AN: Well, I didn't expect such a good reception. But I'm glad you guys like it! Sorry this one took a while. Life's been busy. Lots of work, then ma got covid so now I gotta isolate. Don't worry though, your boy is negative! I tried my best on this chapter, but I'm still getting used to writing. It's been a long time since I've written. Anyway, I'll shut up and let you read. Hope y'all enjoy, don't forget to leave a review!

My dad told me when he bought me my first drink, "Thom, the best time to sort your head out is over a few drinks. Keeps you honest."

Granted, that was my 18th birthday and my dad was an alcoholic. But hey, that doesn't make him wrong! He was a functioning alcoholic. Now, I've never actually had any need to sink a few rounds and think about stuff, but if there was a time to take dear ole dad's advice it'd probably be about now.

Right, ok Thom. Let's see. How'd today start? Well, I woke up and I made an egg sandwich. Doused it in hot sauce, that was pretty damn good. My water heater blew out on me mid-shower, so I'm not real excited about that. Dropped my car off at the mechanic, glad I don't have to pay for it now. See? Looking on the bright side. Then I went shooting with Kimball and...

Shot myself, yeah.

Ok, then I uh, came back to life. Yep. Dressed and armed as a cowboy. Walked into town and figured out I was in Fire Emblem. I've never even PLAYED Fire Emblem. I saved an old man, I guess. I never thought I'd save somebody.

Alright, this isn't working. Maybe I drank too much. Three might be a bit much. What the hell am I supposed to do? I killed four men. I've never killed anything bigger than a mouse, and that was a mercy killing. And I cried. Granted, I don't feel as bad about killing brigands, they'd have killed me without a second thought, after all. But still...

Oh, hell. I'm thinking about this too much. I did a good thing, right? I helped Bart, Berg, whatever his name was. And his dad. So that settles it, I guess. If I stay, I'm going to have to kill again eventually. No avoiding that whether I stay with the Shepherds or not. But that's if I stay, of course. Fuck if I'm going to decide such a big thing while three- scratch that, four ales deep.

Shit, hold on. It's not like I just blinked and I was balls-deep in Southtown, right? I took a bullet and bled out all over the range.

There's no going home is there? I'm stuck here, aren't I? Oh, fuck me. Great Just great. I'm gonna need a lot more than four drinks to drown thi-

"There you are! We've been looking for you for an hour now." My thoughts are interrupted by a hand clapping my shoulder. One which I quickly recognize as Robin's. My eyes trail up her arm, finally settling on her face. She doesn't look very thrilled. "Oh, yeah I'm sorry about that. It's been a long day, I needed a drink. She quirks an eyebrow at that. "A drink? You look like you've had a few more than that." "Heh, yeah. Guilty. Look, sorry for bailing on you guys back there. Last time I fucked with fire I got burned."

She shakes her head at that, I can see the ghost of a smile on her face. "No, it's no problem. Most of the townsfolk were hard at work putting the fires out by the time we were done fighting." Huh, imagine that. "So, you don't want the apology drink I was going to offer?" I ask, smirking. She returns it. "Well, if you're offering, then I wouldn't mind. Just let me get the others, first." Hell, gives me time to sink this drink before the next one. "Yeah, yeah that works for me. Go on, then. I'll be waiting for you guys here."

She nods as she turns her back, walking away. I've got precious few moments before they're back, I think. So I'd better think of a game plan. I'm gonna join the Shepherds, I know that much. I'm gonna need physical training. I'm good enough with my guns, but I'm gonna need to learn how to even explain them. I also have this knife, and I'm sure as shit gonna need to learn how to use that in a pinch.

So I'll ask to tag along with them, maybe ask for some Hand-To-Hand training, and try to survive what comes. Therein lies a moral dilemma. Do I warn them about Emmeryn, or let it play out? If I let her die, they can never know about what I know. And I'm not a good liar.

I don't have another moment to think about this before I catch the Shepherds enter the Tavern from the corner of my eye. I shoot them a wave from across the room, and catch Chrom's attention. He approaches my table, flanked by Lissa and Frederick. Robin, however, walks to the bar. She motions toward the table, hopefully ordering more drinks.

"So, this is where you went off to. We've been looking all over for you!" Lissa pouts at me, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Yeah, sorry for bailing on you guys. I'm uh, not the biggest fan of fire." I look away, at least having the decency to look a little ashamed. Chrom takes the seat across from me, flanked by Lissa and Frederick. "Yeah, Robin mentioned that. It would have been good to know where you were wandering off to, but the situation was already being handled." Chrom assures me.

