Chapter Thirty-One

1.

Lysithea does a big look over as her neighbor opens the door, "Did you even sleep?"

"Nope," Leonie's smiling maybe a tad too brightly. She's long passed the threshold for tired, now onto sparks of manic energy. "Which means I am taking first watch tonight. There's about," she squints at the sky. Clicks her tongue, "twenty-two hours until I start hallucinating. Good times."

The teen makes a disgusted noise, crossing her arms, "What was so important that you would risk your health on our first mission?"

"Helping Claude and Hilda with paperwork."

Lysithea stares. Then brushes past Leonie, stomping into the room. Amused, the adult closes the door. Watches as the youngest looks between their House members – on the ground with blankets, the woman isn't heartless – and the completed stacks of paperwork spread everywhere.

"You better have not," Lysithea's shrill voice startles Claude awake. Hilda groans, "left all your work to Leonie."

"Wait, what?" Claude relaxes once he sees there's not a threat. Yawns and rubs his eyes. "When did I fall asleep?"

"About two in the morning," Leonie replies, reclining against the wall. Her housemates are so cute, trusting her enough to fall sleep. Probably helped that the paperwork is killer. Even knowing the Church's secret code, it's hard to retranslate anything. They were double checking each other's writing until midnight. "I finished up the rest of the work, so make sure to correct it later."

"Goddess," Hilda groans and rolls over, practically shoving herself under the bed. "This is the best I've slept in days."

"That's…" Leonie gives an awkward laugh, "not good, Hilda. Are you okay?"

"Fine," she grumbles. Untucks herself and splays on her back. "Why didn't either of you wake me?"

Claude runs a hand through his hair. It falls perfectly back into place, unlike Hilda and Leonie whose loose strands are frizzing. The ladies share a commiserating unfair look while he speaks, "We'd gone through all the urgent sheets. Everything else can be reviewed or… well, it could have been finished on the mission."

Leonie makes a face in response to his unimpressed glance, "It's not the first time I've missed sleep before a mission. I don't make a habit of it, but I can still function."

"If anything happens to Leonie," Lysithea says, grabbing the woman's nearest hand, "then I'm blaming you two. Come on, Leonie. It's time for breakfast."

The woman laughs as she's dragged out. Hits the privacy ward off along the way. She may be nice enough to let them sleep in her dorm, but it's up to them now to get out without suspicion. "Did you really want to eat with me?"

"No," Lysithea goes red, avoiding eye contact as she seethes. "I didn't see you out jogging and got worried. Next time, let me know when they come over and I can kick them out before they take up your night."

"It wasn't that bad, promise."

"They still shouldn't have done it. And before a mission! I didn't expect much from Claude, but Hilda too! Do any of our leaders actually care or not if we do our best at the Academy?"

"…I mean… no? Maybe Professor Byleth does, but he's hard to read. Manuela's in it for the prestige and salary, Hanneman-"

"I know," Lysithea sighs. Quieter, "I know. I was just hoping our House wouldn't sabotage itself."

"Me not sleeping one night is not sabotage. I wouldn't have done it if I couldn't handle it. Don't blame Claude and Hilda for my choice to let them sleep while I did the work."

Lysithea stops in front of the cafeteria. Stares up, searching Leonie's eyes, "Are you sure they didn't pressure you into it?"

"They didn't. I swear. This is definitely not some noble-commoner power imbalance thing. I did the work of my own free will."

Lysithea presses her lips together and nods, not liking it but accepting there isn't anything suspicious going on. "Still, let me know when you all get together. I can read off to the side. Make sure they really are doing the work."

"Sure thing."

"Promise?"

That's an easy enough request, "Promise."

2.

"Be safe," Tristan says. "I hear the first mission is always the worst."

"We will do our utmost best to keep every person and object safe," Lorenz assures the gathered Golden Deer.

Hilda bats her eyes, "Thank you for coming out to see us off."

"Of course we came to see you all off," Lauza assures, sickly sweet enough that Leonie mock gags where she's loading up the convoy with the other commoners. "We know you will all do us proud."

Leonie tunes out whatever Claude's reply is, that group is far away enough it's not hard. She turns to the two noble Golden Deer hiding in the convoy, "Is it always like this with you nobles?"

"Worse," Lysithea bites out. Marianne nods, tucking her legs in as Ignatz helps guide Raphael's barrel of provisions. "I thought by making it clear the Ordelia line would end with me would get everyone to ease off, but in some ways it has made it worse. Now I get told that I haven't found the right person or that I'll change my mind in a few years."

