Pairing alert: FrederickXSumia. Also! Be advised that MorganXInigo stuff I mentioned in the beginning is picking up!
Holy hell, we're days away from the date I published the story. You might be wondering why I haven't abandoned it despite enough reasons.
"Don't ask questions you aren't prepared to handle the answers to."
One Cup Of Alternate Dimension
Chapter 6: Your Little World Falling Apart
Morgan spent the night explaining to Robin and Cherche why she was going to keep her end of the deal to work at the rival coffee shop, but they insisted whenever they could she didn't have to... It didn't stop her from questioning if they meant it. She didn't normally doubt her parents, but sometimes Robin looked a bit grim as he said she was old enough to make her own choices. Sometimes Cherche made a comment about business tactics. By the end of it, Morgan hoped they understood she was doing this to help people.
The way Morgan saw it: Chrom and Robin's friendship was the one obstacle to getting back home. After all, everyone knew how much they trusted each other. The fact it could be unraveled in another world was downright offensive. She would get there, maybe not within this week... But eventually.
Morgan did briefly have concern Robin would tear down her theory, not that she actually voiced it around him before the time was right. When he saw her gawking emotionally, he stopped to pat her head and give her a smile BLINDINGLY fatherly. While she was dazed by his awesome image, he told her blood was more important than pettiness and her place at the coffee shop would not be replaced for the... What... Two days she'd probably be gone? In fact, it wasn't even a serious situation. Morgan agreed. They both knew her abilities to dig up buried knowledge was legendary, obviously.
Morgan thought she understood now: Robin didn't dislike the idea of her working away from the family, or even with a buddy turned business rival. He hadn't psyched himself up nearly enough to be prepared for the past he'd have to relive. She was definitely going to pull her flashback move on his mind, and he'd rather be locked in the backroom for all eternity. But you know what? Family isn't safe from being subjected to a challenge. Maybe he wanted to forget his past, but it didn't leave him behind if that sounds even vaguely cool.
It probably looked ridiculous when Morgan joined Chrom and family at the front doors bright and early wearing their color. She just smiled at everyone who dared to meet her gaze. She already knew what her strategy would be: she was going to approach Olivia, Inigo and Lucina one-on-one as the day goes on and "subtly" drill for information on Chrom. It only made logical sense Chrom wouldn't be so eager to talk about his past after that other day he confessed knowing Robin in college in the first place... Even then, she doubted he would have said that if not for being told about her fake- Er- "real" amnesia. The man wasn't just good with a sword or coffee ingredients; Robin wasn't just attached to his hip because he was the brain, and no Morgan would not find a more eloquent wording.
Morgan whipped out her journal, circling Inigo's name first. It wasn't a, um, preference thing. Well, not entirely. Not only was he probably easy on a Friday night, but he was also easy to get talking in the presence of a potential love interest.
"You're... Still having problems with the sign?" Morgan asked, setting down the paint can she'd never admit made her break a sweat.
Inigo gave a tragic look toward the sign, although it wasn't immediately obvious if he was still hating the questionable shade of green or the faded streaks from what looked to have been a large rain puddle splashing it.
"We'll fix that. Even if we're normally competitors, you deserve business to." Morgan assured him, crouching to his level and cracking open the lid.
"I wish Father could truly see it that way. But I don't mind believing you." Inigo said with a hint of a smile, reaching out for a brush.
But it was actually Morgan's knuckles. Like in one of the novels Morgan read, time itself was simply and illusion everyone's been duped into believing. There's no passage of time when you feel the electric touch of a special someone. No, special someone is too vague. It was like... As Morgan looked closer, she couldn't deny the stunning features and eyes that might normally enchant a poor soul who tried to close off their heart. Morgan was open to the idea of, you know, not dying alone as she was the very last person one might go to for encouraging the single lifestyle. She just didn't expect to get charged with these sentimental feelings from other world Inigo. Was it wrong? Was this a thought path worth pursuing? Not for a tale like this.
"Morgan!"
Morgan snapped out of the trance finding herself still gazing into Inigo's eyes. Suddenly she was the shy one, words caught in her throat and face ablaze. If Morgan ever lost her cool, sanity as a concept could pack it up and go home.
Her emotions may have caused her to react badly, that is, she bolted. The only saving grace was that she didn't think she implied he was too gross to behold or something.
