X-X-X-X

Chapter 7

X-X-X-X

I stared at Ricken as he nervously shifted foot to foot. He's...tiny...I still can't believe this small boy managed to get the best of me. I began walking and he quickly followed after me. Neither one of us spoke, mainly because I had nothing to say and probably because he was unsure how to speak to me after what happened when we were to rescue Maribelle. I slowed down when I noticed him having difficulty keeping up with me and I could hear him sigh in relief. I'm unsure why Robin paired me with the boy as he can barely keep up with me.

"Er...Morgiana?" I hummed, indicating I'm listening. "Do you...dislike me?" Ricken asked nervously.

"Not really." I answered scanning the tree line.

"Huh? But..."

"You were doing your duty. Besides, I know I looked quite shifty. We never met before so you had no way of knowing I was with the Shepherds."

"Still..."

"If you want to make it up to me, then you got to watch my back properly."

"Huh, that's it?"

"Well, you're a ranged fighter and I'm a close combatant. Isn't it obvious that I want you to have my back?"

"No, you're right. I'll do my best then!"

"Good!"

Today's battle wasn't half bad. The boy was good in providing support, even using small cues I gave to him before we began fighting some Risen. They were very slight things, but he was able to notice them almost right away and give the support I needed. I couldn't resist the urge to take off his hat and ruffle his hair...which he had protested to saying he wasn't a child. I only grinned and continued to do so despite the fact he playfully tried to get me to stop.

X-X Ricken C Support X-X

"Hm?" I noticed Ricken reading while walking, that's not good. I quickly walked towards him and I plucked the book out of his hands. "Hey now, don't walk and read. It's dangerous."

"M-Morgiana?" Ricken stared at me in surprise before jumping for his book that I kept out of his reach above his head. "Hey! Give me back my book."

"If you're going to read, then do so while sitting down." I stared at the title. "Huh, how to grow taller and be more like a man?"

"T-That...!"

"Is there something wrong with the way you are now?"

"Well...It's just...Everyone looks at me like I'm a kid. I just want to prove to everyone that I can be a mature adult!"

"You are a kid though."

"Morgiana!"

"Also, this kind of stuff doesn't work. It's mainly genetics not how much you eat or exercise."

"What's genetics?"

"..." Crap, I forgot that this isn't my world. "Well, it's basically traits you inherit from your parents or your grandparents. Take my eye color. Neither one of my parents have it, but my grandfather on my dad's side has green eyes. Also, I'm a bit on the tall side for a woman, right?"

"Yeah, you're pretty tall for a woman."

"Well, both my parents are pretty tall so I gained my height from them." Also, I'm pretty sure the women here are only short due to genetics and poor health. I'm only glad I'm still shorter than all the men in the Shepherds. I don't think I could take the thought of knowing I'm taller than a grown man...men like girls shorter than them, right? "For me...I wouldn't mind being a bit shorter..."

"Huh..."

"You can't rush growth. It is important to eat, exercise, and sleep right, but if you try to force yourself then there is no way you will grow bigger within a short time. You're young now, but you'll eventually grow taller."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Still...how do I get everyone to take me seriously?"

"Hm...You're definably more mature than Vaike so he has no real right to say you're a kid."

"Eheheh, you're right about that."

"Also, you're quite charming and a perfect little gentleman. When you get older, you'll be quite the catch."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Thanks, Morgiana."

"No problem."

"Can I...ask you advice from now on?"

"Sure, any time."

"Thanks!"

X-X-X-X

"I'm paired up with you this time around, eh?" I asked giving Robin a slight grin.

"It seems so. Do go easy on me this time around." Robin said with a small laugh.

"No promises~!" I sang tugging my hood up.

"Why do you do that?"

"Hm?"

"Pull your hood up before a battle."

"Oh, do I...?" I tugged at the edge of my hood, hiding my eyes beneath the shadow of my hood. "I guess it's a force of habit."

"A habit?"

"Yeah." I did it all the time to hide my identity...before fighting. "A habit..."

