No April Fools here, it's time for our next chapter, and the start of the new Moon.

Chapter 21 – Looking the Part (Pegasus Moon)

Looking up at Garreg Mach Monastery as she entered the small market bazaar outside the main entrance, the seamstress had to smile a bit. It had been only a few years since she had last been to the monastery, but despite the damage to many of the buildings, the place of worship was mostly as she remembered it.

Of course, the people at the monastery had obviously changed. This was abundantly clear when a pair of guards approached the seamstress with expressions of suspicion.

She couldn't blame them, though. She did stand out among the merchants, workers, and so forth who were coming and going from the monastery. The seamstress's black-and-green hair and green eyes were quite recognizable to those who knew her, which these guards clearly did not. She was dressed in Hoshidan finery that, while fancy enough, did not make her seem like she was a noble or particularly rich. The conical rice hat she wore also made her stand out amongst the crowd, and she carried a long bamboo pole with a cloth sack tied to it, containing a few essentials.

As the guards neared her, the seamstress Jiayi asked, "Is there something I can help you with?"

"Haven't seen you around before," said one of the guards. "Who are you?"

"Just a traveler stopping on yet another step of her journey. Does that somehow upset you?"

"Sounds like something a spy would say."

"Oh? You believe I am one? I'd have to be a poor spy if I let you notice me so easily."

The two guards looked at each other for a moment in confusion. Then, the second guard said, "What's your business here? And how's about telling us your name?"

"How rude of you. Is it not customary to introduce your own name first?"

"We're the ones asking the questions, foreigner," said the first guard. "Now, your name."

Jiayi was about to answer them when a familiar voice said, "Whoa, hold it, you two! I know her!"

The guards turned as Anna rushed up to them.

"Miss Anna, you know this foreigner?" asked the first guard.

"We've met before," Anna answered. "Miss Jiayi, it's been a while."

"It's 'Madame' Jiayi, Miss Anna," corrected Jiayi.

"She's a merchant like me – a seamstress."

"I am many things beyond just a seamstress. Espionage, however, is not one of my trades."

The two guards pondered for a moment before the second one said, "Alright, you can go through. Just don't cause any trouble."

The two guards left as Anna led Jiayi into the monastery.

"Sorry about all that," said Anna. "Like they said, we're worried about Imperial spies."

"I have nothing vested with the Adrestian Empire, Miss Anna," said Jiayi. "The emperor's path of war is one I find quite distasteful."

The two made their way through the main entrance and past the dining hall. Jiayi took a brief second to watch as Caspar groaned at his meagre portion, while Lysithea lamented at the lack of sweets being served.

"It seems not all is as I remember here," said Jiayi. "Including the town below."

Anna stopped walking as she said, "Yeah… the town…"

"Was that the Empire's work?"

"Actually… that was my fault. I had to use a fire attack against the Empire to help defend the monastery and, well, the town…"

"I see."

Jiayi glanced to her side and saw two of the workers giving Anna a brief glare, having overheard their conversation. It was all too obvious that they resented the redhead for what happened.

"I would not fret over it, Miss Anna," said Jiayi. "Buildings do not make a town. It is the people who live within that make it one."

"Yeah, I get that," said Anna. "But I'm sure they're still pissed off at me for it."

"Let them be. Your actions ensured their survival. Take heart in that fact."

A second later, the two merchants heard a familiar voice say, "There you are, Anna."

The two turned as Byleth and Dorothea walked toward them.

"Oh, hey," said Anna. "I was just showing Madame Jiayi around."

"Wait, I remember you," said Dorothea. "You're that seamstress from Hoshido."

"Yes, I am," said Jiayi.

"It's good to see you again, Madame Jiayi," said Byleth.

"It's been a while," said Dorothea. "What are you doing here?"

"I heard the monastery had been reoccupied and decided it would be an ideal place to apply my trade," said Jiayi. She then turned to Byleth and said, "And it looks as though I'll be busy sooner than I thought."

