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“I think I’m lost…”
Shez pursed her lips, staring at her unfamiliar surroundings. She was certain she didn’t warp too far with her powers, but now she ended up in the middle of an empty corridor coated in silver. Askr was a strange place, but this building felt even more alien in comparison.
She was in charge of the winter envoy this year with a few other heroes and she had the genius idea to use Shadowflash to cover more ground. Unfortunately, she must have overshot it, judging from her current predicament.
“Well, I guess I should figure out where I’m at,” Shez murmured before throwing the bag of presents over her shoulder.
“Reindeer, I see that you’re already dressed for the occasion. Adequate, but it’s already decided that I would be Santa.”
The mercenary blinked before turning to the source of the voice. A woman dressed in a festive outfit, standing triumphantly with a bag of presents in one hand and a dark blade in the other. Shez felt a piercing gaze behind the girl’s yellow eyes.
“Uh… Hi?”
“...You’re not my Reindeer,” the woman narrowed her eyes. “Are you the new Santa for this year? Hmm, I suppose it would be right for me to train another newcomer. I am a patient King and Santa.”
“I’m not sure what you’re talking about… I’m only here to give presents and go back to Askr. I still got a job to do afterward.”
“We will do so in time. Now come with me, discipline. I expect only your best.”
“I… Uh… Alright?”
Shez followed the strange woman, deciding to entertain her in hopes of getting back on track for her gift-giving. She still had to give presents to her friends and also figure out the mystery behind the gift with her name on it.
As Shez walked through the corridors, she passed by many people who were even stranger than the Order of Heroes. A bit more monstrous creatures than she met in Askr and she just came face to face with someone claiming to be some sort of devil or demon lord.
The aggressive woman called herself a King and Santa. It was a strange combination, but Shez wasn’t one to judge. She knew that the woman held herself in high regard, but that didn’t explain the strange outfit.
An hour passed as Shez watched the woman offer presents to many people. She said that it would serve as practice when she gifts others. She played along with the King, considering this valuable experience.
“You bear a striking resemblance to our Reindeer,” the woman commented. “State your name and class, new Santa.”
“Um… Shez and uhh… I don’t know what you mean by class. Are you speaking of the Black Eagles?”
“Shez… That’s impossible.”
“What’s so strange about my name?”
“Artoria…! Master sent me to find you!”
Shez raised an eyebrow as another woman called out to them. A woman with a black hat and a modest white dress skipped to the King with a worried expression.
“We’re running low on presents… Do you think-”
The girl blinked as her gaze met Shez’s eyes. The mercenary sheepishly raised her hand, waving.
“Uh… Hi.”
“A-Artoria, who is that?!”
“I was getting to the bottom of it,” the King leaned in uncomfortably close. “This servant claims to be Shez, but I’m on to this fake Santa’s scheme.”
She knew the woman was threatening her, but Shez couldn’t take the King seriously in her outfit. Although, she wasn’t one to talk.
“...But I am Shez? I don’t know why I’d lie about such a thing,” she pushed aside her bangs. “How do you guys know who I am?”
“Identity theft is no joke!” The brunette huffed. “How dare you claim to be the man I love?!”
“Okay… That’s a lot of unpackage there…”
Shez backed away from the two women, holding up her hands.
“I’m just lost… and need to return to giving presents. Just tell me how to get back to Askr and I’ll be on my way.”
“Jeez… What’s taking you guys so long? I know that you guys love your holidays, but seriously.”
A purple-haired man approached the trio, defusing the situation before it devolved into fighting.
“Charlotte, you shouldn’t pick on the new servants. You’re better than that. Same to you, King,” he frowned at the two girls. “Leave the girl alone.”
“...Very well, Reindeer.”
“Sorry, Master…”
Shez let out a sigh of relief as the two women backed away from her. They were still staring at her, but at least she got some space.
“Shesh… It’s supposed to be a relaxing time. Sorry about that, lady. These heroic spirits can be a handful,” the young man turned to face Shez.
“It’s fine, It’s fine. Thanks for being the only normal one here,” she chuckled.
“I get that a lot,” he held out his hand. “You can call me Shez. I’m the Master here.”
“Shez, huh?”
Shez shrugged before shaking his hand. She decided not to waste her energy overthinking things.
“So you’re the brunette’s boyfriend? Nice to meet you, Shez. I’m just a traveling Winter envoy.”
“Wait, that’s not… We’re just…!”
She chuckled at the guy tripping over his words. At least the feelings appeared to be reciprocated.
“I think I know why I’m here. I thought that I was lost but it turns out I’ve found the right person.”
Shez set down her sack of presents, sifting through the various gifts to find the one addressed with her name on it. She smiled softly before handing the gift to the guy.
“Here ya go. I hope you have a good winter festival,” she grinned. “Take good care of your girlfriend, okay? Also, quit with the Master thing. That’s weird, man…”
“Hey, wait… That’s not even my fault! I tried to tell them to stop…!”
Shez chuckled at the man’s flustered state before glancing around.
“Alright, that’s one gift delivered… I sure hope I can find a way back,” she hummed. “Oh, well. I’ll just wing it.”
“Wait! Aren’t you going to tell me your name? Where are you going?!”
Shez turned her back to the man, waving.
“I’d tell you but those two would stab me if I said it again. Catch you later, Shez.”
The winter envoy smiled before warping out of the strange place.
“Did she just…”
Shez furrowed his eyebrows before glancing down at the present in his hands. He knew Shadowflash from anywhere and should be the only one who could use it. He had so many questions, but the woman disappeared in a flash. There was something familiar about her appearance too.
“...This place is so weird.”
“Master… Erm… Shez, are you okay? Who was that girl? Did you know her?”
Shez shrugged before facing Charlotte.
“I have no idea. I don’t think that’s the last time I’ll see her,” he sighed. “I don’t think anything could surprise me after seeing Byleth as a servant.”
“We should be wary of that woman, my Reindeer,” Artoria injected. “She might be an enemy to you, Chaldea, and Christmas.”
“What is with you guys and exaggerating everything?”
He wasn’t worried about that happening. Even if that girl became his enemy, he looked forward to testing his skills against someone like her.
“Enough about that… Hey, Charlotte,” Shez smiled at his partner. “Let’s go and enjoy the rest of Christmas. I need as much relaxation time as I can get before a certain someone puts me through the wringer for the Singularity.”
Artoria only responded with a smirk before walking off. The mercenary shivered, thinking of the troubles he’d get into.
“Are… Are you sure that you want to spend time with me?” Charlotte averted her gaze.
“C’mon… We’ve done this song and dance before,” he sighed, grabbing Charlotte’s hand. “You should know the answer.”
“Ah… Right!”
He wished he didn’t need to remind her, but it’s something he can do while he’s still here. After all, he wants to make sure that purple-haired girl doesn’t tease her when they meet again.
“Damn it… I suck at this.”
Shez grumbled as she paced around. Although she had thought the place before was strange, she was now in a city with buildings taller than anything she had seen in Fodlan or Askr. People were getting inside metal boxes and using them to transport themselves. It sounded almost like the stories she heard from the summoner.
“I’m going to be so late for the festival…”