Chapter 2: How to start a Bond

(Ashur – An Inn inside Southtown)

A low groan emanated from beside me, and whether consciously or not, I echoed it; I was hung-over. A sudden banshee-like scream followed by a hard kick toppled me to the floor, "Bastard! How dare you take advantage of me!" I glanced down at myself in a blur, having fallen out of the bed like a sack of potatoes, trying desperately to recall what had happened the previous evening. I noticed I still had my black pants on. That was one dangerous possibility avoided, I breathed.

I let out a sigh and glared at my other self... what a strange fact that was to recall, "You do see that I'm not undressed, right?" Lana let out a low hiss and looked herself over, then blinked towards me a few times in surprise, as if she'd honestly expected me to use her like that. Trust was not strong between us. At least we could both acknowledge that there was no problem.

She huffed acutely, throwing off the covers of the single sized bed we had arrived upon through some misadventure or another. Upon seeing that her clothes were still most definitely on, I closed my eyes, half in relief and half because I didn't want to appear to be staring. "You still should have..." she paused and thought better of it, "Never mind, I guess it's fine. I do want to know, though, what happened?"

I shrugged to show her I was as clueless as she, "I can't remember... Plus, it's a little hard to think with the ceaseless, throbbing pain of the headache that scream of yours just gave me. Thanks for that." She threw my shirt at me and I pulled it on. I noticed her staring at the twin cloaks that had ended up on the floor, shifting her head back and forth, "I think we have a problem huh?"

She shook her head and tried to sound confident and in control, "We just need to try both of them on. I mean, you're just a little shorter than me, so there should be no problem."

I stomped my foot on the floor a little more loudly than I had intended. I had to admit, she had struck a nerve, "I'm not short, okay?" She looked up and chuckled at my frustration, throwing one of the cloaks at me. I slipped on the missing article and brushed my hands over my pockets for my money in hopes I hadn't lost it at some point. I found my stash and sighed in relief; Lana had apparently been doing the same, and we caught each other looking the other up and down.

She smiled and tilted her head, "You know, I was curious about something." I wasn't really giving her the time of day until I heard what she said next, which put my thoughts to a dead stop: "You mentioned something about how should we act towards each other, but... Well, if I didn't know any better, I could have I sworn you were getting at something."

A mild panic arose inside of me, but I shoved it back down, "I guess, maybe. I can't remember." She leered at me sharply, not the least bit convinced by my prevarication. I relented, "Yeah, all right. I might've had a little something to say... Happy now?"

She placed a hand on her hip and smirked in a manner that could very easily have been considered seductive as she thought about my response. "Happier," she intoned her voice so that I knew this was not a superlative, "At any rate, weren't we supposed to be coming up with some kind of plan together?" I shrugged again; I had proposed the idea, but I had no idea what kind of plan we could actually draft.

I tapped my foot as I thought, then snapped my fingers as a notion flashed in my mind, "We need to figure out how to get into each others worlds first, so we should see Anna again. Then, of course, we'll need to propose our plan to your Chrom." Lana smiled as I walked beside her and I offered my arm, which she took once again as we headed back towards the gate.

(Ashur – Outrealm Gate)

We shared more than a few conversations and sessions of friendly banter as we made our way out to the gate, although these were principally work-related, as we felt, perhaps, a bit too personally involved as of this morning's events. I was the quicker of the two of us to overcome his hangover, most likely because, I had gleaned, my group of Shepherds had been more given to celebration by drinking. We talked about our strategies and approach to battles, as well as the biggest contributors to our armies. When we arrived at the small island and brought up our plan to Anna, however, we were met with a response that made us both cry in unison, "What!"

Anna was frowning at us, clearly none too pleased at having her morning interrupted with a little scheme like ours. She rolled her eyes in malaise, "I said it's not possible. I honestly have no clue how to send her back yet. Just give me a few days, okay? I haven't ever done this before, so it's still a bit of a work in progress." I looked at Lana, who hung her head.

I took her hand, leading her away from the gate and spoke to her softly, "Well, for now, I guess you're stuck here. I need to get back to work on my strategy, anyway." I started walking back towards the fisherman I had hired last time, having asked him to wait, just in case.

