Several days had passed since Ryoma's coronation and the Nohrians were still in Hoshido. The visit had overrun primarily due to official matters regarding Ryoma's desire to help the Nohrian people, which meant the negotiators from both sides were cataloguing what there was to trade. Camilla and Elise also didn't want to leave their newfound sister Azura, and had spent much of their time with her, taking her shopping to spoil her and getting Hoshidan spas to do thing the right way to pamper her. For her part, Azura was a little overwhelmed by the constant attention, but knew it came from love and was happy to go along with them.
Another new friendship that was being noticed was Selena and Caeldori. As they had little in common besides Soleil and their hair colour, this had left many, Soleil included, somewhat puzzled, particularly the lengths Caeldori would go to spend time with her, including bribing her with desserts. Eventually Soleil couldn't hold her curiosity in check, they were passing a café where she had seen them together and she cracked. "So what's with you and my mom?"
"Pardon?" asked Caeldori to stall for time.
"You heard me. I like that you're getting to know her, but why?"
"Well, em… I felt that I should know the family of my new retainer," she said, happy with that as an excuse and hoping she said it convincingly enough.
"You're not a good liar. I've watched you together, the way you smile at her and go to touch her and how she pulls away after a few seconds. I know that's her pretending she doesn't want to."
There was no way out of this so Caeldori turned down a side road with few people. It wasn't the ideal place for this conversation but Soleil wasn't going to wait for an answer. "Rhajat told you I look like Selena's mother."
"Ah-huh."
"I don't just look like her mother; I am her mother. Or at least I was."
"Huh?"
"In my previous life I was her mother. I can now remember that life, I remember seeing her for the first time and realising she was my daughter, how I fell in love with her and wanted her to love me back."
"'Realising she was your daughter'? How could you not know?"
"Things are far more complicated than you could imagine," said Caeldori, placing a hand tenderly on her cheek, knowing Soleil had to be told the entirety of what happened to them and worried her beautiful smile will fade at the enormity of it. "We need to find your parents," she said taking Soleil's hand and leading her back to the castle.
This alone caused Soleil some worry as Caeldori had said they should avoid being too close in public and now they were hand in hand in the middle of the capital city. Caeldori's silence and what was almost fear in her expression made things even worse.
Back at the castle, they were directed to the sewing room and found Selena with Camilla, Hinoka and Azura where Camilla was continuing to introduce Hinoka to more typically princess activities. Azura, happy the attention was no longer on her, was humming to herself as she embroidered a portrait of her two sisters.
"Lady Camilla," said Caeldori to announce herself, "Lady Azura, mother."
"No need to be so formal, dear," said Camilla. "Have you come to join us?"
"No, La- No Camilla. I was hoping I may borrow Selena for a while?"
"My Lady, with Beruka-" began Selena, hoping Camilla would want her to stay as Beruka was spending time with Oboro.
"I'm sure we'll be fine without you for a little while," said Camilla softly, cutting off her objections. "Besides, no one will ever take my sisters from me again." She then lifted her axe from beneath the table as proof she would be fine. "Now go have fun with your daughter."
"Yes my lady," said Selena somewhat reluctantly as she left with her mother and daughter. It was seconds before she picked up on the awkwardness between the two of them and saw it was her mother who was most worried. "What have you done?"
"She needs to know."
"No she doesn't."
"Yes she does," said Soleil.
"I've told her who I am."
"Why would you do that?" asked Selena furious at her mother for doing this without at least consulting her and Laslow.
"I had to explain why I love you," said Caeldori, phrasing it this way because she knew it would at least slow down her daughter's objections.
"Do you really think she's ready?"
"Yes!" said Soleil, getting annoyed at being left out of whatever was going on.
"I don't know how she'll take it but we have to tell her."
"Laslow will be with Xander at the negotiations."
"I know," said Caeldori who was already leading them there.
As they walked, Soleil tried to think through everything the three of them had ever said to her to try and figure out what they were keeping from her. She knew it was bad as when her father had begun to tell her she'd stopped him because he was upset. She then remembered what else Rhajat had said when she revealed Caeldori looked like her grandmother, that her mother had experienced so much death, every war between Hoshido and Nohr was a child's game.
As they approached the room where the negotiations were being held, they saw Laslow was on duty outside.
"My dove, what brings your warm smile to me?" he asked as Selena approached at the head of his daughter and mother-in-law.
"It's time we told her," she said.
"Are you sure?" he asked looking over her shoulder.
"Yes" said Selena and Caeldori in unison.
"You can't leave the door unguarded," pointed out Soleil.
"Saiz-"
"What?" asked Saizo appearing behind him.
"I'm due a short break, will you be alright on your own?"
"I'm certain your absence will be no loss. That you would discard your duty is a concern."
"We are allowed to take breaks, you know. Besides, how many guards would an assassin have to get past before they even got here? Anyway, I won't be too long." As the family left, Laslow couldn't help himself and said, just loud enough for Saizo to hear, "I think he's coming around to me."
"This way," said Caeldori and led the group to her cavernous bedroom a few corridors away. It was a room fitting a princess but what few possessions she had did little to fill it. Had Soleil not stayed with her, she would have felt very alone. She directed Selena and Laslow to one of the sofas by the window as she and Soleil sat opposite. "It's your story."
"You're better at this than me," said Selena handing responsibility to Laslow.
"Very well. The truth. We are not from this realm," he began, "We came from a land called Ylisse, a beautiful land of peace and –"
"Less flowery please," interjected Selena.
"Alright. Soleil, you don't even know our names," he said getting to the point and seeing his daughters smile fade a little. "My name is Inigo."
"Severa."
"In my past life I was Cordelia."
"That's such a cute name," said Soleil leaning into Caeldori.
"Focus."
"Sorry."
"In our own land," continued Laslow, "we grew up happy, life was good, food was plentiful and the weather was usually fine. Our parents and our friend's parents were members of a group called the Shepherds who kept Ylisse's peace. There were skirmishes and brief wars but, overall, life was good, for a while. An enemy nation, the Valla of our realm I suppose, sought to awaken an ancient dragon, Grima. Despite our parent's efforts, they succeeded. It wasn't long before only twelve of us remained."
"Twelve of what?" asked Soleil. "Your unit? Army?"
"Twelve people," said Selena sombrely as they saw the smile slip from Soleil's face. "Only twelve of us survived."
Soleil nearly leapt at her parents, throwing her arms around them. They, in response, held her tight.
"Only the children of the Shepherds, all by the sacrifice of our parents, survived Grima and the Risen, the corpses of fallen warriors controlled by Grima. We nearly lost everything, everyone.
"Many saw our parents killed in front of us," said Selena looking at her mother as she tried not to well up. "They died to give what little time they could buy us."
"I get why you didn't tell me this," said Soleil pulling back and sitting next to Caeldori seeing tears running down her mother's cheeks and her father clearly close.
"It gets better," said Laslow. "The twelve of us travelled back in time to prevent Grima's resurrection, we all met out parents again and together we achieved what they alone could not. We slew a god."
"You fixed everything?" asked Soleil, the smile returning.
"We did, but that made its own problems. The parents we had saved weren't our parents."
"But every one of us loved you as our own," said Caeldori.
"So you're not her mother?" asked Soleil.
"I didn't give birth to this Severa, but she is my daughter," asserted Caeldori. "She always will be."
"I love you mom," said Selena quietly, finally able to say those words to her.
"I love you too, my darling Severa."
"That was the problem we faced," continued Laslow. "We had no reason or way to return to our own timeline and in the one we had made, all but one of us were yet to be born. We had to decide if we should be a part of our younger selves' lives."
"What did you do?" asked Soleil, missing the obvious clue that they're now here.
"We left. We travelled the world and eventually found our way here."
"And you never came home," said Caeldori.