Eh, I still feel bad, but if he says it's fine, I guess it's fine. "If you say so, boss. I'm a bit relieved. I took my first life today, I don't think becoming a firefighter would do me much good." I sigh. They look concerned. Well, Lissa and Chrom do. Frederick looks impassive, but I can see him scrutinizing me. That's right, I haven't explained who I am or what the hell my guns are.

"You say you've never killed before?" Lissa questions. I shake my head, casting my eyes down. "No. But I'll explain it all in a second. Once Robin comes back with the drinks." Speak of the devil, Robin approaches the table, platter of drinks in hand. She sets it down in the middle of the table, and all of us take a drink.

Robin takes a seat next to me. I nod to her, and turn my attention to Chrom. "Right. So I'm sure you have questions. So let's hear 'em." He looks to Frederick, and nods. Big bastard turns to me and clears his throat. "I guess we should start with where you're from. You certainly don't look Plegian, or Ylissean. You're dressed unlike anyone I've ever seen."

Alright, Thom. Time to nut up, or shut up. It always goes better when you tell the truth, so be honest and try to not come off as crazy. "Right. So you can obviously tell I'm not Plegian, Ylissean, or Feroxi. But I'm not from Chon'sin. I'm not from Valm. It's kind of hard to explain. And I'm not entirely sure you'll believe me." He leans in, "Try me." he says.

"Okay, okay. Right. I'm from a place called the United States of America." Frederick looks ready to interject there, but I stop him. "Upupup- lemme explain. If there was any way to get there, I'd probably say the Outrealm gate. But that's not how I ended up here." They all look at each other, perplexed. "The Outrealm gate? I've never heard of it, I'm afraid. And if that's not how you came to be here, how did you get here? Do you have any proof?" He interrogates. Man, he is on point.

"Well, I'm not really sure either. As for proof, here's your proof." I unholster my colts, and place them off on the table. I motion to them, "You were probably wondering about these too, weren't you?" and scan their reactions. Chrom, Robin, and Lissa all look interested, and Frederick does too to an extent, but more cautiously. "These are called Colt Single-Action Revolvers. Just call them Colts. I pull a round from my bandolier, "This is a .45 caliber round. You load them into each chamber in the rotating cylinder." I explain, demonstrating it as I go. "Once you load all six chambers, you cock back the hammer, and pull this trigger. The pin on the hammer slams onto the round part on the back of the round which is called the primer. This ignites the powder in the round, and launches the end of the round which is called the bullet. The bullet is what kills. And it kills real good."

I unload the round from the chamber, and slide the colts back into the holsters. I look around, and they all look perplexed. Right, that might've been too much information. Fuck, it's like trying to explain a car to a caveman. I might as well have been speaking in tongues. My bad. I clear my throat, getting their attention once again. "Anywho, I didn't come through the Outrealm gate. I was with a friend of mine, back home. I was playing around with these like an idiot and a bullet essentially... bounced off of something and came back at me. It went through my neck. Last I remember before I ended up outside of town is bleeding out in the dirt. Quick, messy death."

Chrom looks shocked, Lissa looks devastated, Frederick seems conflicted, and Robin looks like she doesn't even know what to think. "Look," I sigh, "I know it's all very hard to believe. But I'm hoping that was enough proof. I don't have anywhere to go, or anything to do here. I don't think I'll ever be able to go back, so I don't have anyone here. I was wondering if I could tag along with you guys. Maybe I can prove myself to you guys."

Mr. Future-Exalt peers at me from across the table with a warm gaze. "I'll admit, it sounds very outlandish. I'm not sure I believe you entirely, but you helped save people's lives today. You didn't need to help us, if what you told us is true, and I know killing for the first time is never easy. You went out of your way, and that means something. We'd be happy to have you with us."

"Thank you. I mean it, you're doing a lot for me. Frederick, what do you think?" His gaze hardens. "Make no mistake, it's a strange tale. I'll be keeping my eye on you until I know you can be trusted. But if it's what milord wishes, then I'm alright with it."

Lissa jumps up out of her seat. "Glad to have you with us! Welcome to the Shepherds!" I feel a warmth in my chest. I hope I've made the right decision. But I suppose time will tell. "I'm sure Robin is glad she isn't the newbie anymore." I jest. We all share a laugh at that. I really hope it's the first of many.

Ahh, sweet relief. I'm in the clear for now.

"I appreciate it. Now, let's drink!" I raise my tankard and well share a toast. "Cheers!"