Author's Note: As promised, another piece of writing - this idea's been on my mind for a while now, so I'm glad I got to write about it! Thanks for all the views, follows, and favorites.
Family
"Is something the matter, Fie?" Emma's voice broke through the odd silence, a polite smile on her face. She lifted the tea cup to her lips, watching the younger girl out of the corner of her eyes.
"Indeed, normally you'd be regaling us with news of your bracer exploits alongside Instructor Sara." Laura chimed in.
"Huh?" Fie Claussell blinked rapidly at her friends' inquiries. "Sorry. Lost in thought. Come again?"
"You look much like you used to when I would wake you up from naps on campus." Emma reminisced, taking another sip from her tea cup. "Are you sick? Maybe we should go and get you something from the nearby store…"
"I'm not a kid anymore." Fie replied flatly. "I just...have a lot on my mind." She stared at her reflection in her tea cup, frowning.
"Well, conversations require attention and words to be spoken." Laura snorted at her friend's reply. "So enlighten us, would you?" The two other girls fixed amused stares at Fie, who shifted in her seat uncomfortably.
"Fine." Fie replied flatly as she leaned back in her chair. "I'm going to Ymir next week. Rean invited me to take some time off." She waited for the inevitable reaction of both Laura and Emma, but was shocked to find that neither of her older friends had much of a reaction at all.
"I apologize, but I don't see why that would have you making such unpleasant faces." Laura raised an eyebrow, her voice resolute and steady as always. "You get to see Rean - normally, a smile would be etched onto your face in those circumstances. You didn't smile much back then, but Rean was always able to get a smile out of you."
"Ha-ha." Fie mock laughed. "Very funny."
"Laura's not wrong…" Emma seemed a little more unsure. "But only tell us what's on your mind if you'd like to, Fie. We can certainly chat about a number of other topics." The former Class President of Class VII adjusted her glasses and glanced at Laura, who glanced in agreement.
The former jaeger sighed and placed her elbows on the table, propping her chin up on her hands. "I don't know how to act. I know we were all at Ymir during the Civil War, and I did meet Auntie Lucia and Uncle Teo, but…" Fie's eyes became clouded. "...that was before Rean and I got together. I just...I'm not sure how I'm supposed to act next week! Rean and the boss didn't need a normal introduction to meet each other. I want to make a good impression, you know? It's the first time I'm introducing myself as his girlfriend, after all..."
"I suppose I see your predicament." Laura folded her arms, but her tone indicated otherwise. "However…"
"Well, we only spent a short time with the Schwarzers, but I wouldn't be too worried, Fie." Emma tried to offer a reassuring smile. "Just be yourself, and the rest will follow."
"Easy for you two to say." Fie grumbled, placing her head down on the table.
The ascension of the cable car offered a breathtaking view of a foggy valley beneath, snow capped peaks, and a crystal clear sky. However, the view was far from the mind of one former jaeger and current bracer as she shifted uneasily in her seat and pulled her jacket a little bit closer. The day had finally arrived for her to officially introduce herself to the Schwarzers, and no matter what kind of pep talk she gave herself, the butterflies in her stomach refused to go away.
She didn't feel nervous when she first entered Zephyr. She didn't feel nervous when she first entered Class VII, nor when she first joined the Bracer Guild. So why now? Her hand unconsciously went to smoothing out some of the wild hairs she spotted in the reflection of the window.
Perhaps it was for the best, as the thoughts rolling around in her head ground to a halt as the cable car came to a stop, causing her fellow passengers to stand up and stretch their legs in anticipation. "Ah, finally! I can't wait to go and visit the hot springs at the Phoenix Wings!"
Fie smiled unconsciously at the memory, her smile dropping as her attention returned to her boots. She stood still for a moment, taking multiple deep breaths.
"Are you alright?" A man in a purple uniform was staring at her in confusion. Fie glanced around and noticed that all of her fellow passengers had already gotten off the cable car. "I hope the cold didn't completely stop you in your tracks!"
"Oops. Sorry." Fie stepped out of the car, the satisfying crunch of snow beneath her feet indicating that she was, in fact, back in Ymir. She felt the stare of the cable car employee, and tilted her head over her shoulder to give him a flat stare. "Something up?"
"Ah, no!" The employee shook his head vigorously. "It's just...I feel like I've seen you before, but I don't remember when. Sorry, I shouldn't have been staring! My apologies, I hope you enjoy your stay in Ymir!"
Fie gave the town a once over, happily noting that everything seemed at peace. Children were building snowmen near the entrance of the Schwarzer Mansion, and the foot bath in the middle of the town plaza was actively in use by what looked to be several tourists. It was about that time of year where Ymir saw its most tourists, after all. Fie complimented herself for remembering that fun fact that Rean had told her all those years ago.
