style_bringer | You change when you get in that van.

You change when you get in that van.

[Fortuna was off-limits as far as vacations went. Aside from it being the source of some of Nero's worst memories, it was in utter disrepair, only accessible through small boats. London? Still intact, even aside from the catastrophes he and Lucina averted. There were plenty of boroughs that hadn't fallen prey to demons but he doubted small family parks wouldn't be interesting enough when it came to people that spent a great deal of their time in a breathtaking, gorgeous country-side and idyllic ivory castle.

Their introduction to his garage was anything but impressive, greeted by Nico who had thrown a demon's corpse on a tarp only to be caught hacking through it when everyone made their way through the portal. So, Lucina's family had been seated in various parts of the living room while Nero set about to making several pots of coffee. Coffee, breakfast, then plans for the day. That was what they agreed on.

Nico, washing her hands in the sink he used to wash vegetables, grinned at him cruelly as he set aside a lot of mugs and started ripping open packs of coffee grounds. He kept reminding himself that it was going to be one of the happiest days of his life just to know he had everything he needed to keep Ylisse and Earth connected on his own, guaranteeing he and Lucina would never lose one another that same way--but it fell short when Nico bumped his shoulder and chuckled to get him riled up.]

Good thing you got nothing but mugs instead of glassware like a normal fella.

Can it.

Pretty handy that you're gettin' paid in groceries too, huh?

Go to hell, Nico!

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[Just when he had the sudden demon of self-doubt rear its ugly head and assure him that he was not a tour guide, Lucina touched his hand and put a halt to it. His eyes widened, staring ahead at traffic without deviating even if he wanted to throw a smile her way. Inward, he added another tally to the board in Lucina's favor along with the thousands of other positives she highlighted any time she tried to reduce some burden or another on his shoulders.

Really--it was just making his plan all the more worthwhile to keep a secret.

Once they were on an easier street to navigate, he stopped holding his breath. For a moment, he'd caught sight of Sully and Chrom in the one of the mirrors trying to make sense of a thing or two with Lucina's help and, just briefly, he seemed to relax a little more. Sometimes he realized they really weren't that far apart in age which, when it stopped being an existential question, was something of a relief. Those two had a lot to think about and maybe it was a break to be confused about something with low stakes rather than high stakes?

That aside, he focused just in time to brake without tossing everyone over and stop in a jumbo spot reserved for buses.]

Oh, holy--jackpot, this space ain't ever available!

Oh!

[how nice! usually it's somewhere on a sidewalk or across multiple of those striped spaces...yards and yards away from anything.

or at the top of one of those cars-only buildings!

regardless, if Nero sees this as a win, so shall Lucina; she withdraws her hands to her belt before double-taking to be sure he's turning the whole machine off.]

Are we getting out here, then? [is it time to disentangle parents from their own safety restraints?]

[With a 'click', he tossed off his seatbelt and stretched his arms over his head. Like a dummy, he hadn't adjusted the seat since Nico last drove it--leaving him rubbing the back of his neck before giving Lucina the usual nod to let her know the death machine was safely subdued.

Still, it was a heavy thing--so he grabbed a cinderblock from between the seats as he swung the door open.]

Yup, we're good to go. I'm gonna make sure this thing doesn't move an inch while we're out. [Without missing a beat, he gave pause and peeked above the seat at Lucina, hushing his voice just a little bit.]

Psst. Lucy-- Do they like spicy food?

Hm-?

[she's half-out the door when he flags for her, prompting Lucina to lean back in. it takes a second for the question to register.

spicy food?]

Oh--well... [...

...

hang on. do they? she realizes she can't recall right away; for as close to near a shadow as she'd been to Chrom during the war years, she can't say she recalls any asks for a kick to a stew or him doubling over from too much seasoning...]

I don't think either of them are that picky, honestly. I imagine it would be fine?

[unless she's accidentally setting them up for pain. but that doesn't seem likely to her - they're great warriors! iron wills...iron stomachs?

she nods.] Yes, I think spicy food is fine.

