Chapter Twenty

"Felicia," Corrin says, his tone like he's commenting on the weather. "Would you mind?"

"Of course, Lord Corrin!" Felicia chirps, stepping up to the boat's railing.

The part of the ocean they pass makes a beautiful ice sculpture. Felicia's truly outdone herself. No one would have ever guessed that a whirlpool had been about to start where the ice dips.

Corrin keeps his eyes on the ice until the ship's well and truly passed it. "Thank you. That was amazing, Felicia."

She giggles and rests against the railing beside him. "Of course, Lord Corrin. I aim to please."

He smiles and nudges her. She rests her head on his shoulder.

It's the calm before the storm, and he's going to relax for the most of it.

;;;

"How can you stand it?" Oboro says, scowling down at the people on deck.

From beside her, Hinata looks over with wide, curious eyes. "Stand what?"

"Them." Oboro motions to the Nohrians with a loathing that could poison. "Lord Takumi ordered you to look after the youngest Nohrian princess. We're teamed up with Nohrians, when just days ago we were killing them. They've been trying to kill us. I don't understand how you can keep being so happy."

Hinata tilts his head in concern and confusion. "Um, well, it helps that Lady Elise hasn't tried to kill us? I don't think she's ever even attacked one of us before. And she healed us, a lot, during that Deeprealm training."

"So there's one decent Nohrian," Oboro says begrudgingly. "And there probably are a few others out there, but we've been at war for years. That kind of history doesn't just go away. The Bloody Axe and her retainers joined our group. They've slaughtered our people on the battlefield."

"…I know how you feel," Hinata admits quietly. Oboro huffs, but he nudges her to look at him. "No one is expecting everyone to forgive and forget like that. Not even Cuckoo Corrin." She laughs, which was his goal. Oboro turns around to give him her full attention. "I don't think they're having it any easier, though. We've killed Nohrians. It's war. It's why I started getting to know Elise first. She's as innocent as a Nohrian is going to get. And, maybe one day I'll be ready to befriend the bloodthirsty Nohrians without wanting some vengeance."

Oboro processes it for a few minutes. Then she groans and growls, turning back to watch the train wreak that is the princesses and retainers trying to have a tea party. "Why do you have to reason everything?"

Hinata laughs, watching with her. "I'm just glad you talk to me."

"I'm not going to talk with them about my feelings."

"Would dare suggest it."

;;;

"Hm?" Hana tilts her head to look through the racks of supplies. "Is that you, Felicia?"

Felicia lets out a hum and brushes off her dress. "Oh. Hello, Hana."

"What's the matter?" Hana asks quickly, eyes darting around looking for damage. Felicia makes a confused noise, and she focuses back on the maid. "You don't look all that happy."

Felicia makes an aborted shrug motion. "Thank you for your concern. I… um… was just thinking about something. Had me worrying is all."

"Ahh," Hana nods, hands relaxing off of her sword. "That makes sense. Normally you only look like that after you've dropped something."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Felicia huffs.

"Nothing!" Hana laughs, glad to see the woman smiling again. "Anyways, what's bothering you?"

And… the smile's gone. Hana resists the urge to fidget as she waits for the abnormally quiet Felicia to collect her thoughts. "I guess... um… I'm just worried I've forgotten how to act around those with higher status then me."

"Oh?" Hana rocks back on her feet, surprised. "Why would you think that?"

Felicia flushes and fiddles with her hands. "Well, normally I spend time looking after Lord Corrin, and he's always insisting we're to be as informal as comfortable around him. But, with four of his siblings here, I'm worried about offending someone. Or spilling drinks on people. Or dropping dinner." Her face collapses in a heartbreaking frown.

"Do not worry about any of that, Felicia," Hana says confidently. She pats the woman as she goes to grab the teabags she came for. "I understand how hard it can be, trying to find a line between retainer and friend. Lady Sakura… I am honored to call her both my best friend and liege. But, I do not normally talk with the other Lords and Ladies outside of battle, for fear of being too informal."

