11/07/14
Mirai
Dawn had yet to break in Ohma but Heather found herself outside, standing on the hill she and Nephenee visited so many times.
So many confusing thoughts and questions in her head that could never be answered…reasons for things that had come to pass that made no sense.
Closing her eyes, she thought of her mom, every little thing about her. She was the one who raised her despite her disposition, who loved her for everything she did even when she stole. She never scolded her, she gave Heather all the freedom she wanted…but why? Maybe she knew that she wouldn't be around for much of Heather's adult life and wanted her to become independent.
Even so, Heather did the opposite. Even stealing was all done for her mother, to keep her around, to take care of her. Even joining the war effort in Crimea and against Begnion was to try to create a world where her mother could be healthy.
"Was I always such a selfless person?"
"You were never selfish, that's for sure."
Turning, Heather smiled as Nephenee approached, surprising herself.
"What is it Heather?"
"I'm mourning…and yet…you can still make me smile."
Nephenee leaned against Heather and put an arm around her.
"I lost my dad when I was young…he actually didn't get to see Lon, Mak and Kay come into this world…I felt bad for a long time. He was a good guy, he taught Nell and Nora and even me…as small as I was…and I loved the time I spent with him…its what's still freshest in my mind…the time together…not the fact that he's been gone for so long."
"…you think the same will work for me?"
Nephenee shrugged "I don't know…but I believe that you'll come out of this and that you can be happy. You and your mom had a perfect relationship…nothing will soil the time you had with her.
Once again, Heather thought about her past and Nephenee's words made all the more sense. She spent so much time with and caring for her mother, being there for her and in return her mother had many lessons to teach her about honesty and just being a good person.
Heather always believed she took it in stride and just responded with the basic "I hear ya." But in the end it seems that she took all her words to heart.
"Heh…I still think of the times I came home with money…my mom knew from the first day that I didn't work for it…but she never punished me…"
Now sitting down, the couple looked out over the horizon.
"…I wonder if she was ever disappointed that I kept stealing."
"I doubt it…I never once saw her cast a negative look your way and last I heard you gave it up not long after we got together. I'm sure that made her happy."
Heather remembered the times she went into town planning to rob a few unlucky men only to be incapable of following through.
"The very few things my mom hoped for…above them all was honesty…thanks to you, I found mine."
Sitting in silence, Heather closed her eyes to think of her last conversation with her mother.
One specific part was keeping her up.
"The way she said…I've seen it."
"Hm?"
"My mom…she said 'I've seen it' with such…determination."
"She was talking about our wedding, right?"
Heather nodded "We haven't even started planning and some of our friends still don't know about it. Yet she…what do you think she meant?"
At that moment a bird flew past them and the sun began rising. Something clicked in Nephenee's mind and she turned quickly to Heather "You think…she?"
Heather looked out over the horizon at the rising sun; Nephenee's thoughts seem to enter her mind.
"Why would she? For me? For us?"
"We did a good thing for her…she is learning to trust people…maybe this is just a small…thank you."
Heather smiled at the thought and once again recalled her mother's words.
"Our wedding will be beautiful…I can't wait to see it."
Nephenee put her hand on Heather's "Neither can I."
"Well, that was quite a reaction. You didn't have to go that far, Soren."
Mia smiled as she dabbed a wet rag over Soren's face.
"I mean, the guy may have been offensive but flinging him into a tree? And then his buddies?"
As Mia finished she looked at Soren who just shrugged and muttered.
"What was that?"
"…he…touched…you…"
"Aw, you did that for me? I'm sure you know I can take care of myself."
"…I know…I just…acted."
Mia smiled before leaning in and kissing him "Thank you."
As Soren prepared to say something, he spotted some very familiar faces approaching and stood up.
"Nephenee. Heather."
Mia turned, an even larger smile forming as she cleared the distance and embraced her best friend while Soren approached them more reservedly.
"Heather."
"Hey there Ch-ah I mean uh…Soren…heh…sorry."
Soren shook his head "No worries…it's been a while. I assume you and Nephenee just returned from Begnion."
Heather nodded "Yeah, a couple of days ago…we would have been down here sooner but…"
As Heather trailed off, Soren recognized the look in her eyes "Heather…are you alright?"
The rogue turned and looked at Soren oddly before shaking her head "I'm fine, never better."
Finally releasing Nephenee, Mia asked "So Sigrun and Tanith, how are they?"
