Here are a bunch of alternate takes on previous chapters, and some future "support conversation"-esque scenes written for fun. I would've written more of those, but I put several in the chapters already uploaded, and never had the chance to write more outside of those before the project was discontinued.

.

Alternate writing of scene from Chapter 11

The thought of being friends with these people, who could and would be heroes to save this country and the world, still seemed unreal. Sure, I helped, chatted and generally got along with the other Shepherds, barring the ocassional great knight. I guess I've just always been afraid of being seen as an annoyance or burden more than anything else.

"Well, yeah, I mean—" How to tread lightly around this, both to not offend and to not cry again. I finally admitted, "I just, guess I didn't expect anyone to care that much. So, thank you for proving me wrong."

Before Sumia could try to continue convincing me, I asked her, "Oh, have you seen Lissa or Frederick?"

I was directed towards one of the kitchens, where Lissa had been inspired by Sumia's own attempts to make some pie. I wondered if Kellam had been her guinea pig yet. It was still hard not to point to particular support conversations, but at least I was thinking about it more organically now. It's a bit harder to mentally keep track of "support ranks" when you're worrying about the future and fighting for your life, anyway. But, I still wondered about Lucina's generation. Did Zant marry anyone in that timeline? He seemed ready to plan for a life in Awakening World, before the cliff rescue. ...and maybe I wanted to see a dragon-y Owain after all.

A bit absorbed in my thoughts, I literally walked into the invisible knight himself. Kellam apologized quietly as I clutched my face.

I waved him off, voice a bit nasally until I released my nose. "It's okay, my fault for not paying attention. How're you?" Ow.

"I'm doing okay. How about you? Are you holding up okay?"

Bless these Shepherds. That awkward warmth in my chest grew with each person showing their concern. "I'm fine," I answered, not wanting him to worry any longer. "Better now, and ready to help."

"That's good. We were all pretty worried, because you're normally so cheerful..."

"I think "silly" is the word you're looking for." Snorting, I reached up to pat Kellam's shoulder, or rather the armor on it. Did he never take that off? "I was... Well, I haven't really fought like that before. But I'm better now, like I said. Anyway, you seen Lissa?"

"Yeah, she's... in the kitchen." Uh-oh. That look on his face told me all I needed to know about his status as guinea pig. Poor guy.

"Bad pies?" He was pretty unflappable, but he made a face as he withheld whatever adjectives he wanted to use in place of just "bad." I patted him again in sympathy, although I couldn't help grinning. "Just pull a disappearing act, and you should be safe!" His expression twitched at the joke, but I noticed Frederick and gave my goodbyes to go follow him.

I had a lot on my mind, and I didn't want to forget the most important things before the Shepherds' next move. Anxiety tried to rear its ugly head, but I neatly tripped it on the way down the hall as I hailed him. He turned, stern as ever, with a flat, "Yes?"

I inclined my head. Despite our differences, he definitely deserved respect. "Good morning, sir. How're you doing?"

"I am well. I see you've recovered." Frederick's frown deepened, perhaps a bit impatient. "Was there something you required of me?"

"Oh, no, I just, wanted to thank you." I swallowed, my throat dry. "You saved my life, back then. Without you, I... would've died." Plummeting off of a cliff for a nice big splat at the bottom. Oof, I really shouldn't think about that.

It wasn't comfortable, being under his gaze. He still seemed to have his reservations about my trustworthiness. "...As a knight, it is my duty to defend my lord's allies, regardless of my thoughts on their trustworthiness." Yep, he still hated me. I tried not to let it get to me. At least he had better reasons than some.

"Still... Thank you." I took a deep breath. "And, I'm sorry about your shirt, it... kind of got ruined. Not even your amazing sewing skills could've saved it. I'll pay you back for it."

.

Alternate writing of scene in Chapter 12

I was grappled into someone's armpit, interrupting my thoughts.

"Yipe!" As a punch to the abs proved ineffective, I lightly shocked them into releasing me. It turned out to be Vaike who had earned my ire, because of course it was. I shouted, "Don't just freakin' sneak up on me!" It was something my coworkers did a lot back in Real World, and I hated it.

