>>5653460>“Mercedes! It’s me, Blair!” “Blair?” She squints her eyes, taking you in, before they open in surprise and shock. “Blair! Is that really you?!” She leaves her charge to wrap you in the biggest hug you’ve ever received, squeezing you tightly. You can hardly breathe, but you return the gesture, lifting her up. “It’s been so long! I’m glad to see that you’re still safe and well. And I love what you’ve done with your hair!” Mercedes says gleefully, brushing aside your bangs. “You’ve really grown up haven’t you, Blair?”
>“It’s been so long. I haven’t seen you since Charon when we all spent the night at that tavern. It feels like a lifetime ago! Are the others here with you as well?” She nods. “Yes! Annette is working with some of the mages here, and Felix should be off somewhere training no doubt. As for Sylvain and Dedue, they’re probably with…Dimitri.” You notice her tone change, and the smile that she wears shows the faintest sign of a crack. You always thought Mercedes looked radiant, but just like all the other soldiers you’ve seen so far in this camp, the bags under her eyes suggest the faintest trace of fatigue.
>“Duke Fraldarius had penned a letter to me. He requested that I take the Blackwings and join forces with you here at Gronder Field. We’ll be fighting together against the Empire.”“Oh…we will?” Mercedes’ smile has now completely vanished. The girl was never one for violence, but you can see plain as day that she’s deeply uncomfortable in this environment. “Blair…I’m so happy to see you again. My heart is singing with joy that you’ve survived all the terrible ordeals I’m sure you’ve been put through. But…why? Why would you come here? This isn’t your battle. Don’t throw your life away here. Please.”
>“Mercedes…I wanted to come and help you. Working together, I believe we may stand a chance against the Empire. If we can defeat them here at Gronder, we can turn the entire war on its head. I haven’t forgotten our friendship, as well as the hospitality you all showed me at Charon.”Your words do little to lift the girl’s spirits.
>“The battle hasn’t even started and you and everyone else I’ve seen are acting like we’ve already lost! Have some faith. We’ve fought together plenty of times before, and always won. We’ll just have to do it again.”Mercedes holds onto your hands tightly. “I hope you’re right.” She doesn’t make eye-contact.
>A): Ask Mercedes how things have been in Faerghus>B): Inquire about Dimitri’s state of mind>C): Ask how she and the others feel about Ashe>D): Write-in 