7/10/14

Can I ask a question to anyone reading purely out of interest, I know I could probably look this up but I just wanna hear it from anyone. I assume so but when a male couple or female couple get married, they exchange vows like normal, is anything, different or unique? Just a question, I really don't know. Though I also assume they don't say husband and wife for clear reasons.

Aside from that, this chapter has to deal with Mia's birthday which has been mentioned a few times. I wrote this chapter with a mirror part in the form of a seperate one shot in mind so I hope you look forward to that as well!

There are times where I wish that I dated the events of Radiant Dawn but what do we really know about time on Tellius? Is the Tellian Calendar 12 months? Do the seasons take place at the same time? I wrote the whole story with the assumption of yes and that places this event 8 months after From Pain, Awakening (when the goddess turned everyone to stone).

So here is my decree, from now one video games need to release with Pronunciation keys for their made up words and Calendars. Little, minute details no one really cares about...BUT I DO!

Birthday Reunion

"Are we there yet?"

Nephenee giggled as Heather groaned, initially excited over the trip to the Greil Mercenaries' fort, she now found herself wishing they weren't walking the whole way.

Nephenee was eager to see her best friend again after so long and seeing as it was her birthday; there was no better reason to visit. Even so, the Halberd insisted that walking was a better experience than riding a carriage of any sort.

"Would it make ya feel better if I told you I just wanted to spend time with you?"

Heather smiled before saying "We can do that in a carriage."

Nephenee shook her head before looking at her surroundings "I recognize most of this area…we're almost there."

Time continued to fly by for the pair, life was comfortable and full of very little issues. Heather had to admit, despite the long walk and all the complaining she did, seeing the Mercenaries again was something she was indeed looking forward to.

"Heather? We're almost there, c'mon."

Heather slowed her pace and looked at Nephenee with a smile; the former Halberd rolled her eyes as she came to a stop. "Heather…"

"I think I could convince my legs to keep going for a little kiss."

Nephenee laughed before walking over to Heather and giving her a quick peck on the lips. Grinning Heather spoke "I'm greedy."

Leaning in the rogue captured Nephenee's lips in a deep kiss, as they continued a somewhat startled voice came to them.

"O-oh my."

"Well, maybe we shouldn't have rushed out here so fast."

Nephenee and Heather parted to see Titania and Rhys, the latter looking at the ground and kicking his feet while Titania waved at them.

"I apologize for the intrusion, Nephenee. Heather."

Nephenee laughed nervously while Heather approached Titania and shook her hand "Good to see you crimson beauty."

"Still the same with your words I see, Heather."

"Did ya think I was gonna change?"

"Not in the least. We decided to come out and see if we could catch you, we did so come along, the fort is this way."

Nephenee nodded and began walking alongside Heather and Titania before turning "Uh, Rhys. We're going."

The Bishop looked up and nodded quickly "R-right! Coming!"

Greil Mercenaries' Fort

"So you two are essentially living together? I must say, you are moving at a rather comfortable pace, quite unlike most young people these days."

Heather nodded at Titania's statement "Well, most young people haven't been through life and death situations to realize how truly important some relationships and other people can be. I think it goes without saying these months with Nephenee have been the best time I've had my whole life."

Titania smiled at the woman while Nephenee blushed before noticing that Rhys had continued to remain silent the entire time and decided to move closer to the bishop.

"Heya Rhys, you feelin alright? I know you fall ill a lot."

Rhys turned and shook his head "N-no, I'm fine."

Nephenee tilted her head as Titania pointed towards the fort "Here we are. I imagine you want to see Mia, last I checked she was training out back."

Nephenee smiled at that, some things just never changed.

"Ah! Nephenee! Heather! Good to see ya!"

The two smiled in some surprise to see Ranulf before them.

"What brings you here?" Nephenee asked to which the Laguz gestured to the rest of the Mercenaries.

"Much like you I've grown pretty close to these fellas, one's havin a birthday, better believe I'd show up."

"How was last year's end for you in Gallia, Ranulf?" Heather asked to which the Laguz shrugged.

"Quite the opposite to all of your celebrations I'm certain what with Skrimir ascending to the throne I don't think I've ever been busier. Though the times I can relax like this, I'd like to think they make it all worthwhile."

Going silent for a few moments, Ranulf smiled at the pair "…and how have you two been? From what I can see, you're both very, very happy with each other."

