Gestures of Kindness

"Do you fear war? To be honest, I am often scared of it, to the extent that it keeps me up at night."

Chione pondered Seliph's words, as she shoved the remainder of a pastry in her mouth and gave her battle plans one last look-over. Truly, she was surprised by them… and a tad conflicted. She knew for sure that she feared war – without a shadow of a doubt. But she'd never really heard any of the Heroes openly admit that it scared them, too, until now.

The Summoner sighed to herself, leaning back in her chair and running her gloved fingers through her hair. She realized it probably shouldn't be that surprising – the Heroes were people, after all. It made her wonder just how everyone else here felt about it, though. And how did they cope with it, if they shared the same sentiments as Seliph and herself?

Before she could wander any further down that line of thought, however, someone placed a hand over hers on her head, making her pause. Tilting her head back, Chione blinked, her gaze meeting Eliwood's.

The redheaded noble offered her a kind smile. "Apologies, if I startled you. You seemed to be deep in thought."

"O-oh… um, yeah. I suppose I was," she admitted. "I didn't even hear you enter the room."

"So I noticed," he said, chuckling softly. "I was a bit surprised to see that you left your door open. You usually keep it closed when you're working."

Chione averted her eyes, feeling heat rise to her face. "I… just thought it might be a nice change, is all." She removed her hand from her hair to clench reflexively at the hem of her cloak.

Eliwood nodded. "It's hard not to see just how much effort you're putting into opening up to everyone. I think it's a wonderful change."

She smiled a little at his words, lifting her gaze again. "Th-thank you, Eliwood."

"It's my pleasure," he replied. "Speaking of which…," his gaze turned hopeful, "the weather is pleasant today. Perhaps you'd be willing to head out on a stroll with me? If you have time, that is."

"O-oh, yeah." It had been a while since she'd first agreed to joining him on a walk at some point, she was surprised he finally asked. "I actually just finished up, so I'd be happy to."

Eliwood's expression brightened significantly. "Really? I'm… I'm glad to hear that." He pulled her chair out for her, offering her a hand. "Shall we, then?"

Chione nodded, accepting his gesture and getting to her feet. Following him out of her chambers, she wondered, "I-is there anywhere in particular you had in mind…?"

He shrugged, glancing back at her. "Not really. I just thought it'd be nice to get out for a while and chat. I noticed that, even when you take breaks, you never leave the castle grounds… Which means the only time you get to experience anyplace else is during our battles. And that's just not healthy."

"Oh… yeah. I guess that's true." She gave a soft, awkward laugh. "I hadn't even realized that myself, actually. I guess I never really thought about it."

Eliwood paused for the briefest of moments, apparently dumbfounded at that. But then he gave a soft laugh of his own. "Well, I'm honored to be the first person to take you out to town, then. And, if that's indeed the case, I have a few places in mind we could definitely visit."

Chione tilted her head quizzically. "Do you go into town often?"

He shook his head. "Not too often. I hadn't really gone out at all, until my last birthday celebration."

"Oh…! I remember hearing about that. Hector and some of the other guys took you out for your eighteenth birthday, right?"

Eliwood nodded in confirmation, and Chione grimaced lightly. "… Wow. I almost forgot that you were only seventeen when I first summoned you here. I kept wondering why you seemed taller… You're still growing. Huh…"

He raised a brow, as they finally exited the castle's front entrance. "You make it sound like I'm a child, Chione."

Now she winced, shaking her head quickly. "I-I didn't mean for it to come out like that…! I… I, um…" She grasped at the hem of her hood with her free hand, averting her eyes to the ground. "I-I just forget you're younger than me sometimes… Y-you're really mature for being eighteen."

Eliwood blinked a few times, slowing their pace slightly. "… I didn't realize you were older than I am. I'm… quite surprised to hear that, actually."

Chione pouted a tad, feeling her face grow warm under his gaze. Her grip tightened on her hood. "… I'm four years older than you. My own birthday just recently passed."

Eliwood tilted his head this time. "Really? I… wasn't aware of that. Did you tell anyone…?"

Her attention moved to the ground again. "J-just Alfonse… It… it was my first birthday without my family, and I… I just wanted to spend the day alone."

Her redheaded companion frowned for a short moment, but then he offered her another of his kind smiles. "Allow me to treat you today, then. Consider it my gift to you."

"Wh-what…?" Chione was practically beside herself. "But… but I couldn't possibly ask you to do that." She fidgeted with her hood anxiously. "I-I'm not so great in social situations. A-and I just realized we're still holding hands. And I…," she flung her hood over her head, "I-I'm already embarrassed…!"

"Pff."

The Summoner stilled. She peeked up at Eliwood from behind her hood, seeing him attempting to stifle his laughter. "H-huh…?"

He chuckled, shaking his head. A wide, boyish grin graced his features. "My apologies, Chione. That was just an… unexpected reaction."

"Did… I say something funny…?"

"Not at all," Eliwood assured her, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "At the very least, however, would you allow me to take you to tea? There's a little café I'm rather fond of."

"O-oh, uh… um…" Chione did her best to relax a little, pulling her hood back down slowly. "I… I'd like that. Th-thank you for offering."

"But of course." He picked up the pace a bit again. "I'm certain you'll like it."

. . .

The café Eliwood took Chione to was far different from what she was expecting. But, at the same time, it seemed exactly like something Eliwood would enjoy. It had a nice, warm, cozy atmosphere… almost like stepping into an old friend's home.

They were escorted to a window seat, where Eliwood kindly held a chair out for Chione. He pushed her in carefully, then took his own seat across from her. "The scones here are unrivaled. Would you like to try some?"

