Severa considered the words, though found herself confused at the generous offer. Say’ri would host her? They hardly knew each other. What would drive her to do something like that?

However, it was something tempting to think about. She had no place in this Ylisse - because after all, this wasn’t truly her time. Her parents would welcome her to stay. she was certain. But was that even possible? How could they explain suddenly having a child nearly their own ages?

She could disguise herself as a soldier in the halidom’s army. It was a thought she’d entertained many nights during the first war, after learning of Lucina’s plan. She’s save her parents, and they’d all live together, all under Chrom’s new banner. But eventually, Cordelia would have this time’s real Severa. Would they even want her then? Maybe travelling away would be best for them all.

“What is Chon’sin like this time of year? Is it always as hot as it was when we found you?”

“It is beautiful,” Say’ri said warmly, “The rime sits o’er the shutters in the morning with the late season’s chill, but the afternoons sit warm and bright.”

She considered her cup, wary of talking too much, but still glad to speak of that which she loved best.

“We sit on the same long horizon as Ferox, but the ocean brings warmth in the winter seasons, so it is never truly frozen. ‘Tis a boon to us, year-round...” she pauses, giving Severa a grin, “Even if summer heat calls up wishes for colder climes.”

She tips her head, curiosity of her own as she measures Severa up.

Whatever it was about her family that Lady Say’ri referenced, it was clear it was something to tread over lightly. Too early to try poking that beast for sympathy points. She’d leave it for now.

Oh joy. More leaf water. She was so glad.

“Hmm? Oh, you know…no offense to your beautiful country meant, milady, but I ended up here on accident.” Fucking gates showing up outta nowhere to ruin your day. “Though just getting the chance to enjoy your company has been quite wonderful, I promise.”

“As it is to meet you,” Say’ri said, “Forgive me for monopolizing your company. I am sure that such a mild meeting must bore you to tears.”

She regards Charlotte over her cup thoughtfully, putting it down and then turning her head to eye the stack of papers on the shelf she’s been putting off. Unfortunate, that their space for today has been occupied by a far more interesting subject.

Severa accepted the cup, wrapping both hands around to warm them. It began to quell the chills in her skin, and she took a long sip.

“Not for a while, no.”

For a long moment she was quiet, watching the sky and periodically sipping her drink. It was a peaceful moment, with the muffled noise of celebration overlaid by chirping insects and rustling breezes.

“Do you intend to return to Chon’sin now? I suppose there’s nothing here to make you stay.”

It seemed strange to Severa that the Shepherds had all gone through a war together, but now would all drift their separate ways. To no longer see someone she’d gone through such an experience with - for the second time, no less - was odd. She and Say’ri had never been close friends. In truth, they had never spoken much before now. But she had become such a constant in a time of Severa’s life that she had felt lowest. All those battles, all the wounds and desperation; all her fellow Shepherds had been at her side, supportive and encouraging. For all that to be gone was unfamiliar. She wasn’t sure she knew who to be now, with no war and all those she knew leaving.

“Aye, ‘tis my duty to do it,” Say’ri said, “To repair the things that can be sewn, and make anew what is beyond my salve. I suppose it might take some time.”

Say’ri knew her life would be spent upon it, at least hers, and likely any children she would beget. It was a joke she made at her own expense.

“Still, it must be said. If ever you need a place to stay, call upon me. I have only little, but my culture dictates it must be shared. You and any others who decide to visit will be my most honoured guests.”

Hide it. How odd a thought. But Mitama was not unfamiliar with conflict, she supposed it was just another sacrifice demanded.

“Ah, I have done much and yet nothing of any real note.” She answered simply, gaze traveling from Lady Say’ri to their room. A pursuit of beauty had pulled her to leave home, and her days were filled mostly with the wanderings of time.

She made it a point to visit any temples she may find. If her father thought them all foolish, she would find the wisdom in fools.

