Throughout her time in the Order of Heroes, Kiran had heard many heartbreaking tales. Some of them she'd experienced firsthand. But even so, she was not prepared for the desperate plea of the broken woman that sought her out in The Order's halls.
"If I continue to fight for you, will you let me see her?" The fallen archbishop Rhea begged. "Please… May I… may I hear Mother's voice one last time?"
Kiran didn't respond. How could she possibly respond? Kiran stood, frozen in place at a loss for words. Her hood obscured her eyes. Rhea trembled silently, desperate that the summoner could give her a modicum of hope. Kiran retreated.
Kiran let herself fall flat onto her bed, and buried her face into her pillow. A woman with short purple hair, and a similarly shaded dress sat cross legged on a chair just across Kiran's quarters. A book she had previously been reading was closed over her thumb. She tapped the fingers of her free hand against the armrest.
"So you ran?" The purple haired woman questioned, setting her book aside. "Rather unfitting for an esteemed tactician such as yourself."
Kiran hadn't bothered lifting her head as she replied. Her response came out too muffled to decipher.
"Do not attempt to speak through the bedding." The woman imposed. "You are not a child."
"Sorry, Ursula." Kiran apologized as she picked herself up, revealing her eyes had become reddened and puffy. "How was I supposed to respond to a question like that?"
"Simply tell her that you have no means to perform such a feat." Ursula put. "Rhea is a grown woman, she should have accepted her mother's death long ago."
"Ursula, I love you but emotional support really isn't your strong suit." Kiran said.
"As to be expected from a professional assassin." Ursula replied. "Empathy and compassion are rather disadvantageous in my line of work."
"She just looked so… broken." Kiran murmured. "I couldn't… I just couldn't."
Kiran took a deep breath.
"I drag these people across space and time to fight on Askr's behalf. No matter their history or background, I have an obligation to ensure their comfort and stability." Kiran imparted. "But… I just couldn't. I feel so useless."
"You know very well I'm not one for sentiments, Kiran." Ursula stated, before sighing. "But you are far more capable than you give yourself credit for. If there's anyone in this world or any other that can calm that woman, it's you."
Kiran allowed the words of her partner to repeat in her head. Was partner the correct term? Girlfriend wasn't really a phrase used in Askr. Lover, perhaps? She liked the sound of that. Kiran allowed the words of her lover to repeat in her head, with a renewed sense of determination.
"Thank you, Ursula." Kiran exclaimed, springing to life and giving Ursula an unexpected peck on the cheek before throwing her hood on and darting off.
With Kiran gone, Ursula mused to herself. "You were able to win this assassin's heart after all. How unprofessional."
With renewed vigor, Kiran rushed through the halls of The Order of Heroes, where it just so happened that another native to Rhea's world was passing by. A tan skinned young man with a bow strapped to his back. His name was Claude.
"Hey Summoner." Claude greeted. "You have a second?"
"Not now, Clark." Kiran replied, running past him.
"Clark?" Claude repeated in confusion, before shrugging and continuing on his way.
Kiran had no idea where to start. How does one comfort a grieving millennia old dragon in human form? She supposed running away wasn't the best of kick offs.
With her mind preoccupied, Kiran hadn't noticed the door to the conference hall moving open. She collided against it straight on and fell back to the ground.
"Kiran?" Spoke a concerned young man. "Are you alright?"
The summoner pulled the hood obscuring her vision back from over her eyes to see a blue haired young adult with blonde tips, bending down to offer her a hand.
"Oh, I'm fine." Kiran said, accepting the help. "Sorry Alfonse, my mind was somewhere else."
"I should be the one apologising."
"Eh, this isn't the first time this type of thing happened and it won't be the last." Kiran shrugged, dusting herself off.
"Let's just hope this doesn't become an issue on the battlefield." Alfonse said. "What is it that has you in such a rush?"
"Rhea, the recent one." Kiran said. "She's… she's not in a good place. I can't just let things sit like they are without doing something to help her."
"That Rhea, I understand." Alfonse replied.
"Did you have a run-in with her too?" Kiran questioned.
"There was an incident shortly after she was summoned."
"I heard. She went out of control and flew off." Kiran said. "You were there? How did you end up calming her down? Maybe it'll help me find a way to ease her."
"Seiros gave a speech to hold on to hope." Alfonse recalled. "I told her we'd be happy to lend our aid once Askr is no longer under threat."
