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The first time Sylphie heard the name Eris Boreas Greyrat was in the mumblings and gossip of the Asurian court. Evidently, her first impression wasn’t particularly positive.
If such rumors were to be believed, the girl was more a wild animal than a daughter of a noble. Uncontrollable, temperamental, and abusive - she was the problem child of the Greyrat family and it was probably better that such a terror had been lost in the displacement incident. Nonetheless, Sylphie was skeptical of such wild speculation. She knew first hand how such slander could travel through the court and that one should question everything they hear. Afterall, many of the nobility had a vested interest in putting down the Boreas family.
Still more rumors floated around about the girl’s miraculous reformation - courtesy of a particularly young and talented tutor. One many had mistaken “Fitz” himself as. A beneficial yet untrue rumor Princess Ariel felt no need to dispel. And so Sylphie quietly locked away this information in her head.
It wasn’t till years later that it came back to her. It seemed as though not only was Rudy himself the tutor those nobles had held in such regard, but the very same girl had played an integral part in his life. One that had sent him into a depression he had yet to recover from.
As Rudy explained his “condition” and the circumstances that came to it, Slyphie found her pain and self-doubt turning into righteous indignation. She wasn’t one to hold a grudge or act on impulse, but she couldn’t find it in herself to comprehend what the girl had done. Rudy had clearly loved her deeply and unconditionally. He stood by her side for over 5 years and guided a girl everyone else in the kingdom had written off as a lost cause. He escorted her home from the most dangerous corner of the world and she had repaid him by stomping on his heart. Eris had once held Slyphie’s most treasured desire in the palm of her hands and discarded it like common garbage.
Even through his own miserable experience, Rudy evidently didn’t hold the same opinion as the Asura nobility and still held some regard for the girl. However, if Sylphie ever met the girl, she would be sure to make her feelings on the matter clear and she said as much.
Rudy seemed downright terrified of that idea. Evidently, if nothing else Eris was a skilled swordsman. Nonetheless, it wasn’t like Slyphie herself was a pushover either. She’d intercepted numerous assassins and fought many tough opponents over the years. The breath of her chantless casting exceeded even Rudy, although he far outclassed her in the depth of his abilities. Eris was evidently not nearly as gifted in the field of magic as Rudy’s first pupil and that had to count for something.
Sylphie couldn’t understand Eris. Nor did she have the desire to. Such a girl wouldn’t be worth the time of understanding, so she tabled such thoughts for the time being. Sylphie would instead focus on pulling Rudy out of the hole Eris had shoved him into .
Sylphie’s first reassessment came after meeting Rujerd. When Rudy received news of his sisters' approach - and informed her of his suspicions regarding their escort - Sylphie was determined to make a good impression.
Rudy was always hesitant to speak of his adventures after leaving Buena Village. It clearly brought back bad memories and she couldn’t really blame him for that. However, one thing had stood out in what little he told her. Rudy deeply respected his Superd friend and owed him his life many times over. His admiration of the man was perhaps only equalled by his first mentor - Roxy Migurdia.
Nonetheless, when the Superd first met her gaze it was to express surprise that the woman that Rudy had married was her and not Eris.
Sylphie found herself kowtowed by the man despite herself. His disappointment at her presence should have been a cause for anger or indignation. Afterall, he was being welcomed into her home. Rujerd had left Rudy’s life long ago and it wasn’t exactly fair for him to pass judgment on her for not being the woman he expected to be present. Afterall, it wasn’t like Sylphie had rudely displaced Eris. The girl had abandoned Rudy, not the other way around. Sylphie had every right to be here. Rujerd was far more of an interloper than her and had no right to question his supposed lack of dedication to Eris.
In spite of these facts, Sylphie couldn’t find it in herself to be angry. Rujerd was certainly regarding her awkwardly, but he wasn’t being rude or disparaging in anyway. He was clearly just put off by the surprise of finding another girl in his companions place. He had evidently thought Rudy and Eris would one day marry and spend their life together.
Sylphie might be with Rudy now, but she hadn’t been there at the time and she didn’t think it was fair to push her own feelings on the matter when he wasn’t intentionally putting her down.
So instead, she tried to give them space. Clearly she wasn’t going to be able to make the impression she had wanted - even through no real fault of her own. His feelings on the matter were clear when Rudy told her of Rujerd’s intentions to leave the next day. Evidently, the situation was just as awkward for him as it was her and he was foregoing time with his friend to accommodate them and avoid stirring up a conflict.
