Here are some more "support conversations," this time featuring our good ol' friend Kail, a brief giggle with Gaius, and a peek at the kiddos!

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

I fell into step beside Kail, grinning. "Fancy meeting you here!"

"Oh, hey!" He smiled. "You on this shift as well?"

"Sure, we'll go with that. Having fun yet?"

"Well, nothing's happened tonight yet, if that's what you're asking. Prefer it that way. Don't want to write any incident reports..."

"I don't fancy being made into mincemeat, either." I poked his arm a few times, thinking of what to say. "...you holding up all right?"

"...uh. How am I supposed to reply to that?" He frowned. "It's always idiots in power, and good people pay for it..."

I sighed. "Okay, yeah, that was a dumb question." Looking at the stars didn't provide any answers. At least they were pretty. "I wish it were as easy as pressing a button and selecting a command."

Kail patted my shoulder. "Yeah. Looked so easy from up there. But down here, there's no casual mode. No reset button. Of all the things the world had to keep, why did it have to be idiots in power?"

"Because the universe hates us." I snorted, shaking my head. "But at least this means we're not stuck to a script. Freedom is scary, but it means things can be better."

"Or worse. Two sides of the same coin." He sighed again, voice lowering. "Who knows what'll happen, really..."

"I refuse to let things get worse." I nodded, as if agreeing with myself. "So we're going to look forward with that in mind, yeah? 'When all hope is lost there is still the future' or whatever, right?"

"...considering we know what could happen in this 'verse, you really want a blessing from the future?"

"We don't need no blessin'!" No more wallowing! I struck a confident pose, forcing him to stop momentarily. "We're too awesome to need such things. Isn't that right, Sir Kail?" It got him to chuckle, and ruffle my hair. "Ack—"

"You sure you didn't marry Sumia, Megan?"

Swatting away his hand, I argued, "Hey, what, does she have a monopoly on being awesome?" I still had a grin on my face despite sounding indignant.

"Well she certainly has a monopoly on being enthusiastic." Kail offered me another smile. "How're you doing, though?"

"I'm all right."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

I held his gaze for a bit, considering. Then I looked away. "Not in particular, but kind of? I don't know." Emotions were hard, man.

He nodded, humming. "Take your time?" Our surroundings earned a narrow stare. "I mean, we're barely a quarter of the way into patrol."

We continued on our circuit around camp. While we hung out together a fair bit, it wasn't often that we got to really let down our guard in the metaphorical sense. It sucked, having to act like we hadn't known each other for years before all of this. We could only be true to ourselves in stolen moments like these.

After some time, he quietly nudged, "Or if it helps, just say what's on your mind?"

"Well..." His hand rose to grip my shoulder. Eventually, I was watching the dirt as we walked. "I... sometimes still can't wrap my head around all of this. Being here."

"In this universe, with Lon'qu and all? Or being away from home?"

I huffed at his teasing, rolling my eyes. "With everyone, more like. Being away from home isn't too strange, with how much traveling I've done in my life."

"Fair point. I suppose the magic and stuff is more of the eye-opener... After all, you'd probably wished screaming 'expecto patronum' would do something more than irritate the neighbors."

That got me to snort. "Not that I would be able to figure out how to cast it. Do you know how difficult it is to think of your happiest memory? Like, what's the criteria for that even? The magic here leaves less to your interpretation, thank the gods." He chuckled at that.

"You certainly seem to be playing with nosferatu a fair bit. Freddy Bear give you any grief yet?"

"Pff, you kidding? He put a lance to my throat at the first sign of dark magic." I dismissed it with a wave. "But it's okay, we kissed and made-up and all, now. He might even let me call him a friend in the next ten years or so."

"...on to first base already? Way to go, Megan!"

Now that earned him a slap to the arm. "You know what I meant, brat!" It wasn't childish to blow a raspberry when he was being a brat first. "I'll have you know I haven't tried seducing anyone."