Okay, so Inigo was like the final boss. Morgan emerged from the restroom, face dripping with cool water in a way that wasn't just to snap herself back to reality; a wet floor meant someone would have to break out the mop. Then she could totally catch whoever wielded the mop in one place, make conversing look casual. And that's just how you kill two birds with one stone, hopefully the world was keeping up.
Of course, it didn't happen as fast as Morgan would have liked. So she decided to spend her time, you know, actually doing work. She took her place behind the counter alongside Olivia. Olivia must have gotten over her issues because she talked to her kindly, and seemed to have unlimited patience as they took orders together and Morgan constantly struggled to pronounce these fancy drink names the customers kept craving. This made Morgan's good vibes from Olivia ascend. It seemed like people would be so damn lucky to have her on their side.
Customers would even smile a bit as Olivia's eye contact wavered nervously, how she'd make a surprised squeak when worried she was about to drop change while handing it to them. And regardless of how long she had been working in a business like this, forced to deal with people, she still blushed when her words didn't flow. It was easy to understand why the customers who dealt with her seemed to not mind a wait or pushed back down aggravation if their precise order wasn't up to their standards. If only they knew... This woman was an unstoppable force with a sword back home. Don't assume cute can't slice a few throats.
When there was a lull in customers, Morgan practically ripped the rag out from Olivia's grasp and gave the counter a good scrubbing for her. It just seemed fair after the mental pain and suffering she probably caused the other day. But more than that, she had to get her comfortable enough to clear up some mysteries.
"What made you decide to work at the coffee shop?" Morgan asked as casually as possible, that is to say she stared right at her while cleaning.
Olivia's face lit up as if that was her favorite question. "Before I ever met Chrom, I wanted to work on my social skills. Working right at the front where people would be forced to interact with me just seemed like the most natural step, but... You can probably guess I wasn't so great at first."
"Yeah, it doesn't sound like a career path you'd actually want." Morgan commented. "You could always have increased your social skills at home before going out in public."
"But not only did I want to overcome my shyness, I also wanted to make bold decisions. There was a point in my life when I could have gotten into professional dancing, but being on stage made the routine I was so sure I couldn't forget evacuate my brain completely." Olivia's eyes dimmed as she looked back down at the counter, or maybe her betraying feet. "When I kept embarrassing myself on stage, I lost any shred of confidence I had so... I gave up. But that's not me; I'm shy, not a pessimist."
Morgan snapped her finger, getting way too invested. "So you settled for the mundane side of work, but it turns out NOT to have settled because you can still dance anytime but now you get to turn the tide of the battle with your shyness at the coffee shop!"
Olivia leaned away, surprised. "Well, you... You get it." She had to calm herself, take a breath and turn away to the dirty plates and mugs she needed to load in the dishwasher.
"It must have been a lucky break to have found someone who was going into business; I guess you two help each other not be cripplingly socially awkward together!" Morgan added, feeling like she was on a roll. It was great to talk to someone who had no idea they were feeding her ego.
"That's... One way to put it, but yes, Chrom and I have come a long way from being so tongue-tied around each other we had to arrange double dates just so someone at the table could say something." Oliva's back may have been facing her, but Morgan still heard the smile in her voice as she spoke. "I'm so grateful this shop managed to come so far: it's helped both of us with our social awkwardness, though it may never be destroyed entirely. We've been able to give Lucina and Inigo the schooling to get ahead in life, I just hope they find out what they want to do with their lives soon. After all, I don't expect them to want to work here forever."
Gods, Inigo was coming into the conversation. Okay, abort. Abort. The last thing Morgan would do was get advice on how to win the over the guy from his own parents.
Morgan whipped out her journal and placed it on the shiny and clean section of the counter. "Tell me more about what Chrom's like when he isn't working."
"Eh? I thought we were about to exchange our life stories." Olivia confessed, looking over her shoulder confusedly.
A new female voice cut in, this one dripping with amusement. "So it's not too late for Frederick and I to share our Chrom stories?"
Morgan turned to the counter seats with a jolt, admittedly caught off guard to see Sumia and Frederick suddenly seated there looking on with amused eyes. Frederick was an extra source of surprise due to a lack of armor, though he did wear what she learned was some type of business suit.
"Tell me everything!" Morgan chirped, eagerly taking a pen and pressing it to the page. It seemed like Sumia and Frederick were going to unload all their stories, until Olivia shot a pleading look their way.
