Chapter Text
The Halidom of Ylisse, Ylisstol — Winter, Months after the Mad King’s War
“Hey, Robin! Robin!”
“Not right now, Lissa. I’m working on paperwork.”
Robin kept her eyes glued to the ledger in front of her. It was a miracle that Chrom managed to survive for so long without a proper assistant. How in Naga’s name did the man managed to mismanage his budget with Frederick the Wary around is beyond her. There’s also the ruined walls adding more to the monthly budget as well…
“It’s important, Robin! Very important!”
“I’ll be just a minute,” Robin furrowed her eyebrows. “If it’s that serious, go to Frederick or Lon’qu…”
“Grr… Robin!”
She had little time to react as Lissa closed the distance, flicking her on the forehead and sending her reeling backwards.
“Agh!! W-What was that for?!” Robin rubbed her forehead.
“Did you know it was Alear’s birthday?!”
“What…? Alear has a birthday…?”
“Ugh, you didn’t know! This is horrible!” Lissa facepalmed. “You two are the worst!”
Robin didn’t think too much about birthdays unless it involves one of the Shepherds. For some strange reason, if it’s someone’s birthday in the Shepherds, they would receive a huge boost to their combat capabilities. Alear’s not a Shepherd and she rarely talked about herself to anyone. Honestly, Robin still has no idea how old the girl is. Then again, she still hasn’t remembered her own age as well.
“Um… I’m surprised that Alear would mention this to you,” Robin scratched her cheek.
“That girl… She only brought it up while I was talking about Lon’qu’s birthday party,” Lissa pouted. “She said that she never celebrated her birthday… That’s too sad! Robin, we have to do something!”
“Yeah… I can’t imagine she’s having the best time being cooped up in her room,” Robin pinched the bridge between her eyes. “But what can we do…? She isn’t someone who’d ask for much… She’s a tad introverted so a birthday party might overwhelm her.”
“Oof… Yeah, the last time we tried to surprise her, she almost stabbed Virion,” Lissa shivered. “Surely, there’s something we can get her! Maybe, we can give her a dog!”
“A dog…?”
“Yeah! Everyone loves pets! Although… It might be hard for her to take care of one in her travels,” Lissa closed her eyes. “What do you think we should do, Robin? You’re her closest friend, after all!”
“Me…? I wouldn’t say that we’re that close,” Robin averted her gaze. “Finding a gift for her will be troublesome. We could get her a new sword or something to help with her martial arts…”
“Let’s get a cake too! We have to do everything we can!” Lissa snapped her fingers. “We need to find Chrom too and get that big oaf to help!”
Robin half-listened to Lissa’s rambles as she pondered the perfect gift for Alear. Even if the girl thinks little of herself, she had to show her appreciation for everything she has done. Just a simple weapon wouldn’t be enough to express her feelings. There had to be something that Alear, despite her stoicism, would appreciate.
“Jeez… if only she would accept the ring I was going to buy her,” Lissa murmured. “She’s very adamant about keeping the ring she has on her…”
“Wait… Alear’s ring…” Robin snapped her fingers. “That’s it, Lissa!”
“Huh? What did I do?”
Robin shot up, grabbing her signature coat.
“No time to talk! We have to hurry! The shops close early in this time of year!”
“Happy birthday, Alear!”
Alear blinked a few times, staring blankly at the people surrounding her. Something about this day confused her. As soon as she mentioned that today was the anniversary of her birth, people got excited. Is it normal for humans to celebrate the day you were born? She only kept track of that day because it was the only information from her childhood that she knew of. Her birthday, her name, and the image of a red-haired boy were the only things she knew about herself.
She had planned to spend the day just like others. She would train her body to push its recovery from her battle against the Risen King. Afterward, she would write into her journal and then read more of Ylissean literature. For the rest of the day, she’d talk with Lissa, Robin, or that small creature who appears and disappears. Unfortunately, her friends had different ideas.
Lissa stepped forward, holding a cake with red icing on a plate. On top of a cake was a single-lit candle.
“...We have enough light,” Alear titled her head. “Why is there one on the cake?”
“You’re supposed to blow on it! Go on, make a wish!”
“A cake won’t get me the Emblem Rings or my sister𑁋 Mmph!”
Lissa shoved a forkful of the cake into Alear’s mouth, silencing the fell dragon.
“Ugh, just eat it and enjoy your birthday!”
“...Is this cake? Its flavor is… overwhelming…”
“Lissa…” Chrom sighed, shaking his head. “You should be careful with the birthday girl. This is all new for her.”
