Following on from her meeting with the leaders of Plegia, Regna Ferox and the representative of The Duchy of Rosanne, or her first time meeting them as Rhajat at least, the princess consort had managed to enjoy a little time with both her families. Her Noires were happy to see her and their step-mother but both sides were disappointed they had so little time together before they had to set off. Despite wanting to stay longer, Rhajat was very glad to be heading home to Valla, partly because she didn't like staying in unfamiliar rooms, partly due to her discomfort around unknown servants and partly because they'd taken Kana out of school for the trip and she didn't want her daughter missing too much.
It wasn't far off dusk by the time they arrived and, after ensuring her wife and daughter were alright unpacking, she went to see Midori to find out if they had any positive results with the potions they had been working on. The following morning, having woken Kana, got her washed and dressed for school, had breakfast with her family and waved her off, she went to delve into the results of their latest batch. She worked through until lunch when she went to request something from the kitchen before going for a walk in the garden to clear her head while it was being made.
Heading back in for her lunch, she was passing by the pond when she saw Azura sitting on a bench across from her, staring into the water, entirely oblivious to her presence. She had thought she'd been interacting better with others since her intervention ahead of the first anniversary of Anaknos' death, but the way she was staring at nothing had her concerned. She would need to keep an eye on her cousin-in-law.
Over the coming weeks, Rhajat put a lot of effort into coaxing Azura to join in with humanity again, suggesting they eat together, going for walks with their families, even trying to infect her with Kana's enthusiasm for life, but it seemed Azura was too detached to be reconnected with such normal activities.
Almost a month later, Rhajat gave in and performed a divination using a lock of Azura's hair she'd subtly collected. Her future was a confusing jumble but all of it was bleak. I she continued like this, her life would simply be the wait for death. She had to do something, something big and different to break through the wall around her. An idea sparked into life.
With Corrin informed of her plan and her ingredients prepared, she went to find the isolated songstress, finding her once again gazing vacantly into the pond. She sat beside her on the bench and waited for Azura to acknowledge her. After several minutes of silence, she didn't know if Azura hadn't seen her or was ignoring her.
"Good morning," she said loudly to snap her out of it.
"Mm? Oh, good morning," said Azura looking round, then looking back at the water.
"Is the pond that enthralling?"
"No."
As that was all that she was getting, it was time to get to the point. "You're thinking of leaving again," she accused. Azura simply ignored her. "What do you feel?"
"Nothing," answered Azura quietly. "I feel nothing, not when my husband embraces me, nor when Corrin smiles. I've played along with your request to engage but I'm wrong, hateful-"
"No you're not," chastised Rhajat. "You've no purpose in life and feel like there is nothing for you. Is there nothing you want to do?"
"Nothing," replied Azura.
"I looked into your future," began Rhajat, seeing no sign of interest, "there was nothing, just the wait for death."
"Then so be it. There is no reason to go on."
At her cousin's, no, her friend's request for death, Rhajat saw just how deeply unwell Azura was. She had been told that after Corrin returned to her Hoshidan family, she had outright told Ryoma he no longer needed to pretend to care for her now he had his real sister back. It was clear Azura had always struggled to accept that she belonged anywhere and now her reserved nature had twisted into believing she could only ever be alone with her meaningless life, without anything to live for. Rhajat had seen mental trauma, she'd inflicted it on Noire in one timeline, but to see someone she cared for as a shadow of themselves scared her. She was glad this had come to light now. She took out her bag of ingredients from her witches hat and from the pouch of scales, picking out a small, smooth, silver scale from amongst larger golden and magenta scales.
"What are you doing?" asked Azura seeing Rhajat preparing her warp enhancement spell.
"Kidnapping you," declared Rhajat as she grasped Azura's arm and warped them to the target.
"Rhajat," cried Lilith, excited at having a visitor, "and Azura, it's been so long since I've seen you."
"Sorry to barge in," began Rhajat as she steadied herself and barely held Azura up. Warping when sitting can cause some inelegant arrivals when there's suddenly no seat beneath you. "Could you tell her to snap out of it and realise how loved she is?"
"What's wrong?" asked Lilith with a clear note of worry as she floated around Azura to make sure she was physically alright.
Under Rhajat's stern gaze, Azura realised she had to speak for herself. "I… I feel nothing," she managed to get out.
"You don't feel happy being surrounded by friends and family?" asked the astral dragon.
"Nothing," said Azura softly, knowing how lonely Lilith must be stuck guarding Fort Corrin all alone.
"I wish I knew how to help you," said Lilith, equally softly, as she floated up to press her forehead against her friends.
"Illness of the mind is the hardest to treat," said Rhajat placing a hand on Azura's arm, "but I will not let you suffer alone. None of us will."
"Thank you for your efforts," said Azura to be polite but felt it was wasted on her.
"I thought it impossible too, but I know someone who has isolated themselves for decades, refused to show emotion, can reconnect with humanity."
"You only hid your emotions, I have none," pointed out Azura.
"You do, what you lack is a purpose."
"Where are you taking her?" asked Lilith, realising coming to her wasn't the entire plan.
"To see a friend I think she has a lot in common with."
"Ah, that could work. Don't let me detain you," she added, knowing travellers heading to Ylisse would stay and talk with her.
Rhajat nodded. "I'll stay a little on the way back. Come," she ordered as she took Azura by the hand and dragged her towards the doorway.
"Ylisse?" questioned Azura. "Why?"
"To find your kindred spirit."
With nothing else needing said or asked, the two made their way to the doorway and Azura, for the first time, stepped into another realm. It was some distance to Ylisstol so Rhajat had to warp them there, the problem being she didn't want to warp in front of one of her Noires as she had to deal with Azura first. Unfortunately, she had no other locks of hair, nor any other sample, to use so she had to watch the elder Noire for a while until she was walking alongside a wall that she could warp to the other side of to avoid being seen. With that accomplished, she took Azura to the theatre and adjoining performing arts school and made her wait outside for ten minutes for class to finish for that period. With students now roaming the halls, she pulled Azura into one of the dance studios.
"Olivia," she called, making the dancer jump.
"Oh, Rhajat? This is a surprise. And…" she began, expecting the ethereal beauty next to the reincarnated Tharja to introduce herself. The way she stood reminded her of the portrait of Exalt Emmeryn before she lost her memories, she had the same regal bearing to her expect for her eyes, Emmeryn's showed her compassion, this woman's showed nothing.
"This is my cousin-in-law Azura. I've brought her here to try and find her purpose."
"Okay… um, how can I help?"
"Watch her," she asked of Olivia before turning to Azura and pointing to the front of the studio. "Lost in Thoughts, conquest refrain, go."
"What?"
"Lost in Thoughts, conquest refrain, sing, dance, go."
"Of all songs," began Azura.
"Precisely that one, that refrain, of all songs."
Seeing Rhajat wasn't doing this to be cruel, she walked forward and stood facing the mirrored wall of the studio, taking up the starting position for the conquest refrain of the song that had owned her life for so long. She could see the meek looking girl observing her and wondered what Rhajat's goal was in this. As commanded, she sang and danced through the conquest refrain, feeling the words and movements flowing through her with a familiar warmth. When she finished, she turned to her audience of two.
"Again, please," asked Olivia moving up to stand beside her in the starting position.
There was no way someone could be so ignorant to think they could dance that dance after seeing it once but Azura did as she was told. As she turned and saw Olivia in the mirror, she had to look again as the meek girl she had met was gone, replaced by someone strong and confident, projecting the aura required for the dance, the strength to subdue a god. She looked like someone worthy of this ancient song.
