Feh, hello! -returns- Um, what is there to say? Nothing. But I updated! O.O
Nino: -rapidly- She does not own Fire Emblem, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc
Miss Daisy: So now you can't sue her.
Winteress: -sigh- Review responses on bottom of page. Thankies.
Snow. I marveled at the feeling of the flakes on my face as I stood, head turned to the sky, eyes closed. It had been so long since I'd last felt snow. When had that been, anyway? Last winter I had been working for Lady Lyndis, in Caelin, where the weather was good year-round. At least two years ago...
It reminded me of home. Ilia.
I opened my eyes. This was not Ilia. This was not the home I had grown up in. This was the Black Fang fortress.
Yesterday, the three Lords had reached us safely, protecting Nils, and the enemy leader, a wyvern lord, had eventually fled. Lady Lyn had tracked her and the remainder of her group to the mountains, which had eventually led us to the enemy fortress.
Was this really a good idea? We were probably outnumbered, and venturing into enemy territory was not the best idea.
But if the Lords said we were, then we were.
Lord Hector and Lord Eliwood were convinced the Fire Emblem was hidden here. Apparently, they had overheard the Black Fang leader Sonia talking to the king yesterday, at the palace. However, they hadn't had a chance to speak to Queen Hellene.
"Okay!" called Mark. I jumped. The battle hadn't started yet; both sides were still assembling. Some bishop had come over and spoken to the Lords; I had been too far away to hear what he had said, however. Maybe I didn't want to know.
"You – over there!" he called. "And you – over there!" He pointed people in all different directions. I was sent east, along with Serra and several others, to get into the main area of the fortress. How many enemies lurked inside? I shivered nervously.
"How goes it, Florina?" demanded Serra as we moved forwards. The plucky cleric was hopping through the snow, trying in vain not to wet the hem of her skirt. "Well, would you look at that?" she said irritably, lifting a foot to show a soaked brown loafer. I wondered briefly why she didn't wear more sensible shoes.
"Goes what?" I asked, puzzled. I was riding Huey; my pegasus was walking calmly, oblivious to the snow.
"You know!" she said. "Have you been practicing what I showed you?" She stopped, and her eager eyes turned up to my face.
Oh. Not that. What should I tell her?
"Um...I'm sorry," I began glibly. "Maybe I just...can't do it..." I heaved a sigh.
Serra cocked her head thoughtfully. "Hm. Maybe not. I guess not everyone can be like me," she sighed dramatically. "You know, this is a secret, but I'll go ahead and tell you..." She glanced back and forth hurriedly, then stood on her tiptoes and whispered in my ear proudly: "I am actually a noblewoman of Etruria."
"Wha --?!" I jerked back, startling Huey and Serra. "R-Really?" Serra? A noble?
"Yes, I haven't told anyone, but I think they suspect as much," she said with another dramatic sigh, closing her eyes demurely, and walked on. "Don't I just exude a certain air of total superiority?"
A what? "Well...umm...I guess..." I murmured, trying to figure out what she had just said. "You kind of are like...like a princess."
"Oh!" Her eyes flew open, and she looked at me happily. "So you think so, too? I knew you would, Florina!" she shrieked joyfully. A few people stared at her, especially Hawkeye, who thought that battle was a serious matter that people didn't need to talk during.
"Yes, I..." I trailed off. "I've always thought you were...different from the other people..." Yeah. Very different, I thought a bit mischieviously, thinking of her perpetual habit of talking Erk's ear off.
"Yeah! Yeah!" she squealed enthusiastically.
"You're always bouncing around," I continued wistfully. "Popping up...and just...Just saying whatever you want...
"Wait, wait, wait!" She stopped again, and blinked at me. "Which one of those makes me seem like a princess?"
"I...uh...well..." I stuttered, flustered. I wasn't really talking about her being a princess; rather, I was speaking more of her personality.
"I...really did want to be more like you," I said softly. "So, I mustered my courage and approached you..." I smiled shyly. "I'm glad I did. We should stay friends."
