Chapter Text
Eichenwalde shined bright and stubborn, bulbs and candles alike glittered along the roads keeping the people protected from the wall of night. People were running back and forth excitedly, food places remained open late and music filled the air.
Someone found fireworks and started sending them out into the dark sky. The songs were sang by everyone this night.
Their country’s safety had been secured only a few months prior.
The army of soldiers and power armored Crusaders had finally beat the the mechanical threat that had marched through the old forest intent on stomping the whole city flat under their servos.
However the war had torn apart General Reinhardt’s men that had held steady against the seemingly endless waves of wild omnics. A country with no army would start to look like an open basket full of gold left in the train station.
Reignhardt was informed of his guests arrival. He dismissed the runner, sitting back down in his oversized chair. Even without his powered armor, the man easily stood several heads taller than most.
A small shadow settled next to the giant man.
“Are you sure this is how you want to do it?” The woman asked.
“The people need protection and hope, this exchange will provide that.”
“I understand.” The woman speaking was one of Reinhardt’s most trusted friends and comrade, Ana.
“Hmph… nobility is bound by duty to the people, no matter our personal feelings.”
“At least they accepted an interim period in the agreement.”
“It’s a polite way to get what they want.” The lord sighed and stood up, “They will be here soon, I suppose I should get ready to receive them. Can you fetch our little swan?” He nodded when Ana bowed her head before slipping away.
—-
With the sun covered in darkness, Angela was suprised to find Ana enter her room as she helped with her adoptive baby sister, Fareeha.
Ana had been her caretaker since her parents passed in the recent war. She’d been so excited when Ana had announced a child on the way. The older woman had been fighting long since before Angela was born, so a child was the sign of peace. Or so she’d been told.
“Come here habibi.” Ana said with arms out stretched, embracing both girls.
“Oma!” Angela kissed her nanny on the cheek then pulled away, “What’s wrong?” She asked, noticing the concern lining the old soldier’s face.
“Your uncle wants to see you in the main hall.”
Little Angela blinked in surprise. She never went to the main hall, it was large and too breezy for her tastes. Everyone that went in there aside from Reinhardt gave her a super uneasy feeling.
“You’re not in trouble, habibi.” Ana gave her a reassuring squeeze before taking Fareeha in her arms, “I promise, but it is business so let’s at least straighten you up.”
Angela had never been involved in Reinhardt’s business. This news made her heart beat faster as a servant came and took her by the hand.
Ana’s eyes followed her till she was out of sight. The mother held Fareeha just a little closer. It was a last minute decision to meet despite just coming off the boat, the guests seemed to want to have a word before resting.
Quickly Angela was placed into a simple but well made pastel blue dress and her hair was given a comb or two before she was led by her hand again through the hall.
Vast ceilings told stories of the ego past rulers had placed on the building, the parts that were still of the original estate were preserved as history as best as the war would allow.
Angela entered from a discreet side door, she planted herself behind a pillar before peeking around.
Standing in the center of the room was a group of three people dressed in the most exotic clothes that Angela had ever seen. The men were short compared to the ones Angela was used to, smaller eyes as well. Only one standing ahead of the group was talking with Reinhardt in fairly reasonable english.
“I apologize for intruding so soon, but the master wishes to confirm as we’ve had a few too many falsehoods.” The lean speaker was saying.
“Fear not, I understand your caution.” Reinhardt glanced over to see the servant standing and waiting, “Little swan, please come out and greet our guests.”
From the Crusader’s perspective, he saw a tiny head peek out from the pillar. She looked up at the servant next to her who just smiled encouragingly.
Finally Angela got the courage to step out from her hiding place. All of their eyes were on her now, so she quickened her pace to Reinhardt’s side, grasping his massive hand when she was within reach. Reinhardt gave her a look.
Angela finally took a dramatic breath before bowing properly to the foreigners. She forgot her verbal greeting due to her nerves though.
“Such a sweet child.” The man in front of them chuckled.
