Robin kicked back against a fence listening in as Owain regaled a group of village children with his stories. In all fairness, he was a pretty good entertainer, but it was a problem when he decided to pull it off during important matters such as combat or during chores.

The tactician did not intervene though. Instead, he observed and let them have their fun. They were having fun, but Robin was busy trying figure the young man out. Underneath all the showmanship was an extremely talented fighter who was apparently extremely knowledgeable about weapons and their upkeep. He had the makings of an invaluable member of the Shepherds, but he insisted on these games. Why?

After the kids finally dispersed having to go home, Robin approached the blonde man, "You seem popular."

"Ah, Sir Robin! What brings you by here?"

"I was coming through and saw you entertaining the kids."

"Ah, yes, the young ones loved the tales of Owain Dark as anyone who loves adventure should."

"I see," Robin turned and gestured for Owain to follow, "Walk with me."

Owain was not about to deny the hero tactician and promptly started walking alongside him excited for what adventures or juicy stories might await him. They walked on for a bit in silence until Robin was fairly certain that they were alone before turning to face the young man.

"Why do you act out these fantasies of yours?" Robin asked, "Why the charades? I want a real answer."

Owain hesitated at the tone of voice employed by the tactician. It did not lend itself to being trifled with, so Owain did something he rarely ever did, he dropped the act.

"It was terrifying," Owain's voice was quiet, "The future I mean. I was just a kid. What's so special about me? Uncle Chrom died, Lucina was a hero, and I was just…Owain. Yet for some reason, people seemed to look up to me. So I created an image that they could look up to. The persona of Owain Dark. A hero that felled his foes wherever he went. I guess…it was how I coped."

"So why keep it up now?" Robin asked intrigued. It was not quite what he had been expecting, but close enough.

"Habit? I'm not sure. I'm…scared, I guess. There's a lot riding on us, and when I got here and I had to fight and kill real, living people…I nearly threw up the first time I killed someone. I'm not some big hero, so I fake it."

"I don't think that makes you weak," Robin replied, "Taking lives is serious business. It's something I try to keep to a minimum. The fact you recognize that is a good thing. I don't want bloodthirsty killers, and neither does Chrom. We want good people that will fight to protect those who can't and can do what has to be done even when they don't like it. You showed you can do that. You may not be Lucina or Chrom, but you don't have to be in order to save lives and be someone worth looking up to."

"You really think so?"

"You've spent plenty of time here," Robin smirked, "Do the Shepherds really seem like the stuff of legend now that you've gotten to know them?"

"They're awesome!" Robin could almost swear that he could see the stars in his eyes.

"Er, right, but you don't have to try so hard. You don't have to be Owain Dark, just Owain will do nicely."

"Wow, I never thought I was that impressive, but if the hero tactician says it, then it must be true!"

"Uh, okay? And you don't have to give up your stories. You have a real talent, but just maybe…don't try to live them in battle."

"I shall take your words to heart, and I shall rise from the ashes having survived my metamorphosis into a true hero of legend!"

"It's…good to have goals I guess. Though, with that out of the way, I have something else to ask about. About your cousin."

Owain's ears burned at the last bit, "Ah, what do you seek to know about my fairest of cousins?"

"Just, was she always so…withdrawn?"

"Hmm," Owain thought back to his childhood, "I don't remember back then all that well honestly, but…I don't think so. She used to be very carefree. She would play with the rest of us as the leader of our band of heroes. Though, even then she was very committed. One time someone was mean to Cynthia, and Lucina practically laid the kid flat."

"Really now?" Robin smirked a little, "Guess I shouldn't be too surprised."

"Yeah," Owain's nostalgic smile faded, "But that all changed after Chrom died. She was forced to rise up to the occasion, and she did not disappoint, but…"

"She lost her childhood," Robin finished, "You all did."

"True, but no one more than her. Things did not immediately get too bad, but Lucina trained relentlessly to fight and lead. She worked so hard for her people, and for her father. She really is the stuff of legends."

"Yes, she is," Robin admitted with a bit more admiration than he meant to let slip.

"Oh! That does remind me though. She used to have the utmost fascination with butterflies."

"'Butterflies?'" Robin raised a brow. It seemed so unlike her.

"Oh yes! I remember her pure excitement when she found a blue one with a strange pattern. Said it must have been a harbinger of fate and chased it till it flew over the castle wall." Owain chuckled, "She sounded a lot like me actually."

"That must have been quite the sight," Robin nodded with a grin. He would have liked to see her more carefree side. As close as they were, there was always something she was holding back. "Thank you for telling me all this. Though, let's not tell Lucina about this."

"Fear not, brave fellow. I, too, wish to live to see another day."

"Heh, indeed."

A/N: Good news and bad news. Good news, I have more time on my hands and if you're into my XC2 stuff, I do have several chapter drafts for a new story done there. Bad news is that the time is because I got sort of canned at my job. Admittedly, my boss was…something, and I was probably going to leave fairly soon after Friday anyway, but it's still not a great situation.