"Oh," Felicia says quietly, helping Hana gather supplies. Hana sneakily takes the tea set and gives the maid sweets and such to carry. "You're usually so confident and fluent, I never would have guessed."

"The same goes for you," Hana says, wincing when she thinks about the broken plates from last night's dinner. "Maybe we can try to approach this problem together?"

Felicia looks at her with so much awe and hope, Hana can feel herself puff up and smile in response.

"I would like that very much," Felicia admits.

"We can start with the tea party," Hana says, taking note of the uncertain flicker on the pinkette's face. "The three Ladies and their retainers are there. I do not know about… uh… Lady Camilla's retainers, but Arthur seems very polite. And Subaki was born to a well-known family in Hoshido. I'll try getting to know the Nohrian traditions, and you try getting Subaki to teach you some formal, Hoshian customs."

"Thank you!" Felicia cries, looking relieved. She mutters something about 'hope it's better than the Lords' war meeting', but Hana isn't sure she caught it correctly. "I must give these calming teas to Rinkah and Kaze, but then I will come straight there. Shall we meet up later?"

"Let's do it."

;;;

"Azura?"

Her grip on the rail tightens minutely. She looks over her shoulder, smiling softly. "Hello Hayato."

"Hi," he says, coming up to her. He doesn't pick up on her angling away as she looks out over the ocean. "Why aren't you with the others?"

"Do you mean at the tea party?" Azura asks breezily. He nods. "They are holding it for the royal ladies and I am not one."

"Um…" Hayato looks over with surprise. "I'm pretty sure you are. Sakura invited you, didn't she? And weren't you Nohrian royalty before? I'm sure I heard Camilla say something about that."

Azura takes a deep breath. "Be as it may, I am not truly sisters with them. I grew up in Hoshido; there only as exchange for Corrin being taken to Nohr."

Hayato looks confused, not that Azura is paying attention to anything but his words. "I'm sure the Nohrian sisters would love to get to know you over tea. And I've heard stories of the five Hoshido siblings travelling to festivals. I am positive Sakura sees you as a sister."

"I would rather not talk about it," Azura says breezily. She pushes off the railing and walks away before her words register. "Good evening, Hayato."

"Wait!" Hayato calls, but she's already gone. "What was that all about?"

;;;

"Will you be fine sharing?"

"Of course, Corrin," Camilla coos. "Elise and I have done it before."

"Alright," Corrin huffs and stands nervously at the ship's door. "Okay. See you in the morning."

Elise runs up and tackles his middle. Corrin laughs and hugs her back. "Have a good night, big brother!"

"Good night, Elise," Corrin says, holding her tight. Not wanting to let go. Not wanting the peace to break.

But he does let go. Time moves on, no matter how much he wishes for a pause.

There are things to do.

"Camilla," Corrin says, opening his arms wide.

"Darling," Camilla coos, crushing Corrin against her. She laughs as he squawks. "Go, get some rest. We'll be fine."

Corrin nods and bids her goodnight. He closes the door softly, sighing a little and turning to face his older sister's retainers.

"Beruka?" Selena says, arms crossed and gazing at him like he's a piece of meat she's not sure she wants to buy. "Can you excuse us for a moment?"

"Don't kill him," Beruka simply says, melding into the shadows behind the redhead.

"Walk with me, Lord Corrin," Selena says, striding past him.

And he follows. Because today's turned his head upside-down, but Camilla taught him to never disobey a woman he trusts. And he trusts his family's retainers, more than he trusts himself sometimes.

Selena shuts the door to an empty room after he's in. He sits down on a crate, carefully taking the thing she thrusts out at him.

"Here," Selena practically lets it drop on him. "Zinnia says Kaze can use this until you have someone with a capture skill. And that she's sorry she messed up you recruiting Orochi."

