(Updated: Revision Chapter: 2-24-22)
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"I'm safe..." Arisa was finally able to breathe after she made a run from the clothing shop.
She did hiss a bit as the cut on her chest stung but luckily not to the point it was bleeding again.
"To think Sandy is like...the Fire Emblem version of Medea..." she shuddered at the thought of getting dragged to the back and being dressed up like some doll.
Yeah, she was more of the feminine tomboy but still...
"No wonder all of Byleth's muscle memories instantly reacted. Thank you, Byleth. I swear I'll run each time for your sake." She said as she looked down at her hands and patted her shoulder.
She looked around and noticed she had run near a small food stall. Her stomach growled, remembering she hadn't eaten, yet. Luckily her father had given her a small pouch of money. She's figuring out the money system in this world.
"Umm...how much for a chicken stick?" She walked up to the food stall bender and pointed to the cooking chicken sticks on the fire grill.
"2 copper coins each." The vendor said and she nodded.
She took out her pouch and pulled out 4 copper coins and handed them to them.
"I'll take two please." She said.
The vendor nodded and said to wait a bit since the chicken was just recently placed on the fire to cook. She nodded and sat down on a crate. Slightly swinging her legs, she looked around the village. She wondered how on earth she managed to get outside the clothing store again. She remembered she screamed at the top of her lungs and felt like things suddenly slowed down. She had closed her eyes just and when she opened them again, she was outside the store. She chose not to go in once again and instead ran before the females wondered where she was.
"Here you go, little lass." The vendor handed her the change with the food.
"Thank you." She smiled and waved goodbye.
She decided to walk around again, eating a chicken stick, and avoiding the clothing store on purpose. She wanted to settle her thoughts. Did she perhaps unconsciously use time pulse? She shook her head. No, that should not be possible. Sothis wasn't supposed to awaken till Byleth was around 20 years old. But she also questioned herself. She knew the Crest Stone was still in her heart. The emotions she has should have been sealed away till she went to the monastery. It was very faint, but her heart beats ever so gently. Was she a special case? Did her soul affect Byleth's body when she became one with it?
Oh good, she found a crate she could sit at.
After all, it has only been a few days since she arrived in this world. The wound on her chest was still healing but at most, she was allowed to walk around now. She decided to walk around the village that was now her home. She also walked around the company building that belonged to her father. The place the company was in was a secluded village deep in the forest that was made very difficult to get to. Walking around, she decided to think about a few things. Numbers were one thing she was trying to figure out. If Byleth is 5 years old now...that means she still had 15 years left till Garreg Mach. Meaning right now...hmmm...
Ugh. As much as she loved and hated math, there were times she would get the numbers wrong.
Byleth is 20-21 in part one of the stories. Dimitri, Edelgard and Claude are 17. So if her calculations are correct...those three are currently 2 years old. Byleth is older than them by two-three years. It's not much of a difference. Also, considering this, Mercedes should be around 7 years old now. And what about Lysithea...?
She was 15 when enrolled so...she's not even born yet. No, wait...Byleth is 4 years old. Born 1159...and this year is 1164. Lysithea is born next year! If that's the case, would the story change so much if she kidnapped her to save her from what will happen? Arisa sighed and mentally slapped herself for thinking that.
But, she could.
Maybe she should do it. Arisa honestly wants to save her. She's a cute kid. The girl had grown on her more and more as she watched the support conversation videos. She giggled a bit remembering the ending the girl had with Linhardt because honestly, it was a sweet ending. Arisa then suddenly groaned and pulled her hair in frustration. There were too many things in this damn equation she wanted to fix and also prevent.
ESPECIALLY BETWEEN EDELGARD AND RHEA!
"Arrghh...why is everything so complicated?!" She screeched.
"If that's the way you think now, I can't even imagine that you have patience."
A female voice she suddenly heard around her and she turned around and looked all over her surroundings but nothing. Weird.
"Did I imagine that?" She scratched her cheek in confusion.
"No, you did not. You ought to get used to it!" There it was again and it sounded...almost demanding.
