I'm in front of this place called RA-MEN MACHO, I don't really get what it means but they have some sort of soup with noodles in it that's pretty good. I've never tasted anything like it back in Ylisse.
[ What kind of noodles even exist in Ylisse, I don't know. Anyway. ]
But it's right next to the dress shop. I can come get you if you don't know where it is.
[ Pretending she was in the area or something, shopping for her own stuff??? Basically Lucina doesn't take very long before she's by RA-MEN MACHO, and she spots her favorite aunt here ( only aunt here. Whatever. It's not like Lissa knows ).
Which means — cue a smile, and a nod, the moment their eyes meet. ]
As soon as she catches sight of Lucina, Lissa gives an enthusiastic wave, arm outstretched high in the air and moving in wide arcs. (Maribelle would give her a thorough scolding for this uncouth behavior, but Maribelle isn't here now is she.)
She does at least have the decency to wait until Lucina approaches before babbling on. ]
Uh-uh, there's so much to do here that it doesn't feel like I'm waiting at all. Come on, this way!
[ With a quick motion of her hand before she bounds off. If they were closer, or perhaps if Lissa knew about the whole aunt-niece thing, she would have grabbed onto Lucina's hand and dragged her off, but alas, no kawaii hand-holding was to be had that day.
The shop they enter is small but well-lit, various articles of clothing from pants to shirts to skirts all out on display around them. Their destination happens to be a rack at the very back, off of which hangs a pretty sundress that I'm not going to bother looking up because it's NOT IMPORTANT to the narrative.
[ It's a little like shopping with her mother, back in Ylisse — weaving through the aisles of clothes, the curious shoppers that seem to take their time with the selections. Lucina follows along dutifully, at least, familiarity quickly turning into curiosity before she pursues that train of thought any further. It's not important now, they're shopping for dresses.
Which means she wholly throws herself at the task of looking at whatever Lissa points out to her. A dress. A ... nice dress, though it's not something Lucina would wear ( but then, she can't really remember the last time she wore a dress ).
And yet it seems almost rude to turn her down, when she's been called specifically for this dress ( a much more colorful, almost gaudy dress catches her eye, but she doesn't comment on it; you're welcome ). Eventually she straightens out again, and with a smile — ] It is — simple, yet it's very ... vibrant. [ Considering it's a sundress, and everything. ]
I assume you've brought me here because you'd like me to try it on.
[ Well, of course. Lissa looks almost affronted that Lucina even needs to ask such a silly question. ]
How else are we supposed to know if it looks good on you, dummy?
[ That's an affectionate 'dummy' by the way. ]
I even asked the man in charge, there's a room you can go into to change clothes so you don't have to do it all the way out here in front of everyone else!
[ Changing rooms, they're truly amazing. She's gonna bring them back to Ylisse once she's done here. But for now—she's grabbing the dress off the rack and practically shoving it into Lucina's arms. ]
[ That's two people that's called her stupid in the last few weeks, rip. ]
I'm right behind you. [ The enthusiasm's infectious, in its own way. She keeps an even enough smile through all of Lissa's chattering — some part of her remembers just how young her aunt was, all those years ago — before she's eventually shoved into the dressing room.
Cue a timeskip as Lucina takes her fullbody sweater (tm) off, and puts on the dress. Surprise surprise, it suits her well, though it still takes her a bit before she gathers the courage to step outside. ]
I admit, wearing something like this is rather... strange. [ Compared to the armor she normally wears. She's actually get stabbed in a heartbeat in something like this, probably. ] What do you think?
[ While Lucina changes, Lissa squirms impatiently outside, flitting over here to peek at a feathered hat and darting over there to coo over a sequined scarf. Patience has never been one of her virtues, as her brother has so rudely reminded her time and again.
Thankfully, Lucina pops out before too long (even with the Fullbody Sweater™) and Lissa's quick to dart back over to shower praise and compliments all over Lucina. ]
It looks great! [ Hope Lucina doesn't mind getting her personal space invaded, because Lissa is all up ins, picking at the waist and then peering up to brush the collar flat. ] I knew you'd be able to pull it off and it matches your eyes perfectly and—hey, what's that in your eyes?