Mitama smiled fondly. “I have missed your company as well, Lady Say’ri. It has been quite a gap of time indeed.”

“Aye, and ‘tis my fault for not making a greater effort to see you sooner,” Say’ri says, “Will you stay a while with me?”

She nods to the woman who brings the missive, pulling out a pen and dipping it, tapping the ink and scrawling something on the end in a loose, looping hand.

“I have a few moments now. I can find you lodgings - the temple of the lost wanderer may suit you, if you do not wish to live in the palace with me-” Say’ri pauses, to look at Mitama anew.

Severa accepted the offered place on the blanket, stretching her feet before her on the grass.

For a moment she was silent, tapping her fingers along her leg.

“Seems strange, doesn’t it? For a celebration. Everyone’s so happy, like nothing ever happened.”

She had no idea why Say’ri stepped away from the festival, but Severa knew her own reasons. To have fought such a gruesome war not once but twice; she had never truly anticipated making it to the end. And now, to have everything just be okay, for there to be cheering and laughing, was simply overwhelming. A feeling settled in her gut she couldn’t recognize.

“You mentioned tea?”

“Tea, indeed,” Say’ri says, pouring a fresh cup into an unused cup from her set, “It settles the stomach, I find.”

She didn’t ask why Severa had left, but she had the feeling they were of a likeness, at least at heart. She offered the cup.

“I must agree. My conscience is heavy upon me,” Say’ri said, “To dance now is something I cannot yet do. But they celebrate life, and bit by bit my heart is eased.”

She lets the thought sit a moment, before checking her own tea.

Charlotte was used enough to wandering eyes on her body that she was quick to count Lady Say’ri’s. Innocently, she forced out a yawn and stretched, languidly. Innocent enough. And she had just “fainted”.

“None taken, milady.” she assured the woman easily once she settled back comfortably.

“But no…no brothers to speak of. Just me and my parents, and I wouldn’t dare submit them to the efforts of war.” And that was a veritable sentiment for once, not just Charlotte talking out of her ass. She wouldn’t dare. “But I can assure you milady, delicate as I may be, I can handle myself just fine.”

“Aye then, I understand. I fought for my family too. After a manner of speaking...” Say’ri said, gazing into the middle distance, a frown between her brows.

“It is a complicated notion, on my part,” she says, ready to drop the idea. She looks Charlotte over again, trying not to stare, and finds the bottom of her teacup. She pours another.

Mitama smiled and nodded as she followed Lady Say’ri’s instructions. She took a seat, comfortable next to her, and waited as the royal continued to lightly coax music from the instrument.

“Surely your hands are as gifted in that area as others.” Mitama mused. Though Lady Say’ri had always been a humble figure in her eyes.

“Has it been long since last you played?”

“Six months, mayhap, ‘tis difficult to count the number,” Say’ri answered honestly, “I did hide it with no idea if it would last the time.”

She strums again, finding a song.

“My hands feel odd, if I must tell the truth. My blade’s grip writes a pattern on my palms that this instrument does not. But enough of me - Tell me of your adventures.”

She plucks a bright note and lets the sound fade away.

Mitama smiled politely and nodded her head. She thought the formalities silly, but would not shame Lady Say’ri for them. She had heard frequently enough that there was an oddness to her own manner of speech, even to those she was close with.

“Well met indeed. Music flows from fresh / released from warm fingertips / soul liberated. I was unaware that you played any instrument.”

She stepped closer towards the woman, eyes on the tool of choice. It was unfamiliar to her. She’d never had the skill for that form of art. Unable to keep the time or notes. It did not stop her fondness.

Her attention returned to the royal. Impressive in so many fields, it seemed. “I am unfamiliar with such an instrument. It is native to your homeland?”

“To the continent, indeed. I will be glad to play for you, if my hands are up to the task.”

Say’ri played a few notes, picking up a soft, happy tune as she smiled. She paused in her work to pat the place beside her, inviting Mitama to sit.

