It was a weird occurrence to have another dark mage joined the Shepherds, not that it was a bad thing. But two Dark Mages from Plegia, was indeed something to think over. This one seems to want to join for the sake of spilling more blood, and his humor was a bit grim. But Chrom welcomed him without hesitation once again. Henry killing risens with them was proof enough. Robin can't stop his friends from his choices, but he observed everyone's that has join.
Robin thought Henry and Tharja might have known each other, but Tharja avoided associating with him. Not like that was anything new.
"You're hurt…" Tharja said clutching her tomes closely to her chess as her bangs covered her eyes. Robin chuckled and told her it was nothing. "…Lissa…I…" Tharja continued but stopped. It didn't escape Robin that Tharja has been labeled by everyone as his loyal stalker and he doesn't have enough courage to tell her to stop. She was known for hexes and was a master in dark magic, even he can't compete.
"Ah…Yeah, yeah. She'll fix me up and I'll be good." He gave her a smile, a weak one, Tharja noticed. The man had lost weight again since another war was starting. She remembered, even though she joined late, his restless sleep. He would walk around the camp checking the perimeters, even wandering farther just to scout, and find some advantage point.
Tharja watched Robin walk away from her. She cursed under her breathe, years have passed but she hasn't moved on or made a move. She was not content at the rate things were going. Her heart almost left her when she heard Robin got hurt, especially when she was close by. Too busy with Wyverns riders, flying above them. She hadtrained non-stop, knowing he was the tactician, he would always be called to battle. She would follow, always.
Shortly after everyone set up camp, Tharja decided to go back to her tent. She felt disgusted with herself. She saw Lissa tending to Robin's wound, while she can't do anything. All she knew in her life was to inflict pain, to conjure some darkness within. To seek out everything…that was dark. Her parents were mental and she herself wasn't quite normal to other people's eyes. Cursing them didn't help, but she didn't care. It was better to be isolated, than form bonds and be disappointed or hurt.
"They're somewhere far…away." She hate the idea of bonding especially during war, but everyone seem to do it a lot. Robin was even one of friendliest ones, always helping and organizing. He was the one responsible for all their lives…no life was lost so far, and it was a miracle.
"In his hands, we're all safe." In his heart, I'll never be.
"Tharja! You in there?" The little girl…dragon peeked into her tent, smiling at her.
"Obviously," The girl didn't wait for an invitation and went right in, even admiring some of Tharja questionable collections. Tharja had formed a friendship with Nowi, although reluctantly, it couldn't be help.
Even after a couple years passed, they haven't quite changed beside for getting closer.
Robin and Gaius had taken a swim, as they waited for their clothes to dry. They had bothered Vaike to join them, but he said he promised to Spar with Sully to prove who's stronger, because he wasn't going to lose just to anyone.
"You almost died yesterday," Gaius said, "A little bit distracted?"
Robin frowned, he was hardly distracted. Except for those random voices that kept chiming in when he's alone, whispering things he can't figure it out, ever since he'd met the new king of Plegia and the…
"Sort of and no, I was far from death."
He was never distracted in a battle field, his mind was always clear.
He casted a thunder spell to reach an enemy closing in on Chrome. Sumia flew above Chrom, keeping the air clear of enemies for her husband. She was a sight to fear, it was an amazing development to see Sumia hold a lance at such mastery when she was known for tripping by her own. Of course, it was Sumia's own dedication to protect her husband that she has gained such skill. Even when she recently gave birth, she didn't want to part with her husband. Robin wouldn't let anything happen Chrome, otherwise Sumia will hunt him down and he won't forgive himself.
He heard death. It was loud. It was all around him again. Then again death never left him, like Robin, he observed waiting for the best time to come in and execute. He turned around, checking for his comrades, he noticed Tharja quickly and effortlessly it seems, putting riders down. She had given the enemy a disadvantage, and they noticed it. He saw the guy, filled with murderous intent, set on Tharja. Robin was at first mesmerized, he had never seen someone move so fast, like he was casted upon. Robin quickly ran towards where Tharja was…
"You protected your dark lover, Bubbles!" Gaius mused. "I'd seen it…good thing to. I saw him, but I thought I was too late." Gaius amused expression disappeared as he sighed.
