Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia - Twilight of the Gods

Interlude One: Support

Faye began pacing around the walls of cave shrine the group was staying in. Everyone had decided that their prior rope-bound companion should be given some space when she finally comes to, to minimize the risk of shocking her into inaction again. As such, Faye found herself exploring the shrine in a little more depth, figuring she could perhaps find something that could serve Alm use. After seeing his exploits with the shield Alm had hurriedly scavenged in their last scrap, Faye figured that there must be more they could pick up and use. She also thought that if she could find something useful to Alm, she could win his heart through her endearing deeds, that perhaps he might promptly fall deeply in love with him, perhaps later he might propose to her, and then-

"...mew..."

Faye's thoughts were suddenly halted. She noticed now that she was some distance away from the scene she could last remember, and that her daydreaming had gotten a little out of hand. But bringing her back into reality was a sound, the likes of which she had least expected. In fact, she wasn't entirely sure she hadn't just imagined it. She began looking around frantically, trying to find the source of the faint whine.

"Faye, is everything okay?"

"Oh, Lukas!" Faye responded, caught off guard by his sudden appearance, "Uhm, yes, everything's fine. I just thought I heard something..."

"I see. I should hope it was not anything like more rogues still crawling around?" Lukas asked cautiously.

"No, it was more of a... well, it kinda sounded like..."

"..meeeeoow..."

Faye breathlessly turned to the source of the noise. She was sure this time, that she heard it from where sat a pile of crates, which appeared worn as if carelessly and violently explored. Faye decided to creep over to the crates, preparing herself to peek inside. Closer and closer she stepped, making as little noise as possible, and when she finally approached the crates, she leant over the topmost box, and inside she saw two beady eyes staring back at her, not quite scared looking, more hopeful."

"Meoow", uttered the tiny kitten, whose green eyes shone like gems on the orange and brown fur coat, striped with black and brown patterns all over.

"Awwww, hey there little kitty!" Faye cheered, a soft, warm feeling overtaking her whole body. "What are you doing here? Are you lost?"

"Meww," the cat replied.

"Oh, you must be so hungry! I can't imagine those brutes left much food for a sweetheart like you. Here," and as she continued to speak, she scavenged her pouch for some bread and meat, "have some of this. Go on!"

Faye lowered her hands into the crate; the cat jumped back a bit but did not seem threatened or otherwise fazed. Almost immediately after Faye removed her hand, she heard the cat start chewing and nibbling on the food. A smitten smile on her face, Faye watched the cat eat for now, almost forgetting entirely what her current circumstances were. It wasn't until she saw another hand enter the crate, to which the cat did not move as it was too busy still filling its stomach, that Faye was yet again brought back into the present. Fay saw Lukas place down a small wooden bowl of water into the crate, and as Lukas retreated his hand he spoke.

"He seems like a brave fellow, particularly unamused by our presence."

"Oh, yeah he does." Faye replied, not really thinking about what Lukas had actually said. "Wait, he?"

"Yes, he."

"How can you tell Lukas?" Faye inquired, shocked that Lukas could tell something like that so quickly.

Lukas gave a smile. "Well, I had a cat of my own growing up. Me and my brother took care of him. He was a much more timid boy than ours truly," gesturing to the kitten who had now finished his meal and began to drink the water, "but he was lovely nonetheless."

"Aww, that's sweet Lukas," Faye gushed. She didn't seem to think of Lukas as an animal person, but the idea of the quiet, humble man before her with a cat of his own made Faye feel quite giggly.

"Yes, well it was what kept me and my brother from competing so much, or rather, kept him from trying to compete with me"

"Oh, what do you mean?" Faye's interest had now been piqued.

"Well, my older brother always saw me as a rival to compete with, though a rather one sided rivalry I will admit. One day, our father came home with a small kitten, and my brother and I quickly became enamored by him. Pluto was his name, my brother decided. I was young at the time, so I couldn't have concocted a name on my own."

"Oh wow, Pluto sounds like a nice name," Faye remarked. A name for the cat... Faye hadn't thought about it, but now that Lukas had brought it up, she decided he needed a name. She began thinking for a name suiting the cat, but couldn't quite capture the cute smile and the aura of courage that the cat exuded. Suddenly however, it hit her.

"Oh, I know! I'll call you Alm! Hehehe, I think it suits you perfect, don't you think?"

The cat looked up at the mention of his new name. "Miaoow!" he purred, and just as suddenly as the name came to Faye, the cat came to her to, leaping confidently from the crates interior to her shoulder.

"Oh wow, that was a big jump Alm! Oh you're so cute!... just like the man I named you after, hehe!"

"Well, I trust we aren't just going to leave our new ally here?" Lukas pronounced.

"Hehe, Lukas, you make it sound like he's going to join us in battle!" Faye giggled.

"I suppose that wouldn't be the best field for Alm, would it?" Lukas responded.

Faye stopped for a moment. Lukas calling the cats name, Alm, made her realise that he had heard what she said about the cat, and about Alm.

"Oh, uhh, hey Lukas?" Faye began, her voice flustered and awkward. "Uhh, could you, uhm... not tell Alm I named the cat, uhh, after him?"

Lukas grinned, a genuine grin filled with compassion.

"A secret? How fun! Your secret is safe with me, Faye." He gestured again to the cat that was now playing with Faye's hair while rolling about her shoulder. "Well, safe with me and Alm."