Nephenee and the Greenhouse

Nephenee could feel her own breath, muffled against the furs wrapped around her face. The rainstorm from two nights ago had morphed into a large snowstorm by the time Sharena, Alphonse, Anna and Kiran had left for the north. While most everyone was huddled inside, using the break day to huddle around each other and tell stories, Nephenee had grown worried about the plants that the Botany Club had planted. The greenhouse was apparently magically protected, but Nephenee didn't trust much beyond her own hands and eyes. That was why, despite several protests from her newfound friends, she was now bundled up in the cold, making a small march to the greenhouse.

The greenhouse itself sat up on a small hill near the training grounds, just far enough from the archery range to avoid stray shots from shattering any windows. While many of the buildings were already under a blanket of snow, the greenhouse was somehow sitting there, pristine. I s'pose that magic works after all, she thought as she approached the structure. She could see some lights bouncing around inside the building, which set off small alarms in her head. She had assumed she would be alone, to have some minutes where she could let herself be 100 percent … her. And there only a few people with keys to the greenhouse anyways … Nephenee fumbled with the keys, before slowly unlocking and opening the front door. The cold air attempted to force it's way in, but Nephenee closed and locked the door, scanning the room carefully. The lights were from several bouncing orbs that moved around the back end of the greenhouse. As she took off her furs and cloak, Nephenee cursed herself for not bringing her lance with her. She began slowly walking towards the source of the orbs.

Tharja sat in front of her cactus, muttering words under her breath. Her head whipped around when she heard Nephenee, and her eyes widened.

"You're not Donnel." She stated. Nephenee was feeling a mixture of relief and curiosity.

"I ain't," Nephenee replied, "What're you doin' here, Miss Tharja?"

Tharja sniffed. Nephenee noted that she was wearing more layers than her, and she was still wearing them in here. "Checking on my plants, clearly." She responded harshly. Her voice sounded gravelly, more so than usual. Nephenee knelt by the mage and, without thinking, put her hand on Tharja's forehead. The scalding feeling on her hand was surprising. Tharja gave her a sinister glare, but starting coughing.

"How long were you out in that storm this mornin'?" Nephenee asked. Tharja snarled.

"Don't touch me without permission," she snapped, "and it's of no consequence to you."

"I'd rather not see ya die in this greenhouse."

"I already sent Donnel to fetch a healer, so you don't need to worry a hair on your pretty little head. You already do enough worrying as it is."

Nephenee frowned. She knew Tharja was prickly at best, so this didn't bother her, but to left here while feeling sick was worrisome at best. "Hell, you can't expect me to just ignore ya, Miss Tharja!" She said, harsher than even she expected. "Yer burnin' up! How'd ya even get so sick so fast?"

Tharja glowered at the soldier. "Well Miss Nephenee, perhaps this winter storm isn't natural, hmm? Perhaps it's something that was created to effect magic users?"

"How ya figure that?" Nephenee asked, though Tharja's assured voice made her nervous.

"I could feel the weight of a voice in the air," Tharja replied, "It was a voice of despair, of the death of life." Her voice grew raspy for a moment.

"That sounds like a fright."

"Heeheehee it was a delightful voice," Tharja said, then giggled, "But I must have gotten lost in it's sound. I was in that blasted cold for quite awhile." Nephenee stood up, and ran back to her furs. As she handed them to Tharja, she thought she heard a quiet 'thank you'. The mage looked over Nephenee, and sighed in annoyance. "You know, you irritate me more than most others."

"E-excuse me?"

"You heard me," Tharja glared again, "You have this knack of making friends with everyone, even when you don't want to. Then you proceed to act like you aren't anything special."

"Are ya tryin' to upset me or compliment me?"

Tharja didn't answer, as the windows began to rattle. The howling of the wind grew harsher and both Nephenee and Tharja grimaced. The storm was only getting worse, and it was unlikely that Donnel could get help to them in a timely manner. "Ugh, of course," Tharja commented. "Just my lucky day, I suppose."

"Well, if we're stuck in here, lessee what I can find for us to eat." Nephenee said. She got back up, noting Tharja's scowl as she turned away.

Kagero looked out the large mess hall window with worry. She had been one of the people to question Nephenee's trip to the greenhouse - even though she was admittedly worried about her own flower arrangement – due to the dangers of the weather. Now the storm was getting worse, with almost white out conditions.

"This storm isn't normal," noted Reinhardt, standing near the window, "It has a morose voice upon it."

"Hmm, I hear no voice, but the storm is worrying all the same." Kagero replied. Most of the heroes had chosen to take a respite in the dining hall. Morgan was challenging anyone she could to various games of strategy. She had already beaten Reinhardt and Innes, the former finding much amusement in the latter's disbelief. Felicia, with assistance from Frederick, Oscar, and Stahl, was serving hot chocolate to the large groups of people. The sewing group had reconvened, and Kagero felt an urge to join them. Anything to get her mind off this weather.