"Now, now... I don't think it's appropriate to say anything without Chrom in earshot to correct embarrassing details." Olivia scolded them lightly before finishing loading the dishwasher.
"But it's for research." Morgan argued, pouting.
"That's horrifying." Sumia admitted, losing a great deal of good mood.
"I try." Morgan slammed her journal shut with enough gust to blast everyone's hair, huffing before walking to the sample tray. She already had some information from Olivia, but there wasn't mention of Chrom's social life.
Frederick and Sumia were candidates for information, if not the best people outside of Chrom's family. The same might be able to be said about Sully, though she and Virion were still busy. As Morgan offered the tray with all of the adorable little cakes to the surprisingly normal couple, she gave them sly looks. At first the two looked at each other, seemingly baffled. But they were smart; they caught on and communicated back with affirming nods. It wasn't, like, offensive to talk about Chrom's life outside work... They weren't going to intentionally mortify him. It was sweet to see Olivia try to protect his dignity, yet it was tragic she didn't realize dignity was the least of everyone's concern.
Morgan slipped away from the behind the counter after helping Olivia with Frederick and Sumia's orders. The two of them silently promised they would give more info later. Until then, she stuck with her original plan of having some one-on-one with Lucina. Her relationship with Lucina was um... Nonexistent, but why should that be a problem? Maybe she could bait her with tips on how to get under Gerome's super weird aura.
Or did she have to?
"...Still working, of course." Lucina said into her phone, face going through all kinds of spasms to stay neutral. "That doesn't mean I don't have time for you. I... I know talking is hard for you, but if you ever need to vent you know I'll listen. I've been told I'm great at multitasking, we can test that." She was shoved in a corner of the backroom, leaning against the wall like a dainty romance novel protagonist. There was no chance she saw Morgan blatantly observing this behavior.
Could Gerome really... Charm women?
...So yeah, Morgan threw herself into the room with peppy steps and waved exaggeratedly at Lucina when she dared shift her gaze. It took just seconds for indescribable horror to overtake Lucina's face, mouth opening and closing like a dying fish clearly to stop from making despair noises into the phone.
"Gerome, I have to go. I've seen the version of hell you always talk about." Lucina finally managed to say, pulling the phone away.
"WHAT?!" Gerome-like screeching erupted from the phone as Lucina hovered her finger over the specific icon. "TELL HER TO SCREW OFF! IT'S BAD ENOUGH I HAVE TO DEAL WITH HER AT HOME AND THE COFFEE SHOP-" The call ended before their hearing could be damaged.
Morgan just held her arms behind her back, trying to look pure and innocent. "Sooo... You probably expect me to say something about the Gerome thing, but I'll spare you this time."
"I take back the 'hell' comment, then." Lucina replied promptly, tension visibly easing.
Morgan kept leaning forward and back on her feet 'cutely', committing to the harmless approach. "If you're not going to rush into denial about your obvious relationship, that means we don't have secrets. No secrets means I'll be honest: I didn't come in here just to help you with hard labor."
"I appreciate your honesty." Lucina commented, giving her at least a tiny smile before grabbing a box of trash bags. No connection to the atmosphere.
"Lucina, you and Chrom are more than father and daughter. You're, like, best friends and... He must share a lot of stories with you, good times and bad. He probably wants to give you all the life lessons he possibly can before he leaves this world."
Lucina kept intently watching the trash bag leave the box. It couldn't be removed fast enough. Turns out that reminding someone their parent isn't getting any older doesn't qualify as bonding conversation.
Morgan knew it. So she had to act fast, take the other end of the box and yank with all her strength. That somehow freed just the single bag Lucina was trying to get, Lucina herself holding it in misplaced awe.
"Have you been talking to Aunt Lissa or Aunt Emmeryn?" Lucina finally asked, cocking her head to the side with genuine interest.
It was a trap. Morgan had to catch herself before she admitted which one, although she suddenly realized how much more sense it made for Lissa to be invested in Chrom's social life and maybe even vice versa considering their opposing personalities. Even if she told the truth, she doubted Lucina would believe holy, mature and graceful Emmeryn could even dream of mischief.
"I have other ways of getting the intel, Lucina." Morgan tried to change the subject, putting a less than amused expression on and examining her nails. "Frederick and Sumia want to pitch in; clearly there's something to gain from putting the pieces together about why your father and mine don't see eye to eye."