[ Speaking of eyes. She squints, leeeeans up on her tippy-toes to stare Lucina square in the eyes. ]
[ She didn't, until she did. Memories or otherwise her aunt is still her aunt in the end, which means Lissa getting all up in her face hardly matters. Except there's a pause, and suddenly it's definitely too close and ... yep, she shouldn't have let her guard down, this is why she had to wear a mask back home, how could she be so careless—
Lucina knows she could technically try to save the situation ( no she can't, not really ). Maybe direct the conversation back to the color of the dress matching the color of her hair, or something. Vehemently deny any and all accusations of the brand being on her eye. But she knows that won't last long ( nothing in this place lasts long; this was just a matter of time, too ). ]
Lissa — [ She attempts to take a step away, takes a breath, then exhales. She continues regardless of whether or not she succeeds. ] ... I'd to tell you about it, once I've changed back. Please. [ They should be sitting down for this, maybe. ]
[ If Lucina had denied it, had brushed it off as some strange birthmark or god forbid the alien phrase 'contact lenses' there might have been a chance that Lissa would have simply chalked it up as some strange coincidence, forgotten about it entirely (at least for the next week).
But instead there's only a plea for patience, in Lucina's (very typical, as Lissa is quickly discovering) solemn manner. Lissa thinks she can feel the floor slowly sliding out from underneath her but it's hard to tell, what with her gaze fully locked on Lucina's face. ]
Oh...okay.
[ Small, highly uncertain. She ought to be excited - it had just been her and Emm and Chrom for so long - but all she can feel is doubt welling up again, the same doubt that had plagued her for years and years as she'd waited for her own Brand to appear.
How come Lucina had something like one and not her? ]
[ She'll remember Owain's words later, as she's changing back — the recounting of his incredibly heroic mother, and her one fatal weakness. How happy she had been, to see the mark appear on Owain's arm.
But that's the story of a much older Aunt Lissa; and all Lucina can hope is that — unlike the one in the story, this Lissa remains more than a story to her cousin. Some iteration of her cousin, in the timeline ( it should terrify her, how natural all of this feels; and yet, here she is ).
When she steps back out of the change room, she's got the dress neatly folded in her arms once more. A clothing store may not be the best place for it, but — she'd rather not delay the inevitable. ]
I believe there are some chairs near the entrance to these stalls. Shall we?
[ Lissa nods, uncharacteristically quiet, and follows Lucina out to the little duo of chairs nearby. They're nice chairs, pretty comfy actually, but she barely notices as she sits, too busy fantasizing about all the possible outcomes of this impending talk their about to have.
Lissa, I'm actually your long lost sibling. Or, Lissa, you and I were actually switched at birth and you're not royalty at all. Or even, Lissa, I am your fathermother aunt. (Actually, probably not that last one.)
Whatever the case, she doesn't wait all too long after Lucina sits down before piping up again. ]
[ She's not going to mince words — her family deserves much better than that. Hesitation and silence only brings out misunderstandings, irreversible situations. ] My father is Chrom — your elder brother. It seems Hathaway has the ability to recruit individuals from ... not just any world, but any period in time.
[ Here, she takes a breath. Watches for her expression. ] I did not wish to alarm you with this immediately after our first meeting. [ Considering pirates, and stuff. You know. ] ... But I hadn't meant for you to find out about it this way, either. I'm sorry, Aunt Lissa.
i thought about taking this thread seriously but nah
[ The yelling makes her wince — the reaction itself is completely expected, but the pitch isn't. ... Nor is the reason that she's yelling, really. Of all the things for her to focus on, it's— ]
He's far from stupid! I'm honored to be his daughter— [ Is her knee jerk response, the crumpled expression continuing as she argues for her father's honor. Nearly continues with an indignant ( almost immature ) reaction of her own, regardless of whether or not this is her aunt in front of her. Except she catches herself from saying something she'd really regret ( only just barely ).
So, she clears her throat. ]
... He is the father of two. Myself, and my younger sibling. [ ... Give her a minute, she's trying to recover her dignity. ]
[ Cripes Lucina, you don't have to be such a Chrom stan.
Actually, this is the most emotion Lissa's seen out of Lucina basically ever, and she's so taken aback that she actually leans back in her chair, eyes wide in surprise. Wow, who knew Lucina had it in her. She's almost impressed. ]
Okay, okay, I won't call him stupid anymore. [ At least not in front of Lucina. ] I didn't mean it anyway, all sisters call their brothers stupid.
[ In her very worldly experience. (Her worldly experience of one.) Anyway, she's over it, initial shock settling down enough that she starts to reel back in all the other pieces Lucina's reveal implies. ]
So.....you're really from the future? And you're really my niece?
To be fair Lucina calls Inigo a dolt, which is basically the same thing ( worldly experience of two, now, technically ). The remark seems to be the right thing to say — her expression softening now that her father's pride is no longer on the chopping block. As if he had pride to protect in the first place.