Chione nodded, trying not to fidget in her seat. "S-sure. If you're recommending them, I'd love to."

He gave a nod of his own in return. "Wonderful. Allow me to place our order, then." And he did just that, with utmost grace.

It was times like this that the Summoner was reminded that Eliwood was a noble. Despite how friendly he was with everyone in the Order of Heroes, his manners and etiquette in this moment were absolutely impeccable. It was a side of him she didn't often get to see. And it helped her relax a bit more, knowing he had everything handled.

When the waiter walked away, however, Eliwood paused, blinking at Chione. And she suddenly realized that she must've been staring at him.

"S-sorry…!" she squeaked, quickly looking down at her hands.

Her companion laughed lightly, bringing her eyes back to him. "Whatever for?" he asked.

Chione fiddled with the hem of her cloak. "I-I usually get really nervous when I order food and stuff. But you just looked so… confident. I probably would've stuttered or talked too softly or too quickly or… something else along those lines, I'm sure." She averted her gaze again slightly. "I-it probably sounds silly, I know…"

Eliwood shook his head. "Not at all. Everyone has things that make them anxious. It's normal."

The Summoner paused, recalling Seliph's words from earlier that day. "Y-yeah, I guess so. It… it's hard for me to realize that about the Heroes sometimes. I mean… you all seem so fearless on the battlefield. I usually feel like you're all way out of my league…"

Eliwood's brows furrowed in question. But, before he could respond, the waiter returned. "Thank you for waiting. Here are your scones and tea."

"Thank you very much," Eliwood told him, a charming smile on his face. He looked to Chione, his smile brightening. "Please, help yourself."

She gazed upon the delicious-looking pastries for a brief moment. Then, removing her gloves, she selected one carefully, spreading some jam on it, and took a generous bite. Closing her eyes, Chione couldn't help but grin. "Th-this is so good…!"

Her companion chuckled softly. "Isn't it, though? They're easily the best ones I've ever had."

Chione nodded, then paused, opening her eyes to see him gazing at her with such genuine happiness. Before coming to Askr, she never could have dreamed of spending time like this with nobility and Heroes – or a noble Hero, in this case. But, sitting here with Eliwood now, eating these scrumptious scones… it almost felt normal. Strangely normal.

"It really is," she eventually said. "Maybe I could learn to bake these. Then you wouldn't have to come all the way here for them."

"Learn to bake them?" he wondered, clearly intrigued. "Do you like to cook?"

Chione nodded, taking a second, even more delicious bite. "I lived by myself, so I cooked most of my meals. And I really like to bake. Pastries are my favorite." She sipped her tea, marveling briefly at how well it complimented the scones. "I can't make anything extravagant, but it usually turns out pretty well."

Eliwood listened closely as she spoke, sipping his own tea. "You lived alone? What of your family?"

"I moved out of their house, once I graduated high school and began working as a secretary. My younger sister was still living with my parents, when I arrived here… but she's probably moved out by now, too…" She felt herself frown a tad, gazing down into her half-full teacup. "I… I wonder what they're all up to now."

"… You must miss them," Eliwood said, his voice soft.

Chione nodded again. "Yeah. But, more than anything… I just hope they're all happy and healthy. There… there's a possibility I may never see them again, after all. So, all I really can do is hope."

Her companion frowned with her, clearly surprised by this news. "What do you mean? There isn't a way for you to go back home…?"

The Summoner shrugged. "Alfonse had never even heard of my world before. He said he'd like to open the way there for me… but he doesn't know if he'll really be able to." Tears suddenly stung her eyes. "Even after this war is over… and all the Heroes can go back to their homes… there's a strong chance that I'll be here for the rest of my life."

"I… I'm sorry, Chione," Eliwood practically whispered. "I didn't realize that was the case."

She shook her head, blinking back the tears, and lifted her gaze, offering him a smile. "I-it's alright. I-I'm the one who should apologize. We were having such a nice time, a-and then I had to go and bring the mood down."

"Hey, now. There's no need to blame yourself." He offered her one of those kind, understanding smiles of his. "No matter how you're feeling, I want you to be yourself around me. If you're having a bad day, tell me. If you want to share something happy or funny, then do so. I'm glad to offer you an ear… or a shoulder… anytime you need it. Alright?"

Chione sniffled a little, setting her cup down to wipe at her eyes. "A-are you sure…? I-I don't want to be a—"

"You aren't a burden or a nuisance," Eliwood told her, gently. "Being able to talk to you so freely has been wonderful. And I want you to feel the same. I don't know about you, but, to me, you're an irreplaceable friend. Getting to know you for you is what I hope to do. If you'll allow me."

"D-darn it." Chione's voice cracked, as she smiled a little more. "Y-you're going to make me cry again, if you keep being so nice."

He laughed lightly, giving his head a shake. And then he reached out, placing a hand over one of hers. His beautiful blue eyes almost seemed to twinkle, as he gazed at her. "If it means I get to comfort you, then don't hold it back. I'm here for you, as long as you'll have me."

The Summoner let out a tiny laugh of her own, her voice husky to her ears. "Th-thank you, Eliwood. From the bottom of my heart… thank you."

A/N: I'd like to thank everyone who's taken the time to read this little series so far, and I hope you've enjoyed it. As of now, however, I'm going to be taking a break from regular updates, as I'm getting ready to begin writing my next original novel. I have several more short stories already written for this, but I need to finish some others before I can post those. If I do happen to finish any, as I'm writing my book, I'll certainly update this, but please don't expect anything anytime soon. Thanks bunches.