"So it comes back to this subject." Lucina murmured. She looked around Morgan's head at the open doorway, but seeing as customers could be overheard talking she hurriedly made a move to close it.
They were cast in darkness until Lucina shone a light from her phone, some magical crap Morgan wanted to learn, and released a sigh of resignation. Let's just say Morgan's ears had become very keen to that particular sound.
"They weren't even friends that many years, but somehow crafted a bond to make it seem like all their lives." Lucina explained, adding bits of drama in her voice for the sake of making a decent atmosphere. "Chrom and Robin: two men who didn't really know where they would end up, but knew what they didn't want. Because Robin had to deal with his father being controlling, and Chrom didn't want the somewhat above average quality of his parents. So they ventured out to a strange new world called 'college' that our generation would say only exists to drain your bank account. They met there, bonding over not wanting to turn out like their parents."
Lucina's phone began to ring, Chrom's name showing. She promptly slid her finger to ignore the call before continuing. "College was also where they met three women. Olivia, Tharja and Cherche. Chrom and Olivia fell hard immediately, while Robin took time to warm up to Cherche because he felt bad for Tharja always distancing herself. What Robin failed to understand was Tharja's obsessive personality, one Robin wasn't very fond of. Chrom attempted to meddle because he knew Cherche had an interest in Robin, and the whole thing played out as over the top as one of those romance/drama shows that never seem to want to end."
Morgan tried to concentrate as she heard this story, visualize it as she did other situations. But nothing came to mind. It was dark as this room, and she was briefly startled by it. Was she losing her unexplained ability, or was there simply not enough details to bring it into existence?
Lucina drew a breath like she was about to explain more, and then the door cracked open to reveal Inigo.
It felt like the room burst into flames, Morgan being so caught off guard by his presence there was nothing original to compare it to. She could feel her heart racing, still not entirely prepared to deal with him.
Light from outside helped him see them huddling with a light up phone. Inigo opened his mouth like he was going to question this suspicious sight, but when his eyes met Morgan's his eyes softened with understanding. He said nothing, just walked past them to get one of the paintbrushes.
Something had to give. Morgan couldn't hold her breath like that every time Inigo came close; she'd like that to happen a lot more, and that just might give her cardiac arrest. But speaking of deadly situations – it was getting time to face the aforementioned, theoretical final boss. She wasn't ready. She had to find a detour somehow.
The way Frederick and Sumia wore contrasting clothing styles and kept looking solely at each other implied they stopped for a little date before getting back to their jobs. They were a couple Morgan assumed would have SOME minor troubles at least, but they seemed to have it together. Frederick wasn't one for expressing too many emotions, but even he would crack a smile when Sumia excitedly rambled about her adventures on the apparent horse ranch she worked on... They seemed oblivious to the wholesome vibes they sent out.
It was the moment they made a move to reach for each other's hands under the table that Morgan stormed over, radiating sunshine and a chaotic vibe.
"Would you like some refills? More samples?" Morgan burst, eagerly leaning in the middle of them.
It probably wasn't worth acknowledging the two gasping and clumsily readjusting themselves before they could even respond, but there you go.
"Are you trying to bribe us into sharing our Chrom stories?" Frederick asked, his logic attempt admirable.
Morgan nodded enthusiastically.
Frederick was apparently another addition to the easily impressed list, leaning back in his seat and lifting his gaze to the ceiling as if nostalgia crashed through and put him in a choke hold. He must have the visualization gift himself; his eyes shut and he almost cracked a warm smile.
"You don't have to bribe me to talk about Chrom; I've always enjoyed his company, and I have full confidence he feels the same way. Because he comes from a notable family, people think he must be withdrawn from the common world. He's not. In fact, he'll casually tell you he chose to work at this coffee shop instead of inheriting the family business. He would rather pour you a drink to fend off morning drowsiness than make boatloads of money."
"You'll have to forgive me if I'm accidentally let some emotions out." Frederick suddenly warned Morgan. "I can't tell if the coffee has been altered, or I'm loosening up with age. Either way, please forgive me if I say something no one asked for."
Morgan just gave him a tender smile. "I'm coming around to the idea coffee has weird powers that comfort the drinker so much... They blab. But blabbing is good: we have opinions or memories stuffed up in our heads all the time, and relationships can't grow if they don't get passed around."