"Wait, what?" Corrin blinks, gaze going between the list of instructions and the redhead. "What's this about Orochi?"

"We're supposed to have a lot more Hoshians on our side," Selena says, rolling her eyes. "She didn't say much; just that not having a person called Mozu meant we wouldn't get a few people until later."

"Oh my gosh," Corrin puts his head in his hands. "Can you please explain everything you know about the woman, Selena? I am… confused and I don't know what to do."

Selena barks a laugh and sits opposite him. "I completely understand. I was just as confused when I met her." An uncertain look crosses her face. "What do you know?"

"Were you the one she pulled through the portal?" Corrin asks.

"No," Selena cackles loudly. "I'm not crazy enough to stick a hand through a portal. I jumped in after she pulled them."

"Right," Corrin says blandly. "Not crazy."

Selena smiles cheekily. "Don't worry, Lord Corrin. That has nothing to do with you. I do know she's trying to help." Her face goes strangely sad and wistful. "Like we told her, we aren't leaving until all loose ends are tied up."

"So, you're staying?" Corrin asks, oddly hopeful. She raises an eyebrow. "You're not leaving?"

Her gaze is calculating. "We're staying until the war is over."

"Camilla will miss you," Corrin says, pleading. "I will miss you. So will Beruka."

Selena's smile is sharp. "There's a lot more people missing us right now."

"Until the war's over," Corrin says sadly. "Are you sure there's nothing I can do to convince you three?"

Selena straightens, eyes narrowing. "No. How'd you know?"

Corrin smiles dryly. "You're not the only one's dealing with time travelling crazy women."

Selena stares. Slowly shakes her head. "You'll have to tell me that story another time. I'm going to sleep."

"Wait!" Corrin stands up and looks frantic. "Please, is there anything else you can tell me?"

Selena shrugs. "I'm not best friends with the woman. Honestly, I don't care to know what she rambles about. Try asking the others, assuming you truly know who they are."

Corrin sighs at the barb. "Fair enough. Have a good night, Selena. Pleasant dreams."

She snorts and walks out of the room. Corrin sinks back onto the crate. He reads over the sheet of paper like a lifeline. He finds himself chuckling at the slang from Earth. It's a once-per-battle use, but it's better than nothing. He's glad they got the jail up and running.

Corrin nods to himself and goes to his room on the boat, ready to see what's on the script. He realizes he doesn't even want to know what may – and it's may now, not a for sure – be forced on him tomorrow when they reach land. He just wants to know who he's going to see.

What friends - people who don't know him - will join his team?

It's sad, but it's great.

;;;

"Will you need help re-dying this piece, Elise?" Camilla asks, holding out the strand of purple hair.

Elise giggles, careful not to shake her head. "Nope! This dye is supposed to last really long! This way we can match for a long, long time!"

Camilla smiles sweetly and goes back to braiding the blonde's hair. "You're so sweet, dear. Tilt you head down a bit, please."

Elise follows instructions, humming to fill in the silence. Camilla finishes the first row before the youngest speaks again. "Big sis?"

"Yes, dear?" Camilla hums, starting a new braid.

"…Do you think we can be a family again?"

To her credit, Camilla's fingers don't pause. She does have to redo the loop. "I think we can. If anyone can convince Xander to come to our side, it's Corrin."

"And Leo?"

Camilla laughs. "Our softie brother will come as soon as he sees us."

"Really?" Elise straightens, excited. Camilla tsks and gets her to bow her head again. "Do you think Leo would come that easy?"

No. "Of course," Camilla coos, undoing the knots. "He may choose to stay with Xander, just to give our brother support. As soon as Xander comes over, Leo won't hesitate to follow."

Elise giggles. "That's really nice of him. I guess we were kind of mean leaving him."

"When Xander hears father's orders, he won't hold it against us," Camilla says softly. "The order for my death will certainly have been sent out. If your retainers are correct, Leo won't be able to stop every report that mentions you." And maybe Xander will finally come to realize father is too far gone when he orders Elise's death.

