5/29/14

Just saw the Smash Bros Invitational Tournament video on youtube

Gonna be honest: I don't follow the competitive scene, not all too fond of the idea but I wouldn't go into videos like that to rant. The thing looks interesting and since I'll be watching all the E3 stuff when it rolls around, might as well check it out even if only to see some awesome gameplay. That ending tease for the Wii U Gamecube adapter was super hilarious and WHY GEOFF KEIGHLEY!?

You know, there are no people like him in the FE world.

And that's what its all about.

I've been rereading this chapter a few times and I really like it, hope you do as well.

Fate's Push

Laguz Alliance Camp

Today was a bit of a hectic day in the Alliance camp, after a rather strenuous meeting, Ranulf was relaying orders to the divisions, namely the ones led by Lethe and Kyza.

The army was preparing to mobilize and confront Begnion's forces when Ike got word that Zelgius issued a challenge to Skrimir and the brash Lion accepted, going off on his own to the Soze Pass.

Throwing all the strategic work down the drain a detachment led by Ike and Ranulf took off for the Soze Pass almost immediately, leaving the majority of the already positioned army to wait until they returned.

Heather sat by herself, groaning. Simply stated: she was bored.

"Hey, Heather! This time-"

Hearing Gatrie she groaned again, even louder "No, not this time! Not ever! Why are you even here?"

The general shrugged "That mountain climb would've been way too much for me, so I elected to hang back…then again it's not like they were ordering people to follow. The necessary personnel knew who they were."

At Heather's silence he continued "So just one day, you and me, come on."

The rogue stood and turned "What part of NEVER do you not understand?"

"The never part."

Rolling her eyes Heather turned and walked away while Gatrie continued to console and compliment her.

Nephenee's Tent

Examining her weapon closely the Halberd smiled "Perfect." The lance's edges were sharp and the weapon was clean and ready for use. Putting it aside she picked up a javelin and noted the ruined handles and crack along the blade. "Not workin with this one."

As she continued, Heather ran in and bent over, breathing hard "How is he so fast in that armor!"

Nephenee looked to her "How've you been, Heather?"

The rogue waved her off before hearing Gatrie calling for her. After a few minutes his voice faded away allowing Heather to breathe a great sigh of relief.

"He's not that bad a guy." Nephenee commented as she put her javelin aside and picked up a spear.

"You're too nice, Neph…"

The Halberd was busy cleaning her weapons and armor when Ike and Ranulf's group took off. Realizing there was nothing she could do to help them she elected to continue her maintenance and prepare for the upcoming battles.

"You're pretty darn quick Heather…you coulda caught up to them, if you wanted to."

Heather sat down next to the Halberd and held up one end of the spear, keeping it more level as Nephenee continued to clean it.

"I didn't want to go."

"Why? I mean…if you don't mind me asking."

Heather thought for a moment, unsure what to say "Uh…I just…I don't think I would've been much help scaling a mountain…fighting through huge guys and ballistae."

"Really? You seem awful confident to me, I figured you'd handle that well."

Laughing the rogue nodded "Thanks for the vote of confidence. Have you scaled a mountain before?"

Nephenee smiled as she flipped the spear around "Yeah, during the Mad King's War…it was one of the craziest bouts we had. They rolled big ol' rocks down on us as we ascended. Had some ballistae as well…"

Heather whistled "Did you get hit?"

Nephenee thought "One boulder got close but it was blown up by Calill, a sage friend of mine. Some of the bits hit me an all but nothin to fret over."

As Nephenee admired her spear, Heather took the time to just stare at the Halberd again. "I know it's pretty early to be thinkin about this but what do you think you'll do when the war wraps up?"

Nephenee shrugged before standing and placing the spear at the side "I've not given much thought…what about you?"

The pair left the tent together with Heather thinking "I suppose I'll go back to watching over my mom…she is pretty old and sickly. Don't like leaving her alone."

"Is someone watchin her now?"

Heather nodded "I sent word…got some old friends of hers to check in on her now and then…"

Noting the time the pair decided to head towards the mess tent. Mounted knights would have been unable to climb up the mountain in the Soze Pass far enough so Oscar hung back which good news for them as he was a renowned chef throughout the entire alliance.

"Hey Crimson Beauty!" Heather called as they passed by Titania who smiled and waved.

"Why do you call her that?" Nephenee asked to which Heather shrugged "What? Isn't she attractive?"

"I suppose…"

As they ate, Heather eyed Nephenee, she wanted to ask something but nothing viable was coming to mind.

"Maybe it's time to just be more…forward."

"Heather. Do you think I'm relentless?"

