Once upon a time, hungry and stranded from Jerry who went was invited by a client who was happy with their work, Billy ended up near a giant bird's nest and saw an egg, there. Taking it back to the camp, they tried to cook it, but faced with the jeers from the mercenary group (what is the captain's child doing? They're so weird.) they stopped, and ate an apple instead.
Feeling more supported in Garreg Mach, they bring a giant bird's egg to Rhea, asking her if it's alright to cook it. She nods a bit too fast, she remembers an old dish from her childhood with giant eggs!
Sadly, Rhea having been a child "back then", she doesn't know how to cook it - the omelette tastes good enough for Billy who's happy to eat their "giant egg", but Rhea says it doesn't taste like what she used to eat at home. A bit upset, she realises she remembers the taste of the dish, but never learnt how to cook it.
So, as usual, she asks Seteth.
He looks at her, then at Byleth, then sighs. No, he didn't cook either back then, he just remember one of their brothers - who became Thyrsus - doing something with herbs and pots of spices that smelt good.
Billy doesn't understand why they're so upset, Seteth merely tells them it's a taste of the home they lost, they can remember it, but never find it again.
Feeling bad for them, Billy tries to cook several omelettes.
Seteth and Rhea taste them all, and while they thank Billy, they say it's not the same. But Billy's not discouraged, they want to make, and eat, the famous omelette that "tastes like home".
Supreme Leader's war happens and Billy, during their times off still make omelettes, or look for recipes and ideas of what they haven't yet done. They say when the world will be at peace and Rhea will return, they will surprise her with an omelette that "tastes like home".
Meeting Indech during the campaign, they ask them, and Indech tells them to grind Zanado rocks in thin powder and sprinkle it on the omelette, it will taste better.
Billy does it, and Seteth asks them what the hell did they put in that omelette. Flayn sighs, telling Billy to never listen to "Uncle" because what he finds fun isn't what anyone else in the entire world finds "fun". Faced with Billy's interrogation, Flayn adds how "Uncle" Indech tricked them, maybe thinking it was funny.
Seteth frowns. It isn't.
Macuil tells Byleth to die, and then how he will not talk to a living corpse.
After Flayn asks him to please share the recipe, he sighs, and reveals he doesn't know it was made. He never asked for the recipe, because he always thought his siblings would be there to cook for him whevener he would ask.
But then Zanado burnt.
Macuil's words trigger something in Billy, and they thank him, before scribbling something on a parchment. Zanado and burn makes them realise they haven't tried to put Zanado fruit in the omelette? What if Indech had been trying to give them a clue?
Just on the eve of preparing for the assault on Enbarr, Billy tries different methods to cook a Zanado Fruit. Boil it, fry it, roast it... Students are really wondering what are they doing with that thing, it's inedible trash!
Billy opts to sun-dry it, then, when it would be dry enough, they will grind it into powder, just like Indech said.
Rhea's rescued, but she's in no state to eat anything. Billy makes her swear to get better so she can taste the omelette they worked on, and she promises she will.
Roasting the Zanado Fruit powder they grinded, they sprinkle it on a giant bird's omelette and give it to Seteth, for tasting.
Seteth's a bit surprised, it's not exactly the same taste, but it's close enough. He congratulates Billy, who's still a bit disappointed, they couldn't make the omelette like they remembered.
Rhea, thanking them for the meal - a bit surprised they focused on this omelette thing during the war - tells them it doesn't matter, Zanado is long gone, Byleth should try to find a new home here, in Garreg Mach if they want.
They shake their head, they said they will make the omelette that tastes like Zanado, so they will do it, no matter how many months or even years it takes them.
Rhea calls them stubborn, and after listening to their story - how Indech made fun of them saying they should eat rocks, while Macuil told them to die - Rhea suddenly remembers how Indech's stupid words might have not been that stupid, maybe there had been some rock salt in Zanado?
Also, now that she remembers, she and Macuil were often sent to pick up herbs in Noa's gardens, at first she thought they were ornamental flowers, but maybe they were also for eating?
Billy pulls out their parchment and Rhea's amused to see them having taken so many notes and made so many researches about something as ridiculous as an omelette, but finds it endearing. She remembers how Sitri once asked her to teach her to sew patterns from Zanado, maybe Byleth also tries to reconnect with their heritage?
Finding Billy asleep on their desk, she borrows their notebook and finally gets the general idea on how the omelette from her childhood was made, reading through all of Billy's ideas and Seteth's comments. She and Seteth look at each other, and agree to make the omelette for Billy.
When the war finally ends, Rhea, Seteth, Billy and Flayn eat the "omelette that taste like home", according to Byleth.