"We always meant to," said Selena, "but once we were here that became more difficult. We have a way home but it would be one way. We could never come back."
Selena and Laslow saw the smile fade again from their daughter's face as she realised what that meant.
"We will have to decide if we want to remain here or return to our home and families," said Laslow. "You, my sweet girl, will need to decide too."
"We've got time haven't we?" said Soleil with forced cheerfulness.
"Just know that, whatever comes," said Laslow reaching out for Soleil to take his hand, "you will always be my shining sun that brightens the day." Then, because he could never avoid a good line, turned to his wife, "As you are my moon."
Selena, taking the comparison that Soleil is more important to him than her, grunted her disapproval before he continued.
"You are the light that breaks through the darkness, my guide, my hope, my love."
"Oh stop," said Selena, "next thing you'll be saying my eyes sparkle."
"To claim otherwise would make me a liar, my moon."
Selena couldn't stop the excited giggle and, frankly, she didn't want to.
"There's the smile that makes –"
"Oh shut up," said Selena grabbing his collar and pulling him in for a kiss with too much force so she ended up lying along the sofa with a surprised but willing Laslow on top. Hands then began moving as the kiss grew more passionate, they only stopped when they heard the door close.
"I think they've given us some privacy," said Selena as she began undoing Laslow's top.
"Such considerate girls," said Laslow shaking his top off and undoing his wife's. Selena sat up slightly to get her arms out allowing him to throw it to the floor, though he noticed she was avoiding his gaze. That was normal when she was being prickly but usually at times like this she allowed herself to be sweet.
"Do you still think I'm beautiful?" she asked.
"Of course, my dove. How could anything make you doubt that?"
"Because you haven't tried anything on since Soleil stretched me out one way then ripped her way out another," replied Selena with her usual coarseness.
After Soleil was born, Laslow had given her space as he knew most women weren't keen in intimacy immediately after giving birth. He now worried that giving her space had been taken by his wife's fragile self-worth as disinterest. Looking down at her stomach he noticed she did indeed have stretch marks. "My love, they only serve as a reminder that you love me enough to have a family with me," he said softly, running his hand over them as Selena blushed.
"That's kinda sappy," she said with a smile.
"I can't help it around you." He leaned down to kiss her, his hands running up from her stretch marks to her and round to her back, seeking out the clasp.
As they left, Soleil started chatting about how cute her parents were together, moving onto what being a mother is like and then just kept chattering leaving Caeldori unable to answer. After a few minutes of incessant noise, Caeldori had to stop her.
"Stop, please," she begged as she grabbed Soleil's shoulders.
"But If I stop then I have to think and I –"
Caeldori planted a kiss on her which was the only way she knew that might work.
"What if they leave me?" asked Soleil as they parted.
"Then you could go with them."
"And leave everyone and everything I've ever known?"
"It won't be easy, but like you said, there's plenty of time. You may also be in shock so you'll feel better when you can think clearer. Come on."
"I'm not in the mood for sex," said Soleil as Caeldori began pulling her along the corridor.
"That's not what I was planning." She took Soleil to the castle barracks where the training ground was and presented her with a wooden sword.
"Why would I want to spar?" she asked looking at the sword being offered.
"Because you need distracted and getting worked up here will help you. Take you sword. One touch rules."
"I still don't want to do this," said Soleil taking up her wooden sword.
"Come on, where's your stance?" asked Caeldori before jabbing Soleil in the shoulder. "One round to me."
"Stop it."
Caeldori jabbed her in the other shoulder, "two rounds." With no reaction she used her sword to lift Soleil's into something of a starting stance. "As Cordelia, I was a total cock-hungry whore, I thought lesbians were idiots for not wanting to get ridden until they were raw." That at least got Soleil to look up and hold her sword tighter. "That was a lie. You know Sophie's actually better in bed than you?" again that seemed to get a little bit of a reaction so she jabbed her in the left boob. "Three rounds. I'm better at picking up girls than you."
"Shut up!" yelled Soleil, slashing at her liege who easily blocked the telegraphed attack.
"Come on, Sophie, Ophelia, I got them in bed, not you. You were trying for so long and I had them in minutes."
Soleil just yelled and slashed at Caeldori who easily blocked the highly undisciplined strikes. This went on for a while until Soleil was running out of breath from yelling and stopped flailing to recover.
"Feeling better?" asked Caeldori.
"Is Sophie really better than me?"
"You're the best I've had in two lives," reassured Caeldori.
"Good," said Soleil with a smile.
"There's the smile that –" began Caeldori, echoing Laslow.
"Oh shut up," laughed Soleil.
"So are you going to fight properly?"
"If I want to catch up those three points I'd better," she said, taking up a proper stance. "Though I admit you may be better than me at picking up girls."
"Are we talking or fighting?" asked Caeldori as she lunged forward.
Sometime later, with the score now fifteen to fourteen in Caeldori's favour, Laslow and Selena appeared, hand in hand. The meeting he should have been guarding had taken a break for lunch so he was now free of any duties for half an hour.
"I think we should stop," said Caeldori blocking a blow and pulling Soleil into a blade lock.
"Yeah, I guess," said Soleil stepping back and, as Caeldori lowered her weapon, jabbed her very hard in the chest. "Now it's a draw."
"Ow, that hurt. I didn't hit you that hard."
"Excellent form,both of you," said Laslow as the approached.
"Thanks Dad. Did you two have fun?"
"That's private," said Selena.
"I think that's a yes," said Caeldori to a scowl from her daughter. "I haven't said anything before but I think you two are really good together. I'm glad you've found someone to make you happy, sweetheart."
"My apologies for not asking you for her hand but as you didn't know her and –"
"You'd have been punched," interjected Selena.
"And that, it would have been a strange conversation for you."
"Well you have my blessing now. And, if you want, Inigo, you could call me mother in private? If you want."
"It would be an honour, mother," said Laslow with a small bow.
"Come and hug your mother, son," said Caeldori going in to hug both of them, then gesturing to Soleil to join in.
"One big happy family," said Soleil as she buried herself in between her mother and grandmother. "One big complicated family," she added as they all parted.
"If you're living more openly as Cordelia, are you telling your own family?" asked Laslow.
"I don't know. To tell them would mean an explanation of who you are and that's not my decision. If you were to tell your masters about yourselves then I may tell my family."
"Certainly when we decide to stay or leave and explanation would be the decent thing."
"How are you getting home if you go?" asked Caeldori. "You said it's a one-way trip."
"Ah, yes, well," stammered Laslow trying to find a way of not telling them.
"We got them from Anaknos," said Selena bluntly.
"Seriously!" shouted Soleil.
"Not the evil dragon version, the version of him that knew he would lose his mind. He gave us three orbs that could take us back home when we had finished our mission."
"What was the mission?"
"To kill him. Which we've done."
"That's so cool," gushed Soleil. "Wait. Three orbs?"
"Us and Odin. Which also means he, Elise and Ophelia are going to have to decide."
"So if we all go I'll at least have one friend there."
"And I'm sure you'll make lots of new ones," said Laslow. "Ylisse is full of beautiful women."
"If my family is anything go by," said Soleil eyeing up Selena and Caeldori, who seemed a little lost in thought.
"You'd like your other grandmother too," said Selena to stop her daughter checking her out.
"How cute?"
"So cute," said Selena just pushing Soleil on.
"We're getting a little off topic here," interrupted Laslow.
"There's a doorway," said Caeldori softly as her memories from both lives finally made sense. "There's already a doorway!"
"Door to what?" asked Selena.
"Ylisse! I went there as Caeldori, I met Chrom, Lissa and Fredrick."
"Really? How? Where?" came the clamour.
"It's to the wrong time, I think it's before anything that led to Grima started but what if that doorway could be moved by your orbs!" said Caeldori getting excited. "You could visit and come back to me!" she said turning to Soleil and kissing her.