A few steps in, she was astonished by the talent of the dancer next to her. Having seen it once, she was performing it perfectly, not shadowing her, but performing every fast, precise movement perfectly in time. As they danced, she couldn't help but steal glances at her, her strength, her skill, her beauty, all growing in her estimation with every look.
"That was astonishing," gushed Azura when they had finished. "You were amazing."
"Thank you," replied Olivia, blushing a little at such high praise. "I'm considered the greatest dancer in this realm," she added trying to be factual rather than boastful, "though it'll take a little while for me to learn the lyrics."
"But your movements were perfect, you showed the power the dance needs. I misjudged you," she admitted.
"Did you choreograph the dance?" asked Olivia, curious about its history.
"I did, though the song itself is ancient, passed down through my family."
"I knew there was weight to those words, a far deeper meaning behind them, but you weren't singing it as it should be sung."
"I beg your pardon?" demanded Azura, an insult against her voice being something new to her.
"A dance is a performance, a story to tell, but when you performed, I couldn't see it, I could only see the emptiness in your heart." Azura's shock showed her that was true and Olivia realised this was why Rhajat brought her here. "Again," she demanded with the authority of a teacher, "you sing, I'll dance." As she took her starting position, she met Azura's eyes and gave her a reassuring smile, receiving one in return.
Rhajat grinned as Azura came to life again, her voice sounding fuller than her previous attempts, a smile adorning her lips as she enjoyed her voice and watching the amazing woman in front of her. She noticed the two made a lot of eye contact throughout the dance, though whether it was as a teacher encouraging her student or more, she couldn't tell.
"Again," demanded Olivia, taking a mirror of the starting position as Azura took the normal position opposite her.
Azura's voice seemed stronger again as she and Olivia danced a mirror image of each other and, despite the serious tone of the lyrics, her joy at singing them without the curse hanging over her was clear.
"That's your real self," proclaimed Olivia when they finished, holding her hand out for Azura to take.
"I haven't felt like this since… I haven't felt like this," she concluded, taking the offered hand.
"Your voice has always been your curse," said Rhajat, "tied to your destiny. That has been fulfilled, you voice is yours and yours alone. It can be your reason to live, for yourself rather than for destiny."
"And it's beautiful," assured Olivia. "Word class. Would you tell me the meaning behind the lyrics?" she asked, curious about it being an ancient song.
"The song was written by an ancient dragon god which, combined with a pendant made from his dragonstone, would allow a member of the Vallite royal family to quell him and allow the wielder of the sword Yato to kill him."
"Anaknos," said Olivia, surprising Azura at knowing his name. "My son was there," she pointed out.
"Laslow, of course," she said to herself, in her isolation she'd forgotten about the connections there were between the realms. "Would you like to hear the full song?"
"Of course," said Olivia immediately.
Azura took a breath and began to sing.
You are the ocean's gray waves, destined to seek
Life beyond the shore just out of reach
Yet the waters ever change, flowing like time
The path is yours to climb
In the white light, a hand reaches through
A double-edged blade cuts your heart in two
Waking dreams fade away,
Embrace the brand-new day
Sing with me a song of birthrights and love
The light scatters to the sky above
Dawn breaks through the gloom, white as a bone
Lost in thoughts all alone
You are the ocean's gray waves, destined to seek
Life beyond the shore just out of reach
Yet the waters ever change, flowing like time
The path is yours to climb
Embrace the dark you call a home,
Gaze upon an empty, white throne
A legacy of lies,
A familiar disguise
Sing with me a song of conquest and fate
The black pillar cracks beneath its weight
Night breaks through the day, hard as a stone
Lost in thoughts all alone
The path you walk on belongs to destiny, just let it flow
All of your joy and your pain will fall like the tide, let it flow
Life is not just filled with happiness, or sorrow
Even the thorn in your heart, in time it may become a rose
A burdened heart sinks into the ground
A veil falls away without a sound
Not day nor night, wrong nor right
For truth and peace you fight
Sing with me a song of silence and blood
The rain falls, but can't wash away the mud
Within my ancient heart dwells madness and pride
Can no one hear my cry
You are the ocean's gray waves, destined to seek
Life beyond the shore, just out of reach
Yet the waters ever change, flowing like time
The path is yours to climb
You are the ocean's gray waves
Olivia stood in silence, the weight those words carried was clear and the weight Azura had carried must have been crushing.
"Anaknos wrote it so he could be killed when he lost his sanity, as seen in the revelations refrain," explained Azura.
"Madness and pride," repeated Olivia. "You sang to subdue a mad dragon god, as he was trying to kill you all?"
"You danced on the back of the Fell Dragon," pointed out Rhajat.
"I did," confirmed Olivia at Azura's curious gaze.
"Well, such things are over now," said Azura, feeling a sense of ease at saying it aloud.
"Your performance was beautiful," complimented Olivia, wanting to move on from evil dragon gods. "Your voice was strong and conveyed the emotions of the lyrics, so much more than your first time."
"Thank you. And you, Rhajat for bringing me here."
"Do you need to leave soon?" asked Olivia as that sounded like it was leading to a goodbye.
"No," stated Rhajat quickly.
"One of my voice coaches is off ill and I'm covering her class next period, would you like to join me?"
"To teach?"
"Well, it's final year students so it's more just coaching them on their performance rather than teaching."
"Very well," agreed Azura. She'd never been interested in doing such a thing before but simply being with Olivia made her feel like it would be a good experience.
"Really?" questioned Rhajat.
"You'll be there the whole time, right?" she asked Olivia.
"Of course, I wouldn't just leave you."
"I'll leave you to it," said Rhajat, "enjoy your day at school."
"Where are you going?" asked Azura.
"I'll float around until the schools get out for lunch then visit my daughters." With a last look at Azura, seeing her eyes full of life again, she left the two apex performers together.
There was still a little over an hour before her younger Noire would get out from school so Rhajat went to the shopping distract to get some props that would help with the next part of her plan while she was here. She'd been wanting to interfere in her past for a while and, having had success with Azura, she might as well do it now.
With her props purchased, she waited near her former home for Noire to return with her younger self for lunch, the elder always picking the younger up and dropping her off at lunch time. She used her remote viewing to watch them, waiting for lunch to be made and eaten before she acted. With lunch eaten, she knocked on her own door which opened a few second later.
"Oh, it's you," said Tharja, unenthusiastic at her visitor.
"Indeed," responded Rhajat as the two women exchanged glares. "How long am I to warm your doorstep?" she asked after a while.
Tharja stepped aside and let her future self in, eyeing the bag she was carrying.
"Rhajat?" asked Noire as she entered the living room, barley stopping herself from calling her mother in front of her mother, who clearly didn't like her daughters calling her future self their mother.
"It's good to see you, dear," said Rhajat as she got a hug from her eldest.
"Hi," said the younger coming to stand near but not confident enough to hug her mother.
"How was school this morning?" asked Rhajat.
"I got everything right on my homework," said Noire proudly.
"Well done," said Rhajat reaching out slowly to stroke her hair as one would to a cat. The smile on her little girl's face at praise from her mother was just darling. She could also feel the resentment coming from Tharja, exactly as expected.
"What brings you here?" asked the elder Noire.
"Nothing in particular," she said, not wanting to explain Azura at this moment. "I brought presents," she announced setting the bag on the table.
"Presents?" questioned her youngest excitedly.
"Yes, for you it's nothing fancy but something you'll like," she said taking a huge slab of chocolate from the bag.
"Chocolate!" came the excited squeal as she took it and hugged it to her chest.
"Don't eat it all at once, and you could share it with your friends."
"Thank you, mother," said Noire.
"Tharja," she said, handing her a small box, much to her past self's surprise.