The covered wagon shakes as Leonie drops her crate on it, "Correct me if I'm wrong, but you are fifteen, right Lysithea?"

"Yes. You were there at the birthday party."

"Just making sure," Leonie takes a few deep breaths to calm the simmering, terribly cold, rage. While marriage proposals are common – and betrothal contracts popular in the Kingdom – not even Bernadetta and Petra have to deal with this. Leonie's checked. Missing this information causes the already manic energy to burst into bloodthirsty clawing at her nerves. "Don't let this escalate into anything. In fact, make me a list of everyone who's tried this s**t. I'll make sure they know better then to keep at it."

Ignatz is the only one who looks shocked, and it's mostly because of the casual profanity. Raphael offers to help, and Marianne cracks a smile while nudging a wheezing Lysithea into explaining, "Hilda has it covered. Thank you, though."

"Still," Raphael and Leonie match gazes, "let us know if we can do anything."

"Leonie," Ignatz taps her arm, "you can't use language like that within the Church. Especially not around clients."

"Sorry," comes the reflex. The almost-lie. "Slipped out because it is just us, but if it bothers you then I can try to tone it down. I currently don't have the impulse control I normally do and it really shows, huh?"

"A bit," Marianne giggles. "Are you nervous too?"

"Sleep deprived. Makes me feel like I'm buzzing with a need to do something to keep awake. I'd probably be nervous otherwise," or not. This should be one of the easiest mission's Leonie's ever been on. No one has to die, after all. "Is anyone else nervous?"

"I am," Raphael laughs. "Don't get me wrong, I'm incredibly excited! Our first mission! But with all of these people depending on us to get to the farmlands, it's really taking a hit on the nerves. What if we run into bandits?"

Leonie stacks a crate, flashing a smile, "We can take them!"

Lysithea calls from behind the supplies, "And if we can't, then Leonie can!"

Before anyone can retort, Penelope coughs a little ways back from where she snuck out of the other group. The teenager offers a tiny smile, "Can I help?"

"Of course!" Raphael booms as Ignatz slides her way. "Plenty to pack away."

Leonie makes sure to give a pointed roll of her eyes towards the Knights watching them struggle, "And we can only take what our House can carry."

Penelope giggles and helps Ignatz lift.

3.

Very few of the Monastery's agricultural department turn out to be from prestigious backgrounds. Within minutes of their journey, Leonie's fallen into an easy conversation with another commoner who's walking the first hour of the journey. By the time night falls, she knows the name of everyone on the mission even if she hasn't chatted with them. She also now knows several new farming and pest control techniques, that the leader of the division is stuck back in the Monastery because of an early delivery of twins, and how one of the Knights has a little cousin in the Abyss. That Knight is one of the few to assist unloading the caravan and agrees to take first watch with Leonie.

The Crest of Seiros prickles against her skin, smelling of ozone and painfully clear meadow air. Leonie can practically taste the metaphysical thin breeze on her tongue as the Knights of Seiros sit around the campfire, giving her advice on how to survive. They tell stories of their own adventures and times at the Officer's Academy. While the group talks, no one seems to pickup how bugs haven't swarmed their camp. Leonie hasn't heard a wild animal the entire journey.

Her hands are starting to shake. Eyes barely blinking as staying awake and pretending not to notice – to feel – all the Crest threads takes most of her attention. The Crest blanket left her well enough alone. These people are just strings. Focused on her. Noticing her.

Then, all at once, they aren't. A smell of damp fur, scales, and feathers hits Leonie as Marianne's Crest slowly winds its way around her diverter. It's not stronger than what Rhea's injected into her Knights, not even close, but it helps keep the edge off. Marianne isn't looking for a follower nor a tether as she settles on the ground beside Leonie.

After a pause, the teen mutters, "Are you okay?"

"I will be," Leonie pastes on a grin and looks into warm, clear brown eyes. "Thanks."

Marianne tilts her head, confused, but nods. Moves closer until she can rest her head on Leonie's shoulder. The woman breathes evenly as the other student closes her eyes.

"Lysithea was correct," Marianne mutters on the edge of sleep. "You do feel safer."

Leonie jolts, catching the teen before she drops, "Sorry. Why don't you go grab a blanket? I promise my legs are comfier than my shoulder."