"Fine, very happy though until our visit they have been really busy helping the Sanaki with some massive government overhaul. I think they were as excited and relieved for our visit as we were."
"Good to hear so-"
"Actually, Mia if you don't mind…I'd like to…show you something."
Before Mia could ask what, Nephenee held up her arm, Mia looked at her hand for a few second about to ask a question until she saw it.
"A ring…"
Mia looked at the pair before her who smiled as realization began to hit Soren as well.
Mia exploded and tackled the couple "Oh! Congratulations! Nephenee! Heather! You're getting married!"
As she cheered, Soren muttered a low "Congrats."
Fading out and almost inaudible as Mia continued to cheer.
"You proposed over there, Heather?" Mia asked as she released them.
As the pair began to talk, Nephenee walked over to Soren and made a move to hug him before realizing what she was doing and holding out one hand instead.
"Hey there…Soren."
Shaking her hand he nodded "Nephenee…um…c-congrats."
"Thanks. You uh…you alright?"
"Hm?"
"You just look…odd."
"No, I'm fine, thanks for your concern it's just…I don't know how to describe it. Even after seeing Mist and Boyd married it's just…it's something I don't understand myself."
Nephenee nodded "I see…well, if you wouldn't mind I could…tell you about it."
With a small smile Soren nodded before the four started heading towards the Mercenary Fort to share the news with the rest of the Greil Mercenaries.
Once again bringing excitement and many congratulations to the mercenaries, the group settled in for the night. As Soren and Nephenee sat and talked about marriage and weddings, Heather stood aside.
Mia approached noticing the other woman trying to hide a dark look. "Heather."
"Huh? Oh, hey Mia…"
"Heather…did something…happen?"
"Why do you ask?"
Seeing Mia's expression, Heather sighed "I just didn't want to bring anyone's spirits down."
"We're your friends Heather. All of us."
With a smile, Heather looked back at Mia "It's…my mom…"
"Oh…is she getting-"
"No...she uh…she…"
Mia fell silent as Heather looked away. "Damn it." She thought she was fine, but as she felt the tears forming again she was right to try and hide what happened.
"Heather…don't try to hide it."
"But-"
"We're not just friends…after fighting wars together we've form some sort of…I don't know, invisible bonds, stronger than friends and comrades…we are tighter than anyone can be. You can trust us and tell us anything."
Heather nodded slowly, wiping her cheeks to no avail "Y-you're right…"
Struggling to compose herself, Heather practically whispered "…Mia…"
"Yes…Heather?"
She had to say it again.
She had to let it all out.
"My…my mom died."
No longer restraining herself, Heather began to cry prompting Mia to hug her and constantly whisper "It's alright."
Meanwhile, Soren cursed his hearing, he didn't want to feel like he was eavesdropping but he heard every word.
Refusing to turn around and look at them he turned to his side, noticing Nephenee had stopped talking and was now looking down. Before he could say anything he noticed a tear slide down her cheek.
"What…what do I do?"
Finally looking back he saw Mia holding Heather and consoling her.
Moving over he put an arm around Nephenee.
In between sniffles, Nephenee looked at his arm then at him "Soren?"
With a small smile he whispered "It's going to be alright."
Smiling back, while still crying, Nephenee embraced him.
"I'm glad you're my friend."
Hearing those words struck something deep inside Soren. He closed his eyes, refusing to let those emotions show right now.
Later that night, Soren stood outside thinking about the events that transpired.
"Are they…"
"They're asleep…I'm sure they'll be fine tomorrow."
Soren nodded as Mia joined him.
"Are you alright?"
"…"
"Soren?"
"I've thought many times about…my past…you know this. Always thinking of the darkness that I came from…always seeing the bad in people…it was only until recently…because of you that I started looking ahead…and started learning about the parts of life I have long ignored. Birthdays…love…marriage…even friends. The one thing I never questioned in my world of darkness…was death."
Turning to face Mia, Soren continued "It was the one certainty, the one thing I was aware of and danced with most of my life in Gallia…and during the wars I fought, I saw it everywhere. So simple. So pure. Now that I see a future for myself…it scares me."
"Soren, nothing is going to happen to you."
"I know."
After a bit of silence Mia nodded "I see…this is still about me. Didn't we-"
"We talked about it…but it still bothers me…that man this morning…"
"Soren…when I told you that I loved you. When I told you that I wanted to be with you for as long as possible no matter what happens, I meant it. I don't mean for this to be about you protecting me from all the danger in the world. That's impossible. But as long as we're together…it doesn't matter."