"But The Vaike ain't sneakin'!" Man, his grimace was something out of a cartoon, even in-person. It made his features twist in ways a person's face probably shouldn't. Rubbing his side, he ended up laughing it off. "You sounded like someone stepped on a dog's tail!"

Oh no he didn't— I smacked my chest in challenge, like some teen flick jock, complete with the chin-jerk and loud taunt. "I'll fight ya, chucklehead. Bring it."

Virion put a hand on the fighter's shoulder, which made me laugh. Like we're actually going to get into a brawl. "A beautiful maiden shouldn't have to resort to such barbaric methods!" Honestly, that irritated me more than Vaike.

Stahl cleared his throat, getting my attention to see his head shake. Don't fight the chuckleheads? Fiiiiiine. I rolled my eyes, but in good humor, and waved him off as I dropped the matter. So he continued conversation to safer grounds, bringing up a "contest" Vaike had apparently been wanting to put together since we got back.

"I mean, for once, Vaike isn't wrong: It would make us test our abilities, and with war on the horizon that might not be a bad idea."

"Har har! See? ...wait, what d'ya mean, "for once"—"

I didn't really agree. "We can just spar and get the same results, can't we?" This isn't really the time to be putting efforts and resources into planning some big hoolie-doolie.

But of course Vaike was all for it, and now Sully was warming up to the idea. "A tournament would make us bring out our best! And once you join, you won't be able to chicken out," she added, with a pointed look the myrmidon. Oh ye gods of yore, will she ever drop it?

"Look at that Feroxi tournament! It had me pumped up!"

"You mean you aren't always a hothead," I joked. Vaike shook his axe at me, and I tried not to flinch back.

"I ain't no hothead!"

Miriel's book snapped shut at last, as she leveled him with a Look. "You are incorrect, in both syntax and declaration."

"Ouch," Stahl and I muttered. I mean, she's right, though.

[I may have antagonized/encourage Vaike.]

On horseback to our left, Stahl noticed and cut in, "Now about that contest you were talking about—"

But Vaike shook him off, grin stretching across his face. And then I remembered who I was taunting, as he lifted his axe.

"Now that's what I'm talkin' 'bout!"

Oh, shit. Palms going up, I protested, "Hey, axes are cheating!"

But he was already moving towards me, so I retaliated without thinking. And that's why I blasted him back with a burst of wind, and he knocked over Virion and Lon'qu. The patrol stopped as I stared at them on the ground, processing what I'd just done. There didn't seem to be any major injuries, but... shit, what if his axe had moved just a little more to the side?

"What's going on back there?" Robin sounded concerned, but also very faintly amused. "We don't have any vulneraries to waste on squabbling."

"Shit! Sorry, sorry!" I was already trying to help yank Virion up, as Vaike and Lon'qu jumped back to their feet. (The latter probably to get away from me.) He bowed over my hand in thanks, and seemed to ignore how I yanked it away in case of hand-smooches, in favor of dusting off his fancy clothes.

"Oy! If an axe's cheatin', then so's magic!"

"You came at me with an axe!"

"It's blunt!"

"Blunt, my ass!"

"Hey, break it up!" Sully had gotten off her horse to stand between the two of us. "We're on patrol, idiots!"

I wasn't the one who started it! I mean, taunted, yes, but I didn't actually attack the guy until he brought his axe into the mix. Ah, whatever, as long as no one was actually hurt. Relaxing a bit, I pointed out to Sully, "Oh, like you wouldn't go after Lon'qu in a heartbeat, if you thought you could get away with it."

"Now, that's different."

"Different, how?"

"You know why! Stuck-up bastard..."

.

Alternate writing of scene from Chapter 12

"Yeah, trust me, I remember her lecturrrrrWAIT!"

