Sorry for the long break before updates. It has been years since I have written using FF, and I totally did not know that they no longer automatically sent reviews to my email- so I had no clue anyone had any interest, and then I was incredibly busy over the summer with a summer job.

Thank you for all who read and reviewed. I am also open to constructive criticism, so please feel free to write in suggestions for improvement.

Much obliged,

GS.

CONVERGENCE

B Support: Lucina

CORDELIA

Sumia's younger daughter was, for some reason, much easier for Cordelia to accept. This was likely due to the fact that Cynthia was the second, and thus less shocking blow, but also definitely because she was much more Sumia's child than Chrom's. Cynthia was a little bit more boyish than Sumia (all that talk about becoming a hero, perhaps because she looked up to her father?), but the clumsiness and sheer enthusiasm reminded Cordelia of when Sumia and her were young and best of friends… long before they met… Cordelia's eyes moved towards the prin- no, he was the Exalt now. The royal family were huddled together, exchanging hugs and words of love. Their loyal friends and comrades moved forward to congratulate their reunion and welcome the youngest princess.

Cordelia closed her eyes and breathed in deeply.

"Cordelia!" Stahl came over with a characteristic plate of food in his hands.

Cordelia looked up from her conversation with Cynthia. The younger princess had been incredibly enthusiastic to talk to another pegasus knight who was not mother.

"Hey Cynthia!"

"Hi Uncle Sta— er… Stahl! Sorry, I keep forgetting we're near the same age here! Ehehe, well, if you have something to say I'll come back later," Cynthia grabbed Cordelia's hand, her eyes sparkling, "You're going to tell me more stories of when you and mother were young, right? Later?"

Cordelia couldn't help but laugh and pet the girl's head with her free hand, "Yes. Let's talk later."

Cynthia gave a victory-sounding hum, pecked Cordelia on the cheek and then bounded off.

"Wow, you sure are popular with the royal family." Stahl commented. He thought he Cordelia's expression waver, but then she said:

"If you knew Sumia's young and embarrassing stories, you'd be popular too Stahl."

"Haha, I can imagine Cynthia's interest, but I guess it's the same with Lucina too, huh?" Stahl grimaced slightly, "These kids had it hard, never getting to really know their parents."

Cordelia raised an eyebrow, Lucina?, "So what have you came here for?"

Stahl's smile widened and his eyes suddenly steeled with determination, "I think I'm ready for our duet after dinner. You know they have a fancy little music parlour here? Right now there's some other guests in it, but I already asked the innkeepers. They were so pleased that we got rid of that impostor Chrom that they'll keep it open for us tonight."

"But won't we keep up the guests? Besides, we'll all be on the move again tomorrow, so we should get as much rest as we-"

"What's the matter, scared of losing a little sleep?" Stahl laughed, "But apparently the innkeepers somehow used this special spiky ceiling and enforced it with a thicker wood so that the most of the music stays in the room. Isn't that awesome?! Come on, Cordelia, we just have to try it!"

Cordelia couldn't help but laugh too, Stahl had been a stalwart friend on and off the battlefield since they met, and his good-nature was infectious. "Alright Stahl, I'll break the rules just for you this once! My, my, losing my beauty sleep because of this!"

"You're always beautiful, Cordelia." Stahl stood up. "Well, I'll find you later tonight then!"

Cordelia returned to her meal feeling good and entirely oblivious to a pair of blue eyes which saw the entire interaction.

Dread lapped at Cordelia's feet.

And it was going so well. And she thought it was a good day.

Their duet was amazing, their harps sang together in such a way that Cordelia felt her skin crawl, as if the music was too good to be real. Hard to imagine that was merely moments ago.

"Well, you see… Cordelia…" Stahl's face was afire, and his hands were trembling towards his pocket.

No. Cordelia felt cold sweat prickling the back of her neck and the palm of her hands.

"You know, we're always marching and stuff, and because of that I never had the chance to… but it's actually been ages that I've wanted to get this for you." Stahl gave a small abashed cough and then pulled out a small box.

Gods, no!

He opened the box, releasing the wave of dread that washed over Cordelia.

He took a deep breath, "Cordelia, will you marry me?"

She met his gaze with helpless eyes. But he, in his own flux of emotions, failed to read hers.

The silence stretched.

LUCINA

"Was it you two playing that beautiful music? It was- uh…" Lucina blinked "… uh-mazing."

There was a hesitation with which Stahl turned his head towards her that added to Lucina's unease.

"Sorry, am I interrupting something…?"

"No, princess, please, come and join us!"

Cordelia's unnatural enthusiasm made Lucina the opposite of feeling welcome.

"A-alright."

...Yet she found herself unable to refuse. Apparently.

"Excuse me Lucina, I… excuse me." Stahl stood up and left.

Something was definitely smothering her. Perhaps the unbearable awkwardness? Lucina thought. And it was such a good day today, meeting Cynthia again and everything.

The thought of her sister made Lucina look up from the floor and at Cordelia. The flickering fireplace made the light dance on the pegasus knight's face…

"Cordelia, have I ever done something to offend you?"

The words tumbled out of her mouth before she allowed them.

"What?" Cordelia looked up from her harp, "No. Why would you ask such a thing princess?"

"It's…" It's only there's a tension every time we talk, the words almost tumbled out again. Lucina could not explain why these words were pushing up against her throat like vomit. Anyway, it's probably, "Nothing. It's nothing Cordelia."

Except it wasn't. Lucina couldn't help but notice how Cynthia quickly befriended the pegasus knight at dinner. Remembering that, Lucina felt a rising heat to her face.

