Archive of Our Own

Friendships were kind of like baking. There were steps to follow with a desired result at the end. But you had to be super careful with them because it was really easy to mess them up. 

Annette realized this as she finished putting out the fire from her attempt to make cookies. Mercedes was introducing her to a new friend and she wanted to prepare by bringing cookies to start off the friendship right.

Mercie had offered her cookies when they had met and they were best friends so clearly that was the right way to start a friendship!

Annette didn’t know much about Mercie's friend, except that she had also gone to the School of Sorcery. So Annette had stayed up all night reviewing her favourite lessons from school so that they’d have something to talk about!

She was able to save about a dozen of the cookies at least. And they had stopped smoking. Hopefully that was a good enough sign of her dedication to making a new friend! 

Annette could see Mercedes sitting with her friend under the gazebo, which had been covered up on most sides with tents.

"Annie! Thank you for coming." Mercedes hugged her.

Mercie gave the best hugs. She held Annette like she was the most important person in the world and Annette was happy to just exist in this moment. Mercie held her like something she wanted to hold onto forever.

"This is Constance, and Constance this is Annette but I call her Annie."

"Annette, it is a pleasure to meet you. Mercedes is quite fond of you and I am quite fond of Mercedes so I trust her judgment," Constance said with a smile and a small bow. She had a pretty smile that was almost impossible to not get drawn in by.

Mercedes giggled. Annette felt a slight blush in her cheeks.

"It’s nice to meet you too. I’ve heard great things about you. And I brought cookies. I believe every great friendship begins with cookies!"

"Oh those should pair excellently with the tea I've brewed."

Annette sat down as Constance poured the tea. Annette wasn't super knowledgeable about tea but apparently Constance was so Annette had done some research.

"Ooh is that sweet apple tea?" Annette didn't even have to research that one to recognize it.

"Indeed. And if you wish for it to be sweeter I encourage you to add some sugar," Constance said with a smirk.

Annette was intrigued. As soon as the sugar touched the tea it made the whole thing sparkle.

"Wow this is some impressive spellwork! I tried to do something similar with the cookies but…" She looked over at the boring, slightly burnt, not sparkly cookies.

"Oh?" Constance raised an eyebrow.

"I wanted them to change colour so I tried modifying the colours of the ingredients but that didn't work so I tried to make them rainbow coloured by casting multiple spells on them at once but then I was so focused on the spells that I forgot how long they'd been in there for!"

"Ah I see. I have yet to fully dive into the intricacies of magic and baking but I understand that the spells are less likely to hold as the treats are baking due to the changes they are already undergoing. But once they've finished baking it shouldn't be too hard to—"

Constance made the cookies sparkle. And she made it look so easy.

"These look wonderful. Thank you both," Mercedes said, grabbing a cookie.

Annette smiled and drank her sparkly tea and ate her sparkly cookies.

"That was in fact even easier than I had expected. I'm sure you will be able to accomplish it with more time." Constance nodded towards Annette.

"Yes, I'll try even harder next time!"

"It is not merely about effort, it is about skill and knowledge as well."

"Well I've have to work harder on that too!" Annette tried not to think about how Constance had implied she was unskilled and uneducated.

"Oh Annie, before you got here Constance was telling me the silliest story about her time at the School of Sorcery. Constance, you should tell it again," Mercedes said with a small smile.

"It really was not that amusing. I'm certain we could better pass the time by sharing anecdotes of our accomplishments instead. I can start, in case you need the time to think up some of your own."

Constance spoke as if she was granting them a great honour. Annette wondered if she wanted them to thank her for giving them extra time to think of anything impressive they had ever done? But then Constance started speaking again.

"Although, it is difficult to find somewhere to start. Perhaps I will need a moment."

"I can go. One time at school I found a misspelling in one of the library books and the librarian was so impressed with me!" Annette grinned.

"That's lovely, Annie. Hmm. I think an accomplishment for me would be when I first cast Heal when I was little. I couldn't quite get it to work until you needed my help Constance."

Constance looked slightly flustered.

"Yes, I was rambunctious in my youth. Where would I be without you and your healing? Perhaps once I restore my house I will keep you close in case I need you again."

The two giggled. Annette felt like an intruder. Mercie and Constance had known each other even longer than she'd known Mercie. They were talking about a future together. And Constance was a mature, distinguished, accomplished woman. Annette had tripped twice on her walk over from the kitchens.

"I have thought of an accomplishment! I conjured and controlled Fire on my very first day at the School of Sorcery."

"That's very impressive, Constance."

Constance smiled at Mercedes in a way that made her face look sharp, like she could cut down anyone who stood in her way.

Annette still couldn't conjure Fire. She had tried at school and gotten one spark…that happened to land on her notes …which were sitting on a wooden table.

The classroom was only shut down for one day at least!

Annette knew that Mercedes could cast Fire.

"It was a trifle. I know that your Fire spell is quite powerful as well Mercedes."

And Constance knew too.

"It doesn't really suit me." Mercedes giggled. "Annie you remember the time you tried to cast Fire and I tried to cast Wind?"

"I try not to." Annette laughed, remembering the poor chair that had ended up on the receiving end of their spells.

"Yes, casting is quite different than merely reading about spells." Constance took a sip of her tea.

"For sure! I do love reading a good spellbook though," Annette said.

"I find that reading can only get you so far. Once you have mastered the theory, one still needs a certain determination to be a successful spellcaster."

"It's a good thing I like reading and casting." Annette smiled as pleasantly as she could. But felt a little bit irritated that Constance seemed to be doubting her.

"And your determination?"

"Is good! I mean, I love determination too. Why? Do you think that I don't?"

"Well—"

Mercedes spilled her tea.

"Oops." Mercie didn't look too concerned.

"No need to fret Mercedes, I have been working on a spell to remove stains. Particularly glitter stains from my own spell," Constance said.

"I've got this!" Annette tried to cast a small Wind spell. But the thing with Wind is that it's just air, and air doesn't exactly take up a small space.

The cookies went flying. And their teacups. And the tents.

"Sorry! Sorry! I'll clean this all up right away, don't even worry about—" Annette was interrupted by Constance rapidly standing up.

"I apologize for inflicting my presence upon you both." Constance left quickly.

"Oh Constance. Annie, are you alright if I go after her? I think she needs someone right now." Mercedes stood.

"Yeah, of course, that's totally fine Mercie! I'll stay here and tidy up my mess!"

"Thank you Annie." Mercedes smiled and Annette was reminded that she'd do just about anything to see that smile.

And then she was all alone with the aftermath of her attempt to help. It wasn't too hard to clean. Maybe someone else would find it tricky but Annette was a very hard worker!

She didn't know what belonged to Mercie or Constance or the Academy so she just brought it all back to her room for now.

Which just made her room a mess.

But the worst mess was whatever that tea party was supposed to be!

Ugh!

Annette flopped onto the floor.

And decided that folding the tents would be useful while she was down here.

Not noticing how much glitter was getting everywhere.

Maybe she could ask Constance about that spell to remove it?

No. It can't be that hard to wash out.

She could figure it out on her own.

And she wouldn't be able to face Constance without feeling super awkward anyways.

Annette kinda wished she had picked the awkwardness after spending several hours trying to scrub sparkly tea out of her room without making any progress.

Annette was right.

Her father was here.

And he wouldn’t talk to her.

He looked like it hurt him to look at her.

Like this was only hard for him.

He was helping them reclaim Sylvain’s Relic. 

Annette had tried to linger near the back of their group so that she could at least make sure he didn’t disappear.

