"Shamir, this is serious."

"Yeah, it isn't like you to lose your sword."

"I didn't lose it!" Catherine shot back, "it had to have been stolen!"

Shamir snorted. "Considering last night? It's a miracle you managed to find your bed."

Catherine glared. "You know what, partner? I remember last night very differently."

"You don't remember it at all."

Shamir and Catherine stood in the shambled remains of Catherine's wardrobe, clothes scattered on the floor and on the bed. It was a rarity for Shamir to witness; the only thing Catherine seemed to keep tidy was her room.

"Where could it be…" The swordswoman muttered to herself. Shamir frowned. Losing Thunderbrand was also something that never happened either, and seeing Catherine freaking out was a little unsettling.

Plus there was the person standing outside of her door, eavesdropping. Shamir motioned to Catherine, an old routine. Catherine fell silent, eyeing the door like a hawk. The sniper slowly reached for the door, and whipped it open.

A girl with purple hair stumbled into the room. "Ah, it seems like my eavesdropping abilities still need some more practical repetition." Shamir recognized the little spy.

"Lute, what are you doing?"

Lute straightened her dress and gave Shamir a self-assured smile. "I am glad you asked! I happened to overhear Catamaran's plight, and you have the exceptional fortune to be in the company of the foremost inquirer in all of the realm!"

Catherine squinted. "It's… it's Catherine. And what?"

"Lute is offering to solve our case for us." Shamir explained. "And I think we're capable of solving it ourselves; thanks, though."

Lute placed a finger on her chin. "While I respect your position, I must beg for an opportunity to investigate this. I have not had an intellectually stimulating conversation in hours, you see."

"What about Sanaki? You two are always together."

"She is assisting in preparations for the grand ball. Lysithea and Delthea went into town for confections, and the others are some sort of variety of 'busy'."

Shamir put her hands on her hips. "Fine," she finally gave in, "You and Catherine can work together while I gather information my way." She leapt onto the windowsill. "Try to use small words with Catherine, okay?" She gave her partner a wink, and was met with a glare and a stuck out tongue.

"I did pretty well in school, actually…" Catherine muttered, before turning back to Lute, who was looking through her clothes and taking notes. "So, uh… where do we start?"

Lute cleared her throat. "Let us begin by recollecting the events that led up to the mid placement of your sword, shall we?"

She nodded. "Right, let's see… we were in the dining hall…"

.

.

"How in Naga's name?" Sully sat in shock. Saber, Ephraim, and herself all sat, recuperating from an intense drink off with Catherine. Only Ayra seemed to be matching pace, as Shamir looked on with an amused expression.

"Haaaa!" Catherine shouted as she slammed the glass down. "It's been awhile since I could let loose like this."

"Not long enough." Shamir said bluntly. "Remember that I'm the one carrying you back upstairs, partner."

"Oh, someone's buzzed," came the reply, "I can handle myself, partner!"

Ayra slammed down her glass. "Enough." She declared, "Any more and we'll both suffer the next morning. I admire your drinking prowess, Lady Catherine."

Catherine smirked at Shamir. "Lady Catherine, did ya hear that?"

"Hey, why don't you call me Lady Sully?" Silly spoke up. Ayra looked smug.

"A title is earned, Sully, not granted." Ayra stood up swiftly, almost losing her balance. "I shall take my leave now; good night to you all."

As she carefully exited the mess hall, Sully and Saber managed to help prop up Ephraim. Ephraim glared at Sully.

"I shall, urp- best you one day! Maaaark my wordssss…"

"Sure you will, bud." Sully replied. "Maybe focus on out-drinking Saber here first." With a 'heave-ho', the three stumbled out of the hall, leaving Catherine and Shamir to themselves. The former let out a sigh that could've matched Seteth.

"Okay, that was harder than I expected," Catherine admitted, "I didn't think someone could match me drink to drink."

"Much less nobility?" Shamir took another sip of her own drink.

"Considering how much she trains, kinda." She tried to stand up, and wobbled. "Whoa, 'sdefinitely been awhile." The archer supported her partner, helping them both up. "Thanks." Catherine muttered.

"No problem," Shamir replied, "You just owe me on our next bar tab."