Frederick and Sumia exchanged a look where both were trying not to visibly agree with her, although Morgan was content with her little speech and happily invited herself to a seat at their table. If they wanted to share drinks and enjoy some secret PDA under the table, they'd be brave to continue with Morgan there as well. Not that she wanted to... See that...
So yeah, Frederick began his tale. Much of the beginning was glossed over because he gave establishing description of the college campus he used to be quite familiar with. Morgan didn't ask if he was a writer or anything, but it totally seemed that was his new job in this world given how he painted a very realistic mental picture. Everyone knows a writer's worst foe isn't a block; it's actually trying to get enough scenery description without droning. Morgan also couldn't help noticing Sumia was into it, hanging on to every flowery word. Same, but with another certain guy.
"...Chrom and I didn't begin college at the same time of course; we've a three year age gap." Frederick explained coherently enough. "I invited him and one of his other friends who was his age to see it in person and decide if it was to their liking. I said I was just being helpful, but deep down I... Hadn't spent much time with Chrom in a while because he was preoccupied with his other friend. But I refused to be jealous; I just smiled even when I tasted blood because my gums had been sensitive."
"Yeah, you don't seem like the kind of person to take rejection well." Morgan commented casually. She had heard of Frederick losing his mind, but a traumatized Robin didn't spill much.
A slight, embarrassed cough got in the way of Frederick's words, but he managed to go on best he could. "So on the day Chrom and his friend visited, the latter's father insisted on joining. Chrom and I were confused, but not even scantily-clad cheerleaders got him out of the way."
"Whoa, you got to meet my grandfather?!" Morgan interrupted, mouth forming an O.
Frederick was actually sweating at that point. Even Sumia was folding her arms a little more tight, complexion paling. For a moment, it seemed like the coffee shop lost all noise just to be needlessly dramatic. But really, they were only talking about Validar. What wickedness could he be up to now since one source claimed he was low on money?
Validar was off topic, maybe. But it wasn't often Morgan got to hear about him, so she was willing to take that ride off course into the abyss if it meant finding out why she had a grandfather and brother who took pieces of that abyss itself and wore them like badges of honor?
Of course, this topic would be gracefully set back on track by Sumia gently encouraging Frederick to tell his story with a light squeeze of his hand. Amazing. Morgan quietly admired that, scribbling a note in her journal contact was more of a motivator for guys than she originally thought. Not that she had much knowledge about the opposite gender at all. Effort doesn't start with A, but we'll change the rules here.
"Welcome to-" Frederick looked at the campus' handwritten sign that just had someone toss paint on it to make an offensive word with the remaining letters, swiftly gave up and took steps back with perfect grace.
But this silence wasn't bad; Chrom and Robin had the opportunity to take in their surroundings. At nineteen, they weren't too sure about what they wanted to do in life. All Chrom knew was that he wanted a simple job he could also help people with, and Robin just wanted to follow his own path. Still, they were enchanted by a real life college campus.
The raunchy comedy movies they may or may not have consumed in their earlier teens hadn't prepared them for these... Calm surroundings. Everyone had their clothes on, no one was lighting up over flammable objects and the lack of shameless makeout sessions was downright eerie.
A vague, reluctantly content sigh passed Validar's lips at least. "How bold of this college to function like a regular part of society. I could see you attending, Robin." He said his own son's name with blatant disgust, but otherwise sounded more approving than he intended.
Chrom immediately pulled Robin aside, causing him to huddle with him and Frederick. The boys' desperate moment of disconnect didn't seem to faze Validar because he was rambling to himself as he admired the architecture.
"Robin, don't feel like you should attend because of him." Chrom said in a hushed tone, eyes sparkling with emotion. "You've listened to Validar all your life, but don't want to be like him. You've said it yourself."
"He'd kick me out of the house if I said it out loud." Robin replied quickly, clearly having pulled one of many automatic arguments.
Frederick stepped up to him next, normally stoic face softening a bit. "Chrom said you want to work in a coffee shop one day. If so, you know you don't need this much education for that. I brought you with the intention of providing pros and cons for even pursuing it, so please don't feel forced into it."
"Of course Validar wants me to go to college to prove I'm of use to society. I don't feel forced... I mean I've tried to let him know for years I won't be the person he wants; if anything I forced myself into liking the emo style to rebel." Robin sighed deeply, shoulders heaving with pent up stress. "I still want to open that coffee shop, but I definitely need some business tips before that."
