting, I haven't had an actual conversation with Severa for…Gods, who knows how long."

John thought for a second. "But she does seem to talk to some people, at least. She does try to leave conversations as quickly as possible, but she does that much."

"Aside from the commander and I," said Mordin to Cordelia, "does Severa avoid anyone as much as she does you?"

"Not that I can….Wait."

Cordelia looked over to the makeshift training ground. John and Mordin followed her gaze over to the person who was now training with Sully since John had stopped. Kjelle parried her mother's thrust with her own spear, held vertical to the ground as she pushed the strike to the side.

"I…I don't know if it's just coincidence." Cordelia's spoke slowly as she tried to remember. "I only apologized briefly to Kjelle for Severa's behavior. I didn't think anything of it at the time. But if we're considering people who Severa's avoided the most, it would be just as bad as she's done to me. It actually may be worse."

John tried to think of the same himself, or whatever he could from the time he'd been with the Shepherds. Severa didn't seem to be actively avoiding Kjelle. At least, she had no complaints whenever she was paired with her. At the same time, though, John had never seen Severa say a word to Kjelle about anything whenever the two were together, unlike with every other Shepherd. Whether it was cleaning duty, sparring practice, or Frederick's morning stretches, the two were oddly silent. John himself thought it was either mutual hate or a rivalry.

"I don't know," John mentally cursed to himself, "what it could be."

As Mordin followed with a solemn "indeed", Cordelia gasped to herself.

"But I might."


As the Commander had thought, Cordelia also believed the same. But what he didn't know, of course, were the experiences from before his arrival. And as for Cordelia herself, experiences that she was familiar with. It was not his fault, of course. As someone of this world, proper responsibilities had to be taken care of. As a mother, it was inexcusable.

Cordelia waited just inside the forest for her daughter. Cordelia knew that whoever was on guard duty today was not far, but not within earshot. So it only followed that she knew who was approaching now. Of course, even if it had been a bandit, they would have known of their folly before they knew what happened to them.

"…What did you call me out for, Mother?"

Though the voice pierced through her heart, Cordelia grit her teeth behind closed lips.

"Severa."

She didn't know why that was all she said. But how was she to start a conversation through silence? Even Severa recognized how awkward it was.

But it seemed to convey the atmosphere well.

"Wh…What is it? If you called me out for no reason, I won't be silent about it, you know!"

Patience. Cordelia was trying to find a way to put what she knew and what she wanted to say into proper words.

"I…I don't know what the future's like." Cordelia began. "I only know what you've told me in our time together."

Severa narrowed her eyes as she looked just past her mother's shoulder. "Ooookay. Of course. But that doesn't explain why we're wasting time here together."

"But…you haven't been telling me everything, have you?"

"Wha…?"

It was only a moment. Severa's eyebrows creased, her eyes opened just a bit more. Her mouth froze, unable to say more. She flinched, but only so much to be noticed if someone were standing directly in front of her. She did all of this in a moment too small for a normal person to notice. For Cordelia, it was enough to confirm the answer to her question with absolute certainty.

"Severa, my dear, I am truly sorry. When I asked that you tell me of the future, I wanted to not only because I wanted to know. I also wanted to help you however I could from whatever haunted you in the past. But now I think I understand."

"What…? Mother, what's going on?"

"It is not only the past that can hurt us. And perhaps even the future. For you, it is the present. I'm sorry for not noticing earlier. But if there's anything I can do, I'm here for you. And I would support you no matter what happens."

It was as if a lance had been thrust through Severa's stomach. And in an instant, that lance twisted inside her. Severa struggled for words.

"Are you saying….Do you…?"

Did she know? How much did she know? It's not possible. But maybe….that made sense. It was moronic to think otherwise. Of course Mother would catch on. Perfect Mother, right?

But she had to make sure.

"…So, you think you know what the problem is?"

"I don't know what," Cordelia paused, "but I do know who. It's Kjelle, isn't it?"

"…"

Oh. Great.

"…Yeah." Severa muttered. "It's her."

"So why? Why are you avoiding her?"