"Why?" questioned the sorcerer, taking the box anyway.
"Those are herbs from my new homeland and a note on their properties. You don't find them here and we are very difficult to shop for so I thought that would be appreciated." It was a shame to use the supplies she stored within her hat but there was nothing else to give herself.
"Thanks," came the begrudging reply as she examined the properties.
"And this is for our dear husband when he gets home," she said handing her another package.
"Lastly, Noire," she said handing the bag to her eldest.
Noire looked inside to see neatly folded dark green fabric and pulled it out, revealing it to be a very beautiful dress. "Thank you, Rhajat. It's beautiful but it looks expensive."
"I admit the gifts are not of equal value," she admitted, "but I wanted something special for you. It should be perfectly sized for you," she added.
"How do you know my sizes?" questioned Noire.
"I've always paid attention to you," explained Rhajat looking to Tharja.
"You stalk me?" accused Noire of her present mother.
"Why would you tell her that?" demanded Tharja with a good deal of menace to her future self.
"Now you can't hide it, can you?" accused Rhajat having gotten the reaction she needed. "You've been mad at me since I got here. What did I do to you to deserve such resentment?"
"You know what," said Tharja, feeling something was happening as of course her future self would know why.
"I'm afraid I don't," protested Rhajat, "all I've done is be entirely civil with you and our daughters." She could see the annoyance growing on her own face. "I fail to see how me spending some time with my girls could cause this. Just tell me why?"
"I'm jealous!" shouted Tharja to get her future self to stop talking. Rhajat's smirk showed this was what she wanted. Equally, the confused expressions on her daughter's faces showed they didn't know what was going on. "I'm jealous they like you and not me," she confessed, not able to look at anyone.
"And why is that?" asked Rhajat softly. She knew this was difficult for herself and waited as Tharja tried to organise her thoughts. As Noire inhaled to begging speaking, she shot her a glare to ensure she stopped, Tharja couldn't be interrupted.
"I… I can't talk to them like you can," began Tharja apprehensively, staring at Rhajat's feet and sweating at the stress of having to reveal her feelings. "I can't… touch them, or hug them. I can't help them. I would do anything to protect them but I can't show them I love them." Now she'd started it seemed everything was flowing freer. "I hate that I can't be who they need as their mother and that makes me angrier and more stubborn and less of who they need. I want to be your mother, but I hate that I can't bring myself to be her." She stood, still staring at Rhajat's feet, letting her words settle. She then flinched as a hand touched her arm and looked up to see Noire.
"Sorry," said Noire softly at having made her mother jump but she kept her hand where it was knowing that, while she didn't like being touched, she wanted to be able to, for her and her younger self. "I'll help," she assured and saw the hope in her mother's eyes. "I know you want to be better for us and I'll be there to support you in any way I can." She then stepped round and placed her arms gently around her mother for a hug, feeling her stiffen up at the contact.
While Tharja wanted this, it takes a lot more than simply voicing it to overcome such a strong aversion to physical contact, she wanted to hug her in return but her arms were frozen. She then met her future self's eye and, with the clear threat within them, she managed to put her arms around her eldest daughter, though she still felt incredibly uncomfortable.
With her mother having taken the first step, Noire hugged her tighter and leaned her head against her mother's. "I love you, mom," she said, using the less formal 'mom' instead of her usual 'mother' in the hope that would help her feel more comfortable. As her mom melted into her at those words, the awkwardness and stiffness gone, it had clearly helped.
Watching this, the younger Noire put down her slab of chocolate and went to hug her mom too. "I love you too, mom."
Feeling the little body with its arms around her waist, Tharja reached down and stroked her hair as Rhajat had done earlier. She couldn't really believe she'd been able to do this. For so long, the thought of touching other people had always repulsed her and despite wanting to hold her daughters, she'd never been able to overcome it before but now she felt so warm, so happy.
Rhajat stood and watched the three, in particular the way her past self was holding onto them so tightly. Whatever changes this may cause to her past, it was worth it.
"Are you okay?" asked the elder Noire after a couple of minutes.
"Fine," responded her mother but the crack in her voice betrayed her emotions.
Noire leaned back out of the hug to see her mother's watery eyes and smiled.
"It's nothing," insisted Tharja, letting go and wiping her eyes on her sleeve.
"It's alright, mom," assured Noire. "Just let us know if something's too much."
"I love you both," said Tharja quickly.
"I love you too," said her daughters in unison.
"Thank you," she added to her future self, knowing this had all been intended.
"Now, if I'm not being too imposing, could I see you in your dress?" requested Rhajat.
"Of course," said Noire immediately, picking her dress up and going upstairs to change out of her sniper's uniform.
"So…" began Tharja after her eldest had left, "what lessons do you have this afternoon?" she asked her youngest.
"We're doing sums after lunch," said Noire. "I like sums," she added wanting to try and talk with her mom.
"That's good," managed Tharja, feeling very awkward and looking to Rhajat for help but it was clear none was coming. "Knowing that is needed for measuring quantities for potions."
"We don't learn potions at school," said Noire.
"I… could teach you?" suggested Tharja hesitantly.
"Okay," agreed Noire. She didn't know what else to say but, for the first time she could remember, she didn't feel uncomfortable when she was with her mother and without her older self or their father.
After a little awkward silence, the three could hear footsteps from upstairs.
"It fits perfectly," said Noire as she re-entered the living room and saw both her mothers gazing at her with same, proud smile. Her dress was in the dark shade of green she often wore and hugged her figure beautifully, revealing a lot of cleavage which was enhanced by her having changed into a better bra from her sports bra, and was split to the mid-thigh on her left leg. It really was a beautiful dress, her mother knows what suits her so it was no wonder both looked so proud.
Tharja, seeing her daughter dressed up for the first time, couldn't quite believe how beautiful her figure was. "Have you always had this body?"
"Yes," answered Noire, feeling that sounded familiar.
"You are truly beautiful. I wasn't aware you… took after me quite so much," she said with a gesture to her magnificent cleavage.
Noire burst out laughing at the compliment which clearly didn't go down well.
"What?" growled her mother, offended at being laughed at while trying to compliment.
"I'm sorry, mom, it's just that Rhajat said the exact same thing when she saw me in my bikini at the beach last year."
With images of her daughter's fantastic figure in a bikini, Tharja found herself feeling very protective. "I hope you cursed all the men that harassed her?" she demanded of her future self.
Noire felt a bust of joy at her mother being protective, and for assuming she was so hot in a bikini she'd be irresistible. "It was a private beach and I can do that myself, you know," she said as Rhajat stayed silent to allow her.
"You can?"
"Of course, I am your daughter," she proclaimed, hoping showing pride in her lineage would help give her mother confidence. She then remembered Rhajat's words from back then. "Though I wouldn't mind you helping next time someone harasses me." The smile of genuine delight on her mother's face at this request was so adorable.
"Sounds fun," admitted her mother.
"Are you taking Noire back to school in that?" asked Rhajat gesturing to the dress.
"Perhaps not," said Noire, noticing the time. "I'll go and change back, though I do love my dress."
With the elder Noire having changed back, and the younger having been allowed a corner from her slab of chocolate, the two were about to leave before a thought occurred to the elder.
"Mom, do you want to come with us?" she asked of them both.
"Of course we would," said Rhajat immediately, hooking her arm through Tharja's and pulling her to the door. She knew Tharja wanted this but would struggle to accept the invitation so thought it best to force the issue.
