Mist led Samus to the market where they spent their evening picking out Ike's favorite things. They conversed in low tones regarding Ike and his favorite meals in between discussions of one of the strangest love stories Mist had ever heard.
"How long have you known Ike?"
"…. A while." Samus said, again in that strange evasive way of hers. Mist wasn't sure whether she was trying to hide something from her or simply didn't know herself. "I didn't notice him, at first."
Mist giggled. "Really?" She found that almost impossible to believe, considering Ike's continent wide fame, but something about the way Samus spoke gave her the impression she was being completely honest.
"I was trying to focus on the fight." Samus explained. "There were enemies of mine on the other side, and I was focused on fighting them with all of my strength. I had no time or interest in associating with other Smashers."
That term, Smasher, stuck out to her as being particularly odd and out of place. Much like the Smash Brother organization or fellowship that Samus had described earlier. Mist surmised that this must be how the Smash Brothers referred to themselves.
"So Ike noticed you first?" Mist inquired. Samus shook her head.
"I'm not sure." She admitted. "It is likely. I am one of the original twelve… The Twelve Chosen by the Hand. It is doubtful that he did not know who I was."
The Hand was another term that Mist didn't quite understand. But by the way that Samus was talking, It was likely some kind of organization, some kind of King. Or maybe some other kind of governing body.
And what did she mean by original twelve? How many of them were there? And Ike wasn't one of them? The way Samus was talking, it was beginning to sound like Ike had fallen in love with a superior officer. The thought amused her.
"So you fought alongside each other." She said. "And you fell in love?"
"No." Samus said, surprising her. "We became friends first."
"Friends?" Mist echoed.
"Yes." Samus said. "He asked me what I fought for."
"He what?"
"He asked me what I was fighting for." Samus repeated. "I told him that it was all I had ever done, and he told me that he was the same way."
She paused.
"It's a silly thing." She said. "But I think that's when we became friends. Even if we hadn't…" Her cheeks went pink again. "Decided to get married… We would still be rather close. A lot of us are, to a certain extent. But Ike is one of those that… well, he's friends with almost everyone, really." She shrugged helplessly. "We differ in that respect." She said. "I hardly have any friends at all… and the one friend I did have I decided to marry."
She gave mist a look. "Does that mean I lose a friend?"
The question was so sudden, so out of nowhere, and so ridiculous, that Mist could not help but burst out laughing. Samus didn't seem to understand what was so funny. She looked shocked, and even a little offended than anything.
"What did I say?" She asked. "What did I say?"
Mist shook her head and tried to contain herself. Clearly Samus wasn't as amused by this as she was. She looked confused more than anything.
"It's nothing." Mist said, calming herself down a little. "I don't think… I don't think you have anything to worry about."
Samus still looked a little confused. Mist returned her attention back to her shopping. The entire conversation had been derailed, and she found it difficult to broach the subject back onto Ike and Samus. She still, she realized, knew very little about Samus herself.
They finished their shopping and were about to leave the market when they were stopped by an older woman.
"Oh Mist…" The woman breathed. "Is it true? Has your brother finally…?"
"He has!" Mist chirped brightly. "I just saw him!"
The woman let out an elated sound and spoke more rapidly.
"And he has brought back a bride?'
Mist turned to Samus, who she noticed was pretending to be checking the bags for missing items. She turned back to the woman.
"He is." She affirmed. "I've only just met her… but she seems really nice."
The woman let them go with a wave and a smile. Mist and Samus headed off down the path back to their home, Samus looking rather relieved. That was another thing she and Ike had in common. A lack of interest in being the topic of gossip.
"I'm sure Our Company is going to want to meet you." Mist told her. "There may be someone waiting for us when we get back."
Samus, as she expected, looked somewhat reluctant and awkward. She was just a little bit shy. Mist smiled at her. "I'll be fine." She assured her. "Ike will introduce you, I'm sure."
They came home to find no one had yet returned. Her own children were out playing, but Ike and her husband had not returned. Samus set the things on the table and helped Mist put the things away into their cupboards.
"I hope they're not eating with the men…" Mist sighed, as she glanced across her things. "I'd hate to cook for everyone and have it all go to waste…"
"Well, why don't we go see them then?" Samus suggested.
"I suppose we may as well." Mist said. "But I suppose I better tell the kids we're going down there…"
She looked out the window hopelessly.
"But I have no idea where they are right now."
Samus giggled. "Should we go and find them?"
"Oh, they'll find their way back eventually." Mist said as she turned away from the window. "I just hope they've eaten…"
"I can't imagine how difficult it would be to have children." Samus confided in her. "I'm not sure if I could do it."
"Well you'll have your own with Ike soon enough." Mist told her, grinning. Samus went pink.
"Oh…" She said. She turned away from her. She seemed kind of upset.
"What's wrong?" Mist asked, stepping up beside her.
"I don't know a thing about children." Samus admitted. Mist had to stop herself from laughing.
"You'll figure it out, I'm sure." She said, patting her arm affectionately. "Ike's wonderful with kids… you'll be fine."
