BloodyCrystal: Here it is, the interlude featuring Lani and Heath. Andit's early! Go me! Go me! Anyways...Some of you might be able to guess the scene, but we'll see about that. Remember, interlude means memory, so this happened a while ago.

Disclaimer: I don't own Fire Emblem 7, and I don't expect I ever will. After all, it's a Japanese game and I'm not Japanese.

Interlude: Beginnings of a Partnership

Lani sat up sharp, breathing deep. She was scared of that nightmare, for she was worried it had something to do with her future...

The young Tactician took stock of her surroundings with a fluid ease. We stopped at the castle of one of milord Pent's friends. His friend is letting us stay the night, and he's not even closeted with milord Pent and milady Louise because we all need a good night's sleep... Lani smiled slightly in remembrance of the yelling match she had engaged in about closeting Pent and Louise for reminisce about old times.

Sighing, Lani stood up, stretching in a way reminiscent of a cat. She opened the door to her room, and stepped out. Slipping among the shadows like a Thief or Assassin, the Tactician made her way to the greeting room, where she knew there was a fireplace and-more importantly-books.

She stepped into the room and started with surprise, as did the room's occupant. "Heath! What are you doing here? Why aren't you asleep?" she asked the Wyvern Lord.

"I haven't felt much like sleeping, recently," he replied. "And what about you, Lani? Why are you up?"

"I-I feel like reading some of these interesting books. After all, some of them may be books on tactics or strategies. I need to be able to do my job properly, after all," the young Tactician defended.

"Are you still upset that the old goat who owns this castle said you didn't know what you were doing, were too young and inexperienced, and would make too many 'stupid' mistakes?" From the look on Lani's face, Heath knew he was right.

"I-yes." She sounded like she hated to admit it, but Heath guessed that that was because she would have preferred to appear infallible. "I rushed through my training, so yes, I'm worried I don't know what I'm doing because of it."

"How do you mean, you rushed through your training?" Heath leaned forward, highly interested. After all, Lani always tried to appear calm, collected, and, well, perfect.

"I started training as a Tactician at age nine, two years after my best friends started serious sword-training. A Tactician's training is supposed to include many 'exercises' out in the field, not to mention quite a bit of book learning. However, I skipped all but one of the field exercises. The only other one field exercise I did was in Bern. Remember that girl who asked about me? I spent a month and a half at her house, being Tactician for the local soldiers. It was my first real command, because my first field exercise was with my teacher so he could stop any real mistakes from turning ugly."

"Did you ever meet your two friends again?" Heath asked.

"Yes; we crossed paths often enough, because we were training in the same general area."

"I mean after your training was done."

"Yes. I did," and there was something in Lani's voice that seemed melancholy, almost...sad. "One was still exactly the same. Unfortunately, he died shortly after I saw him again. The other had changed out of all recognition. He was bitter, and at least half-crazy. I had to lead a campaign against him, culminating with his death."

"I'm sorry I asked, Lani," Heath murmured, completely honest. After all, the Tactician looked like she might start crying. "But, Lani, you do need to sleep. You've got circles under your eyes, you're making stupid mistakes that only work because of how strong we all are, and you're practically falling asleep during planning sessions. So, please sleep."

"I can't!" the Tactician cried. She sounded so young that Heath did a double-take. He had never before realized how young the Tactician was, and he was sure that no one except Lady Lyndis had a good idea of exactly how old Lani was.

"Why not?" Heath asked, patiently. There's no way it's as bad as my nightmare, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

Lani turned slightly pink and looked at the floor. "I have...a nightmare. It...scares me...half to death. I can't sleep without having it."

Heath stared at her in wide-eyed amazement. Did I suddenly grow three heads, or something?

"You have a nightmare, too!" the Wyvern Lord blurted.

Lani's eyes widened considerably. To hear someone else tell her that they also had one...Lani opened her mouth to ask, but then shut it. After all, 'what is it' is a very personal question.

Having solved the enigma of the other early riser, the two began a conversation meant to keep them from falling into their own private nightmares. This quest would prove fruitless as they were both simply too tired, and the pair succumbed to the sweet oblivion that is sleep...

Lani woke at dawn, and started when she realized that not only had she slept, she had slept peacefully. What was different tonight? Then, she realized two things: that her and Heath were curled around each other on a cozy red couch, and that he was asleep! "Heath," she murmured. He came to immediately, then stared at her.

"Did I just-?"

"Yes. You were just sleeping. I was until a few moments ago. And we both slept peacefully..." she trailed off thoughtfully.

"Why don't we try this experiment again?" he asked with a grin.

"One of us will have to always have no roommate," she reminded him.

"I think we can do that," came the optimistic reply.

"After all, if we can both sleep peacefully..." they both trailed off together. Realizing what they had done, the two threw back their heads and laughed themselves senseless, barely able to stop before the others woke up...

BloodyCrystal: Well? What do you think? I think it's pretty cool, but that's just me. Anyways, please review. And I'll see you next time!