All was quiet within the Crimean Liberation Army's camp, with only the soft sounds of the night and the occasional footsteps of the night guards echoing throughout the collection of tents. That silence, however, was suddenly broken by the sound of a low, rumbling growl. Had anyone in the vicinity been awake or present to hear such an ominous noise, they might have believed it to belong to a bear or some other large, terrifying creature. Instead, all anyone would find as the source of such a terrible noise would be a frail, lavender-haired mage stumbling through the campgrounds.
Ilyana whimpered as her stomach growled once more. She had woken up not too long ago to her stomach's angry demand for food, which led to the girl groping around her tent in the dark in search of a midnight snack. Unfortunately, to the thunder mage's dismay, she discovered that she had already consumed all of her stashes of food that she kept for such an emergency as this. Which brought her to her current situation: shakily making her way toward the mess tent, her pastel purple shawl draped tightly around her shivering torso haphazardly dressed in her usual green top and short purple skirt, and her body and mind weary from both hunger and drowsiness.
"Oh, why does the...mess tent have...to be...so far...away?" Ilyana mumbled to herself, concentrating all her strength on not collapsing onto the ground. At this rate, she thought lethargically, she wouldn't make it to the mess tent, wherever it was. But another angry growl from her stomach reminded her that she needed food NOW. Ilyana thought as hard as she could for a solution until she was struck by a bolt of inspiration. "Maybe...Mia will have some food." She spoke aloud as she began making her way to the swordswoman's tent. Mia was one of the few people Ilyana bothered to remember in the army, aside from prominent figures such as Ike and Princess Elincia. The energetic swordswoman was almost always there to look after the frail mage, and also gave her food on numerous occasions. Just thinking about food from a friend made Ilyana's heart begin to race with excitement, slightly reducing the hunger pains she was experiencing. Ilyana's thoughts then began drifting fondly toward the time she accidentally tried eating Mia herself in a food-deprived stupor and giggled despite herself at the memory of the swordswoman desperately trying to pry the thunder mage off of her as she nibbled on her boots. So caught up was she in her memories that she tripped slightly over a small stone on the ground, her train of thought interrupted and the hunger pangs returning in full force. Releasing a weary moan, Ilyana managed to finally spot Mia's tent a few feet ahead. Using the last of her already waning strength, Ilyana quickly shambled toward the tent's entrance, but her momentum and loss of balance caused her to lurch forward. As the cool grass rushed to meet her, Ilyana closed her eyes in exhaustion, hoping that her purple-haired saint would come and save her.
*Thud!*
Mia bolted upright in her cot, her senses going on high alert at the unusual sound she heard outside her tent. Quickly rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she dashed over to her chair to grab her steel sword, undaunted by the fact that she was clad in only simple nightclothes. Once she was properly armed and at the tent's entrance, Mia took a deep, calming breath. 'Hmph, nobody is going to get the drop on me in my sleep!' She thought confidently to herself, preparing herself for battle. When she was prepared, Mia thrust open the tent flap and charged forward with her sword at the ready-
Only to land face first on the ground after tripping over something at the foot of the tent's entrance. Groaning, Mia turned her head to see what she tripped on, only for her eyes to widen in shock. "What the-? Ilyana?!" There, at the foot of her tent, was the exhausted form of her lavender-haired compatriot. Rushing to her side, Mia began shaking the thunder mage and inspecting her body for any injuries. "Ilyana? Hey, can you hear me? Are you ok? What are you doing out here?" The swordswoman asked in rapid succession. Ilyana groaned and only uttered one single word in a sleepy voice. "Hungry..."
A brief moment passed before Mia shook her head in exasperation. "Seriously? All this because you wanted a snack?" She huffed as she took a look around the sleeping campsite. "Well, I think I might have something to eat in my tent, and I certainly can't leave you out in the cold." Sheathing her sword and laying it on the ground beside the tent's entrance, Mia gently picked up Ilyana bridal style and carried her inside her own tent. Once inside, Mia gently placed Ilyana onto her cot, eliciting a soft hum from Ilyana as she came in contact with the soft bedding, still warmed from Mia's own body. After returning her sword to its previous resting place beside her chair, Mia took the time to gaze upon her surprise visitor. "This girl, what was she thinking?" Mia murmured to herself. As she spoke this, however, she gradually taken in by Ilyana's sleeping form, how she hummed contently in her sleep and how her body curled slightly into a ball like a small child. The adorable sight was enough to make Mia's heart melt, a grin tugging at her lips. Despite how high maintenance the girl was, Mia enjoyed Ilyana's company, both on and off the battlefield. Even after the thunder mage tried to feast on her limbs that one time, Mia still didn't mind taking care of her or treating her out to food, if only to prevent Ilyana from fainting or attempting to eat someone. It got to the point where the swordswoman began to feel a bit lonely without Ilyana by her side. "Geez, she sure knows how to grow on a person." She murmured to herself with a chuckle.