The four walked the few streets to Noire's school, talking a little more comfortably with the elder Noire present. When they arrived, there was some whispering between the other parents who were returning their children to school about Tharja and her apparent twin's presence as there was a lot of dark rumours about her circling amongst the parents, but the four paid them no heed. With Noire heading off to class with Severa at her side, the older three headed back home.
"So how's your dating life?" asked Rhajat out of the blue.
"You know I don't have one," commented Noire.
"Why not?" question Tharja, "any man should thank the gods to have you."
"Because I'm raising a daughter," pointed out Noire much to her mother's clear discomfort at the realisation.
"Though now that we're trying to be a better mother," began Rhajat, making herself flinch by placing her hand on her arm, "you'll have more time to do as you wish."
"Yes," agreed Tharja, not wanting to be a further burden to her daughter. "I will be more responsible for her, I… am sorry for forcing her onto you."
"You didn't force her, I took her," said Noire, explaining her side. "I didn't trust you to be better to her than my mother was to me, so I didn't give you a chance. I'm sorry."
"I hope you won't regret this," said Tharja, showing some doubts in herself.
"I know I won't," countered Noire looking at Rhajat.
"Continuing with dating," interjected Rhajat, "when's the last time you went on a date?" she asked her past self, knowing full well it was years ago. Tharja just stared in horror at her starting in on her marriage. "When did you last tell him you love him?"
"I… I don't know," admitted Tharja.
"But you do love him?"
"Of course."
"Then why haven't you had sex in months?" Both Tharja and Noire turned to stare at her in shock. "It's always good yet you want to maintain your isolation because you're worried your relationship will end in hurt. It doesn't, so say you love him and fuck him. You could do something nice, get yourself some sexy lingerie and actually initiate it for once."
"If I promise to, will you stop talking about this?" demanded Tharja, utterly mortified.
"Deal, and remember I'll know if you do it or not. You have a month before I use a lust curse on you."
"Fine," said Tharja, knowing there would be little she could do to protect herself against her own future cursing her.
"I could take you shopping?" suggested Noire. "Maybe not for lingerie but you could do with a nice dress or something to go on a date. Your figure's wonderful, there's so much you would suit." Seeing her mother with a bashful smile and blushing at the compliment, Noire couldn't believe how cute her mother could look. She wondered if her father ever saw that side of her.
"We could go together," agreed Tharja. "Since it's summer, maybe we… all of us could…"
"Go somewhere?" suggested Noire to help her mother.
"The beach," finished Tharja. "If you liked it last time, the four of us could go."
"Sounds fun," agreed Noire. The schools had just started back after the summer break but the days were still warm and sunny. "We can discuss a date with father tonight."
"I came here with a friend, could we come for dinner?" asked Rhajat seeing a natural point in the conversation to jump in.
"Of course," said Noire immediately, worried her mother might deny her to spite her after that attack about her private life. "Who is it?"
"Corrin's cousin," explained Rhajat. "I brought her here to try and find her purpose again. I left her helping Olivia as a vocal coach, so it seems to have worked. I was thinking of introducing her to Lucina to have her advise against leaving when your destiny is done."
"I'm going back to work now so you could come with me and ask," offered Noire.
"I will. Thank you, dear."
Much later in the day, after having gone with Tharja to pick up Noire from school, Rhajat then went to pick up Azura from school. She located them in Olivia's office but walked rather than warping. As she approached, she heard something she had never heard before, Azura's laughter. She waited in the hall listening in as Azura was telling of how her sister liked being scared by her ghost stories, giggling as she talked of how cute Sakura was when she was scared. Rhajat had never heard Azura like this and struggled to imagine the woman she knew having fun with her sister like that. She'd have to ask her mother about it when she got home, maybe even take Azura with her as spending some time with the family she grew up with would be good for her too. When an appropriate pause appeared in the conversation, she knocked on the door.
"Come in," called Olivia.
"Rhajat!" cried Azura, turning in her chair. "Thank you so much for bringing me here."
"I'm glad you've found a reason to live again." Rhajat's concern for her evaporated as the smile on her face could only be real. "Would you like to have dinner with my family tonight?" she asked.
Azura looked back to Olivia. "It's fine," said the dancer.
"I was going to Olivia's for dinner," explained Azura, "but we're also going out tonight so I can have dinner with you."
"Going out? You're barely the same person I brought here."
"I think I've found my soulmate," admitted Azura which got a look of concern. "Platonic, I think." she added. "Were you planning on us staying the night?"
"As long as you needed," confirmed Rhajat. "Is it alright to leave now?" she asked. "I'd like to get back to force Tharja to help make dinner."
"Of course," said Olivia, "I should be getting some paperwork done anyway."
"Oh, I'm sorry if I've been keeping you from your work," apologised Azura.
"It's alright, I'll see you tonight. No need to dress up," she reminded.
"I'm looking forward to it," said Azura with a giggle of excitement. "Forcing Tharja to help?" she questioned as she and Rhajat left.
"I've been doing a lot of meddling today," admitted the witch, "and I'm not done." She offered her hand to Azura who realised what was coming and took it. She warped the two of them to Lucina who was waiting for them in the castle. "Azura, this is Princess Lucina, the one who came from the future to save us all."
"An honour to make you acquaintance, my lady," said Azura with a bow.
"And yours, my lady," replied Lucina.
"After Grima was slain," explained Rhajat, "she felt directionless and that she didn't belong, she left her family and friends to wait for death. Does this sound familiar?"
"It does."
"I just want to tell you, my lady," began Lucina, "that it was the most foolish thing I have ever done. Even if I felt out of place, I should have seen how much those around me loved me and how much my leaving would hurt them."
"I appreciate your words, my lady. I thought I had nothing, but meeting Olivia has helped me see a new direction for my life and I can once again see those around me who would miss me."
"I'm glad you're able to move forward before doing what I did. If you need to talk to one who has thought as you did, I would make time for you whenever you needed me."
"That is most kind, my lady."
"Lucina, please."
"Thank you, Lucina. You may call me Azura."
"I feel as if I wasn't needed," said Lucina to Rhajat, "but I'm glad to have met you Azura. I hope we might see you again when Lady Corrin visits in future. We have heard much about you."
"It would be good for you," commented Rhajat.
"I shall certainly bear that in mind. Ylisse is a truly beautiful land, I should like to spend more time here."
"It would be our honour to receive you."
"Thank you, Lucina," said Rhajat, giving a small bow of the head. "Now we must be off for dinner, Tharja's cooking." With that, she took Azura's hand and warped them to herself.
After introductions between Azura and her past self, former husband and daughters, Rhajat made sure to keep Azura talking and sharing, knowing her massive progress so far needed to be maintained, a mental illness of her severity is never overcome that quick, if at all. She also made sure that Tharja helped in the kitchen, even just a little. Dinner went well with everyone talking freely, Azura seemingly feeling comfortable in this situation that she'd have simply walked away from only yesterday. During dinner, she did see that Rhajat was acting a little flirty with her former husband and wondered if her old feelings were pushing her current marriage out the way. Had she known the whole story, she'd have known this was Rhajat making Tharja jealous and hopefully pushing her into being more affectionate with him.
The six returned to the living room after dinner to continue their conversation with Rhajat glad it was all going well. There was some oddness felt by Azura and Tharja's family at seeing Rhajat and Tharja sitting side-by-side and getting along as if they were normal twins, there wasn't even an unkind glance between them. That they both sat exactly same, even changing positions as if it was choreographed, kept drawing the eyes of the others as if it was slightly unnatural, which it was of course, they weren't from alternate timelines, these two women were the same and should never exist together. That came to a head when Noire suggested they play a board game with Tharja asking Rhajat not to play as she would automatically know what she was planning, something her future self-accepted and so watched instead.
