25. Circus

In the few books Robin has been given to read, people usually run away from their homes to join circuses. And all she can think is, the writers got everything horribly backwards; she'd shear off her wings and gladly slip past the bars of her cage if it meant she could get out of this life, and trade it for something boring and normal.

Not that the opportunity has ever presented itself. The gilded bars might be beautiful to look at, but she can barely fit her arm through them. And her father takes pains to make sure anything sharp, anything that could serve as a blade, a bludgeon, or a lockpick, is kept well away from Robin.

He walks by her now, looking immaculate as usual.

"We're stopping through the capital of Ylisse." Validar tells her, without looking at her. Instead he carefully adjusts the gloves and cuffs of his suit; a tasteful black and violet striped arrangement, that echoes the coloring found among her feathers. "A good place to find other candidates."

Others like her. Robin hangs her head at that… Only for her father to slip his hands through the bars, and force her head back up. It isn't to establish eye contact, but to examine her. Robin tries not to squirm under his gaze, knowing she's done the best she can, with the few objects and tools allowed to her. She's already learned that neglecting her appearance makes things worse for her; as the central attraction, she's meant to be eye catching, even while she looks freakish.

'Like a dark mirror, entrancing all who gaze on you.' Her father had told her, while instructing his underlings to forcefully yank out the knots in her hair, and clean her feathers. Their touch hadn't been gentle.

But right now, she seems to satisfy him. Validar gives a curt nod, before leaving her in her gilded cage and dropping the drapes around the structure. Robin simply lays down, and watches the fabric rustle over the elaborate metal and filigree. Soon enough she'll be called on to perform, Validar's prize caged bird.

-o-o-o-

The moment comes quick enough. As the fabric lifts up, light and gasps from onlookers stream through the bars.

Robin forces herself up, and takes a deep breath. She knows this song by heart; first sung to her by a woman that had to have been her mother, voice as gentle and soothing as the gray waves in the lullaby.

She only has flashes of memory about the singer. First, memories gentle hands soothing her hair. Then those hands growing shaky, days, months, or years later, when they found the feathers sprouting from her back. Splotches of blood staining the fingers and arms as her father yanks her away, heedless of the way either women cry and scream-

Her breathing hitches for a split second. And Robin decides it's a lucky thing her memory is so patchwork. Validar only has so much patience, and a broken songbird would do no wonders for his temper.

But even with the sob she has to swallow, her singing still finishes. Only silence lurks beyond it, and Robin risks opening her eyes. A packed tent looks back at her, filled to the brim; just like with her father, she refuses to squirm under such scrutiny. The mage lights shift overhead, letting the thin, glitter-like scales on her flesh shimmer and ripple.

With how her father has talked about Ylisse, she expects hisses and screams, a seething crowd ready to decry her as an abomination. And she can see the beginnings of disgust among some faces, but it hasn't boiled over into violent rage just yet. She doesn't dwell on those faces, looking for others. This is another part of her performance, and her duties; to see if there's a spark of arcane among those in the audience. Magic calls to magic, even if many of the observers haven't expressed it yet-

She sees a strange glow of an aura for an instant, like a flame burning so hot it turns to white and blue. When she blinks, that glow turns into two blue eyes on the face of a young man, watching her intently. Robin holds his gaze for only a moment, then drops her eyes. It's equal parts training… And an odd shame curling through her gut, with how he looks at her.

-o-o-o-

Even when the cloth is dropped back over the cage, Chrom stares at it until it vanishes into the deeper shadows of the ring. And even then, he still tries to pick out the outline of the tarp, or a glint on the golden bars.

He still can't believe what he's seen.

"…I… I wasn't expecting THAT." His sister whispers at his side. Chrom can only nod, wondering if sneaking her out of the castle was such a brilliant or bold idea after all. "I thought it'd just be a performer, dressed up. Not a-"

"A blessed halfblood." He's heard stories of them; and then there's the slight flashes of power he's seen from Sumia when she levitates an object, or Sully when she runs a mile without breaking a sweat. Impressive as they've been, they don't compare to the legends. And now he's seen what Sumia's books describe; creatures with a glint of Naga's divine power in them, or one of the other dragons. That creature in the cage has the look of a strange, half-dragon; great black wings that almost dwarf her body, violet scales, a hint of claws flashing on her fingers, and a sinuous tail winding down her body-

…And an outfit that left very little to the imagination. NOW he can feel the beginnings of heat dance across his face, remembering the light, gossamer fabric draped over her; little more than a dark veil, with a few ribbons to hold it in place.

He can't get the image of her out of his head, and half wants to chew himself out over it.

