An Ostian Spy moved around the shadows, trying his best to not be noticed, no matter what happened. As always, stealth was essential, for the risk of being caught meant he'd surely get a world of pain on his way.
He stuck to the walls, sneaking past his foe, someone well beyond his abilities. He couldn't deal with her, not without back-up, so he would vani-
Matthew then stepped into a twig.
What is this even doing here? We are inside of a castle? He thought. But by then, it was too late. The newest member of the Order sighted him, and he knew he was done for.
"MATTHEW! There you are!" Serra said, full of her characteristic bubblyness. "I'm so, so glad someone I know well is already in the Castle! I mean, I already saw Florina and Nino, but, you know, a work buddy! And Lord Hector isn't here! We are our own bosses now! The Order shall pamper us as much as we want! Although, I'll miss Lord Hector. He was nice at times. You have been here for a while right? How are things here? Is there a spa? My skin needs to be cared after. You yadda yadda yadda, something something, blah blah blah."
Matthew felt his ears start ringing as the nuisance just kept talking, and started doing an effort to tune her out. However, the intensity of Serra's annoyingness didn't compare to the emotion her guide was feeling. Kiran stood there, looking at the thief with an expression most filled with guilt and sadness.
... So she is still beating herself up over that, huh?
Thankfully, the annoying Cleric wasn't the only person to be called this round. Someone else with similar fight style and abilities had joined the Order, and Matthew had no complaints about it. It decreased his work load, and also helped him do his job properly.
Kagero was pretty good company, truly. She was great both in, and off work, and their personalities went together well. Matthew was truly glad she had answered the Breidablik's call. "So, you're going to that teashop this afternoon again?"
"Yes, I will." She answered. "Am I truly that predictable? I can't help if I really enjoyed it's Green Tea. But, I'll be grabbing some to just have on the Castle instead. Oboro told me of a place in town that sells it. It's nice to keep enjoying the things I enjoyed back home, you know?"
"Hum, I suppose. I truly spent most of my time at work, I guess. There were a couple of guys I used to go drinking with, but none of them have shown up yet. I'm really a bit lacking in stuff to do."
"... Would you like to join me in drawing sometime, then?" Kagero asked. "You said you wanted to try something new. It would be nice to have someone else alongside me, for a change."
Matthew thought about it for a bit, before saying. "You know, yeah. Sounds neat. You may have to teach me the basics, though."
At that, Kagero laughed, a bit nervously. "Don't worry about that. Most people find my sketches rather... Exquisite, to say the least."
"I'm sure it's not that bad." He shrugged. "Seriously, I'm looking forward to it."
Having said that, a small smile found the ninja's lip, as they silently kept walking.
The Spy walked out of the strategy meeting for the next mission, one looking at the World of Awakening again, honestly a bit annoyed. For the second time in a row, and fifth all-round, Kiran was letting him out of the battle. This was just annoying now. But... How would he deal with that? She felt guilt, sure, but...
"Hello there, Matthew. I take it you found the meeting unsatisfactory? You went off a bit annoyed, after all."
Matthew snapped from his thoughts, and looked to the Pheraean Lord talking to him. He and Eliwood hadn't talked that much. But they were still friendly, truly. Just more of Lord Hector's friend than his.
He sighed, and answered. "Yes, a bit. I just don't understand! We are fighting a war. We need all personnel. And she keeps refusing to field me." Matthew said. "I already told her I'm fine. So why!"
"By now, you honestly should know how much our Summoner keeps regretting past mistakes." The noble calmly said. "Besides, who knows. It may not even be that, exactly, she is worried about."
Matthew perked up at that part. "Uh? What do you mean?"
"I don't know." Eliwood honestly answered. "But, there must be a reason she is acting like this with you, but not with Subaki, right?"
... That was true. Subaki had also died and been called back by the Breidablik. And yet, Kiran was treating him mostly the same.
"Thanks, Lord Eliwood. I believe I'll have to deal with this myself, truly." Matthew said, before excusing himself to leave.
Kiran and Alfonse walked through the Castle's halls together. One of the heroes had called upon the Summoner to ask something, and the Prince offered to guide her, given how confusing the Order's Castle could be, even after a while in it.
Once they reached the door, Alfonse said. "Well, here is Kagero's room. You sure you don't want me go with you?"
"No, it will be fine. She told me it was just something about the mission tomorrow. I can handle this. See you at dinner later?"
"Of course." Alfonse happily replied. "See you soon, Kiran."
As Alfonse left, Kiran couldn't help but feel happy she had got him as a friend. Turning towards the door, Kagero had told her to just go in without knocking, so she did just so.
"Hello there, Kagero! You had something you wanted to ask me? I'm all ears!" She happily said, before her mood took a sudden drop as she saw who was in the room. Matthew sat on the Hoshidan's bed instead, with the Ninja herself nowhere to be seen. "O-oh, Matthew. Nice to see you. Have you seen Kagero? She said she wanted to ask me something?" The Summoner said, now much quieter than when she entered the room.
The Ostian stoop up and went towards the woman. "Nope. Just me here. And, since you avoid me like the plague, I asked Kagero to help me with this." He said, closing the door before Kiran could retreat through it. "Now, tell me. Why are you avoiding me so much? Even when it comes to taking me to the field."
"I-I'm not!" She said, anxiety betraying her words. "You, uh, you went with us on the second round at the World of Mystery, remember! I've been using you, not the right word, uh, in my plans plenty!"
"That was the ONLY time, pretty much!" Matthew said. "We are in a war! You must use every single one of your troops to their full potential! And that includes me. I told you, dying wasn't really all the trauma it's told to be!"
"That's not the reason I'm avoiding you!" She blurted out, cowering a bit. "... I mean... It's not the only reason."
"Then what is it!?"
"... With Subaki, at least, he had Hana, and then Sakura to talk to. I summoned you and... I can't even call her to help you."
Silence fell over the room, as Matthew took in what the Summoner said.
"That's not something you should beat yourself up for." He said. He shouldn't really be surprised she knew this. She seemed to know a lot about many in the order. "I miss her. I truly do. But, whether you can summon her or not, life goes on. Besides, you did call that annoying cleric to keep me company."
Kiran snorted upon hearing that. "I did, didn't I?" She took a deep breath, before saying. "Sorry for not taking you with us to our missions. I just... Really thought you were mad at me or something. I'm a bit of an idiot."
"Hey now, you're a good kind of idiot." He replied, raising his hand to gently ruffle her hair. "So, do I get to go to the World of Awakening tomorrow?"
"Sorry, you can't."
"What? Why?"
"The strategy is already set! I can't put you in by now!" She said. "I'll try to put you on the back-up crew, though. And on the next mission."
The Spy sighed, accepting the results. "Eh, I'll take that."
Author Notes: Hello! Time for a new chapter!
How have you all been doing? Right now, I'm just trying to save as much as possible for the RD Focus. Let's see how that will turn out.
Hope you liked it! Leave a review if you want, and I'll see you soon!