I don't own Fire Emblem.

Summary: In which we spend the rest of our free time for this 'week' with Byleth going shopping. Because you know what? Some fluff ain't going to kill us now.

Hopefully.

Log 36: Shop till you drop 1: Acceptance

After the hellscape that was Edelgard's backstory (like seriously, what the heck makes people think they can just play god all willy-nilly?), the ringing of Byleth's cell phone was almost a welcome sound for both of us. Still should probably change that nickname. Not the most appropriate one. Maybe something like 'opera gal'? That could work.

"Yes?" she greeted, getting a chuckle from Jeralt of all people. Huh… I guess someone decided to meet the folks. "Dad?"

Another chuckle, this time from Dorothea. Good. This isn't one of those prank calls. Absolutely suck if it somehow was to an extent. No one ever likes those. Not even Arthur. Dude is pretty chill on everything else. But when those fuckers calls, he declares righteous vengeance. Then proceeds to trip over a cord. It's kind of impressive, if it weren't so sad.

"Want to go shopping?" Dorothea inquired, silence falling over the professor. Eventually, a meek 'yes' echoed out from the other end. "Wonderful! I'll be there in a couple minutes!"

Hanging up, Byleth took a deep breath. Only to then realize what she had just agreed to. Bit late to back out now. Nonetheless, she made a beeline towards her bedroom. Here we find a lounging Sothis, just about ready to throw the 3DS into a wall. Don't do that. Nintendo stuff may be tough, but it's not invincible.

"Something wrong?" Byleth inquired, a look being her child's response. So carefully, she took the offending device away.

"Mrgrgrgr…" Sothis growled, glaring towards her guardian. "Give it back."

Byleth rolled her eyes, 3DS not being returned for the moment. I'm not entirely sure why Sothis would think she would just hand it back to her. Especially without knowing what made her frustrated in the first place.

"Not until you tell me why you're so pissed." the professor explained, watching her child look away. So she walked over to that particular part of the room. "If you don't, I'll take you shopping."
Sothis's gaze fell to the bed. Mutterings of something followed right after. Not that Mozu or I could actually hear what she's saying. So Byleth sat down beside her.

"Everytime I try to beat Victor and Victoria, I lose." Sothis muttered, feeling a hand pat her back. "What?"

Byleth took a deep breath.

"No matter what you do, you can't win that fight."

The words roll right on out, a reminder of life's futility at times. You can try to fight that force, but you'll never win that battle. Eventually, you'll have to accept that it's only inevitable.

"So Olivia dies every time?" Sothis remarked, vision flooded with images once more. She's napping, then a man walks in. Sword piercing into her stomach, it's over in an instant. The last thing she hears is him laughing as he picks her up. It hurts. It hurts. But it won't stop. It just loops on and on, refusing to let go.

"Sothis?" Byleth remarked, Sothis's gaze snapping back over to her. "To answer your question, there's nothing you can do except fight onward."

Sothis nodded, finding the 3DS back in her hands. Byleth sat back up and headed for the door. If she was lucky, Dorothea and Jeralt would be right outside. So you can imagine her surprise when she found Sothis standing with her.

"Good. I guess I can get you some actual clothes." Byleth remarked, Sothis shooting her a look. Byleth does have a point though. That outfit may work in the warmer months, but it's quite cold at the moment. Even if doesn't seem that it would be that way in the first place. That and it would make you look less like some strange preteen bum. Which I don't think anyone wants that. Though, I can't think of any reasons for one to want that.

Thankfully, a knock on the door brought an end to this awkward moment. Byleth pulled the door open, finding Jeralt and Dorothea on the other side.

"Hi dad." Byleth greeted, taking a deep breath. Sure, the topic of dating had never come up before. Let alone dating another girl. "Yes, she's my girlfriend."

Jeralt's gaze shifted to his daughter.

"Congrats." he answered, putting his hand on Byleth's shoulder. "You found someone who thinks the same of you. You're moving up in the world."

Byleth's face glowed pink, even more so as the drones picked them up for the trip to the entrance. Then's it's off to the shopping mall.