"Report!" Robin demanded as he gauged the status of his troops. The next town over had complained of a nearby bandit encampment. Seemed they would be getting practical experience after all.

"Preparations are almost complete," Lucina informed him.

"Good," Robin looked around only to notice that they had someone missing, "Where's Nah?"

"I'm here!" The short manakete ran up out of breath, "There are twenty-three bandits in the camp. Weapons were pretty poor, and they didn't seem too organized."

"Er, that's nice, but," Robin looked around, "Can I see you in private for a bit?"

"Huh? Sure." Nah followed him over away from where the others were preparing for a fight. Once Robin deemed that they were sufficiently far away, he stopped to talk to her.

"Nah, you know that you have nothing to prove to me, or any of the Shepherds, right?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean scouting all by yourself. There is a reason we usually send scouts in groups of no less than two."

"But I'm a dragon, I think I can take care of myself."

"Yes, so what if they had wind magic? Or bows? One lucky shot and we're down a dragon. It's not just this either. You push yourself and take unnecessary risks quite a lot I've noticed. I appreciate the effort, but there is such a thing as trying too hard. I would rather you follow orders than try to prove how useful you are."

"I see."

"Like you said, you can turn into a dragon. Your combat prowess is not in question, but I know you have a chip on your shoulder because of your size and appearance. Can't be easy looking so much younger than your age at times like this, but I do want you to know that your ability is not in question. So no more unnecessary risks, okay?"

"Alright," Nah nodded.

"Good, and don't feel too bad. You're probably one of the most sane people in your little band."

Nah could not resist a small smile at that, "'Probably?'"

"How is everyone?" Robin asked Brady after the fighting. It had went…okay. At least they were vastly more skilled than their opponents. Inigo and Gerome followed orders at least, and Nah stayed where she was assigned despite the opportunities to try and go above and beyond her assigned role. That said, Yarne still fled halfway through the fight while Cynthia and Owain kept trying to one up each other in "heroism." It was an improvement at least, he told himself. Not bad seeing as they had just started.

"Mostly fine," Brady mumbled as he tended to Owain, but he was not too busy to not notice Robin was limping, "You need some work though. I'm kinda busy here though." He grabbed spare staff and tossed it to Lucina, "Can you take care of him?"

"Me?" Lucina looked from the staff to the gruff man.

"Yeah, you got enough training to take care of it. Just…go over that a ways," Brady shooed them away. Somewhat reluctantly, Lucina nodded and left with Robin and staff in tow. After a few seconds, Owain smirked.

"Not bad."

"I didn't know you were trained as a cleric," Robin commented as he sat down to let Lucina tend to his injured leg.

"Many of us got rudimentary training. Enough to handle minor injuries," Lucina replied evenly as she rolled up the pants leg, "Gracious! How did you even get this?" It was a fair bit worse than she had been expecting. Bandits of that kind of skill should have never gotten a hit in.

"Got a bit distracted keeping an eye on everyone."

"I see," Lucina knew something was up. He normally had little issue keeping track of a whole battlefield, let alone a mild skirmish, "That's unlike you."

"Well, it's unusual circumstances."

"In what way?" Lucina asked casually as she started cleaning the wound.

"Well, I am responsible for all of you," Robin left out the double duty he was putting in keeping specially close attention on behaviors. Not to mention assuring Lucina's safety in particular.

"That seems no different than usual."

"True, but…" Robin trailed off.

"We are the children of your friends," Lucina spoke coldly as she put the cloth away and grabbed the staff.

"You say that like you're not my friends too."

"I am the daughter of a friend," The staff lit up as Lucina focused on the wound. However, Robin's gaze was fixated on her. He was a little hurt to be honest.

"Are you saying we're not friends? I had thought us closer than that. In fact, I'd say you are one of my closest allies."

Lucina inspected her work once she was done refusing to look him in the eye, "Really?"

"Of course. I feel like I can tell you things I can't normally share. I'd…like to think we were friends, but if you don't feel that way then I'm sorry for overstepping my bounds."

"No, I just…I had assumed that you would view me as such. I thought you were being nice."

"Well, I was being nice, but not because I thought you were kids."

"So…you would consider me an average woman?"

"Pfft," Robin restrained a laugh which Lucina did not know what to make of, "Hardly. You're very much above average, Lucina. You're what many guys would consider, if they were being honest, out of their league."

"Is that…a good thing?" Lucina raised her brow.

"Yes," Robin chuckled, "A very good thing."

"So, what 'league' are you in?" Lucina asked curiously.

"Oh, um," Robin blushed slightly, "Average, I'd say. Maybe a little above on a good day."

"Hmm," Lucina stood holding her supplies as she did so, "Well, I think you are in an advanced league if I do say so."

"Er, thanks," Robin's face heated up even more. Did she know what she was saying, or was this her social awkwardness? Or was she just being nice?

"Well, then, I shall return to the others. I'll report when they're ready to move out."

"Thanks," Robin snapped back to business. Once she was gone though, his mind went wild analyzing what she had said.