The tactician grunted when I smacked his arm to hold it. I had been hit by another bolt of inspiration! Vaulted, like pole-vaulting. That was something I had used a lot in Monster Hunter, with the Insect Glaive weapon. Obviously not everything would translate into a real world setting—but this was Awakening World, where Lon'qu could do some sick flips, and fantastical monsters existed! Who's to say someone couldn't fashion a weapon like that? Obviously it wouldn't have Kinsects, unless there was some Awakening equivalent I could find. But with the availability of spells, perhaps it could be enchanted with air magic to better propel the wielder up or forward with small bursts or...

Holy shit, could I make this a reality?

"Are... you okay?"

I was nearly wiggling in my excitement. I probably had the stupidest grin on my face too. I told Robin, "I'm about to live out my dream as a monster hunter."

"...what?"

"Never mind never mind, I just—shit, it's, okay—never mind!" I waved him off as I ran over to my bag to scribble some keywords. I didn't want to forget the idea, and I was already thinking of how to follow through with it. I just needed to do more research on enchanted weaponry here. I could use other game weapons as inspiration, too! Aww man, this is gonna be awesome!

Once I had enough of the barebones written down, I righted my things and glanced back at Robin. Then, around at the others. I had earned some stares. "Uh. Carry on...?"

I got a few snorts and traveling eyebrows, but overall the Shepherds just seemed to write it off as another "me" thing. The reputation of being a weirdo made some things easier to wave away. (Unless Frederick was around.) Soon enough, of course, I found Miriel nearly hovering over my shoulder, obviously interested in what I concocted.

"You don't have magic," Robin inquired slowly, "but you have monsters?"

"No, it's... okay, look, it's from a game... story... thing! It's too late in the evening to go on a big rant," I directed to Miriel, who pursed her lips. Oof, I forgot, she doesn't like being denied knowledge. "I'll talk about it another time, okay? We've been walking all day and we need food and sleep."

The tactician chuckled, patting my shoulder as he went to move past me. "That's right. So everyone should get some rest tonight. Right?"

Okay, he totally knows about my night training. I stuck my tongue out at him, and he had the audacity to wink at me. What a brat! I was half-tempted to sneak out for a moonlit walk just to spite him.

...I didn't, because I slept like a rock, even in the hay. But the point is I could have. Concerned tactician or not, he still wasn't my dad.

.

Random scene in vague future of the fic, where Lon'qu's phobia comes up again

How could I make him feel better about this entire situation?

...oh. Well, there's ONE thing I could try. But I wasn't going to like it.

I fiddled with my ponytail, glancing about the camp. No, this location wouldn't do at all. I sighed and, reluctantly, told the myrmidon to follow me to the edge of the tents by some lovely flowers. Daffodils, maybe? I don't know flower names, so sue me. They were yellow. I could admire how they looked regardless.

"What are you doing," he asked as I knelt down to peer through the pretty petals.

"Showing you my weakness so we're on even footing."

"...your weakness is flowers?"

"No."

I didn't elaborate, which probably frustrated him. But really, my ears and eyes were focused on the rest of my surroundings, searching for the real threat. Ylisse was covered in wilderness. Surely it wouldn't be out of the ordinary for me to find some around here somewhere. The one time that I want to see them, they're all mysteriously absent. Wonderful.

"Are you toying with me?"

I rolled my eyes and glanced over my shoulder. "I make it a point not to mess with people using pointy swords too much. I don't fancy being stabbed anytime soon."

"Then what's the point of this?"

"I'll show you. Patience, young padawan."

"Woman—"

"Man."

"Megan."

"Yes, Lon'qu?" I made sure to be extra chipper.

"What are you waiting for?"

"I'm waiting for—"

Buzz.

"Nnngah!"

I leapt backwards so fast that I sprawled across the grass.

Lon'qu, startled, jumped away. "W-what are you doing?"

"That—it's—AAH!" I flinched and withdrew on myself, ensuring the folds of my coat covered most of my bare skin. My anxiety only skyrocketed, however, as the intruder came closer. "Ahh... just... don't... moooove..."

My heart pounded in my chest as, thanks to my awful luck, the bee lazily drifted closer.

Behind me, there came a very eloquent and well-thought out question: "...What?"