"..."

"..."

"Are you not going to tell me why?"

"Not really." I turned my gaze to the side, avoiding the man's piercing stare. "I just...have a few bad memories when I think of the reason why."

"Sorry, I brought up some bad memories, huh?"

"...Not all of them were bad. Oh, looks like we're almost there."

Chrom promised to help out some merchants earlier to help them out with a bandit problem and securing their goods again. I actually was used to this kind of thing and it just so happened I ran into an old friend of mine. Someone with cousins who look just like her and with the same name, this Anna and I got along splendidly. The moment the battle ended and she realized I was among the Shepherds, she quickly ignored Chrom and Robin who were trying to talk to her and ran at me full force. I actually had to brace myself before she hit me...since I was close to falling over.

"Morgiana, my sweet green eyed darling!" Anna squealed almost squeezing the life out of me.

"Hello, Anna. It has been far too long!" I said returning her hug.

"You two know one another?" Robin asked in surprise.

"Of course! I met this dear about four years ago and back then she was a scrawny little girl." Anna began nuzzle the top of my head with a smile. "Ohh! Look at you now! Now, do Anna a big favor..." Anna said giving me a grin.

"The usual?"

"Please?"

"Of course."

"What's this 'usual'?"

"I think I got some on me somewhere...Well, let's get the caravan back first and I can check."

"Of course!"

"What is this 'usual'?"

"You'll see, handsome!"

Anna dragged me along with her, chatting all the while. When we got the caravan back, I began emptying my pockets. Not this, not this...ah, here it is. I thought pulling out a large bulky cloth. Anna squealed as I passed it over to her and Robin stood beside me staring at the bulky package curiously. The woman opened it up to reveal tiny teddy bears of various sizes and colors. Real bears I hate, but I do like teddy bears...they're not the real thing after all.

"Absolutely adorable!" Anna squealed happily.

"Teddy bears?" Robin asked in disbelief.

"I learned how to sew from Anna when I was acting as her guard when we first met. She absolutely fell in love with the tiny bears I made." I said with a tiny embarrassed smile.

"Yup! Morgiana and I got ourselves a deal. In exchange for these little darlings or any other work I want her to do for me. I'll get her custom weapons using my family's connections! Of course, she still pays for it properly."

"You get weapons...for tiny bears?"

"It's not that weird, Anna really likes her teddy bears."

"This kind of patchwork requires a steady hand! Look!" Anna shoved the teddy bear in his face. "Do you realize what kind of skill this takes?!"

"Er..."

"Anna, you're scaring him."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Hm...he's quite handsome, isn't he?"

"Anna...my weapons."

"Yes, yes, custom ordered as usual, straight from Chon'sin!"

I gave Robin a slight smile, walking off with Anna for a bit. The woman prepared me a new pair of tanto, as my old ones are going to reach their breaking point soon, and some more specialized crafted knives. I tested the weight on the tanto, spinning it in hand before holding them in a reverse grip. Hm, it was indeed a good choice to ask Anna for a stronger metal, but the weight is a bit more than my old pair. The color of the blades are a dark grey, what kind of metal was used?

"How is it?" Anna asked putting away the boxes.

"A bit heavier, but everything is perfect. Much appreciated, Anna." I said sheathing them.

"It's not a problem! Your master was always one of my top customers. It was a surprise he picked up some civilian girl with odd yet high quality clothing."

"...Thanks again for taking my old clothes, I know it wouldn't be much, but I'm just glad I sold them to you instead of someone else."

"It's fine! My cousins are still having difficulty figuring out the technique used to weave together your clothing. This 'zipper' is especially difficult to get right, but by the time we do get it, it'll be a revolution to the fashion industry! Are you willing to part with any designs from your homeland perhaps?"

"Another time I think."

"Very well, how about your next order?"

"My next order...I suppose some katana or something. I care little for the designs and such, but I want a strong metal. I don't care for the weight either."

"A pair or singular?"

"Pair."