"You did what now?" Kiran queried. "Was that your wording?"
"Yes, it was." Alfonse answered.
"Alfonse, she came up to me pleading to see her mother if she continued to fight for us." Kiran illuminated. "I know you meant well, but in her eyes that was a carrot on a stick."
"Oh… I see." Alfonse said. "But not one word I spoke to her was dishonest. I plan to do whatever is in my power to assist once my duty to Askr is fulfilled."
"But we have no reliable method to do so." Kiran countered.
"It should be possible with The Breidablik."
"Sure, it's possible." Kiran acknowledged. "It's also possible Loki plans on replacing everyone in the order of heroes to conquer every known world."
"Please don't give her ideas."
"The point is The Breidablik is far too random to rely on." Kiran said, flashing back to previous summonings and shivering. "Trust me, I know."
"I hadn't considered." Alfonse said, recalling the many declarations of outrage Kiran had made post summoning session. "Perhaps I spoke too carelessly."
Kiran let out a sigh, and relented. "Don't beat yourself up about it. I don't think I was any better."
"There must be some way to ease her grief without pushing more uncertain hope on her." Alfonse pondered.
"I wish I knew more about her past, that'd make things easier." Kiran muttered. "But all the Fodlan heroes are so secretive."
"You may have luck in the order's library." Alfonse suggested. "It's not perfect, but we keep a catalog of heroes and the worlds they've come from."
"Alfonse, you're a genius!" Kiran hugged the prince then sped off in the library's direction.
Alfonse heard a loud crash down the hallway, sighed, and opted to investigate Kiran's path of destruction.
The order library was a highly expansive collection of texts from and about various worlds. A veritable Library of Alexandria containing history from every land Askr has interacted with. Even some from Kiran's own.
The catalog of heroes wasn't an area of the library just anyone had access to. Thankfully, being the summoner gave Kiran special clearance. Within contained what Kiran liked to refer to as "spoilers" texts from histories yet to happen from the perspectives of many of the summoned heroes. Information that could turn the tides of a world's timeline, for better or for worse.
Kiran found Fodlan didn't have just one or two major timelines archived, but seven. And she'd sieve through every page to find what she needed.
"It's such a mess." Kiran moaned, setting yet another stack of parchment aside. "Why is Fodlan so jumbled?"
The very first book she'd looked through had Rhea's favorite tea, but nothing about her past?
Kiran set down another book, one depicting Rhea descending into madness in a war for the continent. It gave absolutely zero insight into her person.
Book after book. Scroll after scroll. Crumbs, nothing but crumbs. Kiran was thankful that she was a fast reader, she couldn't imagine going through a different medium for this information.
The only fragments of lore that held value existed at the end of two near identical books, both containing at most two paragraphs detailing Rhea's original tragedy, the loss of her mother and the slaughter of her people.
Kiran had a better view of Rhea's drive–it was no wonder Seiros started out so distrusting of her–but that gave little in terms of counsel.
The last remaining hope still on the shelf looked more like a hardbound pamphlet than a proper tome, but Kiran wasn't going to turn her nose at it.
Kiran grabbed the book and flipped it open. Inside were small doodles accompanying brief notes of the heroes and their relationships. This must have been Sharena's pet project. Kiran smiled despite herself.
There was unsurprisingly no deep cutting introspective of Rhea, but there were notes of her solitude and the select few she'd let close. If Kiran talked to one of them it could provide some invaluable insight.
"Cyril isn't here yet, and Shamir doesn't seem like the type to hold much sentimentality." Kiran muttered. "Catherine it is!"
Catherine was a woman that Kiran found somewhat intimidating. Short blond hair, tanned skin, wearing shining silver armor and carrying an unnerving toothed sword. She was tall, boisterous, and very direct when she spoke her mind.
By stroke of luck, Kiran ran into her in the dining halls shortly into her search, having just finished her meal.
"Catherine!"
"Hey Summoner, what's up?" Catherine greeted a short on breath Kiran. She really should reconsider running everywhere.
"I need to talk to you, in my office." Kiran panted out. "It's urgent."
"I'm not in trouble, am I?" Catherine jested.
"No." Kiran replied. "... Well maybe, but not you specifically."
Kiran sounded serious enough that Catherine went along without further question.
Once inside the office Kiran took a seat behind her desk and instructed Catherine to follow suit. Kiran's entire demeanor seemed to shift when she sat in her desk chair, like the piece of furniture in front of her gave her total control.