Lana caught up to me, "Hey, strategy for what? I mean, we can't even be certain that my Chrom will cooperate yet." We stepped onto the boat and it began its long drift back to shore as my mind drifted to my plans.

I spoke softly as I tried to figure out who exactly to start with, "I need to fix things. Restore my trust with them." I could see the disbelief in her eyes. She was about to say something, but I preempted her, "I was being honest yesterday; I could really care less about them right now, but if I don't try to fix things, we'll never get anywhere with our plan." The fisherman cocked an eyebrow at us both, wondering what we could possibly be talking about, but made the smart move of keeping his mouth shut and turning back around.

Lana shrugged, perpetuating our cluelessness, "Perhaps you should start with whoever you were closest to?" I laughed weakly, that wouldn't go over well. There was more to be said there than I could say in a million lifetimes.

I shook my head, "No, I think I should start with Anna, personally. She was a good friend before, and, frankly, I don't think she'll be insanely difficult to convince." Lana nodded in confirmation of my suggestion as my mind drifted back to my other option. I dismissed that thought immediately, "I don't think I'll ever try to fix things with... her, though."

The solemnity of my voice made the vagueness of my reference clear to Lana, who bowed her head apologetically, "Lucina... Yes, I doubt it would be that easy." I growled internally at the mention of her name, it sparked a fire in my mind at the slightest sound. I hated what had happened, and, right now, I definitely hated her. Lana saw my consternation and smiled at me so as to provoke the calming of my nerves.

She inched closer, our hands now barely inches from the other on the small boat, "You need to just relax and not think about her for now." I looked at her with a weak sigh, I only wished it could be that easy. I had loved her... hell, a part of me still did. No matter what I did, the princess had left an indelible impression on my mind.

I denied her and practically whispered in reply, "It's not that simple. Gods, I wish it was, but I just... I can't, you see?" She nodded sympathetically, taking my words in, and smiling playfully as her hand wound itself around my own. My breathing quickened.

She gripped my hand a bit tighter, her voice mirroring volume of my own, "I understand, we'll work together until everyone will forgives us." I shifted my hand further into hers as I pondered Lana's boldness. I hadn't expected us to connect with one another, but it wasn't as though I disliked the attention. As a matter of fact, I enjoyed the closeness with her, and I was entertained and altogether not opposed to the idea of our being together, curious a proposition as that might have been.

(Ylisstol Market – In the Evening – Lana)

Ylisstol. Somehow it was even more eerie than Southtown had been: The market, stalls, people, buildings, and even shop names were alike in some places. Ashur had come here to plead his case to his former friend, Anna. I had my suspicions, however. After all, just the previous evening he had claimed to not care, and yet here he was, preparing to beg Anna to be at his side again. The man confused me, more often than not. I could tell he was quick to anger, but he was equally quick to apologize for his rashness shortly after.

He was also apparently quick to liberally apply curses to his usual language, something that caught me off-guard, for I was very limited in my usage of such... terminology, save the occasional burst of anger. He strode ahead with conspicuous gusto, working, perhaps too hard, to conceal the fact that he had absolutely no plan of attack whatsoever.

Anna's tent was exactly where I had remembered it being from my own world. It was evening, so odds lent that she would be inside, probably counting inventory or calculating revenue. Ashur strode inside with a smile and spoke lightly, "Hey Anna, you still in here?" There was a clamor and rattling that startled me. I looked toward the noise to find the redhead stepping out of a small pile of merchandise.

"You scared me," she chided my companion, "You ought to know better than to sneak into a merchant's tent late at night. I've cut men down for less."

"Always the sweet-talker," he smirked sarcastically at her.

She took it in stride, "Well, what can I do you for, night owl?"

His face became more pensive as he wrung his hands a bit, "Anna..."

"Oh," she interjected, "And who's this?" The merchant stared at me, eyeing me up like the most perfect commodity she'd ever seen. "Careful, Ash," she teased, waving her finger accusatorially, "Lucy's not going to be very happy if she sees you moonlighting with other girls... Oh, wait, never mind."

I saw his jaw tense, "I'm glad you find it so fucking funny."