"You could come with me," said Soleil twirling the two of them round in excitement, "give me the tour, we could find some cute girls and have a vacation together!"
Looking on, neither Selena nor Laslow believed that their relationship was still a platonic, friends with benefits one. Certainly not as Soleil kissed her, the way they held each other as if they never wanted to part.
"Ladies?"
"Sorry," said both of them as they parted.
"That's a nice idea but, really, what are the odds of it working?"
"Well we have some of the most skilled mages," said Caeldori "You find Odin and Ophelia, I'll get Rhajat." At that she ran off to find her cousin before turning around to shout, "meet in the library!"
"Why Rhajat?" asked Soleil.
"She's in the same position as Caeldori," said Selena. "In Ylisse she's Tharja."
"Mmm, I like Rhajat better."
"You'll say the same if you meet her. Well, let's go find Odin."
"I want to be there for Ophelia when you and Odin tell her."
"I think she's more likely to be thrilled than anything," said Laslow.
"Yeah, but I might get a hug out of it."
When the three mages were assembled with one of the most comprehensive collections of spell books known, they began an extensive research period and a lot of debate with only the occasional spell thrown in anger. They were eventually able to settle on the best solution which, if it worked, would be rather simple; a fairly easy spell used to combine the effects of two magical artefacts that should have the orbs destination but the doorway's permanence. The only doubt was if a hole in reality was compatible.
It was a few days later when, due to various commitments, the group were able to come together at Fort Corrin with the three time travellers having now told their origins to their masters, with Odin having already told his wife, and been surprised at how accepting they had been. Though Corrin couldn't come, Rhajat had decided she was bringing Kana along to introduce her to her half-sisters, though she did have another motive for bringing her.
Caeldori guided them to the doorway near the edge of Fort Corrin's deeprealm, where the mages studied it for a while before preparing what was required. Ophelia would be performing the spell as Rhajat didn't trust Odin's skill while Odin simply didn't trust Rhajat, still only knowing her as the woman who abused Noire. With the orb placed on the boundary between realms, Ophelia began the spell and after a few seconds the orb glowed which soon spread to the whole doorway and, as it flashed and faded, they saw the forest on the other side had changed.
"It worked!" shouted Ophelia.
"Hah! Even the walls of reality know to bend to the power of Odin Dark, the Mage of Might!" shouted Odin as he took a heroic stance before the doorway.
"And Ophelia Dusk, the Maiden of Light!" shouted Ophelia joining her father. "Oh, and Rhajat, the, em, Magnificent Maiden!"
"Maiden?" questioned Rhajat.
"Mother? Or… the other one."
"None," said Rhajat who didn't care for Ophelia's trinity of maiden, mother and crone. Especially crone.
"How about the Witch of Wonders!" shouted Odin, still in his heroic pose.
"The Starlight Glimmer?" suggested Ophelia dropping her pose.
"The Stalking Sorcerer!"
"How about the Dark Queen?" suggested Ophelia knowing it would be more likely to appeal to her friends tastes.
"That's acceptable."
"Come fellows!" shouted Odin.
"Are you going to be doing that all the way?" asked Rhajat.
"Well, I suppose I don't have too."
"Then save it for your mother."
"Oh, I can't wait to meet her," squealed Ophelia.
"Then we will wait no longer, come daughter," declared Odin as he and Ophelia turned and headed for Ylisstol
Laslow turned to Selena, "you can still change your mind."
"No, I have to stay with Lady Camilla, you know?"
"I do know," said Laslow placing a tender hand on his wife's cheek. It wasn't Camilla keeping her there, it was that she couldn't bear to return home and be reminded of all they had once lost.
"If this goes wrong and you get stuck there, I'll be so mad."
"If such a dire event separates us, I swear I will search for a way home to you until the last beat of my heart."
"So will I," added Soleil.
"You'd better," said Selena leaning in to kiss Laslow goodbye before turning to her daughter. "And you, don't embarrassed us by swooning over every girl you see."
"I love you too mom," said Soleil grabbing her for a hug.
"Mom," said Selena quietly as she looked at her mother over her daughter's shoulder, "please come back too."
"I reincarnated once already to find you," said Caeldori reaching to pat her daughter's arm and found herself pulled in for a hug as Soleil found herself discarded.
"Please bring them home," she whispered. "I don't think I could cope if I lost them."
"We'll be back before you know it," said Caeldori confidently
"Can we go now," said Rhajat impatiently.
"Of course, Dark Queen," said Laslow. "I'll see you soon, my love."
The five of them made out for Ylisse as Selena watched them go before turning back for her adopted homeland.
A few hours travel brought them to Ylisstol where Rhajat and Kana went their own way and Laslow split from Soleil and Caeldori, saying he wanted to explain everything to his mother before introducing her granddaughter, so Caeldori had been giving Soleil the tour. As they came back into the main square, Caeldori was talking about the architecture when Soleil froze on the spot.
"Are you alright?"
"Look," said Soleil, her voice shaking.
"Where?"
"That café, the girl with the pink hair who just came out, the one sitting down at the far table."
Spotting who she was talking about, Caeldori had only one course of action. "Oh wow, she is cute, the outfit would suggest she's a dancer."
"Dancer," sighed Soleil imagining that gorgeous body performing.
"Well? Go talk to her."
"I can't."
"Yes you can," said Caeldori pushing Soleil forward. "Start with a compliment."
"Okay, I can do this," said Soleil to herself as she approached and realised how little material was in the dancer's costume. "Hey, I know this is sudden," she began as she sat down opposite her, "but you are the most beautiful woman I've seen in this realm."
"R-really?" stammered the dancer.
"And that's not a line, my brain stopped when I saw you. Your beauty's almost ethereal."
"I, um… thank you," said the dancer as her cheeks started to turn red.
"I know you've probably got someone else to meet," said Soleil reaching out to place a hand over the dancers. "But is there any chance you would like to have tea with me sometime?"
"Well, I'm, uh, I…"
"Soleil?" came Laslow's voice as he approached from the café door.
"Dad?" said Soleil, surprised and annoyed he'd interrupt.
"Dad?" said Olivia in complete shock.
"Well, I'd hoped to explain everything first but, ah well," said Laslow sitting down. "Mother –"
"Mother?"
"This is Soleil, my daughter. Soleil, this is your grandmother Olivia."
"Everything I said is still true," said Soleil turning to her grandmother. "And now I know where dad got his dancing skills from."
"Mother is the best dancer in the land. To see her perform is to see true grace."
"Can you dance, Soleil?" asked Olivia.
"No, I'm… I'm hopeless."
"I'm sure that's not true, you have the looks and physique of a dancer."
"Do you think I'm cute?"
"I think you're very cute," said Olivia placing a hand on top of Soleil's as she had done.
Soleil brought her other hand up to stroke Olivia's outstretched arm as she gazed into her eyes. "You really are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."
"I apologise," said Laslow to break up the moment. "My daughter is as big a flirt as I am."
This brought Olivia back and she realised that her granddaughter was flirting with her. Strangely, she didn't want to remove her arm and found herself smiling in return.
"Soleil, I wonder if you would be kind enough to allow me some time to explain all that's happened to my mother."
"Of course, dad. I'll see you late grandma."
"You can call me Olivia."
"See you later, Olivia," said Soleil lifting her cute grandmother's hand to kiss it and loving the embarrassed giggle it caused.
"She's such a charmer," said Olivia once Soleil was out of hearing rage.
"She's even better with the ladies than me."
"Is it time travel again? She's barely younger than I am."
"No, though it's just as complicated," began Laslow before telling his mother about all that's happened to him.
In the shadows across the square, Caeldori watched everything unfold and was glad Olivia was responding. When Soleil left and came back over to her, she was grinning from ear to ear.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you," she squealed as she hugged Caeldori tightly. "You knew who she was, didn't you?"