The teen's red cheeks barely show against the fire's glow. Marianne hurries to get her things, accidently disturbing a few of the sleeping students. Claude returns before her, dropping to Leonie's side with a tired grin.

"My turn for watch," the House Leader commands with a yawn. "You need to sleep."

That's true, but, "I can go for another hour."

"Nope," he grabs her shoulders and tugs until she lays back on the ground. Throws his blanket over her before she can try and get on her elbows. If she weren't so wired right now, the brushes of his measured, cold-warm Crest against her diverter ward would be enough to fall asleep to. "These aren't the Knights you started with, which means you've already been on watch longer than you're supposed to. I'm telling Lysithea."

"Traitor," Leonie grumbles and flops back on the ground. Sticks a hand under the blanket, into her pocket dimension, and jerks out a pillow. Claude makes a noise of disbelief as she gets comfy. "Are you sure you'll be alright alone?"

"I've got the Knights."

Leonie's expression reveals just how little a comfort that is.

Claude's smirk falls away. He grabs some of her hair for a small tug, "I will be okay."

Leonie sighs and waves Marianne over from where the teen paused, "I trust you, boss."

He turns away, facing the gossiping Knights as Marianne lays her head on Leonie's stomach. Within moments, the blue haired teen is asleep. The Crest threads spread out, rising and falling against the diverter like they're being massaged. It's cute enough for Leonie to huff a laugh.

"Go to sleep," Claude pokes her head. "Lots of walking tomorrow."

"If there's no arrows flying tonight," Leonie grumbles, thinking about the last time they all tried to camp out, "then it will probably be tomorrow."

"…Do you really believe we'll be attacked tomorrow?"

"Do you think any mission we have will go perfectly?"

His Crest lashes out, trying to circle their arms. Marianne's relaxed Crest isn't having it, the teen turning over in her sleep to break free. Claude waits until she's settled to suggest, "Maybe we'll be the first year of Golden Deer to have nothing go wrong on our missions."

"Flawless victory."

It's a while later, when she's finally calmed enough to verge on sleep, that Leonie hears him whisper, "Please. Please let tomorrow go well."

The tone he has pulls at her vaguely emotional heartstrings. Barely, but it's enough that Leonie resigns herself to protection duty rather than slaughter mode. Probably for the best. After all, can't let the Monastery know she's ready to kill at a moment's notice.

4.

Leonie grabs the wrist, eyes flying open. Aware before awaking.

Is hit with a light sense of déjà vu.

Lysithea's unimpressed face stares over her, "If I'd known you were open to being a pillow, I'd have come over here."

Leonie huffs and let's her go. The overlay of this has happened before is disorientating, "Not used to sleeping without a tent?"

"I'm not used to sleeping without a roof," the teen corrects. Watches as Leonie sits up, head in hands. "Are you okay?"

The déjà vu snaps, the fragile pattern falling apart. Leonie scrubs her face, "Fine."

In the back of her throat sits words unsaid. I'm going to make this the worst day of someone's life. There's no emotion attached to it, but the thought is strong enough to last until the double sense completely fades.

In an act of childish smugness, Lysithea drops the nearby blankets on Leonie's head. Tells the woman, "This is why you need to keep on a sleep schedule."

Leonie laughs and folds everything up. Packs away her things before beginning some stretches, "Next time, wake me up by poking me with a stick. I'll be more alert then."

A disgusted noise leaves the teen, "Morning person."

"Lysithea," Claude hops over, steaming bowl in his hands, "your turn for food."

"Thanks," she grumbles. Makes eyes-on-you motions to Leonie as she leaves.

Claude doesn't blink twice as Leonie brings a foot behind her ear. Sits next to the dying firepit and gazes at the dirt road they've been following, "Can you do me a massive favour?"

I don't like the sound of that, Leonie hums, "What's up?"

"Can you do the foraging this afternoon?" He points his wooden spoon at the broth. "Whatever Lorenz and Ignatz found last night tastes horrid."

"Pfft," Leonie puts her hands down to balance. It feels like a normal request, something the kids back in Sauin Village would ask, and a lighter emotion travels through her. Erases the pondering about the déjà vu with an interest of exploring the surrounding forests. "Yah, I can do it. You should have sent out Raphael with them. He knows what to pick and how to cook 'em."

"He would have found some meat, too."

"Absolutely."

Claude side-eyes her, "How come you don't know how to cook?"

"I can cook!"

"Not well."

