6/30/14

Started my 3rd run on Xenoblade Chronicles which is also my 2nd from scratch run (no clear data this time).

In case you don't know, to me that game is infallibly perfect and the greatest game I've ever played so suffice to say I'm having a blast.

For people in the know on the game the next area I'm visiting is Satorl Marsh which, at night, has some of the best music EVER.

That aside this is the last chapter in the Love Trilogy, this chapter also doubles as the last of the chapters in immediate succession, every chapter after this one is separated by a days, weeks or even months.

Friends, Family, Love

"It was really nice meeting you."

"You as well Heather, take care of my sister."

"You know it."

Heather watched as Nora turned away and continued her walk home. She had just arrived in Ohma and came across Heather; apparently Nephenee had written her letters telling her about her relationship. It made Heather very happy to know how much more open Nephenee was becoming.

Heather herself liked Nephenee's family; the three boys Mak, Lon and Kay were troublesome but ultimately very sweet. The three had no real opinions of seeing Nephenee and Heather so close, they just enjoyed the new face they could talk with about whatever little things came to mind.

Nephenee's sisters Nell and Nora were very supportive of their sister and very kind towards Heather. The pair saw her as Nephenee's significant other and treated her the same way most people would, they care for their sister and they want to see if Heather truly cares for her as well.

Finally, Nephenee's mother, Ora, during their first meal the woman kept her eyes firmly on Heather, the rogue would never back down from doing what she wanted to but felt that maybe she shouldn't be as…touchy-feely with Nephenee around her family as she is on a normal basis, especially with her mother.

Out of the corner of her eye Heather spotted Rae, the second the man saw her he turned and walked in the opposite direction.

"Hmm…I wonder if this is how Tanith feels."

Speaking of Tanith, Heather found herself in regular contact with the stern woman. Mainly because Tanith was in Heather's same place not too long ago and she made the most out of it, but also because she really liked the other woman.

"Heya Heather."

"Brom, what's goin on?"

"You know, more farm work, it's how I live."

The man put down his shovel and smiled at Heather's expression "You and Nephenee doin alright I assume?"

"Better than alright."

"I noticed you go to their house a few times, the family likes you I hope?"

Heather nodded at that as she leaned onto the fence around Brom "Yeah and I really like them…very lively bunch when they're all together."

"What does Nephenee think of your family?"

Heather fell silent and thought about her mom, Brom scratched the back of his head "Sorry."

"No, don't worry about it…she really should meet my mom…"

Remembering she actually had to do something else she excused herself.

Hey Neph, hope things are goin well, I'm hopin to get some time to go down and visit you and Heather. I know I say this all the time but I'm so happy the two of you are together. I'm still havin a little trouble with the whole gloomy tactician thing but I think he's warmin up to me.

Either way, hope to be there sometime this coming week, be seeing you soon!

-Mia

Nephenee smiled as she folded the letter, she'd been in constant contact with Mia. Honestly she truly enjoyed all the time she spent with Heather but all of her other friends had returned to their lives all over Tellius, it made her sad at times thinking about them. Refusing to make herself upset she remembered bringing it up to Heather and the rogue responded by immediately suggesting a visit.

Putting the letter in her pocket she looked up at the sky and breathed in deeply. Two hands covered her eyes and a voice came from behind her "Hey beautiful."

Turning Nephenee faced Heather and smiled as the rogue closed the distance and kissed her.

"Hey Heather…did you get any mail today?"

Nodding Heather showed her the folded letters "Yep, got one from Ilyana and one from Tanith. The two are doing very well though Ilyana was not afraid to let me know how hungry she was at the moment."

"Some things never change…"

Heather put the letters in her pocket before speaking "Tanith had a very interesting idea…"

"Hm?"

"She said if we ever find ourselves in Begnion to look her and Sigrun up, she wouldn't mind the four of us goin out for a night together. Sounds good right?"

Nephenee thought about it and nodded as Heather continued "Before that though…would you mind comin with me?"

Heather's Home

"Mom! I'm back!"

Heather walked into her house with Nephenee close behind; the two came up to an older woman who smiled at them.

"Heather…you look so happy…whose this?"

"This is Nephenee. My girlfriend."

Nephenee blushed a bit as Heather's mother smiled "I see…now Heather, why didn't you tell me you were in a relationship? I would've wanted to meet her much sooner."

Nephenee turned to Heather with a strange look; however it vanished as she saw the expression in Heather's face.

The rogue walked over to her mom, smile returning "Sorry about that…we've been together for a while now, I guess I was just nervous is all."