Jiayi then began to pace around Byleth, as if inspecting her.

"Umm, is everything alright?" asked Byleth.

"I would not think so," said Jiayi. "You are still wearing the same garb I saw you in five years ago, and in far worse condition than it was back then."

"O-Oh."

Byleth took a moment to look at her damaged outfit. Several cuts and burn marks were still present, as she hadn't taken any time to get it repaired. Her cloak had not been replaced, having been burned up in the battle with Randolph's army.

Even Dorothea had to admit that she thought Byleth looked a bit scraggily at the moment.

"I… haven't exactly had time to think about my wardrobe," said Byleth. "Leading the Church takes up almost all my time."

"Oh? Is Lady Rhea indisposed?" asked Jiayi.

"No one has seen Rhea in over five years," said Anna. "She disappeared when the war started after the first siege of Garreg Mach. Rhea left a letter appointing By as standing Archbishop until she returns."

"I see. Now I know I must intervene."

"Uh, what?" Dorothea said, confused.

"Your manner of dress is hardly befitting your position, Miss Eisner. You look more like a disheveled courtesan than an Archbishop."

"W-Wait, what?!" Byleth said, slightly offended.

"You know, this lady's got a point," said Cia as she and Lana approached the others. "You look like I would after a night out with a handsy noble."

"Cia! Don't say that!" said Lana. "It doesn't matter what Lady Eisner looks like. She's still the Archbishop all the same."

"I must disagree with your chipper friend," said Jiayi. "If you're going to be head of the Church, you need to look the part." Byleth was about to protest when Jiayi lifted a finger to the greenette's lips, silencing her as she continued, "You may not care about how you look, but those you lead will. Seeing their leader resplendent in her finery will do wonders for their dedication to your cause."

"I… um…" Byleth tried to think, but she couldn't find anything to disagree with Jiayi. The seamstress had a good point.

"Guess it's time for another dress-up, hey Byleth?" Dorothea said playfully.

"Did I just hear 'dress-up'?" said Annette as she and Flayn joined the group.

"Yes, you did," said Cia. "This lady wants to update Byleth's wardrobe so that she looks like an Archbishop."

"Oh, you're that seamstress from before! Miss… Jangyi? Sorry, I forgot."

"Jiayi," the seamstress answered. "Madame Jiayi."

"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Madame Jiayi," said Flayn.

"Xièxiè, little one."

"This will be just like our dress-ups from back in our academy days," said Annette. "Just… I wish Mercie and the others were here too…"

The mention of their friends prompted some silent nods.

Anna broke up the silence and said, "So, Jiayi, you think you can make By look like someone in charge?"

"Of course I can," Jiayi answered. "I will simply need appropriate materials to work with."

"We haven't exactly been getting imports of silk or satin these days," said Anna. "Just essentials like food and building materials."

The others began to ponder the situation for a moment. For a second, Dorothea considered letting Jiayi use one of her old dresses, but she realized it wouldn't be the right colors. White wasn't something she wore a lot of.

Then, Flayn's eyes beamed as she said, "Oh, I know!"

…

Seteth knew something was wrong when Cyril had run to him saying that Byleth and the others were in Lady Rhea's private chamber. Out of respect, they had refrained from entering the Archbishop's room, so hearing of this concerned him. There was nothing particularly damning in the room, nor anything too valuable, so he wondered why they were there.

As he opened the door, he saw the reason and was baffled.

Flayn, Annette and the others turned to see Seteth staring at them in indignation.

"Oh, brother!" Flayn said in surprise.

"Flayn, what is going on here?" said Seteth. "What are you all doing with Lady Rhea's wardrobe?!"

"That's… um…" Alicia said nervously.

"We needed to find some good fabric, so we decided to check here," said Cia.

"Fabric? For what purpose?" asked Seteth.

