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Anna had met some interesting people in her days, heck, she had so many identical sisters, that she can't even remember them all! But the shepherds was easily the strangest group of people she had ever met.
"And here," Robin said, "Is the mess tent. We all take turns cooking."
A man with blond, wild hair stumbled out, clutching his stomach. "Save... Yourselves!" he coughed, before collapsing.
Robin sighed. "Vaike. Vaike, get up. Sully's cooking is not that bad."
"Why don't you try some, wise guy?!" A red-haired woman stormed out of the tent, holding a bowl of... Good gods, what was that? Anna covered her mouth with her hand, feeling sick after just looking at the grey mush.
Robin's face went paler than his hair. "I, uh can't," he stuttered. "I have to finish showing the new recruit around. Bye Cordelia!" he grabbed Anna's hand and bolted before anyone could protest.
"What was that about?" Anna said once they had gotten a good distance from the mess tent.
Robin shivered. "That stuff is horrible."
Anna rolled her eyes. "What's the matter? Is the big bad tactician scared of a little bad cooking?"
Robin blushed, but before he could say anything, there was a sharp, "Robin!" and they both turned to see a tall, golden-haired woman wearing expensive clothes with a rather large and colorful stain on them marching towards the pair. At her heels was a short, blond haired girl, crossing her arms and pouting.
The woman reached them first, saying, "This little brat spilled fruit juice on my clothing! You simply have to discipline her!"
The little girl gave small growl. "It was an accident! She's just being mean, and calling names!"
Robin sighed, digging into his coat pockets. He retrieved a small pouch, a roll of paper and a quill. He gave the pouch to the woman, and the paper and quill to the girl. "Maribelle, that should be enough to pay for your clothes. Nowi, I expect a written apology to Maribelle by the end of the day."
The girl, Nowi, took the writing utensils and began to scrawl words on it right away. Maribelle, on the other hand immediately embraced Robin, whose face turned scarlet with embarrassment. "Oh Robin, thank you so very much!" Nowi, who was laying on her stomach, rolled her eyes and made a gagging face. Anna covered her mouth to keep herself from laughing.
"Well then," Robin said, tearing himself away from Maribelle's embrace, "I'd like to take a moment to introduce you two to our latest member."
Anna stepped forwards, flashing her best saleswoman smile. "It's nice to meet you. My names Anna."
Maribelle's lip curled up in distaste. "Yes, the peddler woman. I remember you. You sold me a faulty stave."
Anna struggled to keep her smile. "I'm sorry, you must have met one of my sisters."
"Oh yes, your sister." Maribelle rolled her eyes. "I see you fashion sense is as bad as your gear. Tell me, is that a toy bear I see?"
Anna blushed, hiding the stuffed animal behind her waist. Her smile was beyond repair by now. "W-What's it to you, anyways?"
Maribelle waved her off dismissively. "At any rate," she said, turning back to Robin, "You have my thanks, Robin." With that, she left, walking towards her tent.
Robin turned to Anna, who was practically fuming. "Sorry about that. She warms up to people slowly. It took her a month to stop hating me."
"She's just grumpy," Nowi stood up and said. The small girl stuck out her hand. "I'm Nowi!" She exclaimed cheerfully.
Anna shook her hand, saying, "Er, Anna. I'm Anna."
"Nowi here is a manakete," Robin said, realizing Anna's confusion.
"Well, it was nice to meet you Nowi." Anna said. Nowi nodded, and went back to writing her letter.
They continued the tour, until Robin suddenly turned both of them away, saying, "Just keep moving, don't make eye contact."
Anna was about to ask about his sudden behavior change, but was immediately interrupted by a loud, "Robin! How nice to see you!"
Anna turned to see a raven-haired woman in a black cloak strolling towards them. Robin turned slowly, a fake smile plastered on his face. "Tharja, I didn't see you there."
"And who's this?" Tharja turned to Anna with a glare so frightening that she wanted dig a hole and bury herself in it.
"This is Anna, our newest recruit," Robin said, practically ducking behind her.
"Well then," Tharja narrowed her eyes at Anna, leaning in close to say, "Now listen here, you charlatan. Robin is mine, and nobody elses. If you so as put one pinky finger in my way, I will torture you so thoroughly, you will beg for death. Do you understand me?" Anna nodded. "Good," the dark mage said before turning to Robin once more. "Bye, bye Robin! Maybe you drop by my tent sometime? I have so many interesting things to show you." Tharja smiled, like a wolf eyeing a rabbit.
Robin started edging away rigidly. Anna followed him. The moment they were out of earshot of the dark mage, Anna burst out laughing. "Y-You should h-have seen the look on your face!" the peddler wiped tears from her eyes.
Robin drew in a shaky breath. "She watches me while I sleep." This triggered a new round of laughter from Anna.
"Great, a comedian." Robin ran his hands through his hair. "Anyways, there's still one more place I have to show you."
"This is your tent."
Anna stared around the "room" incredulously. It was luxuriously large, with everything she could have ever needed. Seriously, not even her caravan was this big! "Thank you so much!" she practically squealed.
"Don't thank me yet," Robin sighed, pulling something out of his bag. "We still have the paperwork to go through." The tactician pulled out an enormous mound of paper. Anna's jaw dropped at the very sight of it.
Anna looked at the first page. "Do you think you could help me with this?"
Robin paused at the tent flap. "Sure, but I can't guarantee that we'll be done very soon." Anna laughed.
"And... There!" Robin slumped back in his chair. "All done." He sighed. It was well after dark, and almost everyone had gone to sleep. Almost.
Robin stood up and stretched. "You've been quiet for these last few minutes-oh." Robin stopped in mid-sentence, having seen Anna, snoring away on the desk. Robin laughed quietly, placing a pillow beneath her head.
The half-asleep tactician stumbled to the tent flap, ready to retreat to the comfort of his bed for the night. He paused before leaving. "Goodnight Anna," he said quietly.
Anna snored in response.
I was tired when I wrote the end of this, so please point out any mistakes I made. Also, sorry if I was a little harsh on Maribelle. I will be nicer in later chapters. She is NOT an antagonist.