"I have no idea what to expect." Samus told her. "Will it be difficult?"
"Very." Mist said. "But it will be worth it." Samus turned her head away from her.
"… Will it?" Samus asked. "I don't think I'm cut out to be a Mother."
Mist leaned in closer to her. "You told me that a couple of years ago you thought you would never get married, right? And then you fell in love with Ike. Having a child is no different, really. It's a lot easier than what you may think."
She giggled. "It can even be fun!"
"Fun…?" Samus echoed. "I'm not sure… if I'll time for fun."
"Samus…." Mist said. "You can do this. You want to do it, right?"
"I want… to spend my life with Ike." Samus said slowly. "I'm certain of that much. But actual children…?"
She shook her head. "I'm not sure."
"Have you spoken with him about it at all?" Mist asked anxiously.
"I have not."
"Why?"
"I'm afraid of upsetting him."
Mist sighed. "Samus, you need to be honest with him." She said.
"I'm not lying to him-"
"I know you're not." Mist interjected. "But if something is wrong… if you're worried about something… he needs to know. Especially when it involves your children."
Samus sighed.
"Tell me Mist." She said. "Am I making the right decision? Should I marry him if I'm having these kinds of concerns?"
"Of course you should." Mist said, surprised. "You love him, don't you?"
Samus didn't answer, but Mist was beginning to recognize that pink tinge to her cheeks.
"Look." Mist said. "As soon as Ike gets back, I want you to talk to him about this. Alright?"
Samus didn't answer.
"Alright?"
"Yes." Samus said quietly. "I will."
"Good." Mist said. "Now… how do you feel about learning how to cook?"
Samus gave her a sharp look. "What?"
"You said you didn't know how to cook." Mist repeated. "So I thought you'd like to learn."
"Uh-" Samus shook her head. "I don't really-"
"You won't know how it goes until you try." Mist said firmly, grabbing her arm. "Come on, we'll make something for Ike together. You do the work and I'll walk you through the steps."
"But-"
She looked completely hopeless at first, but at Mist's pushing her expression suddenly became very determined.
"Very well." She said. "I will…. Cook."
What followed was a rather enjoyable two hours in which Mist instructed Samus on preparing meats, baking bread, and cutting up vegetables. Samus, it seemed, had absolutely no experience in the kitchen. She fumbled about with basic tools and even failed to recognize certain vegetables, forcing Mist to babysit her throughout the entire process. However, she was more than capable of learning, and when all was said and done everything seemed to be perfectly edible.
"A little more practice and you'll be as good as me." Mist beamed.
"You think so?" Samus asked apprehensively, as she poked the meat with a fork. "I only did what you told me to do…"
"No no, you did great." Mist assured her. "Um. If only your future husband was here to taste it…."
Samus went pink again as she turned around in the kitchen.
"Where could they be?" She asked. "What could they be doing?"
Mist walked past her and looked back out the window and down the road.
"Oh!" She said. "He's coming!" Not only that, he was with Boyd and Titania as well. They were chatting happily among themselves as they stepped down the road.
Mist felt a strong burst of wind hit her, and she turned around to see Samus quickly making her way to the front door. She hurriedly stepped out after her and into the road.
They had stopped in front of the house and watched as the women stepped up to them. Titania smiled at them warmly, but her eyes were fixed on Samus. Boyd was looking at her too. Ike stepped forward and held her hand.
"This is her." He said, turning to them. "Samus Aran."
"How do you do?" Samus said politely, nodding at them.
"We just made dinner!" Mist said brightly, looking between all of them. "I hope you're hungry…"
Ike turned to look at Samus. "You cooked?" He asked, bemused. "You?"
"I had help." Samus told him, looking rather abashed.
"From me." Mist said brightly. "So it's not poisonous or anything."
Boyd laughed, but Samus if anything looked more embarrassed.
"Anyway where have you been?" Mist asked. "We were getting worried…"
"We were discussing the state of the company." Ike said. "And getting me caught up on current events, and things like that."
Mist wrinkled her nose. "Current events?" She repeated. "Like what?"
"Elincia married Geoffrey, Micaiah is ruling Daein, Gallia and Crimea's ties are better than ever…."
"None of that is CURRENT." Mist said, frustrated. "Elincia married Geoffrey years ago!"
"Well it was the first I've heard of it." Ike said immediately. Mist frowned at him.
"She was so upset when you didn't show up to the wedding." Mist said. "She was crying, you know?"
Ike frowned. "Crying?" He repeated. "Why?"
"She wanted you there more than anything!" Mist told him. Ike let out a sigh.
"Well, she can come to my wedding, and I can apologize then." He said. Titania shook her head.
"She'll probably come racing down here the instant she hears you've retuned." She said. "She's always talking about you."
"She'll probably want the wedding to be in her Castle." Boyd interrupted. "And throw a huge party."
Ike frowned. "I don't want to get married in a castle."
Samus gripped his hand.
"Well anyway." Mist said, clapping her hands together. "We don't you all come inside and we'll have dinner?"
…