Rhea shakes her head, it's just a Zanado omelette, to her it tastes like home, but it's up to Billy to find a dish that would remind them of the home they have.
Billy pauses a bit, and says all this omelette journey made them realise they like cooking for people, and they like being in Garreg Mach. So whatever they can eat in the Monastery is something that "tastes like home".
Seteth sighs, they surely like sharing meals with people, but what is their favourite dish? Billy pauses a bit, then replies Fried crayfish, it's the first meal they had when they came here.
And this is how Archbishop/King Billy instaured Fried crayfish day in Fodlan, intended to be a day of celebration and eating with people you like, but people mistook their words and now eat crayfish on this very special day of the year.
Manuela complains about how she behaved for the last five years, let it be for the White Heron Cup and the festival or even Garreg Mach's foundation day, but the festivities were "dull".
So the Monastery better prepare for the next Saint Seiros day, because she will make it way more festive than it has ever been!
Obviously, Seteth lectures Manuela about proper conduct, Saint Seiros' day is supposed to be a day of quiet and peaceful devotion, and remembrance of the peace the goddess and the saints fought for.
Manuela argues he's not the highest authority in the Monastery, so she can, and will, ask the Archbishop herself.
Seteth frowns, he knows exactly what is going to happen : Rhea will obviously allow Manuela to do as she pleases because she finds ridiculous costumes and glitters and feathers "fun" or "stylish", and the Monastery's reputation will plummet down.
And yet, it's also her birthday so... maybe he could be a bit more lenient. And maybe tolerate feathers, only for one day. Or half a day.
As expected, Rhea enthusiastically agrees with Manuela - even when she asks to dip a little in the Church's "celebration" funds to order sequin - but inside is completely lost : what are sequins ?
Rhea asks Flayn, maybe her niece will be able to to determine what is this new thing humanity came up with, since she hangs out with "young" humans.
Cethleann ends up frustrated , reporting many students were surprised with her question, as if "sequins" were something very common.
Monks told her they have no place in a place of holy worship.
Asking Catherine and Shamir proved unproductive, since they squinted and told her whatever Manuela is coming up with, she must know they played no part in her madness.
Rhea then asks Billy, if they have any idea about what are sequins.
Billy shrugs, they don't know. But they can ask Jeralt!
Jeralt looks at Billy, and sighs, saying it's something not pratical and usually used for shows. And before they ask, no, his mercenary company will not hire anyone wearing sequins.
Billy frowns - as much as they can - they saw once a rival mercenary company wearing flashy clothes and poofy pants, and thought they looked really cool, and no one called them names like "ashen demons". Maybe they too, were wearing sequins? If they did then... it makes people look cool.
Jeralt immediately makes the link when they see Billy going to Rhea's audience chamber and hears their kid saying "sequins make people look awesome".
Remembering how Rhea - rather her pretending to be someone else 260 years ago - was the one who insisted to add a feather to the headgears of infantry knights who specialised in axes and swords, he barges in and interrupts their conversation : no, sequins are ridiculous, and if she adds some to the uniforms of the knights of Seiros, he will immediately leave the Monastery.
Also, no poofy sleeves or pants, and no flashy colors.
"But are they festive?"
Jeralt replies by dragging a frowning Billy away from the audience room.
Saint Seiros day happens as usual, and while Rhea nods and acts as she usually does during previous Saint Seiros days, she wonders if Manuela's celebrations were somehow cancelled at the last minute.
However, comes the night - when students are supposed to be asleep and all - and Billy knocks at her door, telling her something very important is happening and she has to join.
Rhea is surprised to see Billy wear an unusual costume, with mismatched colors, poofy sleeves and pants and frills everywhere.
To her, it seems as if Billy is truly happy to wear this costume, so she smiles proudly when they tell her they used their first allowance to buy it. Even if it meant not listening to Jeralt.
Rhea nods, and tells them they look really festive.
Billy smiles.
Then they lead Rhea to the reception hall, where some knights, some monks and members of the officer's academy are reunited, wearing odd costumes, but some have large hats with colorful feathers.
Also, now in the light, she spots some of them faintly glittering or something, but maybe it's just her mind playing tricks?
Everyone, bar Seteth, Catherine and Shamir, is chatting happily and Rhea is afraid her sudden apparition will put a damper on the mood, but Manuela excitedly gives her a ridiculous hat with large coloured feathers on it. Possibly a Giant Bird's.
Cyril looks ready to protest, but Catherine does, telling Manuela she can't expect the Archbishop to play along with her idiot idea.
Seteth, wearing the same kind of ridiculous outfit as Billy, knows better, and Rhea puts the feathered hat on.