Rudy tried to reassure her, but it really wasn’t hard to put two and two together. So when they crawled into bed together, Sylphie made sure to forgo their… usual nightly routine. It was just to accommodate the man her husband held in such regard though and to avoid creating even more awkwardness. Still she had trouble sleeping that night.
It wasn’t as if she regretted her place in Rudy’s life for a minute. Eris was responsible for whatever had happened between them and she held no fault in that. It wasn’t like she seduced Rudy out of his relationship with her. That wasn’t the question at hand and she didn’t feel the least bit of guilt at that fact, even if Rujerd’s own feelings on that matter made her feel a bit awkward.
No, the thing that kept her up was her previous assessment of the situation. Rudy clearly respected Rujerd and it was evident that the two years following the displacement incident were likely the most foundational of his life.
Previously, she had taken Eris’ actions as one of a spoiled noble child - who although she may have been able to fight - was nonetheless dragged home kicking and screaming by her highly competent protectors. Rudy wasn’t slanderous in that regard - after all he had clearly loved the girl for whatever irrational reasons. But he was scant with details and to some degree even seemed to fear the girl so in lack of a thorough explanation, Sylphie had filled in the details.
However, it was very clear that Rujerd hadn’t just seen Eris as a child he was obligated to protect. He clearly respected the girl.
Furthermore, it seemed that he thought the affection Rudy held wasn’t nearly as one sided as Sylphie had assumed. In fact, reading between the lines it seemed he thought that Eris was more deeply devoted to Rudy than the other way around. Sylphie wasn’t going to completely disregard her own negative sentiments, but Rudy clearly trusted Rujerd as much as any other man alive so she wasn’t about to disregard his opinion on the matter entirely.
This became all the more apparent in the aftermath of his departure. At the end, the two of them had even had a somewhat positive interaction and it was clear he was trying to settle his own feelings on the matter to accommodate her.
Moreover, Rudy himself seemed to be reevaluating his own views on the matter. He was hesitant to speak on the matter, but it seemed in the days and weeks that followed he was slowly getting over the depression and hurt he’d once immersed himself in. Evidently, she wasn’t the only one reassessing the matter.
Slyphie decided to table the matter for now. Her weariness wouldn’t soon disappear, but perhaps it wasn’t her place to assume malicious intent on the matter. She’d stand by her husband and protect him if necessary, but reserve her personal judgment on the matter till she met the girl. If she ever met her.
“Anyway, I guess that means there aren’t many special girls out there for me. No need to get too anxious, Sylphie. I won’t be picking up any more wives, I promise.”
Sylphie reached out to take Rudy’s hand. As much as she trusted Rudy and understood he just wanted to comfort her, she’d rather there were no more broken promises between the two. It wasn’t something she wanted to make a habit out of.
“Okay…but I’m just going to repeat myself for a second, Rudy. As long as they’re special to you, and you’re special to them, I’m alright with it. I guess Sara wasn’t quite in that category, though.”
Rudy paused and frowned, a look of quiet contemplation on his face. Not making eye contact he looked out in the direction Sara had just left.
“Uh, Sylphie?” His voice had lost the fake confidence he displayed a minute ago.
“Yes?”
“I’m not entirely sure about this, but…I might end up breaking that promise again.”
A conflicted expression clouded his face. It was uncertain and hesitant. One of self-doubt, reaching out into a long gone past. It took her a few seconds to connect the dots, but it was an expression she’d only seen when he spoke of one girl in particular.
“…That’s all right. I didn’t accept it in the first place, remember? Just make sure you bring her to meet me first. I’m not going to tie you down, but I’m not about to let you marry some girl who doesn’t even love you, either.”
Her voice was firm. This didn’t just affect Rudy afterall. He had a family now and someone coming in, building relationships, and trust only to run off on a whim wouldn’t just affect him now.
“Got it.” Rudy said. This time time he did sound like he meant it, but Sylphie wasn’t done.
“That is a promise, okay? No mistresses or secret children. Don’t hide things from me…unless you want to make me mad.”
“U-uh… Right.” He seemed a little afraid now. Good.
“Okay, then! I’ll be very interested to see what number three is like, assuming you manage to catch her.”
