Shepherds Part 1/3
In the morning, Chrom awoke Robin and brought her to the Shepherd's garrison. "I can't wait to introduce you, Robin." Robin nodded, smiling. Lissa was off talking with a friend, and Frederick was relaying reports to Chrom's sister, who Robin still had yet to meet, and wanted to meet. Chrom and Robin entered the room, and were met with an interesting sight. A blonde haired man blocked the doorway, hiding the room. "Hey, Chrom, we have a surprise for you." Chrom raised an eyebrow. "Vaike. I've got a surprise for you too." Vaike only raised his eyebrows, mimicking Chrom.
"We found this magician named Robin, and he/she's a really great person that we/I want to induct into the Shepherds." The two said simultaneously. And then they blinked in sync.
"Wait, what?" Robin peeked her head from out behind Chrom. Only to see a mirror image peeking out from behind Vaike. Just, with shorter hair.
"Wait, what?" Robin had peeked his head out from behind Vaike, only to see a mirror image peeking out from behind Chrom. Just, with longer hair.
"Robin, how'd you sneak around me?" Vaike laughed. "I didn't. Why is that man behind you so similar in appearance to me?"
...
After about 5 minutes of explaining, confusion, minor shouting, and both Robins staring each other down nervously.
...
"So, lemme get this straight, Vaike. You found this man laying in the middle of the garrison, and he didn't remember much of anything, because he was an amnesiac. You yourself let him pal around with you, sparring with the fellow Shepherds, and last night, when those creatures attacked, he came with and helped out." Vaike nodded. "And Chrom, you said you found this girl snoring in the middle of a field, and she didn't remember much of anything, cuz she's an am... she doesn't remember? And she followed you around, fighting bandits, and helped us fight last night?" Chrom nodded.
"Maybe they're brother and sister?" A woman suggested from the corner. "Possibly, Sumia. In any case, how are you?" Sumia stepped forward to speak, only tripping and landing on her face. "Sumia, are you alright? Don't tell me it's those blasted boots of yours again." Sumia only sighed. "So, anyways. This went differently than I thought it would. Frederick's going to have a stroke when he finds out there's two of you, Robin." Robin giggled, and the male Robin blinked. "Who?" He asked. Everyone in the room was confused, and then realized what was going on.
"This is going to get confusing. We're gonna need a way to tell you two apart." Everyone sat about for a bit, before Sumia suggested something. "Well, the Robin that's been with us has shinier hair, so maybe we name him accordingly?" The male Robin turned to Sumia. "How come I get the short end of the stick?" A voice butted in from the doorway. "Oh, quit complaining. In any case, Sumia's idea is excellent. I've already thought of a word." Maribelle grinned, holding her parasol lightly, Lissa at her side. "Reflet is my suggestion. It means "luster"." Vaike blinked. "I don't think Robin's that kinda guy, Maribelle." The noble sighed, exhasperated. "No, Vaike, it means shiny. Is that better?"
Robin, or the newly christened Reflet shook his head. "I guess. It's gonna take some getting used to. But, next time, she has to change, whatever it is." Robin only nodded in response. "That's fair, I guess. I got to keep my name."
Chrom shook his head. "In any case, there was something else I brought everyone here for today. We'll be marching to Regna Ferox soon enough." Robin cocked her head, but Reflet whispered in her ear: "It's up north, and it's full of strong barbarians and warriors. I did some reading while I was here." Chrom then continued. "This new menace of monsters could be dangerous, so we're going to ask for help. My sister, Emmeryn, would normally give the request, but the people might worry if she left them here in wake of the earthquakes and monsters, so we're going instead."
Everyone in the room nodded. "Now, everyone, this is completely voluntary. Nobody's forced to come." Lissa led the mass spree of volunteering, as everyone quickly threw themselves aboard within moments. Even a mysterious man in a massive armored suit offered to go, but only Robin and Reflet noticed him. Sumia had seemed nervous, but decided to follow at a safe distance, as she wasn't sure she was ready for proper missions. Spear fighting the monsters on the ground the previous night had been enlightening in the ways of combat, but had also shaken her resolve considerably.
Thus, everyone headed off at once. Chrom had ordered supplies readied before he had rested, already knowing that a journey was to be had soon. Despite the full group ranging from Lissa, to the armored man, to Vaike, it was apparent even more were on their way. Two riders on horseback, and one archer following one of the riders headed up behind them. "Wait up, Chrom!" Chrom raised an eyebrow. "Stahl? Sully? And... who are you?"
Stahl waved, Sully nodded her head, and the archer poised to introduce himself. "My name is-" Sully cut him off. "He's Virion. Don't let him hog the spotlight, or he'll hold it for way too long. He's following me for some reason." Chrom shrugged. "Frederick's gonna have nightmares about letting this many new people near me and Lissa. Speaking of which, where is Frederick?" Everyone shrugged, and then noticed a thundering dustcloud approaching from Ylisse. Robin blanched. "That's probably Frederick."
"So, why are you all showing up now?" Stahl pouted. "Why was I the last person to hear about this expedition?" Lissa looked up. "Vaike, you were supposed to tell him." Vaike grimaced. "Hey, Teach never forgets. He just... doesn't always remember." Maribelle muttered something along the lines of "that's the same thing", and Lissa groaned. "You'd forget your name and nicknames if you weren't saying them so often, Vaike!" The blonde haired man grimaced again. "Did you at least remember your axe, Vaike?" Vaike snarled in response. "That was once! Twice! No, once, training sessions don't count!" Everyone sighed as a collective.
"Anyways Chrom, Miriel should be following soon. Maybe she caught a lift with Frederick." Stahl added. Robin sighed suddenly. "What is it, Robin?" Reflet turned, and then slapped himself in the head, still not used to the new name. "I just realized I never got to meet your sister Emmeryn, Chrom." Chrom nodded his head. "Well, when we get back."
Sumia shouted over. "Captain, there are more of those figures ahead!" Chrom swore under his breath. "They're this far already? Damn. Let's show em what we've got, then!"
End of Shepherds Part 1/3
(A/N: Now that the story's back on track, expect much more frequent updates. That stupid pesky writers block had been the death of me!)
