Somebody New

Disclaimer: Fire Emblem and all its characters belong to Nintendo. Story and chapter titles from The Struts' song Somebody New.

Chapter 1: When You've Been Broken

Emmeryn took a sharp breath. The breeze swirled around her with life, but she couldn't savor the rush of wind. The air left her body. At this rate, she would black out.

"Sis!" Lissa exclaimed.

"I'm sorry," Emmeryn said. "But this corset is much too tight. I can barely breathe. Please, untie me."

Lissa exhaled but proceeded to undo her work. "Where's Fredrick when you need him?"

Emmeryn stared out the open balcony doors of her chambers at the blue sky laced with cotton clouds. She focused on the gentle breeze that wafted into the room to keep herself grounded until Lissa had sufficiently loosened the corset.

"He's most likely helping Chrom," she said.

"With his corset?" Lissa asked. Both sisters giggled at the thought.

One of Ylisse's best-kept secrets was Fredrick's mastery of corset-fastening. He never balked at the challenge, even if it was one of Lissa's wired corsets. He also never balked at seeing the girls in their underdresses, and they didn't think much of him seeing them in them. He was a second brother to them as far as they were concerned. A doting brother. The only one who didn't appreciate or ask for Fredrick's help dressing was-

Footfalls, followed by a shout, echoed through the stone corridor outside Emmeryn's chambers. "Milord, please, come back here; you are missing a sleeve!"

"Chrom," Lissa groaned.

"Poor Fredrick," Emmeryn said, shaking her head. "Getting Chrom to wear two sleeves is a fool's errand."

"I'll rescue him," Lissa said, and dismissed herself through double doors opposite the ones that opened onto the balcony. Emmeryn wasn't quite sure which "him" Lissa had been referring to. The answer became clear moments later when the girl ushered into the room a breathless Fredrick.

"Miladies, my sincerest apologies for the delay." He bowed with a hand across his chest.

"It's okay," Lissa said. "Emm was able to do mine. We just need your help with hers."

"Certainly, I will do my best to hurry." He crossed the room and got to work.

"There's no need to rush," Emmeryn assured him. "The ball doesn't begin until another two hours."

Fredrick had barely begun when Chrom burst into the room, looking over his shoulder.

"I think I lost-"

"Your sleeve," Fredrick said coolly.

Chrom nearly jumped. "Fredrick!"

"It's no use, Fredrick," Lissa said. "Though we appreciate the effort."

"I can try again once I am done," Fredrick offered.

Upon seeing Chrom's panicked expression, Emmeryn spoke. "You've spent all afternoon helping us prepare for the ball. Now it's your turn to take care of yourself."

Before Fredrick could protest, Lissa chimed in. "You could use a bath." She sniffed the air for effect.

Fredrick reddened. "My apologies. I suppose you are right." With that, he tied the last knot and stepped back to let Emmeryn examine his work in the full-length mirror near the open door. Afternoon sunlight streamed into the room and illuminated the satin strings as she turned.

"Not only does it look nice, but I can breathe! Thank you. Now, please-" she smiled, "-go take care of yourself."

Fredrick nodded and exited Emmeryn's chambers.

Chrom exhaled. "Thanks, Emm."

"Are you truly ready for the ball?" she asked as she approached him.

"Not you, too!"

"No, not this-" she touched his bare arm, then moved her hand to hover over his heart, "This."

Chrom's expression softened. "Yeah. This year, I am."

Lissa popped out from behind Emmeryn, interrupting the tender exchange. "Chrom, you're finally going to date again?"

"N-no! Not date… But I am willing to dance."

This seemed to satisfy Lissa. "It's a start. I think…" she hesitated. "I think Sumia would be happy for you."

Chrom's bottom lip quivered, but he forced himself to smile. "Thanks, Liss." He patted her head, and, for once, she didn't protest. Emmeryn put her arms around both of them, and the siblings stayed like that for a moment.