"Of course."
"I got to flirt with my grandma. Now I know how hot it must be for you with Hinoka."
"And now you know where you get your good looks from."
"Come on, I'm not nearly as cute as her."
"To me you are."
"Oh you sweetie," said Soleil, pecking Caeldori on the lips. "Can we go find you now?"
"I think I know where I'll be."
The two made their way to the castle barracks which Caeldori was easily allowed access, though some notice was taken of her Hoshidan uniform. As they approached the training ground, she was telling Soleil about her time with her fellow pegasus riders before the war and mentioned pegasus of this realm only let women ride them.
"Wait, so a squad of pegasus riders is all girls? Where do I sign up?"
"You don't and keep your voice down, we don't want me to see me."
"Heh, sorry."
"At this time of day I should be –" began Caeldori before stopping as they both heard her voice from around the corner. "Go and see if there's cover."
"Yes my lady," said Soleil as she walked calmly round the corner to see the hair and legs of someone that could only be Cordelia across the way. There was a stack of crates which would give them a little cover to observe her. "Come round," she hissed and Caeldori slipped round and into cover. "She looks just like you."
"You knew that."
"I know, but she's you. Same long legs, same gorgeous ass." At that moment, Cordelia turned round and Soleil noticed a big difference between her and Caeldori. "How's she so much bigger than you!" she hissed.
"She isn't. That's all breastplate. She… I was very insecure about my bust size. Thanks for helping me get over that."
"No sweat. So what are the odds of a twin threesome?"
"None," said Caeldori sternly. "Aside from the fact it's probably really bad if I meet myself, she's not interested in women."
"What!" shouted Soleil and immediately realised she was too loud.
Both women turned to see Cordelia looking straight at them and then lock eyes with herself.
"You! Halt!" she shouted as she marched towards them, spear at the ready.
Caeldori's instinct was to run but she hadn't moved one step when she realised that would only end in Cordelia calling out the entire garrison to arrest them, so she stood her ground with Soleil following her cue.
"Who are you?" demanded Cordelia with her spear head an inch from her doppelganger's throat.
"I'm you," said Caeldori calmly. "You will eventually reincarnate in another realm in an attempt to find Severa. I've now come back to visit my original life with some of my friends."
Cordelia was almost tempted to believe that as no one would invent such a ridiculous excuse. "How can you prove it?"
Caeldori though for a moment and knew exactly what to say, something she had never told anyone. "Page ninety-three."
"You are me," said Cordelia lowering her spear. She never told anyone about accidentally ruining that page of 'Make Him Fall for You in a Fortnight' when she got too excited.
"And I'm Soleil. Can I just say, you look so cute in that uniform."
"Thank you," said Cordelia uncertainly.
"Have you ever thought it would be fun to kiss a girl?"
"I haven't," she answered getting rather unnerved and then noticed her future self smiling. "In the future, am I…"
"Into girls?" asked Caeldori. "Yes. Though she starts it off," she added gesturing to the cute redhead smiling sweetly.
"You're gonna have so-"
"We're dating," said Caeldori quickly, thinking Cordelia would have an easier time accepting that than the truth.
"Alright. Well I.. hope I'm happy?" said Cordelia, hoping she was.
"You are."
"Did you find Severa?" asked Cordelia cautiously, fearing the truth.
This was what Caeldori feared could cause a paradox but, seeing herself looking so broken at the loss of her daughter, she knew she had to tell her. "You must promise that regardless of what happens here today or in the future, that you and Rhaj- you and Tharja, will do whatever ritual it was to reincarnate so that I can exist."
"I promise."
"I found her."
"Is she here?" asked Cordelia, pleading with the gods that her daughter had come back to her.
"No," said Caeldori softly, knowing how much that hurt. "I don't think she's able to come back quite yet. You may have patched things up but she's still suffering." Seeing her own face fall, she decided she should know the good news. "She's happily married."
"Really? Who to?"
"Inigo, though he goes by Laslow now."
Cordelia smiled at the news, "No one else could keep giving the compliments she needs."
"She has a daughter," added Soleil.
Cordelia paused for a moment, letting that news sink in. "Is she a good mother?"
"Pretty good," said Soleil truthfully. "She's a little distant at times but I know she loves me."
Cordelia carefully examined Soleil to see if this was a joke. "You're Severa's daughter? My granddaughter?"
"Yep."
"How?" she asked herself.
"It's complicated," replied Caeldori but saw that wasn't going to be enough. "We were in the middle of a war and, as other's had done, they sent Soleil to a deeprealm, a small realm where time flows faster than normal, so she would be safe."
"After all they'd been though, they sent her away to grow up without them?"
"They did. As did my parents," she added to make it sound better.
"You poor, sweet thing," said Cordelia as she pulled her granddaughter into a tight hug.
"She gets plenty of that from me."
A shaft of light revealed a horrible thought to Cordelia. "You're dating your granddaughter?" she asked letting go of Soleil to audible disappointment.
"We were together before I remembered being you and I had no intention of ending things."
"But she's your grandaughter."
"I remember being me and I remember being you. She's your granddaughter, my girlfriend." Seeing Cordelia still uncertain, she added, "I know it's weird."
"I suppose I'll understand your reasoning when I'm you."
"You will," said Caeldori taking Soleil's hand.
"So, granddaughter… Are you a pegasus knight?"
"Before we go on," interjected Caeldori, "I should leave you two alone to get to know each other."
"You don't have to," said Cordelia.
"I should." Realising this may be her only chance she stepped up to herself and planted a long kiss on her identical lips. "That'll keep her happy for months," she said before patting a squeeing Soleil on the arm as she left. "I'll be in the garden."
Outside the barracks was a small garden with a few trees for shade. Caeldori sat down before she fell down and hoped the strange sensation in her head was only her memories changing and not her being erased from existence. As she sat in the warmth, she closed her eyes, now understanding why Mitama liked sleeping outdoors.
After charging on ahead of the group, Odin and Ophelia had ended up taking the scenic route to the capital as Odin couldn't help showing off all the beauty of the land and talking about all the heroic battles he fought, led and won. Ophelia was enchanted by her ancestral homeland and insisted on perusing the villages they passed through for ancient tomes and rare crystals. She didn't find any tomes but she did find a vendor selling crystals she's never seen before which she was certain would be excellent for spellcasting.
When they finally reached the capital, Odin led his daughter round to show off everything he could find before they would inevitably get caught up with his family. He was desperate to see them again but wanted to do the showing off first. They saw Laslow and Olivia at a café but didn't want to interrupt, though Ophelia had a similar reaction to Olivia as Soleil.
As they were heading through the market, Ophelia bouncing from stall to stall, Odin suddenly stopped dead. Along the way he was looking, she saw a blonde woman with a button headdress strangely similar to Nina's perusing a stall. "Is that her?"
"Time for introductions," said her father quietly as he moved towards her. "Excuse me miss."
"Owain!" shouted Lissa as she turned and leaped on him, nearly crushing him with a hug. "It's really you! Where have you been?" she asked letting him go and noticed his revealing outfit. "What are you wearing?" She then noticed the very attractive young woman wearing a similar outfit. "And who's your lady friend?" she asked with a suggestive grin.
"Mother, this is Ophelia, your granddaughter."
"Sweetie!" squealed Lissa as she grabbed her granddaughter for a hug causing Ophelia to laugh at her using her mother's pet name.
"It's an honour to meet you grandmother," said Ophelia who had immediately fallen in love her new family member.
"Oh I think you can just call me Lissa, I'm barely older than you. How's this happened?" she asked letting go.
"She was raised in a realm where time flows faster."
"At least it's not the end of the world again. Oh you're so beautiful," she said fawning over her granddaughter, "but what's with the chest?" she questioned, prodding Ophelia's exposed cleavage. "On both of you?" she added.