Soren nodded before looking to the moon "You somehow always manage to trump me with your points."
"I've said it before, you have the more tactical mind but life and some of the more obvious of its answers seem to escape you."
"I'm still trying."
As Mia embraced him she nodded "I know."
Still looking to the moon, Soren smiled "It's in moments like these when I understand what people mean by 'the future looks bright'."
Nephenee: Heather…are you still awake?
Heather: …yes…what's up?
Nephenee: …
Heather: Neph?
Nephenee: I don't know how to say it.
Sitting up, Heather looked over at Nephenee who sat up as well "What is it Neph?"
"We have a…funeral to…"
Heather nodded "We do…it's something we have to do…for my mom."
"I know…I just don't want you to push yourself."
Heather shrugged "Too late for that I think…but with you there…I know I'll be fine."
"Honestly…I think that you overestimate me. Every time something happens you say that…in the end, it's all good if I'm near but…am I really a presence like that? I don't-"
Heather cut her fiancée off with a kiss, smiling as they parted "I mean it every time I say it. You may not believe it but you coming into my life…changed everything…you are the most special person I've ever met."
"Heather."
Smiling the rogue put an arm around Nephenee "And the future is ours, together. You believe that right?"
"C'mon Nephie, you look wonderful."
"Yeah, listen to Nora, we're being serious."
"I-I don't know…it makes me feel so…"
The sisters laughed as Nephenee looked at herself in the mirror, wearing her wedding dress.
Even when she first tried it out, it still felt so odd in a completely indescribable way.
"Nephie. You look beautiful."
Nephenee turned to Nell and Nora with the latter chiming in.
"It's also clear how happy you really are and how much you want this. We've come this far, you're feeling nervous, we all understand. But you love Heather, right?"
"With all my heart."
Nell smiled at that "And she does as well, it's not even a question. Whatever you feel now, once you see Heather and the ceremony begins…it will all become painfully clear."
Nephenee looked between her sisters before letting a tear fall and embracing them.
"I've never met a woman so picky about what she wears to her wedding and trust me that is saying something."
"Frills? Poofy dresses? I've been living with you for months, you have to have known that was not gonna fly with me."
"Of course I knew."
Heather looked at Ora who just smiled "You have your own charm about you Heather, no man or woman would deny that you are beautiful, but you show it in your own way. Your fierce independence is why I love you and why I had no issue leaving my daughter to you. I knew I could trust you."
Heather smiled back at Ora "Thank you…that means a lot. This all means so much…to me…and to my mom…"
Looking back at the mirror, Heather closed her eyes, as Ora put a hand on her shoulder.
"Glae told me to remind you of one thing when it comes to your vows."
Heather stood silent as Ora smiled "Be honest."
Opening her eyes, Heather not only saw Ora in the reflection, but her mother as well. While part of her wanted to turn around the other continued to stare as she smiled and nodded to her before turning, opening the door and leaving.
Standing by the altar with Rhys at the ready was the source of the most stressful time in Heather's life. All around her were her friends, people she met and iron bonds formed in the flames of war. There was no one in the room she didn't want there; they all had her trust and faith.
The rogue smiled upon seeing Tanith and Sigrun, despite any duty they made it certain that this is where they wanted to be.
Seeing Nephenee emerge from the back caused Heather to lose sight of everyone else in the room. As music started playing Nephenee walked down the carpet, stopping only once she reached Heather's side, smiling.
"You look…radiant."
Nephenee: Heather…it took me…far, far too long to think of the words that I say now but…I never saw myself as anyone special, just another farm girl who loved her land so much she was willing to give her life for it. I met many people that protested my claims and told that I wasn't just any other person…but it wasn't until I met you that I wanted to be…more than what I was. I didn't know why…or maybe I did but I didn't think that could be the reason. I grew to admire your strength and I wanted to break out of my shell to be able to stand next to you…but you never pushed me. You were always gentle and kind but with a fierce heart and then I fell in love with you…I didn't think I wanted to admit it to myself but it was a pointless struggle as in my heart I knew what I felt for you…for the woman at my side who gave me so much. 'm a much stronger person than ever before and with all my heart I can say that, I love you.
Nephenee smiled, despite some tears her voice did not waver. Heather inhaled and in her own mind she thought "My turn."