Only a figure that she could see manifested itself before her, floating and smiling. With the same emerald green eyes she remembered, a certain green hair gremlin (GODDESS!), appeared before her in all her glory.
"Ahh! There, now you can see me. Well, I am very much awake thanks to that rude awakening from me saving your life! Keep in mind we share a body!" Sothis said as she pointed at Arisa with an accusing finger.
The girl just stared, and stared, and stared, and turned to stone. She even dropped her half-eat chicken stick.
Ah...Fidel sticks!
"What were you thinking?! Running towards those low lives and jumping in front of your father?! You seem to care so little about your life! Well, it's up to me to guide you. I am Sothis, also known as, The Beginning." She clapped her hands in joy and smiled at her.
Arisa was just staring at her with her jaw dropped open.
HOLD THE F**** UP! Sothis isn't supposed to awaken now!
"Well, you're still silent. Aren't you going to say anything? You should be honored that I am even showing myself before you!" Sothis said with a slight angry pout and crossed her arms.
Arisa finally snapped out of it and pinched her cheeks. She winced but that confirmed she wasn't asleep nor that it was a dream. She couldn't help but shout in surprise.
"How?! The last time I saw you, you had fallen asleep!" The girl screeched.
Thank goodness no one was around or else people would think she was crazy.
"How rude! But it was no thanks to you, I am now awake. Like I said before, it's up to me to guide you. There is more value in your life, you fool." She flicked her forehead.
"Ouch!" She was surprised she could feel that.
"Don't ever throw your life away like that again. We share a body but I care for your well-being." Sothis said as she floated closer to the girl.
She was worried about her. The look reminded her a lot of her older sisters and cousins. A look of worry and concern. Arisa smiled at her sadly and nodded. Being in a hospital the majority of her life made her appreciate how short life can be. Sicken at that time, she had chosen to live her life to the fullest. As if each day was her last.
"Alright. I'll be careful from now on." Arisa smiled at her kindly.
"For now," the girl jumped off the crate she was sitting on, and dusted her clothing down, "why don't we explore the village? Papa let me walk around." She said and Sothis nodded.
"Yes, I suppose that will do as well." She said.
The Progenitor Goddess couldn't help but let a small smile slip on her lips. Even with the internal turmoil of emotions this girl had, she was doing her best to take a few small steps to acceptance on her part. Arisa turned to her and smiled warmly.
"You wanna have a view of the village, don't you?" The girl said.
A small blush rose on Sothis's cheeks. She will never admit it but she really would love to explore the village. For some reason, she felt it has been a long, long, time since she has had this type of freedom. She did question why she and the girl shared the same body.
"No worries! Let's go, Sothis!" Arisa grinned and began running.
"One moment! I can only float so fast!" Sothis said and flew after her.
Curse having short legs and the body of a child!
Arisa couldn't help but laugh as she ran. The villagers were smiling, some were surprised. She guessed, she was just happy.
- Unknown Area -
On her knees, with arms spread wide, a woman sang as she worshipped the stone throne behind her. She sang and sang. The emotions of sorrow. She waited, she waited.
The woman suddenly gasped as she felt a very faint pulse. She turned to a stone coffin that was around 10 feet away. A smile on her lips formed as she stood up. Walking to the coffin, she placed her hand on it.
Ahh...so much emotion filled her. But was it too early? If this one was a failure as well, she will continue to make another. She shook her head but suddenly frowned. Something felt different. No...it felt very different. But she worried not. It would soon change when the time was right.
"Mother..."
- Back to the village-
Both Sothis and Arisa shivered for some reason.
"It's not even Autumn...I hope I'm not catching a cold." Arisa grumbled as she finished eating her chicken stick and also the 4 pastries she bought.
Her lips were covered in crumbs and she looked cute.
"Hopefully not. For now, we definitely should not return to that clothing shop. I can tell we will be running away each time." Sothis said.
Arisa nodded and used her sleeves to wipe off the crumbs and pointed a direction opposite the clothing shop.
"We could go to Florencio's medical shop. He sells herbs and medicines there." She said and Sothis thought for a moment.