"Ah, well," began Odin striking a heroic pose. "When I left this land with my trusty sword, Missiletainn, I was already a warrior near unparalleled with the blade. The many victories that followed were unchallenging for one such as myself and I grew boarded. When I entered the realm that has been my home these past years, I decided to challenge myself and took up the tome. Mother, you now look upon Odin Dark! The mightiest mage in all the lands!" As he cried out the final line he took up a new dramatic pose just to emphasize the importance of the title.
"And Ophelia Dusk! The mightiest maiden of all!" echoed Ophelia striking the same pose.
Lissa could only burst out laughing which seemed to upset Ophelia. "Sorry sweetie, I laugh out of love. It's been so long since I've heard one his dramatic speeches I didn't realise how much I missed them. You're so much like him? Do you… do you have the brand?" she asked hesitantly.
"You mean this?" she asked lifting up her sleeve.
"You do!"
"Father said its proof of my lineage and our shared blood."
"And so much more than that!"
"Do you remember what I told you when you first asked about it?" asked Odin.
Ophelia thought back and as she remembered what he'd said she suddenly linked it to his explanation of his past. "The heroic bloodline that wields the sword Falchion against the fell dragon. You said your cousin Lucina wields that sword and has the brand in her eye. And… and you knew a princess that wanted it. Is the brand-"
"Allow me introduce you to Princess Lissa of Ylisse," said Odin before she beat him to the answer. "You, my darling daughter, are a member of Ylissian royalty, a descendant of the Hero King himself."
"So I'm a double princess?"
"Double?" questioned Lissa.
"Her mother is Princess Elise of Nohr who's really looking forward to meeting you. I think you'll like her."
"As in the Nohr from the stories?"
"From another realm, in fact."
"This is all too much. Come back to the castle and we can get caught up on everything that's been happening. And we need to introduce Princess Ophelia to everyone!" she said barley keeping herself from jumping with excitement.
"That's why I was saving the castle for the end of the tour," said Odin. "It's pretty impressive and there's an excellent library that's bound to have tomes and spells you haven't come across in Nohr."
"As if you need to convince me to meet my family,"
"Has there been any sign of Lucina?" asked Odin as they set off, his sombre tone alerting Ophelia to something bad.
"None."
"We looked everywhere, followed every lead but she's gone. In the end, we gave up."
"She's probably living a peaceful life somewhere, maybe she's settled down and found love and doesn't want to be found."
"That's what I've hoped all these years," said Odin forcing a smile again as he noticed Ophelia getting concerned. "So where are the other likely to be? It'd be great to see everyone again."
"Noire's here, she's basically her own mother now. You're not going to see Yarne, he's out seeing the world and Laurent's on a journey to see everything."
"Aw, I really wanted to see him so we could have a duel and I could show of my skills."
"Well tough," said Lissa with a laugh. "Morgan's around."
"Can you really see Morgan focusing on something long enough for a duel?"
"Fair point. Gerome's still living in Wyvern Valley but you're in luck for Kjelle and Cynthia. They'd both been away for a few years to get stronger, Cynthia returned a few months ago and Kjelle just last week."
"How'd that go?"
"Kjelle's shaming everyone now and, well, Cynthia is certainly a better fighter now but she's still the same sweet, clumsy girl she's always been."
"Soleil would like her," Odin said to Ophelia before explaining to his mother, "That's Ophelia's friend, she's a big fan of the ladies." He neglected to mention she's Inigo and Severa's daughter as he wanted to hear about the rest of his friends. "How's the priesthood treating Brady?"
"He's actually a highly accomplished violinist now. He's on tour."
"Really? Ha, I told him he should."
"And Nah's just up head."
Odin turned to see Nowi dragging Nah across the road to a stall selling chocolate.
"You know, I wouldn't mind a little brother or sister," said Ophelia watching what she perceived as a pair of sisters.
"That's not her sister, that's her mother," said Odin.
"But she looks about fourteen?"
"Let's not bring young looking mothers into this," said Odin hoping the conversation would move on quickly. "And you've got them the wrong way round."
"The ten-year-old is the mother?" asked Ophelia in complete shock.
"HEY NAH!" shouted Odin which got both their attentions.
"Owain!" shouted Nowi as she bounced down to them. "You're back."
"It's good to see you again," said Nah much more sedately.
"Can you just confirm that you're Nowi's daughter."
"Of course I am. Why?"
"My daughter here didn't think that was possible on account of you being too young."
"I'm a thousand," protested Nowi, "that's not too young."
"Sorry, you're a thousand years old?" questioned Ophelia. She then noticed the pointed ears just like Corrin and Kana.
"I know it's a little rude, but I was hoping you could transform to show her."
Nowi immediately jumped back for some space and went for her dragonstone as stall owners guarded their produce from the downdraught as she took off with a roar. Seeing the look of wonder on Ophelia's face, Nah decided she maybe should play along.
"You are magnificent!" said Ophelia, enraptured at the sight.
"Thank you," said Nah leaning down to look at her and seeing she was genuine. "So you're Owain's daughter."
"Ophelia Dusk, it's an honour to meet you. Can I touch you?" asked Ophelia half reaching up and thrilled when Nah lowered her head to let her stroke her.
"We were just heading back to the castle if you want to join us," suggested Lissa.
"It'd be good to catch up and I've got an incredible story to tell everyone," added Odin.
Nah transformed back prompting Nowi to do the same. "I'd like to hear it."
As they made their way up to the castle, Ophelia chatted happily to Nah and, apparent to everyone but herself, was a little flirty with her.
At the castle, Odin fought back tears at seeing his whole family once again, including his young self, both Cynthias and little Lucina who looked exactly like the cousin he grew up with, just shorter and with a smile that warmed his very soul. With the order given for a banquet to be prepared, Odin regaled his family and friends with the tale of his exploits, with Ophelia and Cynthia eagerly joining in to act out the climatic battles. In return they told Ophelia about her heritage and, after some pleading, Chrom let her hold Falchion but had to stop her from attacking the furniture to find out if she was truly able to wield it. After acquiring a training sword for her to try to cut, she found that, much to her disappointment, she, like her father, was not able to truly wield Falchion.
Like Odin, Rhajat had taken Kana around the city but she was putting off the final destination out of fear. She had no idea how Noire would react to her, while the two may not be overtly antagonistic towards each other, she and Tharja had never really bonded as mother and daughter. Tharja also had little to do with her own Noire and had basically left her to be raised by her father and future self.
Eventually she could put it off no longer and sought out Noire using her warp spell's remote viewing which directed her to the archery range. The range was only a street away from the main square and, passing through, they saw Laslow, Soleil and Caeldori had found Olivia. Kana wanted to stop but her mother, having decided she was going to Noire, didn't want to put it off any longer.
As they approached the range, Rhajat saw Noire altering her younger self's stance, looking every bit like the young girl's mother.
"Noire," said Rhajat as the approached.
"Mother," said Noire turning round to stand between her mother and younger self. Her mother rarely had anything to do with either of them unless she needed something and she was ready for a confrontation. Instead she found herself somewhat taken aback by her mother's outfit, her light pink hair and the seemingly genuine warmth in her smile. She then noticed the young girl in a green dress holding her hand. "Who's that?"
"This is your half-sister Kana."
"I'm so excited to finally meet you," said Kana trying not show how excited she was as her mother had warned her Noire can be shy.
"And I'm not your mother."
"What?" asked Noire who had no idea what kind of game was going on.
"I am Rhajat, your mother's next life and this is my daughter Kana."
"Next life? What are you playing at mother?"
"Nothing, my dear. I reincarnated backwards in time in another realm, where I met Corrin and we had a daughter together." She then turned to Kana, squatting down a little to reach her eye level. "Would you like to take little Noire to the café in the square? Get your Aunt Caeldori to buy you something nice."