"I need you to tell me everything you know about Rhea." Kiran stated, clasping her hands.
"That's a rather tall order out of nowhere." Catherine said.
"Please, I'm concerned for her." Kiran maintained. "I just want to help her find some peace of mind, before she hurts herself."
"This is about that other Lady Rhea, isn't it?" Catherine asked.
Kiran nodded. "Yes."
Catherine had only personally seen fallen Rhea once when she was first summoned, but it was more than enough to get a read on her. She needed support that Catherine couldn't provide.
"Alright, I'll sing." Catherine said, letting out a sigh. "What do you need to hear?"
"I'd like to know about Rhea as a person. Not as a hero, not as the church's figurehead, the Rhea that only those closest to her would know."
"You came to the right woman then." Catherine bragged. "Lady Rhea has never let anyone get too close. She almost never drops her professionalism. When you know her long enough it gets pretty easy to tell she doesn't want to; I think she feels she needs to."
"All those years of self imposed isolation, even surrounded by people." Kiran muttered. "Wait, you said almost."
"Yeah, I guess I did." Catherine admitted. "When she's alone with an animal or when she can find the time to visit the orphans, It's like she can forget who she is in those moments. She'll laugh and play without a care in the world."
Kiran nodded. "Thank you, Catherine. You've given me a much better understanding of her."
"It was a pleasure." Catherine said. "So what's your next move?"
"I need to go talk to Fallen Rhea." Kiran stated resolutely, standing tall. "It has to be me!"
"And here I thought you were this timid little thing." Catherine commented, standing up and leaning over Kiran's desk. "You sure you don't want me to tag along?"
A faint blush dusted Kiran's cheeks as she scratched the back of her head.
"Well, I would, but it's kinda something I have to make up for on my own." She sheepishly rationalized. "It's my duty as the summoner."
"Sounds like you have some resolve." Catherine said. "You're almost starting to sound like her."
Kiran wasn't sure how to take that, but knowing how much Catherine admires Rhea it was probably meant as a compliment.
Kiran moved to her office door, but before she escorted Catherine out, she had one last request.
"When you get back to your world, can you do me a favor?" Kiran enquired.
"What would that be?" Catherine enquired.
"Give your Rhea a hug."
Kiran made her way to the main hall in search of Rhea. The area received the heaviest foot traffic in the order, so even though she likely wasn't there there were good odds someone had seen her.
"Rhea's Transformed Again!"
Someone had seen her.
Kiran couldn't pinpoint exactly who shouted it out, but the announcement made quite a stir. Whoever it was was quickly lost to the panic. Just Kiran's luck.
Giving up on finding a lead inside, Kiran slipped through to the front entrance. If Rhea had transformed she'd certainly be outside anyway, and there had to be someone still out that witnessed it. You don't exactly miss a twenty meter flaming dragon taking off.
Outside the castle but within the outer wall was eerily quiet. No one to question. Kiran supposed finding shelter during a dragon rampage was logical, even if Rhea's contract prevented her from harming the other heroes. You tend to overlook that factoid when giant, laser breathing reptiles become involved.
There was one individual however, Kiran knew of that would never abandon their post, and they'd be right outside the gate.
Kiran approached the door to the outer wall.
"Gatekeeper!" She called out.
The gateway opened and Kiran was met with a remarkably unremarkable looking soldier in standard armor.
"Greetings, Summoner. I have a report." The Gatekeeper said.
"The Immaculate One, I know." Kiran replied. "What direction?"
"She flew northwest." The Gatekeeper shared.
"Thanks." Kiran nodded, before marching forward.
"Wait, you're going on your own?" The Gatekeeper questioned. "Don't you want to send for backup?"
"A crowd is only going to spook her more." Kiran rationalized. "And I don't have time to wait either way."
"If you insist." The Gatekeeper spoke, unsure. "I'll be here, guarding the gate if you change your mind."
Kiran traveled northwest, hoping The Immaculate One hadn't decided to make any detours. A gut feeling told the Summoner she was getting closer, but a creeping doubt whispered that she'd lost the trail.
It wasn't long before the sight of damaged trees shut Kiran's doubt down, only for it to be replaced with a greater worry that she'd fail Rhea again. But Kiran refused to let that worry stop her from trying. She owed Rhea that much.