Speaking of Rean...where is he? The girl scanned the horizon, and saw nothing. They had agreed to meet here at the cable car station, after all.
Several minutes passed with no sign of that familiar tuft of black hair, and Fie was starting to get a little cold. I guess it's time to go. Taking a deep breath, the bracer marched her way to the door of the Schwarzer Mansion, only to be greeted by a familiar sight. A dog at the front barked happily and scampered up to Fie, tail wagging voraciously in the wind.
"Hey...I guess you remember me, huh?" Fie knelt down, patting the dog softly on the head. "What was your name again? I know it started with a B…" The dog responded by licking Fie on the cheek, causing Fie to giggle. "Hey!" I remember when Rean and I were both in this very spot...and I was still so fixated on Zephyr and finding out why they left me…
"Well, I see you found your way over here." A familiar voice jolted her out of her thoughts, causing her to stand up and to turn around slowly. "Sorry I'm late, I - " Rean did a double take, his jaw dropping. "Wait...are you wearing a pendant in your hair? And you have it tied in a ponytail? What's going on?"
"Uh…" Fie looked away from his eyes, a slight color forming on her cheeks. "I decided I would change it up this time, I guess."
"O-kay…?" Rean gave her a strange expression as he took a step forward and pulled her into his arms. "Well, I'm glad you're here. Let's head inside, yeah? My parents and Elise are waiting." He turned back to the dog, offering a reassuring pat. "Badeaux, thanks for letting me know Fie was out here. Keep up the good work!"
Badeaux. That was his name. As the two started to enter the mansion, the dog let out a bark, as if to say "try not to overthink it!" Easy for you to say, Fie inwardly mused.
With the door behind them, the aroma of delicious food immediately invaded Fie's nose, and she found her mouth watering. Feeling a little sheepish at her hunger, the girl took in the somewhat familiar sights of the manor again. It was as warm and comforting as it was the last time they'd been here, unlike the surroundings she'd found herself in during her childhood.
"I'm back!" Rean called out, placing his hands on Fie's shoulders. "Here, let me get your jacket." He either didn't notice or chose not to notice the blush on her cheeks as he pulled her jacket off and hung it on the coat rack. It was probably the former.
"That was fast!" A soothing voice came from a room on the left. "If you'd like to get seated, then we'll certainly get dinner started in a moment." There was a slight pause before the voice continued. "Elise, could you take this to the dining room?"
"Of course, Mother!" The sounds of activity in the kitchen continued, the voices becoming almost indecipherable amidst the hubbub.
"They sound busy. I should go and help." Fie took a step forward before stopping in her tracks when a warm hand grasped around her wrist. Turning in the man's direction, she raised an eyebrow.
"It'll be okay. I tried to help earlier, and they both shooed me out." Rean chuckled.
"But - " The girl opened her mouth to argue, but the sound of a door from the 2nd floor interrupted their conversation. Standing at the top of the stairs was none other than Baron Teo Schwarzer. As he walked down the stairs, it was clear he still had a minor limp. The wound he'd suffered during the jaeger raid on Ymir had yet to fully heal, and Fie felt a minor twinge of guilt. When Rean moved to assist his father, the Baron waved him off and shook his head slowly.
"Ah, Rean, Fie. It's good to see you both!" He placed a comforting hand on Rean's shoulder and offered a warm smile to Fie as well. "I was more than happy to hear that you'd be staying for a few days, Fie. When Rean said he'd like to have you visit, we couldn't wait to have you here." Without waiting for a reply, he ushered the two into the dining room.
Here we go into the thick of it.
Fie's heart was beating like an overeager pom. Talking politely and acting "proper" was really hard. She had no idea how Jusis or Laura could stand the formalities, but somehow she'd made it through most of the meal without incident.
"If you don't mind me asking, what are you doing nowadays?" The Baron of Ymir put down his fork and fixed a kindly eye on Fie. "Rean's told me a little bit about your bracer work, but none of the specifics."
Fie swallowed hard and tried to adopt a cheery expression. "Well, ever since Operation Jormungardr came to an end, the guild has been pretty busy with a lot of tasks. Some minor, like helping to rebuild structures or find lost pets, some major, like fighting monsters or keeping an eye out for any signs of suspicious activity." Her odd expression did not go unnoticed by Rean, who glanced at her in confusion.
"I know it was quite some time ago, but thank you again for looking out for Rean during his time at Thors and during the civil war, Fie." Lucia chimed in. "It was very comforting to know that Rean had such wonderful classmates."
