Jill was crestfallen, to say the least. She had been searching for the last two days, but she hadn't found any signs of the person she was looking for. She had checked every great sunbathing spot she could find, asked all of the other Laguz. She even had to sit there for three hours, petting a very loud fox's head, but nothing.

"Fizzart." Oh good, Petrine, "Just like you to waste away your time daydreaming."

"General," Jill responded with quite a bit of venom, "Have you run out of puppies to kick?"

Petrine shrugged. "Alas, Askr has a woeful lack of puppies and kittens. The latter of which you're quite aware of, I assume." She let out a sigh of relief as she sat next to the Wyvern Rider. "I hope she was worth betraying Daein and your father."

Jill glared at the general. "Have you been following me, for the past two days, just to confront me about this?"

Petrine scoffed. "Don't flatter yourself. I wouldn't bother with you if there was someone I actually knew and respected."

"Do you respect anyone?"

"Our King, for one," Petrine retorted, "And Eeee…" she stopped quickly. "Don't dodge the question. You're looking for that Laguz, aren't you?"

Jill stared straight at Petrine. "You stay far away from Lethe, you hear me?"

"Why would I be near that trash?" Came the cruel retort, "Keep your childish crush, I'll focus on making myself and milord's army stronger." She stretched her arms. "There are quite a few good lancers in this kingdom, so it's not like this is a complete waste." Petrine looked at Jill. "What are your plans, Fizzart? Planning on joining one of those asinine clubs?"

"Maybe you should consider that as well," Jill replied, "Perhaps you could find enjoyment in something beyond being the cruelest person in the world."

Petrine laughed, a forced bark that outlined her amusement at Jill's words. "Is that a challenge, Fizzart? I have never lost one of those!"

Jill stood up, staring down the cruel general. "Yes, we shall both pick two clubs to join, and the one who gets the most enjoyment out of them wins!" Jill smirked. Without Ena there to talk her through the unwinnable nature of such a contest, she figured that Petrine would jump at the chance to beat her.

Petrine jumped up and stood over Jill, grinning. "Accepted. Don't expect me to give you any quarter! We shall reconvene in a week's time!"

"No, two weeks." Jill proposed. "You need a week to get acquainted with everyone, or are you so foolish as to not understand that?"

Petrine growled. "... Fair. Two weeks it is." She turned around and started to stalk off, but not before a final warning. "If you do not give me your best, I will incinerate you personally!"

When Petrine was long gone, Jill felt relief. Soren had been right about the Flame General, and without the guidance of others, she was quick to jump at the chance to show off her prowess. This could surely work out in her favor…. It was then she felt something fluffy bounce around her ankles.

"Jill Jill Jill Jill!" She heard the voice of Selkie bobbing up and down around her. "Do you want to play some tag? We need more people and I thought 'Jill might wanna play!'"

"Selkie," Jill replied kindly, "I would be delighted." She felt the Fox Laguz wrap herself around and give her a suffocating hug.

"Yesssss!" Selkie squealed. "Come on, let's go play!"

Jill wondered if Lethe would enjoy these games. They did suit her skills, after all.

"So, there is being a wild bear stalking the area?"

Petra, Athena, Donnel, Nephenee, and Nina were surveying the area behind the greenhouse, where some very conspicuous tracks sat. The area was wooded, and the idea of a bear hiding here was not ridiculous, but…

"Yep, and I reckon it won't trouble us none, but I'm thinkin' if it's the same bear that's been hasslin' the village nearby…" Donnel pondered this for a moment. "Whaddya reckon, Neph?"

Nephenee looked at the tracks closely. "There's somethin' in the garden that's luring it in, most likely." She pointed over to another set of tracks. "Those tracks are older, see?"

"There is also other problem." Athena pointed out, "These tracks, similar to bear, but not."

Nina looked side to side. "Maybe we should just head to the training grounds… I hear that Chrom and Ephraim are sparring again, and I'm not really in the mood to kill an innocent animal."

"Well, I ain't sayin' that we need to kill the creature, Nina," Donnel explained, "But if there are kids playing around here, we should try'n move it away, righ'?"

Nina looked at the suspicious pile of dirt near the greenhouse and sighed. "Alright, I just… have a feeling the animal isn't any threat, y'know?" Donnel raised an eyebrow.