"Hmmm...I am curious about what type of medicine you humans use at this time." Sothis said.
Honestly, Arisa wanted to know also. She was once a nurse in her old world. It was more of a side job since her main job was as a Professor but still. The two girls headed in that direction and a few minutes arrived at a nice-looking shop that smelled like witch hazel, rosemary, lavender, and a mixture of different herbs. The outside had a huge garden that was guarded with a barrier to keep thieves away. She walked through the path and reached the door, and opened it. A small bell rang as she walked in. The place looked nice and clean. On one side, was a full wall with hundreds of small drawers. Each one had a different label that said what herb was in it. It reminded her of Spirited Away.
"Kuy kuy!"
Sothis giggled as she saw something familiar. Small cute little blue balls of fluff the size of baby birds, chirped as she floated to them.
"Hello there!" She said excitedly.
"Kyyuuuuu!" They said and floated around her.
At least the ancient spirits could still see her. Arisa giggled as she walked in deeper. There were tables with rows of potions that were sold. Empty flasks. Bottles with perfumes and scented oils. Fresh plants growing in pots and a few hung from the ceiling. A small fire near the chimney. She spotted one or three cats asleep on the bookshelves.
"Oh?" Arisa muttered as she spotted an open book and climbed up a chair to look at it.
Her eyes began sparking as she released it was a medical book about herbs and their uses. She didn't notice that someone was behind her till Sothis yelled out to her.
"Lady Byleth? Aren't you supposed to be at the clothing store?" She turned to see it was Florencio.
She was caught off guard because he wasn't dressed in his usual clothing but instead a light blue long coat with long sleeves. He wore a purple shirt with black pants. His hair was tied up in a ponytail and he wore glasses.
"Oh, Florencio! Well...I...um...ran away from Sandy. Things got...scary." she muttered.
The poor man groaned into his hands. He knew it! That at some point Lady Byleth would become terrified of Sandy if she went to the clothing store!
"It's alright. My sister loves cute things. But, you could stay here for a bit if you want. I was just getting a couple of ingredients for a potion that was ordered." He smiled at her.
"Yeah, and that sister of yours traumatized us both!" Sothis yelled out and Arisa kept herself from snickering hearing that.
"Umm...can I watch?" She asked.
"I don't mind. Also, looks like you were trying to read my medical book?" He said.
She nodded.
"That isn't a medical book. It's about poisonous herbs and how to make them into something deadly." He said.
Arisa went a bit pale as did Sothis.
"Ooooohhhhhh...I had no idea. Umm...has anyone ever requested poison from you?" She asked.
Florencio just gave her a closed-eye smile and patted her head.
"At most a sleeping potion but that's about it." He chuckled.
Arisa inwardly frowned and Sothis just straight up narrowed her eyes. The two girls could tell that Florencio hid something behind that smile of his. Only Jeralt and Sandy know what it is. Now that she thought about it, she doesn't know anything about these two siblings. They never existed in the game. But one thing for sure is she knew was because of her years of reading light novels, you will meet people you never know existed. You will learn things that were not shown in the game. You will see things that aren't even in the story.
"Florencio, how did you meet my father?" She asked.
The man chuckled a bit nervously as he grabbed a chair and sat next to her. She did the same.
"(Whistle) bring the mint please." He ordered the small fluffy creatures.
"Kyyuuuuu!" They all said and flew towards the back of the shop.
"Wait, come back flufftrats!" Sothis said and went after them.
Arisa giggled.
"Wait...flufftrats?" She said.
Florencio raised an eyebrow at her.
"How did you know their names?" He asked.
"I heard Sandy say it once." She said.
She lied. She heard Sothis say it.
"Flufftrats are small little spirits that grow in the forest. People say they were the friends of...the spirits of the forest." He smiled.
She was sure he was going to say, goddess.
"Kyuuu!" Both turned to the back door as the little tiny army of fluff balls flew towards them with a tray of pastries and also two teacups, and a teapot.
"Thank you." She said to them and then did a quick nuzzle on her face.