"Yay! Come on Noire," said Kana taking her sister's hand and pulling her toward the square.
"It's alright," said Rhajat softly to try and reassure Noire as she seemed about to chase after them.
"She's really your daughter?"
"She is."
"What kind of magic have you done to the poor thing?"
"None."
"Mmm. Saying I believe you, why are you even here?"
"Since I remembered my previous life as Tharja I've realised how awful I was to you. In both timelines," began Rhajat, unable to meet her daughter's gaze. "When we had her, I swore I would be a better mother."
Watching her mother grow more uncomfortable to the point her arms were crossed and her eyes were now hidden in shadow, Noire had no idea whether to believe any of this.
"I… I came back because… because I want you to know I can be better. I better mother, a better person." She took a breath to steady herself and continued, "I love you Noire and I'm very proud of you." Having said her piece, she looked up to see Noire's indifference to her words and, as she left, she could do nothing but stand there and let her go.
As she approached the café in the square, Noire noticed Inigo was among the group Noire and Kana were with. "You're back."
"Good to see you, Noire," said Laslow.
"In a minute," she replied turning to herself and Kana who both had giant cookies in front of them with Kana's already being half eaten. "Kana. Is Rhajat a good mother?"
Kana quickly chewed her mouthful of cookie and swallowed. "She's the best! She's always there when I need her, she reads me stories, she holds my hand when I'm scared, she teaches me all about magic, she helps me do my hair-"
"I understand," said Noire to stop the list of things her mother never did with her.
"She is a good mother," said Caeldori, "and a better person this time around."
Noire stared at her knowing she looked like Cordelia but was wearing strange clothes as well. "You reincarnated as well?"
"Tharja helped me find Severa in the realm we now call home. I'm her cousin in this life."
"Really? Is Severa all right? Is she here?"
"She is and she's not," said Caeldori.
"She's also my mother. Hi, I'm Soleil. I love your headband, it's so cute."
"Not now," said Laslow. "She's also my daughter."
"You and Severa?" asked Noire with approval of the pairing.
"We're known as Selena and Laslow now. Have a seat and I'll catch you up."
Noire took a seat from an empty table and sat next to her young self as Laslow told her a briefer version of what had happened than he told Olivia. As he finished, Rhajat walked slowly up to the café and stood at a distance waiting to be acknowledged. As the group turned to look at her, Soleil was about to say something when Caeldori kicked her ankle causing her to realise this is Noire's moment.
"May I join you?" asked Rhajat quietly.
Noire noticed the few wet spots on her mother's sleeve and knew a likely cause by the position was that they were tears. "Of course."
"I'll get you a chair, mama," said Kana bouncing up to borrow another chair and setting it next to hers.
"Thank you sweetheart," said Rhajat stroking Kana's hair as she sat down.
"It seems you are a different person in your new life," said Noire. "They all agree that you're a good mother and you curse people less."
"You spoke up for me?" asked Rhajat of the assembled group.
"Of course, you're my cousin and a dear friend," said Caeldori.
"And it's only the truth," added Soleil.
"Thank you, my friends," said Rhajat with a crack in her voice which prompted Kana to hug her.
"What's different for you?" asked Noire. "If you didn't remember Tharja until recently, you didn't decide to be different."
"My mother," stated Rhajat. "She's the most pure-hearted person I've ever known. I sometimes wonder if, by reincarnating, I stole her true child from her and father."
"Don't say that," chided Caeldori. "They love you and you know it."
"I am blessed in this life," admitted Rhajat.
Before anyone else could speak, there was a blast of fire that threw Rhajat from her seat. In the moment that followed, Olivia ducked for cover as those with weapons rose and began to draw them while Kana leapt to her mother but was pulled down and Rhajat curled around her as a shield. Noire, seeing Rhajat instinctively protecting her daughter, shed the last of her doubt, sprang up already drawing her bow so an arrow was ready as she pivoted round to aim right between Tharja's eyes.
"Move!" yelled Tharja moving around her to try and get another shot.
"No," stated Noire blocking her mother's line of attack.
"That isn't me you foolish girl."
"I know she isn't you which is why you will not hurt her." Behind her, she could hear Rhajat moving and was relieved her mother hadn't just killed her future. Her mother ahead of her seemed to be unsure what to do and she hoped that would mean she'll stand down.
"Are you alright?" asked Rhajat.
"I'm fine mama, I wasn't the one who got hit!"
"You know it'll take more than that to hurt me," she assured her daughter, successfully hiding how much that attack had hurt from everyone.
"Who are you?" growled Tharja.
"I am you," said Rhajat walking past Noire and placing a hand on her arm as thanks before walking up to her past self. Those watching noticed the contrast in body language as Tharja was standing ready for battle while Rhajat stood slightly hunched, arms folded, and clearly not intimidated. "I am your next life and before you do what I know you're thinking, consider this: I know all you know and will ever know plus all I've learned in another realm."
After a moment of trying to stare her out, Tharja turned round with a growl and stormed off.
"Are you alright?" asked Noire checking her for injuries and burns.
"I'm fine," said Rhajat softly placing a hand on Noire's arm again, enjoying being able to touch her eldest daughter.
"That was really incredible," said Noire looking her mother in the eyes and seeing her smile again. "I'm so proud of you," she added with a hug. "I love you, mom."
Rhajat's only response was to hold her tight and enjoy the moment of reconciliation.
"Does that mean you'll be my sister now?" asked Kana
"Of course," chuckled Noire and gestures for herself and Kana to join the hug which they happy did.
"Awww," cooed Soleil. "You're so adorable. What? That's not flirting, just a sweet family moment."
The group sat down again with Noire moving seats to sit next to her mother as Rhajat told her about her new life, her parents and Corrin. Half an hour later, after Kana had wolfed down another two gigantic cookies, Ophelia and Nowi appeared in the square with Nowi running over when she spotted them.
"Inigo! Which means you must be Caeldori, you're Rhaja-" She stopped dead as she saw the girl sitting next to the reincarnated Tharja. "You're a manakete!" she squealed darting forward to turn Kana's head side to side to look at her ears. "You're another manakete!"
"I'm not a manakete," protested Kana trying to stick to her mother's wishes of hiding her draconic nature.
"You have to be, you have the ears."
Kana turned to her mother for her help as Nowi bounced in place with excitement. Rhajat looked round at the table to see the others had likely already noticed the ears and simply hadn't asked.
"I should have given you my hat," she said she took off her witch's hat and reached inside to retrieve Kana's dragonstone from one of the many pockets she had sewn into it. "Nowi, you go first."
Without a second thought, Nowi transformed and nearly blew a few tables over as she hovered in front of the group. "Now you now you now you!"
With a big grin, Kana took her dragonstone from her mother and roared as she landed on all fours and stretched her wings. Rhajat looked to her Noires and Olivia to see they were unafraid but certainly surprised by her appearance.
"Look at you! I've never seen a dragon anything like you," said Nowi as she landed to have a good look around Kana.
"I've never seen one like you," said Kana, equally curious about Nowi. "All dragons look like me at home."
"All? How many of you are there?" asked Nowi hoping she had found a big community of dragons out in the outrealms.
"Well there's only me and my mama."
Nowi looked over Kana's back at Rhajat. "Are you a dragon in that life?"
"Her other mother," said Rhajat.
"Oh, okay," said Nowi seeing no issue with someone having two mothers.
"On another note," began Ophelia as Nowi and Kana returned to examining each other, circling as if squaring off for a fight, "we came to invite you all back to my family's castle."
"Whoa, your family's castle?" asked Soleil.
"Yep. Turns out my dad's a prince here."
"So you're a double princess? Mmmm, cute."