"Well, some of the village elders want us to take a little look, but I tend ta agree with ya, Nina."

"Yes, I am also having that feeling!" Petra piped in, "We should just try to do the… try to move it!"

"Try to move what?" Petrine's voice cut through the air, causing everyone to flinch slightly. "Are all the hunters in other worlds so loud and noisy? I could hear you from the path."

Nephenee stepped up, her eyes clearly mistrusting. "Nothin' ya gotta worry about, Petrine."

"Oh, I recognize you! You're that country girl we captured some time back. Good to see that you made it through!" She cackled a little. "And now you've intrigued me even more. What are you trying to hunt?"

Donnel spoke up. "Ain't huntin', just trackin'." He pointed to the footprints. "Ever seen tracks like this?"

Petrine observed the tracks carefully. "Never," she finally admitted, "But that doesn't mean I can't take it down. You've just got yourself another member." The others looked at each other, a look of concern on their faces. "... What?"

"Well, I guess we're glad to have ya!" Donnel finally spoke up. Nephenee huddled the other three around and started to whisper to them. "Don't mind Neph, she's just… uh…"

"Incredibly suspicious of me?" Petrine replied casually, "It's not like I blame her. But for now, we're all friends here, so I promise to play as nicely as I can." Donnel's lips tightened a bit. The sound of her voice suggested that 'nicely as she could' was still not incredibly nice. She approached Nephenee and extended a hand. "Come on, I don't bite."

"Forgive me if I don't believe ya." came the cold response. Nephenee pushed past the General and walked further into the woods. Petrine chuckled.

"Fiesty."

"Veronica, what are you doing?" The Emblian Princess stiffened as she felt the chill of a certain Niflian Royal. Honestly, Veronica didn't mind the girl, but she had enjoyed hiding in plain sight over the past few days. Imagine if no one was paying attention; she could sneak into the most sensitive areas of Askr, and Embla would finally…

Well, no use worrying about it. Ylgr had scarcely left her alone, and then there was- Veronica hushed Yglr. The reason she was staking out the kitchen had just arrived. Queen Henriette was escorting Princess Laegjarn and Laevatein. And where Laegjarn and Henriette were, sweets were sure to follow.

"Quiet, Ylgr," She whispered, "I am currently performing reconnaissance."

Ylgr looked into the kitchen. "Oh wow! It's Princess Laegjarn and the Queen! Let's say hi!" Veronica put an arm in front of the Nifl Princess.

"Not yet, Ylgr," Veronica squinted, "What are they doing in the kitchen? Perhaps… they are making secret sweets."

"Secret sweets?" Ylgr responded, "Y'know, for someone so serious, you say some silly stuff! There is no such thing as secret sweets!"

Veronica frowned. "Ah, so you share every bit of candy you receive? That is very useful information." She flashed a rare smile, which caused Ylgr to look down.

"B-but, if they know we're here, they'll make even more sweets for us…"

"That's exactly what I'd think!" A bright and beaming voice announced from behind the two. Sharena and Fjorm were watching the two youngsters with amusement and adoration. "Hey! What are you two doing?" The bright-eyed Askrian was everything Veronica disliked. Excitable, energetic, loud. "Ooooh, spying on my mom?! Fun!"

"We are not spying," Veronica snapped, "We are performing dessert reconnaissance!"

"All four of you are certainly being loud," Laegjarn noted from her place in the kitchen. She, Laevatein, and Henriette were already wearing aprons, and looking at the kitchen's entryway. "If you want treats, come and join us."

Henriette clapped her hands. "Yes! The more the merrier!" Laevatein looked a little pouty.

"As long as you don't steal my treats, then fine." She muttered. Laegjarn ruffled her sister's head.

"Nobody will steal your treats, we'll make more than enough to share."

"That's what I worry about…" Laevatein replied. She was well aware that there was someone watching in the shadows. Someone that thrives on taking sweets that aren't his…

"Oh!" Sharena lifted her finger up, as if remembering something, "That's right! I had Anna take Gaius shopping; she needed a bodyguard. Shame, he would've loved some sweets…" She felt Laevatein take her hand and lead her in.

