The Three Houses of Hyperdimension

A Fire Emblem: Three Houses & Hyperdimension Neptunia Crossover Fan Fiction

by Derald Snyder

Episode 19: Desk Discussions

*Bishop's Office*

There was a knocking at the door. "Come in," Rhea called, setting her pen down as said door promptly opened, a familiar pair of green twin-tails coming into view. "Oh, little Sothis, hello! What can I do for you?"

"Hi, Miss Rhea," Sothis greeted, shutting the door behind her. "Well, I'm sure you heard about that mishap when I tried to cast a magic spell a while back?"

"Yes, apparently you left quite the crater in the field," Rhea nodded. "The Knights of Seiros ended up searching that area for hidden bombs or mines, just to be safe, from what I heard..."

"Ugh, don't remind me. That was so embarrassing!" Sothis buried her face in her hands briefly. "ANYWAY, after that disaster, I tried studying other kinds of magic that wouldn't blow up in my face, and I managed to pick up a couple new tricks; so I came here to show you. If you're not busy, that is."

"Well, shouldn't you be showing this to Byleth instead?" Rhea pointed out.

"I already have," Sothis replied with her hands on her hips. "I just wanted to show you so you didn't get caught by surprise or something..."

"I see... very well, then go ahead and show me," Rhea agreed, standing up to get a better view.

"All right, first up..." Sothis closed her eyes and spread her arms a little, her feet leaving the floor as she rose into the air.

"Oh! A levitation spell, is it?" Rhea comprehended.

"Right. Can't exactly fly like the CPUs do, but if I got pitched over a cliff or off a high rise, this would save me from going splat down below..." Touching back down, Sothis gave a knowing smirk. "And for my next trick... now you see me, now you don't!" She went into spirit form, vanishing from Rhea's view.

"Oh my! An invisibility spell?!" Rhea gasped. "That's... quite impressive! How did you do that?"

"Sorry, that's a secret," Sothis said as she reappeared. "Actually, I first managed to use this spell successfully during that mission with the bandits and Blue Lions... snuck up on the leader when she was fighting Byleth, then I reappeared and gave her a funny face!" She started laughing as she continued, "Y-you shoulda seen the look on her face! Then Byleth disarmed her and wrestled her to the ground! Hahahaha!"

"I don't know if I find that funny," Rhea shook her head. "That was dangerous heading into the battlefield like that, even with invisibility... what if you'd been hit with a stray arrow or magic spell? I highly doubt the professor approved of your actions..."

"Heeheehee... (ahem) Yeah, he gave me a bit of a lecture, but he let me off without a grounding or spanking since my distraction gave him the upper hand," Sothis explained. "If only that Kronya hadn't interfered..."

"But what made you want to head out there to begin with?" Rhea inquired.

"I just got worried... not just about Byleth, but the students too. "Like maybe... those bandits had a trap for them or something. Which they kinda did, but that Sylvain only lost his horse, thank goodness... I mean, all life is precious, right? Sure, criminals need to be punished and all, but still..."

"...You are wise beyond your years, young lady," Rhea nodded with a smile. "Your concern for the students is touching, but you should learn to have a little more faith in them. And again, you shouldn't put yourself in danger for their sake, either..."

"I know, you're right," Sothis looked down, digging her foot into the floor a little. "It's just, I was an orphan, alone all the time, and now I've got Byleth and all these new acquaintances and friends... I just don't want to lose any of them... it was bad enough when Byleth got himself stabbed back in Lowee City..."

"I understand what you mean. It's hard to lose someone close to you. I know that pain more than anyone else," Rhea sighed, feeling her eyes tearing up. "Oh, look at me, bringing down the mood like this..." Taking a handkerchief and wiping her eyes, she then said, "So, was there anything else you wished to show me...?"

"That's all I've got for now," the young girl shrugged. "So, uh, don't freak out if I suddenly vanish into thin air or something, okay?"

"Of course. But I would hope you don't use that spell to scare anyone, either," Rhea cautioned.

"Yes, I know, Byleth told me the same thing," Sothis rolled her eyes, before turning away. "I'll let you get back to work now, Miss Rhea. May your day be bright and your gaming fulfilling and enjoyable." With that, she left, closing the door behind her. As she made her way back to Byleth's quarters, however, she wondered why she'd said something like that...

"May your day be bright... and your gaming..." Rhea repeated, her eyes going wide. (That's... that's exactly what Mother used to say, so long ago! But... it couldn't be... could it?!) That girl had been adamant that she not be compared to the founding goddess... and yet... (No, what am I thinking? I promised Lady Blanc I wouldn't dwell on this any longer...)

Sitting back down, Rhea began rubbing her temples... then something came to her. (Wait. Perhaps... if I used that, then maybe I could answer the question once and for all... Oh, but first, I need to get this paperwork finished...) So she took her pen and began writing once more...

*Student Dormitories*

"You appear quite stressed, Lady Edelgard." So said Hubert as he observed the Black Eagles leader sitting at her desk, writing something furiously.

"I'm trying to get caught up," she grunted back. "With everything that's been happening lately..."

"I see. Permission to speak freely?" Hubert requested.

"You don't need to ask me that, Hubert," Edelgard sighed as she pushed away from the desk, turning to face him. "I've said it before, I am not a princess..."

"But you are the descendant of the great Wilhelm von Hresvelg, whom House Vestra has served for generations," Hubert pointed out, accentuating his point with a small bow. "And unlike my fool of a father, I remember my place."

"Then speak your peace and get it over with, please."

"Certainly. I'm just thinking that our little side project may be becoming more trouble than it's worth," Hubert said. "The amount of... resources we are dedicating to this is becoming increasingly difficult to hide; people are starting to ask questions. I fear it may not be long before discovery becomes inevitable, and then what? What will the Black Eagles house do without their leader and her right hand?"

"With all due respect, I think you are blowing this out of proportion," Edelgard argued. "It's not as if there have been any complications, other than resources. All we need is a little more time for-"

"I respectfully disagree," Hubert shook his head. "This has gone on long enough. The project is all but finished. We should cut it loose before-"

"No! It's not ready yet!" Edelgard slapped a hand on the desk. "Just one more month, Hubert. That's all I ask. And if worse comes to worse, perhaps... perhaps he could help."

"By whom you mean, the professor?" Hubert guessed.

"Yes. I'm sure he would understand once the situation was explained to him..."

"However, I doubt he has much experience with something like this," Hubert countered. "Then again, that Sothis..."

"Right," Edelgard nodded. "I wouldn't have bothered to say anything to him before, but now..."

"While I would have advised against it before, it's clear that circumstances have changed," Hubert mused. "In which case, I shall leave the final decision to you, Lady Edelgard." Just then, a soft beeping was heard. "Ah, it's that time again, it seems. Do not worry, I shall handle it this time."

"Thank you, Hubert. And I'm sorry to trouble you with this," Edelgard acknowledged.

"There is no need to apologize," the sinister student assured her, giving a formal bow. "By your leave." He promptly turned and left, shutting the door behind him.

After he was gone, the Black Eagles leader heaved a sigh. "I know the day will come when we have to say goodbye... I just hope that the professor understands..." Shaking her head, Edelgard picked up her pen and got back to her homework...

*Episode 19- End*

A/N: I wonder just what it is that Edie and Hubert are discussing... maybe it's sinister, maybe it's not...