[and that's that! she hops out of the van and moves to pull open the rear door, finding seat belts unbuckled - just negotiating getting them free from being snagged on assorted belts or ornamentations. the trials of casually ornate styles of dress, truly.

with a laugh:] Mother, wait! Don't just tear the belt off! Here, I'll help--

[with a bit of patience and some grumbling, the Exalt and Queen are freed from the van, able to shade their eyes and peer around the area, exchanging curious looks with the curious passers-by. clearly this must be some media stunt or promotion for a new theater production of some sort, right? anything for some free social media engagement these days...]

Ooh, alright, that opens up the options a bit!

[With a 'thunk', he dropped their makeshift 'extra brake' behind the rear wheel of the van and started walking around to the other side of the van while fishing through his pocket for his phone. He could hear the rattle of seatbelts and Lucina's voice coming. He'd paused at the door, hesitating if only because he wasn't quite sure if Sully was unhappy at first... slowly popping out from the side when he realized he'd heard some laughter.

Pressing with his foot, he unfolded the steps for everyone to step out and pushed them right back in once they were back on their own two feet. The door to the van shut, he'd turned on his phone to glance at the screen and confirm, for the 100th time that day, that the appointment was scheduled. When he'd looked up and seen there were people glancing among them--he took a deep breath and aired out an irritated sigh.] Your parents never taught you that it's rude to stare? C'mon.

[At the very least, it was enough to get foot traffic to continue alone with nary a threat and more than enough to bring a smile to his face for Lucina and his in-laws. Confidence. All he had to do was muster a bit of that demon-stabbing confidence he was so good at--] Alright, so...

Let's go check out some stores. You ever tell them about the sporting goods place we chased that Judecca through?

Oh-- I forgot about that! Wasn't there a little...mountain sculpture in there? With all the fishing things? It was very elaborate. [and tacky as hell. Lucina loved it, obviously.

though thinking about that shop makes her think about the silly little fencing foils, which then makes her think about her and her parents' not-silly-at-all equipment...and it gives her a little startle and cause to ask in a whisper:] Will there be trouble going in places armed? Now that there's more of us?

[it could set a bad example!

...but also she'd die before asking her parents to relinquish their weapons just to walk into a department store.]

Oh, yeah. I think the fountain part of it was busted but they fixed the plumbing the last time I went in.

[He could vividly remember trying his best to kick demons around it since she'd complimented the design... though, it wasn't as if they could express their appreciation to the guy who sculpted it since he was pretty sure the placard 'MAR CO PRODUCTION' on the side of it wasn't a person's name.]

The little fish sculptures even shoot water out of their mouths now. [He'd said that part with a hush and a smile, expecting a request for a detour to come right away. At that, he laughed a little low, trying not to draw too much attention.]

Hey, it's okay! They're probably gonna get compliments... and, I just get bugged about it 'cause I look like a bum.

[Leaning back, he raised a hand and gestured with a little wave to grab Chrom and Sully's attention.]

Oh, yeah. I think the fountain part of it was busted but they fixed the plumbing the last time I went in.

[He could vividly remember trying his best to kick demons around it since she'd complimented the design... though, it wasn't as if they could express their appreciation to the guy who sculpted it since he was pretty sure the placard 'MAR CO PRODUCTION' on the side of it wasn't a person's name.]

The little fish sculptures even shoot water out of their mouths now. [He'd said that part with a hush and a smile, expecting a request for a detour to come right away. At that, he laughed a little low, trying not to draw too much attention.]

I think we're okay. They're probably gonna get compliments. I just get bugged about it 'cause I look like a bum. [He added, a little more humor injected in--] For now, let's just wander until they see something they think is cool. If nothing grabs 'em, I've got a hail mary I could toss up.

[though Lucina's eyes brighten with delight at the notion of new upgrades to the sculpture, she keeps mum on it as she hears her parents striding up beside them.

'We're gonna stick out like sore thumbs the whole time, huh?' Sully muses, hands on her hips as she looks around at the street.

'Unless we don the local style of attire,' Chrom says, gesturing toward some folks waiting at the crosswalk.

'I dunno...some of those shoes look impossible.'

Lucina stifles a want to laugh, hearing familiar tones to when she went shopping with her mother back in Ylisstol.]