Cordelia waited for her daughter to respond. With Severa frozen, staring straight at her, Cordelia thought her daughter had decided to remain silent. But then, she spoke.

"I'm not normal."

"So, you are in love…?"

Though Severa thought her mother had caught on already, the words still numbed her chest.

"Yes. I mean, no, that's not…Well, yes but…Ugh, what the hell is wrong with me?"

Severa's hands were balled into fists. Closing her eyes, Severa took a deep breath. Then, she sighed so forcefully, Cordelia thought her daughter was angry.

"I…I've kept it a secret from everyone up to now. I haven't even told you after everything we've been through."

"Tell me, Severa. I am your mother. Whatever it is you must say, I want to help you. Please."

Severa closed her eyes again, this time tilting her head up toward the sky.

Cordelia didn't know what could be troubling her daughter so. Was it not just that her daughter fancied someone, even if she was a fellow woman? But, no. Cordelia mentally struck herself. Cordelia knew well the pains of unreciprocated love. Yet it was clear this was not the only troubling thing. Cordelia stayed patient until her daughter finally spoke.

"You know how everyone's from the future, right?"

"Yes."

"And everyone from the future knows each other and all that?"

"...Yes. My dear, what…?"

'The thing is. I'm…not from the same future as the others."

…What?

"I-I'm sorry." Cordelia was confused. "I'm afraid I don't understand."

Suddenly, fear crawled inside of Cordelia's stomach. Cordelia didn't understand why, but instinct triggered danger and fear within her.

Severa let out an "Ugh!" of disgust. "I don't know either! I thought everyone was the same! Everything was just like I remembered it. But then, when I came, you said you weren't with Father! Then I went to talk to Kjelle. I thought she was just being stupid like always! But she doesn't…."

Severa's breath shook.

Cordelia didn't even realize she was holding her own breath.

No, it couldn't be….

"I made sure everyone else was the same! But they…I thought they were being morons, too. Like…maybe they forgot or something, or playing some stupid joke. I-It was like it never happened!"

Cordelia could sense a certain desperation in her daughter's voice. And it was because of that Cordelia started to realize something horrible. Something that made her want to embrace her daughter for not noticing. For not prying further into her child's affairs.

"I didn't want to ask her directly….I mean, it was obvious even after I spoke to her!"

At least with Chrom, Cordelia could understand. For her daughter, it must have been difficult to cope with the fact that—in this present, this time—her mother and father were not to be. If that were the only problem, Cordelia felt confident her daughter—for the span of time that she knew her—would be fine.

But this. Whether it was unfortunate circumstance or the work of sinister means, this was too much. Too cruel.

"I couldn't leave the Shepherds. I wouldn't choose to anyway. Even if I could and wanted to, how would I? So I just had to travel along and pretend everything was normal. NORMAL, right?! B-But even so, she…S-She...!"

Cordelia stepped forward to take her daughter into her arms.

"Kjelle…this Kjelle…We're not…!"


At first, Mordin didn't know what to say when the two came into the medical tent. Thankfully, no one was injured, sick, or pretending to be inured, which meant no one else was inside. So it wasn't as alarming when Cordelia and her daughter came in, the former supporting a puffy-eyed Severa close to her. Despite Severa's glare at the salarian, Mordin only worried if anyone saw them coming in. The tent was quiet for the next couple of minutes. All the while, Severa had turned to her side away from Mordin on the bed, her mother sitting at the end.

Cordelia then proceeded to ask for permission from her daughter to explain the situation to Mordin. Of course, without the mention of Severa's relationship with Kjelle in her future. Cordelia thought that amount of privacy would be appropriate.

"Wh-Why to him?" Severa sat up.

Cordelia placed a hand on Severa's shoulder. "I do not wish to leave the doctor to worry. I trust he has enough problems of his own without us being around. But it would be improper to not ask help when it seems we need it."

"Would be happy, to help." Mordin nodded.

Which was then followed by Cordelia's explanation of Severa's situation, combined with their experiences with the Shepherds up until they met John and Mordin. Cordelia made a slight modification when it came to Severa's relationship with Kjelle.