She laughs, finally getting up, "Most times I find eating a chore. Why waste things practicing being fancy when I can eat and get on with my life?"

He stands too, taking the blankets and nudging her towards the food line, "I didn't realize how used I was to Fódlan's noble food until I had this."

"That a good thing or a bad thing?"

"Good thing," Claude decides. "To quote Lorenz, 'you get to diversify your palette'."

"Did he say that before or after trying the broth?"

"Before. Marianne's trying to heal his upset stomach now."

5.

There are bandits. Because of course there are.

"Leonie, Raphael," Manuela commands, "you go for the ones in front."

In sync, the commoners stop for Claude's nod of approval. Then they trade grins and start running.

"Keep right," Leonie calls, taking the left. One of the Knights on standby tosses her a javelin. "Thanks!"

This bandit group is small potatoes, their Faith shields breaking in one hit. They look more like desperate villagers then blood thirsty thieves and murderers. All rags and shallow faces, dull weapons and fear. Leonie isn't sure if Raphael is granting any mercy, but she isn't. Can't. If the Knights don't slaughter any who get through the line, then her housemates are at risk.

An arrow shatters against her own magical shield. Leonie tosses the javelin up, and between one second and the next it's out of her hand again. Hits the archer hard enough that the attacker turns to dust as the Faith shield burns the body for energy.

Movement to the right, and Leonie holds up a hand like she's trying to catch the swinging axe. There's a crackle, and then the bandit blasts away before contact. The woman glances at the spasming body, then to Marianne supporting them all with lightening, "Good shot!"

Hands on her knees, sucking in massive breaths, Marianne nods. Hurries over to where Raphael is shuffling from finishing off his side.

Leonie looks around, ready for more, but the fight is over. The Knights are moving to destroy any remaining bodies, and the students are making for Manuela.

Sad excuse for a tutorial battle. It's not disappointment, but it certainly isn't a good feeling that pangs through Leonie's body.

"Congratulations on surviving your first fight," Manuela tells them. For once, she looks like the serious teacher they all wanted. "How is everyone fairing?"

At a quick glance around, Lorenz is the only one looking shook. Then Hilda's legs give out, horror filling her eyes with tears as she looks at the axe in her hands, "I killed someone."

"I am sorry," Manuela kneels down to the teenager's level. Cups under her chin so their eyes meet. "It is a hard thing to do, but I am glad you are the one standing here and not them. While I wish none of you would ever have to kill another person, the reality of the Officer's Academy is to give you the tools and experience to survive all this world will throw at you. If you do not believe you can handle anymore battles, we can send you home once we return to the Monastery."

Hilda swallows. In a small voice, tells the class, "I will stay."

Manuela purses her lips and gets to her feet. Addresses her students, "Do not continue with the main class if you do not think you can handle the responsibility. This was an easy battle compared to what we will face in the future. For the rest of the mission, the Knights will scout ahead, but do not expect this leniency to happen again."

With that, the teacher leaves. Marianne goes directly to Hilda, while Ignatz and Raphael drift over to a very stunned Lorenz. Lysithea makes up her mind and drags Hilda back into the caravan.

Claude slides up to where Leonie stands watching it all, "What was your first kill?"

While startling, Leonie smashes down the stinging thrill of the question, "I'm not legally allowed to tell you."

He smirks, "Mine was an assassin." Nods to where the other nobles are slowly gathering. "A lot of my kills were assassins. Never would have guessed I was the only popular one."

Or the biggest threat. She doesn't need to say it. Marianne lost her parents. Lysithea's family was experimented on. Lorenz was coddled, however this world can succeed with it. Raphael might still have his parents, but he and Ignatz know what it's like living on the road.

It was Hilda that Leonie expected more from, but in hindsight that wasn't realistic. Hilda is a beloved second child, first daughter, with two overprotective and close family members. With Hilda's strength and her territory holding back the warring neighbors, it is easy to presume much. Sweet, well-connected Hilda is not a master killer. Not right now.

Leonie really needs to go through her notes to see what else she's taking at face value.

"Manuela wants me to give commands next time," Claude continues as they watch the group recover. Ignatz and Raphael look to be giving a peptalk. It really should come from one of the other nobles, but hopefully Lorenz and Hilda have started seeing the commoners as more than pawns. "Any super secret move you have that I should know about? For emergencies, of course."

"'Of course,'" Leonie mocks. Taps an elbow into his side as she starts towards the others. "Warp me into the middle of nowhere and I can light everything on fire."