Then the party starts, a band not affiliated at all to the Mittelfrank Opera starts to play and Rhea is a bit surprised at how everyone doesn't seem to mind her presence, too busy pestering and ranting about Manuela's ridiculous "opera clothes" - save for Billy who really likes their costume, and says to everyone how they asked Manuela's friends if they could buy it instead of just borrowing it for the evening.
Then Manuela makes a speech about Saint Seiros' day being a day of devotion and gratitude to the peaceful times they're living in but also to celebrate and remember there's light ahead.
Manuela ends by giving several very ostentious winks in Flayn's general direction, who finally catches them when Catherine points them out, and she uses an "old spell to strengthen the moon's radiance in the room" - which suspiciously sounds, to Rhea, like she's using Nabatean magic to do so! - and yet, before she can gently remind her niece they are supposed to be hiding and pretend they are totally regular humans, she's suddenly blinded by glittering lights everywhere.
When she finally can see again - ignoring Shamir's threats to make Manuela eat her damn feathers if she ends up blinded by all of her party tricks - everyone is sparkling thanks to the small flat beads like things sewed in the costumes!
Manuela then asks Rhea if she believes, as the Archbishop of the Church of Seiros if the saints would approve of such a luminous and festive display for Saint Seiros' day : Seteth replies they would never have approved of such a ridiculous thing, Rhea ignores him and nods to Manuela saying Saint Seiros would have loved it, she's sure of it.
Flayn adds they would definitely have been enthusiastic about it, glaring at her "brother" for some reason.
Then the party resumes, with more music, people surrendering to the ridiculous setting and enjoying themselves. Billy wonders why the students couldn't be invited though, maybe they would have liked it? But maybe they didn't have enough costumes.
Anyways, since it's Rhea's birthday, they pull of a Zanado fruit from one of their poofy pants' pocket, and offers it to her while everyone looks, a bit dumbfounded - why is the new professor giving inedible trash to the Archbishop?
Rhea's overjoyed and thanks them a lot, telling Billy they were right about sequins, they really make people look pretty bright and awesome.
Cyril gives Rhea fresh flowers he grew specially for the occasion, saying it's not much but next time he promises he'll give her something ever more special and more awesome - but Rhea cuts him with a hug, thanking him dearly, and pretends not to hear Shamir call her out for "spoiling the kid".
Manuela is a bit surprised though, she never knew today was the Archbishop's birthday, what a coincidence it happens on Saint Seiros' day!
Everyone goes silent when Alois asks her how old is she anyways - trying to make light conversation while the cooks panick because a birthday means a cake, and they haven't prepared one ! - Jeralt chuckles while Seteth panicks and tries to come up with some roundabout explanation.
Rhea smiles, and replies she's 17.
Everyone laughs a bit, relieved the Archbishop has a sense of humour, and the party goes on, even if Flayn pesters Manuela about making an even grander party like this for Cethleann's Day, because Cethleann would surely appreciate to have everyone shine and enjoy themselves, also, she would like if fish was served, and if they could still dance and listen to the music all night long.
Seteth takes her away, though, or at least intended to when he hears Rhea talk to a monk how sequins could be integrated in ceremonial outfits for everyone, because it makes "life shine brighter" and how the Goddess would surely appreciate the effort.
Billy still think the students lost an occasion to look "awesome" since they couldn't be invited, and ask Rhea to teach them how to sew to add sequins to the student's uniforms, if they start now, they should be ready for next year.
Rhea nods a bit too eagerly - but Supreme Leader declares war on the church before Billy can even finish the first costume.
I've been back and forth about this but I think "canonically", he'd start off as a Noble and promote to a Soldier (or the Hoshidan class Spear Fighter), then a Griffon Knight, then a Spear Master, then a Griffon Lord? The other options are a Cavalier line cause Butch Cassidy or a Wolf Knight line cause I've very much Wolf-coded Katsuro but I do think Griffon Works for him
Griffon Knights also get staff usage in Engage so that could translate into Katsuro having magic but I'm notttttt sure. If I go for that, he'd get the Basara class instead of Spear Master.
16. Is one of them keeping secrets from the other? Why? How would they react if the secret was revealed?
YES ABSOLUTELY. I feel like no matter what AU it is Riku and Yuna are both terrible at expressing their feelings and such so they will 100% have secrets from each other.
One thing I think they would keep from each other regardless of what AU but also at the same time PARTICULARLY in this AU is how much they envy each other's position? Like you have Riku who craves freedom and wants to be his own person and not the crown prince vs Yuna who wants that responsibility because it would give her a purpose. Yuna needs stability and rules, Riku needs freedom and space to breathe, you get me? Neither will ever admit this to the other directly but it is extremely obvious to anyone on the outside looking in.