Again. 

But the Professor asked her to stick near the middle. Which turned out to be useful when reinforcements appeared at the back within range of where she’d been standing. 

More reinforcements appeared ahead, taking her focus away from her father.

She cut an enemy down with Wind when she heard her father shout.

She turned to see him take a hit from a mage, falling to the ground.

And she froze. 

Her spells wouldn’t reach far enough. And she wouldn’t be able to reach him faster than the enemy.

She wasn’t ready to lose him again. Not after just getting him back. 

She was stuck, unable to help.

The enemy moved, ready to strike again, when a beam of light hit them right in the chest. 

They fell, giving her father enough time to back away.

Annette looked to where the beam had come from and saw Constance looking back at her.

Of course. Annette wasn’t quick enough or strong enough to save him. But Constance was.

Still. Constance had saved him.

Annette gave her a wave and a smile and moved to heal her father.

Ingrid swooped in and blocked an enemy moving to hit Annette. 

"It’s not safe to go back," Ingrid said sternly.

"But I need to heal—"

"Maybe Mercedes can…" But Mercedes was at the front of the group healing Sylvain.

Annette looked back at her father and saw that Constance was already healing him.

She looked back at Annette with a smile and a wave. And then took down another enemy.

Her father was healed at least. Even if Annette hadn’t been good enough to do it herself. 

Annette kept an eye on him all battle. So she saw the exact moment when he ran out of her sight after their victory.

Annette had been looking forward to the ball since her first day at the academy. A night to get all done up for! A night to spend dancing! 

She had spent the whole day getting ready. And helping Mercie get ready. And even helping Ingrid get ready. 

Annette had to hold herself back from running into the hall. Mostly from excitement, partially from running late. 

It was everything she had dreamed of. Beautiful people smiling and dancing! Everyone getting along! Even the Professor was dancing!

Mercie was already there, a smile on her face. She looked gorgeous with the makeup Annette had done for her. Annette could hear her laughter. Along with another louder laugh.

Constance looked, well, as radiant as she always looked. She was dazzling the room and Annette found it hard to look away. 

So did Mercedes by the looks of it. 

The room suddenly felt too small to hold all of the people inside. The music and the voices screaming in her ears. Annette quickly looked around for someone else, for anyone, for—

"Ashe!" She ran over to where he was standing alone. "Do you want to dance with me?"

"Oh, um." Ashe looked around. "Sure."

They walked onto the floor. He placed his hands very gently on her, like she was a flower that he didn’t want to knock any petals off of. She held onto him tight enough to remind him that she wasn’t as delicate as he seemed to believe. 

“How has your night been?” she asked.

“It’s been very nice. I was just looking for Felix but it seems he ran off.”

“Felix running from the ball? No way.” She giggled.

“He must be tired of dancing.” 

Annette laughed again, hopefully hiding that twinge of jealousy she felt deep down that Felix was chosen as the class dancer over her. 

Ashe tried to hide a wince as she stepped on his toes. 

"How's your night so far?" he asked.

"My night? It's never been better! I love dancing! And having fun! And dancing and having fun with everybody else! Well not everybody else because it's a big school but at least with our class—"

"Um. Would you mind…"

Annette realized she was digging her nails into Ashe's arm.

"Sorry! Sorry…"

They twirled around in silence for a moment before Ashe spoke up again.

"Thank you for your help the other day, I'm less nervous than I thought I would be."

"Oh you're welcome! But I really just gave you some basic tips, you're doing a great job dancing even beyond what I taught you!"

"You're too kind. I doubt I would have even shown up here without your lessons."

Annette beamed.

The song finished and Annette noticed they had gotten closer to the corner where Felix was lurking.

"Felix! Would you like to dance?" Annette asked.

"No." Felix didn't even glance at Annette, he just stared at Ashe like he had more to say.

"Now, now Felix is that anyway to treat such a wonderful lady?" Sylvain and Ingrid had walked up beside Felix.

"Getting ready for another rejection Sylvain?" Ingrid smirked.

"Just because you rejected me doesn't mean that other girls have." Sylvain winked.

Ingrid rolled her eyes.

Annette hadn't noticed either of them on the dance floor. Her attention had been pretty focused on one woman though. Who Annette could no longer see in the hall.

She couldn't see Constance either.

"I'd love to dance with you!" Annette turned back to Sylvain, who was still focused on Ingrid.

Sylvain raised an eyebrow at Ingrid who gave him a look that Annette couldn't place. There was a long moment of silence. Then Ingrid rolled her eyes but the smile on her face was soft as Sylvain grinned. Annette felt like they were having a whole conversation without having to say a single word. She admired it. She also wished that maybe they could at least say some words out loud so that she could be a part of it too!

She looked around and noticed that Ashe and Felix had moved to the outskirts of the room. It looked like they were arguing or maybe they were just talking passionately.

Dimitri looked tired from all his dancing and was leaning into Dedue to talk.

It was nice to see all her friends and classmates having a nice night with each other. And Annette was having a nice night too!

She wished that Mercie was still here. And that they could all have fun together.

Or even that someone was here just to have fun with Annette.

But then Sylvain took her to the floor to dance and spun her around so many times that she almost fell over, and Annette let her kinda gloomy thoughts fly away. It was a fun night!

The Ashen Wolves joined their class a few weeks later.

Annette had heard Mercie talk about how excited she was when Constance told her the news.

So it wasn't a complete surprise to Annette.

But she wasn't expecting a huge crowd, including people from other classes, to be standing in the doorway.

"What's going on?" she asked Felix, who was standing outside the classroom.

"One of the new ones made some dessert for everyone. Ugh." Felix scoffed.

"Oh really? I didn’t know any of them were into baking." Annette felt dread begin to grow in her stomach. Weird.

"The blonde girl is."

"Constance?"

"Sure. Made some rainbow cookies. Have mine."

Annette felt a chill at Felix’s words.

Rainbow…cookies? 

She looked at the cookie that Felix was holding. It looked exactly like the ones she had tried to make for Mercedes and Constance. 

"No thank you." Annette felt frozen.

"Fine then. Ashe, take this cookie." Felix walked away. 

"Oh Annie you're here! Constance she’s here!" Mercie shouted from inside the class.

"Annette!" Constance sang her name as she ran towards her.

"Constance."

"Mercedes and I were so intrigued by your idea for rainbow cookies. And we persevered to create such a scrumptious snack in honour of yourself. You must try one."

"Wow, I’d love to," Annette said flatly.

Mercedes and Constance made these cookies together? They must have been laughing about how gross Annette's cookies were and how they could make better cookies together.

Well, maybe Mercie wouldn’t laugh at her like that. But Constance clearly wanted to prove that she was the better baker and sorcerer and friend and that she deserved to have Mercie’s attention—

"Annie?" Mercie's voice interrupted her thoughts.

Annette had crushed the cookie in her hand.

"Oh! Haha just so excited to try this." Annette waved her fist around and then shoved the crumbs in her mouth.

It tasted delicious.

Annette groaned.

"Ugh. I mean mmm yeah it’s so good. You really perfected that recipe and the spellwork is flawless."

Mercie and Constance probably spent hours working on these cookies so she should appreciate them.

But the thing is they spent hours working on these cookies…

Together.

Without Annette.

Constance probably wiped flour off of Mercie’s cheek and Mercedes probably held Constance’s hand to gently guide her spellwork and they both must have had such a wonderful time together because you could taste all the care in the cookies.

"I admired your beliefs on cookies and the beginning of friendships since that is how we met and I plan to forge many new friendships in pursuit of my goal." Constance stood proudly.