"Now, now Heather…you do so much for me, you know that I have nothing bad to say about anything you do. I'm just happy you're happy."

Nephenee walked up to the older woman and smiled "H-hello ma'am. It's very nice to meet ya."

"You as well…my…you are so beautiful. I can see why Heather fell in love with you. When did you meet?"

Heather turned away and breathed in as Nephenee pulled up a chair and sat across from the old woman. The former Halberd began explaining how she and Heather met over a year and a half ago.

Later that day

The noon sun found Heather and Nephenee out on a rather large hill near Ohma, lying against a tree.

"You're mom is so sweet."

Heather remained silent causing Nephenee to turn to her.

"Heather?"

"She's sick…"

"I know, you told me that…though I was never sure in what way…"

"It's…it's so hard sometimes…"

Seeing the sadness overcome Heather, Nephenee put an arm around her and pulled her in.

"She's my mom…I have to take care of her…it's just…"

"We can do it together…you've helped me and been at my side for nearly everything I've done, the only way I can repay you is to help out."

Heather glanced at her and smiled "Thanks, Neph."

Tol

"Don't think I've seen you around, what's your name?"

"Woah, back off Romeo."

Heather returned to Nephenee's side and gestured for the man to move away.

"Well hey there firecracker? Lookin to have a good night?"

"I'm in the middle of a fantastic night. Shoo."

Holding Nephenee, Heather walked away, leaving the man looking after them.

"Maybe you should put your helmet back on." Heather stated to which Nephenee looked to her. After a short glance to one another the pair began laughing.

"Heather, I-"

Nephenee practically froze, bringing Heather to a stop as well "Neph? You okay?"

Facing forward, Heather spotted Rae and the conversation she had with Nephenee some time ago returned to her.

"So Heather, why was your day so bad?"

Scratching her head Heather thought of that man and felt her blood boiling.

"Some…jerk tried to…geez I hate this word. He thought that kissing me and going out on a date with me would…make me…normal."

Heather looked to Nephenee who wore a sad expression "That's terrible."

"But I let him have it, pretty sure he wouldn't dare show his face to me…what about you?"

"…same…thing…"

"What?"

"R-"

Shaking her head Nephenee continued "Some guy told me I was off and wanted to…help me…"

"Someone confronted you? Who? I'll-"

"N-no Heather, it's fine…it doesn't matter."

The two kept their eyes on one another, Heather sighed "If you're absolutely sure."

"I know I am…because you're with me."

"Nephenee, I'm just trying to help you, please, I care about you."

Hearing Rae's words everything began clicking for Heather.

"You."

The rouge moved away from Nephenee and pulled out her knife as she neared the man.

"It was you! How dare you say those things to Nephenee! How dare someone like you even think you could speak to her that way!?"

Rae's eyes looked to the knife, he swallowed and Heather gritted her teeth as he began to speak.

"I care about her…this is not-"

Before he could finish, Heather grabbed his collar and slammed him against a wall "Keep talking."

Bringing her knife closer to his throat she grinned "C'mon. Say something else…give me an excuse!"

"Heather."

The rouge turned to see Nephenee "Let him go…please…"

Unable to refuse after seeing Nephenee's face, the anger within Heather subsided and despite her own desires she released the man "Go."

"Neph I-"

"Move it!" Heather screamed raising her knife again practically causing Rae to fall over himself as he ran away.

Now alone Heather looked at Nephenee "Why? After what he said-"

"They're just words Heather."

The look of fear in Nephenee's face returned to Heather's mind causing the rogue to shake her head.

"They affected you though…I know I said this before but I really am sorry that I wasn't there."

Heather embraced Nephenee "I'll never, never leave you to face that kind of thing by yourself again…never."

Nephenee hugged Heather back as the rogue spoke "I love you Nephenee…"

A few days later

Nephenee woke up and stretched, after completing her morning routine she walked to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

"Hey Neph."

"Hey Mia."

As Nephenee retrieved the eggs and began to break them something clicked causing her motions to slow as she turned around and spotted a certain purple haired swordmaster with a large grin on her face.

"Mia…Mia!"

Rushing to her friend she embraced her; Mia hugged her back and smiled "It's great to see you, Neph."

"Heather!" The rogue stopped on the dirt road and looked up, a Pegasus shot straight down and struck the earth before her.

Waving her hand to clear the dust she spotted a familiar pink haired Falco Knight.

"Marcia! What are you doing here?"

"Just decided to pop in for a visit. That's not a bad thing right?"