She giggled and saw them fly back to Sothis, who was giggling mess as she followed them to the nearby chimney. She sat on a pillow and began talking to them. The cats in the shop woke up and walked over to where she was and plopped down on a pillow next to her. Sothis was a squealing mess.
"Well, let's see...How I met your father huh?" Florencio sighed as he poured tea for them.
It smelled good.
"Sandy and I aren't originally from here in Garreg Mach. Sandy is my adopted sister. I originally was a thief in the Empire and Sandy was an assassin from Almyra." He chuckled at the memory.
He didn't see the look of horror Arisa had and the shocked face Sothis had.
"Ah, brings back both good and bad memories. Sandy and I met when we were about 10 years old. She escaped Almyra because the royal family accused her father of treason. She was originally a noble. I'll let Sandy tell you about her life. As for me, wasn't raised in a good environment and pretty much stole money every day to survive. Eventually, I joined a group of thieves. Picked up medicine from the books we would steal from nobles. Truth be told, I eventually earned the name Doctor Death among the Black Market! Hahaha! Sandy was called the Bloody Rose!" He laughed proudly at that.
Arisa was just looking at him in shock and Sothis was shaking.
"Eventually, I was given a mission to assassinate....someone from a higher position." He said that last part a bit slowly.
"The plan backfired. Sandy and I ended up fighting your father on that fateful day. True to his name, The Blade Breaker. He destroyed Sandy's beloved sword with his bare hand. The poor woman was horrified and froze. The sword...was the last thing she had of her mother..." he smiled sadly.
Arisa was silent and Sothis continued to listen as the man spoke again.
"We end up gravely injured, my sister on the verge of death because she went into shock over her sword. That gave an opening for her to be struck. The higher up that we were supposed to assassinate...made a deal with us." He said that last part a bit bitterly.
Arisa somehow knew he was talking about Rhea. The woman may have the smile of a saint but it never did reach her eyes.
"In exchange, we tell her who sent us to assassinate them and pledge loyalty to them, they would save me and my sister. And as a bonus, Jeralt offered to have Sandy's sword repaired. Honestly, it felt as if we were making a deal with the devil." He chuckled dryly.
He took a sip of his tea and sighed.
"Do you regret your decision?" Arisa asked.
Florencio stared at her for a moment but smiled sadly.
"I don't. Because if I never accepted that deal, I wouldn't be where I am now. Talking to you, being Jeralt's advisor, Sandy smiled. I would be missing out on all this." He patted her head.
"A little fun fact. I used to have a wife. Also a son." He said.
Arisa could hear the sadness in his voice despite him trying to hide it.
"If it is alright...can I ask what happened? Where are they?" She said.
Florencio looked towards the fire and spoke softly.
"My wife passed away after she gave birth to our son. A few days later…my son passed away because his body was too weak..." he whispered.
Sothis gasped as she covered her mouth and Arisa looked at the man sadly. This most likely explained why Florencio would treat the children of the village kindly. Why he loves flowers and does what he does.
He would dress similarly to his wife. He does things he loved to do with her. Her eyes looked at him sadly as he gave her a sad but warm smile.
"If my son was alive, he would be around 30 years old right now. I would be a proud grandpa!" He laughed proudly at that.
"So you're already calling yourself an old man?" Arisa smirked.
The man froze and whimpered hearing that. Sothis was snickering as she floated towards them and wrapped her arms around Arisa's neck, resting her chin on top of her head.
"Honestly, it's interesting hearing these stories you humans have. I think we'll be having a lot of fun till you reach adulthood." Sothis giggled.
Florencio coughed and chuckled a bit worried.
"I wouldn't exactly say I'm old..." he said.
"But...I haven't aged in 93 years...neither have...sigh...damn this blood I drank..." he mentally thought as he saw the girl take a sip of tea.
Arisa hummed at the mint tea taste and he couldn't help but smile.
"But then again...I would never have been able to live this life I have now. Better than...serving Rhea..." he closed his eyes as he drank.
"Oh, Florencio." He opened his eyes as Arisa spoke to him.
"If it is alright, can you teach me about medicine here? I want to be a doctor when I'm older but I will still also remain mercenary." She said.