Catherine didn't reply. The world began spinning a little and she gave a little burp of warning. The archer rolled her eyes and dragged the suffering knight to a nearby bathroom. There was a racket, the details of which Catherine couldn't recall. Someone bumped into her, then helped Shamir get her to-

.

.

"Then you expelled the contents of your ill-advised drinking contest?" Lute asked. Catherine nodded. "Then what happened?"

"I… uh… don't remember."

"A drunken blackout, interrupting consciousness and leaving you victim to potential ill-fortune…. I see…". She took some more notes. "And in the morning, your sword was missing?"

"Yeah."

Lute placed a hand on Catherine's shoulder, giving her a confident look. "Worry not, Catarina; your case could not be in more competent hands."

"Well, I do like the confidence…"

Lute clapped her hands together. "Now, to gather clues! Usually Setsuna is here to stumble into our first clue, so we will have to improvise…"

"Don't you mean stumble onto…?"

"No," Lute replied flatly, "Now where to start…" She pondered for a moment. "Logically, we should first check the lost and found…"

"Lost and found?"

"You are not familiar? Kiran says that they have those at many educational facilities."

"We, uh, had a Byleth."

"I am unfamiliar with that turn of phrase," Lute stated, "Though I am certain they are very similar."

"Well…" Catherine began.

Lute nodded affirmatively, "Yes, let us proceed. We will likely find our first clue there."

A knock on the door interrupted them. "Um…" a tiny voice called from the other side of the door, "I… I have a message for Catherine!"

Lute hushed Catherine before she could speak. "It could be our thief, back to continue her rampage! I will answer the door, and you will apprehend the criminal." The swordswoman nodded. Lute approached the door and slowly opened it. "Please, enter at your leisure." She said to the figure beyond the doorway. Catherine leapt on the poor girl before she even saw who it was.

As the girl screamed bloody murder, Catherine looked at her unwitting victim.

"Oh… Lysithea! What brings you here?" She helped the small mage up, allowing her to collect herself. Lysithea huffed in indignation.

"Honestly! One would expect this childish behavior to be left behind in Fodlan," she muttered, "Anyway, I found this letter under my door, I can only assume someone confused the two of our doors…"

Catherine tilted her head. "Huh. Why would someone confuse us?"

"Well, let's see…" Lysithea tapped her chin, "You did carve the Charon crest into both of our doors as a 'show of sisterly love'."

"Oh, right. I forgot about that."

"I'm not surprised."

Lute hummed in thought. "I sense a pattern in these incidents."

"At least I'm not as bad as Manuela." Catherine snapped, "Come on, let's go investigate." She grabbed Lute and Lysithea, and dragged them out of the room.

"Ah, you're interfering with my pondering process!" Lute spoke up, but she didn't struggle against the knight's strength. Catherine lifted both of them onto her shoulders and jogged off.

.

.

The Iron Lance had been built at Commander Anna's request for a simple purpose: To give some of the heroes with less noble backgrounds a place that felt like home. Shamir slumped her shoulders at the bar. She would be lying if she said that Catherine's carelessness outside of battle wasn't a little grating. And to lose a sword after all of that…

Well, it didn't really sound like Catherine to leave Thunderbrand lying around, but it was still frustrating. A large glass of some amber liquid was placed in front of the seated sniper.

"No thanks, Stahl, I'm not drinking today." Shamir grumbled out.

Stahl gave her a smile. He and Panne were working the bar today, which surprised Shamir. The Taguel was usually busy training some of the other heroes. "It's peach tea, Shamir, don't worry." He replied.

She looked at the clear glass filled with an obviously cold liquid. "Iced?"

"It's a popular drink in Plegia." Panne noted. "Good for relieving the summer heat." Shamir took a sip. It was good. "You have troubles," the Taguel continued, "What concerns you?"

The sniper sighed. "My partner partied too hard last night, and lost her sword." She took another sip, "She's convinced that it was stolen."

"You don't believe her?"

"Possibly," Shamir muttered, "I just wish she had more awareness outside of work."

Panne nods. "I know what you mean. Stahl is very unfocused when he is hungry."