"Ophelia," said Rhajat to get her attention and stop any flirting. "These are my daughters, Noire and Noire. Noire, this is my friend Ophelia." After a moment's thought she added, "She's one of the most talented mages I know."
"Ophelia Dusk, pleasure to meet you," said Ophelia hugging the elder then the younger Noire.
"Any my mother Olivia," said Laslow so everyone knew each other. "The most talented dancer in the realm."
"Inigo," said Oliva trying to get him to stop.
"If he is correct in saying your talent is to his as the sun is to the moon, then I have no doubt about the truth. I love your outfit."
"Thank you," said Olivia blushing profusely at the praise. "Did you really say that?"
"She's paraphrasing but in sentiment, yes."
"Come on," moaned Nowi getting impatient at the talking, "we need to get to the castle. They all want to meet you. Lucy and Thia are so excited."
"Come," said Rhajat as she turned to the castle with the rest immediately following the voice of authority. "And change back," she added to the dragons.
"Mother," said Noire hesitantly catching up, "I have to ask; is Kana Corrin's daughter with her first husband?"
"No, she is mine and Corrin's."
"I know emotionally but, a man must have… you know, been involved."
"She is mine and Corrin's," repeated Rhajat.
"You mean she's literally yours? Conceived by the two of you?"
"Magic can do many things, including giving a woman the equipment to impregnate her wife."
"Really," said Olivia who was walking directly behind them before realising she probably shouldn't have gotten herself involved. As Rhajat paused for half a step resulting in her drawing level, she couldn't help glancing down.
"Does that appeal to you?" asked Rhajat just to see how red Olivia's cheeks would go. "It was only a temporary thing."
"So you're her father, sort of?" asked Noire.
"I am her mother," stated Rhajat. "As I am yours despite never giving birth to you in either life I have lived."
"Do you need to exercise in this life?" asked Olivia who wanted to know since first seeing her but hadn't wanted to ask in front of everyone.
"I don't," replied Rhajat, knowing this was something Olivia had been annoyed by since she'd first asked at the summer scramble. "I also eat a lot of sweets."
"It so not fair," moaned Olivia. "Why are you so perfect. I'd kill to have a body like yours."
"I don't know why my body is as it is but you need not be jealous, you are exceptionally beautiful."
"Do you mean that?"
"I do, I appreciate you have to work hard to maintain your looks. I'm also sorry I was so dismissive of you when you were upset."
"You really have changed," said Noire.
Rhajat looked at her daughter and though she should go a little further for Olivia. "You have the advantage over me that you are also beautiful within. No one who meets you could fail to like you."
"Wow, thank you Rhajat," said Olivia, somewhat stunned by such high praise from someone usually so aloof.
At the back of the group, Soleil had held Caeldori back a little to give some space so they could talk freely. "So, page ninety-three."
"What of it?" asked Caeldori knowing Soleil wasn't going to let it go now she had finally cracked.
"What is it?"
"I don't want to tell you."
"Aww, my lady, please," she said softly as she put an arm around Caeldori's waist.
"Why can't I say no to you?" asked Caeldori resigned to her fate.
"I'm cute," suggested Soleil.
"Page ninety-three is the page I had open when I… when I managed to ruin a book."
"How did a page make you ruin a book?"
"The book is… it's a…"
"It's a porn book, isn't it?" whispered Soleil.
"Yes."
"Say no more. It must have been a really good page."
When the group reached the castle, they were met by Chrom and Sumia with their three children, Cynthia, Lucy and Thia, none of whom could maintain a calm demeanour, and Lissa with both of hers. As they approached, Ophelia jumped ahead to stand beside her father and grandmother on the royal side of the meeting, grinning all the time. It was also noted by everyone that all the women in Odin's life, mother, wife and daughter, were pretty much the same; all cute, bubbly blondes.
After the formal introduction, and Soleil flirting with Cynthia, they were given the tour by Odin, where Soleil gave in and pointed out he'd married his mother, before settling down in the study to chat as the banquet was being prepared. Members of the shepherds arrived to see the returnees as the day went on and, by the time the banquet was ready, half the army had turned up.
Nowi and Nah immediately took to Kana and the three of them spent much of the day in the garden playing and causing the amount of damage expected of three dragons. Robin was initially nervous around Rhajat but as time went on and she saw how she interacted with others, particularly how she was with Kana, she realised she had changed and, for the first time, was able to talk to Tharja without being afraid of getting cursed or kidnapped.
The morning after, many may have been feeling the after-effects of what they'd consumed the night before so Rhajat had made sure she and Kana were up early to enjoy the peace. Kana had washed and her mother was combing her hair and singing to her when they, and the rest of the castle if not the town, were interrupted.
"KANAAAAA!" bellowed Nowi circling the castle.
Rhajat lifted her hands away as Kana leapt towards the window. "NOWIIIII!" she shouted and noticed a different coloured manakete landing in the grounds. She then had to dive for cover as Nowi's head shot through the window and she heard scraping as the dragon struggled for purchase.
"I've got someone you really need to meet," she said. "Climb on."
"Do not drop her," said Rhajat menacingly as Kana jumped on.
"I won't," she said as she pushed back into mid-air and, keeping her neck level for Kana, let herself stall and angled herself so the fall would turn her away from the castle walls and glided down to the ground. Watching from the window Rhajat was quite impressed with her flying.
On the ground, Tiki was impressed with her control as well. She had been hoping she would take longer as flying overnight had taken a lot out of her and she wanted to make a good impression on the new dragon.
Nowi landed in front of her and transformed the moment Kana climbed off. "Kana, this is Tiki. She's the oldest and best manakete."
"You're really pretty," said Kana unsure if she should hold out her hand or hug the serene manakete in front of her.
"Thank you little one," chuckled Tiki seeing Kana's dilemma and hugging her. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"How old are you?" asked Kana. "Because Nowi says she's a thousand and you look older then her."
"In truth, I have lost count but I am over three millennia old. How old are you?"
"I don't really know because I grew up where time is weird but mama thinks I'm about eight."
"Hundred?
"No, just eight."
"Really? Your kind isn't near immortal?" asked Tiki incredulously.
"My kind is just me and mama and she's not that old."
Tiki placed a hand on Kana's shoulder and bend down to get to her eye level. "Then you have been spared one of the worst horrors of our kind." Seeing Kana didn't quite get it she continued, "When you live for millennia, every human you befriend will die in what seems like moments. I am so happy for you that you will never know loss like we do."
"That sounds awful," said Kana placing a hand on Tiki's shoulder to mimic her.
"But a long life has let me meet you," said Tiki cheering up. "I know it's a little rude but I would love to see your dragon form."
Kana turned around and inhaled to shout to her mama, who she knew would still be watching, but Rhajat warped down before she could.
"How'd you do that!" squealed Nowi. "That was the best thing I've ever seen!"
"My lady," said Rhajat with a small bow of the head toward Tiki.
"Why so formal, Rhajat? Nowi told me of you and I see she spoke the truth that you had changed for the better."
"Thank you Tiki," said Rhajat as she fished out Kana's dragonstone from her hat. "I had better role models this time round and a woman who retuned my somewhat overzealous affection. Here you go sweetheart, play safe."
Kana took her dragonstone from her mother and transformed, landing with a big stomp and flaring her wings to try and look impressive for Tiki.
"My goodness, you are astounding," said Tiki with the same excitement Nowi had when first seeing her. She reached out to touch Kana's head and the little dragon moved towards her to nuzzle into her hand. "May I examine you?" asked Tiki trying not to sound like a healer.
"Ah-huh,"
Tiki immediately moved in close to examine her head before moving down her neck and over her body, even going so far as to ask if she could pick up one of her legs to look at her foot which Kana was happy to do.
"Can you fly?" she asked examining her wing.
"No, but Mama can't either."
"I wonder if you'd let me see you in motion, your joints are very different from ours."