A lot has changed since the last time Sylphie thought of Eris. For one thing, Roxy had joined their little family. Well, actually it wasn’t very little at all and showed no sign of slowing its expansion…
In light of that, a reappearance by Eris took on a new meaning. It was no longer too absurd to think the girl might join their growing family.
Still it was clear Rudy’s feelings weren’t so clear on the matter. Whatever affection he had once held for Eris seemed to have tempered with time and distance. There was once a point the mere mention of her name was enough to send Rudy into a gloomy mood. Now his voice clouded with nostalgia and uncertainness.
Even that self-doubt seemed to be projected at his own assessment of the situation rather than himself as it once had. However, it wasn’t the same love he expressed for Sylphie herself and Roxy. He clearly was unsure himself and what exactly he felt. Eris had hurt him, perhaps more deeply than any other person had, but there was still evidently a time he also loved her more than anyone else in the world.
It seemed Roxy had already deferred to Rudy’s judgment on the matter. Perhaps it was trust or perhaps she just didn’t think it was her place to insert herself in the matter. Regardless, Sylphie would take that position. She played the mediator in their family and she was determined to protect Rudy if it came to that. Afterall, he wasn’t really the best at controlling himself in these matters.
Sylphie was more confused than ever. As soon as Aisha had told her Eris had arrived, a nervous pit formed in her stomach. How would Eris react to them, especially with Rudy’s current absence? Could she have chosen a worse time to show up? Sylphie couldn’t imagine anything good coming of this and as they gathered the rest of the family to go greet her, that anxiety soon spiraled.
She was immediately a little unsettled seeing the woman. Eris was tall. Probably almost as tall as Rudy. Her long crimson hair ran in waves down her back. Her body was shapely and muscled - clearly years of conditioning had gone into her physique and she stood with all the confidence it warranted her. Her clothing could only be described as “cool” and left very little to the imagination, even with a good amount of fabric.
In essence, her appearance was the polar opposite of Rudy’s two current wives to an almost startling degree.
At first glance, the girl appeared to be a shining beacon of self-assuredness and fortitude. But upon spotting them something immediately shifted in her gaze.
Uncertainty, regret, doubt…
She remembered the rumors of a wild animal that would attack anyone or anything that displeased her. The girl that stood before her was nothing like that. Furthermore, it seemed she had been happily talking with Lilia before their entrance, even with Lucie right before her. Sylphie couldn’t imagine the awkwardness of meeting your ex's child and didn’t know how she would react in her place.
Introductions were flat and awkward. Eris fidgeted in place, and although Aisha and Lilia were doing all they could to alleviate the tension, no one really knew what to make of the young Sword King.
Uncertain how to start the conversation, Sylphie brought up the connection they all shared: Rudy. To say Eris’ response surprised her would be an understatement.
Eris loosened up immediately and began what could only be described as a passionate rant. Of course, the sentiments she expressed were nothing new to Sylphie. Nonetheless, it was things that would take her hours to build up the courage to actually say out loud. It wasn’t anything inappropriate, just such an outpouring of praise and admiration as to be overwhelming. She certainly wouldn’t express such sentiments to a group of strangers, especially in this situation. To be frank, it was downright embarrassing, so much so that Sylphie found herself blushing at words that she hadn’t even spoken herself.
It was obvious Eris passionately loved and respected Rudy. To such a degree, Sylphie almost found herself questioning how Rudy had ever doubted her feelings at all.
Then again, this was the same man that had mistaken her as a boy for almost a year… twice.
Immediately, Sylphie found her doubts melting away. It usually felt good hearing someone compliment someone you loved after all, and Eris was far from shy in that department. In fact, Sylphie found herself joining along despite herself, with even Roxy soon warming up.
That all changed the moment Rudy’s current whereabouts were brought up. Eris’ response was less of a reaction and more of an explosion. It was such a shift Sylphie found herself in tears almost immediately.
Eris paused and for a moment everyone held their breath. Quickly, her mood shifted - a look of fiery determination taking over her features. Her next words startled Sylphie.
“I won’t be a burden. I’ll fight Orsted.”
And so Eris joined their family. It wasn’t a painless affair. Evidently, Rudy was still unsure how to conduct himself and Eris wasn’t one to make the first move in such matters. But, they clearly still loved each other, and with a little pushing Eris soon became his third wife.