And there was the direct reference to the disaster of how they met. As if the cookies weren't reminder enough. As if Annette would ever forget how embarrassed she had been.

"That's really great." Annette tried to push past the crowd so that she could get to the lecture. But even the Professor was enjoying a cookie at the front of the room.

"Hey Annette." Sylvain sat down beside her with a grin. "I swiped an extra cookie if you’re interested."

"I'm full. But thank you." Annette tried to smile.

"I am glad that we are still focused on indulging ourselves in these times," Dimitri said with a serious face as he went to pick up a plate of cookies. Which immediately shattered in his hands.

"I’ll go grab a broom to clean that up!" Annette ran out of the classroom.

Annette ended up running back to her own room. She knew she'd have to go back to class eventually but she needed a break from everything that was going on.

Of course Mercie could have other friends. Annette was just worried about the idea of her having other best friends!

Mercedes wouldn’t look at her.

"Annette. You do not usually sit here." Dedue stated.

"Oh, sorry I can move if you have other people you’d rather sit with." Annette started to stand.

"You can stay. If that is what you want."

"Thank you."

"You do not wish to sit with…your usual arrangement?"

"We're not— I wanted to talk to other people."

"Hm."

She hoped she wasn't making him feel like a second choice. She probably was. She made everyone feel awful just by being around them.

Annette felt so awful that she couldn't even focus in class. Instead she just sat there and listened to Constance answering the Professor's questions the whole time.

Annette was actually grateful for a class to end.

So of course she would forget her bag and not notice until she was almost at her room and then have to run back to get it!

And of course Constance is still in class!

Actually anyone still being there would be kind of awkward for her to have to admit that she forgot her bag. And a bit strange overall for someone to still be in class.

At least it wasn't Mercedes.

But of course it had to be Constance!

And she was…hunched over a purple paper? With blue and red sparkles coming from her hands?

Annette tried to tiptoe closer to get a better look.

And knocked over a chair. Which knocked over another chair. Which knocked over her bag! Which spilled everywhere.

Constance immediately turned to face Annette, blocking her view of the paper.

"I did not realize anyone would be returning to this classroom."

"I…my bag." Annette knelt down to stuff everything back in.

Constance was still standing in the exact same spot with the exact same strained smile when Annette stood back up.

Annette had no clue what Constance had been working on. But she knew that it looked cool and interesting and like something she'd enjoy talking about.

Her mind provided her with an image of Constance and Mercedes smiling at each other as she walked into class today.

"Bye." Annette walked away from the woman who had stolen her best friend.

Well, maybe that wasn't fair. But Annette didn't really care enough to defend Constance in her own mind.

Annette was certain that her life couldn't suck any more than this.

Until the next week when Edelgard declared war.

Mercedes didn't reach out to Annette over the next five years. Not that Annette tried to reach out to Mercedes.

She tried not to think about her.

Which got much harder the moment she returned to Garreg Mach.

Annette battled alongside Mercedes. They worked well together on the battlefield. And then they won and Mercedes walked away without looking at her.

Annette used to try to make herself burn brighter just to get Mercedes to look at her. She still wanted her attention but it felt different now. Less of a burn, more of an ache. A bruise.

Her heart didn't flutter the way that it used to. It flickered. But it didn't leap at the sight of Mercedes' eyes, or her smile, or the sound of her voice.

The Professor explained what the plan was. And then they were left to reunite with each other and figure out how they had each changed over the past five years.

Even the recruits to their house had returned.

Maybe she could talk to them.

She had only had like one conversation ever with each of them but it would be good for her to make some new friends.

Especially if Mercedes was still ignoring her.

Annette didn't like to acknowledge the Mercedes-sized gap in her life. But that didn't mean that she didn't feel it throughout the past five years. She was used to it by now, in the same way that she was used to the gap that her father had left behind. She kept going and she grew around these gaps.

Except her father was within reach once again. He battled with them. And every time Annette saw him it felt like that gap inside her was being struck by lightning. Not enough for her to open up but enough that she felt it every single time.

Maybe it would be good for her to be alone right now.

Her room looked the same, just dustier.

The dust was exciting. It gave her something to do. Somewhere she could actually be helpful.

So she grabbed a cloth and got to work. Cleaning her room felt familiar and peaceful in a way that almost made her start singing. Almost.

This is something she's good at. This is something that she doesn't need anyone else for. In fact, this is something that she'd prefer to be alone for.

Even if the windowsill was just out of her reach.

It was no problem. She could climb up there and solve her own problems. She didn't need anyone else to help her out. She…slipped on a book as she tried to climb up and knocked everything on the shelf onto the floor. She landed on the pile of clutter and watched a cloud of dust (and glitter) go up around her.

It didn't sound like anything breakable had fallen at least, but now she had made a bigger mess than what she had started with.

Annette felt tears forming in her eyes as she thought about how she had just wanted to make things better and now she was all alone in a dark, dirty room.

She cried harder as she thought about how something so dumb was making her cry.

If she was stronger then maybe she wouldn't have slipped while cleaning.

Maybe she wouldn't be crying alone in her room.

Maybe she could've spent the past few years not crying alone in a room at her uncle's.

She wished that someone would knock on her door, just to have someone to talk to.

Instead she sat on the floor until she was too exhausted to keep crying.

Her bed felt the same. Her room hadn't really changed in the last few years. But the darkness felt heavier than it used to feel. And the dust had made everything grimier, darker, messier. So if her room had changed over time, it had changed for the worse.

Annette had been so scared the last time she had slept in this bed. She had known everything was about to change.

She was still scared now. And things had changed. They had just gotten worse.

Maybe tomorrow would be a better day.

…

Today was not looking like a better day.

Annette spent all night trying to fall asleep and ended up waking up at sunrise anyways.

She could get through the day being tired though. It was hardly a struggle worth acknowledging.

The Professor was holding a strategy meeting today. She would get to spend time with her classmates once again. There was nothing that she should be complaining about.

Annette kept trying to cling onto her positivity as she made her way to the meeting. There was nothing sweet to eat for breakfast? Oh well. She tripped on the stairs…twice? That's fine!

Everything was okay and it was going to keep being okay and she would live an okay life and she would be happy with it and nothing could stop her from having an okay day!

Annette really believed that she had convinced herself.

Until she walked into the meeting room and was faced with a sight that she had not prepared for.

Constance was hugging Mercedes. 

Not that Annette noticed. Or cared.

All she noticed was that the Ashen Wolves had returned. Perhaps they had made a promise to the Professor too. 

Out of the corner of her eye she could see Constance and Mercedes separate (from a long hug) and whisper to each other. Annette was glad she couldn’t hear either of their voices. Maybe she’d be ready for them in another five years.

"Annette!" called a voice so loud that she was forced to acknowledge it.

Maybe she’d have to be ready now. 

Annette took a deep breath, thinking of choir practice and the library and all the good things that came with being back, then turned to wave at Constance. 

Constance looked as radiant as she always did. She carried herself with her usual confidence and a new hairstyle that made her look more mature. Annette tucked a stray strand of hair back as Constance looked her over. 

"Oh my, you have certainly grown out of your youth," Constance said with a giggle. 

What?

Was Constance trying to say that she looked old? 

"I could say the same thing about you Constance." Annette smiled as sweetly as she could. 

Constance’s smile grew wider and Annette could see a gleam in her eyes. So there was some underlying meaning there. Oh well, Annette had more pressing issues than figuring this woman out. 

"We simply must catch up over tea some time." Constance continued to smile as she walked away.