"What is that voice?" Lute and Sanaki had joined the duo, both of them equally transfixed on the storm as Reinhardt. "It sounds like weeping."

"I wish I could hear what all of you are hearing." Kagero muttered.

"I suppose one has to be deeply connected with magic to hear it," Reinhardt observed, "It's quite distant. I couldn't hear it until I got near this window."

"Likewise. Could it possibly be what the Summoner is searching for?" Sanaki asked. Lute nodded.

"It's plausible, the weather has taken a quick turn."

"We could barely get all the stables properly protected and warmed in time," Reinhardt chuckled at that, "I imagine the steeds will be more than a little upset at us." Kagero chuckled at the idea of Lady Hinoka's steed chasing a few unwitting passersby. Then she thought about the Wyverns, and frowned. Maybe it wasn't such a funny idea after all. There was a crashing sound, followed by fervent apologies from Felicia. Thankfully, it had just gotten on Robin's robe, and he played it off as a normal occurrence.

The howling wind seemed to suddenly increase in volume, as Kagero heard the front doors open and slowly close. Outside of a few people, everyone seemed unaware. The ninja stood quickly, and noticed Gaius, Ayra, Marisa, and a man she only knew by name – Lon'qu- were moving towards the door as well. As the five met in the hallway, she noted that Lon'qu purposely moved Gaius inbetween himself and the three women. She threw that thought into the back of her mind as she looked at the front door.

Standing at the door was the bundled-up body of Donnel, panting heavily and flush from the cold. He looked up at Lon'qu, and began stammering incoherently.

"Lonny – haa – the greenhou – haaaa – Tharja -" Ayra walked over to the country boy, and knelt beside him.

"Do not overexert yourself. Let's get you to a healer." She stated, lifting the exhausted boy up. As she walked into the mess hall, Kagero could hear the commotion from the other heroes. The ninja looked to the others. Marisa had relaxed, choosing to return to the mess hall, but Lon'qu had tensed up considerably, with Gaius attempting to talk to him.

"I know what you're thinking, man, and you really shouldn't."

"Would you leave a comrade to die in the cold?"

"You saw what happened to Donny after a minute or so. Y'know, guy most likely to survive in the wild for weeks?" Lon'qu didn't respond, instead walking over to a large room by the front door. He opened the door, pulling out furs and some coats.

"You do not need to come with me if you wish."

"... I -"

"I'll go with you." Kagero volunteered. "Nephenee went to the greenhouse as well. I'm beginning to worry about her." Lon'qu stiffened up.

"Absolutely not." He replied. Kagero grabbed several furs from his arms, beginning to bundle herself up.

"You don't have a choice in this matter." the ninja said harshly. Lon'qu scoffed, but began bundling up as well. As they finished up, Ayra returned with Donnel and Lachesis in tow.

"I cannot believe someone would go to the greenhouse in this weather!" Lachesis was scolding Donnel. "What were you two thinking?"

"Tharja just kept mutterin' 'bout her plants, and I decided to follow her, is all!" Donnel protested. As the healer and farmhand approached, Lon'qu shoved a coat and some furs into Lachesis's hands.

"Make sure you stay between me and Donnel," he ordered, "Our healer can't get lost in this weather."

"Simple enough orders to follow," she answered, "And who is leading our little expedition?"

Kagero spoke up. "I can move through the snow faster than any of you, so I'll lead."

"Ya also happen to know where the Greenhouse is." Donnel spoke up. She nodded in response. Lon'qu's face darkened with determination.

"Then let's move quickly."

"It ain't much, but I knew Lady Tana had snuck in some grub at some point." Nephenee handed Tharja a few pieces of jerky and dried fruits, which she quickly took and ate. "I hope this is enough to last us for awhile."

Tharja scoffed at that. "We don't have much of an alternative. It's warm in here, and we have some food and water. Just two people moving out there is a death wish, you idiot."

"Golly, I wasn't sayin' …"

"No, but you were implying it." Nephenee frowned. This whole time, Tharja was flipping between moderately thankful and completely scathing. Maybe it was some response to the fever she clearly had, but it was more grating than Nephenee felt comfortable admitting. "And stop frowning at me!"

"Ah- ahm sorry, Miss …" Tharja waved her off.

"I know, I know. You don't mean it. You really don't have a mean bone in your body, do you?"

"I'm really just a farmhand, nothin' to really get mad at out there, I suppose."

"Of course not. But plenty to get nervous about, apparently."

"Beg yer pardon?" Nephenee felt a pit in her gut. She didn't like where this was going, especially if Tharja was about to tear apart her flaws.