"You are more than welcome to join us, Princess Sharena." The Fire Princess said bluntly. She handed an apron to Sharena, and tossed three more to the other royals.

Henriette rolled her shoulders. "Well, then; since you're here, Sharena, I suppose this is the best time to teach you the family recipe for Askrian Double Chocolate Fudge Brownies!" Sharena gasped.

"Are- are you sure I'm ready, mom?"

Henriette's face darkened. "Yes, Sharena. Alfonse couldn't handle this knowledge, as his friendship power is weak and bookish. But I believe you are ready for this cursed recipe, handed from Askrian to Askrian through the generations, built to conquer and destroy…"

Fjorm gulped, "I-is it really that dangerous?" She finally asked. Henriette and Sharena looked at each other, and couldn't help bursting with laughter. Clearly a strange inside joke between the mother and daughter. Veronica put on her apron and posed.

"Fine, I shall learn this forbidden recipe, and conquer the culinary country of Askr!" She proclaimed. Henriette lifted the girl onto her shoulders.

"I love the energy! Let's get started, then!"

"5...4...3...2...1…" Jill turned around and took off her blindfold, facing a section of woods where Selkie and her friends had decided to play. She was particularly interested in how Leanne would choose to hide; she could imagine that a flying Laguz in particular would be great at hiding. Perhaps in the trees… Jill looked in the canopy. Nothing of note yet. But it made sense that Laguz, with their sharper senses, and… was that giggling she could hear behind that birch tree? She paused for a moment, listening intently. Yep, it was some sort of melodic giggling. Jill rolled her eyes.

"Oh dear! I don't know if I'll be able to find anyone!" She called out, listening for Leanne's giggles of amusement. Yep, there it was, "Oh my! It just seems impossible!" She went around the birch tree. Leanne was looking around the tree into the clearing, pleased with herself for finding such a good hiding spot. Jill crept up, slowly reaching out… "Gotcha." She said playfully, poking Leanne in the back.

The heron leapt into the air. "Ahhhh! Jill, scare me!" She sputtered out.

"Ack! Sorry, Leanne!" Jill replied, "I thought it would be funny!"

Leanne pouted. "Scary." She insisted, "Now what… I do?" Jill smiled.

"Want to help me find the others?" Leanne nodded. "Do you know where they are?" Leanne shook her head, frowning at Jill.

"Cheating!" She accused Jill, "Bad!"

"Alright, alright," came the response, "No harm asking." Jill peered over the treeline. She was looking for telltale signs. A fluffy tail, pointed ears, perhaps someone napping on a branch… She shook her head. Definitely not going to see that here.

It was fairly easy to find Nowi and Fae, as both of them hid behind trees, rather than in them or in the shrubs. After a long time looking, Jill finally started looking in the trees. Okay, still very hard. She wasn't really sure why it was bothering her that much, it wasn't like Lethe was in every tree branch-

"Jill… okay?" Leanne touched the wyvern knight's shoulder. "Miss… Lethe?"

"That obvious?" Jill asked, then nodded. "Yeah, a little bit. I was really starting to get along with her, so suddenly not having her around is… strange." The heron nodded, patting her in solidarity.

"Yes… miss… brother! And Naesala!"

Jill laughed awkwardly. "Just don't let Reyson hear that second one, okay?"

"Right!"

The wyvern knight sighed. "Alright, all that's left is Myrrh, Velouria, and Selkie. What do you all think?"

Nowi raised her hand. "Myrrh should be easy! She's always napping! Let's just listen for her snoring!"

"Is she even playing at that point?" Jill thought aloud, as the others began looking around. Despite the simplicity of it, hide and seek seemed to be the game that was preferred. It suited Jill as well, as she was always looking for Haar and Lethe. "Now if I was napping, where would I hide?" A singular tree on a small hill seemed to be the perfect place; Haar would definitely pick that place if he was here. The sunbeams just kept the area warm, but the shade would cover the eyes perfectly.

She didn't even have to reach the tree to hear some snoring. Myrrh was sleeping on the lap of Eirika, who was comfortably reading some sort of text. She looked at Jill, smiled, and put a finger to her mouth. Jill looked at the rest of the players.

"I guess this means that Myrrh is out," she whispered as they left, "That just leaves Selkie and Velouria."