"I look forward to it," Annette called after her as they took their seats, certain that teatime would not be fitting into her schedule.

Annette focused very, very hard on the meeting. She even managed to ask questions that made the Professor nod proudly, which meant that the meeting was a success! And she volunteered to help with cleaning the monastery. A lot of people felt upset when they couldn't look around without seeing damage everywhere. So she would cheer them up even if she had to fix the whole place up all by herself! She didn't have to because others volunteered to help out as well. But she would have. She was willing to get started as soon as this meeting ended but people wanted to have lunch before getting started. She was so focused on thinking of ways she could sneak away from the dining hall so that she could get a head start that she almost didn't notice Felix stopping in front of her.

"Are you alright?"

"What?"

"You’re not singing or dancing. Something’s wrong."

"I’m not in the mood to be teased Felix!"

"So something is wrong."

"It’s not like I’m usually in the mood to be teased."

"If you don’t want to tell me what’s wrong, then we can stop talking." Felix began to back off.

Annette had a lot that felt wrong right now. But there was one person across the hall from her right now that would be easy enough to talk about.

"No, wait! Sorry, you’re right. It’s just um well remember the letter I sent about my cousin?"

"Yes."

"Well he ran off. So technically I should be the one inheriting the family Relic but I don't know if my uncle will give it up and I feel like my father should be helping with that but he's been…"

"Chasing the boar…"

"Yeah…" Annette felt sad agreeing. Dimitri was still their friend, even if he had…changed. But she could tell that Felix was in a similar situation to her from the look he gave his own father. So it was nice at least to have someone who kind of understood.

"Wait did I even send you a letter about my cousin? I think that all happened after we stopped mailing each other."

"Did it?"

"Yeah. I was still mailing everyone but you and Sylvain. Or mostly everyone. Did someone else write to you about it?"

"Don't remember." Felix left the room.

Weird.

At least she was kind of distracted from her problems by Felix knowing more about her than he should. And the conversation had made time go by faster and people were ready to go now!

Annette had been tasked with organizing the library with Ignatz.

Which felt kind of less important because the library was just so far out of the way from where most people went and she could probably be more helpful somewhere else.

But if this was where she was needed then this is where she would go.

Ignatz had arrived before her. She knew she should have ran faster.

"Annette, hi. I don't think we really talked much before, well, but it's nice to get the chance to now," he said with a kind smile.

He was right. Annette had maybe said hi to him when he had joined the Blue Lions and that was all she could remember. She did remember him as less confident than the man that was currently standing before her.

"Hi hi! It's good to see you," she said with a smile.

"I imagine that the library will be mostly unchanged. I hope. It'll be nice to see something familiar. There might be some books that need moving, and lots of shelves that need dusting, but I'm not expecting a lot of damage at least."

"Great! Honestly, I'll be surprised if anyone's even been up here since the academy."

They walked in to find exactly what they had expected. A dusty library. What they hadn't expected was finding Linhardt napping at one of the tables, surrounded by a wall of books. But maybe they should've expected that too.

Ignatz was right, it was nice to see something familiar.

Annette was gathering fallen books and reorganizing the shelves. Ignatz was dusting the tables. It was nice.

"Annette? There is something I would like to ask you, if you don't mind?" Ignatz spoke up eventually.

Oh? What could he possibly want to ask her about? They'd been working mostly in silence over the past hour. She had appreciated his presence though. He seemed kind and genuine and had helped Annette reach the top shelf. By finding a chair to stand on. Annette would actually go so far as to say that she enjoyed his company. Maybe he enjoyed hers too? And he was about to ask if she wanted to spend more time together?

"Of course, ask away!" She turned to him with a smile.

"Well, um, your father…" Annette strained to keep smiling. "He's a knight right?"

"Yep!"

"Oh, well my parents are hoping that I'll become a knight, so I was wondering if maybe you could um introduce me to him?"

"I would love to! He's a great knight!"

"T-there's no rush so please don't worry about that. In fact, we can go back to cleaning and you can forget that I asked you about it actually."

"It's totally fine." Her face was sore from smiling.

Ignatz looked at her and then just went back to work without saying something.

Of course Annette wasn't interesting enough on her own!

Why would anyone want to be close with her? Why would anyone be interested in getting to know Annette?

Why hadn't she realized how good it was back in the Academy and appreciated what she had then?

Everything felt different and weird now. She was still close with her classmates but everyone had changed.

And every day there was a risk of someone not coming back.

And even if she felt distant from everyone that didn't mean she didn't worry about every single one of them.

But at least that worry made good motivation for her to get stronger so that she could protect everyone!

"Annette?" Ignatz interrupted her thoughts.

"Hm?"

"I don't want to tell you how to do your work, but I think these books might be a bit too delicate to be tossed around?"

Annette looked at the pile she had been organizing on the table behind her. And saw all the books scattered around the floor.

"There's no rush to finish anything today, if you'd like to come back tomorrow?"

Annette just nodded and moved to pick up her fallen books. The library doors burst open and she dropped one again. She looked to see who was flinging doors open so loudly and saw Constance. Of course.

Annette ignored her as she kept cleaning. Just this last pile that she had messed up and then she'd go.

"Annette, I didn't know you were interested in 'Tending the Holy Soil of the Garden of Saint Seiros'?" Constance had a teasing look in her eyes.

"I'm not." Annette added it to the pile.

Constance lingered for a moment before walking away.

Eventually Annette felt satisfied with the pile she had organized. Ignatz must have left while she was busy. The only other people still here were Constance and Linhardt.

Hopefully neither of them would try to speak to her and she could just peacefully leave the library—

"Annette. Excellent timing."

Ugh.

She turned to smile at Linhardt.

"Constance and I were just discussing her Crest. Do you have a moment to discuss yours as well? I would love to compare the two for any similarities."

Comparing herself with Constance? What a fun way to spend her time!

"I'm sure they're not that similar."

"Based on my observations, they have a similar conservation effect when it comes to attacking. I was curious if this was the only similarity or if…" Linhardt kept talking. He must not have noticed Annette walking away and leaving the library.

There was something so exciting about going to choir practice again. Going back to something so simple, so normal. Something where it almost felt like she was the same girl she was five years ago.

Today she got to sing beside Dorothea! The professional opera star Dorothea!

It just felt so nice to put her whole heart into singing, and to hear a beautiful voice beside her at the same time.

Annette knew that Dorothea knew that she was talented. But Annette also knew that Dorothea seemed like she could use a compliment these days.

"Dorothea, hi! It was so exciting to sing with you."

"Oh. Thank you, Annette. It was nice singing with you too."

"Really? That’s so exciting to hear you say that." Annette would hold onto that praise for a while.

"It’s nice to see someone still smiling as much as you," Dorothea said with a small smile.

"Do you want to go for a meal? Or something? I'd love to chat some more with you," Annette asked.

"Thank you, but I need to go back to my room." Dorothea left.

Annette tried not to let that rejection get to her. Dorothea probably had tons of people asking her to hang out all the time. And she had this distant energy to her that everyone probably found so mysterious.

Annette could only look forward to next week's choir practice and hope that she got to sing with Dorothea again.

She had to sing with Constance at the next choir practice.

There was still a passionate voice singing beside her, but Annette didn't enjoy it as much this week.

It didn't really feel that different than last week. It was still a good practice. And she still loved singing.

But she couldn't enjoy it with Constance beside her.

She rushed out as soon as practice ended, trying to stop herself from pouting.