An hour after dinner, Azura said her goodbyes but found herself being escorted to Olivia by Rhajat, just in case today had been a rouse to make her lower her guard so she could vanish. Left in her care, Olivia introduced her new friend to her husband and son, staying to chat for a little while before heading to the tavern around eight o'clock. That's a little early for a night out but it wouldn't be a late one as she had classes tomorrow morning.
They hadn't dressed up, though Olivia thought Azura's normal dress was magnificent anyway, but that didn't stop a ripple of whispering as they entered the tavern. That Azura stood with such regal bearing, leaving few with any doubt she was royalty, would certainly enhance the attention they received. It was clear the ethereal beauty she'd brought was going to be popular so Olivia made sure to stand in front of her as they made their way to the bar to make it clear Azura was under her protection and shouldn't be bothered too much. A couple of her friends came up to them to say hi, but it seemed her intent had been made clear to the patrons. With a drink each, they found a table and sat so they could watch the three-piece band playing on the small stage in the corner. Azura watched them with interest as she, unknowingly, was watched by Olivia looking for any signs that she was uncomfortable. After a few songs, Azura was humming along with them and Olivia realised her worries were unfounded. After about twenty minutes, the band took a break and Azura could focus fully on her conversation with her new friend.
Olivia was talking her though some of the people here and their achievements, hoping to inspire Azura to find a goal for herself, when the band returned.
"Ladies, gents and others," announced the guitarist. "We're opening up the stage for anyone who wants it. Who's going to give us all a song?"
"Us!" yelled Olivia over the clamour, lifting up Azura's hand as well. The first song is always competitive and she really wanted to start the night off.
"Prima!" shouted the guitarist over the others, "and the mysterious stranger." There was really no decision when Olivia wanted to sing and having the blue haired beauty with her was even more reason to pick her.
"Prima?" questioned Azura as Olivia pulled her towards the stage.
"Some call me Prima," explained Olivia. "It used to mean the greatest ballerina generations ago but now it's usually used for the greatest dancer. Me," she made clear with a smile, though she still blushed at claiming such a lofty title.
With a little apprehension at performing so suddenly, Azura followed after Olivia and looked through the band's music to find a song. While she didn't know any of this realms work, she was confident she could sing anything with the sheet music in front of her and found a ballad that would allow some great harmonies with Olivia, as they'd found their voices fitted very well together during their classes that day. Olivia introduced her before they began, wondering what the audience's reaction to Azura's voice would be.
As they sang with the band, the conversation in the tavern ceased completely and everyone was watching the two of them in awed silence. The song Azura had chosen was a very difficult one and that she sang perfectly, while reading the sheet music, meant as soon she ended the last note, the tavern erupted with applause, whistling and then loud chants for an encore. With no choice, Olivia pulled a stunned Azura round to pick another and chose a well-known folk song that's sung by everyone who's ever been in a tavern. This song meant it would be completely different from the previous one as no one would be watching in silence, this was a song where the entire tavern would join in with them, which hopefully would mean someone else would want to get up and sing afterwards.
"No more," called Olivia over the encore chant this time, radiating both her authority as Prima and as a teacher, resulting in the chants subsiding. "And she's married," she added holding up Azura's hand to show her ring. "Sorry, Ashley."
"Why did you add that?" questioned Azura as another singer took to the stage.
"Because everyone's going be interested in you now and you're exactly Ashley's type." She pointed out Ashley, still watching them from across the room.
Azura could see an attractive blonde, with hair cut short on one side and long on the other watching her, though whether they were male or female, she couldn't tell.
"They'll probably come over at some point, but they'll be respectful. They're one of the best actors in my theatre and very skilled with dance and song. It's handy having someone who can play male and female roles equally convincingly."
As they retook their seats, Azura thought over all that Olivia had in her life. As well as her family, she had the title of Prima, was the creative director at the theatre and headmistress of the performing arts school. Given she wasn't even a decade older than herself, Azura began to think about what she wanted by the time she was that age. Such deep thoughts would have to wait though, she wanted to enjoy her night out with her friend which was something she'd ever done before.
They stayed until nine thirty, with a lot of people coming over to congratulate them on their performance and find out a little about Azura, a voice like that being a complete unknown was always going to intrigue performers. As predicted, Ashley did come over and was very upfront with their attraction but was equally very respectful, in fact, Azura found them rather charming. While she did feel a little overwhelmed by all the attention she was receiving over the evening, and did feel the urge to leave, having Olivia by her side gave her strength. Now what she would need, was to find that strength within herself.
"We don't have any theatres in our capital," she said out of the blue as the two of them walked back to Olivia's home.
"Really? How come?"
"It's a new city," she explained. "The country is formed from ceded land and the town chosen to be the new capital city is still growing. I wonder if we could create one?"
"You and me?" questioned Olivia.
"No, no, that would be asking too much of you to be involved with something in another realm when you're so busy here. I wondered if I could persuade the council to source the gold to build one."
"Can't Corrin just build one?"
"She could force it but it would be better for the town council to be on board. I fear I don't have your skill with people to convince anyone to spend such amounts."
"My skills with people? Just because I can talk to people now doesn't mean I always could. When I went to Chrom, who's my friend remember, to ask for funding for my theatre, I could barely speak, I missed bits of my proposal and just made things up in panic."
Thinking back to this morning when she'd first seen Olivia, Azura remember her first impression of her being meek, perhaps she really was like that all those years ago.
"You've got your regal bearing and you look like you're always in control so even if you're stressing about it, you'll do way better than I did."
"I'm very glad I met you," admitted Azura.
"Me too. I've never felt like this about anyone," she admitted, "I met you this morning and you're now teaching at my school, we've been out together and you're sleeping at my house tonight."
"Here I thought I was the only one bewildered by the feeling of such a strong bond after half a day. Truthfully, I think you may now be my best friend."
"Really?" questioned Olivia at such a strong statement.
"Yes, even before I… isolated myself," she began, unsure how to refer to the last year of her life, "I didn't really have any friends, even my adoptive siblings didn't feel like friends. Are you alright with me calling you that?" she asked, suddenly wondering if that was the source of Olivia's disbelief.
"Of course," assured Olivia. "You're already right at the top of friends list too."
Azura chuckled at the reassurance. "Thank you. How long is your voice coach likely to be off ill?"
"She thinks she'll be fine for Monday. Why?"
"I wondered if you might want me to stay on until she returns?"
"Do you want to do that?" asked Olivia, wanting to be absolutely clear if this was Azura's own desire.
"I do, I enjoyed my day with you and the students."
"That's great," encouraged Olivia, "of course you can stay. The students and staff all certainly seemed to like you."
"Thank you," sighed Azura as her fear at her first desire being rejected evaporated. "Would you-"
"Put you up? Of course, I'll lend you some clothes too, if you need," she added, giving a twirl to show off her dancers clothes. Seeing Azura looking unsure, she couldn't help but laugh. "Or I do have normal clothes."
"That would be preferable," she admitted. "Though I fear I would need to have them taken in temporarily around the chest."
"You're beautiful," said Olivia immediately, in case any negative thoughts about her modest chest were coming. "If neither of us were married, I'd be coming on to you. I'm bi," she added so that was clear, "but we are married, so I won't do anything." She then wondered if she'd had more to drink than she should have.
"I assure you, it does not bother me."
"Still okay spending the night?"
"Of course, even if we were to share a bed, I would not be worried."
"I would be," teased Olivia as she slinked up to Azura, wrapping her arms around her and pressing her ample chest against hers.
Azura could only laugh. "Are you drunk?"
"I'm fine," confirmed Olivia, dropping the act. "Come on."