"Aww! Florina!" Serra gave me a huge grin.
"Enough chit chat, girls!" called Mark. "Get on with it!"
We both rolled our eyes, and moved forwards to do battle.
Surprisingly, there were less Black Fang inside the fortress than we had expected. Mark had been worried about the number of enemies, but our small army took care of them easily.
I was just emerging back out into the snow, hair damp with sweat, breathing heavily, when I spotted Farina, trotting Murphy blithely through the snow, Lord Hector chasing after her.
Huh? What was up with that?
I edged Huey closer, close enough that I could hear them. Hopefully they wouldn't turn around and see me; but from what I could see, they were too busy.
"Hey, Farina! Wait up!" The young lord puffed as he struggled to catch up to Farina, his heavy armor hindering.
"What?" She turned angelically, halted, and waited for him to catch up. "Ah, Lord Hector," she greeted him. "I was just off to do battle worthy of my purse." Grinning slightly, she hefted her lance, then patted the money-pouch at her belt, and I wondered just how much she had demanded he pay her.
He frowned. "Yeah, about that purse. I heard about the going price for Ilian mercenaries from a henchman."
Henchman? Who had told Lord Hector about the price of Ilian mercenaries? The only other Ilian in the camp I could think of was Canas, and he certainly didn't seem like Hector's henchman.
Matthew. I should have known. The stupid thief knows everything.
Farina blinked, startled. "Eh?"
I noted she looked considerably nervous, which probably meant she had been way overpaid.
"Usually, they get paid by the battle, with no bonuses or anything," stated Lord Hector, putting his hands on his hips and making quite an imposing figure. "And..." he paused for effect – "he said 20,000 gold is way, way too much."
Twenty thousand gold? For Barigan's sake! I blinked at my sister, stunned. How had she even gotten Lord Hector to fall for a price like that?
Farina's mouth opened, like she was going to say something, then closed, cheeks red. "But..."
"Payment is determined by rank within the knightly order, right?" pressed Lord Hector. Farina looked at the ground. "At your level of ability, I'd say you're worth 2,000 gold, tops." He gave her an annoyed look.
Her head shot up, and I recognized some of that old Farina pep. "Never! I'm at 4,000 gold, I am!"
"What's that?" Hector took a step closer. "Four thousand?"
Farina looked decidedly uncomfortable, I noted. "Er..." she stuttered, sounding quite like me. It was good to know she wasn't always perfect.
"So what was all that about 20,000 gold, eh?" demanded Lord Hector, advancing closer. "Trying to pull one on me, weren't you!" He looked quite angry, and even I, only a spectator, was frightened.
My sister reined Murphy back quickly, discomfort showing clearly in her eyes. "N-No, not at all--never!" she stammered. That really does sound like me, I thought with a hint of humor. "I'd never do that!" she retorted, on stronger ground now. It's just," she began haltingly. I recognized the tone when she was trying to think of a suitable excuse. "I've been underpaid compared to my ability until now," she finished hurriedly.
Lord Hector raised his eyebrows. "Look me in the eye and say that again."
Farina ducked under his gaze, and quickly continued. "And isn't this assignment a long-term one? I might need food for my pegasus..." Grinning, she patted Murphy's neck, sure she was going to get out of it now.
"Right, right," he muttered. "So, what does a pegasus eat? Carrots?"
Her mouth opened wide in amazement – perhaps a little exaggerated. "Of course not! You would treat a pegasus like a common horse? How dare you!"
Murphy seemed to have no comment on this matter, rather, he bent his head and sniffed at a small plant poking out of the snow.
"Um, it is a horse," said Hector, eyeing Murphy.
"Wrong!" said Farina, sticking her nose in the air and waving her hand dramatically, and for a moment I was reminded of Serra. "Pegasi are noble animals! So, they must eat noble carrots, you see!"
Noble carrots? I blinked. Farina?
"Like I said, carrots!" repeated Lord Hector, irritatedly. "Now, give me back sixteen thousand!" He stepped forwards, and held out his hand.