She halted immediately, recognizing his ire, "Sorry, sorry. Over the line. My bad. But, really, who is this girl? She's wearing clothes like yours... is she your sister?" We both blushed at the thought.

"Er, no," he scratched the back of his head, "She's... well, she's me. From a different realm."

"Really?" Anna jumped. Ashur's face displayed shock at how well the merchant was taking that information, and, frankly, so was I.

"My name is Lana," I told her, offering my hand.

She took it, "Charmed, I'm sure. I'm Anna. I'll bet you probably know my sisters." I nodded to confirm her supposition as she turned back to Ashur, "Now, what was it you wanted, Ash?"

"Right," he swallowed hard, "See, Lana and I had an idea about how to deal with Grima, and now... Well, but first... I wanted to..."

"Whatsa matter, short stuff?" she chuckled, "Cat got your tongue?"

"I am not short!" he retaliated, his face becoming redder by the moment.

"Settle down," she mocked him, "Now, honestly, sometime today, Ash: what is it you want?"

"I wanted to know if you'd be willing to come along with Lana and I," my companion finally managed with a heated breath.

"Why didn't you say so?" she scoffed, "When do we leave?"

"W-What? Just like that?" he doubled back. Even I hadn't believed it would be that easy.

"Sure," she shrugged, "so long as this isn't some kinky business with you girlfriend, there. ...It isn't, right?" We both shook our heads in fervent denial. "Then why not?" she smiled.

"I just figured you'd be more reluctant, seeing as how... you know..." his face sunk. He didn't dare relive the revelation.

"Lookie here, kiddo," the merchant leaned forward, "I'm a numbers gal. I play to win, and right now, I'm looking at a full house."

"I don't think I follow," Ashur cocked an eyebrow. I thanked him internally, as I also failed to understand.

"Lemme put it this way," she declared with the slick veneer of casualty typical of a retailer, "I hung around with Chrom because, hey, he was in line to be the exalt, right? Gotta be some money in that, hasn't there?"

"I suppose," the man beside me shrugged.

"Well, think how much more recognition potential I have if I tag along with a deity incarnate! And now there's two of you!" her eyes sparkled, "This is what we in the business so rarely get to call a 'sure thing.'" I didn't know how much I felt like being the springboard to Anna's fame, but Ashur seemed relieved that she would need no further provocation, at least.

"So, that's it, then?" he wondered aloud, "I mean, I'm grateful, but is that the only reason?"

"That's it," she declared with finality, "...Or maybe it's really just that I find you kind of cute when you're all pathetic and begging at my feet, and I'm putting you on because I get off on it." Ashur and I both paused and tilted our heads at the redhead, eyes widening. "That's a joke, you two," she laughed at us.

She was certainly an odd sort, but with her at our side, it could finally be said that we had allies outside of ourselves. I could see the relief on Ashur's face as Anna whistled and packed away her necessities. As the night air blew a chill across my face, I sidled up next to him, "See? Maybe making friends will be easier than you thought."

"I wish I could believe that," he frowned. I didn't blame him.

"Well, you'll still always have me," I mused, seizing his hand because it felt comfortable.

"What?" he turned his head.

"Er, nothing. Forget it," I provided, hiding the blush on my face. I had said too much. Maybe the air of camaraderie was already getting to me. Having found a new companion with Anna, we had separated for the evening, Anna had headed to the Shepherds garrison and was told to keep our location a secret. Ashur had afterward gotten a room available for the two of us to stay at for awhile.

Before sleep could claim me that night, however, I found myself beset by preponderances of my situation: why had I felt the need to be close to Ashur? Why didn't his advances bother me? Why did I care that he was seeking out Anna? And most of all, why had I said what I said? Was it really possible that I was developing feelings for one who was effectively myself? The thought refused to leave me as the blackness of sleep finally enveloped my mind.

Thanks for reading so far everyone! I loved everyone's reviews and stuffs! Sorry about the lateness of this update, I had found a new obsession and had to beat nearly every Phoenix Wright game I could get, so I got a little busy trying to complete all of them. :3

Anyway, you can Review, follow, Fav, or whatever if you want!

With seventeen cups of empty coffee surrounding her,

Lana Bloodmoon :3