"Why are you so stiff with me? It's… it's…"

Once again, the words tumbled out, and this time with an accusatory tone which shocked Lucina. Yet she held her course, she ought to know, because they were comrades-in-arms, and also because… also… because…

"You… must be imagining it princess," Cordelia said.

Lucina could almost smell her patience burning, "My name is Lucina. And I imagine that even you don't believe what you just said. Tell me if I have erred towards you and I will amend it to the best of my abilities. I would not want us to avoid each other in the battlefield for some unintended offence."

Cordelia reddened, and Lucina wondered if she only further aggravated her offence. Good job, Lucina. She nearly slapped her own forehead, but something made her hold her course.

"It's… because you are royalty. You are the Exalt's heir, and I am your servant," Cordelia swallowed.

"And you are fine with Cynthia, despite her heritage?" Lucina demanded. The vividness with which Lucina suddenly remembered Cynthia talking to Cordelia over dinner was surprising, and she found herself continuing: "You had no problem talking to Cynthia tonight."

Also because it hurts. Lucina blinked at the realization. I want to know why because it hurts. But that was ridiculous. She was not some child to be hurt by being left out by some peer…

Cordelia now looked thoroughly uncomfortable, and was looking for somewhere to place her gaze on besides her. This only made Lucina want to grab her by the shoulders and demand why, for a goddamn explanation. But her lips tightened, refusing passage for the words. I must be cordial. I will be cordial. She took a deep breath, and then said "Sorry for my outburst, Cordelia."

"… nothing…."

"What?"

"I said you have done nothing that requires apology, milady." For the first time tonight, or ever as far as Lucina remembered, Cordelia was looking directly at her. Sincerity in her eyes, light dancing over her face, her hair…

She's so beautiful.

Lucina was again surprised at herself. Was she… envious? Naga's blessings, was this what she was reduced to in this yet non-apocalyptic world? Envy of another woman's beauty? And such a great envy it must be, if for a moment she was caught off guard and entirely absorbed by the woman facing her.

"I am the one who is sorry, milady, to have given you such an unnecessary burden." Lucina could not reply, and they looked at each other for a few moments. Then Cordelia stood up, picking her harp, "I should go now."

"Cordelia," Lucina said finally, "my name is Lucina."

CORDELIA

"Right," Cordelia took a deep breath, "Lucina."

The girl's face lit up with a smile that shamed Cordelia. The girl— no, the young woman— was not Chrom… no, more than that, her own feelings for Chrom should not cause distress to someone so clearly not at fault. It was enough that those feelings made her unable to stomach the thought of being with any other who chose to try and replace Chrom's spot in her heart (she trembled at the thought on how to face Stahl on the morrow) but this girl did not choose that. She just… did. Her presence just leaked into that hole from the edges, that hole Cordelia had carefully kept clean and free of trespassers. The hole that was unbearably empty, but couldn't bear the idea of being filled either. Cordelia swallowed, and that was unfair. She may not fill the gap, but she could expand her heart at the very least.

"It is I who committed the offence, Lucina. Please accept my apologies." Cordelia said.

"Only if you offer them."

"I do." Cordelia bowed.

"Apologies take their own form, you know," Cordelia felt two fingers tip her chin upward, and her eyes met the blue she saw and loved.

But this time, she saw Lucina, "W-what will you have me do?"

Lucina's face reddened and she dropped her hand, "W-well… first you can straighten yourself. My father sees you as a comrade, an equal, as do I."

Cordelia did so, and for the first time truly observed the young woman standing in front of her. She was slightly shorter than Cordelia, and if she were granted a life of peace, she would have, Cordelia imagined, been an even slighter girl without the lean muscles. Her hair was long and beautiful, a healthy sheen on deep blue. Her eyes took after neither Sumia nor Chrom's in shape, although her gaze had Chrom's straight and true nature.

Yet different… Cordelia thought, now looking closer at the girl. Lucina's gaze always seemed to be tinged with a melancholy and a constant, faraway intensity. They were looking away presently… Cordelia leaned in closer, entranced by the Brand which was visible. How fascinating that the Exalt's Brand would manifest in an eye...

"Ah, I know!"

Cordelia snapped back, unaware she had leaned in quite close.

There was a pause, "Will you let me ride Edgar sometime?"

"What?" Cordelia blinked, "Why?"

"There is… well…" Pain flashed through those eyes that Cordelia were observing, "There is a skill my mother from the future learned. She tried to teach me, but I was unable to learn it before… she… Before she died. But I know she learned it from training with her pegasus."

"A skill learned atop a pegasus, huh? What is it called?"

Lucina nodded, "Galeforce."

"Wow," Cordelia knew of the skill of course. Some of the older sisters in the order who were magically oriented began to specialize in that stream, so much so their pegasus would change to a darker colour, thus earning the name of Dark Fliers. Only the most experienced of these dark fliers ever mastered the skill of Galeforce. It was perhaps the most coveted skill of the pegasus knights, but not all were suited for this magical stream. Cordelia looked at her hands. Hers were definitely hands that wielded lances better than tomes… yet… nothing is impossible, and it could be a challenge to look forward to. Indeed, if the future Sumia could do it…

"Very well princess, we shall learn that skill together."

Lucina laughed, "Good! … And Cordelia? My name is Lucina."

Author Notes: I hope you will consider reviewing. Thanks!

EDIT: Has been edited. Please continue to send in reviews and point out precisely what could use correction~

Also, I semi-paired up Stahl/Cordelia because it was my first file's pairing for her and I liked it... until the S support conversation (sorry, I just don't like S supports in general for Awakening; too forced. What I will do for those 2nd-gen characters...)