Heather: Nephenee…I didn't think myself the best person but I didn't care. I lied and stole most of my life and never really had a desire to change. I never really thought about being in a relationship with anyone…other women were just a delight to my eyes, flirting was just fun. When I first met you though, I don't know why but that wasn't enough. I didn't flirt like I did with anyone else, I actually cared for you and I found myself unable to leave your side, going through countless affairs and struggles next to you because I wanted to be there. I couldn't believe that I'd actually fallen in love but seeing how beautiful of a person, honest and kind that you were, I began to understand. Despite any fear of being turned away, I proceeded and I changed to be as honest as you were and deep down, as honest as I wanted to be. I no longer feel any shame about myself ever and when I see you I think of everything that changed because of you and how much I truly love you.
"So…Nephenee…you don't mind it when I call you Neph, do you?"
"Uh…no…why?"
"I mean we just haven't known each other for that long but I see you as a friend."
"Friend? Really?"
"Yeah…is that…alright with you?"
"I suppose…I do like you, Heather."
"I like you as well…you don't think I seem…untrustworthy, do you?"
"What? Why would I think that?"
"I mean…I am a thief…who's to say I won't just rob ya blind and take off."
"I can see it in the way you fight alongside me, in your eyes…I know I can trust you Heather…gosh that sounded so-"
"No, it sounded right. I'm…happy to know you think so highly of me."
"I have no reason not to trust you…you're nice."
"Nice?"
"…and your eyes are…warm."
"…so…think we'll become…really…close friends?"
"I do."
"And do-"
"Of course I do!"
As several of the guests chuckled, Heather grinned at Rhys who just smiled back "Well then I suppose there is no sense in delaying it…you two are now forever joined under our radiant dawn…you may, kiss the bride."
Approaching one another, the newlywed couple shared their first kiss as such to the cheer and applause of the rest of all their dear friends.
This is Eienias20 here to say: Thank you.
Now there is 1 last chapter left for this story, 1 more but I don't want to add on any author note or anything to it so I want to say my piece here...also, advance apologies to Cormag Ravenstaff, the wedding was not the last chapter. Part of me wanted to but there are just a few more things I want to do, either way, you were very close, and hey I didn't know I'd only have 30 chapters till 2 weeks ago!
Anyway...I started this story with the intention of just using it for relief from the pages and pages of combat in my other stories.
However it quickly became one of my favorite projects and spawned several related one shots, all of which have been just as fun to write because of the different perspective of peace and romance...and because I get to write about some of my favorite characters: Nephenee, Heather, Soren, Mia (who I gave an ending to their story here as well) and I even added Tanith and Sigrun.
I don't see myself as any sort of talented fanfiction writer, I just write for fun, I enjoy it and when others enjoy what I write it just makes me feel really good.
I had the intention of never writing again after Ymarkteg but this story and all the reviews have brought out some more ideas and I honestly do want to try my hand at a few more stories before "retiring"
So while Cerulean Gold ends here, if you enjoy my writing I will have more coming soon including one more for me "one shot universe" called Winged Stories.
Until then I once again say to everyone who has read this story, reviewed, added it to their alerts or favorites and whoever it was that submitted this to the FE Yuri Community: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
I also want to leave you with some...interesting / funny things. Mirai means future. It's a word I've heard a lot in a lot of shows I watch, I learned of it through watching many things. I honestly like the sound of the word and everyone worries for their future.
However I created the name / handle Eienias years ago, I don't remember when I first used it but it was the successor to my early handles Demitri and Retsu.
Not long after Eienias came the 'nickname' or shorter version where I went by Eien but it wasn't until years of using Eienias that I learned that the Japanese word for "Eternal" was Eien.
It just means a lot more to me now, the odds of something like that coming to pass and honestly, I really like it. It's not a weeaboo thing or "oh Japanese is so cool" just something born of happenstance that I really enjoy.
...and probably even odder, for all the romance I write, I myself have never been in a relationship...so...yeah, interesting / funny or maybe pointless to share from your point of view but just one more time I want to say thank you and when the final chapter comes out, I hope you enjoy it!
Thank You
Cormag Ravenstaff, dandyman94, xXRogueHunterXx, LittleA-A-Ron, SuperPanda9000, Azure Kagura, lloyd1191, snoogenz, Gunlord500, PINKDIAMOND4000, Remi Femble, Whisper6636 and all my other readers