After what had happened with Orsted, Sylphie was more than happy to welcome her - even as Eris stumbled around the place, uncertain how to conduct herself in this new role. Still, one thing held her back. Of course, Sylphie no longer doubted Eris’ love for Rudy and they’d forever owe her a debt for showing up when she did. Without her Rudy would never have returned from that ill-fated fight and their family owed her for that blessing.
Sylphie would do everything she could to accommodate and welcome Eris, but despite that she still just couldn’t make sense of the situation. She couldn’t understand what Eris had done before. It simply didn’t line up. She would give her life without a second thought yet had abandoned him for years? Had she even thought of the consequences? Had the thought of him being in danger in that time even crossed her mind?
Sylphie would never have left in her position. It didn’t quite make sense.
That is until she heard about the day Rudy almost died.
It was their first wives meeting with Eris. Up until now it had just been Sylphie and Roxy, but with Eris now joining they’d be getting back to basics. They all had their own relationships with Rudy and that was enough to get along somewhat, but it was important to govern their own interpersonal relationships. Sharing Rudy was one thing, but they’d also be sharing the rest of their lives together through proxy. They’d be raising their children together, experiencing the same tragedies and fortunes, and it’s not as if they could just cleanly break off from each other even if something unthinkable did happen to Rudy himself.
Sylphie immediately understood when Roxy became Rudy’s wife that it wasn’t enough to simply tolerate each other. Even if Roxy was willing to fade into the background like a concubine or mistress, she wasn’t content with that. Rudy considered them equals and so did Sylphie.
Going with that it would be better if they were at least friends. So began their regularly scheduled meetings. As decided in the inaugural Greyrat House Meeting™, this was a place to air any personal grievances and misgivings. In practice though, her and Roxy weren’t particularly confrontational people so it mostly just became an avenue for bonding.
Now, passing a bottle around (with the pregnant Roxy not drinking of course), it was time to really get to know their new companion and there was no better topic than the connection they all shared.
How did you meet each other? What was your first impression? When did you start falling in love? What brought you to this point?
Sylphie began by setting the tone and attempting to guide the conversation going forward. She went from her early years of loneliness to how Rudy saved her from bullies. How they were childhood friends. How Rudy mistook her for a boy, then did it again when they later reunited. How they were married and came to buy their house. How she pined in their time apart and her happiness when they discovered her pregnancy.
She also talked about the displacement incident and her time with Ariel. She could tell Eris had trouble expressing her feelings, but nevertheless she could sympathize with losing family and ending up lost in a foreign land.
Next followed Roxy. Her’s was a much longer tale, but one neither girl was adverse to hearing. If not for Roxy’s skillful hand, Eris would have kept the focus of their conversation on recounting Roxy's adventures for the entire night. The girl’s love for adventure quickly became evident before she even began her own tale. And so by the time it was Eris’ turn, her and Sylphie were already feeling the effects of the alcohol.
Despite this, Eris still required a lot of prodding to say much of anything, a stark contrast to her earlier confidence. She was clearly still uncomfortable talking about such things, but it didn’t exactly bother Sylphie. If anything it was sort of what she imagined having a little sister would be like - something she had always fantasized about as a child.
Sylphie could easily relate her own experience to Eris’ time in Ranoa. Just like her, Rudy had been one of the first people to believe in her as a child. He patiently tutored her when no one else could. He expanded her view of the world in incalculable ways, always a voice of reason and intelligence despite his age, but never acting pompous or egotistical.
Roxy jumped in more as her journey home after the teleportation incident came into focus. She’d followed the same path through the demon continent in her early days as an adventurer and could share plenty of her own anecdotes as a result.
The conversation continued in this manner - light-hearted and nostalgic - for roughly an hour. Until they came to the end of her journey and the encounter with Orsted…
Rudy had only glanced over his previous encounter with Orsted. He’d explained it a few days before his ill-fated battle, but had only really said he was overwhelmed. He’d never brought it up before that and although he was clearly a bit terrified, they’d still trusted his reassurances in the end.
That turned out to be a mistake, though maybe not such a bad one in the long run. It was Eris after all that came to his rescue and if Sylphie and Roxy hadn’t been present in Ranoa she likely would not have made it in time.
Still, arriving on the scene to find Rudy on the brink of death might very well have been one of the worst and most terrifying moments of Sylphie’s life.
