A Night With Corrin

Chapter XI (Conflict)

Lady Corrin and her siblings' advance into Nohrian lands will be halted if they can't defeat Camilla's army. With battle not far on the horizon, you've decided to spend your precious free time with a friend. Anything to forget your woes on this, a night that could be your last.

Subaki flashes a smile and passes the bottle of sake. You take a hearty sip, basking in the wonderful late-afternoon view. A wide lake of pure (crystal clear) water stretches out before you, and an orange sunset calms you with its soothing light. The trees sway gently in the breeze. Crickets chirp whimsical melodies all the while, uncaring of the world's pains.

Friends. Everybody needs them. No matter how much they say it's easier to cope with the burdens of life alone. The days since your dinner with Corrin have left you with more than enough to think about. Both about love and war. It isn't easy to admit one's shortcomings, but you feel it's the right thing to do - no matter how adamant you've oftentimes been with facing life's troubles alone.

"I feel somewhat guilty, Subaki," you tell the sky knight. "I know giving my heart to more than one woman isn't right... especially when both have such pure and honest feelings. My dear mother certainly wouldn't approve. She's a Shrine Maiden. To her there's value in companionship and trust. She'd rather see me married, not tripping over myself like I have been for so very long."

"You've been through plenty, Keiji, we all have," answers Subaki. "And it isn't as though you can't sidestep talk of marriage in your next letter home."

A fair and straightforward opinion on Subaki's part, yes. Even if you don't, Mother will worry for you regardless. "I wish it were that easy," you sigh, taking back a mouthful of sake before passing the bottle. "Yes, I'm a man of status now, but I've struggled to manage my affections since... Hana. Now, I'm in a bind - courting two fair ladies when neither knows about the other. Tis not something I can tell Mother easily."

Subaki whistles in what you imagine is awe of your predicament. "A bind indeed," he agrees. "Very risky. Tell me, my roguish friend. Just who are these two?"

"Miss Felicia," you admit, bowing your head. "And Lady Corrin."

"I see your trouble there, alright. They're both lovely women." Subaki pauses, and sighs. "And you've still no intention of fixing things with Hana?"

Your heart twinges. Pained by the past, you shake your head. "I struggle to look her in the eye at times, let alone try to fix what was taken from us. I just... can't." A sour taste builds in your mouth. "I don't think I have it in me after surviving such a massacre"

Noticing the pain to your voice, Subaki bows his head respectfully. "I figured as much. Sorry for bringing it up."

"No harm done." You inhale and exhale deeply to calm your gloomy thoughts. "We're friends. Tis what friends do, talk about their woes."

"Though some more than others," your comrade jokes, a brow raised. "And not usually you, Keiji of Izami. Might I ask why you're being so open?"

You've always believed in Subaki. He carries the weight of the army on his back - all while appearing calm and perfectly in control.

"You can thank Lady Corrin," you answer. "We talked over dinner, and she gave me pause for thought - about the war. I think that maybe I should aim toward helping her build a better future - by showing the Nohrians a better path. A life where I'm fuelled by far less anger."

"So the princess twisted your arm, did she?" your friend chuckles, giving you a supportive slap on the back to lighten the mood. "I'm glad to hear it."

You chuckle weakly, "Thank you." You then take a swig of sake and pass the bottle.