A Trust Earned/Lethe: Gallia's Valkyrie


Ranulf	I can't say I expected you to accept taking orders from our new beorc friends so easily, Lethe.
And what's that supposed to mean?		Lethe
Ranulf	Well, before you'd say things like, "Why should I help beorc that can't even help themselves?" I just expected you to be more bristled by the situation...
Th-that was in the past! Things are different now, so my attitude about it is different too. Besides, my king commanded our cooperation. I will not question his decision.		Lethe
Ranulf	Hmm... I see... So you really have mellowed out, then, haven't you?
Wh-what?! A-are you making fun of me or something?		Lethe
Sharena	Sooo...what was Lethe like before, Ranulf? Sounds like she was pretty different before...so I'm curious!
Huh? Where did y— It was too long ago to remember clearly! That's all you need to know!		Lethe
Sharena	Ah! Wait—Lethe! She sure left in a hurry... You don't think she's mad at me, do you?
No... I don't think she's really mad... I think she's just embarrassed about some things in her past. She was young...and brash. And now I think she regrets some of the things she said and did. She's not the type to admit that, of course—that's just how she is. She's not always easy to get along with...		Ranulf
Sharena	Well, I'm still going to try! Getting along with people from other worlds is kind of our specialty, after all.


Sharena	Now...let the Get to Know Lethe Tea Party commence!
...		Lethe
Fjorm	I prepared some tea made with Askran fruit. I hope you like it.
...		Lethe
Fjorm	Oh! I apologize... Are we being inconsiderate? Would you rather go hunting than sip tea together?
N-no... But I...appreciate you asking. This just isn't the type of thing I'm used to, so...excuse my confusion.		Lethe
Sharena	Well, the snacks are a good place to start! I brought a bunch—and I baked the muffins myself. Try some! Oh, and by the way, feel free to call me Sharena... No need for formalities with me!
And just Fjorm will suit me. My place as a member of the Order of Heroes is more important than my title.		Fjorm
Lethe	You two are...strange. Even though I know you're royal, you're...different. More...friendly than I'm used to.
I get that a lot!		Sharena
Lethe	When you two see our differences— our tails and ears—you're not afraid?
No! Of course not! I think they're great!		Sharena
Fjorm	I agree. Seeing your tail swish back and forth always manages to put a smile on my face...
Yeah! And your ears are cute too, Lethe! I love them!		Sharena
Lethe	You're both...very kind. So...can we drink this tea already. And also...can you teach me more about Askr?
I'd be happy to. But first...can I pour your tea for you?		Sharena


Lethe	Can I ask you something, Sharena?
Oh, hi, Lethe! You can ask me anything you want.		Sharena
Lethe	You all find it easy to make friends with those who are different from you...without hate or fear... Regardless of the facts of a person's life, you value them for who they are. I used to think whether someone was a laguz or a beorc decided if I considered them my enemy. I didn't need to meet them, let alone get to know them, to make my decision.
...		Sharena
Lethe	There is a long, terrible history between the laguz and beorc where I'm from... We couldn't accept each other, and were always feuding over who should rightfully rule the other... Our king, King Caineghis, finally put a stop to the cycle of hatred, and looked for a peaceful way forward... But even then, hatred for beorc still lived in my heart.
Ah. So, that must be the younger Lethe who Ranulf was talking about.		Sharena
Lethe	Yes. But...I'm not like that anymore. Now I see we're all different in some way. If there are beorc worth hating, some must be worth trusting too. Only a fool—like my younger self— could believe someone's race determines their value. Having learned that lesson, it became much easier to share my king's vision of peace between beorc and laguz.


Fjorm	Lethe, I was unable to thank you for your help earlier... Without you, I would have been in real trouble.
No thanks necessary, Fjorm. We laguz have a natural advantage when it comes to moving across a battlefield! And if we can rely on each other's strengths, we'll be much stronger. Isn't that right, Sharena?		Lethe
Sharena	That's right! By using the abilities that make us strong as individuals, we'll grow stronger as a whole!
I think I'm realizing what it was my ancestors were missing... They didn't know how to trust. They couldn't see past a person's bloodline or the facts of their birth. I owe you Askrans for helping me realize that.		Lethe
Fjorm	Hmm... Something like that, that can't be seen or touched, is more precious than any gem. I, too, owe Askr my gratitude. Mine is...a great debt that I can never repay. Even so, I will strive to give whatever and however I can—not as a princess, but as a friend.
Aw, you two...		Sharena
Lethe	Sharena, let me devote my fangs and claws to your cause. It's the only way I know how to show I trust you, so...please. Let me fight at your side.
Of course, Lethe! And I'm happy to hear you feel you can trust us. That warms my heart.		Sharena
Lethe	And once the dust clears, maybe we can...have another tea party? I liked the last one more than I expected...
Yes! Consider it done!		Sharena