Nephenee nodded as Ranulf gestured at Heather "You really meant that you just prefer women."

"I assume you did as well?"

"Indeed, I just didn't put together at the moment that you literally meant it, silly me."

The pair shared a quick laugh as Nephenee spotted Soren walking about, examining everything that was going on.

As Heather and Ranulf continued to speak she wandered over to the sage "Uh…Soren."

Glancing at her he nodded "Nephenee. Good to see you. Your lance arm still functional?"

Nephenee scratched the back of her head "I assume so, I'm not a regular trainer like Mia or anything…I just pick it up and things happen I suppose."

"Natural talent is impressive…what do you want?"

The former Halberd shrugged "Just…wanted to see how you were."

"How I am?"

"Yeah…I mean…I don't want to sound like I'm pryin in your personal business but…"

Nephenee looked to Soren nervously; his eyes looked like they were reading everything about her. She really wasn't sure if continuing was a good idea but for Mia she decided to.

"Having…feelins for someone…it's really hard. Especially if you don't rightly understand them."

Soren looked like he was about to say something but decided against it before facing away.

"Mia does consider you her best friend; I shouldn't be surprised that she…told you anything."

"I'm not judgin you Soren. I did the same when I…"

As she fell silent she looked over her shoulder to Heather, Boyd and Mist had now joined to talk with her. The rogue quickly blew a kiss towards Nephenee before returning to the conversation at hand.

Nephenee smiled before facing Soren again who was staring at her somewhat oddly. "When I realized I might have feelins for Heather…I tried to…fight against it…I was worried that I was odd and wasn't sure what anyone else would think. The more I fought it the more I realized I was in the wrong and bein bad to myself…denying myself what I…really wanted…"

She kept a close watch on Soren but she honestly couldn't tell if he was considering anything she was saying.

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to preach or anythin…"

Sighing, Soren shook his head "Mia always tells me I have a…dark presence that unsettles people…Nephenee…I heard every word."

After sharing a few more parting words the sage nodded to her and walked away.

"Hello Nephenee, good to see you."

The former Halberd looked away from where Soren vanished to see Oscar "Ah! Oscar, I assume you're hard at work-"

"-on the cake, yes. I sincerely hope everyone enjoys it, has Mia seen you yet?"

"Ah, no, I've been distracted."

Oscar gestured for her to follow, the cerulean haired woman turning quickly to wave at Heather.

"You two…you know, do you mind if I ask something very personal, Heather?"

The rogue turned to Mist "Nah, go ahead."

"Are you gonna marry her?"

"Mist!" Boyd, Ranulf and Ike all yelled in unison.

"What? It's an honest question. Hey, I'm married myself to that lug over there."

Boyd grinned before thinking for a few seconds "Wait…lug!?"

"I'm just interested is all; you don't have to answer Heather."

The rogue looked in the direction that Nephenee left before nodding "I would like to…yes."

Mist smiled as Ranulf whistled, Ike scratched the back of his head "We held Mist and Boyd's wedding here…if you need a place…"

Heather smiled "Thanks commander."

Ike nodded to the rogue before turning to Ranulf.

"I'm tryin really hard but I can't quite remember if I saw any other couples like you two during the wars…either I'm blind to it or there just weren't any."

Heather shrugged at Boyd "I couldn't speak for the Mad King's War though I did run into a couple during the Dawn War. They're a lot like Nephenee and I so we get along, I write a lot of letters to em."

Mist scratched her chin "Do we know them?" At Heather's nod the Valkyrie began thinking hard "…like you and Nephenee. Oh, you mean Sigrun and Tanith?"

Boyd tilted his head "What? You mean…they…are…"

"Oh, Boyd, please don't tell me you didn't notice that."

"I really didn't!"

"Nephenee!" Mia sheathed her blade and embraced the former Halberd.

"Hey Oscar, glad to see you out of the kitchen." Mia stated as she broke away from the other woman.

"I'm getting back to it soon, just wanted to say hi to our new arrivals."

The Lance Knight excused himself as Mia walked back out to the training field, casting a quick glance at Nephenee and seeing the necklace.

"That's beautiful."

With a warm smile and blush, Nephenee brought touched the object lightly. "Yeah…Heather calls it Cerulean Gold."

Mia smiled "It's truly wonderful to see you with someone...and to see you so in love…I really am happy for you Nephenee."