From here she finally saw that it was an elderly man, long beard tied up neatly with a simple leather thong at the end.
“Little swan, I need you to show them your gift.”
Angela glanced up with wide eyes.
“Did Ana say you were in trouble?”
A head shake.
“Then there’s no need to be nervous my dearest.” The general stood up, towering over the guests. At the same time the elder messenger stepped forward, pulling out a small blade that he used to cleanly cut the top of his hand before kneeling before her. He'd had children of his own, he knew that sometimes shrinking one's self to the child made them less intimidating.
Angela’s blue eyes went from the pleasant old man back to her guardian a few times before stepping forward. She placed her hands on either side of the wound, barely touching his skin.
A golden glow started to overtake the blue in her eyes, skin shimmering like a sun set lit lake. The skin knitted itself closed, the messenger wiping the blood away to show his companions what she’d done.
“As you can see, she is more than her pedigree.” Reinhardt said, “She’s currently studying under a tutor to harness her abilities.”
This blessing was a double edged sword known as magic. Magic was extremely rare in humans, and when they did have it, it was wild like a frothing wolf. Without proper guidance most children born with it get themselves in trouble or worse, dead.
The foreigner nodded in satsifaction, turning to say something to one of his companions in a language she wasn’t familiar with.
“Alright little swan you may go. Rest well, tomorrow will be a big day for us all.”
When she tilted her face in confusion he just patted her on the head before pointing her out.
—-
It took Angela a lot longer than usual to fall asleep. Any time she used her magic she became really energetic. It was something she was working on, controlling the flow so that it didn’t just spill out like water behind a dam. Healing her guardian’s hand had been fairly easy since the cut had been so shallow and small. So no threat of overflow from that.
Outside the window the fireworks had finally ceased, only the sounds of her own breathing loud in her ears.
Finally she settled against Ana’s side, dreaming of alien silks rippling in the wind.
—-
Morning started like any other, with Ana first tending to Fareeha before nudging Angela into wakefulness.
“Come come habibi, today is a big day for you.” Though she smiled, Angela didn’t miss those lines of concern at its edges.
“Who were those people, Oma?” Angela asked as she was dressed, the servants adding a mixture of dark and light red flowers into her braided hair. A pair of gold earrings were added to match.
Ana sighed while adjusting some of the flowers, “They’re allies, have been for years. They are going to help Reinhardt stabilize our country so the people may begin to heal. The'yre a royal family and are some of the only people who have established blood lines of magic.”
“But I was told you can’t do that.”
“It’s a secret they guard closely.”
The old woman looked her over with a critical eye, straightening up a few things before nodding, “Be on your best behavior, this is for the good of the people."
Angela suddenly smiled, “So I'm helping with Uncle Rein's duties?”
“Yes, you are.” A puff of air was pushed out of her lips, “This was not an easy decision for him.”
Angela smiled with unblemished enthusiasm, “I will do my best!”
“I’m sure you will.” Ana chuckled.
Ana left her with the servents for a few minutes before coming back out wearing her full formal regalia from the war. The little girl had only ever seen this a few times that she could remember. One was during a funeral, the other was during the last fight with the strange mechanical beasts that had tried to take them out.
Pressing her lips together in concern, Angela took her guardian’s hand and they left the room.
The trip to the main hall was a lot more noisy this time around. Music tickled Angela’s ears, people laughed and cheered with each other both local and foreign. Food had been prepared in the early hours already and was being served on expensive dishes that had somehow survived the pummeling of conflict.
She heard Ana inhale deeply, “Alright little swan, time to show off your feathers.” The old soldier pulled the curtain aside and ushered Angela forward.
Immediately Angela was hit by a wall of light, noise and babbling mouths. Drinks being passed around clinking together in small toasts. The merging of voices and dishes started to make Angela’s heart beat faster.