The jerk actual pretended to stroke an imaginary beard. "That so? I'm hearing stuff around camp about you and a swordsman..."

My groan was maybe a bit too loud, but no one shushed or poked their heads out to glare. "That's all Basilio's fault and he's the worrrrrrst."

"You know what they say, there's some truth in hearsay..." He nudged a few times. The smile was anything but innocent, no matter what angelic face he was making.

I gave him a Look. Held it. Tried to make him feel bad. But in the end, my facade cracked as I dissolved into giggles. He just watched, probably having expected it. Soon enough we were both laughing. We were both dorks.

Shaking my head, I argued, "So what if there are some attractive people here? Doesn't mean anything's gonna happen. Unleeeeeess—" Now it was my turn to nudge him. "—you're just looking for an excuse for you and your waifu to hook up for realziez."

His long-suffering sigh was my triumph. My grin grew three sizes that day. "We onto that topic now?"

"Yessssss, we arrrrrrre. What, can't take what you're dishing out?"

The look he gave the sky seemed to ask "what have I done" to whichever god would listen. "We all know you're after a certain black-haired Shepherd, so there. Besides, I'm not a Shepherd, at least not yet. Paperwork."

"I'm not 'after' anyone." Some more nudging for ol' Kail-boy. "At least, not like how you have your eyes on that very pretty lady of yours." My grin was approaching Cheshire cat proportions by now.

"So you claim, Megan. So you claim..." He joined in the nudging, essentially declaring war.

I tried to dig my elbow into his side. "Have I done anything of that sort?"

"I see your eyes following a certain sword..."

"The one cleaving enemies in two!"

"Mmhm. I see you observing the technique, the man who wields it..." His eyebrows did a little dance. Then he declared, "Must say you have good taste."

"Says the guy so totally crushing on someone who knows how to grip a lance." Uh-huh, yeah, go ahead and cough.

"What can I say, that's one fine grip."

"Besides, I can appreciate skill, can't I?"

He snorted. "Suuuure. Tall, dark, mysterious, brooding even..."

My snort was half-laugh and all loud. I covered my mouth. Keep it up and someone WILL look out here! I lowered my voice, affecting a mocking tone to make him laugh. "Oh yes, every little girl's dream, that one. However could I resist?"

"And now you're all grown up and those dreams aren't just memes anymore now, are they?"

This snort-giggle was quiet, at least. "Right, right. I'll just stroll on up and say 'hey, hot stuff, come 'round my tent tonight' and just see what happens!" Shaking my head, I dropped the theatrics. "Yeah, not happening."

That was the goofiest smirk I'd seen Kail wear. Maybe he was modeling it after Virion. "I don't mind dropping by. After all, we still have a looooot of catching up to do!"

"Pff—" With a light shove, I shook my head and accused, "Don't you have a patrol to pay attention to and finish?"

"Says you! You're on patrol with me!" Back to the nudge war, it seems!

"I'm just bored and awake." I'll poke your arm again. Fear my bony fingers. "You're the one on duty."

"Nuh-uh. I checked the roster. You swapped in today, right abouttttt..." He paused dramatically. Then he tapped my shoulder with a cheerful, "Now. So have funnnnn!"

"Wha—" No way. Unless he had suggested it to Robin. Which, now that I thought about it, was entirely possible. The tactician knew about my sleep issues, meaning I'd be the perfect choice for a nighttime watch. I narrowed my eyes at the traitor. "Youuuuuu..."

His wave and smile were entirely unrepentant. "Enjoy!"

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

Seeing Kail, I skipped over to cheerfully bump into him with all 112 pounds of me. "Hi, hi!" He stumbled more from the surprise than the force.

"Heya! How're you doing?"

"I'm goooood. How're YOU?" I couldn't help nudging him with my shoulder, it was one of my go-tos when I felt silly.