The following morning, Rhajat and Tharja were up with the dawn. They'd always been early risers and it was currently just the two of them in the house, awake anyway. They'd made themselves breakfast, each having the same, and Tharja had then gone to go to her workshop but had been stopped by Rhajat who insisted they should wait for their family to rise and greet them. Tharja instead took out a book to wait for them while Rhajat wondered how bad it would be to spoil the ending for her. Before their family woke, there was a knock at the door. With a quick look by remote view, Rhajat knew it was for her.
"Good morning," she said opening it.
"Morning," replied Azura.
"A little early for you, isn't?" Azura had been known to sleep to noon over the last few months.
"I couldn't stay asleep. Olivia's seeing to Inigo and I thought I would come and see you."
"By your own volition?"
"My own volition," confirmed Azura.
"So you really are feeling better?" asked Rhajat as she stepped aside to let her in. It certainly seemed like that last night but to see it continue over a night was excellent news.
"I feel alive again. We performed at the tavern last night and I… I think I want to perform on stage again, a real stage. Or maybe teach? I loved being with Olivia yesterday and she's opened my eyes to so many things."
Seeing this joy in her long sullen friend, Rhajat was wondering if Olivia had opened her eyes to one particular thing and this was the morning-after glow. Before she could enquire, Azura continued.
"I know my illness isn't gone and that I'll likely sink back into it in time, but I have hope now, I know there are things out there for me. I'll at least have the strength to take any hand that offers me aid." At that, Rhajat offered hers, which she happily took.
"Well, wasn't that sweet," said Tharja from behind them.
With the interruption, Azura remembered why she came. "I want to stay here for a few days to help Olivia at her school."
"And you need my permission?"
"I thought so?" asked Azura, uncertain.
"If there is something you want to do with your life, do it. So long as it's not running away or suicide."
"Then I will be staying to help Olivia," stated Azura with confidence.
"I shall inform Corrin and your family when I return. It's good to see you smile again," she added.
"Thank you for all you've done, even before bringing me here. I need to head back for breakfast," she said, indicating her need to leave.
"I'll stop in and see you before I go," said Rhajat as she spotted a golden manakete flying over the far edge of the city. "I've something to do before I leave."
"For Nowi?" questioned Tharja as Azura left.
"Yes. May I use your workshop?"
"If you answer a question," proposed Tharja, getting a nod. "Did we ever grow close with our daughters in your timeline?"
"We did," admitted Tharja, "but that was after grandchildren came along and it took a long time until we could be considered friends."
"So I can be close to them," summarised Tharja. "I will try to overcome myself, for them," she declared to her future self.
"And to have sex with your husband," reminded Rhajat which got her a glare. At the sounds of noises from upstairs, hostilities immediately dropped and both went to see their family.
After seeing her former husband and her daughter's off, Rhajat spend a few hours in Tharja's workshop working on something that she hoped would be appreciated, it was a fairly complicated arrangement but nothing too troublesome for her. With it ready, she sought out the gift's recipient, finding her sleeping atop the castle roof for some reason and warped to her.
"Mm?" grunted Nowi at the flash that woke her. "Mama!" she cried, springing forward to carefully nuzzle into her.
"Daughter. Why are you up here?" she asked as she stroked her scaly head and held onto her given the wind at this height.
"I like it, it's breezy."
"Change back, I have something for you." With her daughter now a little blonde girl again, she warped the two of them to Tharja. "Thanks."
Tharja simply grunted her resentment at being used as a warp point and left, though she did give a nod to acknowledge Nowi.
"So, what have you got me?"
"Stand here," ordered her mama, positioning her facing a tall thing covered in a blanket.
Nowi watched as Rhajat moved around it and whipped the blanket off to show it was a mirror but looking back at her was an older manakete she didn't know wearing her clothes. She looked to be very tall with long blonde hair down to her knees and huge boobs which Nowi couldn't take her eyes off. "Who's she?" she asked but saw the image in the mirror move its mouth in time with her words. "She's me!" she cried, jumping in her excitement and seeing something she really liked.
"This shows the world as your ideal, what you want for yourself or those around you," explained Rhajat, staying out of the mirror's view.
"So it's not what I will look like?" questioned Nowi, bouncing on her toes. "Just what I want to?"
"Correct," confirmed Rhajat. She then moved round behind her to see what Nowi saw herself as and found why she was bouncing on her toes; she was watching her chest jiggle in the mirror, a chest that rivalled Camilla but still wearing what Nowi classed as a top. "I spent hours making this for you and all you want is to see your barely covered chest bounce?"
"But I'm so sexy," protest Nowi as Rhajat grabbed her shoulders and pushed down to prevent her from bouncing.
"Why so big?" enquired Rhajat.
"Because I think being curvy looks good. Both my mamas and my big sister are really curvy," pointed out the little dragon looking up at her mama which meant she was resting her head in her mama's cleavage. "And they're so soft and warm," she added before pressing her hands into her own chest, "much better than just having ribs poking you."
"I'm the same," observed Rhajat stepping to the side and watching herself in the mirror.
"You're already so sexy, why would you want to change?"
"It shows the ideal for the first person to look in it, I should appear as you want me to be."
"You're already so sexy, why would I want you to change?"
As the pair watched, the Rhajat in the mirror hugged Nowi from behind and kissed her cheek. Knowing this showed what Nowi wanted, Rhajat complied and stepped behind her, hugging her and bent down to kiss the top of her head, being unable to reach her cheek due their different heights in reality. The little dragon then reached up and placed her hands over her mama's, holding them around herself. At that the image in the mirror changed.
"Has the spell wore off?" asked Nowi seeing the reflection showing reality.
"No. What we want can change from moment to moment," explained Rhajat. "You want to grow up, but you also want to be child who still has her mama." In the mirror, Rhajat clearly mouthed 'I love you'.
"I love you, mama," said Nowi, looking up with tears in her eyes.
The words were right there for her to say back but Rhajat had to struggle to find the strength to say them. They were true and deserved to be said but, even after living an entire life, she was still Tharja and found it hard to emote. "I love you too, daughter," she managed to get out.
Nowi spun round in her mama's arms, flung her arms around her and clung to her, sobbing gently into her chest.
"It's alright, dear," she said softly as she stroked her daughter's blonde hair. There was no more 'honorary' attached to that term, she was her daughter as much as Kana or her Noires. "I'm here."
"But you'll go home," sniffled Nowi.
"I will, but you're not alone, you have a husband and two daughters who love you. You don't need me."
"But I want a mother," said Nowi, looking up.
"You'll always have one. Even in a thousand years, Corrin and I will still be reincarnating and I promise we will always come back to see you."
"You will?" questioned Nowi, her tears stopping at the thought of having one of her friends being able to stay with her for all of her long life.
"Once we find each other and are able to leave, I promise we will come to you."
Nowi stepped back and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "Thank you," she said, a little happiness making its way back into her voice.
"I won't be your mother," said Tharja from the doorway, making Nowi jump, "but if you… if you ever want to talk like this, you can come to me."
"Really?" questioned Nowi.
"Of course," interjected Rhajat, "we already like you." This revelation got her a scowl from her past self.
"I do," admitted Tharja. "I'd like you more if you stopped acting like a foolish child."
"That's part of her charm too," added Rhajat, stroking her hair.
"Perhaps," admitted Tharja.
"Would you like to see what you will look like in the future?" asked Rhajat after a few moments of silence.
"Yes!" said Nowi instantly.
"May I raid your workshop for ingredients?" she asked of Tharja.
"They're yours too."