For a more specific secret from each: I think Yuna would probably hide the fact that she's keeping tabs on all of the lords and is convinced that there is something deeper going on at the academy, and if Riku found this out I think he would be extremely worried that something might happen to her. He knows she's a capable fighter but he still worries anyway.
As for Riku well I haven't shown his full body design on this blog but his left arm is wrapped in bandages. I'm not going to say why (partially because I haven't settled on an explanation, some of the stuff I've come up with is a little silly so far but who knows) BUT the general vibe of it? Yeah Yuna is NOT happy with him. At all.
TFW Erwin wanted to buy a set of Adrestian paintings during an auction but had to concede in favour of Miklan's mom for the "Monna Silvia" and yet managed to sell half of his estate's cheptel to acquire "Justice coming out of her well armed with her sword to chastise humanity", which is wildly believed to be the best paiting of a Leicesterian painter (for a wealthy Adrestian patron!) who personalised "Justice" through the traits of a blonde woman that is "Justice" personified.
Of course Adrestian specialists called this artist out for plagiarism, after noting how this composition and the proportions of this naked blonde woman are oddly similar to one of the mosaics in the ruins of the ancient imperial therms (it has been destroyed by Emperor Karl the Second after the 300th year anniversary of Faerghus' birth.)
Leicesterians of course pretend this is petty libel from jealous Adrestian critics, and yet, when young!Lorenz asked his Father who was the lady on the painting, and if she was Saint Seiros, Erwin merely told him that "this Lady is a divine being sent by the Goddess to remind humanity to follow Her teachings, but she is not Saint Seiros".
Lorenz thus notes how swimsuit!Rhea looks like the "divine being" from his father's painting, that is not Saint Seiros, but never made the link between the Great Seiros Controversy of 223 between Bishop Paul and Bishop Arius about Saint Seiros' nature as a divine being due to her proportions, his dad's painting and Lady Rhea.
Whether he (thanks to Ignatz) manages to make a link between Monna Silvia, Justice coming out of her well and the Immaculate de Enbarr depends on the route picked, but naturally, he will be appealed at Seteth's insistence that those aren't pieces of art at all and should be confiscated.
Thinking about a random AG AU I had that is basically "Flayn facetanks an axe, and the Lions are more pissed and worried about her than curious or frightened about the fact that Flayn's apparently hardy enough to deflect blows with her face"
Given how Nabatean bones are, per a book, as hard as crucible steel (or more durable than anything that isn't crucible steel) I was wondering if, even in their humanoid form, Nabateans could actually resist "more" to some hits than humans.
Of course it's not translated at all in gameplay because this verse is a bootleg Jugdral copy when it comes to ludonarration, but what if it was the case?
Something like, if they concentrate enough or channel enough magic (but still not enough to transform!), Nabateans can make their "skin" as hard as it would be if they were to transform, aka when they passively get the ancient dragonskin skill.
Still, everyone is worried about Flayn in that AU, so unless she agrees to become an armored healer on a horse, she is forbidden from facetanking anything anymore.
Earrings could have been the most common jewels/trinkets Nabateans used to have, from an era where they could show their ears.
Let it only be for aesthetics or a cultural thing, “pimping” ears used to be something very common back in Zanado. Some Nabateans even went to human places to discover/share/find out what kind of new jewelry humans discovered/came up with and they’d bring some back to Zanado.
Indech left Zanado to develop his craftsman skills and some humans joined him in his workshop.
Of course, after the Nabatean Purge and the subsequent Red Canyon events, surviving Nabateans had to hide their ears, thus no earrings anymore.
Surviving Rhea couldn’t be a Nabatean in Fodlan anymore thus became Seiros the Human.
And yet, even as Seiros the Human, dropping the earring tradition meant dropping Nabatean pride, or what once was their custom - could she really accept to abandon everything that was “Nabatean” to become a human? Faced with this dilemma, Willy said something stupid like changing Fodlan so she could finally wear earrings without spending hours debating the pros and cons of such a “risky” move.
The War of Heroes ends, and Rhea has two pairs of earrings, one from a sister who wanted to gift her own pair to her youngest sibling when it would be her time to “leave to discover the human world”, and one from Willy to wear when Fodlan will have “changed”.
Of course, she never get the occasion to wear them.
Citrus finds them, and after hearing the importance of earrings, has a pair crafted for the “baby” to wear.
Jerry pawned them during his flight.
Rhea’s earrings are lost when the monastery is sacked.
Post AG/AM, for her 1***th birthday, Flayn wears three pairs of earrings, one from her Uncle, one she bought from a Duscur craftsman and the old pair that belonged to her mother.
Both Rhea and Seteth are worried about her showing her ears, but Annette only asks if she thinks she too, would look good wearing multiple earrings, while Dimitri wonders if they won’t both get a frostbite.