Kiran began hearing roars and crashes. She scrambled up a nearby hill to gain a better vantage, and just past that hill was the fallen archbishop's true form. This version of The Immaculate One was a feral blazing behemoth.
Her eyes and mouth glowed a bright orange from an intense internal flame. Once white scales were now charred dull gray with embers bursting from underneath. Silver vine-like growths seemed to be the only thing binding her body in one piece.
Kiran inhaled, then shouted. "HEY!"
The Immaculate One paused her thrashing and stared directly in Kiran's direction. One can't exactly read a reptile's expression, but Kiran could tell she wasn't thrilled to see her.
Kiran steeled herself and approached.
"Hey there, Rhea." Kiran said softly.
The Immaculate One made no response.
"Rhea, I'm not sure if you took confessionals back in Fodlan, but I need to confess." Kiran shared. "I'm so sorry."
The Immaculate One tilted her head quizzically.
Kiran took another breath, steadying her resolve. She was ready to rip the bandage off.
"Rhea. I can't guarantee you'll ever be face to face with your mother again." Kiran spoke.
The Immaculate One roared, and lept back. Flames exploded off of her body.
"But if she's even a fraction of the mother you see her as, she wouldn't want to see you like this over her." Kiran appealed. "She cared for you."
Kiran stepped forward. The Immaculate One hissed and snapped.
"You've been alone for so long, haven't you?" Kiran continued. "I want to help."
The Immaculate One let out a roar that forced Kiran to cover her ears.
"There are people here that care about you!" Kiran yelled. "I care about you!"
It was the truth. She cared about all of the heroes, but she was personally and emotionally invested with Rhea.
"Liar!" The Immaculate One spat.
"I'm a coward, but I'm no liar." Kiran shouted back.
The Immaculate One snarled and roared defiantly as Kiran stepped closer toward her. The summoner held her hand out and continued onward, determined to make a connection.
Light gathered in The Immaculate One's mouth. Kiran closed her eyes, but her march remained constant.
The contract is still in effect. The contract is still in effect. Kiran repeated in her mind to steel herself.
The Immaculate One let out a tremendous beam of light centered squarely on Kiran. The beam enveloped the summoner. Something within The Immaculate One felt this was right; she was a monster, a failure. She was undeserving of remorse or companionship. This was only the natural conclusion.
Kiran disagreed. The summoner continued onward, unaffected by the destructive light pouring from The Immaculate One's mouth–although she knew she was going to have to answer for whatever environmental damage was left behind her–the beam died down.
Kiran opened her eyes. Up close she could make out a leaf shaped sigil just below where The Immaculate One's horns sprouted from her head. The summoner placed her palm gently against The Immaculate One's, against Rhea's snout.
The nabatean let her mouth fall shut. She made no further conscious move, but in spite of her reptilian physiology, her body shivered at the contact.
"I hurt you." Kiran uttered. "And I am so sorry."
Rhea stared down at the human pressing her hand against her. She had no idea how to respond.
"I was a coward that ran when you needed me. But I'm not running anymore."
Kiran hugged Rhea's snout. Tears dripped from The Immaculate One's eyes, sizzling into nothing before they hit the ground. She began to shrink and revert back to her humanoid form.
Rhea returned Kiran's embrace and sobbed. No more words were exchanged for quite some time. These were tears that Rhea has held in for over a thousand years. It was time to let them flow.
Kiran and Rhea sat atop the hill overlooking the aftermath of Rhea's frenzy. Stones shattered, clearings of trees toppled, scorched patches everywhere. The very ground had been ripped asunder.
"I did all of this…" Rhea muttered.
"You suffered a breakdown, and couldn't control yourself." Kiran comforted, patting Rhea on the shoulder. "If anyone's to blame, it'd be me."
"... Avoid that line of thought." Rhea suggested. "A martyr complex does the mind no good."
"Rules for me, but not for thee, huh?" Kiran snarked.
Despite herself, Rhea chuckled. Kiran joined in. Rhea couldn't remember the last time she'd let herself laugh.
"Catherine told me about how you love animals." Kiran mentioned, trying to keep the dialogue going.
"Cats especially." Rhea replied.
"I love cats too. Never had one back home though." Kiran stated. "One time at the market, Ursula and I were swarmed by them. You should have seen the look on her face."
"That, sounds lovely." Rhea spoke.