Concern. That was good. Concern was a sign of interest and interest was a sign of progress. Charlotte’s lips curled as she raised the teacup to her face.

If she was expecting a choke of surprise or something of the like, the foreign noble was going to be mistaken. Though surprised, Charlotte had enough practice to turn it into a bashful blush rather than the spluttering she wanted to.

“An aphro- Lady Say’ri! I can’t help wonder what you think of me, giving me things like that…” Was that the implication then? The royal wanted a fuck? She was pretty sure, but Charlotte couldn’t just go around screwing everyone who thought she was attractive, rumors spread! And then how would she get her cash cow?

Still, she seemed to want to continue the conversation with Charlotte, so more leaf water it was. With a mask of shyness, she held her cup out for more. “Oh, I’m no one special, Milady. A simple guard from the kingdom of Nohr…If anything I’m the one honoured to be in your presence.”

"It seems unsafe to leave such a delicate woman in a place of danger,” Say’ri observed, “And of course, I do not believe in such chicanery. I dare not have a guest faint. Did you have no other recourse, Charlotte? No strong brothers that could have joined up in your stead?”

Her eyebrow twitched, glancing at Charlotte’s figure. Not so much as frail as her faint might suggest.

The festival was overwhelming in gentle terms. Too many booths, groups of dancers, bright lights and laughs. It was a joyful night, but a short escape was needed. Severa had spotted an old worn path, leading away from the fair grounds. She’d followed through the dense forest and dusty trail, leading to the small clearing Say’ri had also found. It was just a minute from the festival, so they wouldn’t be missing out. Just find time to breathe.

Say’ri’s countenance wasn’t one of festival joy. Perhaps she had simply needed air, like Severa. Or perhaps something was truly wrong. If that was the case, she owed it to her comrade to help.

Silently, she settled down next to her on the ground, ignoring the questions.

“Have you looked at the stars? They’re so pretty here.”

“Oh, Severa. ‘Tis good to see you.”

Say’ri shifted to allow her part of the blanket. She’d spent a lot of time thinking about stars, and about her lady Tiki, wherever she might be. It didn’t really do to dwell on impossible things.

“I tend to watch the flock cavort. I should look upwards from my focus, perhaps. Is the celebration too much for you? Please, bide a while.”

Say’ri spared a glance to the sky, but once again her chin dipped toward the floor.

Listening to Say’ri talk brings more calm with each word, and Emmeryn closed her eyes to try and make the words into pictures. She had never visited Chon’sin in better days, but she felt, even if for just a moment, that she could see it. She could see the way that the sun rose, for just a moment, before Say’ri quieted and Emmeryn reopened her eyes.

“Caught?” Emmeryn echoed, before humming. “No, I do not believe it is time for that.” She rested her cheek on Say’ri’s shoulder, in just the right position so that she could see over and behind them both if she wished, and exhaled in a puff, like a chuckle unheard. 

“Perhaps just a little longer?” If Say’ri were done, then Emmeryn would wander her way back to bed, but if it were possible…Emmeryn would yet spend the night on their company, on their conversation. “They will find us eventually, the gardens are not so big as to lose us, but…”

She sighed, and paused.

“I would spend a little more time with you, before they find us.”

“Aye, It appears to me, milady Emmeryn, that if they look for us out here, then the best plan of action would be to move somewhere else. What say you?”

Say’ri tapped her forehead to Emmeryn’s, once again gathering up the trailing ends of Emmeryn’s robes to lift her from the seat. Though swiftness was of the essence, Say’ri was as gentle as she could.

Even though Say’ri had thought so before, she never ceased to marvel at how such a woman of strength was so featherlight. She took off at a slow pace at first, mindful of the noise of her shoes upon the path. eventually finding the corner at which they had first leapt to freedom through an opened window.

A guard was posted there, inspecting the footprints like a blunder-fingered member of the city watch. Say’ri chuckled, quietly.