Support Conversation-Iniabi and Robin

[Submitted by Squidbagger]

Rank C

"What the Grima do you think you're up to," a mature woman's voice cut apart Iniabi's concentration as he was thumbing through a thick tome as he sat on a stump. "Don't think I haven't noticed your shenanigans about the camp!"

The Mage pushed back his hat and turned around to face Chrom's wily Tactician. She was tall woman was tall with an attractive face, dark brown eyes, platinum blond hair with twin sidetails. She wore grey-brown boots, warm grey trousers, a matching v-necked tunic, a short brown kilt secured with a broad leather belt with brass buckles and dark gloves. She also wore an elaborate hooded black cloak with plum and gold accents. Iniabi's jet black version was in fact the very same cloak gifted to him by his grandmother Robin. "Hello Robin. I'm not sure what you're referring to."

She snorted in indignation, "Cut the plop. The matchmaking. I'm the Shepard's Tactician, and keen observation is my forte, even as my memory is a grey blur." She noted the talented mage had expressive and intelligent green eyes, messy black hair, and a pleasant face that looked oddly familiar. He wore black boots, gloves, hat and pants, with a tan shirt. His black cloak was neatly folded away at his feet.

Gods, she has changed so little from my memories of Grandmother Robin from my world, Iniabi realized. This Robin had fewer wrinkles, and she was far more athletic, but otherwise, her razor-sharp mind was exactly the same, and her nearly white hair was unchanged from the silver that he remembered so vividly. He reluctantly lied through his teeth, "I'm not playing Cupid, Robin, I'm only performing a service of boosting combat prowess and troop morale."

"Horse plop! I know you were discouraging Sumia from pursuing Chrom, and you even name dropped me when discussing Chrom's future prospects." She was unable to hide the slight flush in her cheeks as she berated the handsome mage, "Knock it off!"

"But I am doing my best to help our forces. Like Sumia's flower fortunes, I have a knack of divining the compatibility of people." He shrugged, "What I do is point out suggestions. I am not making anyone do anything they do not wish to do. They are always free to disregard my advice."

"You shouldn't interject yourself into people's lives though. Let their bonds grow organically."

"I'm afraid with fighting off Plegian bandits and undead Risen that the natural road to love, platonic or otherwise, is off the table." He looked eyes with her as he was unwilling to let even his darling Grandmother derail his scheme, "Robin, isn't our job to win every battle?"

Robin dropped her accusatory finger and sighed deeply. "Yes."

"Then we must remember when Sumia and I pair up people via romantic advice, is simply the back side of the same coin when you pair up people for combat."

Robin blinked as she realized that the Mage was far cannier than she initially thought. Her blush intensified as she stubbornly stood her ground, "That is a false association. You are meddling in people's hearts; all I do is direct pairings in combat based on complementary skillsets and personalities."

Iniabi broke into a wide grin as he crossed his arms, "Ah, I see. So what you do is purely a platonic promotion of bonds. Nothing more."

"E-exactly right."

"Good. Very well then, you often pair up the same fighters together. Is it fair to conjecture that their bonds will deepen with each successful outing?"

Robin could now see her King on the checkered board was in dire peril of being checkmated. She spoke a little too forcefully, "Certainly! The deeper the emotional connections are, the better the odds of winning the day. She looked defiant, "I do not intend to lose a single one of the Shepards or the Arrowhead Scouts if I have any choice."

"Most commendable Robin, and I agree with you completely." He then calmly sprung the first bear trap, "So those bonds have no possibility of turning to romantic feelings, then?"

Gods, he sounds just like a Tactician too, Robin rued. "I…I cannot deny that. But I am not doing it to set people up. I just want to help Chrom the best I can. If blooming romances is one of the side effects of victory, then that is a minute price to pay."

Iniabi sighed inwardly as he set off the second trap, "So the fact that you paired up with Chrom yourself in all of the battles except the Battle at the Longfort was an unintended side effect too?"

Robin seethed in frustration. She had raced ahead in blind indignation and grossly underestimated her opponent. "It is at Chrom's request. He favors having a magic user guard his flanks as he charges in recklessly."

"And yet it is you and not Xolette or myself he favors as backup. I wonder why…"

Robin slumped slightly and smiled graciously in defeat, "Checkmate. You're right. If I pair up with Chrom too often it may lead to misunderstandings. I'll mix it up a bit more."

"Really? I would advise the opposite. I've seen how you effortlessly fight and plan together." He broke into a comforting smile, "Remember that close bonds can easily remain platonic. You have a beautiful professional relationship; there is no reason it can't stay that way indefinitely." Except he knew that was a blatant lie regarding Chrom. He knew full well that the Prince was falling more deeply in love with Robin every time they fought and strategized side by side; of course he was still too deeply in denial to understand his feelings.

"Hmm. So noted. Please be careful. Hearts are delicate things. Do not treat them roughly."

"I will. I promise, Robin." He smiled warmly at his clever grandmother. Gods, he had missed their battles of wills so much.

She smiled herself, "I underestimated you once. It won't happen again, Iniabi."

"Hah. I'm sure you won't Robin."

"Chess match. Tomorrow after lunch. I want a rematch."

Iniabi's eyes sparkled with joy mixed in with a twinge of regret regarding his manipulations, "You're on!"