Florencio nearly spits his tea out in shock. The part of being a mercenary was expected since she was Jeralt's daughter but a doctor like him?
"I can't properly read yet but I was able to understand a certain amount when I read a couple of pages from the book." She said and he decided to listen.
"The first paragraph I was reading was about how you can tell if a mushroom is edible or not. Unfortunately, the only way you can tell is by tasting. But a small amount of course. If the taste is like a burning sensation, it is poisonous. But, there is another way to tell if it is poisonous." She said and made a ring-like shape with her hands.
"Mushrooms with white gills are often poisonous. So are those with a ring around the stem and those with a volva. Because the vulva is often underground, it's important to dig around the base of a mushroom to look for it. Mushrooms with red color on the cap or stem are also either poisonous or strongly hallucinogenic." She said.
Florencio couldn't help but smirk hearing this. For him, this was common knowledge. Though unfortunately the only way he learned what was poisonous and such was through taste but to be able to tell just by looking at it and looking for certain features, he must say, he is impressed. Indeed, there had to be another way other than taste.
"I'm impressed. Even if you couldn't properly read it, you were still able to understand enough." He crossed his legs and smiled.
"I'll talk to your father about it. Besides, you seem to be the type to enjoy exploring new things." He said.
"Well...I honestly want to become a professor one day but I still want to learn things like being a doctor and mercenary if things don't work out. Hehe..." Arisa chuckled a bit nervously.
"Wait a professor?!" Florencio screeched.
Sothis and Arisa hissed at the pitch of his voice.
"Yeah. I wanna teach astronomy and math!" She said confidently with a glint in her eye.
Oh no no no...
A professor...a professor of all things?! Then that would mean she could end up...
"Wait, what's astronomy?" He said.
"The study of the stars and cosmos!" She huffed.
"Uhh...okay. I'll talk to your father about it. For now, why don't I teach you how to read and write to prepare you. Don't think you are escaping your studies, young lady!" He said.
"Of course not! I'm a proud daughter of a mercenary! Studying doesn't scare me!" She said back.
Florencio chuckled and patted her head.
"We'll see about that. Also," he tipped his head a bit, "I'll go with you to the clothing store. Sandy and the others won't dress you up if I'm there with you." He said.
"Thank you!" Arisa said in pure joy.
After the talk, they indeed went to the clothing store together. The girl was spared from the nightmare of clothing the woman had chosen. Sandy begged her brother to let them have Arisa try one on but the man stood strong and defended the girl.
"Sigh...instead of those horrendous dresses with frills, why not something simple like this?" Florencio sighed as he walked up to one of the dress shelves and picked a nice long sleeve black dress that stopped just above her ankles. He also picked a simple short fluffy white coat and some black boots.
"Go try them on." He said as he handed it to her and she thanked him.
She dashed to the dressing room.
"Wwwhwyyyyyyyyy?!" Sandy screeched to him.
"Because you have a horrible sense of fashion! Even children these days know that frills are a horror to work with!" Florencio said.
Sandy sighed but couldn't help but giggle.
"This brings back memories." She smiled sadly as she crossed her arms and leaned on the wall a bit.
Florencio sighed and knew what was coming.
"Back in the day, Dolca would always wait for the perfect chance to dress you up. At first, you didn't like it but as time went by, you grew into it. You know," she looked at him up and down, "I'm surprised you're not wearing your dress today. You were earlier." She said.
Dolca was his deceased wife.
"I was working in the medical shop. You know I don't like wearing my dresses when I am working! Reminds me of the time Adam and the others made me wear the stupid pink dress." He said back.
She shrugged but looked towards the back area where Arisa was changing in the room.
"Hey...do you think she'll...age like a normal human?" She suddenly asked.
Florencio frowned.
"Unfortunately, there is a good chance she will outlive her beloved if she ever gets married. We aren't...normal anymore exactly...not since..." he whispered and Sandy also frowned.
"Yeah...I do wonder sometimes how things turned out in Almyra. It's been 93 years..." she whispered that last sentence and Florencio sighed.
They heard footsteps approaching and Sandy instantly cooed.