"The two were…good friends in Severa's future." Cordelia took a breath in between. "However, it appears Kjelle—nor any of the other future children—recall her relationship with my daughter. We do not know why, but we assume she is from a different future because of it."

Mordin didn't pry further.

"I see." The salarian made a few notes on his omni-tool when Cordelia finished. "Grateful that the two of you have relayed this information to me. On the other hand, my condolences. No easy cure for stress or depression, not that this case can be classified as such."

"Well, gee, thanks." Severa sighed. "I was afraid I was literally going to explode from all of the stress. Depression. Whatever."

"Severa…."

Severa replied with a "hmph" and readjusted herself on the bed. Cordelia raised her head to give a silent apology to Mordin, but the salarian nodded.

"Nothing to be concerned about. Will be around if you need me. Listening to others good for the brain. Stimulates thought and improves response time. Social life enriches. Even if some of the Shepherds come in to complain about training."

Cordelia smiled. She turned to Severa, who snorted with a pout.

Severa might never trust this man. But Cordelia was relieved to know there was one more person willing to help. And that was enough for now.


...The wall of the tent never seemed so calming. Much more so than the jumbled mess that her mind was in. Of course, Severa never actually said what it was explicitly, but when she mentioned THAT, how could that memory not be remembered?

Kjelle suspected nothing at first. That much was certain, being on guard duty at the perimeter of camp. But then Cordelia had passed by without a word. And then Severa. It wasn't like the usual Severa, either, who would notice that Kjelle was near, then awkwardly look away and try to put distance between them. Mother and daughter both walked straight into the forest. Kjelle didn't know what for, but figured that something was going on. Secret training? A two man raid? Curiosity, and a desire to protect in case of an emergency, got the best of her.

And before she knew it, Kjelle was listening to a rather serious conversation.

Kjelle didn't know why neither Cordelia nor Severa noticed her presence. Atmosphere, or whatever it was? But even Kjelle could tell that she couldn't make a random interruption or escape without ruining the talk.

Not even when Severa began shouting, and then cried into her mother's arms.

Shouting about what? Not from their future? And what about Kjelle? It doesn't make sense. Everyone should be the same, right? So why? Severa didn't seem any different.

That memory. Severa tried…well, she did jump into Kjelle's arms when they met again in this world. Kjelle thought it was a bit too friendly. Then, eventually, Severa confronted Kjelle some time during their journey with the Shepherds.

"How much do you remember?"

"What?"

"About us. I don't know about the others, but if this is some kind of joke, it isn't funny."

"You're talking as though there's something wrong with me."

"Because," Severa paused, taking a breath to think, "there is! How much do you remember about us? How I taught you to be more ladylike? How I had to teach you to use a weapon again?"

"Y-Yeah. I remember that…."

"We took a shopping trip together a few days after to pull you back a little from your fighting mentality again. Some time later, we had a fight about something stupid like being strong or weak or something and it got all awkward. The night after, we decided to head out alone by ourselves. We…."

Severa trailed off while she'd been staring Kjelle straight in the face. Kjelle noticed that she must have looked completely dumbfounded, but didn't understand why Severa looked so defeated because of it. But Severa went on.

"…We talked about our parents, how we wanted to be like them. We talked about our future and what we wanted to be. And then…Are you seriously going to stand there and tell me you forgot about all this?!"

Kjelle had no idea what was wrong, but could only answer to the best of her ability.

"I'm sorry. I don't know what you're talking about."

After that, Kjelle thought she had offended Severa somehow, because Severa began her little avoiding thing. Kjelle didn't know how to deal with it. But when they had to say something when they were alone together afterward, Severa seemed to be herself. There was a good amount of support both in and out of battle. So at least, Severa seemed okay.

…Kjelle groaned, slapping a hand on her forehead.

Well, if anything, Severa was pretty strong, and she was certainly girly. But an intimate relationship? No matter who was eavesdropping at the time, no one would be stupid enough to not realize that that was what Severa had meant….

Kjelle eventually noticed that the two had left. So Kjelle followed suit, and ended up lying on her bed staring at the end of her own tent. It hurt Kjelle's head to think about. So she didn't anymore. Not for now. She slid an arm under her head and tried to sleep.

It worked eventually.