"I hope Xander isn't too mad…" Elise says sadly, wringing her hands together. "But, maybe it will work out! The last time he got mad, Effie ended up becoming my retainer!"

Camilla chuckles and smooths out her sister's hair. "It's probably good you don't tell him you continued selling flowers."

"Oh," Elise shifts, eyes wide. "I hope Cassita is alright without me visiting."

"I'm sure she's fine," Camilla sooths. "We'll make sure to visit once this is all over."

"…Do you really think big brother can end the war?"

"If anyone can, it's bound to be Corrin."

;;;

Beruka is on the upper deck, tucked in the corner that allows full view of the ship deck below. The shadows hide her from the moonlight, and the waves hide the sounds of sharpening weapons. She is never truly relaxed, but this comes close.

Of course, it changes when the young Hoshido prince bursts through the nearby door. He crashes into the railing, breathing heavy and eyes glazed. He makes a pained sound, hands tightening on the rail, still unseeing to the open deck.

Beruka silently tsks at his lack of spatial awareness. She relaxes her grip on her weapons, sliding a few away and going back to sharpening the one.

It's strange, watching the young prince. Eventually, he blinks away the fog over his gaze. A few more minutes, and his breathing goes back to normal. Finally, he straightens, tilting his head up to the sky.

Beruka is more amused then she thought she'd be. Coping mechanisms. By the pyjamas, he must have been asleep. Nightmare, she's sure. Still, doesn't excuse those retainers letting him go on deck alone. She knows every other Hoshido citizen is asleep on this boat. Disappointment. She expected better.

In a few hours, Selena will wake Lady Elise's retainers, and Arthur will switch with Beruka.

Teamwork will not be easy with these Hoshidians. Tonight adds to her proof.

The assassin watches as he turns. Raises an eyebrow when he finally notices her.

"What are you doing here?" Prince Takumi asks, frazzled.

"I am on watch," Beruka says shortly.

"On-" he cuts off and shakes his head angrily. "We are at sea. There is nothing here to harm us."

Her eyebrow goes down. Beruka is as unimpressed as it comes. The silence stretches.

"Nightmare," Takumi coughs out, turning back to the railing. "I had a nightmare."

When she doesn't say anything, he sneaks a glance. She flicks up an eyebrow again, giving a particularly slow run across her dagger. Sadly, it doesn't intimidate him.

"I don't want to talk about it," Takumi says, sharply turning back to watch the front of the boat.

Beruka scoffs silently. Does he expect her to care?

Apparently, because he turns back and looks angry at her. "I don't trust you Nohrian scum not to slit my throat while I sleep."

Her lips tilt up; another long run down the dagger. He gulps, but she's a smidge impressed. At least the prince has some caution, and enough gall to say that to a trained assassin.

"Lady Camilla does not wish any of you dead, so we will not kill you," Beruka says simply.

Takumi glares. "We stopped you from killing us in the forest. That's proof enough that you won't manage to kill us."

Beruka smiles. He shudders. "Maybe so. Would you care to test it again?"

Takumi frowns thoughtfully. "No. I don't think we should."

Beruka nods slightly. "Alright."

The silence stretches again. Beruka wonders if there is something wrong with the prince as he starts to relax again. Eventually, he nods and bids her goodnight.

She nods, watching him go before dismissing the entire confrontation. She continues sharpening her weapons, and protecting the royalty below deck.

Maybe she can get Selena to convince the Hoshidian retainers to take a turn guarding.

;;;

Corrin doesn't realize what's itching at his mind at first. He wakes up groggily, hums as he gets ready for the day; and pauses before he leaves.

He hums a few lines again.

He's got a song stuck in his head.

An Earth song.

After all these years, he didn't even realize he could remember Earth songs.

He hums it a few more times until the words come back to him.