"What do you think?" Arisa smiled as she twirled.
"The dress matches you well with your green hair and eyes. Also, the reason I chose the small fur coat is that it gets really cold at night. The dress can be worn without the coat and still look nice." Florencio said.
Arisa nodded and went back to have the clothing taken off and have it packed. After all, she was just here to pick up the clothing that has already been ordered for her. When that was done, the three left the shop and began to head back to the company. That was until Sandy and Florencio noticed the man dressed in a gray pristine clean uniform was in front of the company. Arisa raised an eyebrow and Sandy quickly stood in front of her as Florencio walked up to the man.
"Good morning, Mr. Messenger! Lovely day is it not?" The purple-haired man said to the uninformed one.
The messenger turned towards him and nodded.
"It is! Just came back from the Kingdom! I came to deliver the letters like usual. I'll be truthful with you Florencio.." the messenger said as he handed him a medium size pile of letters tied together, "Request for mercenaries is increasing. I get it's good for the business but I'm honestly worried for the safety of the citizens. The beast has gotten...bolder." he said.
Florencio sighed and nodded.
"Thank you. You know well, Jeralt's company prioritizes the safety of the people." Florencio said.
"I know. Oh?" He looked behind Florencio and noticed Sandy, but also noticed a child, Arisa.
"Is that Jeralt's daughter? I thought the child d-!" The man suddenly flinched at the smile Florencio's closed eye smile.
"I would appreciate it if you didn't say another word about that. Do not say one word that you saw this child. She does not exist-!" Florencio turned around quickly as he heard familiar footsteps approaching.
"No no!" He and his sister thought as Byleth was now next to him.
"Hello, Mr. Messenger! I'm Arisa! So you know Uncle Jeralt?" Arisa smiled sweetly.
"Uncle?" Mr. Messenger said confused.
"Yup! I'm Uncle Jeralt's niece! Sandy is my mama!" She said.
Sandy suddenly began coughing hearing that. grinned and pointed at Sandy.
"I knew it! I win the bet! So you did marry Seteth! I knew it!" He said.
Florencio looked pale as paper and Sandy was just a coughing mess as her face was turning red.
"I DID NOT! I MARRIED SOMEONE ELSE!" She yelled at the messenger who was a laughing mess.
"Keep denying it all you want! I knew it! I win 2 silver coins! Yahoo! Goodbye, everyone! I gotta go tell the others! Ahahah! I knew it!" Mr. Messenger laughed and left running, to save his skin from Sandy's wrath.
"COME BACK HERE MAGGOT! I'LL SKIN YOU ALIVE IF YOU SAY ANYTHING LIKE THAT!" The woman yelled as she ran after him with her sword out.
Many that witnessed the scenario laughed and Florencio just sent a dry look to Arisa.
"Was that necessary...?" The man asked dryly.
Arisa giggled.
"If it saves you trouble, then sure. But the way, who is Seteth?" She asked.
She already knew and decided to play dumb.
"Sandy's ex-lover. That's all you need to know." He said picked her up and sat her on his shoulder.
"Let's go...I need a drink after this whole ordeal..." the man groaned.
"Also, Arisa? I never heard of such a name." He said as he walked.
"It's my nickname I decided to give myself." She said.
Truthfully, Arisa wanted to at least have something from her past life. At most, her former name as her nickname was enough. The girl looked over to his left shoulder since she was on the right, and there Sothis was, sitting and laughing mess from watching everything.
"Hahahahaah! I can't breathe! That was amazing!" Sothis laughed.
"Why does my left shoulder feel heavy...?" Florencio thought and just shook his head.
He swears Sandy will never live it down.
"By the way, what's a boyfriend?" Sothis said and Arisa snickered.
"An another form of saying (lover)." Arisa mentally snickered.
After a few more minutes, Florencio put the girl down and sighed.
"I'm going to be in my office unpacking these letters and having them set up soon. And I think you better run to your room and lock it. Sandy is coming to hunt you down." He said.
Arisa turned pale and bolted like a firestorm was after her. Florencio couldn't help but chuckled as he walked into his office, closing the door shut. Walking to his desk, he flopped down on his chair and took out the pile of letters. He sighed.