Which means they can continue on with the rest of the conversation. She nods, but not before a healthy dose of hesitation, and an entirely uncertain smile. ] I am. [ To both. ]
I realize it may be a little ... difficult for you to believe, but I am telling the truth. [ ... And then another significant pause, as she wonders if she should tell Lissa about Owain. Probably not yet ( Owain would be so sad— ). ] I believe the Mark should be proof enough.
[ Keeping Owain a secret is probably for the best. She can barely think about romance at the moment, let alone children of her own.
The possibility that Lucina might be lying about any of this never crosses her mind. Why joke about something as far-fetched as the future when there are way easier things to lie about? (Plus she's still not sure if Lucina has a humorous bone in her body, no offense Lucina.)
Plus, there is the Brand, better proof than any words could be. Lissa slumps in her chair, exhaling loudly. ]
No, I believe you. It's just—so weird! I mean, how far in the future can they go? What if your kid from the future shows up one day? Then I'll be a great-aunt!
( Tbh that's true ). Lucina's shoulder relaxes when Lissa believes her. Maybe this time, her story will hold a little stronger for much, much longer — that's the best she can hope for right now. Less complications, with a little more experience in keeping a straight face through the worst. Hopefully.
... Hopefully. But that's something to worry about later on. For now, she allows herself a small smile. ] I can't imagine that it would be ... very likely. Given the number of people that exist in our world alone.
[ Hopefully ( then next app round they get a Morgan, rip ). ] ... Though if it's too strange, I could address you simply as Lissa. [ Instead of Aunt Lissa. ]
But since Val doesn't want to go down that rabbit hole and Lissa's brain would probably explode if she spent too long thinking about FE:A mechanics, she just sweeps past the whole thing and opts to focus on the important decision at hand here, which is:
Does she have Lucina call her Aunt Lissa, or just plain old Lissa? There's something thrilling about having that title of seniority and being able to lord the fact that she was born first over someone. (It sucks a little sometimes, being the youngest child.)
But also.....it's really weird. ]
Just Lissa is fine! 'Aunt Lissa' sounds so formal, and I'm definitely not old enough to be an aunt anyway.
[ She says, coming from a game where you can marry off 13 year olds. But whatever. ]
Anyways, I'm glad you told me! It's so much nicer to go on adventures when there's family going with you. [ And also, because she is an aunt now: ] And if you ever need anything, don't hesitate to tell me, okay? I'll do whatever I can for you!
Lissa it is, then. [ She'll easily go along with that — much better than trying not to address her with overwhelming familiarity, now that ground rules have been established. She prides herself in keeping the corners of her lips up; especially when her aunt begins speaking of adventures with family.
But that's why she did this — because it's better this way.
Which means she barely skips a beat when she nods. ] Of course. And the same for you, as well. [ Because they're family, and she's technically older. She's not letting Lissa get away with it this easily.
God i forgot how to wrap threads up, they continued to shop for dresses and Lucina picked up something cute for once, the end. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Hello, Lissa.
I'd love to. Where are you at the moment?
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[ What kind of noodles even exist in Ylisse, I don't know. Anyway. ]
But it's right next to the dress shop. I can come get you if you don't know where it is.
> action
I have an idea — I'll see you shortly.
[ Pretending she was in the area or something, shopping for her own stuff??? Basically Lucina doesn't take very long before she's by RA-MEN MACHO, and she spots her favorite aunt here ( only aunt here. Whatever. It's not like Lissa knows ).
Which means — cue a smile, and a nod, the moment their eyes meet. ]
I hope I didn't keep you waiting for long.
i hope you're in class now
As soon as she catches sight of Lucina, Lissa gives an enthusiastic wave, arm outstretched high in the air and moving in wide arcs. (Maribelle would give her a thorough scolding for this uncouth behavior, but Maribelle isn't here now is she.)
She does at least have the decency to wait until Lucina approaches before babbling on. ]
Uh-uh, there's so much to do here that it doesn't feel like I'm waiting at all. Come on, this way!
[ With a quick motion of her hand before she bounds off. If they were closer, or perhaps if Lissa knew about the whole aunt-niece thing, she would have grabbed onto Lucina's hand and dragged her off, but alas, no kawaii hand-holding was to be had that day.
The shop they enter is small but well-lit, various articles of clothing from pants to shirts to skirts all out on display around them. Their destination happens to be a rack at the very back, off of which hangs a pretty sundress that I'm not going to bother looking up because it's NOT IMPORTANT to the narrative.
I'm lazy, humor me. ]
Look, isn't it pretty?
i died either way so.
