So, first let me welcome you to my new story, Cogito Ergo Sum.

As some of you may know, cogito ergo sum is Latin for the phrase: "I think, therefore I am." This basically means that: "Because I think, I exist." I learned this from my genius sister who takes Latin. Thanks sis.

In fact, this whole fic was basically her idea. Two characters having a conversation while also thinking about what they are saying. Each chapter can be either related or unrelated to the others. Most, probably all of the chapters will be from FE 7 and 8. This one is Eliwood and Ninian.

I don't actually really like the Eliwood and Ninian pairing, but I like it better than Eliwood's others. I just don't get why Eliwood is the only one she can fall in love with. He's not really all that great.

But I like this idea, so I got over my dislike of the pairing.

Anyway, here's Fumbling with Eliwood and Ninian.

Bold: Eliwood

Normal: Ninian

Italics: Thoughts

…

Eliwood and Ninian: Fumbling

"Hey Ninian!"

Man, she looks so pretty today. I wish I could tell her that somehow…

"Hello, Lord Eliwood."

He's talking to me! Oh, what do I do!? I don't know how to do this!

"Um…I…uh…"

Oh, way smooth Eliwood. Just say something! You know how to talk don't you!?

"Yes?"

Is he regretting coming to talk to me? I'm not that boring am I?

"Uh…Nice weather today isn't it?"

That's the best you could come up with? What are you, an idiot?

"Yes, very nice weather…"

Besides the rain…I wish the sun would come out.

"Anyway…How are you doing? I know that these long treks must be hard for you."

Well, it was better. How could the weather be nice? It's raining! Idiot!

"I am fine. I'm used to walking for long periods of time by now."

He was concerned for me! Or maybe he just thinks I'm weak…

"That's good."

Oh, what do I say next?

"Yes…"

I don't know what to do!

"……"

What was Hector saying about talking to girls? Compliments…What was that horrible pick-up line again?

"Hm…"

Oh, what was Serra saying about talking to boys? She didn't know I was eavesdropping…I don't remember thinking anything she said was useful at the time, but now…

"You're very brave, you know that?"

Much better than that awful pick-up line. Did it hurt when you dropped from heaven…Who the heck would say that?

"Huh? Did you say something?"

Did he just compliment me? I must be imagining things.

"I said, you're very brave."

This can't be good. She's not even paying attention to me!

"Oh…Thank you…"

He did compliment me! Oh…How do I respond?

"……"

Maybe saying that a girl is brave isn't a compliment? Did she take offence?

"……"

Serra…Serra…What did she say… Shoulders back…long strides…head up…Confidence! Okay, I can do this!

"Um…Ninian?"

She's walking kind of funny… What exactly is she doing?

"Y-Yes!?"

Okay, that didn't work. It'll teach me for listening to Serra. Like she even can gain the affection of anybody! …I shouldn't be mean…Stop it.

"Nothing…"

She stopped. Huh. Maybe she was doing it unconsciously or something… Stop thinking about how she was walking! Think of conversation pieces…

"Oh…Okay."

What was he going to say!? Ugh, don't think about that. Conversation! What to talk about…

"We should be stopping to camp soon."

Which means that this might be the last time I talk to her for a while. Come on, think! Think, dummy, think!

"That's good. I could use a rest. Everyone probably could."

My feet do hurt something terrible. I hope the rain lets up before we stop. I can't sleep when I feel like the tent is going to collapse on top of me.

"Yeah…"

She's right…We've been walking for a pretty long time…

"Anyway, I should probably go talk to my brother now. He gets awfully worried about me. Sometimes, it's hard to believe I'm the older one!"

I don't want to keep him from his duties. He's probably got much more important things to do, besides talking to me…

"Oh! Yes, you should do that. I'm sorry if I kept you."

Have I been boring her? Does she want to get away from me? I wouldn't blame her if she did…

"So…We'll talk later then? I have enjoyed speaking to you."

I really have, even if it was stressful as well. Oh, please say yes!

"Yes! We'll definitely talk later. I have also enjoyed our chat immensely!"

She wants to talk to me again! This is progress! I'm moving up in leaps and bounds! Maybe I think of things to talk about before I see her again! I'll have to talk to Hector…

"Good-bye, then, Lord Eliwood."

Maybe I should listen to Serra a bit more…I'll just take everything she says with a grain of salt this time. I'm sure there are some decent ideas behind all the nonsense.

"Good-bye!"

Ugh…That did not go as planned. I'm such a doofus! I mess up even in the lightest of conversations! I need to go talk to Hector again. Maybe he'll have better advice this time!

…

This is just the first installment, so it's sort of a test drive. I want to see how you guys out there will respond to the idea before I write anymore. So please, drop in a review and tell me what you think. I'd really appreciate it.

Next time will probably be Fiora and Farina with Recklessness. I hope to see you all there!