With a quick trip downstairs, Rhajat got all the ingredients she needed and returned. "Divination grows inaccurate very quickly," she explained as she set out what she needed. "I wouldn't even consider divining a decade ahead, never mind a millennia, given how many possible futures there would be to sort through, but a person's appearance is easier seen as most of those futures will be similar, barring lost limbs or such." She took the pouch from her hat and picked out a golden scale.
"You're nearly out," observed Nowi, "I can give you some more."
"It's fine, these are very rare ingredients so I don't carry them all with me. I've still got most of what you gave me in my lab."
"They're not rare, I've got loads and they regrow quick."
"But plucking them hurts, yes?" She got a nod. "That's why I try not to use them if I can. I wouldn't ask you to hurt yourself, you're my daughter."
With that settled, and Nowi looking happy at that explanation, Rhajat began her divination and telepathy spell. With Nowi's future in sight, she reached out to touch her forehead and share the image in her head.
"Well, I'm hot," said Nowi examining the image in her head. Her face looked a little more mature, even her lips looked fuller, her hair was knee length and, as she looked around she had a really nice butt. "But why am I still flat," she moaned, coming back to her chest.
"You're not flat," began Rhajat, trying to find some encouraging words. "They're probably Bs," she said, though there may be some rounding up. She held out her hand to Tharja, who had been intently watching this new method of divination.
Somewhat reluctantly, Tharja took the offered hand and saw the image of an adult Nowi. She was mildly surprised at how beautiful and mature this Nowi looked, even her smile looked serene rather than childish. "You're beautiful," she said to reassure the girl that would come to be her daughter.
"You really think so?"
"No one could say anything else," insisted Tharja. "Introduce her to Azura," suggested Tharja to Rhajat, "that'll show her you don't need to be big to be beautiful."
"I'm going to see her during the school's lunch break as I head home, I'll take you then."
"School?" queried Nowi.
"Teacher," explained Rhajat.
"Can I stay 'till then?" asked the little dragon.
"Fine," consented Tharja.
It wasn't long until the schools would be getting out so Tharja got the three of them something to drink and they sat and talked a little. To save Noire having to come from work to pick up her younger self, Tharja had said she would collect her from school, a first step on her path to returning to motherhood, so when she left, Rhajat took Nowi to meet Azura. Her first thought was that the blue haired lady was gorgeous, and only after gushing at how much she likes her looks, did she realise her chest was about the size of her likely future. She felt a little better about it after that. Mother and daughter listened as Azura spoke of her morning with joy, glad to see her enjoying teaching.
With a final word to Olivia tasking her with keeping watch of Azura and escorting her back to Lilith when she was ready to come home, Rhajat said her goodbyes to the three and headed to her final stop, warping to Cordelia.
"Hi," she said to the startled red-head.
"Don't do that," demanded Cordelia, wondering if her future self had to deal with this a lot.
"My apologies. I'm returning to Valla but wanted to encourage you to tell your family. You were lucky no one noticed at the summit last month and if someone visits, that will ruin your hope of telling them all together."
"That is true," admitted Cordelia. "I shall have to invite them all over."
"Feel free to leave a message with Tharja, it's quicker for me to send a letter to Laslow than for Caeldori."
"Oh, thank you. Are you here officially?" she asked.
"I arrived yesterday, I'm going back home now."
"Very well. Had you informed Lord Chrom a foreign princess was in Ylisstol?"
"Too late now," chuckled Rhajat choosing to warp back to Tharja simply because that would be an enigmatic way to end the conversation.
With a goodbye and some last encouragement, and subtle threats, to her past self, she then prepared her range spell with one of Lilith's scales for the first warp to get home. She sat and talked with Lilith for a little a while, primarily discussing Azura's remarkable recovery, before making the final jump to Corrin and, as she arrived next to her wife, she found a hand round her throat, squeezing rather hard.
"Where were you?" snarled Corrin, pushing her up against the wall by the throat. "You run away with my cousin and spend the night in some exotic land?" Rhajat just smiled in return. "I might have been mad," she said, dropping the act and letting go.
"As if I could run off with another woman when I have this body waiting for me at home," she retorted, grabbing her wife's ass which resulted in a warm kiss.
"How is she?" asked Corrin, not wanting to let her wife go after having been apart for a day. "Where is she?" she then added, realising her wife returned alone.
"Good, I think Olivia was enough of a shock to break down her walls. She's staying for the rest of the week to work as a vocal coach at her school."
"She wanted to?"
"She did. She thinks she's found her drive again, though whether she wants to perform or teach, she's unsure."
"That's wonderful," said Corrin, hugging her wife tighter for her efforts. "We had better tell her family immediately."
Abandoning her work, Corrin and Rhajat left to inform Azura's family what had occurred and they shouldn't worry about her absence, news that was gladly received.
After having parted with Nowi and Rhajat, Tharja walked to the school, growing increasingly nervous as she approached. She knew she had to be able to do this to have any right to be her mother but she'd never been alone and responsible for her youngest before. She waited across the street from the school gates, watching and watched by the other mothers and fathers who'd come to collect their children. She didn't know what to do if any approached, she wouldn't be able to talk with them like they do with each other and threatening them would be bad, so she tried to look as scary as she could to ward them off. Thankfully none approached and soon the children that were going home for lunch were swarming into the yard and out the gates.
"Hi," she said as Noire approached, looking as nervous as she felt.
"Hi," parroted Noire.
"Let's go," said Tharja turning but checking her daughter was coming with her. They walked in silence for a minute as she tried to think of something to say. "How was your morning?" she asked hesitantly.
"Fine," answered Noire looking up at her mother. "We had reading first then we went outside and played some games and did some races."
"Did you win anything?"
"No, I'm not very fast at running. I was third in one," she said proudly.
"Well done," congratulated Tharja, hoping that her smile meant that was good for her. There was so much she didn't know about her own flesh and blood.
The two couldn't think of anything else to say but, thankfully, home isn't far away.
"You usually have a sandwich for lunch, right?" asked Tharja as they entered.
"Yes. Unless there's leftovers."
"There aren't after having guests," noted Tharja. "What do you want?"
"Um… Can I have cheese and ham, please?"
"Alright." She got the ham and cheese from the cold store and made up a sandwich for Noire and one for herself. "You like apples, yes?"
"Mm hm."
Tharja took two apples and put them on the plates for each of them. "To drink?"
"Juice, please."
With a glass of juice for her and water for herself, Tharja looked at the plates and thought that wouldn't be enough for a growing child with an afternoon of school. "What else do you normally have?"
"Chocolate," said Noire.
Tharja chuckled at her daughter's big, innocent smile. "No you don't."
Noire giggled with her mother. "Okay. That's all usually, but Noire and father usually give me an orange to take to school to eat."
"Sit down," ordered Tharja as she picked up the plates to take them to the table and returned to collect their glasses. "Is it alright?" she asked as Noire took a bite. She was surprised how worried she was at disappointing her daughter with something as simple as a sandwich.
"It's good," said Noire after swallowing her mouthful.
Tharja started hers and the two ate in silence but both caught the other looking at them frequently. As Noire took a drink, having to use both hands to hold the glass, Tharja realised how little and adorable her daughter was and smiled.
"What's wrong?" asked Noire, seeing her mother smiling like that.
"I love you," said Tharja, feeling the words easier to say.
"I love you too, mom. Could you cut my apple in half please?"
"Fine. You could have told me earlier," she said as she now had to get up, go back to the kitchen and bring back a knife.
"But then it would go brown," complained Noire as her mom returned and cut it.
Watching her eating a half, Tharja thought about how she was speaking so freely to her. In the past, any time they had spoken, Noire had seemed very nervous and afraid of her but there had been such a change in just a day. "You don't seem afraid of me anymore," she said as Noire put the core down from her fist half.