Intermingling between the people she’d grown up with were the outsiders from the night before. There were more of them now, all of them wearing brightly sewn silks and leathers. The women reminded Angela of peacocks with how their hair was fanned out. They all greeted her with a deep bow, expressing their excitement to meet her. Overhead the electric run chandelier that had been installed a generation or two ago made everyone's clothes and jewelry glitter.
With a well practiced smile Angela returned the greetings as best she could, Ana kept a tight hold on her charge’s hand while they continued forward at a steady pace.
At last they made it through the lake of people to where General Reinhardt sat, this time surrounded by his usual counselman. Angela only knew two of them personally. One was a man of normal height with dark features, he was a duke from birth but now was the captain of Reinhardt’s military. His name was Gabriel Reyes.
The other was a woman only ten years her senior, with orange hair and a slippery disposition. She’d been commissioned from somewhere overseas to help teach Angela as well as provide magical research for Eichenwalde’s lord. Her name was the Lady Moira O’Deorain.
Angela recognized the friendly old man from before but the one standing next him immediately captured her attention. His expression still as stone. He held himself tall, a mountain standing strong in the wind.
“Ah, here she is.” Reinhardt stood up to greet both of them, Ana passed off her adoptive child. Angela peered curiously from the stone man to her uncle.
“My dearest, this is Shimada Sojiro, a noble from the east.”
Angela’s smile was bright and genuine as she bowed at her waist to the stranger.
“Angie, that’s the wrong one.” Ana tried to hide her laugh.
“Oh…” Angela grabbed her skirt and curtsied with a head bob, “Sorry!” She squeaked.
The stone man’s eyes softened at her fumble. Perhaps he wasn’t so bad, Angela thought. She’d grown up surrounded by still faced soldiers. Angela had an understanding of that silence.
Sojiro finally moved, stepping closer to Angela, “It’s good to meet you, Lady Angela.” His accent was thick, “I’m happy to see you are well.”
“You too uh… Lord Shimada Sojiro?”
“You call him Shimada-sama, it’s how they refer to people of respect in their country.” Ana corrected her.
Angela almost bowed at her waist again but stopped halfway through the movement, hopping on one foot as she lost her balance, “I apologize, Shimada-sama.” She blushed.
“A quick learner, good.” The old noble cracked a half a smile before turning around to go back to his posse.
“Seems a waste of someone with such potential.” Moira muttered.
“Moira, we talked about this.” Gabriel growled under his teeth.
The woman's eyes flashed, “You can’t tell me to be quiet about someone with one of the rarest gifts in magic being-."
“If it helps the people, it’s not a waste.” Reinhardt said firmly, “You should think about others a little more during your studies here.” The lady simply wrinkled her nose but said nothing further. Her strange multicolored eyes lingered on Angela a moment, the apprentice tried to smile reassuringly but it didn’t seem to soothe the woman so Angela turned quickly away.
Their conversation was interrupted when Sojiro returned to the circle, this time accompanied by someone close to Angela’s age. He had long hair pulled up into a ponytail with a yellow ribbon, his clothes were neat and proper, not a single speck on them.
“Lady Angela, this is Hanzo, my oldest son. I believe you two will become great friends.”
Young Hanzo stared at Angela for a moment before looking away.
Ana knelt next to her charge, “Go on, say hello.” She gave her a gentle nudge forward.
Angela felt like she was missing something in all this talk. It was frustrating that this something was a thing she couldn’t figure out.
Finally she closed the last few steps before stopping. She started ringing her hands together while bouncing on the balls of her feet. Hanzo tried to disappear behind his father despite the unhappy look he gave his son. Sojiro said something in their language, the tone harsh and cold.
Out popped Hanzo again, breathing in deeply before mirroring her footsteps between him and her.
“Hello, Lady Angela. I’m pleased to meet you.” He said with a bow. Then promptly ran back to his father who gave him another glare that froze him in place.
Hanzo turned around again, rolling his eyes before returning back to Angela.
“Hello! … Hanzo-sama?” Angela smiled nervously back when he was close enough again. This caused the boy to blush a little. He took her hand in his, she felt the sweat and tremble Hanzo was trying to hide. His cheeks swelled with color as he leaned in and gave her hand a small kiss.