"Good, I suppose? At least I have a mount that helps with the marching. Don't fancy lugging around all these supplies and equipment on foot..."

"That is pretty coolio!" I took a page out of Lissa's book for some skipping. Kail's amusement put a grin on my face. Success. Next, sarcasm. "Isn't marching so exciting?"

"Oh, yes. Glorious. Still, don't jinx it. I'd rather fight the next battle when I know it's coming..."

"True, true." He was braced when I bumped into him this time. Lame. "Well then, what should we talk about? The weather?"

"Well, that's kinda dull. Like this hammer." A few beats passed. "Okay that was bad. I'm bored. Uh. What've you been up to?"

"Uh, y'know. Reading. Practicing magic. Usual stuff. Nothing too crazy, really..."

"Nothing... too crazy?" Now he was nudging me.

I didn't get it. "Uh. Yeah?"

"Okay. What're you hiding?" Nudge, nudge.

"Nothiiiiing?"

"...that's highly suspicious." Despite this, Kail split some bread from his pack with me. "Eat, walk and talk?"

"Uh, okay." I was still a little puzzled, but I sure as hell wasn't saying no to food. My mouth wasn't too full when I continued, "But seriously, compared to everything, life is fairly normal. I mean, besides the obvious."

"Which would be your crush on a certain swordsman, no?" He oh so casually went back to nibbling his loaf, at least until I nearly choked. The slap on my back wasn't the most helpful, but he tried. "Woah there. You okay? Didn't know it was that major..."

Finally catching my breath, I decided it was better to swallow the bite before anything else. I gave him a half-exasperated half-amused look. "When you spring that kind of question on someone who's eating, in public, yeah, it can kind of lead to death by food."

"Hey, I merely gave you the bread. Didn't ask you to eat it immediately, no?" Oh, don't you wink at me.

I smacked his arm and cried, "Jerk! You did that on purpose and you can't convince me otherwise."

He winced through the smile. "Riiiiiiiiight. Alright, moving on. Trouble in paradise?"

Seriously? I shook my head, playing dumb. "What, my paradise of reading and magic? Why no, that's going perfectly well, my dear friend!"

"Reading (ahem) novels and (ahem) magic?"

He deserved the elbow in his side. "Books and spells, yes."

"Do they happen to spell L-O-N-Q, cause without 'YOU' there's nothing..."

Since simple hits weren't doing anything, I smacked his arm harder this time. "That would be rather strange, considering the books are Ylissean and Plegian in origin." My stare and pleasant smile belied the 'don't you dare' I was telepathically sending him.

"Owww. Okay, okay..." Kail pouted, 'muttering,' "We all know you're just eager to have a bunch of black-haired kids running about..."

I blew a dismissive noise, hitting him yet again. Maybe he'd develop a bruise and learn. "I'm not eager to have any kids. Being known as Auntie Megan is scary enough."

He laughed, finally seeming to take the hint. "Alrighty then. So, how's the army going? You help Robin with the supplies, no?"

The mention distracted me as a recent event popped back into my head. "...uh, yeah. I've helped. With things." Should I mention it? He'd definitely get the wrong idea. But word would probably get around anyway. I shrugged and turned back to Kail watching me with interest. "Did you know I accidentally walked in on him in the bathing tent?"

"Hah, I knew something happened." Thankfully, Kail kept his voice down. He punched my shoulder, lightly. Seemed I was rubbing off on him. "Telllllll."

Yeah, should've figured, I thought, rolling my eyes. "Nothing really happened, I just accidentally stumbled in. But it's not my fault! The tent is in a different place each time we set up camp! I'm surprised it's taken me this long to goof up like that. Poor guy was so embarrassed."

"Oh yeah, that's an issue. Plus there's no real markings... It's troublesome. But anyways. So you got to see what lies beneath that cloak, eh?"

I choked on the laugh, trying not to draw attention to us. "You're awful! I did not, thank you! Just steam and hair! And abs. Trust me, after that, he was more than happy to listen to my complaints about the issue."