"It wasn't a big deal." The former jaeger responded, but caught herself mid sentence. "...to be honest, he definitely helped me out more than I helped him, I think." Out of the corner of her eye, Fie noticed Rean blanch slightly.
"Oh? With what?" Teo's expression was mischievous. As much as she wanted to take the bait, she wanted to make a good impression on his parents and immediately squashed the impish thought.
"Uh...well, mostly gardening related stuff." Fie's lips became a straight line as she fell silent. The Schwarzer parents shared a worried glance, and Elise glanced at Rean, who stood up slowly and cleared his throat.
"I'd like to retire now. Fie, why don't you come with me to take a walk?" Without waiting for a reply, Rean strode over to the door and was somewhat relieved when the bracer stood up and followed him wordlessly. Exchanging a glance with his parents and Elise, Rean mouthed "we'll be back soon." He was comforted to see an understanding nod from his family as they exited the dining room.
As Rean closed the door to the study, he visibly frowned at the sight in front of him. Fie seemed to have withdrawn into herself as she sat on the floor, pulling up her legs to her chest and staring silently into the flames. Taking a seat beside her, Rean too stared into the flames.
"I really messed up, huh?" Fie broke the silence, her voice somewhat muffled.
"I've been fairly confused all night, so maybe you can help me understand." Rean exhaled slowly before readying himself to speak. "What's wrong? I know that's not normally how you do your hair. You don't normally wear hair pendants, and I know that normally you'd take any opportunity to poke fun at me. But when my father gave you a chance just now, you avoided it entirely."
"I just wanted to make a good impression on Auntie Lucia and Uncle Teo, I guess. The last time I met them was during the civil war, and I was just your classmate then. Now? I'm your girlfriend." The girl tilted her head. "I don't come from a normal background, and usually that wouldn't bother me at all, but tonight was different. I don't know much of what it's like to be in a normal family atmosphere. I guess I was just trying to be more...normal. And I guess I utterly failed at that, huh?" The former jaeger visibly stiffened at her own harsh words, allowing them to envelope her entirely. Tears began to form in her eyes.
"Hey." Rean's decisive voice cut through the shadows. "Fie, look at me." The girl turned her head slightly to meet his. "Think about all of the things that we've been through together. How many of them were normal?"
The bracer remained silent as the many memories came roaring back, banishing those doubts if only for a moment.
"Exactly. And besides...we both know I'm not exactly the most normal person myself." Rean offered a smile as he moved closer to her, pulling her into his chest. "I'm sorry."
"For what? Why are you apologizing? I'm the one who made dinner weird."
"I'm sorry you felt like you had to change yourself to try to fit in on this trip when that wasn't even close to what I had intended." He rested his chin atop her head. "I'm sorry I didn't notice earlier or try to talk to you about what was wrong."
"Well, I'm used to you being dense, so that's nothing new." Fie shifted slightly to face him, wrapping her arms around him. "Thanks for doing some watering."
Rean chuckled at her words, tightening his embrace on her. The pair stayed like that for a while, neither of them willing to be the one to separate or to break the silence.
It wasn't until Rean cocked his head to the side and reluctantly separated from her, that Fie detected a presence outside the door of the study. Pulling her up from the ground, the Ashen Chevalier directed his attention to that presence. "And I know there are a few others who'd like to do some watering too, Fie. You all can come in now."
At his prompting, the door opened to reveal Elise, Teo, and Lucia.
Teo was the first to break the silence. "I apologize for eavesdropping, but we were all a little worried about you. However, after hearing everything...well, I definitely understand now."
Elise wordlessly moved to Fie's side, wrapping her up in a hug.
Lucia did the same, wrapping up both her daughter and Fie in a warm embrace. "I'm glad you're here with us, Fie. And I can't tell you how overjoyed I am to have you in our family."
"Thank you, Elise...Auntie Lucia...Uncle Teo." Fie's voice was soft, but the grin on her face was as brilliant as a Divine Knight. Her gaze locked onto the man she'd fallen in love with. And thank you, Rean.
From the corner of the room, Rean simply smiled.
A/N #2 - I had this general idea: throughout the games, Fie really can't care less about what she looks like or how she necessarily acts, but I imagine that being together with Rean would give her pause. Yes, she's met both Lucia and Teo, but not in the context of being Rean's girlfriend! The games also make it fairly clear that Fie really cares about her "families" in Zephyr and Class VII, and now, she's got the Schwarzers as another family.
I suppose I just extrapolated my original idea. Hopefully this story and the characters weren't OOC and this was an enjoyable read.