"Good. If you're going to attend, it should be for yourself!" Chrom said enthusiastically like they were transported to a movie climax. He clamped Robin's shoulder longer than necessary, but it was okay.
Robin looked into his shimmering, supportive eyes and he knew right then he had faith in him for a reason. They really were living a movie climax, and he had more to say bubbling to the surface. He tried to say it, but a disgusted tongue click thwarted him.
Chrom, Robin and Frederick turned in time to see Validar give a pair of beaming cheerleaders a death glare as they attempted to advertise some local band. Some of their friends, presumably, given how they sounded emotionally invested. The uniforms consisted of a navel-baring crop top and skirt that covered enough to not be shocking, and both clearly thought an old man like that would gladly take a bomb at the end of countdown if they offered.
Nonetheless, Robin quite literally pulled his father away by the arm like he was a kid. Horrible start to an independence speech, but what can you do. Both were uncomfortable already, the temperature outside was stifling and miserable and the college campus was too public for this sort of confrontation.
But Robin looked to the sidelines again, seeing Chrom and even Frederick watch over him from safety. And Robin just knew that Chrom would jump into danger to save him should it come to that. One might wonder how someone like Validar could be allowed to raise a child given his sinister vibe. Some questions are too valid for this backward world.
"I'm choosing this college." Robin finally said, standing on his toes just to be eye to eye with Validar.
Weirdly, Validar looked content about that. He nodded as if that was the end to that conversation, but it wasn't. When he turned to leave, Chrom entered the most theoretical of rings to block his path.
"I believe Robin has a confession to make. Believe me, it's worth your time." Chrom said tonelessly, not a fan of Validar ever really.
"What else is there to say? I've taken time out of my day to supervise my, ugh, son's major life choice and it went over a hell of a lot better than I expected." Validar said obliviously, looking between Robin and Chrom. He should've packed self awareness today. It would be his downfall.
"But I'm studying business." Robin cut in, eyes flaring. His voice somehow managed to stay strong as he went on. "Someday, I'll own a coffee shop. I'm going to use it to not only be a cog in the overall machine that is our society..."
Validar raised a hand super unfitting to the mood, like a grade school student. "No one should talk like that in real life, Robin. Don't make it a habit."
"Have I been raised too formally, then?" Frederick asked self-consciously, looking to Chrom for his round of support. Chrom just gave him a reassuring look in return.
Robin inhaled deeply, trying to bypass the years of holding back. He'd taught himself being honest with Validar was a pointless thing, but now his father was listening. For the first time in... Ever... Validar was going to hear a voice other than his own-
A horrified shout and crash severed the flashback. Morgan, Frederick and Sumia's eyes flew open as they looked behind the latter. Morgan recalled the puddle of water she'd left behind, where Inigo's body currently lied. Wait- ACCIDENTAL MURDER? No, there has to be a word for that. Nevermind-
"INIGO!" The shriek could have stirred the dead, but truthfully that's what Morgan hoped for as she barreled to Inigo's side.
Chrom, Olivia and Lucina also sprinted from wherever they were to crowd around Inigo's other side. They were more than a little shaken, voices rising and talking above each other as they either asked what happened or tried to address Inigo.
Meanwhile, Morgan's ears rang as the noise around her totally went out. She could feel her heart slamming against her chest, total fright forcing tears to prick her eyes as she did random things she read in books like avoid lifting his head in case of spinal damage or examine his chest for the telltale rise and fall. Whether breath moved him or not, she wouldn't be able to see through the heated tears she was actually battling not to fall. She mostly felt dumb for crying, but Inigo wasn't making a sound.
Frederick and Sumia joined the cluster, both asking what happened. Lucina was so shocked all she could do was repeat how he'd wound up in this position. Chrom and Olivia desperately attempted to communicate with Inigo or tap the side of his face or hand to get some sign of life. Morgan was there too, but like, barely. She couldn't see whether or not he was still breathing because those freakin' tears got in the way and actually spilled over. Everyone's voices and background noise fell on temporarily deaf ears. As she sat there, useless, the last interaction with Inigo from her world flashed before her eyes.