Mia's thoughts were interrupted by a loud growl coming from the sleeping mage. It was then the swordswoman remembered why Ilyana was out in the first place, and immediately rushed to her chest to find something for the girl to eat. After rummaging around her belongings, Mia released a triumphant "Ah ha!" as she retrieved a small box of chocolate that she had recently bought from a confectionery at the last town the army had visited. Turning around, Mia was surprised to see Ilyana was already awake, though still droopy-eyed. "Well, well! Look who's awake." Mia said with a grin. This was enough to break Ilyana out of her own daze as she responded. "Y-yes...I was...looking for something to eat." "About that," Mia began as she walked over to Ilyana, her grin transforming into a disapproving frown. "What were you thinking, walking around outside by yourself at this hour? That's dangerous, especially for you!" Ilyana dropped her gaze like a scolded child. "I'm...sorry." She whispered. The response succeeded at tugging Mia's heartstrings, making her feel slightly guilty for berating her friend for something the girl clearly had very little control over. "Hey, it's all good. I'm not mad. I was just worried for you, y'know? Here..." The purple haired girl sat herself next to Ilyana on the bed and presented the box she was holding to the lavender-haired girl. "This might help fill you up till breakfast time." Ilyana opened the box curiously and her eyes immediately brightened upon realizing it was full of chocolate.
"This is...for me?" She asked in awe. Mia nodded happily. "Yep! Though, since I'm awake and all, I was thinking we could share them. I mean, if you want to; if you want to eat them all that's fine as well!" Ilyana looked up and smiled sincerely. "I... would like that, Mia." "Great!" Mia nodded as she selected a piece of chocolate. "Alright, here, try this one!" She held up the chocolate morsel for Ilyana as she popped a piece into her own mouth, expecting the sage to snatch the candy instantly. Instead, to Mia's surprise, Ilyana lunged toward Mia's hand, intending to eat it right out of her palm. Unfortunately, Mia didn't realize this until it was too late, and thus suffered the fate of having the chocolate - as well as her fingers - devoured by the famished mage.
"Mmmmm~..." Ilyana hummed as she devoured the sweet treat, oblivious to the other objects in her mouth. Mia, meanwhile, was internally freaking out. 'Oh no not again not again she's eating my hand she's eating my hand I don't want to lose my fingers not like this-!' "...hm?" It was then Ilyana realized something off about the 'chocolate' she was tasting, and as she opened her eyes, she was met with Mia's own shocked emerald eyes and the sight of Mia's hand halfway in her mouth. Realizing what she was tasting wasn't only a piece of chocolate, Ilyana gasped, allowing Mia's fingers to safely escape. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't...mean to..." "N-Nah, it's fine, really!" Mia chuckled nervously. "I'm just happy you stopped before biting off my fingers or something. I kinda need those if I'm going to face my rival someday!"
Both girls giggled at the ridiculousness of their situation, before Mia spoke again. "Y'know, I don't think I've ever mentioned this before, but you're a pretty neat girl, Ilyana." "Huh…?" Ilyana blinked in confusion at the sudden praise. Mia scratched the back of her head sheepishly as she continued. "Sure, you're not that strong, or that social, and you could probably chew my arm off if you really felt like it, but I gotta admit you've grown on me. I kinda already considered us this before, but what do you say you and I be best friends?" There was a pause before Ilyana gave her response. "Y-yes." She spoke gently. "You...make me feel happy. And you always look out for me...and feed me, so..." The thunder mage gave Mia the brightest smile she had ever seen. "...I…enjoy being with you too, Mia. You're so nice, and you don't mind feeding me. I'd like to be your best friend." Mia squealed in excitement as she hugged Ilyana, who slowly reciprocated the gesture. "Yes! Oh wow, this is amazing!" Mia exclaimed quietly in excitement. "Don't you worry, Ilyana. I'm gonna stay by your side no matter what! I'll watch your back, and you watch mine. And we'll share lots and lots of food together, I promise!" Ilyana giggled happily. "That sounds...amazing. And…I'll do my best for you too!" The two shared a giggle, with Mia giving Ilyana a huge grin. "Now then, what do you say we commemorate this moment of best-friendship by finishing these chocolates before heading back to bed?" The excited, and hungry, glint in Ilyana's eyes was all the answer Mia needed.
Minutes later, an empty box of chocolates laid haphazardly on the floor as the two girls laid next to each other on Mia's bed, content smiles on their faces as they began drifting off to sleep. Only one thought coursed through their minds as sleep claimed them:
'Best midnight snack ever.'