Just before Dorothea was about to try and explain, Jiayi stepped forward, shushing the brunette with a wave of her hand, and said to Seteth, "Your current Archbishop is in dire need of an improvement to her attire. Your sister thought that since Lady Rhea is not around and thus does not need these dresses, she would not mind if we salvaged them."

"Who do you think you are referring to Lady Rhea's garments as 'salvage'?!"

"Hey, Seteth, I don't think Rhea's gonna be wearing this one anytime soon," said Anna as she held up one of the dresses. The white garment had clearly been chewed up by moths and there was a scorch mark where the left sleeve had been.

Seteth was about to protest when Lana held up another dress, this one ripped apart by what looked like fallen debris. Annette was also looking at a third dress that had been ruined.

"Those dresses are meant for Lady Rhea's use!" Seteth snapped.

"I'm sure your Archbishop would understand our need for them," said Jiayi. "Now, if you would kindly excuse us, I have to take some measurements of your current Archbishop."

Seteth indignantly glared over at Byleth, who had briefly blushed at hearing Jiayi was about to measure her again.

"Lady Eisner, you cannot possibly be endorsing this!" said Seteth.

"Sorry, Seteth," Byleth said sheepishly. "Jiayi insisted I need this."

"Please, brother," said Flayn. "If Madame Jiayi can make Lady Eisner look her best, it would have a great effect on morale."

Seteth stood stunned for a moment before letting out an exasperated sigh.

"How am I going to explain this to Rhea?" Seteth groaned.

"I'm certain you will find a way," Jiayi said with a smile.

…

Several hours passed as Jiayi worked on Byleth's new garments, and word of what was going on spread around the monastery. Most of the workers were uninterested, but several of the former students came to see what was happening.

"Who knew this would create so much of a fuss?" said Flayn as she and the others stood outside one of the rooms.

Jiayi had shooed everyone but Byleth and Anna out of the room while she worked, including a frustrated Seteth, who was now pacing back and forth in front of the doorway while Anna kept him from barging in.

"Look, Seteth, you might as well get used to us doing things you aren't gonna like," said Anna.

"That is not something I will agree to," said Seteth. "While I concede that your tactics won us the battle against General Randolph, this is both unnecessary and frivolous."

"I dunno about that, Seteth," said Leonie. "I mean, I wouldn't want to be in Byleth's boots right now, but I can see Madame Jiayi's point."

"I agree with Seteth," said Felix. "This is just going to serve to make Lady Eisner an easier target if she stands out more."

"I think the green hair and eyes already do that enough, Felix," said Caspar.

"Come on, Felix," said Annette. "Do you have to be such a wet blanket?"

Petra was about to ask what Annette meant when Cia said to her, "She means Felix is trying to ruin our fun, Petra."

"Oh. I have gratitude for your clarifying," said Petra.

"Hey, what's the worst that could happen?" said Brigitte. "Take it from us, looking the part's just as important as playing it."

"Absolutely!" Lana chimed in happily. "You can't just walk out onto a stage without your costume! How would people know who you're playing?"

"This does not seem all that comparable to an operatic play," said Ferdinand. "But if it will help raise the spirits of our soldiers, then so be it."

As the others nodded their heads in agreement, Dorothea stepped forward and asked, "Hey, is everything alright in there?"

"Just one last finishing touch, Miss Arnault," said Jiayi. "And… Wánchéng de. All done."

The seamstress exited the room first, smiling as she led Byleth out of the room.

The others were stunned for a moment as they looked at the current Archbishop. To their surprise, several parts of Byleth's old wardrobe remained, including her stockings and armored bodice, though the outfit had clearly been restored to almost pristine condition. The white cape and golden tiara she now wore made her look far more beautiful. The arrangement gave her the image of a warrior queen with its gold trim and extravagant patterns. Parts of the new ensemble wrapped around her waist without restricting any of her movements, done in an asymmetrical manner that allowed easy access to the Sword of the Creator, still strapped to her hip, as well as her dagger.