As Mia pulled her blade out, Nephenee brought up that she saw Soren and spoke with him, to see if she could help anything.

"You're a true friend, you know that Neph?"

"Yeah…you tell me that all the time."

Mia smiled before noticing the training weapons strewn about "As a true friend, could you do something for me?"

Before Nephenee could ask what she found herself catching a training lance.

"Mia?"

Mia spun her training sword and aimed it at Nephenee "A few quick rounds, I haven't seen your relentless combat in a while."

"I-I don't practice…"

"That's fine, I'll go easy."

Nephenee thought about it and decided, why not? Mia was her friend and she knew she could count on her own innate talent.

As Mia swung her blade, Nephenee bounced it away, swinging against Mia she found herself pulling back quickly as several slashes from Mia came her way.

"Without a shield…I feel a little off."

"You'll get into it." Mia stated with a smile, already seeing the muscles tense in Nephenee's arm and the form grow stronger.

"It's like riding a bike."

Hearing a loud crack, Heather quickened her steps and came out to the training grounds.

"What the…oh, hey Soren."

The sage turned and nodded to the rogue, the two looked to see Nephenee and Mia breathing hard and shattered training weapons between the two of them.

"Woah…they broke em?"

Soren nodded again "The force behind their blows…I expected this from Mia, but Nephenee is practically in her perfect form again."

"Strange as she never practices." Soren and Heather stated in unison, eyeing each other before turning to the pair who were now laughing on the ground.

Moving down to them Heather helped Nephenee up as Soren did the same for Mia.

"Relentless as ever eh?"

Nephenee nodded to Heather "Apparently…it's strange, I had no real form when I started but then it just…came back."

"Did you get hit?" Heather stated as she started examining Nephenee's face, arms and legs before feeling her abdomen for any broken and wounded bones.

"I-I'm fine Heather…" Nephenee said, blushing and looking around to see if anyone might be watching.

"You expect me not to worry after seeing bits of training weapon everywhere?"

Nephenee smiled and embraced Heather "Of course not, but I'm fine, really."

Turning, Heather smiled at Mia "It's great to see you again, Mia."

"You as well Heather, that necklace, very romantic, you sure there isn't something you should tell me?" At Mia's teasing tone, Nephenee grew red as Heather laughed.

"Not something you have to know!"

"Heather!"

Mia and Heather continued laughing as Nephenee looked away, embarrassed. Soren merely stood aside watching everything, questioningly.

As the sun continued to travel overhead, Mia, Nephenee and Heather began talking of the time between the winter months and now.

"Under mistletoe? Really…why did he go through with it if he was just going to ignore you for a month afterwards?"

Mia shrugged at Heather's question "Not entirely sure, but the way Neph told me about being confused by new feelings…maybe that's what happened to him."

Mia sighed as Nephenee spoke "Things can only get better from here, Mia. Everythin will work out, I know it."

The swordmaster smiled and thanked her friend before thinking about something "You two…you've received nothing but support since you got together…I have to say, even I expected some…I don't know…some, naysayers."

Heather rolled her eyes "I'd have cut their throats to silence their idiot voices…I dealt enough with their kind in the past, wasn't gonna put up with it now."

Mia nodded to Heather but noticed Nephenee's expression "Hey! There goes Rolf and Shinon!"

As Nephenee turned to watch the archers practice, Mia pulled Heather back a few feet and whispered.

Mia: Did something happen?

Heather: What?

Mia: Did someone…try to get between you two?

Heather: …it was a long time ago.

Mia: Who did? What happened?

Heather: It was stupid…I blamed myself for it, the bastard ambushed Nephenee when she was alone…I can't imagine the pain he inflicted on her. I have her sisters and her mother to thank for helping her through that when I couldn't.

Mia: That's terrible…why would anyone do that to someone as sweet as Nephenee?

Heather: I don't know, but after his run in with me, I haven't even seen him around Ohma, almost certain he left a few months back.

"He did, to Daein I believe."

The two looked up to see Nephenee watching them "I didn't want to say anything because…I just wanted to leave it in the past."

Mia sighed "I'm sorry Neph, didn't want to pry or anything."

"Its fine Mia…he's gone and true to her word, Heather has never left my side…if anything he just helped our bond grow."

As Heather walked over and embraced Nephenee, the swordmaster up the hillside near the fort and saw Soren and Ike sitting next to each other. With a smile she waved at the sage and felt herself rise even higher when he waved back.