She can feel his eyes on her as he falls into step, "I don't think I can learn warp, but can you?"

"I'll give it a try later in the year. Who knows, maybe it will be good for hostage situations?"

"You mean to get us a hostage, right?"

"Of course! Like you'd let any of us get captured. Pretty sure that's an automatic failure on the licensing exams."

"I won't give you guys up," he makes a show of looking around. "Manuela though…"

Leonie slaps a hand over her mouth before she can laugh. Stifles it enough to hide her grin, "I think losing our teacher is an automatic failure as well."

"If it gets us one a bit more encouraging," his hands tighten into fists, "then it wouldn't be a total loss."

The orange haired woman loops an arm around the crook of his, "As much as I don't like Manuela, we are not having Jeritza, Catherine, or Shamir as our House teachers."

"I thought you liked Shamir?"

"I do. I just don't want to share my favourite professor with the rest of you. Now if Captain Jeralt was to take over our class…"

6.

With his hand clasping her shoulder, Claude looks unusually serious despite his smirk, "Don't hold back?"

Leonie makes sure her grin looks real. At this point, forging and hunting is her thing. Slips out of his grip, jogs backwards with a mock salute, "You got it, boss!"

This close to Gronder's fields, the forest is a dense miasma of dark energy. Within seconds of entering, Leonie can no longer see the light of camp. Constant tap tap taps against her diverter slide off. Reason magic swirls in the shadows. If she could find the will to care about ghosts, Leonie may call this place haunting.

Supposedly, in areas where people live, the lingering sense of resentment and fear has dissipated… or been moved into here. History would say this entire area was once a battlefield. The Church will clear out a nearby zone for the Battle of the Eagle and Lion. There are no animals, no insects. For all the trees grow solely on the dead, twisting like beasts as magic coalesces in the roots, Danger Sense does not ping from the forest.

In fact, for the first minute of walking, it does not ping at all.

Leonie throws a fist into the stomach of the masked figure. The person goes flying back, shattering a tree on impact. She's on the stalker before the being can call out for help.

"Shh," Leonie smiles. Too wide, too scary. Takes off the plague-doctor-like mask to reveal a wheezing man. She keeps both his hands trapped and one finger near his mouth. "That was very smart, hiding yourself with the forests magics. Too smart."

The alerts from Danger Sense grow the more she uses untapped magic in the area. Leonie can almost picture a HUD map showing everyone with the same idea as her. Like a dowser, using the magic in this forest reveals the others using it as long as a person knows how to look. At least one of the intruders heard the noise, but is moving at an off angle. Leonie's mind starts calculating the fastest route to take them all out.

"Do you want to tell me why you and your group are watching my class?"

He wheezes, managing a glare. In a sudden rush, Leonie's hit with an almost fear-anger-reckless internal reaction. She tenses, grip fracturing his Faith shield as she feels whatever that is at a very strong rate.

"Sorry," it comes out automatically as she shuts the guy's mouth to keep him from shouting. Vaguely interested past the rush, he survives to look her in the eye. "You can magically influence emotions. That is a very rare skill to have. So rare, it's only talked about in texts."

The colour drains from his face as she goes invisible. Leonie blinks. No Crest Stone, but whatever is in his blood looks like sludge.

The man wheezes out, "Phantom."

Blink. Leonie reappears with a friendly grin. It isn't kind as she formulates an answer to a question that's been simmering all day. "I thought that would have died down by now. How much damage would I need to do to make sure your time travel stops?"

He curses, trying to spit at her.

Gross. Leonie tilts her head to dodge it, aware that the forest shadows leave only her teeth visible, "You are lucky that I am on a time limit and do not condone torture."

He's dead in time for the next Person Who Slithers In The Dark to get close and personal with Leonie's left hook. After a third kill, she pulls out a lance.

This, Leonie thinks with a wild smile, is the kind of fight I'm made for.

7.

The headache from the mental map is worth it. Leonie knows she got every single one of those creepers, and even managed to get some wild game for dinner. The weird wolf-bear hybrid animal was on the verge of becoming a monster. Its body now sits on her shoulders, meanwhile extra-large vegetable fusions swing on her hip. Leonie exits the forest with a skip in her step and humming a tune no one would recognize.

So, of course, the mood over at the students' fire pit is incredibly somber. What's odd is that most look uneasy, but Hilda… Hilda has the expression of someone who's worldview has been shattered. Leonie knows that feeling well.