"I'm on a boat," he whispers under his breath. His smile widens and he bobs his head to an invisible beat. "I'm on a boat. Everybody look at me cause I'm sailin' on a boat."

He really shouldn't be so proud he remembers.

"I'm on a boat."

He should really stop.

"I'm on a boat."

But he isn't going to.

"Take a good hard look at the motherf'en boat."

;;;

Felicia is the first to ask. "Lord Corrin? Is there a reason you're saying you're on a boat?"

Corrin smiles at her. "It's a song I once heard. It's stuck in my head, so I thought I'd sing it out."

Felicia tries to remember if she's heard the song. No luck. "Well… alright."

;;;

"Corrin, darling," Camilla starts, confused. "Are you really that excited about being on a boat?"

Corrin pauses. He lies. "This is my first time at sea, so I guess I am pretty excited."

He doesn't notice the guilty expression she wears as he goes back to humming.

;;;

"Lord Corrin," Gunter says. "I'm glad you're excited to be on a boat, but if you swear again I will make you run laps until you can't breathe."

Corrin gulps and nods quickly. "Alright, Gunter. I'll just being going, bye."

;;;

"That doesn't seem like a good song," Elise says, nose crinkling.

"It's not what we're used to, that's for sure," Corrin says with a small laugh.

"D-does the s-song only ever r-repeat 'I'm on a b-boat'?" Sakura asks.

"Um, no," Corrin blushes, embarrassed. "That's just the chorus. I can't remember the rest."

"Oh," Sakura purses her lips.

"Is the rest of the song more melodic?" Elise asks.

Corrin pauses, opens and closes his mouth, and settles with, "Not in the way you're thinking."

;;;

Azura takes one look at Corrin, singing at the bow with his arms out, and walks away.

"I'm on a boat," she mutters. Then nods. She is most definitely the better singer.

;;;

"Say that one more time," Takumi growls, "and you won't be on a boat anymore."

Corrin wisely stops.

;;;

"You know," Hana starts, "as foreboding as that dark cloud over Cyrkensia is, I'm glad to be getting off this boat."

"Same," Selena says, Beruka nodding behind her. "It's terrible conditions for patrolling. And the salt water does nothing for my hair."

Hana and Oboro give her long looks. Oboro's face darkens. "I'll be glad when we get back to the Deeprealm."

"That way Lord Corrin is too busy to annoy everyone," Hana adds.

"I'm going on the first available realm-patrol," Oboro poses this as a no-argument demand.

"You can't solve all your problems with fighting," Subaki says.

"Watch me," Oboro and Effie say together. They turn and share dark looks.

"I'm sure the, er, people of those Deeprealms would be excited to have such formable women fighting to defend them," Arthur says.

Hinata laughs and pats him on the back. "Don't worry; we'll get you introduced to the Deeprealms soon. Then it will make sense."

"It never makes sense," Oboro grumbles.

"Then we shall eliminate the problems," Beruka says blankly. "We must not allow confusion from these Deeprealms to fracture us."

Selena smirks at the hesitant, and slightly accepting, looks aimed towards her partner. "I'm going to go prepare for landing."

Beruka raises an eyebrow and nods. "I shall report back before docking."

Beruka whistles loudly, and the Hoshidian retainers startle. Effie rolls her eyes when the assassin hops on the rail. Hana and Subaki shout and reach forwards when Beruka jumps off the boat.

"You guys are cute," Selena laughs, walking away.

Oboro gives a low groan as Beruka rides her dragon towards the smoke cloud.

A/N: (The song Corrin sings is: I'm on a Boat by The Lonely Island ft. T-Pain.) Fates has such a large cast… Anyone excited for Three Houses?

Thank you, Guest, for your review! Somehow Takumi is having normal angst levels… Maybe Nohr's level of crazy will change that. I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and thank you again for reviewing!

Thanks for reading! I hope everyone has a fantastic day