"I saw you on Wednesday, hiding behind that pillar. It was pathetic. And the way you hide yourself behind that helmet," Tharja looked up, and saw her helmet conspicuously missing, "Ah, you didn't even bring it today. Did you expect some alone time?" Nephenee didn't answer. She was hoping for some alone time, yes. Maybe that's why she decided to leave the helmet with Kagero when she was bundling up. She could feel something bubble up inside her. What right did Tharja have, attacking her like this?

"And you know something? You look rather pretty without the dumb thing." Tharja snapped, "And yet it's always 'oh ignore me' and ' oh look at all my friends'; it's infuriating, to say the least."

"I'm still not sure if yer insulting me or not."

"I'm not cursing you, so it should be obvious," was Tharja's flippant response, "By gods, even your 'aw shucks' routine is..." Something snapped in Nephenee. This woman was being a complete arse, and she wasn't taking it anymore.

"Ya think this is all some act?" Nephenee interrupted, "Ya think I just get up and just decide to be worried 'bout my voice? My general d'meanor? 'Specially around mah friends? A bunch of nobility that I got no business bein' with! An' yet they're always there for me, supportin' this country gal who has ..." Nephenee felt tears falling out of her eyes, and she sobbed for a moment, "I just wanna be like them, Miss Tharja," she whispered, "I just wanna be normal." There was a long silence, before Tharja coughed. She looked up at the farmhand.

"Why?" Tharja's eyes narrowed, "From my perspective, you're much more useful as you are. Proper etiquette wouldn't just be a waste, it would take away from what makes you interesting. Normal isn't just subjective; I doubt your friends even believe in the concept of normal."

"B-but..."

"But nothing. It always irritates me when people refuse to see themselves as they are." Tharja paused, before sighing. "I suppose that it's this fever that's making me more open about this. So don't tell anyone," She pointed at Nephenee, "Or I'll curse you to look as ugly as you think you are." Tharja scowled and turned her head quickly. Nephenee stared at the mage intently.

"Um, have you been tryin' to say I'm pretty?" Nephenee began blushing. Tharja grabbed the spearwoman's head.

"Want to make that a death curse?"

"I-I'm gonna stay quiet, I swear it!" Tharja relaxed.

"Good. I don't want you thinking we're friends now or something." Nephenee prepared a response, but heard the door open and close, seeing four shadows approach. As they entered the orb's light, she could see the faces of Donnel, Lachesis, Kagero, and Lon'qu. The swordsman immediately kneeled beside the mage, his face etched with worry. "Ah, Lon'qu," Tharja muttered, "You didn't need to come for me."

Lon'qu's face twisted a little. "I didn't want you to be alone," he responded, "I should've come with you."

Tharja glared, "Don't start pitying yourself, you're better than that. Besides, I wouldn't want you to come with me." The myrmidion picked up the mage, carefully wrapping her in a bundle of blankets. "You don't need to dote on me, I can handle myself."

"Just … let me take care of you for today." Lon'qu's response was pained, and for a moment, Tharja didn't respond. She then leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. He almost dropped her in his fluster.

"I almost forgot how infuriating you can be," she muttered, "I must have been too focused on my work."

Lon'qu blushed. "You can always … talk to me about it."

"Perhaps inside, this place is too crowded for my liking." Lachesis and Donnel escorted the duo out the door, and left Kagero and Nephenee alone in the greenhouse, the harsh winter winds whining overhead.

"Uh, Kagero?" Nephenee asked, "Did you know bout those two?"

"No, I didn't. I must say, for a man who never socializes, I'm surprised he's married to anyone." Kagero commented. She was now working on her flower arrangement, which was interesting, to say the least. Nephenee grimaced; the choice of flowers made for absolutely hellish arrangement, but she didn't want to insult her. "I'm sorry, by the way."

"Beggin' yer pardon?"

"I'm sorry that I didn't come with you earlier," Kagero stated emotionlessly, "You could have gotten lost in the cold."

"Well, it ain't no big thing, Kagero," Nephenee replied simply, "You were probably right to be worried. This storm is mighty bad."

"Still, I said that we were friends a couple days ago. Leaving a friend is not an honorable thing for a friend to do."

Nephenee stared at the ninja, and began to laugh. "I'll be honest, Kagero," she managed to get out, "I wasn't sure if you was messin' with me or whatnot."

"I'm not one to make jokes, if you haven't noticed."

Nephenee smiled. "Ya know, I'm glad ya decided to stick around, Kagero." Kagero gave the farmhand a quizzical look, inviting her to continue. "Well, I wanted ta be alone earlier, but being in a storm like this is better with friends, ain't it."

Kagero paused, gazing wistfully at her flower arrangement. "Yes, this is certainly preferable."