Stahl sighed, but didn't say anything in response. Shamir couldn't help but to crack a smile. It reminded her of the little moments at home. "Anyways, here I am, hoping to pick up any information." She sighed. "No luck so far."

Someone sat next to her and sighed heavily. "Yeah, it's a tough life out there." The girl said with a rugged assuredness that Shamir could instantly see through. She looked at her new bar neighbor. The pigtails instantly placed her as Lucina's loud and boisterous sister, though Shamir couldn't place a name. She had covered her face in a blue butterfly mask. "Hey, barkeep, how 'bout a cold one?"

Panne glared at the girl. "Cynthia, you are much too young to drink. And why are you speaking like that?" The girl stiffened up and pouted.

"Aunt Panne!" She whined, "I'm trying to look heroic and nonchalant in front of the coolest hero in the castle!"

Shamir couldn't help but smirk. "Coolest?"

Cynthia took off her mask. "Yeah! We saw you in the archery competition! You were so cool with your whole 'cold as ice' thing you had going! You have got to teach me!"

"Absolutely not." Shamir stated immediately. She still remembered her last disciple, and the last thing she needed was more student target practice. "I'm not much of a teacher."

"But you taught classes at that Monastery, right?" Cynthia piped up. "Claude told me as much!" Shamir's eye twitched. Of course. Claude. "He also said you don't really do favors, so I might have something you're interested in…" She pulled out a letter from a satchel around her shoulder. "I may have snagged this from a suspicious individual I saw lurking about; like a villain, I might add."

Shamir snatched it from Cynthia's hand. "Thanks, kid." She stood up to walk away as Cynthia stammered in shock. The sniper read the letter. It was… dead on.

.

Catherine-

I have possession of the Thunderbrand. If you want to see it again, you will have to solve all of my riddles!

Your nemesis

.

"Well, I guess Catherine was right." Shamir muttered. She glanced over at Cynthia, who was looking down at her feet, probably shattered that she had lost her only leverage… the sniper sighed. "Come on."

Cynthia popped up. "What?!"

"You retrieved the letter, don't you want to see this through?" Shamir was almost knocked over by the overeager pegasus knight.

"YES! Let's go defeat evil, together!" Cynthia shouted at the top of her lungs. "Onward, Justice Mask!"

Shamir closed her eyes. "First lesson, let's learn how to be silent."

"RIGHT!" Cynthia shouted, "I mean… right."

"Right." And they were off to collect Catherine and her crew.

.

.

"What about Set-two-na?"

"It wasn't funny when Lute suggested it!" Lysithea growled as she tossed a strange golden hat aside.

"Hee hee, sorry!" Celica clapped her hands together, which made Lysithea believe she wasn't really sorry. "I do love my jokes. I'm just surprised you're working with a new group, Lute!"

Lute shrugged. "I respect Lysithea as a peer, and Catherine of the Thunderbrand here is my esteemed client. Did you find anything in your records?"

Celica shook her head. "No weapon has been brought here, unfortunately. I did find this spoon," she pulled out a comically oversized mixing spoon, "From a saucy adventure I've had in the past." She wiggled her eyebrows at her horrible joke.

Catherine chuckled. "Hehe, nice one." She put on a large sunhat. "Well, what next?"

Lute frowned. "Well, our usual fountains of information are preoccupied with this ball, but I may have one or two more sources I could explore."

"No need." A dark, sinister voice called out from the shadows. "Your source is right here." A letter floated from the mysterious thief's hands towards Lysithea, who caught the piece of paper gingerly.

.

"To The Thunderbrand,

I present to you a set of riddles; if you solve them, you will be able to retrieve your precious sword-"

.

Catherine swung at the miscreant. "So my sword was stolen! I'm gonna pummel you!" The shadowy figure dipped and dove away from Catherine's punches. "Stop being so limber and let me hit you!" The figure made it to the doorway, and slipped away.

"Catherine, stop!" Lysithea ordered. "I think this person will give the sword back if we just solve these riddles."

Catherine grumbled. "Fine." She headed back to the others, and read the rest of the letter. "What…"

Lysithea made a face. "I know."