“Mhmm…” Alear gulped, swallowing the sweet dish. “... Is this a normal tradition? This can’t be healthy.”
“It’s something you should have in moderation,” Chrom patted her on the shoulder. “Sorry that we couldn't set up something nicer, friend. You deserve a better party than this.”
“Why are you apologizing?” Alear raised an eyebrow. “I don’t understand these traditions, but… I’m not upset. Although...”
She glanced around her small room, noticing a particular absence.
“I’m surprised that it’s just you two to come here.”
“The rest of the Shepherds were busy they give their wishes,” Chrom crossed his arms, chuckling. “Or were you expecting a certain someone?”
“No,” Alear shook her head before poking her fork at the slice of cake. “...Maybe a bit. I haven’t seen Robin for a while, but it’s pointless to worry...”
There was something about the tactician’s presence that calmed her nerves. She hated being away from her mission, especially due to an injury. She has seen her siblings killed for less severe wounds. Broken tools are defective. She was defective.
Defect.
Defect.
De𑁋
“I’m here! I’m here!”
Alear blinked, raising her head to see a hooded Robin, covered in snow.
“There you are!” Lissa giggled. “See, Alear? No need to get all pouty!”
“I wasn’t… I…”
“Sorry, Alear! I didn’t want to be late, but I had to search all across Ylisstol for this…!”
Robin pulled back her hood, approaching Alear with a small wrapped box in her hands. Alear stared blankly at the box, unsure of what to make of it.
“...It’s a box.”
“Open it! It’s a gift from me to you,” Robin scratched her cheek, blushing. “I hope it’s to your liking…”
Alear took the small box in her hand, the object feeling extremely fragile and precious even before she could open it. Robin went through a lot to get it and she couldn’t bring herself to deny the gift. Even if she didn’t deserve it. She took perfect care not to ruin the box as she tore through the wrapper. Life then filled the expressionless dragon’s eyes as the gift revealed itself to her.
“It’s… a ring box…”
“You take good care of your ring, but I realize that you don’t have a place to keep it well stored,” Robin chuckled softly. “Happy birthday, my friend…”
“Robin… You…”
A strange warmth enveloped Alear as she held on to the ring box. She remained silent for a few moments before looking up at the trio surrounding her bed.
“...Thank you… I don’t understand these traditions, but… it feels nice,” she hugged the ring box. “It feels nice to have been born… for once…”
“Yeesh,” Lissa chuckled awkward, scratching her cheek. “No need to get all depressed on us. This was all put together last minute… Next birthday, we have to go all out!”
“Next… birthday…?” Alear titled her head. “We do this more than once?”
“If you want to,” Chrom smiled warmly, speaking with an understanding tone. “You’re free to spend these birthdays however you wish…”
“However… I… wish…?”
It was impossible. She was not allowed to wish for things. She was only a tool to collect the rings. It was her only role in Elyos and yet…
“...Maybe another time,” Alear’s expression softened. “I wouldn’t mind… doing this again…”
Seven Years Later / A Thousand Years Later in Alear’s PoV
“Keep those eyes shut, Mother! Don’t open them!”
“I doubt I can see with you covering my eyes, Morgan…”
Alear frowned as she held her hands out, trying her hardest not to run into any walls. One would think that a girl in her early twenties would outgrow her childish tendencies, but Morgan was one of a kind. Alear didn’t mind her daughter’s attitude. It was a welcome change after spending centuries fighting to preserve Elyos’ peace. Still, she wished that the girl would finally answer her questions.
“Don’t worry, we’re almost there. Ah! That’s the wrong way!”
“You must be pretty excited about this surprise,” Alear chuckled, following her daughter’s directions to varying degrees of success.
“Huh? Whaaaaaat? No, I’m just… I gotta show you something really cool, that’s all!”
“Sure, whatever you say, dear…”
Unfortunately, she had no idea what Morgan had planned. The girl’s just as unpredictable as she was as a child. It’s only fitting that she’s her ‘twin brother’s equal. It has been so long, but she couldn’t forget one of her first defeats at the hands of her own son. Was this how it felt to be proud of one’s children?
“Alrighty! We’re here!”
Alear opened her eyes, finding herself in front of a familiar looking door. She furrowed her eyebrows before turning to face Morgan.
“This is the Shepherd’s barracks… Was it necessary to cover my eyes if we were coming here?”
“Hush! Just… uh… go in there, Mother! There’s something waiting for you!”
“Um… Okay…”
Alear stepped forward, placing her hand on the doorknob. She glanced at her daughter one more time before opening the door, entering the barracks. She was immediately beset with darkness, adding to her confusion.