"It is. And the cat situation was nice too." Kiran shared, with a smug grin. "Do you have any stories like that?"
Rhea pondered. Recalling her past wasn't as easy as it used to be. Especially happier memories, not after…
Kiran could see Rhea's troubled expression.
"You don't have to." Kiran quickly clarified. "Sorry for putting you on the spot."
"No… I remember." Rhea said. "I remember… when Garreg Mach was new."
Kiran immediately zipped her mouth.
"Nobles…" Rhea said, with barely hidden contempt. "They didn't want animals on the grounds, but a cat wandered in… I fed her. She purred…"
"What happened then?" Kiran enquired.
"There were more…" Rhea attempted to recall. "The Nobles weren't happy… I didn't care. I was."
It had become clear to Kiran that sharing her tale was getting too taxing on Rhea, so Kiran opted to uphold the dialogue herself with whatever inane prattle she could maintain until she exhausted topics, then silence returned. The two simply sat for some time without any further exchange.
"I'm gonna have a lot of paperwork to fill once I'm back at the order." Kiran sighed, watching the sun begin to dip.
"Would you… come back?" Rhea requested. "Talk to me again."
"Of course I will, Rhea." Kiran affirmed, picking herself up. "But don't think you're staying out here. I'm not the only one at the order of heroes concerned for you."
Kiran offered Rhea a hand.
Rhea hesitantly reached up and gripped the summoner's palm. "Very… well."
Kiran pulled Rhea to her feet. It strained her more than she cared to admit. Either Rhea was heavier than she looked, or Kiran was weaker than she thought.
"It looks like I was correct once again."
Kiran and Rhea turned their heads to the newcomer. Approaching on horseback was a familiar purple haired assassin.
"Ursula? How long have you been here?" Kiran questioned.
"Oh Kiran, there's not a moment I don't know where you are." Ursula replied.
"Aww." Kiran said, holding her hands over her heart.
Rhea was left wondering if she were witnessing a standard romantic interaction between two humans. Something told her this wasn't.
"Oh!" Kiran said, before grabbing Rhea's hand and pulling her along. "You two haven't properly met, have you?"
Ursula dismounted her horse, somewhat bemused at Kiran's rampant enthusiasm.
"Ursula, this is my friend, Rhea. Rhea, this is my lover, Ursula!" Kiran happily announced, encouraging the two to shake hands.
"...friend?" Rhea repeated, stunned.
"Of course you are!" Kiran said. "Now say hello."
"Oh, of-of course... My name is Rhea." Rhea introduced herself, holding out her hand. "Former... archbishop of the Church… of Seiros."
"Ursula, Blue Crow, whatever the name, the end is still the same." Ursula said, reciprocating. "I suppose we'll both be looking out for this one in the future."
"And I appreciate that." Kiran said, smiling. "So Ursula, you wouldn't mind giving us a ride back on your horse, would you?"
"What would you do without me?" Ursula chuckled.
It had been a day since Fallen Rhea's breakdown and slight kaiju rampage. After the initial panic The Order had been put back in order thanks to the efforts of Alfonse and Anna. Kiran received an ear full for running out on her own after Rhea.
The summoner knew she wasn't done though. There was always a probability Rhea would relapse and while seeming far more stable the other Rheas would logically share Fallen Rhea's trauma and habits. She'd need to keep check on them all.
Her first stop would be Hallow… Harvest Festival Rhea. The Rhea that had been summoned in the midst of a harvest celebration, dressed as a wicked witch for the festivities. Kiran wasn't convinced she actually knew what a witch was.
Kiran knocked on the door to Rhea's quarters.
"Come in." The autumn archbishop answered.
"Will do." Kiran replied, graciously following orders.
"Oh, Kiran." Rhea said, sounding pleasantly surprised with her current guest. "To what do I owe the honors?"
Kiran approached and hugged Rhea, eliciting a slight squeak in surprise.
"We care about you here, so many people care about you." Kiran said. "If you're ever hurting, please let us know. It doesn't matter how amazing you are, no one should bear everything on their own."
Kiran felt Rhea's arms wrap around her. Tears hit the top of the summoner's hood.
"What is the meaning of this?" Seiros questioned, looking down at the summoner clinging to her like a child.
"It's called a hug." Kiran replied.
"I am well aware of the concept." Seiros remarked.
"But you haven't had one in a while, have you?" Kiran retorted.