"Why did Seteth have to be mentioned...?" He groaned into his hands as he rested his elbows on the table.
The Imperial year 1159...the year Lady Byleth was born.
Florencio lightly growled. He can not forgive that...woman...for whatever she did to Jeralt's daughter. It explained why Jeralt went so far as to set part of the monastery on fire. His loyalty was towards Jeralt, regardless, of that woman that saved his and his sister's life. He knew the smile she wore never reached her eyes. That smile she wore, was nothing but sick and fake. Like she looked down on humans and saw them below her.
"Three months...three months...was enough for me to see when you let your guard down," he whispered.
He sighed again and just decided to stop thinking about those days of the past. He noticed a strange blue-colored letter with a wax seal on it. The Symbol of a Crest…of a certain house.
"Oh no...oh no no no..." panic began to rise in his chest as he took his knife and broke the wax seal open.
His eyes went wide and he screamed so loud someone thought the company was on fire.
"JERALT! YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS!" He bolted out of his office to find the older man.
Florencio wanted nothing more than to pass out but also burn the letter but unfortunately, that would mean the owner who sent the letter would view them as enemies. As he bolted down the hallway, Sandy was heading towards the office raised an eyebrow as her brother bolted right past her.
"What on earth is going on?" She muttered and headed straight to his office to find the reason.
Once she arrived, straight to his desk she went and spotted the blue envelope. She recognized the texture and a bead of sweat rolled down her face. She knew damn well what type of paper was used for the letter as she pulled it out of the envelope. Reading it, she couldn't help but let an almost feral smile appear on her lips. Her old habit whenever nobility was involved. She took a deep breath and continued to read it.
"So that's what's going on. So we're guarding the King and his family. I'm surprised he even remembers us after all these years." The woman said and sighed.
Luck always seems to have a way of finding its way to them.
"Sandy, where's Jeralt!?" Florencio yelled and she just groans.
"He's out in the entrance of the village! Remember, today the steel supplies came in!" She said.
Sandy sighed and rubbed her forehead, thinking where on earth did she go wrong in raising her brother. But she smiled. She rather sees him being himself, dressing up in cute clothing than be left out and isolated when they were part of...the church. Florencio was a believer in the Teachings of Serios but he also respected other faiths. She continued to practice her faith, despite how she was once part of that damn church. Her loyalty was to Jeralt, not that woman. And certainly, she would not tolerate any discrimination against her people or others. Especially...even if she had to part ways with...she shook her head. Why did the messenger have to mention Seteth?
"Hey, Florence!" That was his nickname, "Make sure to also give the document that has the list of medical herbs needed!" She yelled out.
- Later at Night: Discussion-
"So, are you planning to accept the letter?" Sandy said as they were in the meeting room.
There were around 12 people in the room, half men and half women. Jeralt sighed as he was reading the letter that was given to him by Florencio.
"Well, the amount we are being paid is good. Guess it wouldn't hurt to see how others are doing." He said.
"I'm more worried that someone from The Knights of Serios will be there," Florencio said.
"Hey, if they try anything on the boss, we'll gladly fight back!" One woman said.
"Our loyalty is to him and Lady Byleth! No way are we gonna ditch the boss and his kid just because we are mercenaries!" A man said.
"It's also one of the main reasons why a bunch of us chose to leave!" Another said.
"Alright, calm down everyone," Jeralt yelled out and the room went silent.
"We will be taking this job. I trust our team is prepared for the harsh journey. That place is like a snowstorm." He said.
"My team and I will be the medics for the group. Three of the men will be in the offensive team and the other three will be in the defensive." Florencio said.
The six men nodded.
"My team will be ready to strike the shadows should there be any Assassins. The other three will have the magic barriers set. Jeralt, you can count on us." Sandy said.
The entire team got the information quickly vowed and did their salutes.
"I know I can. We have three days to get everything ready. Start getting supplies, and get your things packed. Make sure also wear warm clothing that is easy to move in." He said.