[Nonchalant as he might have seemed(for once), Nero was putting his all into searching every nook and cranny of those storefronts for something interesting to grab their attention... yet, the novelty of being somewhere new would likely have been enough.

He'd listened to Sully and Chrom with a growing smile before crossing his arms and tilting his chin down the street.]

C'mon, at least you both look classy. I woulda worn a suit but I wasn't sure if my clothes woulda made it the first time the gate actually opened--

[Before he could dwell any longer on that, he stopped and lifted a hand to point at a store display. A floral scent carried out, numerous mannequins on display. Modern fashion and... a set of golf clubs. Table-top gaming sets. For the life of him, it was a regular outlet store and not a thrift store for once.]

I wanna pick up a pack of gum but it couldn't hurt to take a look and see if you like anything on display? [Strangely, he was making an effort to avoid glancing at a sign close to the door that read 'Family Portraits'. Just casually... he needed to make sure that appointment was still on.]

[Lucina is quick to jump in, lest the others be too reluctant to commit:] You should see! There's so much! And so different! It's not all tailor-made, instead made in immense bulk and in so many different colors and patterns.

[she'll squeeze in-between them and take a hand each to pull them along, following Nero.]

You can get things tailored, but that's not how most people do it here. People work around it themselves in different ways, and it can be so creative! [or so heinous. but she loves both outcomes, so it's hardly a bother.]

Uh.

[When he turned to glance back their way, he couldn't help but notice Lucina dragging Chrom and Sully along in their bewilderment with excited confidence and, admittedly, an intimidating sort of decisiveness he couldn't quite imagine anyone imitating.

To his soon-to-be father and mother-in-laws, Lucina was a compelling show of force. Maybe that would make the picture go more smoothly...?]

Oh, yeah. I'm not really into all those chic styles they dress mannequins up in but if it's in front of a window then it's pretty popular? [The question lingering on his voice drifted along as he murmured something to the cashier and slid over a pack of gum. Dante might have employed some smooth story to distract everyone smoothly but the best he could manage was a stern glare in that guy's direction before he muttered his name to him.]

[somehow, Chrom is able to find himself free of Lucina's clutches; she needs a free hand to grasp at a particularly egregious dress pattern while the other one hangs onto Sully to keep her upright in spite of psychic aesthetic damage. the exalt backsteps closer toward Nero, though his eyes remain on the girls.

"She's really taken to things here, hasn't she?" his tone is quiet, just for Nero's ears. "Delighting in it. Without treating herself like an imposition."

unlike back home, where that shadow of being a temporal stranger still looms behind her no matter how many times Chrom has tried to push it back, insistent on proving her worth and value in being there herself as she is.

"She's...happy, right?" and hopefully not apologetic about it, the way she sometimes was. she seems that way right now, a laugh in her voice as she reassures Sully that yes some of these come in just plain colors.]

[Nero wasn't quite the type to break into a cold sweat and yet that moment of isolation between the men and the women was something that drew him dreadfully close to that feeling. It was the first step that he hadn't noticed but the next that had him close enough to whisper that was more than enough to remind him that Chrom was Lucina's father in a more concrete way than the usual.

It wasn't a forceful tone at all but something laced in concern that made him take it so much more seriously. At first, he'd opened his mouth to answer quickly.]

Oh, yeah, she's been... [It only took a moment for him to peek over his shoulder to Lucina right as he could see her putting her mother's love to good use in keeping her still for a stunningly jubilant test of patience and... the flexibility of color choice. He swallowed the next word that came out and answered simply. It wasn't likely the exact thing Chrom hoped to hear but it had to have been the most hopeful.]

...Excited. She likes talking about what we'll do tomorrow and the day after that. [Pulling open the tab to slide out a piece of gum, he offered Chrom one--right before unfolding one of his own. Right before he popped that piece in his mouth, he stopped himself. There was an important detail.] You don't eat it--just chew it.