"I fail to see how that is of your concern." Seiros said, feeling her face heat up. "Regardless of the accuracy."
"Seiros, I know you have a tough time trusting humans. You have every right not to." Kiran spoke. "But I want you to know that I, and the Order of Heroes, care about you."
Seiros pat Kiran on the head.
"Is that what this is about?" Seiros questioned, removing Kiran from her person to look her in the eye. "While it is true I can never trust humanity, you have long since shown me that not every individual is unworthy. Even if your sense of boundaries leaves much to be desired."
"That's not it." Kiran said, shaking her head. "I know you're Rhea, or I know you will be Rhea, and I know how you suffer in silence."
Seiros' eyes narrowed into slits. "Do you believe I lack the strength to bear my own burdens?" She growled.
Kiran remained unfazed, and placed a hand on Seiros' shoulder.
"That's no way to live, Seiros." Kiran said. "I want you to be able to lean on us. You don't have to share anything you're not comfortable sharing but even if it's temporary, I want to be your friend."
Seiros scanned Kiran's face looking for, almost hoping for any signs of deceit. She let out a sigh.
"Very well." Seiros relented. "I shall give this arrangement a venture."
Seiros immediately found herself wrapped in the arms of the overly enthusiastic summoner. She reluctantly reciprocated.
After finishing her extended chat with Seiros, Kiran's next destination was Summer Rhea. A Rhea that was summoned alongside Byleth from a summer celebration. Consequently, both arrived in beachwear.
By chance Kiran happened to catch her on her own.
"Hey, Rhea." Kiran greeted.
"Ah Summoner, was there something you needed from me?" Summer Rhea asked.
"Just checking up." Kiran said. "Although I'm not sure you really need it, you seem a lot more open and well adjusted than the other Rheas."
"Oh, well, thank you?" Summer Rhea replied, unsure how she should take that statement. The Summoner was always an odd one.
"Regardless, if you're ever feeling down or alone I want you to let Alfonse, Sharena, or I know." Kiran said, extending a hand. If she went for an impromptu hug with someone in a bikini, it might give the wrong impression. "That's an order, by the way."
Summer Rhea chuckled, giving Kiran's hand a shake. "Very well, Summoner."
On her way to Fallen Rhea Kiran ran into another tall, green haired, inhuman woman. She wore a white robe decorated with bits of silver armor, and had a metallic bird perched itself on her shoulders.
"Nótt, I haven't seen you in a while." Kiran greeted.
"O-oh, hello Summoner." Nótt stuttered. "How have you fared? Well, I'd hope."
"Better than yesterday, I can say that for certain." Kiran said. "Just letting a somewhat stubborn category of hero know…"
Kiran looked at Nótt pensively.
She knew Seiros was Rhea, so was it not unreasonable to assume Nótt was also Rhea? Eh, better safe than sorry.
"What's with that expression?"
Without warning Kiran embraced Nótt in a hug. Nótt went beat red.
"We care about you here at the order of heroes." Kiran exclaimed. "So if there's ever anything troubling you, you can talk to me."
Nótt let out a squeak in reply.
Kiran let go and grabbed the jötnar's hand with both of hers.
"Remember that." She said smiling, before moving along her way.
Nótt stood absolutely stunned. She practically fainted standing up. She would not remember that.
Kiran found her way to Fallen Rhea's quarters. The door was already open, and the retired archbishop was too preoccupied looking to the ground to notice Kiran step in.
"Hey, Rhea." Kiran said softly.
Fallen Rhea lifted her head to see the Summoner paying her a visit. Her expression brightened.
And so concludes my first Fire Emblem related work. Gotta admit it's a little nerve-racking putting this out here, but I hope I was able to do the characters justice. This has been something I've wanted to do since Fallen Rhea's release in FEH. That level 40 conversation (which this fic begins at the end of) is just heartbreaking, and the spot the forging bonds event ended on left a bad taste in my mouth, so here we are. Rhea deserves better. Always.
The reason Kiran and Ursula are a couple in this is simply because I ship them. Have been the entire time I've played FEH. Might have to do that backstory in the future. This would make the second time I've paired a cheerful outgoing pollyanna with a literal assassin in my writing.
If anyone reading this has jumped over from either of my other works, I'm really curious as to what you think.
Did I change/enhance anyone's view of Rhea? Did I give anyone Kirursula brain worms? Let me know.
Happy Pride month. (Just barely made that deadline.)