Marianne and Raphael hurry to their feet when they see her, rushing over to cooking area. Marianne slips a silent shh movement in between the Knights' gazes. They take what Leonie found, few words said between in a quiet debate on how to cook the animal, and then Leonie's shooed off towards the other.

Normally, Leonie wouldn't care enough to ask what happened. This, however, is obviously a Golden Deer-wide issue and she is going to be included whether they like it or not. The woman was gone for an hour. They do not get to hide major events from her while she's out getting them food. Not unless she's paid for her service. "Okay, what happened?"

Even demoralized, Hilda still has a flair for dramatics, "My family has slaves."

Leonie gauges everyone's expression before staring at Claude. Then at Hilda. "Yah? Isn't that common knowledge?"

"I didn't know it!" Hilda wails, actual tears falling down her eyes.

Bewildered, Leonie looks back to Claude. How could she not know?

Lorenz answers, "The Goneril family has been calling them servants to get around the Alliance's rule of no slavery. Since the slaves are Almyrans, the people Fódlan are at war with, we have allowed it to continue. This has… warped Hilda's definition of what a servant truly is."

Ignatz, frowning, raises a hand, "I know it because mine and Raphael's families trade near the border. Most commoners throughout Fódlan actually have no idea."

Lysithea pipes up, "Leonie works with Cyril sometimes. If you listen to him, he'd tell you Rhea saved him from the Gonerils."

Yah, Leonie has no idea how to go about getting the kid to realize he went from one unpaid labour to another. Shamir's trying her best to help him, but Cyril's adoration to Rhea is either something desperate or Crest-based. Like a lot of the problems in this country, Leonie isn't working on fixing any of it. Saving Jeralt is the only long-term goal, the only mission that matters. Still… When will a chance like this ever come up again? "I wasn't sure whether it was a prisoner of war situation or not until he opened up to me. How did you not realize forcing people to serve you-"

"Without pay, a way to leave if they decided to, or refrain from harm," Claude cuts in, using exactly the words Leonie had ready. He looks intense, not smiling or forgiving of anything. "We already went through it with her, and Hilda's promised to do her best to end it."

Hilda sniffles. The watery look she aims at Leonie would have brought anyone else to their knees, "I will. I didn't realize- but I know better now. I swear. Even if the only option is to… oh, I don't know, send them back or integrate them as Fódlan citizens so we'd never have to fight them again. I'll write to my family and stop slavery in Goneril territory."

If she wasn't an eighteen-year-old, second child who's never participated in the heart of what makes her territory so feared, Leonie might almost believe her. Hilda certainly has the connections to make an impact. There's certainly a drive to do good. It doesn't stop the quiet slavery in the Empire and Kingdom, in the Church if a person knows where to look, but it is something. It is a change, and Leonie doesn't dare be cynical about this, "I'm sure we can brainstorm some better ideas. Let me know how I can help."

Hilda nods, serious and certain. Claude throws out support for the integration idea. Lorenz suggests learning how Almyran soldiers are selected so they don't send prisoners back to fight.

Leonie sits next to Lysithea. The teen leaves over to whisper, "This all started because we were talking about you and the blanket permission. I don't think I've ever seen Claude control a conversation so well."

The woman's thoughts – of how to encourage Edelgard to ban slavery in addition to a noble hierarchy – cut short. A wandering curiosity has her whispering back, "Would you say it looked like he practiced what he did?"

After a moment of thinking, Lysithea slowly nods, "It wasn't refined, but he made some points that hit hard enough for Hilda to realize something needs to change. It was actually more like something I would have expected you to say."

I'll bet, Leonie's grin spreads to show too many teeth.

"What's wrong?"

"It could be nothing," Leonie assures. "But what are the chances this is something that happened before?"

"…Do you mean… during the war?"

"Sure. Or before. Or after." Or in a different timeline of the past day.

Lysithea opens her mouth. Closes it with another deep thought. Finally, "At least he remembered something important."

Leonie thinks of how much fun she had hunting down Those Who Slithered In The Forest. Of how she didn't dare to hold back. "Do you want to make a bet?"

"On what? How much Claude remembers?"

"On how long it will take him to tell us."

"…Five gold on four months."

Sweet of her to keep the betting low, "So long?"

"It's Claude. Do you really think he'll say anything?"

"Fine. Five gold on three months." Either he cracks, or it's all very coincidental.

"I wonder if anyone else remembers."