Which means she wholly throws herself at the task of looking at whatever Lissa points out to her. A dress. A ... nice dress, though it's not something Lucina would wear ( but then, she can't really remember the last time she wore a dress ).
And yet it seems almost rude to turn her down, when she's been called specifically for this dress ( a much more colorful, almost gaudy dress catches her eye, but she doesn't comment on it; you're welcome ). Eventually she straightens out again, and with a smile — ] It is — simple, yet it's very ... vibrant. [ Considering it's a sundress, and everything. ]
I assume you've brought me here because you'd like me to try it on.
rip both of us
How else are we supposed to know if it looks good on you, dummy?
[ That's an affectionate 'dummy' by the way. ]
I even asked the man in charge, there's a room you can go into to change clothes so you don't have to do it all the way out here in front of everyone else!
[ Changing rooms, they're truly amazing. She's gonna bring them back to Ylisse once she's done here. But for now—she's grabbing the dress off the rack and practically shoving it into Lucina's arms. ]
C'mon, let's go!
no subject
I'm right behind you. [ The enthusiasm's infectious, in its own way. She keeps an even enough smile through all of Lissa's chattering — some part of her remembers just how young her aunt was, all those years ago — before she's eventually shoved into the dressing room.
Cue a timeskip as Lucina takes her fullbody sweater (tm) off, and puts on the dress. Surprise surprise, it suits her well, though it still takes her a bit before she gathers the courage to step outside. ]
I admit, wearing something like this is rather... strange. [ Compared to the armor she normally wears. She's actually get stabbed in a heartbeat in something like this, probably. ] What do you think?
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Thankfully, Lucina pops out before too long (even with the Fullbody Sweater™) and Lissa's quick to dart back over to shower praise and compliments all over Lucina. ]
It looks great! [ Hope Lucina doesn't mind getting her personal space invaded, because Lissa is all up ins, picking at the waist and then peering up to brush the collar flat. ] I knew you'd be able to pull it off and it matches your eyes perfectly and—hey, what's that in your eyes?
[ Speaking of eyes. She squints, leeeeans up on her tippy-toes to stare Lucina square in the eyes. ]
Is that— [ no way ] —is that a Brand?
[ WTF???? ]
no subject
Lucina knows she could technically try to save the situation ( no she can't, not really ). Maybe direct the conversation back to the color of the dress matching the color of her hair, or something. Vehemently deny any and all accusations of the brand being on her eye. But she knows that won't last long ( nothing in this place lasts long; this was just a matter of time, too ). ]
Lissa — [ She attempts to take a step away, takes a breath, then exhales. She continues regardless of whether or not she succeeds. ] ... I'd to tell you about it, once I've changed back. Please. [ They should be sitting down for this, maybe. ]
phone tags you before i pass out
But instead there's only a plea for patience, in Lucina's (very typical, as Lissa is quickly discovering) solemn manner. Lissa thinks she can feel the floor slowly sliding out from underneath her but it's hard to tell, what with her gaze fully locked on Lucina's face. ]
Oh...okay.
[ Small, highly uncertain. She ought to be excited - it had just been her and Emm and Chrom for so long - but all she can feel is doubt welling up again, the same doubt that had plagued her for years and years as she'd waited for her own Brand to appear.
How come Lucina had something like one and not her? ]
don't attack me like this
But that's the story of a much older Aunt Lissa; and all Lucina can hope is that — unlike the one in the story, this Lissa remains more than a story to her cousin. Some iteration of her cousin, in the timeline ( it should terrify her, how natural all of this feels; and yet, here she is ).
When she steps back out of the change room, she's got the dress neatly folded in her arms once more. A clothing store may not be the best place for it, but — she'd rather not delay the inevitable. ]
I believe there are some chairs near the entrance to these stalls. Shall we?
🔪🔪🔪
Lissa, I'm actually your long lost sibling. Or, Lissa, you and I were actually switched at birth and you're not royalty at all. Or even, Lissa, I am your
fathermotheraunt. (Actually, probably not that last one.)Whatever the case, she doesn't wait all too long after Lucina sits down before piping up again. ]
Soooooo.....what is it?
[ Let's just get this over with. ]
here we gooo
[ She's not going to mince words — her family deserves much better than that. Hesitation and silence only brings out misunderstandings, irreversible situations. ] My father is Chrom — your elder brother. It seems Hathaway has the ability to recruit individuals from ... not just any world, but any period in time.
[ Here, she takes a breath. Watches for her expression. ] I did not wish to alarm you with this immediately after our first meeting. [ Considering pirates, and stuff. You know. ] ... But I hadn't meant for you to find out about it this way, either. I'm sorry, Aunt Lissa.
i thought about taking this thread seriously but nah
> Error: Unable to process.