For a second, everyone was silent. Dorothea, in particular, was stunned by what she saw.

Then, bashfully, Byleth had to ask, "Well…?"

"Oh, you look fantastic!" said Lana. "It's almost like you're dressed to look like Saint Seiros!"

"Pretty sure Saint Seiros didn't go walking around wearing stockings like that, Lana," Cia quipped.

"Really, By? You're STILL wearing those things?" Anna said with a snort. "I got them for you ten years ago now. I'm surprised they're still in good shape."

Byleth had to blush slightly as she said, "Madame Jiayi's really good with a needle and thread."

"Decades of practice will do that," said Jiayi. "But I have to say that I've outdone myself this time."

"It certainly has my approval," said Lysithea. "It really does make you look like someone of great importance."

"You say that like it's a good thing," Felix objected. "Wearing that is like painting a target on her back. And that cape is a disaster waiting to happen."

"Felix, that's enough!" Annette snapped. "You wouldn't know good fashion if it bit you in the butt!"

"Well, brother?" asked Flayn. "Do you think this was worth sacrificing some of Lady Rhea's dresses for?"

"I will concede that Madame Jiayi has skill," said Seteth. "Though I do wish she did not have to use Lady Rhea's wardrobe to create this." Sighing, he then said, "I do hope you didn't have to use all of what you salvaged."

"Actually, I did," said Jiayi, much to Seteth's dismay. "I had to make her a spare, after all."

"Wait, that's why you took so long?" asked Alicia.

"So, Dorothea, what do you think?" asked Brigitte.

"It's… it's perfect," said Dorothea.

The two green-eyed women had to look into each other's eyes at this moment, with Byleth smiling in relief that Dorothea approved of the new look.

"Now then," said Anna, "all that's left is to ask how much this is gonna cost."

This immediately broke up the moment for Byleth and Dorothea, who both realized this was likely to be expensive. And the Church was trying to save as much money as possible.

Uneasily, Byleth asked, "How much will all this cost us, Madame Jiayi?"

Jiayi paused for a second, and then said, "Judging from your voice, I suspect you and your friends are short of money at the moment." Byleth nodded in slight shame. Jiayi then said, "Instead of coin, perhaps you could provide me with a room and a warm bed as payment for my services?"

"Really?" asked Dorothea.

Relieved, Byleth said, "I can do that, Jiayi. Thank you for your help."

"It was my pleasure, Byleth Eisner."

"We would be honored to have you here, Madame," said Ferdinand. "However, the monastery may not be the safest place for you to stay in these times."

"I doubt anywhere else in Fódlan would be much safer, young one. Besides, I suspect you may have need of my assistance again in the near future."

Leonie then asked, "Would that include helping us–"

"Fight your war?" Jiayi interrupted sternly. "Absolutely not. I abhor violence."

"That won't be a problem," said Byleth. "No one here will force you to do that."

"Thank you for your understanding, Archbishop. Now, would one of you be willing to help me find a nice room?"

Flayn stepped forward to help Jiayi as Byleth continued to receive compliments on her new garb from the others.

Let me just say this right now about Jiayi: you are going to be wrong about some of your assumptions. Which ones? You have to wait and see.

If you need a mental image of Jiayi, imagine Michelle Yeoh when she played in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, but anime. Not someone young and super-attractive like Byleth or Dorothea, but more of the middle-aged wise-woman angle. And I know Michelle Yeoh is technically Malaysian, but she could easily pass herself off as Chinese.

As for who would voice Jiayi? In my mind, no one would be better than Grey DeLisle. That's right, Azula from Avatar: The Last Airbender. I really want to see her voice someone in Fire Emblem at some point.

And also, remember that I'm using Chinese as the Hoshidan language, since Japanese is reserved for Nabateans and Manaketes. Sorry if I butcher the translations, but I mainly use Google Translate, which doesn't do grammar.

Well, now Byleth has the Enlightened One outfit. See you next week.