"Oh? Nothing lower?" He looked far too smug for a guy within kidney-punching range. "Shame. I know plenty of women in the camp who would kill to be in your position then..."

Was it bad to snicker at the thought? Probably. "Oh, so he's forged that many 'supports,' huh?" I shook my head as he grinned. "Yeah, no. I don't fancy a repeat of that. No, thank you. It makes things awkward. I mean, I think I'm pretty good at talking my way out of feeling awkward, but that doesn't stop the other person from being awkward."

"Oh, yeah. All going for that S-Rank, and I don't mean marriage..."

Stop winking! Maybe more eye-rolling and snorting would get him to take the hint. "Subtle otouto is subtle, huh? What about your S-Rank?" My grin stretched at the immediate change in his behavior. All of the smug teasing vanished in an instant the moment I turned the tables on him. "How is that going, hmmm?"

"My own?" Oh, now he was going to feign confusion? "Now whatever do you mean..."

"Oh, I don't know, just wondering if the S stands for 'statue,' or 'so totally in love,' or something." Two could play at the Play Innocent game. He coughed.

"Now I really don't know what you're talking about."

My eyebrow rose as he looked away. For his sake, I leaned over to whisper. "Oh? I must've been mistaken, then. Although those pictures looked really similar to this other Shepherd I know, who's super gorgeous and talented and hey, red hair, that's such a strange coincidence! Isn't it, Kaaaail?"

"Uh." Kail did some more coughing that wasn't fooling anyone, least of all me. "She's up in the sky, I'm down here on the ground...?"

"Uh-huh, aaaand...? She'll come down eventually! What are ya gonna do then?"

"Uh. What do you mean what will I do? I'm not the one looking after her pegasus..."

"I will hit you again. You're not avoiding her, are you?"

"...what? No? Why would I be? Ehehe. I have no reason to be at the stables, so... why would I be there...?"

As Stahl was looking over, I went to be discreet. A light, quick punch to Kail's arm. "Okay, smartass, you know what I mean. Joking aside, you shouldn't avoid anyone just because of, y'know... overhead views. It'll drive you mad. Trust me. Best to just let people befriend you."

Cough. "I dunno. What would she even see in me? I'm just some random trooper here on the ground, no awards, no titles, and definitely not a certain prince..."

"Okaaaaay, great, but I'm not anyone special, either. But does that stop me from making friends? No! So don't let it stop you, mister!" I poked his arm, roughly, with both hands. Okay, another cough, maybe he's actually getting sick.

"How do I even... start...?"

Wait, he was actually asking for advice? I straightened, thinking. There had to be something useful I could say. "Well, my tactic is just to be helpful and super chatty until they have no choice but to be my friend, but not everyone tries the 'bubbly weird goofball' angle I have so..." I shrugged. "Be helpful and chatty in a normal person way?"

"...yeeeeeeeah. I don't know how that will give me any reason to be anywhere near her? I dunno...?"

I huffed. "Do you need a reason? Say hi! Introduce yourself! Or pull a 'me' and declare that you two are gonna be friends!"

Was that an actual gulp? "I'm not as daring, ah, as you...?"

"No, Virion is daring. I'm just stubborn and determined to be friends with everyone."

Kail seemed to get more and more nervous. "Everyone? Does that mean you're friends with... her... too...?" Rubbing his hands together, he muttered, "Then, if you are..."

I wasn't going to lie. Shrugging, I admitted, "I dunno if I count as a friend yet, but eventually yeah. I'm 'too legit to quit,' yo."

"Ahem. Then, uh, you could possibly..." With a glance skyward as if to search for aerial eavesdroppers, he used some airquotes. "...arrange, something?"

Slowly, surely, my grin reappeared. "Otouto, are you asking me to set you two up?"

"I didn't ask per say, you're interpreting it as such and I'm not saying nooooo...?"