“It’s so dark in here… Morgan, could you turn on the light? My eyes aren’t that𑁋”
Before she could finish her sentence, the lights turn on almost immediately and then multiples voices rang out all at once.
“Surprise!!”
“Ah!”
Alear raised her fists, assuming a combat stance as her vision blurred.
“A surprise attack?!”
“Happy Birthday, Alear!!”
“Huh…?”
She lowered her stance, rubbing her eyes to see her friends, family, and loved ones standing before her, holding gift boxes and signs.
“What is this…?”
“It looks like those centuries are catching up to you, granny,” Severa stepped forward, playfully punching her shoulder. “Veyle wasn’t kidding when she said that you forgot your own birthday… Sheesh.”
Suddenly, things started to make sense. She had noticed everyone around her acting strange, but couldn’t understand why. Truth be told, she should have suspected something when Veyle and Marc returned prematurely from their adventures.
“Everyone, you…”
“I told you that we were going to go all out!” Lissa grinned, approaching Alear with a large cake. “We’ve been waiting years for this! Now, we can do a real party! Although, I couldn’t fit over a thousand candles on this cake…”
“It worked to our advantage,” Marc kept to the back, holding a present box in his hands. “We wouldn’t have surprised our Father otherwise. Morgan was horrible at keeping her excitement.”
“Yeah, Yeah… Shut up,” Morgan appeared beside Alear, pouting. “It was my planning that put this together!”
“Now, now…” Veyle scratched her cheek, standing beside Marc. “We all had our part in this. I hope you like it, Sister!”
“You’ve saved this land and gave hope to the survivors of my timeline,” Lucina was holding a sign that reads ‘Happy Birthday Alear!’ on it. There was even a sketch of her face on the board. Alear was admittedly impressed with how detailed the little sketch was. It even had the scar across her left eye. "You deserve this and many more, my friend."
“We didn’t go too extravagant,” Chrom chimed in as he approached with two glasses in hands. “Now, eat and drink to your heart’s content!”
“This is incredible, everyone… but…”
She scanned the group, spotting everyone that she had befriended in her journey. Noire, the Divine Dragon Tiki, the Four Winds, and even the Anna sisters had arrived. Everyone except the other Veyle, the white-haired Fell Dragon, and a certain Tactician weren’t present… She understood the reasons for the first two, but the last absence puzzled her the most.
Of course, she wasn’t expecting this party, so she shouldn’t be disappointed… and yet…
“I’m here! I’m here! Don’t tell me I’ve missed the surprise!”
Alear blinked, spotting Robin appearing from the backrooms, huffing.
“Aw man, I can’t believe it… I…”
She raised her head, grinning.
“Just kidding. Happy birthday, Alear!”
She maneuvered through the crowd, grabbing Alear’s hand and pulling her away from the others as the party commenced.
“Sorry, I couldn’t help it! I wanted to play a little joke on you. I could never forget your birthday…”
“It’s fine… I was just surprised,” Alear averted her gaze, trying to maintain her stoicism.
“You’re upset, aren’t you?”
“I’m not upset…”
“Aw, come here you grumpy little girl,” Robin pulled her close, placing a small box in her hands. “Happy birthday. Alear…”
“Ah… Thanks, Robin. I didn’t realize how much I missed this until now,” Alear cracked a smile. “Not as much as I missed you of course…”
“The feeling’s mutual,” Robin scratched her cheek, blushing. “I plan on giving you a better gift before your next big adventure… It’s still in the works.”
“I look forward to it,” Alear pulled on Robin’s other hand, bringing her into a warm embrace. “Next time, it’d be my turn to throw you a surprise party…”
“Alear, I don’t you’re supposed to tell me… Ah, forget it,” Robin sighed before returning the hug. “By the way… How old are you, anyway…? I’ve always been curious about that.”
“Old enough to know that it’s improper to ask a lady that,” Alear deadpanned.
“...Fair enough,” Robin giggled, breaking the hug. “Alright, let’s return to the others! I’m sure that everyone else is waiting for the birthday girl.”
“Right… I look forward to having some of that cake. Although, Veyle doesn't likes sweet things… Did you make sure to𑁋”
“Yes, Yes… We’ve made sure to have some savory and spicy food for Veyle to enjoy,” Robin rolled her eyes. “C’mon, Alear. You can be selfish just for today. Now, let’s hurry before Severa gets upset at me for hogging you!”
Alear sighed, then nodded with a faint smile.
“Fine, I’ll try to do that… selfish thing, just for today.”