"She was stunning." Lissa murmurs, even as the tumblers and jugglers take the stage, and more mundane mages perform flashy displays that draw cries from the rest of the crowd.

"Y-yeah." Chrom finds himself saying. Beyond her appearance, and that strange song lodged in his head, there's something else that sticks in his mind. "I… Wish she wasn't in so much pain, though."

"…Pain?"

"Didn't you hear it? The way her voice halted." Chrom almost wonders if he's imagined it… But the image of her throat catching, of a faint glimmer in her eyes stays with him. And it keeps his feet rooted to the stands, even once the main show is done, and the audience streams out of the tent.

"Chrom?" Lissa presses, and he shakes his head.

"Lissa, you remember how to sneak back into the castle?" At her nod, he says "then go on ahead. I'll catch up in a little while… But there's something I need to look into, first."

-o-o-o-

Other halfbreeds and changelings come and go, but Robin remains. She also knows what becomes of the others, much as she tries to forget. Some of them become full-fledged monsters, driven mad by captivity. There's some nights where she feels all the cracks and losses in her heart, and wonders if she's not far behind. And others…

The others fuel spells, and go towards feeding her father. What he wishes with all that power all those spell components harvested from the others, Robin doesn't know. She hopes that he won't find any new 'volunteers' from tonight's show, even if that puts him in a violent mood.

So far his lackies haven't reported back, still sweeping and scouring the crowds. She's been suitably vague in her description of the young man. It's earned her a rattling of her cage bars, but she's grown used to that, and Validar's fingers digging into the feathers of her wings; she'd only given up a guess at his age, and tried to keep even that inaccurate. With luck, Aversa and Ardri will return empty handed.

A part of her even hopes that she imagined that spark, and the intensity of it. That grief and stress have taken their toll on her, and made her hallucinate. This isn't a fate she'd wish on anyone, with even a drop of arcane blood.

Robin slumps to the floor of the cage, completely spent. Some of the performers walk by; two of them pause at the bars, white and dark haired, and she can see how they try to speak… But the wards from her father hold their throats fast. Robin hopes they might become some of the rare few to slip his grasp, and escape; even if they never get their voices back, to tell and warn others. They'll still keep their magic, and have a means to get by. It'll be something they've stolen from him, and deprived him of.

She tries not to think of the alternative; that without new arcane sources, Validar might turn to cannibalizing the more human among their ranks.

She can only give them a wane, half-hearted smile, before they need to rush along. There's harsh rules and penalties, for lingering near her cage-

Which is why it comes as such a shock, that she sees someone hesitating in the shadows, eyes fixed on her. Her claws give a nervous scrape against the metal floor, as she shrinks to the far side of the cage. But instead of moving on, the figure moves with her, stepping closer, letting the fading mage lights touch his face… And she sees the flash of blue in his eyes and hair.

"You're the one from the audience-!" She whispers… And then feels the shock turn to ice in her heart. He can't be here when Validar returns. Robin remembers another routine she's practiced; trading a haunting grace for pure wildness and fury. Useful when they have a rowdier crowd; she uses it now, baring her teeth and letting her eyes flash. The feathers lining her shoulders all bristle, and she throws herself against the cage.

"LEAVE!" She snarls, even as it drives further cracks into her heart. Better to have him flinch and bolt than stay, however.

And yet…

And yet, this man stays in place, even as his hand flashes to his side. Doubtless going for a sword that isn't there. Her father tends to be particular about not allowing armed men into the tents; too many would be interested in claiming to be dragon slayers, and go after her or some of the more changed halfbreeds. When the stranger doesn't find his sword, he instead tenses, digging his heels into the dirt; a clear sign he isn't about to bolt.

"…I-I think not." His voice comes out soft, and he dares to take another step towards her. Not quite in reach of her talons, but closer than many have dared. A time or two, when Validar hasn't been able to find his meals among the performance watchers, he instead puts her cage out for display, for people to come and gawk at. Not everyone who sees her lasts long enough to tell about it. But common or arcane, most choose to keep her at a careful distance.

"I…" The stranger continues, caught between staring at her and trying to find words. "I wanted to…"

He comes right up to the bars, well within reach of her talons. It would be an easy thing to lash out, draw blood and hopefully send him scurrying away… But instead, Robin stills. Close as the stranger is, she can see his eyes. She's never been looked at that way before; with a strange mixture of sympathy and intrigue. Even in the wane lights, there's something warm to his gaze. Something that joins the spark of magic flickering in his eyes.

A spark that Validar will gladly kill for. She forces her fingers to stretch out, to curl into cruel looking talons and threaten him with them… And yet still he won't flinch back.

