Mercedes lowered her clasped hands once the choir hymn reached its completion and gave her singing partner a gentle smile. "Oh, Felix! How wonderful to see you're up and about again. And already joining us for choir, even better."

"The professor sent me," he answered blandly. "It wasn't by choice."

The remainder of the choir group dispersed. Felix motioned to resume his day, but something held him back. He sensed the woman's eyes following him from behind. He looked over his shoulder and confirmed his suspicions.

"What."

"I'm just delighted to see you're feeling better," she was still smiling. "Actually, I was hoping to chat with you, if you have a moment?"

"Not really. I'm already behind with my training after missing a day."

The response wasn't entirely a fib, but it also wasn't wholly true. Today was Wednesday, and Wednesdays were often Annette's turn on kitchen duty. If he managed to time his arrival just right, he might possibly walk by in time for another song...maybe the fabled dish soap ditty Sylvain referenced in passing—

"Really?" Mercedes raised an eyebrow. There was something almost ethereal about her as she stood in the colored light filtering through the Garreg Mach's breathtaking stained glass window. Although Felix didn't consider himself overtly religious, lying to Mercedes—especially when she carried the demeanor of an angel—didn't feel appropriate.

He sighed. "I can spare a moment."

"Oh no, I would hate to inconvenience you—"

"I've already spared a moment having this conversation. What is it?"

She smiled again. The sounds of the organist adjusting their tune in the background murmured through the chapel as if underscoring the shift in their conversation. "I was wondering if you enjoyed your tea."

"Tea?"

"The tea Annie brought you, of course," she tilted her head. "Oh dear, did she change her mind? She had such a difficult time picking the right blend for a fever."

Oh. That tea.

"It was fine," he admitted. The tea itself wasn't the problem. The problem was Annette's damned song magic. The entire source of his problems stemmed back to it. Losing sleep, lowering his defenses, reducing his immune system…

Felix struggled to suppress a scowl in front of Mercedes as he reflected on the lemon and honey metaphor and the accompanying melody. Annette's newest song was stubbornly pervasive and somehow managed to sink all the way to the deepest layers of his subconscious even when sleeping. Just recalling her bright recitation of the lyrics the night before left him wanting more. He regretted not asking her to stay and sing for him again.

"Felix?"

"What."

"Are you sure you're feeling better…?" The look on Mercedes's face was one he'd seen many times before. He knew it instantly—she had slipped into 'big sister' mode without trying again. Which meant whatever look was on his face was enough to trigger her sisterly senses.

"I'm better. I'm here, aren't I?"

"You look flushed..."

"I'm fine. I told you before, stop worrying so much about me. I can take care of myself."

She nodded apologetically. "I'm sorry, I never meant to imply you couldn't. But please be careful. Everyone was worried about you."

"Everyone, huh?" he snorted. There were a few choice individuals he suspected were absent from that list.

"You shouldn't underestimate the compassion of others."

The discussion was beginning to stray into the territory of feelings, another topic he wasn't too keen to unpack. "Worry about yourself."

"Of course, you're right."

The organist wrapped up their practice, and a gaggle of nuns flitted past on their way to lunch. Felix was growing restless. At this rate he would miss kitchen duty.

"So, did you enjoy it? Was it memorable?"

"What?"

Mercedes laced her fingers together and offered another soft smile. There was something different twinkling in her eyes. He didn't like that look one bit. "The song, of course."

"Choir hymnals are the same as always. I don't care either way," he frowned. Hopefully that was the song she was referring to, but something in her smile said otherwise.

"I meant Annie's newest song. She did mention she was working on something just for you, after all."

Just for me?

"She did, did she." It wasn't a question. But prodding for more details felt embarrassing.

"Hm, she did say she wasn't finished with it yet," Mercedes sighed. "Maybe I spoke too soon. I certainly hope I didn't ruin the surprise!"

That unsettling sensation pressing against his chest returned in full force. Felix was starting to wonder just how long this inconvenient magic was going to continue hindering him. He folded his arms in thought, then stared back up at her.

"Mercedes."

"Yes?"

The question that had taken root weeks earlier was bothering him. If there was one person he knew who had decent magical aptitude and wouldn't try to bowl him over with nonsense, it was Mercedes. Felix was confident she would be entirely honest with him. "Is there such a thing as song magic?"

"Song… magic?"

"Yes."

She opened her mouth to respond, then suddenly hesitated. That knowing look in her eyes was back. He disliked it even more than before. "Goodness, Felix. Are you planning on changing your class already?"

"No."

"I was going to say," Mercedes's laughter was airy and light, without even the faintest hint of prejudice, "you would be setting yourself up for an unfortunate disappointment. I've never heard of such magic. I believe you're already doing well enough for yourself on your current path."

"Hn," he grunted. So that was that. It really didn't exist. Sylvain was telling the truth after all.

"But there is something magical about music, I will agree. Sometimes, even standing right here, it's as though I can sense the goddess's presence when I am singing with others."

"That's not what I was talking about."

"I know it wasn't." Mercedes voice was as soft as always, but her words felt uncomfortably heavy in his ears. She seemed to sense his unease and offered another kindly smile. "But regardless, I'm glad to see you are feeling better all the same."

"Whatever. I have things to do."

"I'm sorry, Felix. I didn't mean to keep you so long."

"Don't worry about it," he spun on his heel to resume his walk.

"Oh, and Felix?" Mercedes called out to him.

He sighed and stopped mid-stride. "What?"

"Please say hello to Annie for me when you see her in the kitchen."