"I'm not," she said picking up the second half.
"What changed in a day?"
"I saw that you were scared of me too. Noire tried to tell me why last night but I didn't really get it."
"It's a very grown up way of being scared," admitted Tharja.
"But Noire and dad have always said I should help people who are scared, like Severa helps me when I'm scared by all the people at school."
"You're a good girl," said Tharja, reaching out and patting her head with only minimal hesitance. "I hope I can become a good mom for you."
"I'll help," declared her cute little girl.
"What do you do until you need to go back to school?"
"Em… Sometimes we do my homework I got in the morning before I forget it. Or draw or go for a longer walk back to school."
"Would you like to go for a walk with me?" asked Tharja, fairly sure she would.
"You haven't eaten your apple," pointed out Noire.
"I'll get it when I come back. Do you want an orange to take with you?"
"Yes please."
With an orange in hand, the two stepped outside and Tharja locked the door behind them. "Em… Do you hold hands or…." She didn't know if her daughter was too old for that but braced herself to do it if needed.
Noire immediately took her mother's hand and led her on the route she liked to take that went past a toy shop so she could see if they had any new things in the window. They were able to talk a little more freely now, commenting on what they saw as they walked and by the time they reached the school, Tharja's discomfort at holding hands had almost receded.
On her way back home, pleased at how well she had managed being a mother, she detoured through the market area and on to scout out one shop in particular, including how busy the area was and what was around it to gauge the chances of being spotted by someone she knew. Now it was a case of working up the courage to go in, but that was certainly going to be another day.
Come the week's end, Azura accepted she had to go home and went with Olivia by pegasus to the hole between worlds, taking Olivia in to Fort Corrin to meet Lilith. After the three spent some time talking, Olivia headed back to Ylisstol while Azura left via the nearest exit to her home, walking the rest of the way. With the guards quickly passing the word on as she had arrived back, her family rushed to meet with her, astonished by the change in her in such a short time. As she told them all of her time there, and of her new best friend, she smiled and laughed so often, it seemed as if the gods themselves had intervened, something Rhajat couldn't help but revel in. That night, Azura was rather affectionate with her husband for the first time in many months.
Nine days after leaving Ylisstol, a new memory formed in Rhajat's mind. It was of herself, dressed normally in an attempt not to draw attention, going to the lingerie store she had scouted and buying some items. She couldn't help but smile at the thought of Tharja putting effort into it. Sex was something that was always good with him but she couldn't bring herself to show how much she enjoyed it, never mind say how good it was. Hopefully this act would break down that barrier and lead to more enjoyable times.
A few days later, both Noires were at a sleepover at the castle, the younger as Lucy and Thea's guest and the older to help keep all the kids in order. Tharja made her excuses to go to bed earlier than normal, leaving her husband to tidy up, time she used to change. She knelt on the bed in nothing but her new black stockings and garter belt with the sheer bra she'd chosen and waited for him to come up. Rhajat was already in bed, with Corrin having fell asleep immediately, and she was having trouble trying to block these memories out. She could ignore most new memories that formed but tonight was immensely important for Tharja, it was the first time she'd initiated and she wanted to show that she really does love her husband. As such, Rhajat couldn't ignore them and Tharja's strong emotions were getting her excited and nervous too.
After the initial surprise of his wife wearing such alluring clothes and stating she loved him, he quickly overcame the shock and found his wife being much more into it. Sex for them was usually with as little contact as possible but tonight she was, though hesitantly, touching him, even holding and kissing him. With her much more enthusiastic involvement, the night was by far the best the two had spent together.
Remembering all this happening in her bed in another realm, Rhajat was getting hotter and hotter and knew she was going to have to do something. Unfortunately, she considered that relieving herself to thoughts of her former husband counted as cheating, so her only choice was to wake up her wife. Corrin was initially annoyed but when the situation was explained, she was more than willing to get her wife off so she could calm down.
A few weeks on from that new memory, Rhajat remembered a message Cordelia left with Tharja asking her family to visit. She dutifully sent it on to Severa and Laslow, with Caeldori obviously knowing about it to bring Soleil.
With Laslow and Severa granted leave by their Lord and Lady, and Caeldori rearranging her schedule, the family were able to visit on the requested day, flying in to Ylisstol before ten in the morning. They left their mounts at the livery yard and the five walked into town to meet up with their summoner. Severa, leading the group, knocked on her parent's door which soon opened to reveal her own face.
"Mom, it's me!" called little Severa after a brief staring contest with her older self.
"Show them in then," came the reply.
"So what's this about?" called Severa as she headed to the living room where her mother's voice had come from. "Ah!"
"What?" asked Soleil, leaping forward to see what her mother was pointing at in shock. "Ah!" she yelped, pointing as well.
"What?" asked Laslow peering in over his wife and daughter to see Cordelia standing ready to greet them with a small but noticeable bump on her usually flat stomach. "Ah," he said, simply to match, "congratulations, mother."
"How did this happen?" demanded Severa, recovering from the shock enough to enter the room.
"I would hope you know," joked her mother as she stroked her sleeping baby granddaughter's pink hair.
"Of course I know," retorted Severa, "I mean, I was an only child."
"As you were in my timeline too," said Caeldori from the back of the group.
"So we've caused a big change in your past?" asked Laslow.
"When you first brought Liv to see us," explained Cordelia. "I'd always thought about another after having you," she said looking between her two Severas, "but with the time needed off work I felt I shouldn't. Then I saw my baby granddaughter, that sparked the desire again and…" she trailed off as she stroked her bump.
"I'm so happy for us," said Caeldori weaving through her family to hug herself.
"That sounds as if you two are the expectant couple," pointed out Severa.
Both Caeldori and Cordelia went to kiss each other, as if going for the lips before swapping targets to the cheek. A glance to Soleil showed her excitement then her disappointment at being denied seeing her girlfriend in a twincest kiss again.
"Do you know what it is?" Soleil asked her girlfriend.
"I only know what she knows," said Caeldori with a look to herself.
"I thought something this big might ripple forward in your memories," explained Soleil.
"No, though that does mean this little one could be anything; boy, girl, fighter, poet, singer, blacksmith. It's so exciting wondering who they'll be."
Seeing the excitement on both her grandma and her girlfriend's identical faces, Soleil realised Caeldori was going to want children. Her girlfriend was an adult, she had such responsibilities, over a century of experience and looked exactly like the soon-to-be mother of two, while she still felt like a kid. The thought of Caeldori proposing to her and then wanting kids was scary but she wanted to be with her, she was going to have to think long and hard about her future.
"You alright?" asked Laslow, sensing the turmoil next to him.
"I'll be fine," said Soleil, somewhat subdued.
"Does anyone want anything to eat or drink?" asked Cordelia.
"You sit down," said Caeldori immediately, "let me get it."
Caeldori and Laslow went to sort the group out with some drinks and snacks as the others talked. They were only staying a few hours as Laslow needed to be back tonight, but they had plenty of time to catch up on everything in each other's lives. Throughout their time together, little Severa spent most of it next to her older self, paying close attention and mimicking what she did and how she sat. The elder Severa then kept changing positions just to see if she'd keep copying her but she instead called her out for teasing her. When pressed, she asked if she was going to be like her when she grew up and was assured that, with hard work, she could be. Following that, she asked if she could hold Liv and bombarded her older self with questions such how she got so strong, if she still likes sweets and if she has to marry Inigo but she was told she could marry anyone. Eventually, her mom sat her down and said that she would only ever be her and she shouldn't try to be exactly like her older self, a sentiment her older self supported.