“Hello.” He said again before walking briskly back between the skirts of the women in waiting. This time Sojiro let his son run.
“As good an introduction as any.” Reinhardt laughed.
Angela looked up when the people around them started clapping and cheering. Her blue eyes settled on Ana who smiled reassuringly but those lines were still creasing on her forehead.
“Oma?” The little girl asked.
“You did well, let’s get you something to eat.”
Angela became dizzy being led around, at most people’s hips as far as height made the hall seem too big yet crowded at the same time. People congratulated her for something she didn’t understand. So she just smiled and nodded back to them. She spotted the foreigners talking more with Reinhardt and his counselors. Hanzo remained glued to his father’s side, looking bored but attentive.
“Oma, it’s too noisy.” Angela finally said after a accidentally bump of people caused a tray to crash loudly against the floor.
“Alright habibi, let’s get you to your quiet place.”
One place in the estate that Angela always went to was a central garden connected to the canal that surrounded the older parts of the building. Here there was a large shallow fountain that a flock of swans frequently visited. Angela had spent so much time befriending the large birds that people had taken to calling her ‘little swan’.
She unwrapped the grapes she’d filched from food table and began splitting them into halves on the edge of the fountain. The flock started swimming quietly toward her. Angela liked them, they were beautiful but not delicate animals.
One by one they lined up along the edge, most waiting for their turn. A little bit of magic slipped from Angela to the proud birds to keep them calm when one tried to cut the line, beak full of feathers from where it had pecked its neighbor.
“Shh shh… you know you’ll all get some!” Angela cooed.
When the last swan plucked the grape from her palm, it suddenly lifted its long neck, eyeing something behind the girl with its beady eyes.
Angela followed the birds gaze to the entryway where she spotted Hanzo. She wondered how long he’d been standing there.
“Hello! Hanzo-sama!” Angela parroted from earlier, fiddling with the edge of her sleeve. He didn’t say anything, but he did look at the swans.
“Do you like them?” Angela asked. She was answered with a nonchalant shrug.
Angela sprinted over to Hanzo who seemed taken back by her burst of agility, “Come and say 'hi' then!” Angela grabbed his hand and dragged him forward next to the pool. She didn’t let go of him, using her magic to calm the swans from their fright of a newcomer, little bits of light started to drip from her hair.
Hanzo watched with fascination now as the flock gathered to the edge again, all leaning their heads this way and that to get a better look at him.
“Usually they’re very mean, but they’re nice to me!” Angela giggled, flowers were beginning to bloom at her feet but she didn’t seem notice. Hanzo stared at the rapidly growing foliage with mild concern. Thankfully it seemed to cease at the plants natural peak growth.
“You don’t like talking do you?”
“Not to a stranger, no.”
“Oh, then… let’s be less strange to each other. Hmm… let’s see… I enjoy chocolate and flowers and dinner with family… ” Angela’s energy was contagious as she listed off random things about herself, “Oh! I’ll show you something I treasure!”
Still holding his hand, Angela pulled him to another side of the garden where a part of the wall had crumbled from a battle long ago. A pedestal decorated with wreaths of flowers and two ornately decorated electric lamps sat in the middle of the debri.
“They found me here.” she pointed to the back of the wall.
“Found you?”
“My parents died saving me here, their weapons had run out of ammunition.” Angela looked down, “At least that’s what I was told. I like to come here all the time. Makes me feel like I can be with them.”
A look of sadness crossed those brown eyes, “My mother died recently.”
“I’m sorry.” Angela squeezed his hand, “That must hurt.”
“Yes… it does. I apologize for your loss.” Hanzo sighed, allowing his head to hang. Angela watched him a moment, she looked down at her small hands then back up.
“That’s not a great thing to have in common.” She finally said.
A cold smirk reached his face, “No it’s not.”
“My Oma Ana said that dancing cheers her up, want to dance?”