"No no no!" exclaimed Farina, clearly unhappy. Quickly, she pulled Murphy back farther. "L-Listen-- I'll do the work I've been paid for. That should be enough, right? Now, watch me go!" Clapping her booted heels into Murphy's sides, he flapped into the air, Farina raising her lance triumphantly as she went.
"H-Hey, wait! Hey!" Lord Hector ran forwards a few steps, then halted, and shaded his eyes with one hand as he gazed up at the flying white form in the bright blue sky, a dot of blue marking its rider, sunlight illuminating it. Snow flurries descended from the sky, swirling in the rush of air left by Farina's ascent.
I sighed, and continued on. She was so lucky, to be able to talk freely.
"Hey, what are you doing here?" queried a voice, and I spun around, surprised.
It was Lord Hector.
"N-Nothing!" Did he know I'd been eavesdropping? Quickly, I spurred Huey forwards, my pegasus gliding a few feet above the ground, unhampered by the snow.
I couldn't focus on personal matters now. Right now, all that mattered was retrieving the Fire Emblem safely. I tried to force the thought into my head, but nagging thoughts of Lord Hector, my much-needed thanks, and Farina persisted.
I shut my eyes tightly, wanting them to go away. Let me concentrate, please! We have to get the Fire Emblem back!
Still, they lingered as our small army made its way towards the throne room.
Emotions were like snow. They could come quickly, in a rush, piling up, yet melt at once when the single first touch of heat came. Or they could freeze into ice, forming a cold, hard barrier that none could pass. So easily changed.
A/N: Yes, more shortness. x.X Seriously, I PROMISE next chappie will be longer. And next chappie the romance will ACTUALLy show up! WHEEE!! -goes hyper-
Miss Daisy: -.- And now, for the long awaited, REVIEW RESPONSES.
Quickening: That was sarcasm, wasn't it?
Miss Daisy: -.-;;
sessh: Well, your request has been granted! UPDATED-ness! Haha! Thanks for reviewing.
Lord Telecontari:Yeah, I mean, who wants FioraxGeitz? XD And thank you for the compliment; the script DOES have to be tweaked a lil if you know what I mean?
angel white: Yes. Heart Florina. XD Go KentxFiora! And thank you for all your compliments. -blushes- I do try to put funny things in, even if this is a romance/drama. XD
foxfiresword: Your review was for chappie 1, but thanks anyway!
Macross-Green: Great minds? I think we're just lazy. XD I will read your fics someday, I promise. (Nino: SOMEDAY.) Shut up, Nino! XD Ok, I'll get around to it at somepoint. Thanks for reviewing!
Lady Fencer: Ya know, you really gotta get around here more...you've only read to chapter two. o.O Yeah, I know your computer broke...XD Yey for Woodbark!
Malignant Plate: Yup, well, Florina assumes things. She's been seeing a lot of romance going around camp, even if it isn't really mentioned in the story. XD Yes, Kent is a nice boy...-drools- Farina Hector interaction, eh? THIS CHAPPIE! wh00t! As for ErkxNino, I like it, but only one-sided...Angsty Erk wanting Nino. XD I like ErkNinoJaffar triangles...XD Thanks for the review. :D
lzn64: More Hector, yesh! XD And yeah, I totally suck at supports, right now I'm concentrating more on beating Hector's route. X.x Ah well...good for you. (And you play the game for fic-ness, too, right? XD) Yey for fanfics! XD
Wewt! Thanks everyone! Review, please? -begging-
Nino: We'll give you candy! -hands out candy-
Winteress: AGH! NO! THAT'S MY HALLOWEEN CANDY! -snatches-
Nino: O.O;;
Miss Daisy: -locks candy in safe-
Quickening: -sigh- Where's Woodbark?
Nino: At a family reunion.
Quickening: WHAT THE-
Miss Daisy: -evil GLARE-
Quickening: -shuts up-Ah, okay! -sweatdrop-
Nino: Review, pleeeeaseeee?