The rogue tilted her head as Nephenee's eyes found her "Relentless…how?"

The Halberd shook her head "A lotta friends I know call me relentless in combat…I don't know if that's good or bad…"

Heather thought about the times she saw Nephenee in battle, taking down everyone she turned her attention to. Pursuing them if they ran and being all around elegant and deadly.

"It's a good asset. You're a strong part of the army, Nephenee. I've seen that several times for sure."

As Nephenee nodded, Heather continued "How'd you…y'know…get so good at your lance work? I haven't seen anyone else around here anywhere near that good."

"You're just exaggeratin and all, I'm not THAT good."

Heather laughed "You are underestimating yourself; you're amazing…and not just in combat."

As Nephenee finished her food she looked up to Heather "You're so…nice to me…"

The rogue winked "Of course! Are you still surprised? I make it a point to tell you how amazing you are every now and then."

Seeing the blush form Heather continued "From your elegant and brutal combat presence, to your kindhearted every day posture…"

"Stop." Nephenee stated turning away with a smile and a deeper blush.

"…and you can be just plain adorable."

Returning their plates, Nephenee continued to look away from Heather, her face still red.

"There is something I'd like to know, Neph. Every once in a while I think about us and I-"

"Us?"

Heather nodded "Our…"

"…friendship?"

The rogue turned away "Do I spend too much time around you?"

"What?"

"I mean, you know so many other people here in camp and sometimes I feel like I'm taking all your time away from them."

Heather froze as she felt Nephenee's hand on hers. Turning slowly she faced the Halberd "Why would you think something so silly? I really enjoy the time we spend together."

Heather swallowed "You do?"

"Yeah…I wasn't so sure at first…but we've known each other for some time now…I know I can be open and just talk to you bout anythin. I like it."

Heather's heart jumped at the statement "I like being with you too."

As their eyes met again they heard someone yell "They're back!" "Did you hear? General Skrimir is injured!" "Against a beorc!?" "No! Impossible!"

Before they realized what was happening the camp was in an uproar, and everyone was yelling for something different.

As the leaders returned to the strategy tent and began speaking Nephenee spotted Mia.

As the Halberd walked towards her, she let go of Heather's hand, in response, the warmth that was all over the rogue's body vanished almost instantly.

The golden haired woman slowly approached the friends as Mia told them about what happened at the pass. The final decision would either be peace treaty talks, full scale combat with the armies wiping each other out or an Alliance retreat back to Gallia, Zelgius gave the Laguz Alliance three days to respond, in which he swore his forces would not attack them.

Nephenee's Tent

"In here?"

"That's fine."

Heather finished packing some things for Nephenee and slung the bag over her shoulder. The Alliance has decided to separate with the Beast Tribe falling back to Gallia and the Bird Tribes gathering more information on the Begnion forces. While this goes on the Mercenaries decided to move to nearby Castle Seliora.

As Nephenee reached up and picked up a lance she called to Heather "Do you need my help to pack up your tent?"

"Oh…well, I-"

Heather noticed that as Nephenee pulled the lance down another fell over and ran to Nephenee's side, tackling her to the ground as several weapons fell with the old javelin breaking as it hit the floor.

Heather now found herself on top of Nephenee, looking into the Halberd's eyes. She wasn't sure what to say and in all honesty, would rather just stay there forever.

Nephenee blushed and looked elsewhere "I'm fine Heather…you mind helpin me up?"

After a few moments Heather nodded and helped the Halberd to her feet.

The two remained silent, Heather casting a quick glance at Nephenee, catching the other woman looking at her as well.

Coughing Nephenee bent down and picked up her lance "We should get goin…"

Nodding, still not speaking, Heather picked up a bag and exited the tent after Nephenee.

Castle Seliora

The battlefield was unfamiliar, sounds of combat surrounded her. A man came up to her and brought his axe up, unaware of what was happening, Nephenee found herself on the ground again, looking up at the rogue who seemed to be at a loss for words. The setting had changed to the Halberd's own tent, mirroring events not so long ago.

"Neph…I-"

Still on top of the Halberd, Heather absentmindedly bent down closer to her. Nephenee's face began glowing redder as the rogue came even closer.

"H-Heather-"

As their lips met everything seemed to go dark.

Sitting up quickly, the Cerulean haired woman looked around "W-what was that?"

Rubbing her eyes the Halberd continued to look around her room, remembering where she was and what happened.

That wasn't Heather's dream. Wink.

In my most recent play through I was using Oscar and Titania and brought them to this level (General's Hand *looks down at hand*) I did not realize they'd be constricted from the latter half of the map, whoops.