"…You looked like you were hurt." He continues. "Ah… And pardon me for saying so, but you still look like you're hurting. I wanted to… To help. Somehow."

Even though it's clear he hasn't made much of a plan, beyond finding her and speaking to her. Robin can only draw her hands halfway back, staring at him in disbelief.

"Who are you-?" She tries to ask. Only for a shadow to fall across them both, and snuff out her words.

"Well… I never imagined such a prize would fall into my grasp." Validar's voice sighs over them both. It freezes Robin in place, but the stranger whirls around to face him; giving Validar a good look at his face, and the fire dancing in his eyes. "The Ylissean Prince himself descended from the palace, and comes to mingle with such humble performers. I'm honored, Prince Chrom."

Chrom goes rigid at that; Robin can just catch a scowl forming along his face.

"Sir, if you know who I am… Then I should also tell you, that treating people like chattel is frowned upon in Ylisse; I thought this woman would have freedom outside her cage, not confined like-"

"Like an abomination, your grace?" Her skin gives an unpleasant twinge; he rarely uses that word on her, so it still has the force of a slap. "She's not human, however; that's the burden and gift of being a halfbreed. Being a step between dragons and humans, and made to serve both."

"That's not true at all." Chrom growls, and takes a step closer to her. Validar simply gives him a look of disdain, like he's dealing with a stubborn child.

"Even if that's the case, she's my daughter. I'll treat her as it best suits this family." He gestures to the tent, to the empty cages. The performers have all scurried away, perhaps anticipating a confrontation. And yet, Validar doesn't strike out at Chrom, easy as it would be. Instead he seems to relish in pushing the prince off guard, leaving him gaping and shocked. "Ah, my apologies. I suppose I haven't formerly introduced you; you're in the company of my daughter, Robin."

"You'd do this… WHY!?" Chrom snaps that out, hands balling into fists. "How could anyone…!?"

"Oh, there's some perks to her gilded cage. It keeps her safe from those who wouldn't understand her. Isn't that correct, child?" Validar gives her a brief, dismissive glance, not expecting her to answer.

But she does. Somehow, she finds a flash of courage and desperation.

"You have to get out of here!" She yells at Chrom. "Get back to the palace! Stay with-"

Validar quiets her with a glare.

"That is true… My daughter reminds me, that you DO have quaint notions about halfbreeds. Haven't you offered a few of them sanctuary in your castle? In your own guard?" He considers Chrom for only a moment. "I'd almost say it's worth ransoming you, to see what I'd gain… But I also see that there's no denying the potency of your blood."

Chrom's eyes widen at that, shock and confusion warring across his face.

"…What are you-?" Faster than Robin can react, Validar snakes forward. With one hand he gestures, easing the lock on Robin's cage and forcing the door open. He intends to drive Chrom into her cage, before he has a choice of fighting back.

And yet Chrom still raises his hands, ready to use his fists to fight back. Validar only gives him a sneer… And lets a crackle of magic grow along his hands, turning his nails razor sharp. Where Robin hesitated to strike, he claws into Chrom's arms. Splashes of blood arc from him and land on the cage floor. They buzz with a strange power.

And she remembers, why her father sometimes bleeds out his prizes; because there's power in their blood, or the blood acts as a natural conduit for their power. Either way, she can almost taste a faint crackle of power… And that makes her wonder, if she can use that energy in a way like her father.

At the very least, she's willing to try.

-o-o-o-

His head is swimming, his thoughts turning into a strange compressed blur. At first, Chrom thought that he might need to have a stern word with the leader of this troupe about how to treat his performers… He hadn't figured that he'd need to be fighting for his life. Or for the young woman behind him.

His arms burn and bleed, as though Validar's new talons are pumping venom into him. He wavers from the impact and gouges, his steps stuttering backwards and brushing against the cage. Feathers brush against his feet… And that roots him for a moment.

"R-Robin." He tries her name, seeing if that will help him focus through the sudden pain and shock. His balance wavers once again, his knees almost turning to water as something… Almost feverish blazes to life in his head and heart. It's an echo of what he felt, when he first met Robin's eyes during the performance.

"I-I'll get you out." He tries to promise her. If only he can get his skin to stop burning-

And he feels a strange hum behind him. Something between a song and a growl. He wants to turn, but Validar locks his claws into Chrom's arms, trying to push him back. His heels skid against the dirt, and in the corner of his eyes he also catches a flash of black and violet.

He risks a glance behind him.