"We could race," said Nowi immediately.
"First one to the wall," shouted Kana as she took off without giving Nowi time to transform.
"No fair," shouted Nowi after her as she reached for her dragonstone and started running. With the aid of wings, she quickly closed the gap and won the race.
"Interesting," mused Tiki to herself. "You must be proud of her."
"I am," said Rhajat.
"Nowi tells me you are one of her biological mothers." Rhajat nodded in response so Tiki continued, "I wonder if there could be more dragons in the future?"
"There can't. The spell used to allow us to conceive Kana nearly killed me."
"Then I would not ask anymore of you. It is good to know we are not the only dragons," said Tiki softly as she watched Kana and Nowi play fighting. "You have changed so much in your new life."
"How can you know?"
"I can see it in you. The darkness I see in Tharja is still present but it is now tempered by the light. I assume it is the love of your wife and daughter?"
"It is theirs and my parents as well. I am surrounded by good people in this life and I believe they have made me better."
As they watched the youngsters playing, Tiki tried to fight back her curiosity but lost. "You know of my future, yes?"
"I know of a small sliver of your lifespan, but I will not tell you anything."
"It isn't a specific event or action I wish to know," began Tiki, "I only wish to know if I stay in touch with you all, with my friends."
She'd long ago decided with Caeldori that they mustn't tell anyone anything about what will happen in the coming decades but hearing Tiki sounding so worried about something so general, she felt it was safe to reveal what lay ahead. "You do." The relief on Tiki's face was clear and Rhajat realised the eldest dragon must worry about slipping back into her solitude. "You visit Ylisse for most major festivals and events, you are still loved by us and our descendants."
"You cannot know the relief your words bring."
"I am one of the last of my generation of Shepherds to die," she continued, knowing she was now revealing too much, "by that time, you have been asleep for three years, a quick succession of deaths took its toll on you but Nowi and her brood will not allow you to sleep too long once we have all passed."
"I'm glad I will always have my little sister," smiled Tiki. "Brood sounds like you mean more than just the two Nah?"
"She has a further daughter and a son by my death. I tell you this because I trust you can keep it to yourself, no one should know their own future." This was somewhat hypocritical for a diviner to say but divination gets very unreliable very quickly as you look further ahead, whereas she knew for certain the events that would come for decades, having lived them.
"She did say she intends to have a child at every opportunity. You can rely on my discretion."
"That future may have changed now we have interfered in our own pasts, but I doubt our presence will alter it much." As they watched the two young dragons charge across the grounds again, Rhajat saw Soleil striding towards them from the castle, failing to seem as if she was not hurrying, closely followed by Cynthia. "Prepare yourself."
"Who is she?" asked Tiki, seeing Rhajat smirk.
Kana and Nowi came back to them as Soleil approached but she seemed to falter as she got closer. By the time she was only a few steps away, she was just staring at Tiki. "Um… hi," she managed to get out.
"Hello," said Tiki sweetly, assuming this was Soleil that Nowi had mentioned.
"Hi," repeated Soleil as her expression moved to panic as she realised she was freezing up.
"That's Soleil," said Nowi brightly, ignoring the girls peril. "She likes girls."
As Tiki turned to look at Nowi as she spoke, Soleil was treated to the sight of the split in Tiki's dress reaching up past her waist and the concealed curve of a gorgeous ass. Her mouth quivered as she tried and failed to speak.
Cynthia nudged her to try and prompt some words. She'd heard about her freezing up in front of cute girls but it was far worse than she'd thought it would be, given Soleil's normal confidence. "My name…" she began to help her.
"My…" repeated Soleil before finally pulling herself back something resembling her normal mind. "I'm Soleil."
"I think we already established that."
"Right, yes. Sorry."
"And that you like girls."
Soleil let out a very nervous laugh as Tiki seemed to be eyeing her up. "I do and you are really beautiful."
"Do you think such flattery will work on me?"
"This is Tiki," hissed Cynthia.
Soleil had a brief moment of panic as she realised she was flirting with someone who was basically a god. "It's not like I'm lying, you really are gorgeous and if you were a god or not that would still be true."
Tiki smiled at the girl's assurance. "I'm merely the voice of Naga, I myself am not divine."
"Does that mean you're available?" asked Soleil, aware that was completely irrelevant to what she had said causing Tiki to laugh. "Have you eaten yet? Breakfast is about to be served."
"I certainly need something after an overnight flight."
After greeting Chrom and apologising for essentially invading his castle, Tiki joined the rest of the group and sat next to Nah with Soleil quick to take the seat opposite her. She'd wolfed down several helpings and promptly fell asleep leaning against her little sister.
"Is she actually asleep?" asked Soleil.
"Yes," replied Nah, trying not to wake her. "We Manaketes require a lot of sleep as we get older and she's been known to sleep for centuries."
"Wow. Guess you can do that when you live for millennia. So, em, does Tiki like girls?"
"She does," replied Tiki as she repositioned against Nah's shoulder.
"She does this sometimes," said Nah as Soleil relaxed.
"Don't push your luck though," said Robin from up the table. "I did and she's never let me forget it."
"Do you like girls as friends, romantically or physically?" asked Soleil to some disapproving looks.
"All three," answered Tiki drawing some surprise from her friends.
"Don't," warned Caeldori, knowing Soleil was about to ask which way she liked her.
"You're right, sorry Tiki."
"Your apology is noted."
"Is that weird to anyone else?" asked Ophelia.
"The fact she can be so clear while asleep is impressive," said Lucy.
"Think Mitama can do that?" asked Soleil.
"It would certainly give us more chances to talk to her," said Caeldori wondering if anyone but a Manakete could do it or if it was just practise.
"Who's Mitama?" asked Tiki as she opened her eyes.
"She's our friend back home," said Soleil. "She can sleep just about anywhere at any time, even next to a battlefield. Dwyer can do it too."
"And they've been doing it together a lot these days," added Ophelia. "Actual sleeping," she clarified.
"We were planning on a trip to the beach today," announced Chrom. "We thought it would be good to relax a little before our official visit round a few neighbouring countries. You'd all be welcome to join us."
"We're going," said Ophelia to encourage her friends to come.
"Ready for the beach, dad?" asked Soleil.
"I'm afraid I have other commitments," replied Laslow. "Mother is busy preparing for the next show and I agreed I would help. It'll be nice to see the rehearsal and all she's built here."
"We're going, right?" she asked turning to Caeldori.
"I think it's a wonderful idea."
"Can we go too, mama?" asked Kana.
"I don't see why not. Lord Chrom, may I invite my other two daughters?"
"Of course, Lady Rhajat."
"I would join you, if I may," said Tiki much to Soleil's clear delight.
"I'll come too," said Nowi. "So will Nah."
"I think we'd better load more food and drink," said Robin.
"And you'll need bathing suits," added Sumia. "I'm sure we can lend you something if needed."
"Let's see what you've got," said Soleil standing up before being pulled down again by Caeldori. "My lady," added Soleil before waiting for the queen to rise first.
"Go with aunt Caeldori and see if you fit Thia's swimsuits," said Rhajat to her little girl before warping to her eldest daughter, having located her in the marketplace, and causing her to squeal loudly as her mother appeared in front of her.
"Don't scare me like that!"
"Apologies. I came to invite you and Noire to the beach."
"You're going to a beach?" she questioned.
"Chrom has invited us," explained Rhajat before added, hesitantly, "I thought you might like to go… with me?"
"Well," began Noire before realising her mother was genuinely worried she'd say no. "Sounds fun," she said which actually raised a small smile on her mother.
"Good. Gather your sister and supplies and come to the castle. I have to go back to make sure Kana's behaving."
"See you shortly," said Noire as her future mother warped away. She'd already bought ingredients for today's meals but she could make something for the road instead.