The day continued fairly normally, many birthday wishes were given to the swordmaster, her main desire was for the Mercenaries to enjoy a day for once so she had not asked for any presents and didn't expect any.

Truly the only thing she'd like is for Soren to enjoy himself even if just a little.

Soren crossed his arms as he watched the dining room undergo final preparations for Oscar's cake.

"Hey again, Charmer."

"Heather…"

"You sure you alright? You don't seem to like talking to me."

Soren glared at her slightly causing her to roll her eyes "This better not be about Neph and I…honestly, I didn't think you were that kind of man."

"This is just about you, Heather."

"What did I do?"

Soren remained silent causing Heather to groan "Fine, I'm sorry, there! I don't know what for but I'm not gonna have you bein all sour during Mia's birthday. Lighten up."

Heather crossed her arms and looked away, after a few moments Soren sighed "Just…stop calling me…Charmer."

"…is that what this is about?"

The two turned to each other with Soren speaking "Mia asked me about it…it was…an uncomfortable talk…mostly for me…I had to lie to her…something I regretted doing…"

Heather raised an eyebrow before sighing "Spirit Charmers offer their souls for enhanced magical prowess…you seem like your all here though Soren…and I assume that was most people's impression of you after seein your mark. I don't know why you didn't want to talk to Mia about it but I'm sorry she asked you about something that made you uncomfortable."

Soren uncrossed his arms and held one hand out; Heather took it and shook it, assuming it was an acceptance of her apology though the sage said nothing else.

"You may know this already but Mia really likes you…"

Heather added after a short silence, she could see something shift in the sage's expression and decided to leave it at that.

Following the sun's set the Mercenaries were now enjoying cake and each other's company. Nephenee heard from Mia of all the jobs the group had pulled in the recent months, they nearly ran themselves ragged but made good money for it. Despite any reservations they all truly enjoyed this day where they could just be happy.

"Neph…something a little personal came to my mind…would it be fine if I spat it out?"

Nephenee nodded with a smile "Of course Mia, whatever it is."

Mia's gaze moved to Heather who spoke with Gatrie and Shinon, the three laughing at some story or another.

"I see you two together…and I can't imagine you two apart…what do you think of…marriage?"

The swordmaster couldn't help but smile at Nephenee's deep blush "I-I don't…I'm not…I don't really know what I…what I think about it…"

"Sorry Neph, a little too much eh?"

Nephenee shook her head before facing Mia "I just…I just haven't really…thought about it."

Mia shrugged "Well, it has only been what? Eight or Nine months? It's fine to give it time and really think about it."

Nephenee smiled "Yeah…think about it…and you, Mia?"

"Hm?"

"I know you and Soren aren't really in a relationship…but would you want it to go that far?"

Now it was Mia's turn to blush and scratch her head while laughing nervously. "Should've expected that…eh…"

With a smile Nephenee put a hand on Mia's shoulder "It's alright, you don't have to say anythin…I just hope everythin works out on your end."

Mia nodded at that and embraced her friend "Me too."

That Night

The Mercenaries finally decided to go to bed rather late at night. Shinon was out first mainly because of his habit of drinking during any celebration. Following him the rest of the Mercenaries signed off and went to bed including Ranulf, Nephenee and Heather who were staying the night with the group.

"Hey, beautiful. Miss me?"

Nephenee turned to the door as Heather walked in and closed it behind her, locking it.

"Heather, wasn't today just…I don't know, fun?"

Heather nodded "Oh yeah, lots of fun indeed, reminds me of all the good times with these people. Just wish it didn't have to end."

"Same here." Nephenee said lightly as Heather sat next to her.

The former Halberd grew warm as Heather pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. Embracing the other woman, Nephenee sighed in contentment.

"I love you."

Heather smiled at that as Nephenee looked up at her and kissed her lightly on the lips.

"Sometimes Neph, I worry that we might be spendin too much time together or that our feelings would die out…but every time I'm alone with you like this and I hear those words…I know we'll be fine for a long time comin…"

Nephenee felt a large smile forming as she continued to hold the golden haired woman who took the pendant in her hand.

"This symbolizes our feelings for one another…no matter where I am you'll know that I love you Neph."

After another kiss the pair lay down to sleep, blissfully happy in each other's arms.