Robin's wings seem to flare larger, pushing against the bars of the cage, bending and distorting them. She raises her head, and her eyes crackle with a violet energy. The sight makes something shiver through Chrom… But it also gives him a something to cling onto, a strength that suddenly pierces his limbs.

He throws himself against Validar, as his arms grow tougher. With a start, Chrom picks out flecks of blue growing along his arms. A hint of scales.

His sister had told him, once, that Naga had blessed the royal bloodline. He's just never imagined it would manifest so directly. His heart hammers, anxious and afraid at the sudden changes sweeping over him.

But the rest of him screams to fight back. He locks eyes with Validar… And sees a flash of disbelief dance through the man's eyes. It lasts for only a moment, before something snaps across Chrom's back. He feels the sudden ripple of muscle as his shoulders deform. Then comes a snap of wings, and they fan the air with a heavy gust, pushing Validar back from him.

In the same instant, Robin breaks through the bars of her cage, and sends the metal strands shooting out like spears. One of them catches Validar in the ribs, pinning him to the ground. He gives a pained shriek, but can't lift himself up to stop Robin as she steps out.

"…I-I didn't-" Even after everything he's heard and seen, with how she's been treated, Chrom sees horror flash across Robin's face. First when she looks at her father, then when she takes in him, and the strange changes coating him.

"I-I said I was going to get you out of here." He finds himself saying, to help distract them both. "Looks like I get to keep that promise."

He reaches out, and she stares at his hand again. He gets the impression she's rarely had such a gesture extended to her… But after a breath, she gathers herself and meets his hand halfway. Her fingers, even with their fearsome talons, still shiver. It's a lucky thing his own hands have gotten tougher, that he can fearlessly clutch at her and pull her along. Out of the tent, even as Validar bleeds out and shrieks from the loss.

"Ch-Chrom!?" They barely manage to duck past the tent flap, before realizing that the field outside is anything but empty. Lissa stands there, flanked by the Shepherds, his own guard. Now, he can see a similar spark in the eyes of some of them, even as they stare at the changes cloaking him.

"I…" Lissa tries to say. "I… Sort of blabbed about where we went, and Frederick thought he'd better bring the cavalry along. But I'm starting to wonder if we even needed it." She takes in his wings, his new scales… And yet, she doesn't flinch as Chrom takes a step forward. Instead, she runs ahead of the troops, to greet Chrom and Robin.

"S-so... That's a new look for you." Lissa tells him. Chrom dips his head, wondering how to pull his wings a little closer; the changes put the feathers in Sumia's hair to shame, or the horse-like hooves Stahl tries to hide with armored greaves-

Something brushes his back, and guides his new limbs, showing them how to fold around his shoulders in an improvised blue and silver webbed cape. Chrom breathes a little easier with them mantled, and turns to see Robin running her fingers over his back. She halts the motion at his gaze, ready to flinch away... Like she's afraid he'll decide to turn on her.

"I hope you don't mind, that we've got another person coming home with us." Chrom says instead, to both Lissa and Robin.

"I've… Always wanted to run away, and try something else." Robin softly murmurs. "Even if this isn't exactly… Normal. Like I've always dreamed about."

That cuts at him oddly; the longing in her voice when she talks about being normal. He already knows that isn't an option for her... And there's a strange twinge, knowing that option isn't for him any longer.

Stranger still, is how little he minds the change. Instead, it feels like something that's been missing has clicked into place with him, now that he's met Robin. Like she's a mirror to him, in some ways.

'Maybe you're just happy that you can keep up with Sully and the others in sparring matches now.' There's a ripple of power crackling through him now. An ability to stand more firmly against people like Validar.

"Normal, huh...?" Chrom finds himself saying. "I'm afraid we never were all that normal."

"Nope!" Lissa finds her voice again, and seems to collect herself even with Chrom's changes. "Though you know, it's not a BAD look for you. You kind of match the new girl." Robin blinks at that, and how easily Lissa seems to accept this new development. Chrom has to shake his head, knowing that she's going to pester Emmeryn in his stead, demanding to know what sort of tricks Naga's changelings are capable of.

'We'll have to figure that out together.' And the notion doesn't scare him in the slightest, he finds. It helps that Robin isn't flinching from this, isn't cowering any longer. Together they set off for the castle at a run, leaving the tent, the dark mage, and his strange gilded cages at their backs. As they dash, Chrom finds his breath and the rest of his thoughts.

"But no, we're not all that normal. Never have been. But maybe that'll make us all a better match." Chrom tells her, and is rewarded with nervous laugh from Robin. And instead of lashing at him like her father, he marvels at the gentleness of her touch, as she squeezes his hand and rubs at his fingers in thanks.