I hunched my shoulders, unable to do anything more than take quick, shallow breaths, and whimper, "Please... go... away... proved... my point... leave..."

It landed on one of the flowers to go about its business.

"Okay... cool..." With agonizing patience, I started to get to my feet. As if it would help protect me, I held out a warding hand. "Stay... staaaay..."

I took a step back, and the bee returned to the air and came right at me.

"ACK!"

I realized that I had, in what felt like an instant, raced around Lon'qu to hide, clutching him like a child as I begged for the insect's demise.

"W-w-woman!"

This had to be agony for him.

I thought I heard buzzing nearby and screamed, plastering my face against the myrmidon's back.

"AAAH! KILL IT, KILL IT, KILL IT WITH FIRE!"

Fuck the agony, I'M LITERALLY GOING TO DIE OF A HEART ATTACK!

I was jostled a bit as Lon'qu jerked an arm; metal sang through the air once, twice. A sword snicked back into its sheath.

"It's dead," he declared tersely.

It took several deep breaths before I managed to pry my fingers off of the red cloth around his waist—several more before I could step away from him. I peered around him as I cleaned my face with a sleeve.

"...did you... kill it in midair?"

"Yes."

"That's... holy shit, that's cool. Really cool." I rubbed my face, willing my heart to return to a normal pace as I took deep breaths. "Phew... damn, that... I was expecting it, but I still freaked out. I'm... sorry, Lon'qu. But, um..." I cleared my throat. "Ta-dah! My own phobia to match yours!"

.

Random unfinished scene in vague future of the fic, during wartime

I woke up to darkness.

That would make sense, if I had just woken up in the middle of the night thanks to a bad dream. But it wasn't the darkness of my tent. It seemed to writhe and breathe. I could feel a heaviness in my chest, something reaching deep to clutch my organs. And I panicked.

Flailing, I could only manage a soft gasp before something came toppling down over me. Fabric and rope and poles crashed on top of a very disoriented Megan. This same Megan continued to panic, squirming until an opening was found to reveal sweet freedom.

I rubbed at tired eyes and examined the remains of my tent. Whatever strange shadows that had crept up on me in the middle of the night were gone. If they were even real to begin with.

Questing fingers eventually located my glasses, and I shakily got to my feet to examine the wreckage with a grimace. I had torn the fabric while wrenching it away from its stakes and somehow tangled the guy line in the process. What a mess. I folded and tucked it away in my bag, deciding sleep was finished for the evening.

But what should I do instead? I wrapped arms around my waist, glancing about camp. All fires were out, which meant that, barring the night watch, I was likely the only one awake at the moment. Not that I was in much of a talking mood right now. It's too dark to read, I can't just get a midnight snack... well, I guess there's always time to clean, or train. I went with the latter.

.

Random scene in vague future of the fic, a "support conversation" between Megan and Lon'qu

"You're infuriating."

"Hm?" Well, that was new. Not the words themselves, but who was saying them. His displeasure was generally silent.

"I don't understand you."

I laughed at such an obvious statement. No one here ever will, will they? Even if they knew about my real origins. I was too much of an odd duck for anyone to make sense of, and I was all right with that. Kail was the closest to figuring me out after all of these years, and even then I think I threw him for a loop sometimes. What can I say, it's fun to weird people out.

"Tell me something I don't know," I told the myrmidon, flipping through my tome. Where was that potion again?

Still keeping his distance, Lon'qu narrowed eyes at my back. Don't ask me how I know he did that. I don't make bets, but I could practically hear it in his voice as he continued, "What makes you so confident in my abilities?"

I glanced over my shoulder, confused but still smiling. "Lon'qu, are you doubting your skills right now? Because I will go over there and smack you for being an idiot." He stiffened at the teasing.

"I'm not talking about my assessment of my abilities. I'm talking about yours. What reason have you for repeating what Basilio has said?"

"Because I know it's true," was my simple answer.

"How?"

"I've seen you in action." Plus my hours logged into a video game talking to a fictional version of you, but we're not talking about that. "And I can just tell."

"You can just tell."