"-that was when Orochi convinced Kaze to wear a bell around his neck."

"Golly, that was what she meant by 'bein' a cat? I didn't know he'd be so literal!"

Kagero smiled. "I'm fairly sure Kaze had his own reasons for agreeing to such a request, but either way, we all found it quite humorous."

"I'll say! I reckon I don't have a story that far-fetched!" Nephenee looked at the ninja. They had been in the greenhouse for two hours now, but it felt like no time had passed. As much as she didn't want to admit it, Tharja's words probably had the intended effect. She had only felt this relaxed a few times in this castle.

"I wouldn't say that, the story you told of Jill and Lethe was very intriguing and uplifting."

"I don't think I'd ever call that story funny..."

"Trust me, I don't need any more fools in my life." Kagero said reassuredly. She paused, looking at her flowers intently. The ninja sighed heavily, someone clearly weighing on her mind. "Nephenee, I want you to tell me your opinion of my flower arrangement."

"Uh... what do ya mean?"

"Exactly what I said," Kagero replied bluntly, "My sense of style is not for everyone, and I'm well aware of that, but I'm still curious." She gave a genuine smile. "And besides, I know you'll give me good feedback."

"Aw dang it, yer gonna make me blush." Nephenee muttered. "Lemme see..." The arrangement itself was immaculate, a multitude of various flowers, which was impressive in it's own. "I thought you only grabbed a couple of plants." she noted.

"The lilies you let me have are the centerpiece," Kagero answered, "The orange tones spoke to me. I gathered the rest on my own."

"Hmmm." Nephenee looked closer at the piece. The color of the bouquet was a landscape of dark reds, purples, and bright oranges. From a distance, it had looked like a scene from some other, horrifying world. But up close, the bold colors reminded her of sunsets at home. "Golly, it's really pretty up close..."

"What?! You mean it?!" Nephenee looked up, to see Kagero on her knees, intently staring at her. The ninja was trying to hide a look of joy, but was failing rather miserably. "You aren't attempting some sort of joke?"

"That ain't really somethin' I'm liable to d-"

"What's your favorite part of the arrangement? I must know!" Kagero had transformed right before Nephenee's eyes, all of her energy focused on this moment, rather than being alert.

"I think it's the way the colors gradually change; it's like a sunset."

"Well, it's supposed to be reminiscent of a full moon, but I'm glad you like it!" Nephenee hid a look of shock at the ninja's revelation This is supposed ta be a full moon?! She thought. "Well, it looks like the storm has calmed down a little," Kagero said brightly, "We should make our way back to the castle."

Indeed, the blizzard had cleared up just enough for the duo to get back to the castle easily. As the two entered the main hall, they could hear a large commotion from the dining hall. As they entered the room itself, they were met with an unusual sight. Xander was leading a large group in a rousing drinking song. It seemed like only a few heroes had actually partaken in libations, but that wasn't stopping the large group from joining in the cheer.

"Even with the gloomy weather, it seems like spirits can't be dampened." Kagero noted with a smile. Nephenee was about to respond, when she was tackled by a sobbing Tana.

"Nepheeeeneeeee, we were so worrieeed about you!" She shouted out. "I swear I aged ten years while you were out in that storm!"

"Ahm sorry I made ya worry like that …" Nephenee looked at Kagero, then Tana, then Elincia, who had just joined them. Kagero seemed uncomfortable, like something was being taken from her. "Um … can I ask ya two a question?"

"You can ask us anything, dear!" Tana bawled.

"Do ya think there's enough room to have one more friend?" Kagero's eyes widened for a moment, but she still managed to keep her cool facade. Tana gave Nephenee a quizzical look, but Elincia answered before she could.

"I wasn't aware we had a limit to our friends, Nephenee."

Well, ya see... Kagero is a lot like us, and I think she'd be really fun to be around." Elincia looked at Kagero, then back to Nephenee.

"And why should we make that decision? Shouldn't she decide on her own?"

"Aw shoot, yer right!" Nephenee looked at the ninja apologetically, "I'm awful sorry!" Kagero shrugged.

"If you're offering to join your friends, I gladly accept." Tana's eyes welled up again. She embraced the ninja.

"Welcome to the family!" She said.

"Hey! Are you four gonna join us or what?!" Mia called out from the group. "Nephenee, you can't be my archenemy if you're not giving it your all!" Kagero looked at the country girl with amusement.

"Archenemy?"

"That's a story fer another time."

This one is a short one, I think Tharja isn't always a pleasant person, but she would be the one unafraid to tell truths. Even if she's a little ... blunt about it.

Once again, thank you to everyone who has read this fic! I hope you're enjoying it, and the support you guys give me is awesome! As always, comments, questions, reviews, and requests are always welcome and loved!

Thanks for reading!