[in all fairness, all that timey-wimey shit really blurred the conception of parent and child in their respects; Chrom looks more like an older brother to her, given their narrow gap in age, and Sully more a friend than family at a glance. it'd probably be weird to any passers-by to hear Lucina utter 'mother' or 'father' at either of them, especially with her own casual sincerity and lack of awareness of optics about it.

that won't change how they've determined to see each other, though, and Chrom may still be raising a toddler in Ylisse, but he's linked that little life to the one he's watched scrape and salvage a future for herself in a time she wasn't born for.

hence part of his misgivings about losing her: she had worked so hard to save the echo of what she'd lost, but did she truly not feel like she belonged? was he not assuring enough? was he a bad father?

inklings of those troubles are interrupted by the offering, prompting a double-take before a mumbled thanks and acceptance. instead of eating it right away, Chrom just holds onto the piece, his eyes back on those girls he adores.

excited...for tomorrow. not dreading the next step in war or recovery. not skirting away from attention when the littler Lucina was up and attem.

"And she...knew about this place the whole time? Or at least back before Grima."

why could she not have fled here and spared herself the war in his own time?]

[It wasn't that Lucina had been an easy person to understand but he'd known her for so long that there were bits and pieces of her that seemed so natural for him to read that he simply couldn't misinterpret them. In Chrom, there were a few of those pieces and, where things were missing, he felt inclined to assume the rest were from Sully everyone she'd fought alongside. There was a silent intensity about the way Chrom looked to his daughter and wife that couldn't be mistaken.

That was more than enough to help him think through an answer that he hoped would at least make him feel better about whatever was digging under his skin. From the depths of his chest, he sighed and offered something rather plain.]

Yeah, course... we talked about kids' stuff. I used to fantasize about finding a way to meet her and becoming a knight like Credo.

[Or so he'd promised to the broken shards of that mirror. Touching his chin, he'd scratched at his cheek and squinted a bit as he'd watched Lucina grab another item from the rack that gave Sully pause. Ah. It was more than enough to wrestle a grin from him just to see her that happy without any hope of complication.]

She liked me talking about the books I collected but... I was pretty awful about explaining what was going on in them. Not the strongest story-teller, as you can tell, but I think she was excited because I was.

[it's a relief to hear there was some hope spot in those darker years; Chrom can't help but feel he owes Nero for that - being present for when he couldn't be. or at least, when future-past him couldn't.

...it's confusing.

"I don't think I've seen her this excited in such a long time. Even with the reconstruction efforts and the joy of being able to rehome people..."

obviously this is different: it's personal! it's a happiness just for her, not shared with anyone else - even herself.

Chrom, still not having done a damn thing with that stick of gum, smiles lopsidedly down at Nero - giving very much pleasant dog energy.

"And I owe that to you, it seems." not that Sully would ever cough that up so soon, so of course it's up to Chrom.]

[Nero spent a lot of time trying to think of ways to keep Lucina interested in his world but there were parts of it that couldn't make up for her family and her efforts. He wasn't sure if she'd be happy to hear how much work he'd taken on just to give Nico the stuff she needed to keep their half of the portal open for as long as one feasibly could but...

He wanted to be irritated with Chrom's insistent kindness and act like he had something stuck in his craw after he'd been so direct and heartfelt with him but it was downright impossible. Nero's lips thinned unhappily in his failed efforts.]

Listen. You're family. [Though he wanted to tiptoe around Sully, Chrom was another story entirely. He could see in Lucina where those puppy dog eyes came from and he meant to make sure they'd always be bright and sunny and her suspiciously young father wasn't getting off lightly.

Evidently, it needed to be repeated almost hourly that Nero would bend over backwards for her.]

You don't owe me anything, so... you need something? All you gotta do is ask.

[automatically, as though pre-scripted: "Likewise, naturally."

Nero just narrowly evades one of those chummy, dadlike shoulder-thumps thanks to the girls returning - Lucina still bright-eyed but with a tinge of apology in her smile, Sully still...Sully. but her daughter's delight naturally softens her edges, even if she'll still puff right back up and prickle if she were to catch anyone look even remotely endeared by it right now.]

It's a little like before - when you showed me this place first? What'd you call it? "Choice paralysis," or something?

[Sully points out that she's not paralyzed, just...not interested in having to go through that whole fitting-room dance that is apparently the norm with this system. this is why tailors matter, people!]