"It's really weird," Fae noted, "Velouria hasn't been in any of her usual hiding places."

Nowi sighed and rubbed her head. "And Selkie is really really good at hiding; she usually wins for a reason."

Leanne rubbed her chin in thought. "Selkie likes… small places."

"She is a fox… well, something like that." Jill acknowledged. "So maybe in the bushes?" She began to search through shrubbery. "Nothing here." Jill continued on, looking high and low for the other two participants. That is, until she found a suspiciously large pile of leaves, sitting in the middle of a little clearing. Jill hesitated, before putting both hands in. It was ridiculously fluffy, for a pile of leaves.

"Hey! Don't pull on the tail, gosh!" Selkie leapt out of the leaf pile, "Ow…" Jill rubbed the back of her head awkwardly.

"Sorry…" she replied, "I should've brushed some leaves off instead."

Selkie brushed herself off. "Well, it's not a big deal, am I the last one?"

"No… can't find… Velouria!" Leanne interjected. Selkie's tail puffed up as she gasped in shock.

"B-but… Velouria has never beaten me in hide and seek before!" She exclaimed. Everyone looked around. The wolfskin usually enjoyed digging and hiding behind trees, but they had not seen her once today. "Where is she?!" Selkie finally yelled in frustration.

"Ha ha…" Jill, Leanne, and Selkie all looked up on a tree. Velouria was clutching it, white knuckles digging into the bark of the limb she had clambered onto. "I did it…"

Jill looked worried. "Velouria, are you okay? Do you need help down?"

Velouria was silent, but her shaking couldn't hide how she was feeling. With a few flaps of her wings, Leanne was next to the Wolfskin, singing lightly. Velouria stopped shaking, but wouldn't let go of the branch. Leanne kept singing, and eventually, she relented, and the heron lifted her up and slowly brought her back to earth. As she reached the ground, Velouria let out a heavy breath. "Oh, thank goodness." She finally blurted out. "Sweet ground."

"Well, congratulations!" Jill said in her best attempt to sound sweet, "Is there anything you want for winning?" Velouria sat up, and looked from person to person, before pointing to Jill's blindfold. "Wait, really? You just want the blindfold?" The Wolfskin nodded excitedly. "Sure, here you go…" She handed it over to Velouria, who gave it a quick appraisal.

"Yes… yes… the cotton is well knit, but has a lot of frayed edges. The perfect centerpiece for my collection…" The muttering continued as Velouria stalked off. Jill looked at the others, who seemed unperturbed by this strange behavior. Nowi was busy waving and trying to get the attention of someone else, who seemed to be purposefully avoiding them.

"Nah! Come play with me!" She called out to the figure, who slouched and hid behind the people around her. "Ha ha, I bet she's really tired, that's why she's ignoring me!" Jill looked down at the Manakete.

"Are… are you okay, Nowi?" Jill asked carefully. She nodded.

"Y-yeah!" She exclaimed, "I'm tired too, so maybe we should all just go get a late lunch!" Nowi grabbed Jill's hand and sprinted towards the mess hall. Jill looked up at the hill. Perhaps a talk later would be in order…

Petrine was frighteningly silent, Nephenee noticed. They had been staking out the area around the strange pile of garbage. While she could sometimes hear Nina and Donnel, Petra and Petrine were both like cats; completely silent and hyperfocused on their potential prey. So when the Flame General finally spoke up, it almost made Nephenee yelp in fright.

"Relax!" Petrine hissed, "I only asked if you wanted to wager on the beast we're fighting."

"Ah, oh." She regained her composure, "What makes ya think I'll wager anything with you?"

"Because we're both bored, and frankly I can't think of a better way to spend the time," the General retorted, "Or what, think you're too good for a little wager?"

Nephenee sneered. "Are ya really actin' like you didn't hold me prisoner at one point?"

Petrine shrugged in response. "If you want to hold a grudge, so be it! Perhaps you should've made yourself harder to catch!" She laughed about it. The halberdier scowled.

"Ya really trying to make me angry?" Nephenee asked, touching her lance.

"Oh? You want to go a few rounds, bumpkin?"

"Hush, please being quiet!" Petra hissed from above. "Something is doing the approaching!"