Lute looked over their shoulders. "What is compelling you to make such horrid expressions? I am quite intr-" Lute's face scrunched up, much like it would after eating a lemon whole. The noise that exited her mouth was akin to some eldritch horror, summoned from the depths.

.

You eat food here, where am I?

.

Lute continued making pained noises as she backed away from the horrendous riddle. Celica took a look over the letter as well.

"My word, that's not much of a riddle at all, is it?"

A set of two footsteps approached the lost and found, and Shamir and Cynthia burst through the door. "We heard screaming, is everything alright?" Cynthia asked.

Catherine looked at Lysithea, who was rubbing her temples in frustration, and then to Lute, now rolling on the ground. "Uh… these two have been better."

"My braaaaaain!" Lute groaned out.

.

.

"No, we want an unrestricted entry to the dance floor, let us move this sitting table across the way!"

"Goodness, that sculpture is much too garish! How did this even make it through the door, in Naga's name?"

"No, we will not have confetti, Morgan; this is a proper ball, not a child's birthday party!"

When it came to planning an event, Maribelle was in her element. While others might have good instincts, she had the knowledge and self-control to create an event that was both dazzling and reserved. Proper and yet unforgettable. Unfortunately, she also had an amazing ability to coerce people in assisting her, and with a feast dedicated to the heroes? Well, it would only be appropriate if the heroes themselves helped.

"Ugh, how did we get ourselves into this, Lucy?" Severa muttered as she set a table. "I've been looking at table settings so long that my eyes might dry up!"

Lucina frowned. "Don't be too hard on yourself, Sev," she whispered, "Aunt Maribelle even got Morgan to help, I don't think we stood much of a chance of escaping." She gave Severa a peck on the cheek. Anyways, if the end result is us dancing together, I'm willing to work extra hard."

Severa muttered something unintelligible, her face crimson. Lucina chuckled and continued moving chairs about.

"Heeeeey Severa!" A bubbly voice called out. Hilda and Marianne were carrying silverware, placing them on various tables. "Why the sour look?"

"Oh, hey Hilda," she replied, "I think I've been staring at these tablecloths for too long. I can't decide which one looks best."

"Hmmm, that is a problem! Marianne, what do you think?"

Marianne seemed to huddle behind thin air. "Oh! I- I'm not sure if my answer would really be helpful…"

Hilda gave her a smile. "I'm sure it couldn't hurt, Marianne! Do you have a preference?"

"Um… I like the silver one better." Marianne pointed to the one on Severa's left.

"How lucky! I like that one better too!" Hilda smiled. "Why don't you give Maribelle our silverware, and I'll help Severa here really quickly?"

"Oh-okay!" Marianne carefully walked towards Maribelle, while the other two started setting the table.

"That's a new strategy," Severa noted, "Trying not to get frustrated?"

Hilda frowned. "It wasn't that bad, was it?" Severa smirked. "Okay, I was working on it before, in Garreg Mach. Marianne is a sweet person, and I've been too hard on her in the past. Supporting her is the least I can do."

"Ah, I know that feeling," came the reply, "I struggle with Lucy's younger sister constantly."

Hilda snickered. "Cynthia? I could see that. She makes Claude look proper and reserved."

"Hey, I heard that, Hilda." Claude's voice echoed across the dance floor. "Where do you get off, pretending that this gentleman isn't refined and proper?"

Hilda stuck her tongue out. "Anyways, do you think it's working? Marianne seems happier, right?"

Severa shrugged. "She isn't running away, so that's an improvement." Hilda groaned.

"You're almost as bad as Claude! Well, I'm gonna keep trying. Congrats on your whole thing with Lucina, by the way!"

Severa gave Hilda a goofy smile. "Thanks." She said, but Hilda was already running off, much to Maribelle's loud consternation.

"Hmmm? What is my dear niece smiling about so much, I wonder?" She felt a small pinch on her cheek. Aversa gave Severa a wide cat-like grin. "Your face isn't as rubbery as your sister's or father's, but you have that same blissful smile!"

"Auntie, that's embarrassing." Severa said flatly. "And why are you here?"

Aversa scoffed. "It seems even I couldn't escape Maribelle's influence. Besides, I'm also here to help," she motioned to Ishtar, who was standing next to her, "a good friend."