Morgan was on dish washing duty, whistling one of four tunes she knew uncaring how loud it was. Chrom gave her this job when she boldly stepped up and DEMANDED a heavy task to be a burden on her back. He may or may not have read the room, but she would agree dish washing wasn't for the weak. Anyone who disliked being wet would steer clear of that. Those with bad circulation wouldn't last the drying stage. And then there were people who simply didn't have the discipline to stand in one place and perform a mind-numbing task for folks they had no emotional ties to.
It was rather late in the night, but through her shrillest noises she picked up footsteps. Morgan expected to see one of the Shepherds taking a break on nightly guard duty; usually Cordelia but Cherche or Gerome filled the role just fine sometimes. So Morgan looked over her shoulder, only to see something she probably shouldn't have.
Inigo sat at the most unstable, hideous table they managed to find in the middle of actual war. He didn't say anything to her, didn't seem to notice she was there. He just lied his head on the surface like stray hear in mess is a joke, and the most gloomy aura lifted from his shoulders.
Morgan couldn't have that. She braced herself, dropped the dishes to the point water splashed her face. But there's a time and place for cheering up, and it was now. So she put on only the brightest smile she could unnaturally, and approached him to tap his shoulder.
"People have to eat off that table." Morgan mock scolded, letting out a chuckle by the end.
Inigo looked up through that silky and lovely fringe of his, what, with defeated eyes. "Morgan, have you ever been let down?"
"Loads of times! But I like to show the world I don't take no for an answer, dust myself off and keep trying!" Morgan replied promptly, smile at full strength.
Inigo sighed as if that was the expected answer, face unchanged from gloom. He at least decided to not put his back through hell by fixing his posture. He gestured for Morgan to take the empty seat nearby, which she helped herself to.
"Tonight was going to be magical; I had it all planned out." Inigo explained with no warning, good thing Morgan could go with the flow. "There's this girl I met in the village- I don't even want to speak her name right now, but up until an hour ago I thought she wanted to spend all night together. Because normally girls only stay for the tea."
"On the plus side: you have perfect manners during tea." Morgan interjected, maybe staring into his eyes a little longer than needed.
Inigo certainly caught on, according to the pink tinge on his ears. He seemed insistent on staring at the table until it became uncomfortable and collapsed.
"Tell me what happened." Morgan finally said seriously, putting a sympathetic hand on his shoulder and everything. "She couldn't have done anything, you know, scandalous in twenty minutes. You might even see her again in the village before we move on!"
"Actually Morgan, it was longer than twenty minutes... But she didn't show up at all."
Morgan never felt more disgust toward a stranger.
"It's interesting; I've had rejection in the form of exes randomly appearing, the girls turning out to want to use me for money and your brother and Brady of all people have even upstaged me." Inigo lifted his gaze, eyes trying not to linger on Morgan's as his tone took an awkward turn. "I wonder if it's worth trying."
"Mm, I'm not sure if you're looking for a confidence boost or love advice." Morgan confessed, smiling apologetically.
"I don't know what I need either way." Inigo added to the confession collection, forcing his gaze on the table as his blush gained color. Morgan wondered what was going on in his head, if the fact he didn't flirt with her like an unconscious habit implied a chance for unconventional romance.
There, she inserted that thought smoothly. Maybe Inigo would catch her eyes softening, sparkling or generally HURLING a certain interest. Even though their past encounters were chaotic, well, Morgan could see charm in him. She doubted she gave the same impression to Inigo, honestly. If she suspected he had interest, that was utter wishful thinking.
They had been gawking at each other for Naga knows how long, and to be honest Morgan craved social interaction like the deadliest of addictions. She rested her chin on her hands to hold back a dreamy smile as the world around them became a flower field inside her head in a casual delusion.
But maybe Inigo shared a piece of her delusion, seeing as he cracked a smile. "If I asked for a confidence boost, what would you tell me?"
"Me?" Morgan slammed her hands on the table excitedly, somehow not breaking it and shaking the tent as her voice ascended to the heavens. " It's not a secret what I think! You're very acceptable on the eyes! You actually bothered to learn poise and whatnot! Hair is easy to destroy, but somehow you keep yours apparently silky! And do you want me to talk about your face? You don't; you'll totally blush and it'll be a thing we don't have time for, but just know you the elements haven't done damage!" She had a lot more she could say, but breathing is critical.
Inigo seemed to lean away, face a mix of flattered and regretting his choices. The former was a state Morgan didn't often see people talking to her in, so she was happy regardless.
TBC