Both lancers shut up, but continued to glare at each other. For Petrine, it was normal for her to be combative with most, but she was quickly realizing something.

She really had no friends here. Even in Daein she had a couple of colleagues that she could chat with, even if one of them was… She shook her head. How irritating that she would think of a Laguz first. "Perhaps I was hasty, country girl," she muttered, "I apologize."

Nephenee looked shocked. "Can you say that again?" She asked.

Petrine snarled. "I take it back; forget it!" She replied. "Just shut up and keep watch." Something was coming out of the bushes. But it wasn't big, like the tracks suggested… Instead, a small girl with a hood over her head wandered out, sniffing the air. Petrine squinted. Damn, it's a laguz that can smell. She thought.

"C-come out of hiding, all of you…" The girl squeaked out. "You're all after my treasures, aren't you?"

Nina sighed. "I should've known… Velouria, it's NIna. Sorry about the miscommunication, we thought you were someone else."

"More like something else," Petrine commented, "What are you doing out this time of night? And what in the name of Daein do you mean, treasures?"

Velouria proudly dug up a box, and revealed… wood chips, dust bunnies, and various other scraps. "My treasure box. I recieved an amazing piece of cotton fabric scrap today, and I'm-"

Petrine rubbed her temples. "Is there nothing in this castle worth doing? Clubs, sentimental garbage, and now this?!"

Donnel shrugged. "Well, at least nothin's threatenin' the village, right?"

"I'd almost prefer it!" Petrine yelled into the forest, "Everything here is just… wrong! How does anyone here become a seasoned fighter when everyone is just so soft?!" She stomped away, back towards the castle.

"... Kinda reminds me of Clarisse, before she got settled in." Donnel commented.

Nephenee shook her head. "Not even Clarisse could be that bad."

Velouria paused. "So… none of you wish to steal my treasures?"

Nina pet her friend's head. "Maybe some other time, Velouria." She sighed, "Though this means I lost another day to gain more creative insights! Maybe some of them are still training!" She rushed off towards the training grounds without another word. Velouria rolled her eyes.

"I'll never understand her little hobbies…" She muttered, while putting away her beloved treasure box. "So, who's hungry? I'm famished."

"Yes, I could use a meal." Petra said, "I hope they have some fish today!"

"Fish? I could use some red meat, personally…"

Nephenee's thoughts were preoccupied about Petrine. With her skulking around, a fight was bound to break out between her and somebody. Considering what she thought about laguz, it was likely to only be a matter of time… Well, if Panne was the one doing the fighting, it might end up entertaining to watch. But still… She had heard a rumor, about perhaps one person that could maybe ground the Flame General, but Nephenee had her doubts.

Veronica looked at the little fudgy desserts in front of her. They smelled heavenly, absolutely worth the time and effort put into them.

"Wow, these came out great!" Sharena exclaimed, "It really does go better when you bake with friends!"

Laevatein and Veronica both tilted their heads quizzically. "What do you mean?" Laevatein asked. "Wouldn't extra hands cause interference and a worse treat?"

"I agree," Veronica stated, "Aren't the best treats painstakingly crafted?"

Henriette smiled. "Well, once these cool, you can try for yourself. But didn't both of you have more fun doing this with people you care about?"

"Caring is certainly a word." The Askrian matriarch laughed brightly at this.

"Oh, Veronica, you are such a joy to have around!" She lifted up the small princess. "Come, let us eat some dinner, then come back for the treats!"

As they all left, Laevatein looked at Laegjarn. "Why would doing this with someone make the treat tastier, sister?"

Laegjarn gave her sister a wry grin. "Well, perhaps the effort we all put into the dessert will shine through in the final flavor? We'll just have to see." Laevatein pouted.

"You aren't one to usually tease me..." She muttered. Laegjarn smiled to herself. It was a small public show of emotion from her usually stoic sister, but it was immense progress.

"I'm sorry, I hope I'm not interrupting you."

Nah looked up from her dinner. The redheaded girl that was playing with her mother was standing above her, food in hand. Her expression was kind, but Nah knew that she was probably here to talk about what had happened earlier in the day. "No, what do you want?" Nah continued eating but looked at the girl, indicating that she was listening.