"Yup."

"That's hardly cause to put your life in my hands."

I sighed quietly, shutting my tome, and faced him, palms held out in helplessness. "What do you want from me, Lon'qu? Life story... admittance of future-sight... help me out, here."

"I want an answer that isn't nonsense," he bit out. He was actually looking very angry about this. What was his problem?

"It wasn't...?"

His knuckles were pale. "Claiming that I "look" like the best doesn't cut it."

"No, you cut it. With swords!"

"Woman—"

"Man," I countered playfully.

"Enough!"

I stopped, heart in my throat. He'd never yelled at me before. Told me to back off, sure. Yet this... Instantly, my expression smoothed into calm neutrality, but inside I wondered if I was pushing too many of his buttons. Was it something I said? Had I somehow insulted him? Was I annoying him past his breaking point? I didn't want to lose a friend to my own stupidity.

What had I done?

Fingers creeping to clasp together behind me, I leaned back against the table, averting my gaze. There was that lump developing in my throat, but I only let the silence sit long enough to settle before disturbing it. I knew if I let myself freeze up that I wouldn't do more than give monosyllabic responses before hightailing it out of there.

"I... don't know a better way to explain it. But it's not just a silly feeling. I know that I trust you for good reason."

"That's ridiculous."

I exhaled my frustrations, quietly. What reason does he want? I searched the ceiling for it, softly tapping the desk behind me, and found nothing. Well. Guess I'm winging it. I had to find an answer that pleased him eventually, right?

"I didn't have an awful childhood or anything," I began, deciding to go the "life story" route after all. "So don't think that I'm whining about how terrible it was and "oh woe is me" or anything. But everyone has issues, and one of mine is people. Believe it or not..." I snorted at myself. "I used to be very shy and very withdrawn."

The look of disbelief was familiar, but annoying. "Impossible."

"I won't argue about it because that's not the point I'm trying to make, although trust me when I say I was the kid who sat alone while the other kids played." Waving away the topic, I went on. "So I had a very limited list of people I regularly interacted with. Not all of them pleasant. It's easy to tell when you're not wanted, even as a kid. Or when you're being used."

Really, that was an understatement. The names that came to mind brought the uncontrollable urge to snarl. I could feel myself tensing just at the thought of them. Remembering the words, the gestures, the lifestyle... I could never manage a straight face with them on my mind—or I managed too straight a face. It was so much easier to pretend they hadn't existed. Realizing some memories were murky probably because I would rather lose time than hold onto them made me wonder what the extent of their actions were, sometimes.

It was a list far shorter than my current list of friends—both here or back in Home World—but those names held a lot of clout. There were some issues I still had to work through, even now, because of them.

I had a dry swallow, clearing my throat.

"So, I started learning the signs very quickly. Easier to deal with that when you see it coming, right?" I shrugged, feeling awkward but trying not to show it. "Family was harder to avoid, but I could deal. Just hide or smile, and you can weather the storm until you're free."

I noticed I was twiddling my thumbs behind me and forced them still. I didn't have pockets to shove them in, so I moved to cross my arms only to realize I looked more defensive this way. Damn it, body language. Oh, well. Fuck it.

"On the flip side," I lifted my tone, willing the cheerfulness back, "I can also tell when someone has no such intentions, thanks to that." I met Lon'qu's gaze once more, inclining my head. "So I have a fairly accurate read of people, as far as their treatment of me goes, and when I can trust someone. With my life. Sir."

He had the expression of someone who'd just been forced to bite into a lemon. It was kind of funny looking, bringing my mood up in a more genuine fashion.

"So my lack of intent to hurt you means you trust me to keep you alive."

"Pretty much," I chirped. "Along with the whole "super awesome swordsman" thing, and the fact that I don't think Basilio is a liar. You're both good people." And why didn't he look convinced?

"...You're infuriating."

I shook my head, smile back at full force. "I'm used to that." Humming, I reclaimed my book and flipped through its pages again, finding my spot at last. "Aha! Found it! Hey, do you know where Stahl is?"

"No."