"Quick question." Someone said and Jeralt raised an eyebrow.
"Will..um...you be taking Lady Byleth with us or is she staying behind?" They asked.
"I'LL BE GOING THAT'S WHAT!"
Jeralt didn't even get a chance to speak when they heard small footsteps go inside the meeting room and ran towards him. He looked down and saw his daughter looking at him with a certain glint in her eyes that he recognized far too well.
"I'm not getting left behind, Papa!" She pointed at him.
"Pfft...!" One of the women went into a bit of a giggling fit and a few others chuckled at this.
"You are not coming," Jeralt said with a straight face.
As much as Arisa wished she dared to purposely throw a tantrum like an actual four-year-old, her adult heart just couldn't do it.
"You will be staying Elder Bara. And that is final." Jeralt said as he crossed his arms.
Arisa pouted and crossed her arms, mocking him. Everyone else was trying not to burst out laughing, seeing this.
"Then at least bring me a souvenir. Like a puppy!" She said.
A couple lost it and were laughing, holding their stomachs. Even Sandy and Florencio were having a hard time trying to keep their composers.
- Much Later at night -
"Arrghhhhhh! I can't believe it! It's only been like what, a few days since I arrived and already I'm getting treated like a child. Well...technically, physically I am a child but...sigh...forget it!" Arisa threw her pillow at her bed as she was sitting next to a miniature pile of stuffed animals that she learned was gifted to Byleth from Sandy.
"Are you really gonna stay?" Sothis said from her bed.
The goddess was laying down on her stomach, with her elbows propped and resting her chin in her palms.
"I can't do much. Dad…Yikes… it's strange calling Jeralt that. Going to take a while to get used to." Arisa shook her head, "As I said, Dad said I was going to stay with the village elder. I guess it makes sense. Since we did hear that entire meeting. The adults assumed I only heard that they were going out on a job." She said.
Sothis smirked.
"Technically, your soul is much older than what you physically look like. So, why not, rebel, a bit?" Sothis said with a too chipper smile.
"You have a point," Arisa said.
The smile on Sothis was gone and replaced with one of shock.
"I remember during my pre-teen years, around then I was 13 to 16 years old, I was pretty much more open. I tried so many different things. I'm still a bibliophile of course but I would try many things other than books. Archery, martial arts, video games (Sothis: video?), rock climbing, and a lot more. One thing I was good at was sneaking around. When I was around 14, I began practicing walking quietly so I wouldn't make so much noise. That resulted in me learning how to walk without making a single sound. This caused me to unintentionally scare people when I would walk behind them, or they would not notice that I was behind them at all. My friends would get scared of me. Especially my friend Theresa, who would get scared easily." Arisa said and smiled as old memories resurface.
Theresa was someone she met during her time in the hospital. Now, the girl was the opposite of Arisa. A healthy body, cheerfully attitude but also... a very dark sense of humor. Theresa loved horror, the horror! Arisa hated horror movies! If we put it in different terms, Arisa was Ladybug and Theresa was Car Noir.
She shook her head and smiled again, placing her index finger on her cheek and smiling.
"I know what to do!" She grinned and Sothis flew to her quickly.
"Please don't tell me you're going to sneak into the barrel and pretend that there is fruit in it like some kid from a book about djinns and dungeons?" Sothis said.
"So you saw my memories about Magi?" Arisa smiled.
Sothis huffed.
"So what if I did?! Though I must admit that man Sinbad is...siiiiigghhhhhh..." Sothis gave a dreamy sigh.
Arisa just snickered.
"We got three days, Sothis! 3 days to plan our sneak-in!" Arisa said excitedly, ran to the desk, and took out a blank journal she bought.
Grabbing her charcoal pencil, the two girls grinned at each other and nodded. 3 days to plan and execute their plan. If Theresa was with them, she would most likely give them a huge thumbs up.
Neither one knew that this adventure would cause the first major changes in the future that is yet to come.
Chapter 2: Clear Clouds: Sound and Unsure: End
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For information regarding Florencio and Sandana (Sandy) as well as other future OC characters, please refer to my book, Shards of Memories and Songs.