That was all the permission I needed! "Well, I'm only a matchmaker in the digital world, buuut—" I dramatically cracked my knuckles. "What kinda neechan would I be if I ignored otouto's plight? Anyway, how hard could it be? You already like her, so."

"Not so louddddddd."

"Got it." I patted his shoulder. "Lover boy."

Sighing, he whined, "Megannn..."

"Hee, yeeeeeees?"

"Just... try not to make it too obvious that it's a set up, okay...?"

Oh hell yeah, this was going to be great! I might've been bouncing in place. "Of course not! I may not look it, but I'm an excellent actor!"

"I fear for my chances already."

Okay wow, rude. I rolled my eyes. "If I can pretend I don't have nightmares and act like I'm not panicking in a fight, I'm pretty sure I can help two friends get together."

He sighed again. "Thankies." A quiet settled between us briefly. Other Shepherds moved and chatted around us, some waving. When I thought it had slipped his mind, he murmured, "Them nightmares still bothering you?"

I cleared my throat. "Hey now, we were talking about you! No need to dwell on that stuff. I'll survive." At least today, I would. The last thing I wanted was to have someone overhear and start asking questions.

"Ehehe. Well, you know where my tent is, if you ever need someone to talk to!"

"Mhm, anyway, on your future waifu, can you hold a conversation with her if I try to get one started?"

"Ahem. I can certainly try...? Though it's not like I can say 'I know you you were my best unit in my playthrough'."

That made me snort. "Oh yeah, the ladies love to hear that. Well, ask her about her technique! Her training! Hell, argue with her on battle tactics! A debate is always fun."

"Yeah, and I'll have to avoid blushing when asking about her lance technique." Cue another Kail sigh. He was more like his crush than he thought. "Oh, me."

"Pff. Just focus on the actual lance, dummy." I flicked his shoulder. Sometimes I truly did feel like his older sister. "Maybe sparring with her will help? Get her to teach you how to use a lance?"

"I'd get whacked!"

I shrugged. "Could be worse?"

"True..." A few beats passed. "If she even turns her head to look in my direction..."

Annoyed, I turned for a hard smack to his arm. The echo actually turned some heads, though many of the others didn't seem surprised. I growled, "Keep talking like that, and I'll start hexing you!"

"Ow..."

When he eventually let out another sigh of discouraged pining, I gave him my best Big Sister Glower. "I mean it, Kail. No talking about yourself that way. It's not allowed. 'Cause I say so."

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

Chocolate squares, each with cream or fudge or fruit or citrus filling. Each bore its own unique design, delicate or bold. One had a cutesy bear face, another a spicy dragon's head. There was even Naga's brand on a few! Chrom should definitely try one of those. If anyone was staring at a plate full of these, though, I'd wager they would be hard-pressed to choose just one.

"You made this yourself? When? We're on the road, how did you even..."

Gaius' cheeky grin preceded a serious-sounding, "A thief never reveals his secrets."

"And it's all pretty and not-smushed and... it smells absolutely... It's too perfect to be true." He could've told me one was poisoned and I'd still probably grab a handful.

The plate edged closer. I glanced up. The thief nudged me with it. "You know what? Since you seem to appreciate candy as much as I do, I'll let you have one piece, on the house."

"R... really? For realziez? Sweet!"

Unable to choose, I averted my gaze and let fate be my guide. One careful reach later had a flower adorned white chocolate square in my palm. It was pretty damn cute. Shame it wouldn't last long. The decision to pop the whole thing in my mouth was probably overzealous, but I wanted the flavor to be a surprise. Closing my eyes, I bit down on the hard exterior. Sweetness washed over my tongue, lightly tart and completely heavenly. I loved dark chocolate more overall, but this...

"...so. What'd you think?"

"Gaius."

"Yeah?"

"Marry me."