They’d completely underestimated his opponent and very nearly lost everything as a result. Eris had been the only one to understand the situation at hand. She was the only one who had experienced the Dragon God’s wrath after all.
“He took Rujerd down in seconds… I spent two entire years training. Trying to catch up to Ruijerd and Rudeus. Trying not to be a burden… but I couldn’t even land a single hit.”
Frustration overwhelmed Eris’ voice. She was no longer looking at them but something far far away. She clenched her fists, frustration pouring out even after all this time.
“Rudeus was killed right in front of me and there was nothing I could do but watch and cry.”
“Huh?” Sylphie was already a little wasted, but even she could see the hole there. “What do you mean he was killed?”
She would know if her husband was dead after all. Eris had sobered up by this point and met her eyes.
“He punched a hole right through his heart.” Eris’ voice was resolute and left no room for argument.
“I think Sylphie is trying to ask how he survived, Eris.” Roxy spoke up. Her own tone was subdued, but clearly she wanted more information as well.
“Orsted was traveling with a woman wearing a mask at the time. She said something to Orsted and he healed Rudeus. The only reason he survived was because Orsted decided to spare him on a whim.”
Eris seemed finished, but something had clicked for Sylphie halfway through that explanation.
“Wait a woman in a mask? Was her name Nanahoshi?!”
“… I do think that name sounds familiar, but I’m not good with that sort of thing.”
That was confirmation enough for Sylphie to put together several things though. Rudy’s initial reaction to Nanahoshi suddenly made sense. The last time he’d seen her she’d been traveling with the same man who had ‘killed’ him. She’s never seen Rudy freak out that way before or since, so Nanahoshi being associated with Orsted put a lot of things together in that regard.
More than that however, Sylphie felt as if she found the puzzle piece she was missing in understanding Eris.
“We’ll have to thank Miss Nanahoshi next time we see her.” Roxy interjected.
“That woman is here?!” Eris seemed a little astonished at this revelation and even went to her sword before Roxy assuaged her.
“Yes, but she’s Rudy’s friend now. She even helped draw Orsted in. I was wondering how they were connected, but it certainly makes a lot of sense if they were traveling together.”
Eris seemed to calm down a little, but was only stopped in her objection by Sylphie’s sudden interjection.
“I think we need to thank you, Eris.”
“Huh? For what?” The red headed girl was caught completely off-guard by her words. Even Roxy seemed a little perplexed but things were finally coming together for Sylphie.
Slyphie took her hands and forced their gazes to meet. “For everything you did for Rudy.”
Eris for her part seemed to clam up in that moment, a sudden insecurity popping through as her face knitted in frustration.
“But… I failed. I couldn’t even get a single strike in. Rudeus died because I couldn’t do anything.”
“I'm not talking about that. You left Rudy because you wanted to be strong enough to protect him didn’t you? You spent all those years training for that purpose right?” Sylphie squeezed her hands. “I know I’ve said this before, but Roxy and I aren’t really capable of standing by Rudy in the same way you can. We have our own skills, but we’re certainly behind him.”
Sylphie looked over at Roxy who nodded in affirmation, before she continued.
“I haven’t had any doubts about you marrying Rudeus since the fight with Orsted, but I’ll admit I didn’t really understand you very well until now Eris. I don’t think I ever would have been able to do what you did.”
And she meant that too. Eris clearly could’ve handled the situation better communication wise, but now more than ever Sylphie could see her actions had never been misplaced. She’d been willing to sacrifice her own happiness, her own place by him to be able to stand confidently at his side one day.
When she returned she’d immediately offered to lay down her life for him without hesitation. Even though he’d married in the time she was gone and even though a lot of misunderstandings still hovered between them. Eris had committed herself to training not for glory or personal strength, but to protect someone she loved. It was a trait she shared with Rudy and one of the ones she admired the most.
“I know this is already a given as we’re both married to Rudy, but I want to say this personally anyway, and I think I speak for Roxy too when I say this.”
Nodding to Roxy once more, Sylphie pulled the older girl into a hug that was quickly joined by Roxy.
“We’re family now. And nothing is going to change that fact.”
Maybe it was the alcohol. Maybe it was because someone else was able to put into words something she struggled to understand in her own head. Maybe even Eris could get caught up in the emotion of a moment like this. But when she returned their hug she felt a warmth pool in her stomach that hadn’t been there in a very long time.