Annette couldn't sleep. She had tried everything from rereading a battle strategy textbook to doing laps around her room to tire herself out. Nothing had worked. Sometimes when she couldn't sleep before class she would just lie on her bed and stare at the ceiling and then eventually her body would get so tired that it would shut down. She had considered that as her next option.

She had a feeling that her mind wouldn't stop working long enough for her body to actually fall asleep and she'd just be stuck staring at the ceiling with her thoughts until sunrise.

Maybe she could go for a walk!

Yes, it was late. And yes, it was dark. But Annette trusted that the people she was with were safe.

She wasn't sure if she trusted what she couldn't see hiding in the dark though.

But it was dark in her room too and she didn't find it creepy in here. Even if the candlelight did make the shadows flicker out of the corner of her eye. And there was no sound to be heard but the wind outside, howling like—

"AH!" Her textbook had fallen off her bed, which felt like a good moment to run outside.

It was definitely dark outside. But the air out here didn't feel as crushing as the atmosphere in her room. She'd even go so far as to say it was a nice night.

She decided on a path that would keep her close to the dormitories. (In case she needed someone nearby to hear her scream for help).

Everything was so quiet at this time. Annette was trying to convince herself that the quiet was peaceful instead of eerie when she heard voices.

She might have jumped to look towards the sounds of the voices but she calmed down when she realized that they were coming from one of the rooms.

Actually it sounded like the voices were arguing.

Not too loudly, like they didn’t want to be heard. But loud enough to be heard from where she stood.

She was curious about who was hanging out at this hour and what they were arguing about. But she had a feeling that if she tried to get closer to find out then she'd accidentally trip on like a bush that would knock over a barrel that would roll right up to the door of the people arguing and they'd come out and catch her eavesdropping.

So she just kept walking.

She did notice a shadow leaving a room on her way back. A shadow with a jagged haircut similar to Felix's.

Interesting.

So she maybe walked a bit closer to get a peek at whose room Felix had just left.

And it was Ashe's room!

Annette couldn't help the grin that took over her face at the thought of two of her friends being happy together.

She fell asleep that night feeling lighter than before her walk. Even if her brain tried to make her think of how it was possible for other people to find happiness with each other but she couldn't find it with anyone. She found she was just too happy to sink into that pit.

It felt a bit awkward to celebrate her birthday when there was a war going on. But it was also really nice to have people other than her mom and uncle to celebrate with! So she could do her best to ignore the awkwardness. Some of her friends had sent letters and small presents over the years, but no one had celebrated it every year.

Mercedes hadn't sent any letters. Annette wondered if she would even speak to her today.

But it was still a really nice day! She got a treat with her breakfast! People started wishing her a happy birthday after her father was the first one to wish it! Everyone was so busy training or strategizing that it was nice to have even a small moment of their time.

She was walking back to her room very carefully, carrying a little cake that Dedue had made for her, when she almost ran right into Constance!

"AH!" Annette shouted as she wobbled trying to hold onto the cake.

"Annette, if it’s not too severe of an intrusion, I would like to request a short moment of your time. Although I fear I have already caused you trouble." Constance stared at the cake Annette had struggled to catch with such severity, an expression that Annette was absolutely certain that no one had ever stared at a cake with before.

Mercedes had explained to her before how the sun brings out bad memories in Constance. Annette had never really spoken to her like this before. But Constance was making the effort to talk to her so she should talk back too.

"Oh of course." Annette tried to speak louder than the growl of her stomach.

"You are far kinder than I deserve. I found this and realized that it is far too cute of a trinket for one such as myself." Constance held out a small stuffed bear. It was orange and had sparkly blue eyes.

"…did you want me to have it?"

"Yes, you are an appropriate level of cute to deserve this," she said seriously.

"Well, thank you Constance!"

"There is no need for gratitude. I will leave now so you can continue to enjoy your day."

"Wait! Do you want a piece of cake before you go?"

"You shouldn’t waste your treats on me."

"It’s not wasting, I want to share it with you!" But Constance had already walked away.

Annette sighed as she took in the bear that Constance had tucked into her arm. It really was adorable.

But Annette had no clue why Constance would give this to her? Yeah it was her birthday so people give gifts but her and Constance don't really talk.

Oh well, it was something she could ponder inside over a nice slice of cake that was sure to be absolutely amazing!

The icing reminded her of a recipe that Mercedes used to make.

"Annette. May we talk? Please?" Her father's voice followed her out of a strategy meeting.

The first word she wanted to say was no. She wanted to be cold. And distant. But she couldn’t forget how her younger self would have given anything to hear those words from this man. Anything just to have the chance to talk to him again.

"About what?" Annette replied calmly.

"How… how has the Relic been working for you?"

"It's been… well I wish I had done more axe training when I was younger. But I think I'm catching up now! I've been considering changing classes if I can get my flying skills up but I also want to be where I'm most helpful!" She smiled fondly at the thought of the improvement that she had made, and how much more useful she could be now.

"I regret not being there to give you that training." Her smile faded as she was reminded who she was talking to.

"Well, it's too late to change that now."

"I could… I would like to offer to train you with using an axe. If that would be alright with you."

"I…" A part of Annette was soaring at the thought of it. Finally spending time with her father, getting to learn from him, and gaining skills that she could use to help her friends. Another part, a darker part that stung every time she saw her father, was shouting at her to reject him, to push him away. She should make him feel the hurt that he left her with for all these years.

But every part of her was honestly just tired. She had already spent so much time being angry and bitter and lonely. And with everything that they've been dealing with, the idea of pushing someone away felt silly. The ache in her heart wasn't worth the energy anymore. Not when she could be using that energy to hold onto the things that mattered, like someone that cares about her.

"I think that would be alright. But this doesn't fix or undo anything. It's just training for now. Maybe one day we can go back to visit my uncle, without having to fight him. Like a normal family."

Maybe that was why she accepted his offer. She wanted them to try to work towards being family again.

Maybe it was the fact that she didn't think she'd ever be able to forget Felix's face as he watched his father die.

She had spent a few nights unable to sleep, wondering how she would feel if she had been in his place. Would her anger only grow at her father for leaving her again? Would every moment she had scorned him haunt her for the rest of her life?

Or maybe this was just an easy way for her to feel less alone.

Already it felt like a small weight had been lifted from her. She hadn't realized just how much hurt could drain after all the years it had been growing inside her.

There was another hurt that had been aching inside for a few years now. Maybe she should face that one soon too.

The next day Mercedes approached her for the first time in five years. And they talked outside of the battlefield. And she felt so light that she found herself skipping through the halls.

There was a knock on Annette's door. Before she could even open her mouth to say that she'd be right there, she could hear the Professor's voice.

"Mercedes and Caspar went after the Death Knight. Get ready and meet me in the entrance hall."

"What??" Annette ran to open the door but the Professor was no longer on the other side of it. They were already knocking on Dorothea's door, repeating the exact words they had said to Annette.

Annette dropped the book she had been reading, grabbed a tome, and ran to the entrance hall.

The Professor hadn't made it back yet but a few of her allies were already there. She could feel her hands shaking and her breath quickening and she needed something to focus on so she didn't just run after Mercedes (and Caspar) on her own.

"Annette? You look like you should sit down." Linhardt gestured to a spot beside where he was seated.

"I feel like I should just run around this room a few times instead!"

"Have fun with that."

"Wait! Sorry I'm being totally selfish, making this all about me. I'm sure you're worried too."

"I'm honestly just surprised Caspar didn't run off to fight the Death Knight years ago."

"You seem pretty calm about the idea."