> Rebooting in...
> 3
> 2
> 1
> ......... ]
What?
[ Her voice is shrill, an octave higher than its usual already high pitch, a perfect match to her eyes currently bugging out of her face. ]
Chrom - my stupid brother - is your dad?? [ ................................. ] Who would wanna marry him?
[ She'll get to everything else in a second, but right here right now, this is the most pressing matter at hand. ]
amazing
He's far from stupid! I'm honored to be his daughter— [ Is her knee jerk response, the crumpled expression continuing as she argues for her father's honor. Nearly continues with an indignant ( almost immature ) reaction of her own, regardless of whether or not this is her aunt in front of her. Except she catches herself from saying something she'd really regret ( only just barely ).
So, she clears her throat. ]
... He is the father of two. Myself, and my younger sibling. [ ... Give her a minute, she's trying to recover her dignity. ]
no subject
Actually, this is the most emotion Lissa's seen out of Lucina basically ever, and she's so taken aback that she actually leans back in her chair, eyes wide in surprise. Wow, who knew Lucina had it in her. She's almost impressed. ]
Okay, okay, I won't call him stupid anymore. [ At least not in front of Lucina. ] I didn't mean it anyway, all sisters call their brothers stupid.
[ In her very worldly experience. (Her worldly experience of one.) Anyway, she's over it, initial shock settling down enough that she starts to reel back in all the other pieces Lucina's reveal implies. ]
So.....you're really from the future? And you're really my niece?
[ Gods, that's so weird. ]
no subject
To be fair Lucina calls Inigo a dolt, which is basically the same thing ( worldly experience of two, now, technically ). The remark seems to be the right thing to say — her expression softening now that her father's pride is no longer on the chopping block. As if he had pride to protect in the first place.
Which means they can continue on with the rest of the conversation. She nods, but not before a healthy dose of hesitation, and an entirely uncertain smile. ] I am. [ To both. ]
I realize it may be a little ... difficult for you to believe, but I am telling the truth. [ ... And then another significant pause, as she wonders if she should tell Lissa about Owain. Probably not yet ( Owain would be so sad— ). ] I believe the Mark should be proof enough.
no subject
The possibility that Lucina might be lying about any of this never crosses her mind. Why joke about something as far-fetched as the future when there are way easier things to lie about? (Plus she's still not sure if Lucina has a humorous bone in her body, no offense Lucina.)
Plus, there is the Brand, better proof than any words could be. Lissa slumps in her chair, exhaling loudly. ]
No, I believe you. It's just—so weird! I mean, how far in the future can they go? What if your kid from the future shows up one day? Then I'll be a great-aunt!
[ When does the rabbit hole end. ]
no subject
( Tbh that's true ). Lucina's shoulder relaxes when Lissa believes her. Maybe this time, her story will hold a little stronger for much, much longer — that's the best she can hope for right now. Less complications, with a little more experience in keeping a straight face through the worst. Hopefully.
... Hopefully. But that's something to worry about later on. For now, she allows herself a small smile. ] I can't imagine that it would be ... very likely. Given the number of people that exist in our world alone.
[ Hopefully ( then next app round they get a Morgan, rip ). ] ... Though if it's too strange, I could address you simply as Lissa. [ Instead of Aunt Lissa. ]
no subject
But since Val doesn't want to go down that rabbit hole and Lissa's brain would probably explode if she spent too long thinking about FE:A mechanics, she just sweeps past the whole thing and opts to focus on the important decision at hand here, which is:
Does she have Lucina call her Aunt Lissa, or just plain old Lissa? There's something thrilling about having that title of seniority and being able to lord the fact that she was born first over someone. (It sucks a little sometimes, being the youngest child.)
But also.....it's really weird. ]
Just Lissa is fine! 'Aunt Lissa' sounds so formal, and I'm definitely not old enough to be an aunt anyway.
[ She says, coming from a game where you can marry off 13 year olds. But whatever. ]
Anyways, I'm glad you told me! It's so much nicer to go on adventures when there's family going with you. [ And also, because she is an aunt now: ] And if you ever need anything, don't hesitate to tell me, okay? I'll do whatever I can for you!
all done uwu
But that's why she did this — because it's better this way.
Which means she barely skips a beat when she nods. ] Of course. And the same for you, as well. [ Because they're family, and she's technically older. She's not letting Lissa get away with it this easily.
God i forgot how to wrap threads up, they continued to shop for dresses and Lucina picked up something cute for once, the end. ]