His scowl was so intense that it made Angela's smile fade somewhat, then she let go of his hand, “Sorry.” Angela wrung her fingers together as she stepped back.
Hanzo felt a bit of panic when she started to sniff. So he reached out and took her hand again, “No, I must apologize. You’re trying to help and I’m being rude.”
Angela looked up, “I understand.” The smile returned to her face, “Want to see something neat I can do then?”
He looked down at their hands and quickly let go while shrugging, “Hai. I mean… yes.” Hanzo corrected himself.
The blonde girl clapped her own hands in excitement. Taking several steps back from Hanzo, her eyes turned from sky blue to molten gold. Using a motion like she was gathering something, she created the shape of a sun kissed swan in between them.
Hanzo couldn’t help but let awe seep into his face at the creation. It even moved like the real thing. Curious, the boy reached out to touch it.
“Wait!” Angela cried but it was too late.
The swan rippled then shattered into pinpoints of energy that started spiraling wildly around.
Taking in a deep breath, Angela made a pulling motion, gathering the light into a ball above her head then stomped her foot as hard as she could to disperse the flood of magic that threatend to overwhelm her. The light fragmented into a million droplets that drifted slowly down. Wall lights flickered viciously in response to all of the energy in the air, several bulbs shattering under the weight.
Beads of light clung to both of the children. Hanzo felt like he was swimming, head feeling light and skin tingling. Realizing that he’d destabilized her magic on accident, he ran over to her to make sure she was ok. It was a bit hard to breath, the magic in the air so full that even he could feel it in his veins.
Angela panted, “Sorry… I’m still not that good at holding those together.” She rubbed the back of her neck, face turning red at the wild blossoms that hadn’t been there before.
“Then that was dangerous! Don’t do it again!” He glowered. A few tears started to well up in her eyes. Hanzo glanced around sheepishly, trying to figure out where he’d gone wrong.
Quickly he reached out and took both her hands, “Th-thank you! It was very pretty. Just be careful... I’ll be more careful.” He kept his eyes averted, “I’m sorry for yelling, I got scared.”
A sigh of relief escaped her, “Ok, Hanzo-sama.” Angela smiled through her quickly drying tears.
He made a face, “Just call me Hanzo.”
“Hanzo.” Angela tried again.
The boy finally smiled.
They sat next to the pool of swans for a while, just talking about nothing in particular. Sunlight poured through the trees as the day continued on. To the children it was just another day, but they failed to notice the adults watching them from a balcony above.
Reinhardt watched as the young prince open his hip pouch and pull something out. It appeared to be some sort of gold comb with beads hanging from it. He helped Angela put it on by loosening her braids just a bit for the teeth to catch her locks.
“At least they don’t hate each other right off the bat.” Ana muttered.
“No one can hate her for long.” The lord responded, he turned to Sojiro who was sitting just inside, eyes on their holographic war table that would not be able to gather dust just yet.
“So we are in agreement then?” Reinhardt asked.
Sojiro nodded before regurgitating it, “Every summer she will come and study with my court. Then when they are of age they will marry.”
“We appreciate your willingness to wait.” Ana said.
“They get an oppurtunity that most don’t in our positions. Getting to know one another before their fates are sealed.” Sojiro nodded, “A small mercy to grant them.” The old man looked to his side when someone tugged on his sleeve.
Ana spotted a green clad boy poke his head up next to the chair arm. Sojiro said something to him, patting him on the head before he giggled and ran off.
“Your second son?”
“Yes, my late wife's Genji.” Sojiro drank some tea offered by one of the servents.
Ana turned back toward the balcony to observe the children again. Now Angela was trying to introduce Hanzo to her flock of swans again. One of them, a large female that Ana actually recognized, pecked at the noble’s hand causing him to yell. The old soldier cracked a smile as Angela shooed the large bird away before running back to her new friend. After a quick examination for broken skin they both laughed together.
“She will flourish.” Reinhardt sighed, putting a large hand on her shoulder.
“I hope so.”