I hope not.

8.

When things wind down for the night, Leonie hugs her camping roll and drops down beside the first person on watch, "So, how'd you know?"

Because either it's all a coincidence or she's earning herself some gold.

Claude flashes a cheeky grin, "How did I know what?"

"About the forest," Leonie groans, unlacing her boots. Got to love the Faith shield, not even her feet stink. "How'd you know there were people in there?"

The way he flinches almost has her convinced he didn't know. He's back to serious grin Claude when he turns from the fire, "I saw someone following us a while back, after the bandits. I take it they're gone now?"

And see, Leonie has no idea if he's lying or not. The teenager is too good at masking his tells when he focuses. It's completely reasonable the Idiots Who Slither in the Dark popped out at some point to manipulate a person's emotions. Or watch the group. Or any number of possible things creepy old human-like beings get up to in the forest. So she's watching very carefully, nod slow, "Yah. I got all of them."

He smirks. Winks, "Did you make it the worst day of their life?"

Why does that sound familiar? "Oh, absolutely. A few of them were trying to make monsters. I trust our class, but I'm not confident we could take on a herd of giant creatures yet."

He seems surprised by her report, "Yes. Good plan. Thank you for dealing with that."

"Anytime," she pats his shoulder. Grips it, "And you know, if there's anything you want to tell me…"

Claude isn't completely recovered by the mention of monsters, but there's a bit more colour in his cheeks, "I'll let you know if anything comes up."

"Good," she pats his shoulder once more and gathers her things. "Then this is me telling you that before the mission Hilda made me promise not to tell anyone something."

"What."

It's not a question. Leonie doesn't think Claude even realizes how calm-before-the-storm that word sounded. The woman hops to her feet, but his Crest strands stretch to try and pull her back, "So this is me. Talking to you. Not telling you about something important."

"But- Leonie this isn't informing me."

"Sure it is," it's her turn to give a cheeky wink. He is not impressed. "I am telling you some information. Just like I said I would. And now you know that between you and Hilda, I'm much more wary about repercussions if I broke the promise with her."

"I'd protect you," Claude is so serious that Leonie swallows a laugh. "Why do you have to stay silent?"

"Ask Hilda," a quick turn and walk away. Throws a hand up in a goodnight wave.

"Leonie!"

"Good luck, Claude!"

He curses but doesn't follow. It's worth revealing this, for more than the reason the ladies need help figuring out Marianne's power. Sometime during the talk, Leonie formed a sinking suspicion that she is going to lose the bet. Maybe Claude does remember, maybe he doesn't. Maybe the people in the forest were a lucky catch, maybe he knew it was coming. Something isn't lining up, but that could be her own paranoia as Danger Sense refuses to give a real ping from her House Leader anymore.

Claude could know something… but he's not suspicious on how she's different from the Leonie Lysithea seems to remember.

New Leonie won't entertain the thought that he's just biding time. Claude's more than proven he cares for the Golden Deer. He's too busy to be waiting to take her out.

And, Leonie realizes as she unrolls the flimsy bedding, f**k it all, I wasn't lying when I told him I trust our class.

It's just a smudge for some of them, enough to have someone watch her back for others, but it's something. It's more then what the mission started out as.

This better not be what support ranks feel like.

She doesn't have time for a grind.

9.

Supplies gets delivered without any further issues. While Manuela helps setup the teleport home, the students are left to mingle with the villagers. Everyone is excited to meet new people, hear new stories.

Leonie ends up playing games with the village children. When the kids tire, she pulls out some party tricks.

"Are you ready?" the woman's hands are out and facing up. A half-circle of twenty-or-so kids sit before her. There are a few cheers, so Leonie begins wiggling her fingers, sparks generating like she's warming up. "Alright, watch close."

Giving a show, her hands spark spark spark before erupting into flames. Some scream, and the fire moves up into two swirling balls of flame. The children 'oooh' as she makes it look like wiggling fingers roll the fire in place.

Then cup and clap the fire together, red glowing in the middle of her hands. Slowly stretching apart to reveal a bunny. The fire creature hop hop hops as her hands slowly glide so everyone can see.

Hops too high and disappears into embers. They swirl into a flaming horse. The kids laugh as Leonie makes a show of the palm-sized horse pulling her around, trying to escape an invisible barrier. The fire makes a show of being upset, stomping above a palm and blowing embers. As more and more magic fire comes off the outline, the woman pretends it's hard to pull her hands back together.