Severa rolled her eyes. Dad's side of the family could be so dramatic. "I don't think we've properly met, I'm Severa."

"A pleasure, I'm Ishtar."

"I'll be blunt; what is my aunt helping you with?" Usually, Aversa didn't help anyone unless there was an incredible reward… or if it involved making dad's life miserable. "She's not… blackmailing you, is she? No offense."

Aversa chuckled. "None taken, though I may pinch your cheeks again."

Ishtar looked around. "Well, we are both working on the upper floor's decorations, but Aversa wanted me to look at the decorations closer to the center floor."

Aversa prodded the mage. "Why did I suggest that?" She asked in a sing-song voice.

Ishtar looked to the side. "I wanted to have a dress that matched the occasion." She mumbled.

"And why did you want that?"

"I want to impress-" she continued mumbling. Severa had heard enough from herself to know where this was going, so she decided to cut it off there.

"Well, I think that's wonderful!" She said in as kind a voice she could muster. "I also bought a lovely… dress…" As she spoke, she slowly realized that while she had bought a dress, she never looked at Lucina's dress that she had bought herself. "Oh no." She stated.

Ishtar tilted her head. "What is it?"

"I didn't check on Lucina's dress!" Severa said in a panic.

"Well, it certainly cannot be that bad, right, Aversa?"

Aversa's face was paler than usual. "Severa, what have you done?"

"I was so excited to go shopping with Lucy that I didn't even double check!" Severa explained frantically, "Oh gawds, what have I done?"

"Well, let me be the first to tell you not to worry." A stern voice from behind interrupted the group panic attack. Cordelia stood with her arms crossed and one eyebrow raised. "Though I clearly need to remind you that it's not polite to talk about loved ones behind their backs."

"Siiiister!" Aversa hissed, "We're just working through a crisis together! Clearly you understand the import of such an oversight?"

Cordelia sighed. "Yes, yes," she replied, "But that's no excuse for talking like this." She turned to her daughter. "Don't you trust Lucina?"

Severa scowled. "Mother…"

"Well?"

"...Yeah…"

"Then perhaps you should give her the benefit of the doubt," Cordelia continued, "I didn't focus that much on fashion until, well…" She stopped for a moment. "Never mind that. What I'm saying is that perhaps Lucina will have better fashion instincts now that she has a reason to work on them."

Aversa coughed. "Speaking of…" Lucina was nearly skipping towards the group, happily holding up a garish collection of stationary.

"Sev! Maribelle asked me to put together the table cards for everyone! I couldn't decide on a theme, so I just grabbed the brightest colors I could! Come! I could use the help!" She skipped away, as both Severa and Aversa looked at Cordelia. She sighed again.

"I am just saying that we should give her a chance."

Aversa crossed her arms. "Noted," she replied, "I suppose I have my own problem to solve with this one, anyways. Let's be off, Ishtar."

"Hold on," Ishtar stated, before leaning in towards Severa, "This is slightly embarrassing to ask, but… are you two…?" Severa nodded, "H-how did you ask?"

Severa sputtered. "It just kind of happened! It was a disaster but… it all worked out?"

"I… I see." Ishtar looked slightly discouraged, but gave Severa a smile. "Thank you for answering my query, I know that was slightly uncomfortable. Let us go, Aversa."

There was an uncomfortable silence as the two left, with Severa feeling her mom's gaze upon her. Cordelia tapped her chin and looked up at the rafters.

"So… you did kiss already, right? How was that? Father and I never really knew how to broach that topic-"

"MOM!"

.

.

"Ooohhhhh, when I get my hands on this…. This…" Lysithea's hands were shaking.

"Imbecile. The correct definition is imbecile." Lute continued, her expression that angriest that any of them had ever seen. "This may be the most insulting mystery I've ever had to solve."

Cynthia looked between them. "Hey fellow pursuers of justice! Cheer up! If it helps, I found some of them to be pretty tricky."

Both of them answered bluntly. "It does not help.." Cynthia sighed.

"Ignore them," Shamir stated, "If these… riddles, are any indication, we're at the end of our investigation anyways."

Catherine scoffed. "It's not like these are hard to write, how are you so sure, partner?"