"Any color in particular?"

"Not really."

"Hm...So you want something that is incredibly strong...eh...?"

"If I must, I'll pay in gold and any other favors you want."

"Well, you're my most valued customer and the one who keeps her promises. Alright, I'll see what I can do."

"Thank you, Anna."

"It's no problem. Well, I best get going! I'll see you another time and be sure to give me the big scoop on which man is your hunk!"

"Oh, Anna...Ah, right. If I do like the metal used for the katana can I get a pair of tanto as well?"

"Of course, I'll hold off on the tanto for now, but I'll ask them to be ready if you really like it. It's going to be a steep price."

"I'll be willing to pay however you want. Just give me an estimate next time we meet so I can prepare the funds."

"Great! Wonderful doing business with you, dear!"

"You as well."

I gave Anna handshake and she topped it off with a warm hug. I watched her go until I couldn't see her anymore before turning on my heels to rejoin the others. Today's patrol wasn't half bad. I heard someone calling my name and I saw Ricken waving his arm, a wide smile on his face. I shook my head, deciding to walk back with the short young man. Really, for someone who says he's not a child...he sure is cute in a little brother sort of way.

X-X Robin C Support X-X

"What do I do...?" I questioned staring at the shop.

"Morgiana?" I jumped and I quickly whirled around to see Robin behind me. "What are you standing in front of that clothing store for?" Robin asked a bit confused.

"Er...well, you see..." I felt embarrassed as I shifted foot to foot. "I was...thinking of buying a new dress, but I can't work up the nerve to go inside..."

"That's all?"

"Haah, maybe another day." I shook my head and I gave Robin a slight smile. "What are you up to? It's rare for you to be out and about like this."

"I was going to go purchase a few books."

"Books, eh...? I guess I'll tag along, got nothing better to do."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, besides, you look like you could use the company."

"Then I'll take you up on your offer."

The two of us went to the local bookstore and I decided to take some books on weapon care and such. Robin on the other hand...well, he was looking at books on war and tactics. As expected, this man is a tactician through and through. The two of us finished our shopping quite quickly and were heading back to our camp.

"I got some good books this time around. Thanks for your help, Morgiana." Robin said giving me a kind smile.

"It's not a problem. My memory is actually probably the only trait that is useful outside of battle." I said spinning a lock of hair between my fingers.

"You think too little of yourself. You do plenty around the camp. I heard from Chrom that you have been helping Frederick with the Shepherd's funds. Getting goods at a bargain and making sure we have plenty of good quality weapons and armor in stock. Even Frederick admits that your fast calculations have helped him immensely."

"Really?" Oh, right, the education of this world is quite low. "This level of education...it was rather common where I lived."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, also...it was very peaceful." I released a small weak laugh. "Children weren't expected to join a war and they had the choice in joining the army when they turn 18, they're not forced into it. They're expected to go to school and get an education and be taught various things..."

"It sounds wonderful, but...why are you here then?"

"...I wonder that myself every day." I walked ahead and I turned back, giving Robin a slight smile. "I hate it, you know. I never wanted this life, but I know I cannot go back...I can't, not with hands so stained red."

"That..."

"Besides, my family probably believes me to be long dead. I don't...want them to suffer thinking about all the bad things I did in order to survive. I'll speak with you another time...Robin. Right now, I doubt I am going to be pleasant company."

"Wait, Morgiana-! Great...she left. Still, her lands sound quite interesting. I must ask her how they managed to live in peace for so long another time."

X-X-X-X

Chapter 7 Ends

There are certain skills Mor needed to learn to survive on her own, sewing was one such thing as she isn't a guy and can't exactly go shirtless or without pants. She has to be able to repair her own clothing even in a pinch...something she suffered through in the beginning with many painful finger poking with a needle. Mor is still a girl too so going clothes shopping on occasion is something she would want to do, but the main problem is that she is incredibly scarred on the arms hence the long gloves. Got nothing more to add so that's all for today! Bye-bye~!