"I trust that he's capable of defending himself. And that I'll be there in time to heal him when he needs it. Although Mercedes might beat me to that." Linhardt then closed his eyes and leaned back against the wall.

Annette was left to think about what he said. Did her worrying about Mercedes make it look like Annette didn't trust her to defend herself?

Was she a bad friend? Her mind was so stuck on those questions that she no longer felt the need to move.

Her attention was drawn to loud footsteps entering the hall.

Felix ran in, and Ashe followed a moment later. Separate entrances but almost too perfectly separate. And both looked a bit ruffled and red in the face.

"Did you and Ashe race here?" Annette giggled.

"…yes," Felix said at the same time as Ashe said no.

Annette tried and failed to hold in another giggle as they both walked away from her.

She was still grinning when the Professor rejoined them. She stopped once they explained the situation.

Constance and her friends rushed in right after the Professor finished talking.

"Hm. I'm not going to explain everything again. Find someone who can while we make our way over."

The four split up and Annette stumbled a bit when Constance walked straight to her.

"Annette! What is going on? All that the Professor told us, before rushing off quite brusquely might I add, was that we have to go rescue Mercedes?"

"And Caspar," Constance squinted at her. Maybe they didn't know each other, should she explain him? No, probably best to just explain what's going on. "They went after the Death Knight and we're meeting up with them is the quickest way to explain it!"

"Oh, well that was quite impulsive of them. You are surprisingly calm about this."

Was this another layered insult thing? Like now she was so calm that it seemed like she didn't care about Mercie at all? Well even if it was, Annette felt like there were much more important things to care about right now. And here was someone that Annette knew cared about Mercedes a lot. Maybe they could work together on this?

"Oh I already had time to freak out before you got here." Annette grinned. "And all the extra stress is giving me the energy to walk faster."

"I do hope we arrive swiftly. Not that I doubt that Mercedes is capable of taking care of herself. I simply would like to be there to support her if the need does arise."

"Me too."

"How excellent. I am certain that the entire Empire will cower before our combined might."

Annette maybe had to reconsider some of her opinions on Constance. She had already been stuck on Constance giving her a birthday gift. Now she was complimenting her?

Annette had been meaning to talk to Constance about the gift so maybe this walk was the right time. She opened her mouth just as they arrived outside and Constance's air of confidence vanished.

Constance broke their eye contact and began to slow her pace.

"I must leave your presence."

"I'd like for you to stay."

"I am not deserving of conversation with someone so radiant. I will only cast a dark cloud on the light that is your smile."

"Um thank you I think, but you don't have to like 'deserve' conversation with me. We can just talk to each other because we both want to!"

Constance stared at her for a moment.

"No. You have enough stress today. I will not add to your burdens."

"Isn't it for me to decide if I have enough stress? And you're not a burden!" Annette shouted after Constance as she walked away from her.

Annette was a bit frustrated. She didn't care that Constance was gloomier like this, she felt ready to really give Constance a chance and then Constance decided that Annette didn't want to talk to her?

Annette spent the rest of the walk by herself, distracted from her worries by the thought of how she could get Constance to stop running away from her.

She was brought crashing back to reality when she saw Mercedes and Caspar across the battlefield. With the Death Knight.

The Professor commanded them to split up around the forest. There were other plans involving fliers moving through the forest and people being warped but Annette just focused on doing what she was told.

She found herself battling alongside Constance. Who was an expert at casting spells and taking down enemies, despite what her demeanour would want you to think. Annette made sure to remind her how great she was doing whenever she got the chance.

Eventually they made their way around the forest to see Mercedes standing next to Caspar who had taken down the Death Knight???

Caspar was cheering and holding the Death Knight's scythe as Linhardt approached him to start healing him. Annette felt like she was intruding by watching once she noticed how close they were to each other. Especially because she knew that you did not have to hold someone else's face in your hands to heal them. (Even though that did sound nice.)

Mercedes had a lost look on her face and a Hero's Relic in her hand.

Annette and Constance ran to her and Mercedes smiled at both of them and said that everything was fine.

Annette didn't see much of Constance after that battle. Mercedes made time for both of them but never really the three of them together.

It felt like Constance wanted to be merely polite acquaintances. And if that's what she wanted then Annette was good with that.

At least she no longer felt like she was fighting with her to get Mercie's attention.

It didn't feel like she got to know Constance any better. But she found a new respect for her. It was nice to know that someone else cared for her friend as much as she did. And that respect deepened after they took Fort Merceus.

Annette and Constance both held Mercedes for a long time right after the battle.

And they silently agreed to both be there for her. They'd give her space when she needed. But at least one of them would check on her everyday.

Mercedes kept smiling and kept going on like everything was alright. And they didn't want to upset her by reminding her that it was okay for it to not be alright, so they tried to meet her where she was at.

Mercie wouldn't talk with them about what she'd gone through. So they talked about other things with her.

Some days they'd be in the training grounds for hours. Some days they'd spend the entire day baking sweets. Some days they'd just lie in the grass together.

Mercedes told them that she felt very loved. And Annette knew that this was the kind of love she needed in her life. Not one where she felt like she always needed more from the other person than she was getting. One where it was always present and everyone felt it without having to say it. One where it felt as easy to give as it was to take a breath.

She was glad to have found this kind of love with Mercedes.

It was what kept her going as they marched towards the Empire.

Annette was in a bed but somehow she felt less comfortable than she remembered being moments before. 

"Constance?" she called out instinctively, too tired to question that instinct.

"No. I can go find her if you would prefer?" A polite voice was coming from a blond blob beside her.

"Oh! Your Highness! How are you—whoa!" Annette could see and feel sparkles as she sat up, clearly faster than she should be moving.

"Annette. Please rest. Everyone will be quite glad to hear that you are awake, but I do not wish to bear the news that the first thing you did upon waking was re-injure yourself."

"Sorry, sorry." She leaned her head back against her pillow.

"And to answer your question, I am good. How are you?"

"I think I'm pretty good, as long as I stay still so it doesn't feel like someone put a hundred saunas in my body. But how did things go? Like we obviously won…"

"We did. The Empire has been defeated, I have been crowned King, Dedue found a spice that reminded him of Duscur and he has made some celebratory—"

"Wait what???"

"It is remarkable really, everyone has always enjoyed his cooking but I've heard these meals are beyond—"

"I missed your coronation???"

"I am sorry. It was scheduled quite rapidly. I can reenact it for you sometime if you would like?"

"No, don't apologize. I just wish I could've been there to cheer for you."

"I appreciate that. Truly. And I appreciate you for all the times you have been there to cheer. I am sure that you will hear those words from all of your visitors as soon as they learn that you are awake."

Annette could feel tears forming in her eyes.

"Oh dear. Please do not cry."

"Annie? Are you up?"

"I promise that I did not mean to make her cry," Dimitri said quickly.

"Oh no, what's wrong?" Mercedes frowned as she entered the room.

"His Hi— his Majesty got coronated without me!" Annette hiccuped.

"Oh Annie, I'm sure we can reenact it for you."

"That is what I said," Dimitri said cheerfully.

"It's okay, or I mean actually I do kinda want that, but I'm just sad I missed it and I miss everyone."

"Everyone will be in a rush to visit as soon as they know that you're up," Mercedes said simply, like it was a basic fact.

Annette let out another sob.

"I should go now. Annette, please take care. I will return to visit." Dimitri promised her on his way out.

Mercie sat on the edge of her bed and took one of Annette's hands in both of her own.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Annette sniffled. "It's just I was upset that I had missed so much and then I didn't think that everyone would miss me so much."