"Well, first of all, there's no clue here."

Lute scoffed. "Our culprit probably just didn't tie it down; that's what I would expect from riddles this shoddily done."

"Well, there's also that." Shamir pointed. They were currently stationed at the training grounds, near a grassy hill that overlooked the whole training complex. Standing atop the hill was their mysterious thief, holding a familiar looking sword.

"Ah ha!" The shadowy figure called out. "My rival! You've made it!"

Catherine took two steps forward. "Rival? Look, if you wanted to spar or drink or whatever, all you had to do was ask! What's with all this dumb riddle stuff? And give me back my sword!"

The figure shook their head. "No, no! It had to be right! You have to be wearing resplendent white, atop a sun covered hill… or something like that, I kinda forgot the notebook I wrote it in back in my room…"

Shamir blinked in frustration. "You're a hero like us." She deduced, "What's the point of all this?"

The figure removed their cloak, revealing long purple hair and orange outfit. Mia laughed. "For years, I have been searching for my destined enemy, my rival to end all rivals! A fortune, revealed to me long ago-"

"Oh, be quiet." An explosion shot up sod and dirt at Mia's feet. Mia stammered as she jumped back.

"H-H-Hey! What's the big idea?" She called out. Lysithea and Lute were now in front of Catherine, and walking slowly towards Mia. "Don't you come any closer! I'm warning you!"

Lute glared. "You are going to retrieve all the intelligence I lost following your idiotic clues, Mia."

"... Idiotic?"

The explosions continued as Lysithea and Lute chased away the unfortunate swordswoman, and Catherine picked up Thunderbrand from the hillside. "Alright, mission accomplished!"

Cynthia frowned. "Y'know, I don't really feel all that heroic right now."

"You get used to it," Shamir replied, "Lesson 1, sometimes heroism doesn't feel heroic."

"Lesson?" the pegasus knight squealed in reply, "Did you say lesson?"

Catherine smirked. "Oh, I think she did."

"It's not a guaranteed contract," Shamir stated, "but you did help today, and I already said I pay back favors."

Cynthia jumped up in the air and did a little dance. "Yesss! Shamir's Ultra Super Heroic Lessons begin today!"

"We're not calling it that."

Catherine chuckled. "I dunno, I kinda like the sound of it."

.

.

Lucina spun around. Her white sundress glimmered under the moon. "Well, what do you think?"

"I think you could've asked your significant other for advice over me. Or your mother."

"I already asked mother, but I thought you might like to offer your opinion as well."

"Hmmm…" Grima looked over the dress, "It's very bright. I suppose it is appropriate for the occasion, but it does vex me."

"That does not sound like you approve…"

"Ah, no!" Grima paused for a moment, "It looks wonderful on you, Lucina. It is just, not my personal fashion preference."

Lucina beamed. "Thank you!" She paused. "Will you not be there tomorrow?"

"At the gathering of the insignificants?" Grima snorted, " I think not."

Lucina frowned. "Ah, my apologies, I had assumed you had gotten an invitation or been requested to join in the festivities."

"Hah!" Grima laughed, "Of course I was invited! That bumbling fool Reinhardt was here just a few hours ago, asking me to join him! That fool should be joining me!"

"... I think that was what he was asking."

Grima paused. "Ah. Well, then… Perhaps I shall make an appearance."

"If you want to change your image, you have to put forth some effort." Lucina said with a lecturing tone.

Grima hissed. "I put forth immense effort! You shall see! Never say that Grima and Robin don't know how to make an entrance!"

Lucina smiled, "That is the spirit! I should head back to get some rest, but… thank you."

Grima smiled softly. "No. Thank you, child. I know this is a tough road, but perhaps we shall see eye to eye in the future." As Lucina headed back to the castle, Grima floated back towards her tree fortress.

"Yes, all in due time, my child."

.

.

Hey all, I'm sorry for the absurdly long break. I'm sure I'm not the only one, but the pandemic took a toll, so I wasn't sure if I'd be back at one point. But I enjoy writing this little story too much!

I can't promise quick updates or anything, but I will continue working on this story. :) Thank you all for reading and sticking with it, it means a lot.