"Okay. He's probably around the food, so." I marked the page with a feather and turned back around. "So, I need to use that door you're standing in..." He immediately retreated, and I snatched my bag of materials and gave him a cheery salute. "Stay safe, happy and healthy!"

He muttered something like a farewell in return, and I left him to brood over whatever had bothered him so much to prompt our entire conversation. It still bothered me, but it wasn't like I could strap him to a chair to persuade him. I could talk until I was blue in the face and all I'd do is, well, pass out from oxygen deprivation. Why bother?

I guess even with all the time I've spent in this army, I still have a long way to go to earn people's trust. It hurt to think about, so I didn't. Instead, I focused on sharing the recipe with Stahl and letting what camaraderie I did have with these people warm my heart. I didn't belong here in the end, so I would take what I could get.

.

Random scene in vague future of the fic, a "support conversation" between Megan and Lon'qu

Taking a large whiff of the air, I spun on my heel and tried following the scent. It was a sharp yet calming aroma that kickstarted my memory of simpler times long ago, and I was determined to follow that train of thought for some contented peace. But I don't exactly have the nose of a bloodhound, so the path I forged ended up wavering and backtracking several times before I finally came across the source: Lon'qu, and his steaming mug of tea.

"Hiya! What'cha got, there?"

He gave me a strange look, brows furrowed. "...tea."

I crept forward an inch, stopping at his expression. "What kind of tea?"

"Stay back!"

"I will! So, tea? What kind?"

He examined me warily, as if doubting my word. Slowly, he informed me, "It's an herbal blend from Chon'sin."

"Uh-huh..." I took another whiff, sighing at the heavenly scent. "I smell peppermint, for sure... maybe lemon? Or ginger? Or both?" Man, where was Zant's crazy dragon-nose when you needed it?

"...what do you want?"

I laughed. "That's easy! Tea!" It earned me another look.

"...do you really enjoy tea that much?"

Arching an eyebrow, I crossed my arms and shot back, "You really enjoy swords that much?" I motioned at the weapon tied to his waist. His frown deepened.

"There are others here with tea."

"Yes, but not that tea." I shifted my weight, closing my eyes as I sifted through the scents some more. "It smells so familiar... not exactly the same, I guess, but damn if it doesn't smell good!"

"You've been to Chon'sin."

"Nope!" I opened my eyes, beaming. "I just really like trying all sorts of tea!"

"Hmph."

He sipped from his mug, watching me. After some silence, I realized he wasn't going to say anything else and was simply waiting for me to leave.

"...so, can I have some?"

"No."

"Wha—" I whined at the fast rejection. Oops, supposed to be an adult here. Clearing my throat, I asked him, "Why not?"

"Why should I?"

"I'll pay you back! Er, maybe not with money," I added sheepishly, "because I don't have a whole lot and I kind of need what I have for magic ingredients. But... I can... do your laundry!"

"No."

"Take your turn at cooking duty!"

"No."

"Fight off the hordes of women!"

He didn't bother answering that one.

"Oh, come on, please! I'll do anything (within reason), just... a little tea, please?"

"Do you normally harass people?"

"No, but that tea really..." I weighed my thoughts, but found my current word choice lacking in the face of this important argument. "...smells good." He huffed. "Like, peace. Pretty please? I'll give you lifelong loyalty and adoration! I'll sing your praises! I'll—"

"Enough." Tossing the bag, he muttered as I scrambled to catch it, "If it will give me peace, I will share."

"Yes!" Dancing in place, I held the bag aloft and declared, "I'll bring it back, just hold on!"

"You don't have to—"

But I was already racing off in search of an empty mug and Maribelle's expertise in steeping delicious beverages. She was perturbed at my childish excitement, but with her advice I was strolling through camp soon enough with my own cup of delicious tea, twirling the spoon and humming cheerfully. Was I too happy over something so simple?

Nah. This shit was the bomb.

.

As always, I'm happy to hear your thoughts and ideas on more FEA shenangians in M.D., and if you have any questions about what else was planned for this story, don't be afraid to ask!