"Aww," some kids whine when the fire vanishes. Others watch the smoldering red between her palms.

My favourite part, Leonie smirks and throws her hands apart like she was blown back.

The children squeal in glee as a small, serpentine, fire dragon curves through the air of Leonie's space. It never gets close to them, but the dazzling display is enough to gather cheers.

After enough play with the thing she's constructed, Leonie guides it into hitting her chest for the disappearance. Everyone watching claps as she gives her final bow. She doesn't get to stick around after, quickly dragged away by Lysithea who claims they'll be ready to leave soon.

"Where did you learn to do that?"

Leonie shrugs, "I taught it to myself. Had to learn magic control somehow."

The teen groans, "You are so lucky Manuela doesn't like you. If you were anyone else, the kind of finesse over magic you showed would be enough to have her drag you on as an apprentice."

"As what?"

"A healer! Ugh, I hope none of the Knights saw that."

"Wait," Leonie stops them. "Was what I was doing really that bad?"

"For your continued freedom, yes," Lysithea looks around, oddly nervous. "Only the top nobles – leaders, heirs, those kinds of positions – are ever left alone if they have better magic control then expected. Tell me you've noticed how no one in the Officer's Academy does focused, intensely controlled magic."

Leonie squints.

"Besides when we're alone!"

"I… guess that's true." Leonie nods. She's been trying to match to everyone's skill level, but somehow it had never clicked that Lysithea purposefully lets her spells spill over a target instead of focusing to a direct point. It was one of those things Leonie thought they'd all learn over time, that control over offensive spells was different from defensive or everyday work. Wait. Hold it. "Can you control your offensive spells better then you let on?"

Lysithea opens her mouth. Closes. Turns on her heel, "That's not the point! Don't do it in public again!"

"I understand," not really, but whatever. Her classmates know the social culture of Fódlan better. "I'll do some other party tricks next time." Like with a deck of cards. Or cups and a ball.

Certainly doesn't trust herself to play a game of marbles right now.

10.

"Leonie! You're alive!"

Leonie braces. Grabs the rushing body and twirls them out of the way of the portal so the last of her classmates can come through. Bernadetta squeals and latches on harder, so Leonie carries her over to the awaiting students, "Of course I am! Not a scratch on me!"

Got to love the Faith shield.

"Welcome back," Dorothea smiles. Disregards decorum and hugs them. Bernadetta squeaks, but Leonie doesn't pass up returning the sentiment with a one-arm hug. "How was the mission?"

Mercedes smoothly comes in for a hug when Dorothea steps back. Bernadetta lets go to hide behind her classmate, so the older woman gets a two-arms hug. Leonie gets on her toes and grins over the Blue Lion's shoulder, "It went well. Our group only got attacked once."

Mercedes giggles and steps back, Annette and Ashe suddenly appearing by her sides. Dorothea rolls her eyes, "I'm not sure that's something to be excited about."

Compared to the alternative of two attacks, Leonie grins wider, I'll take it. "Eh, everyone got a taste of real battle. Better now then on a more sensitive mission."

"That is one way to look at it. Why don't we go to the cafeteria for lunch, and you can regale us with your mission?"

"Sounds good to me!" Claude and Hilda are the only ones who have to stick around. The House Leader was the last one through the portal, and he's already been swept away to give a report. Seeing the rest of her House bragging or having ditched the fanfare, Leonie resolves not to give the bland drip, drip, drip emotion in her chest any thought. This will not be a support meal, just a meal between allies.

Still ready to throw hands with anyone who hurts Bernadetta. That's not a support rank, just common decency. After all, everyone else can handle themselves.

Decides to avoid pondering too long on her relationship status with other people. There are a lot more important events and plans to think about. Like how to confront her bandmates. Or mentally preparing for the chore that might just break her. Or what to get Raphael for his birthday.

Or if Byleth believes in Casual or Classic.

A/N: That time where Leonie spends most of the chapter sliding towards unhinged and some information is dumped.

Thank you so much for reading! A really big thank you to naWolfle, Faranon423, xenocanaan, Hong-Meirin, SchattenSoldat08, Vici-Cecilia, guisniperman, Ani-Me Fanboy 123, and EmpirePlayer for reviewing! The support truly means a lot!

Still busy (and still grinding through Three Hopes supports), but if things go well then the next chapter should be out on this story's anniversary. Happy New Year!

I hope everyone is well and has a spectacular day! Please take care