[Rapid-fire, Nero found himself blinking rapidly when Lucina led Sully back to them, their pack reforming in short order. His eyes were a little glassy, fixed on Lucina's eyes as if understanding that glancing to her right would have ended poorly.

Especially given her choice of words.]

Oh, yeah, that's normal. There's a lot to pick from, huh?

[There was strain in that smile of his, as if he were teetering right beside the open mouth of a chasm and Sully were the one poised behind him. It was a test. Would this be the first purchase of the day or...?] Did you... find anything you wanted to ring up?

[Sully says no just as Lucina says] Yes!

[she hands over a scarf with a garish patterning and color combination while Sully licks her tongue against her teeth.]

It's simple enough and easy to carry along with you back to Ylisse! Maybe it'll inspire artisans there.

[Sully prays not, but she nods anyway, accepting her fate.]

[The sobering clash between Sully, Lucina, and the scarf left him briefly stunned. When all hands were drawn, Lucina's enthusiasm was destined to win out and, whether it was wisdom or luck, Nero knew not to meet Sully's eyes once the scarf was laid in his waiting hands. Instead, he weighed the scarf in his hand and half-turned to the register.]

Portability isn't a big issue since the gate is pretty wide now.

[Believe it or not, he'd been trying to temper things down as he was convinced there was a way to settle Sully's nerves and let Lucina do what she'd liked to treat her mother. As the cashier snapped the code on the scarf, Nero swiped his card and made it a deal.]

You can put together an outfit, right? Might take a couple of stores.

["Is the plan to saddle us up with a buncha stuff to haul back to Ylisse?" Sully asks, eyebrow cocked, her attention splitting between the transaction and Nero himself. what happened. where are the coins. how the fuck does this country work.

Lucina takes the now-bagged scarf, keen to carry it along lest it somehow get lost along the way.]

Only if you like them. [like this scarf!! obviously.] Only if...if they'll make you remember this place fondly.

[because she'd like that. she'd like them to walk away from this city, this world, and feel like she's chosen well. that they can trust her to have made the right call. their disapproval wouldn't make her change her mind, but...but having their approval and being able to go back and know that their daughter is fine is...it means a lot.

Chrom smiles affably, offsetting his wife's natural reservations. "I think it's worth looking around. We're at your mercy, after all."]

[Blinking rapidly, Nero tried to put together why using his scruffy-looking debit card earned such a stern look from Sully only to have Lucina spare them both that brief rigamarole of explaining the internet. He wanted to avoid that chat at all costs, really, especially given how he barely understood how television signals worked.

What he'd noticed, per the usual, had been that Chrom and Sully were truly and utterly held at the whim of their affection for their daughter. The thought alone made his throat tight.]

Hey, it's gotta be fun to be tourists once in a while. [Though, as they left the store and Nero shoved his mysterious wallet back in his pocket, he was quick to grin.]

Besides, you guys are gonna love the sporting goods store.

[introducing these two to gun hunting might be the worst idea, but thankfully...this is London. that's not happening today. everyone can relax, no yees will be hawed.

Chrom offers a lighthearted concession: "It's not often we get to travel somewhere when it's not for diplomacy or to clear out bandits...so I guess we're just rusty in this regard."

"Who's rusty?!" Sully scoffs, indignant, snatching the bagged item to carry herself, starting to stomp ahead to almost outpace Nero...before slowing so he can be first. she has no fucking idea where she's going, also she might walk into traffic if she does that.

Lucina smothers a laugh, having had to sidle up against Nero to get out of her mother's way, and is content to hang onto his arm for a bit longer while the pace is reset.]

A Shepherd's work is never done...except when they're suddenly on vacation? Or...or would it be better to call it a scouting mission? [her smile is a sheepish wince when Sully makes a face.] Right. Maybe that's patronizing...

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behold my overabundance of confidence

imagine coming back to the van getting towed lmfao

they'll be spared what with the inevitable surprise demon attack in the script

finally a force strong enough to level a target superstore

Re: finally a force strong enough to level a target superstore

Re: finally a force strong enough to level a target superstore

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not me losing this in my inbox 😭

DX screams i was so confident the bs was done

nauuurrrrrrrr...i wish better days for u

It got better with the holiday, tyyyy... Less coughing uu

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