"Of course we would."

"And we did it! And I just wanted to help to make everyone happy and safe and I think that's really happening now and I just feel so much when I think about it. I missed everyone. I missed you."

"You were only asleep for a few days."

"No but before that."

"Oh. But we're okay now."

"I know! And I just feel bad thinking about before when I should just be happy now."

"It doesn't have to be that simple."

"Yeah. Things can be bad and happy!" She leaned her head on Mercedes' shoulder. "Thank you. For healing me. And for being my best friend."

"Thank you for being mine." Mercedes leaned into her.

Annette remembered wanting more and more of Mercedes. But maybe she just wanted exactly what she had now.

"I'm sorry, when I was younger I wanted, or I thought I wanted…"

"It's okay," Mercedes said quietly.

Maybe Annette should have tried harder to apologize. Or even just to talk through her previous feelings. But she couldn't ruin this moment. Besides, they've got many more years ahead of them if she decides to bring it up again.

"How are you?" Annette asked.

"Oh, right now I'm just very glad to see you awake and very happy to be by your side."

Not exactly an answer but it was kind at least.

"Aww Mercie. I hope I didn't worry everyone too much."

"I think you worried everyone the right amount. Oh, especially Constance."

"Constance?"

"Yes she's visited you so often that I was shocked that she wasn't the one in the room when you woke up,"

"But why?"

"What do you remember?"

Annette tried to think.

She could remember fog.

The whole world was foggy.

And the battlefield was full of ghosts.

At least they looked like ghosts.

Blurry figures moving just out of her reach.

She wanted to help but found that she didn’t really have the energy to run.

Or stand.

Or move at all.

So she just watched the ghosts.

One ghost kept catching her eye.

It was always surrounded by sparkles.

And the sparkles were getting closer.

They were too bright.

So she closed her eyes.

She could hear a ringing sound.

Some voices.

But they sounded so far away. 

Maybe the ghosts had reached the giant monster.

She was so tired.

But she didn’t want to sleep. 

She wanted to help the ghosts.

Something was touching her shoulder.

She put all her energy into opening her eyes. 

And there was a beautiful ghost in front of her with flowing hair and blue eyes.

Constance.

She looked panicked.

Annette tried to tell her that everything was okay but all that came out of her mouth was a wince. 

Constance was saying something.

But the ringing was too loud.

Annette looked to the hand on her shoulder.

It was glowing. 

She looked back at Constance, who was now focused on her shoulder.

There were pretty sparkles in her eyes.

Annette barely noticed the ringing going away as she stared at Constance. 

"I need … get you … No. I need you … stay … Mercedes was here…" Annette could make out some of the words Constance was saying. 

"Need you, stay," Annette repeated.

"I will not abandon you."

Constance shifted so that Annette was lying in her lap instead of on the ground.

Annette felt comfortable. And cozy and safe. 

The world was still sparkling.

And it made Constance look breathtaking. 

The way the spellfire reflected in her eyes. 

Eyes looking so intently at Annette. 

Annette opened her mouth to thank her, to tell her how pretty her eyes were.

But the sparkles grew and grew until they were all she could see until the world went completely dark. 

And then she had woken up here.

"Um. There was a lot of noise and then there wasn't. And a lot of shadows but then there was one. And I felt safe with it."

"That was Constance. You took a big hit from an axe but Constance noticed you fall. She took out the soldier and rushed to you. And she healed you enough to stabilize you."

Constance had been nowhere near Annette when she had gone down so she must have fought her way to Annette while maintaining the strength to heal her and protect them both. 

She really was an impressive woman.

Annette was drawn away from her thoughts of Constance by the somber look on her best friend's face.

"Mercie?"

"Annie. I was so worried I'd have to say goodbye to you right after I just got you back. I'm glad you're still here."

Annette couldn't help but feel guilty for worrying Mercedes so soon after she had just lost someone else. But a larger part of her was just grateful that she could still be here to feel that guilt.

"I'm glad I'm here too."

Annette was finally cleared to leave the infirmary after a few days of rest. Which was good because she didn't think she could spend another day stuck in bed. The only thing that kept her from complete boredom was when someone would visit. And a lot of someones did end up visiting!

Caspar gave her some tips on how to retrain her muscles once she was back out of bed while Linhardt read a book from her bedside.

Mercedes returned many times to share candy and conversation. She talked about her plans to stay at Garreg Mach but that she'd visit Annette wherever she ended up.

Dorothea brought her some old opera sheet music that she had found lying around (although it looked to be in excellent condition).

Ignatz confessed to her that he was planning to travel to live out his dream as a painter, not a knight.

Ingrid confessed to her that she was planning to live out her dream as a knight.

Dimitri somehow kept finding time in his busy schedule to come visit her.

Dedue would bring her flowers from the greenhouse and just sit with her. The silence was better with him there.

Sylvain brought some old textbooks he had found and chatted with her about his plans for Gautier.

Her father visited. Annette felt her heart stop when he said that he would stay a knight, but it picked up again when he told her of his plans to visit. They spent a whole afternoon getting to know each other, catching up on the time that they had missed out on.

Ashe and Felix visited together. Annette had to force herself not to stare at how close together they were standing. The two weren't visibly affectionate, either physically or verbally, but there was an intensity in the way that they stared at each other that made Annette question whether or not she should leave the room. (She couldn't. She wasn't allowed to). Both had inheritances that they had to return home for but planned to reunite once everything was figured out. Ashe compared them to characters from one of his books and Felix scoffed, but Annette had never seen Felix look at anyone or anything with that much fondness in his eyes.

The Ashen Wolves (Blue Lions? former Ashen Wolves? Or did everyone count as a former Blue Lion now since they were no longer in school?) sent a basket of fruit. She only knew who it was from because of the card in the basket with short messages from everyone but Constance, who had taken up most of the card with her writing.

Constance visited once.

"Annette! You are alright," Constance said once she noticed Annette waking up from a nap.

"All thanks to you I hear." Annette smiled at the woman sitting by her bed.

"While I do not believe in diminishing my own accomplishments, I must insist that it was Mercedes who did most of your healing."

"Oh I've already thanked Mercedes. But really Constance, if you hadn't been there for me..."

"Truly I was doing what any of our allies would have done if they had been able to."

"But you were the one to do it. Thank you so so much!" Annette hoped Constance could sense her gratitude through her smile.

Constance stood up very quickly and walked towards the door.

"I am unbelievably fortunate to have been able to aid you. I do not currently have the time or the words to express this fortune, although you can read a small sample in the card that you received. I—"

Constance left without finishing her sentence.

Constance never returned to visit. Annette would be lying if part of her didn't hope to see Constance every time she heard footsteps outside the infirmary. She wanted to make sure Constance understood how grateful she was. And maybe Annette did feel safer now when she was around.

She hoped that Constance wasn't upset with her. She couldn't really think of a reason why, but Constance had left very suddenly when she visited. But Annette felt like they had been getting along recently. Maybe they weren't the closest of friends yet but they were more than just allies. More than polite acquaintances. And there was the potential for them to be even closer friends.

Annette was thinking of Constance when she left the infirmary.

She was also thinking that she didn't know where she should go now.

In the specific sense of not knowing where in the monastery she could go right now, yes. But also in the broader sense that she didn't know what she was planning to do with her life now.

So she just wandered. It felt nice to walk again. And the whole monastery was cast in a peaceful light now. She no longer felt weighed down by the dread of the past. She just felt lifted by hope for the future.

She ended up returning to their old classroom.

