Morgan yawned and stretched in her bed. A new day, a new chance to work on getting her parents together. She had never actually promised that she would not interfere since she made her mother flustered enough to change topics. All part of being a brilliant tactician.
Her mother was well aware of her machinations at this point, however; she would probably be better off working through her father going forward. She hoped that he was already changing his mind about Lucina and viewing her as a woman, but perhaps she should find some way to help that along? Though, her best course of action may have been to let Lucina do that for her and just focus on getting them together as much as she could.
Though, perhaps her mother would be open to some advice.
"Father," Morgan said as sweetly as she could muster.
"Uh-oh, what did you do?"
"Why do you have to assume the worst?"
"Because," Robin grinned, "You, are a little troublemaker."
"The nerve," Morgan gasped in faux shock causing Robin to laugh with her soon following.
"So, what did you want?"
"I was wondering, do you think Lucina is pretty?"
Robin momentarily choked on his own spit, "E-excuse me?"
"I mean, I know her armor isn't that flattering, but what do you think? Several men seem to eye her as she walks around."
"They do?" Robin looked rather invested in that.
"Yeah," she was not lying. Many of the men in the regular army as well as the men of both Valm and Ferox had been eying her mother. Personally, Morgan hated it since they were not her father, but she thought it provided an excellent way to get her father's opinion on the matter, "I figured she had to be considered pretty to attract so much attention given what she wears."
"I see," Robin took a moment to collect his thoughts while trying to rationalize why that information bothered him so much, "Well, yes, I…suppose she is rather attractive." He opted not to voice his internal monologue about her perfect face, sparkling eyes, or flowing hair. It was amazing really. She was mesmerizing from the neck up in ways that other women in their entirety-physically at least-failed to be, and that was before taking into account that the more time he spent with her, the more he realized he was experiencing something beyond the physical. Something even more troublesome.
"Really?" Morgan's eyes sparkled, "So what about when she wore that dress? Outside of the eye-melting colors, how do you think she looked? Better?"
Robin cleared his throat trying to calm himself at the mental image-color removed from the dress for the sake of his sanity-of her in that dress, "Er, um, she looked…good. All things considered. It certainly accentuated her figure–" he cut himself off from going any further.
Morgan now decided she had enough. Time to throw him off my scent, "Do you think I'll ever be that pretty?"
"Is that what this is about? Don't you worry," he ruffled her hair, "You'll be a fine young woman. Just…not too soon, alright. I'd hate for you to grow up too fast."
"Aw, daddy," she gave him a hug.
"Now, care for a game of strategy?"
"Goody!" Morgan may even be able to use that to her advantage.
"Evening, Lucina."
The princess immediately turned around to face the tactician with a lump in her throat. That charming smile of his was once again on his face. Lucina pulled her thoughts away from that though. She was getting infatuated like a schoolgirl.
"R-robin! How are you this evening?"
"Fine. I lost track of time today, so now I guess I need to track down some food. How about you? Have you eaten yet?"
"Um, no, I have not."
"Huh, well, care to join me?"
"Y-you're asking me to eat? With you?" Lucina's mouth was running dry.
"Er, yes? You don't have to if you don't want to."
"I didn't say that!" Robin looked at her strangely after her outburst and Lucina wanted to slap herself, "Er, um, lead the way."
"Right. I was thinking about this nice little place on the pier. I hear it's nice."
"Very well. Shall we depart?"
Lucina followed Robin along as they traveled through the port town. Neither said much on the trip and Lucina was feeling awkward again. How was she supposed to react?
"Ah, we're here," Robin stopped outside of the restaurant and opened the door for her, "Milady."
The establishment was significantly fancier than Lucina had been expecting. The whole area was dimly lit with a candle at each table and a clear view of the ocean out of the far wall.
"Wow, was not expecting this," Robin mused.
"Where exactly did you hear about this restaurant?"
"Morgan told me about it."
"I see," Morgan, she should have known.
"Well, we're already here. Might as well eat," Robin signaled for a table of two.
"I suppose," they were already there, "But I feel underdressed."
"Don't worry about it. So am I."
Lucina relented with that and joined Robin at a table next to the window wall, "This is a lovely establishment."
"It is. Though it's not very busy."
Lucina looked around, and, sure enough, they were one of only a few other people there. At least none of them seemed to be with them so hopefully no rumors would start, "I wonder why that is."
"They may have just reopened after the occupation. That kind of stuff can be bad for business."
"I suppose it would."
A waitress then came and took their orders. Afterwards, Robin smiled, "So, Lucina, how was your day?"
"Fine. I had lunch with mother and father and got in some training."
"More training? You really need a hobby. There's more to life than training you know. What do you plan on doing after we stop Grima?"
"I…don't know. That monster has cast such a massive shadow over my life, that I am not sure what I will do when it is gone. I am not entirely sure how to live a life at peace."
"What about these past two years? What did you do during them?"
"I searched for the gemstones as well as those who came with me from my world, but I found neither. I lived largely off the land by hunting. I rarely had the money for a proper bed."
"It may not be the doomsday world you grew up in, but sleeping out in the wild can be very dangerous here as well," Robin voiced with concern.
"I know, but I am a notoriously light sleeper. I had to be."
Robin looked at her solemnly. She had been through so much already, "You're strong, Lucina, but you don't have to live that life anymore. Once the war is over, you can have a home."
"I appreciate the offer, but my brand would raise too many questions. I would like nothing more than to stay, but how could I?" Yet, I had a daughter. How? How did I get over this?
"Well, at least promise to stay in touch. I'd hate to lose such a dear friend."
Lucina felt the familiar pit in her stomach return, but she was unsure if it was because of the sincerity of his words or because of his use of the word "friend."
"I value you as well."
Robin smiled, "Let's change the subject to something a little more upbeat. We can cross that bridge when we get there."
Lucina smiled as well, "Yes, let's."
Meanwhile, a cloaked girl that had slipped in after Robin and Lucina and hid behind a counter smiled.
A/N: So, how would people feel about a...return to form? Something a bit more focused on their family? I kind of want to utilize the exalt Morgan thing, and I think I have an idea that could do it without having quite as many hoops to jump through to get her there. Wouldn't be the primary focus, but she would probably wear it at least once.