"She's not my lover," Ever since Vaike noticed Tharja obsession with Robin, it spread like wild fire, the guys wouldn't budge. They joked about throwing the poor girl a bone for quite some time. Frederick even mentioned that he used Tharja's affection for him, by asking her to stop doing hexes and to coming to practice.
"I would do it for you too, Gaius. You know this."
"Imagine if Tharja finds out you got hurt because of her!"
"I don't understand, I really think her affection is just on a superficial level." Robin concluded, he had already pondered multiple times why Tharja conjured some feelings for him out of nowhere. They barely exchange words, and when they face each other, she avoids meeting his eyes.
"Geez, Robin. For a master tactician you're a lil slow. She gotta be your sunshine!"
Operation:
Who's the hottest girl!?
The ladies weren't happy, there were murmurs that the guy held up a little questionnaire who was the most attractive girl.
Apparently the guys had their favorites, and it was none other than Olivia.
"Gaius, who was your answer?" Nowi asked as she pouted.
"Well…that's not important. I didn't even join it."
"Ah, such competition are foolish!" Virion exclaimed, "Why all the maidens here are all quite lovely!"
"Heh, I'm surprised at the results!" Henry joined in, "The one I voted for didn't win!? You fools!" He laughed. Robin was just at a lost. Though he expected as much, guys were always going to be guys, even during war. They need some inspirations to lift their spirits, though he feared this may create some havoc.
"Robin, did you vote for me?" Lissa asked as she snaked her armed around Robin. "I'm cute, right?"
"I didn't even know of this…" Robin said.
It must have been what Vaike was mentioning to him a couple hours ago. Apparently, Gaius lied about joining, since he casted a vote. It was a vote that surprised quite a few blokes, but they all promised not to tell any of the girls who they voted for. It was like a Bro code.
"If you did, who would you vote for?"
"What was the question?"
"Who's the most attractive girl!" Lissa said giddy and Nowi joined in too.
"Well…I really don't…"
Too accustom in detecting Tharja by now, Robin became more alert, Tharja walked in with Ricken and Donnel, who were informing her of the said subjects everyone discussing about.
"Robin voted for P-"
"I didn't vote!" He cut in immediately.
"Ah, but I saw someone's name, and it was in your handwriting…" Ricken frowned, remembering the results, since the guys had told him to do the honors.
"Same here!" Donnel agreed with Ricken. "Ya think we don't know yer hand writing by now?"
The ladies looked at him, and Robin was just hell on confused. Ricken and Donnel were honest guys, they were raised good. They wouldn't lie, and everyone knew that.
"You liar!" Lissa punched Robin's arm. "Now you gotta tell us!"
"Ahh…Right…I have matters to attend to. Frederick is probably upset at….look I'm late."
He hurriedly escaped even though Nowi and Lissa protested.
"What was that about?" Tharja asked Nowi.
"Apparently the guys had a bit of fun putting in their opinions of who's the most attractive maiden here," Nowi snickered. "They all deny they did it…silly boys." Nowi giggled.
"Fear not ladies, for Virion, you are all endless beauties."
Cordelia walked in with her Pegasus, chuckling at Virion's comment.
"I'm afraid flattery is less potent when it's spread to every girl in camp."
"My lady! You wound me, you mistake your humble servant's motives," Virion looked at Cordelia in such sincerity and Cordelia got all flustered. She was beyond irritated, hearing stupid things like these and Virion to top it all off.
Cordelia got off her Pegasus, and was ready to knock Virion out until Gaius stepped in.
"Heh, calm down. You know Virion," Gaius dragged Virion with him to save his life, and Henry too, for Gaius feared that Henry who enjoys blood bath might want to throw some words to let the ladies head boil some more.
Nowi and Lissa watched what was happening and exchanged knowing looks. Tharja wondered what it was, it seems women, excluding her, can communicate with just their eyes and a little wiggling of their eyebrows. She would soon crack the code, but she rather watch Robin.
Tharja heart skipped a little, she turned to look at Ricken and Donnel. She opened her mouth readying herself to ask them. But then closed it.
"Tsk…" She thought against it. She already caught the first letter of what Ricken was about to say, someone with a letter P, which was far from T. She sighed, depressed. Perhaps, she needed to cure her ailment quickly. She was tormenting herself as time goes on.
"Don't you think Cordelia likes Virion?" Nowi asked Tharja.
"I care not."