Opening my eyes allowed me to enjoy the blank stare at my words. Funny, how the 'charming rogue' type could be taken by surprise like that. Warily, he retorted, "I'll... take that as approval of my candy-making skills and not the proposal it sounded like." I nodded so he wouldn't get the wrong idea.

...but it's still damn good chocolate. Whoever he did marry would be very lucky indeed!

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Random scene in vague future of the fic, a (very short) "support conversation" between Owain and Brady

"...aw, hell. Aunt Megan's got that look on 'er face."

The two future children watched, a mix of wariness and amusement on their faces. Who knew what had caused their aunt to start stomping through the camp, dragging Robin by the arm? It could've been anything. Judging by the tomes, it was something magic-related. She liked to bounce ideas off of other people. He was just her most common victim.

"Should we stop her?"

"Naw. You know there's no stoppin' 'er when she gets like that."

Very true. Sometimes Owain wanted to join in. They could really put on a performance! She hadn't allowed him to dabble in her more interesting spells in their dark future. In the past—that is to say, the present—she didn't yet know any of the crazier ones, and so was more inclined to share. But something about Robin's faintly panicked expression gave him pause.

Perhaps it'd be best to sit this one out.

"...maybe you should start playing that Megalovania song she taught you."

Brady, after the two had gone around the corner, sighed and went to pull out his fiddle. "...yeah."

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

"Hark! The fabled sage of dark justice approaches!"

I couldn't help the goofy smile. "Heya, Owain!" He was always a hoot and a half. I probably spoiled him in the future.

The kid actually pouted. It was gone in an instant as he moved to correct me: "Nonono, it's 'the Burdened Hero of Sacred Light'!"

What a grave insult I must have given! I drew to a halt, hand over my chest. "Oh, sorry. Ahem." Let's see, what would be good... Throwing out an arm, my voice rose to meet his previous volume. "Greetings, Burdened Hero of Sacred Light! How faireth thee on your immortal quest to vanquish the dastardly criminals who dare sully our beautiful kingdom?"

My victory came with the little fist-pump he did. "Yes! Ahem." He straightened, grasping some invisible orb of power in front of his face. "I have chased these villains across time itself, intent on meting out fiery judgment upon the yellow-bellied snakes! They have eluded me thus far, but!" The hand swiped at the air to rest dramatically at his hip. "I will never surrender the cause!"

My fist clenched in approval. "Of course! You must stand for the victims of their malice, and protect this world's hope for a brighter tomorrow!"

Owain reached out to me, an imploring hero seeking a comrade in arms. "And will you, O Wise One, join me on my valiant quest to rid the realms of evil?"

I pressed my hand back over my chest, bowing my head for him. "I vow on my life that together, we will put an end to their tyranny! Good will be victorious!"

Several beats passed. I glanced up to gauge the reception. He wore a massive grin, but something bittersweet interfered. "...ha. Ha ha ha!" Coming forward, he wrapped me up in a bone-crushing hug. My squeak got muffled by his shirt. He quietly confessed, "I've missed you, Auntie Magic. I-I really have."

I maneuvered to eat less of his shirt, stalling. My heart twanged every time they called me "aunt" or "auntie." The cute little nickname some had given me nearly broke my heart. I was really like family to these kids. Where I was at now felt like such a letdown compared to their stories of me.

"Eheh, I haven't gotten the chance to, but... I'm sure the future-me would've missed you, too, kid."

Because I already thought the world of them.

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As of right now, I don't have the rest of my scrapped M.D. scenes etc. put together to make another 'chapter.' So I might take some time to post some other unfinished stories of mine. I have some more FEA fics that have a LOT of content, but were set aside for M.D. and ultimately never saw the light of day. I also have some FEF stories, far less expansive, but all interesting ideas. If enough interest is drummed up for those, maybe I'll write more for them? As for M.D., if this is indeed the last 'upate' for a while, I hope you've enjoyed the ride. I sure have, despite the issues and obstacles. Challenge fate, lovelies.