Heather laughed "Of course not. How've things been in Melior?"

"Perfect! Well aside from Makalov, perfect!"

Heather smiled "Good to hear."

Marcia walked over to Heather and put an arm around her shoulders "How about you and Neph? Everything going well in paradise?"

Heather smirked "Everything is wonderful."

"I still can't believe I was the last one to notice anything between you two, geez I'm slow."

Heather walked over to the Pegasus and stroked its mane "No worries about that Marcia. You're support still means a lot to me and Nephenee…I'm honestly not sure who needs it more."

Marcia raised an eyebrow "I figured you didn't care about other's opinions…you do what you want, support or not. Of course I'm still behind you 100%. You and Neph are dear friends of mine."

Heather smiled before hearing a rumble and turning to Marcia "You rushed here without breakfast?"

Marcia laughed nervously as Heather led her back into town.

Nephenee's House

"Winter is almost here…the end of another eventful year."

Mia nodded "Still can't believe the war was only a few months back, it feels like an eternity ago."

Nephenee put some eggs, bacon and toast with milk before Mia, the swordmaster thanked her "By the way, where is your family?"

"Ora took the boys to visit their aunt. Nell and Nora are in town, it's just me."

Mia nodded "It makes me feel so good to see such a happy family."

Nephenee fell silent as she took a bite from her eggs before asking "What about your family?"

Before Mia could respond two voices came from the kitchen window "Hey Neph, have room for two more?"

Nephenee's mood elevated again as Marcia and Heather entered her home. Heather stopped next to her and kissed her, Mia made an 'aw' sound causing Nephenee to blush.

"What? They're our friends, nothing stays hidden between us."

As the women sat down again they began having light hearted conversations. The room's atmosphere became warm, carefree and peaceful, all thoughts of the Dawn War, if any vanished in the haze, the conflict was long gone and no one desired to speak of it again.

"The end of the year in Melior?"

Marcia nodded "Sure, I could get Lucia to set you guys up somewhere, spend a few weeks in the big city."

Nephenee turned to Heather who gave a wide smile "That sounds great!"

Mia agreed as well before Nephenee finally nodded with the swordmaster speaking "I'm sure your family will understand."

"What about your mom, Heather?"

Heather scratched her chin "Well that would be a few weeks away so…I can get someone to watch her, no problem."

Nephenee thought for a bit before smiling "She can stay here while I'm gone. I'm sure my mom wouldn't mind having her here."

Heather beamed "Really? That would be wonderful! Thanks Neph you are fantastic!"

The rogue gave Nephenee a quick peck on the cheek who smiled in response "Aw shucks…"

Nephenee and Mia sat in the middle of an open field as Marcia flew through the air with Heather on the Pegasus as well.

"How'd you get to come down here so soon?"

Mia laughed nervously "Y'know…"

Nephenee cast a glance at her friend "Did you…leave the mercenaries?"

Mia shook her head "What? No! I would never do that…they're my eternal friends and family…I just…left the fort and haven't gone back yet."

"Mia…"

"There haven't been any missions in a while so I decided a small visit wouldn't hurt…Soren didn't think it was a good idea but I assured him if anything came up I'd be right back. I mean what's he gonna do? Fire me?"

Nephenee thought about the strategist and Mia's swordplay, no doubt firing her would be a terrible idea "By the way, did you know that Heather has a nickname for Soren?"

"Really? I didn't think he liked nicknames."

Nephenee shrugged "She calls him Charmer. Don't quite get it myself."

"Charmer? Weird."

Nephenee's eyes widened as the Pegasus made several complete loops before landing. Heather jumped off the Pegasus and stumbled about a bit before shaking her head and turning to Marcia who was exploding with laughter.

Sighing Nephenee kept her eyes on Heather, while in the midst of yelling at the Falco Knight, Heather cast a glance at Nephenee and smiled.

Mia put an arm around Nephenee, wearing a large smile of her own.

"Seeing you two like this…it's beautiful."

Nephenee wanted to say something about the events surrounding Rae but seeing the smiles on her friends' faces and feeling her own desire to just be happy, she discarded it.

"I'm never giving those thoughts another chance to cloud my thinkin…as long as I have my friends, my family and Heather. Well, nothing else matters."

In this story's canon timeline the Dawn War ended somewhere in the middle of the year maybe more towards the latter half because a few months have passed and the ending season is coming soon. It feels a little odd considering it was snowing during the ending of Radiant Dawn but I have a few reasons for deciding this which will make themselves known in a few chapters.

Until then!