Jill was taken a little aback. Nowi's daughter wasn't rude… but she was certainly blunt. "I wanted to talk about what happened earlier today. I'm not one to usually intrude on this sort of thing, but your mother was rather distressed about what happened."

Nah sighed heavily. That wasn't her intention, but anyone would be offended by what she did. "Right… I really should've considered what mom would think." She continued to eat. "We've made a lot of progress in Ylisse, but sometimes she still embarrasses me…"

Jill tilted her head. "Embarrassed? How?"

"Well," Nah began, "She still acts like such a child! I just feel like I'm expected to take care of her all the time, and it is so exhausting!"

"Ah," came the response, "I suppose my upbringing was quite different…"

"I know you're right, I shouldn't avoid her," Nah admitted, "But is it too much to ask for my mom to act… you know, like an adult?"

"Well, the games that yo- that Nowi and the others play do have real benefits."

Nah remembered all of the games of flying tag and dragon sumo that her mom forced her to play back in Ylisse. "Well, I can't argue with that… I just wish she'd take some things more seriously."

"Perhaps you can come to a compromise?" Jill suggested, "There are few joys greater than spending time with your family." Nah smiled.

"I agree, perhaps I'm still too harsh on my mom."

"Or not harsh enough." A harsh voice interjected. Jill groaned. Petrine. "How is your end of the challenge going, Fizzart?"

"Well enough," Jill lied, "Did you find an 'evil crone' club to join?" Petrine smiled cruelly.

"Careful," she warned, I'm being quite patient with you, you know." She puffed out her chest proudly. "And despite how disappointing everything has been here, I will try out the cooking club at the very least." Jill grumbled. She had considered it, but Petrine being there meant that option was out. She would have to look at other options. "Never mind you and me, who is your little friend?"

"I-I'm Nah." Nah sputtered out, "A pleasure to meet you…"

"General Petrine, of the Four Generals of Daein!" She announced, "So, Nah- that's certainly a name- I noticed that you're hiding a book on your bench. Spit it out, what's so engrossing that you have to be a bookworm during dinner."

"You don't have to answer, Nah." Jill interjected.

Petrine laughed. "Yeah, she does."

Nah pulled out the book. "I borrowed it from a friend, it's just a book on various tactics. Mother and father aren't… the most tactically engaged, so I felt it prudent to learn-" She stopped talking after noticing that Jill was slowly shaking her head. Petrine circled around behind Nah, looking her over up and down.

"Hmmm… a member of the Dragon Tribe as well…" She slapped Nah's back. "We'll talk later, once Fizzart is out of the way."

"Um… alright…" Nah replied, before going back to her dinner. Petrine looked positively giddy, while Jill looked pale and worried.

"Nah, that woman is bad news," she said quietly, "If she's interested in you, it can't possibly be good."

"Gods," Nah replied, "I know, right? She might as well have a sign that says 'I'm a bad guy' all over it." She paused from her eating. "I am intrigued though. The way she talked about me didn't really feel like she loves manaketes."

"Quite the opposite."

Nah nodded, "So there must be a reason she would bother sweet talking me."

"Ena," Jill noted, "She is… was? Petrine's advisor and tactician during the war."

"Ah, that would explain it."

"She also was ordered to execute Ena, as it so happens." Nah was silent as Jill explained. "She didn't succeed, but… I'm not sure if this Petrine knows about all of that."

The manakete finished her dinner roll. "That implies that the Petrine you knew died? Or that this is the same Petrine, but in the past."

"Either or," Jill replied, "But I wouldn't ask her about it no matter what."

Nah smiled. "I don't plan to, stranger; and this conversation has been quite enjoyable." She offered her hand. Jill took it and shook it. There was some power underneath that small frame.

"Jill Fizzart, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"Nah." Nah replied, "And I hope we can talk more in the future."

Veronica and Laevatein both ate their brownies and stared at each other.

"Well?" Henriette, Laegjarn, Ylgr, and Sharena all looked on with anticipation.

"They're quite delicious." They both said in unison.

Whoa, it's almost two years since this story started! Now I'm eager to get something together for the 18th! As always, any sort of comment is appreciated, even if it's keyboard slamming! Thank you all for reading!