And saw light inside? She poked her head around the door and saw a wonderful display of colours and lights and sparkles.

She tried to walk in stealthily to get a better view but her foot got caught on the door and she stumbled through the doorway.

"Annette?" a familiar voice asked.

"I'm good!" Annette dusted herself off as she stood back up.

Constance was at the front of the room. The lights had stopped. Constance stood still while Annette tried to follow the itch in the back of her mind.

Something was familiar about that magic.

"My apologies. I was not aware how distracting I was being. Please feel free to continue on with whatever it is you were doing."

"That was all you?" Annette was impressed.

Constance looked torn between shying away and puffing her chest out with pride.

"It was but a sample of some research that I've been pursuing."

The second one won out.

"I…I think I've seen it before…wait…yes I have! In this classroom! Before the war!" Annette realized why that part of her brain had been so itchy. It was a memory trying to get her attention.

"I am impressed you recognized it. Your memory serves you well. It is a creation of mine that I’ve been perfecting for many years. I had not yet planned for it to receive an audience."

"How did you even start to discover this?"

"It began as a way to draw attention. I assumed that if my hair could change colour then it could be made to sparkle as well. And who would not find their eye drawn to someone with such exquisite hair? So I created that spell and then I became curious as to what else I could make sparkle. I attempted to use it on skin which was successful but impermanent. It worked that same way with flowers as well. Then I was struck by the thought of using it to modify the appearance of spellwork itself. Everyone on a battlefield would be impressed by someone with such beautiful spells. This took some trial and admittedly some error. But it lead to my discovery that it was possible to change the colour of a spell too. Tactically, I felt this could be useful if one wished to disguise what spell they were casting. Or if one had a favourite colour."

Annette couldn't find anything to say even though her brain was bursting with thoughts.

"It also increased my understanding of the core of the basic spells we learn. I focused on this over the time we were all separated. But when I returned I found that I gradually had less control of the colours. I noticed my spells were appearing in colours that I was not choosing. They turned orange. They turned blue. This set me back in my research since I could not determine what was causing this change of colour. Eventually I noticed that they were being influenced by my emotions, no matter how logically I tried to change them. Which has lead me to my current bout of research. Which does branch out into several projects. How much of magic is emotion-based rather than logic-based? And is it possible to use one over the other? Can one logic her way through Faith for example? Are these emotions changing the spells' effect or just their appearance? Are the spells now just emotions made visible, and if so what else could be made visible? I thought of music and I made a trial in choir practice once but one time was not enough to truly test it out. How powerful must an emotion be for it to influence my magic?"

Constance cast a spell and was surrounded by orange light. The magic lit up the entire classroom and cast sparkles all along the walls. She cast another spell and a blue breeze blew through the room.

"I know my magic and my will to be quite powerful. So I had to face these feelings and their power. And Annette, I would like to invite you to be my research partner moving forward."

"What? Me? Why? Not that I'm not super flattered and also super curious about all of this but oh wow…"

She trailed off as Constance moved towards her and gestured for the colours to surround Annette.

And Annette couldn't help but notice how similarly coloured the magic was to her hair and her eyes.

She looked back to see Constance bathed in a beautiful pink light.

"Constance…"

"Pink appears when I focus on the feeling itself. I understand that this is overwhelming. I was not planning on presenting the might of my feelings to you for a long time. But then you walked in and I couldn't control it. And I would like for you to be my research partner. If that is all that you wish for then that is all we shall be. And I believe that our findings will be magnificent and glory will follow us wherever we go."

"…I thought you hated me."

"What? I never hated you."

"But when we first met, you were so hard to talk to."

"Ah, yes. I was a bit nervous meeting someone so important to my friend. And I might have…overcompensated."

"And every time after that?"

"I wanted your attention. But I didn't know how to casually approach you."

"So you were showing off?"

"Less showing off and more just displaying my talents in a way that I hoped you'd notice."

"I did notice. And I thought you were trying to show me up!"

"No, I just enjoyed being noticed by you. You give excellent compliments."

"You give nice gifts!"

"Oh, the bear. Yes, that is when I was fully struck by my feelings. They were hard to deny when they were staring back at me from a toy that looked just like you."

"Oh yeah it totally did." Annette realized.

"Much like those feelings, you are hard to ignore, Annette. You are someone who can match me in accomplishments and keep up with me in discussions. I never imagined myself willing to share my research with someone. But when I picture myself restoring my house, it is with you by my side. As a research partner."

"Could it be as more?"

"If that is what you want?"

"Is that what you want?"

Constance stared at her and gestured at the pink light surrounding them, which had begun to glow even brighter.

Annette stared back. Constance really was beautiful. And talented. And smart. And interesting. And she liked Annette!

Annette was amazed that there was someone who had noticed her all these years. Who saw her stumble and fall and still looked at her the way Constance was right now. Who wanted to share something so fascinating with Annette.

"I want that too. To be your research partner. And your partner partner. But I should say that I've never really done that before! Had a partner or um anything really. Just some crushes."

The entire classroom was now lit with pink light.

"Oh. I must admit that I have the same experience." Constance blushed. "I am uncertain of what exactly we should do now as partners but may I suggest a hug?"

"You may."

They stepped towards each other and reached out. Annette felt like it was a nice hug, despite how awkward it was at the start. Annette leaned her head on Constance's shoulder with her arms around Constance's waist. Constance held back tightly. Annette tried not to be nervous thinking about how this was the closest she'd ever been to someone in a not-friend way. But it felt nice enough that her nerves faded away. It felt like the kind of hug that she could look forward to having over and over again.

Annette almost laughed at the idea of going back in time to tell her past self whose arms she was in. Even just going back to before she entered this room would be funny enough. Looking back, Annette had to admit to always being focused on Constance more than she would focus on an acquaintance. And Constance had confessed to being focused on her.

"I know that I do not have a lot to offer at this moment. But I know that one day I will surpass my former glory and I hope you will remain with me to see it through." Constance spoke solemnly over her head.

"Um you have so much to offer." She tilted her face towards Constance's neck. "You're literally one of the most interesting people I've ever met and I know that you know that. Also you've made these amazing discoveries that could take you far on your own and you want to share that with me. I had no clue what to do with myself and now you've promised me a future full of excitement and magic."

"I really do enjoy your praise. And it helps that it comes from someone so lovely." Constance pulled back to look at her while holding her hands. Annette felt herself blush but couldn't even think of shying away from having someone really look at her.

"Where do you want to start?"

"There might be some remaining resources here. I've mostly explored the shadow library so we could take the time to see if anything up here is helpful. Then I would like to eventually return to the School of Sorcery. The resources there are invaluable. After that, I suppose it depends on what we discover. There's a whole world of discoveries to explore."

"I need to go start saying goodbye to everyone! Can I tell them about us?"she squeezed Constance's hands.

"There is no rush to leave. I would like to talk with Mercedes before we do. I have consulted her with some of my research over the years. And I know she plans to stay here but I am hopeful that she will still be open to sharing her thoughts."

"She will."

It was funny. Annette almost expected to feel jealous of Constance talking about Mercie like how she used to feel jealous about Mercie talking about Constance. Instead she just felt happy.

Packing up her room was now an exciting thought. She had something to actually pack for!

Speaking of her room…

"Did you ever figure out that spell to remove glitter?" Annette asked.

"I did," Constance said with a small smile.

"Great! My carpet really needs it. You made some long-lasting stuff."

"You're lucky that I felt inspired to perfect the spell after our first meeting."

Annette certainly felt lucky as she walked hand in hand with Constance towards their future.