Thinking Too Much

Welp, here's another chapter. A chapter that was written while I was listening to various songs sung by /a/ and /fit/, you'd be surprised by how well made they are sometimes. Anyways, some introspection because why not, and lots of interruptions. Anways, ALL criticisms welcome, as always.

Its been a day since I encountered Chrom's group and I was currently traveling to Ylisstol with them, though being "kidnapped" might be a more appropriate term. Upon hearing that I was traveling alone, Chrom had decided to include me in his group's return to Ylisstol, citing the dangers of people traveling alone in such trying times. I don't really think I had much say in the matter, since after a quick introduction to the rest of the group, we were on our way without me even having the chance to protest. Not that I would've complained anyways, being alive is always great, and their mission is pretty important from what I remember. Though I would have preferred if the stares I kept feeling on the back of my head would stop.

I think they're coming from Frederick and Virion, though the latter is only a guess since everything starts blurring past a couple meters and he isn't too obvious if he is watching, really wish that my glasses had been brought with me or that my eyes had magically fixed upon arriving. Frederick I can understand given his title as "The Wary" or whatever, but I have absolutely no idea why Virion would take an interest. Was it because I was Chinese? I mentally shrug, didn't really care.

Anyways, apparently there had been a leather pack lying beside me on the ground where I originally lay. It was of a fairly decent size, dirt brown, and covered in grass stains. Altogether, a fairly well built bag. Nice.

It even had stuff in it, how nice of ROB or whoever it was that brought me here, still would've like having my glasses though. Not much was in it, a bedroll strapped to the outside as well as some questionable looking rations of some kind wrapped in wax paper bundled up in a rather warm looking black cloak along with a couple bottles of what I assume are those vuleny-healing things; even a little bag with some few gold coins. Cloak wasn't exactly to my tastes, but beggars can't be choosers and it would be better than what I was wearing now if it ever decided to rain; not that it really looked like it was going to rain anytime soon, from what I could see from looking up at the sky. Barely a cloud in sight. Honestly, a day like just makes me want to run away and let cano-

"-ey! Hey, Lee!" Ah, it appears that I've been ignoring Robin, who's been walking next to me the whole time. I thought that I had gotten rid of that habit after my time in retail.

I turn my attention back to the white-haired person next to me "Yep? Sorry, but I was enjoying today's weather a bit too much." I really am a bit sorry, too. Even if he is another one of those unbearably pretty people that make you want to punch them whenever they do anything, doing so would be rude. Not listening when someone speaks even more so. It probably also helped that he was also a pretty cool guy.

He was nice enough to look a bit understanding, seems like he'd been enjoying the weather too. He takes a moment to collect his thoughts again before speaking "As I was saying, what do you think about our current strategies against these creatures; anything about them causing you any troubles?"

Ah, right. He's been asking everyone this since the third encounter with the Risen we had since I joined their little party. No idea why he's bothering to ask me, since I'm not even a member of the Shepherds, but I might as well give him an honest answer though since he went to the trouble of asking.

Let's see… so far I've been slotted in the vanguard with Chrom whenever the Risen appeared, our role being mainly to get their attention and bunch them up as much as we could so that Frederick and Sully would have an easier time of running them down. Virion usually stayed a bit farther back with Lissa, making sure that we didn't get blindsided by any Risen that we might've missed. Robin himself just sort of flitted about like some deranged fairy; at times coming up to help with his sword when it looked like Chrom or I might get overwhelmed while making sure that we didn't get cornered by some obstacle, other times sitting back with Virion slinging spells; probably to get a better view of the situation while occasionally signaling (not that I could actually see exactly what he's doing, since my glasses didn't get brought over) to the two knights in the distance preparing to charge in. Robin really is stupidly OP, guess whats-his-face was correct in calling him perfect in that one Chapter.

I honestly didn't have any problems with the current arrangement outside of maybe keeping the cavalry a bit closer in case shit ever goes wrong, but other than that I'd even been able to avoid getting injured again since I had the ever competent Chrom and occasionally present Robin at my side, so I decide to tell him as such.

Damn, took me longer to collect my thoughts than I thought, still nice of him to wait without interrupting though.

"Nah, I don't have any problems with our current strategies, though I'd prefer if the cavalry were just a little bit closer; though that's just as more of a peace of mind thing for me, not that I'm all that qualified to talk about strategy." There, hopefully I didn't sound too pretentious.

He pulls out a piece of folded parchment and looks at it before honestly seeming to give my suggestion some thought (or was faking it pretty well) before giving an answer.

"Possible, but not too much closer. I'd prefer them to have enough space to get up to speed and enough space to break off their run if something happens, not to mention that it's only the two of them while you and Chrom have both me and Virion within relatively easy reach."

"Huh, well I did say-" Was about as far as I got in my response before I was interrupted by Chrom's voice coming from the head of the group, where he'd been leading and talking to Lissa about one thing or another.

"We've almost reached Ylisstol, if we pick up the pace a bit we'll reach it by noon. Let's go!" He says before taking off at a light jog. Oi, I like you and all but you better be glad I did my stretches this morning! I would've smacked you across the face if my hip went again - even if you are one of the Main Characters.

"Hey!"

See? Even Lissa agrees with me. Still, I sigh and pick up the pace, Robin beside me finishing making a few notes on the parchment before folding it away and speeding up as well. Was that a pencil? I'll check later.

We quickly approach the lineup leading to the gates before slowing down and beginning to walk alongside it. I'm a bit out of breath, but I guess that's my fault since I haven't been as active lately as I used to. Still a bit embarrassing, since it looks like I'm the most tired of the group. The gatehouse seems quite busy, people and carts entering and leaving the city after a quick check by the guards. We've barely reached the gate before a guard runs up and begins leading us past the line-up and into the city before giving Chrom a salute and running back; perks of being royalty I guess.

"So this is Ylisstol, capital of Ylisse... I've never seen so many people!" Aannd there's canon rearing its head again.

Now that I mention it, should I really even try and change anything? Do I have to? This story already has a happy ending, and while people always go on and on about "saving Emmeryn!" I don't think they really understand just how symbolically important her death is, and how it's probably the only reason the Shepherds even had a chance of escaping Plegia. I won't even bother thinking about trying to alter the events that were the root of her sacrifice being necessary; I doubt that I can make it to Plegia by myself and I sure as hell won't be able to get anywhere close to Gangrel, let alone the real villain pulling the strings behind the scenes.

What am I even doing here? There's nothing that I as an individual can even do to truly affect the story in the long run, it's literally a fight between gods. The most that I can do is follow along and make sure that people don't die when they're not supposed to, and that canon follows its proper rails. Anything more than that, and I'll need political power of some kind or friends in high places, and I don't think I'm quite rea-

A hand on my shoulder, it's Chrom. "Are you alright Lee? You've been staring at the sky for a while now, and we were just about to head to the palace." Ah, looks like I got too absorbed in my own thought again and missed the little comedy routine. A couple were looking worriedly at me, primarily Chrom, Lissa, and Robin; I haven't really had a chance to speak much with the others yet.

I'll think about it later; after I've gotten to know these people a bit more and have some time to myself. Why am I even coming along to the palace anyways? I never got invited into the Shepherds.

"Sorry, I was just thinking of some useless stuff, don't mind me guys. Lead on." They nod, but Robin doesn't look quite convinced. Smart guy, just hope he doesn't pry too much; I've never been the best liar, even with my excellent poker face.