"Bubbles, you messed everything up!" Gaius exclaimed, walking alongside the tactician carrying a tray of food with sweets.
"I did what you told me to do, Gaius," Robin defended himself. "Talked to her and made myself stand out. Like, maybe I did slip up a few times. It all worked out in the end."
"Look, I'll explain in another minute or two," Gaius sighed. "I'm calling for an emergency meeting regarding you and her."
"Gaius, we're the only ones who even know," Robin pointed out.
"No we're not," Gaius smirked. "Try to keep up, Bubbles."
It was dinner for the Shepherds, who gathered in the tavern's dining room. For tonight, the common folk of the town they saved joined the veterans at their feast, sharing in a delightful meal. Robin took the time to inform Gaius of what happened with his conversation with Cordelia. He thought that maybe the thief would be proud that he took initiative for once and move on with whatever plan he had in mind. Much to the tactician's surprise, he did not take the news kindly, leading to their current interaction.
Walking throughout the crowd with their food, Robin was quick to realize who Gaius referred to for his emergency meeting. Sitting a table away from Lissa and Maribelle's table was Lon'qu, who sat alone with his meal completed. He was getting use to his role as bodyguard to the princess, even though he still had his personal grievances with it. However, the warrior was the last person the tactician would turn to for relationship advice. Still, Gaius sat down at Lon'qu's table, and with a sigh, his friend followed suit.
"Leave," Lon'qu commanded.
"I'm sorry, Lon'qu," Robin apologized ahead of time.
"You can stay," Lon'qu corrected himself. "The criminal must leave."
"Q, we're having an emergency meeting about Bubble's lady troubles," Gaius informed him, ignoring the blunt request. "As one of the two I told, you're involved with the meeting."
"This was all his idea," Robin told his friend before Gaius' words registered in his head. "Hold on a moment. You told someone else?!"
"This is none of my business, and if it weren't for my duty to protect Chrom's sister, I would leave you two here," Lon'qu grunted. "I have nothing further to say on the matter."
"Gaius, who else did you tell?" Robin asked, nearly furious.
"Sorry, but the first order of business is discussing how to fix the mistake you made," Gaius waved off Robin. "So, Q, Bubbles talked with Cordelia today while trying to take a Thoron tome, and boy, it went south real fast. She thinks of him as a friend."
"Did you get the Thoron tome?" Lon'qu asked, trying to change the subject.
"I might have forgotten about it," Robin rubbed the back of his head, his cheeks blushing red. "I mean, the Thunder tome she got me works well enough."
"Look, you're all missing the point that once a girl thinks of a boy as a friend means that they do not think of that same man as a potential love interest," Gaius explained. "That's common knowledge, Bubbles, and you're supposed to be a tactical genius!"
"Gaius, that's absurd," Robin sighed out.
"All of this is absurd," Lon'qu agreed.
"Step four was to take her out on a date," Gaius continued. "However, I'm gonna have to pull a lot of strings to make that happen."
"Gaius, we can talk about the date when we're not marching out to war," Robin told him. "Who did you tell?"
"I suppose you did bring up that business before I brought up the date," Gaius nodded in agreement. "Alright. Bubbles, I just want you to know that your secret is still safe."
"Who did you tell?" Robin repeated.
"And that I wouldn't share your secret with just anyone unless I think it can help our case," Gaius defended himself, looking somewhat nervous.
"Who did you tell?"
"I told Stumbles."
Robin immediately had to resist the urge to lash out at Gaius from his declaration. Any signs of aggression would only raise more questions from the Shepherds. While the tactician calmed down, he was surprised to see how emotional he had gotten. If he was unable to keep his emotions regarding the situation with Cordelia in check, it may affect his skills as a tactician. He already had enough problems as it stood and could not be disturbed by anymore.
"So, you're telling me that you told Sumia that I am falling in love with Cordelia," Robin started. "You do realize that the two of them are like sisters."
"I do," Gaius nodded.
"First off, why did you tell Sumia of all people?" Robin asked.
"She flies a lot slower when we gossip," Gaius answered. "That, and I thought that she would be able to help us."
"Help us?" Robin raised an eyebrow.
"Look, everyone in the Shepherds, excluding Blue, knows just who Stumbles is in love with, right?" Gaius explained.
"I don't know," Lon'qu brought up.
"She's in love with Chrom, Lon'qu," Robin informed the warrior. "What's your point, Gaius?"
"Cordelia is in love with Blue too," Gaius continued on. "Now, normally, if two people want the same person, someone's going to end up with a broken heart. Stumbles doesn't want that to happen to Cordelia, even though she wants Chrom for herself. So, she's all for having you end up with her. Stumbles gets her man. Cordelia settles for second best. Everyone wins!"
"That actually might work out," Robin nodded in agreement slowly. "Maybe I judged you too soon."
"Bubbles, just like you have a plan for the war, I got a plan for having you live happily ever after once you win us this war," Gaius grinned.
"Well, actually, I've been so unfocused that I haven't had the time for any planning," Robin admitted.
"We cannot have that," Lon'qu stood up. "With me. Thief, watch over the princess, and do not steal from her."
"Geez, you break into a palace to rob the treasury, and no one lets you live it down," Gaius sighed. "You better go with him. I wouldn't want to be someone who gets on Q's bad side."
Robin nodded in agreement with Gaius' statement, although knew the alternative would not be much better. Despite the short time he knew Lon'qu, he already had a basic idea on what the warrior would want from him. Should he leave, the tactician would have to spar with his friend, who was more trained with the blade than he was. Still, with all of the flying and a tome in his possession, he understood that he needed to keep up with his training so he did not grow rusty. With a sigh, he stood up, and left the tavern.
The sun was setting in the distance and Lon'qu was hard at work preparing for their sparring session. He dragged his foot across a patch of snow, creating a large circle for them to spar in. In his hands, he held two wooden practice swords, one of which he held to Robin. The tactician hesitantly took the hilt of the blade and stepped into the circle. The warrior walked over to the other side of the circle, pacing in front of his comrade.
"Unlike previous times, we shall fight until one of us yields, steps out of the circle, or is knocked out," Lon'qu instructed. "Do not hold back on me."
"I suppose this means that you're not going to hold back on me?" Robin asked nervously.
"I'm holding back in the sense that I won't knock you out with a single blow," Lon'qu answered. "If you talk about your problems during our spar, I'm knocking you out."
"Fair enough," Robin chuckled despite his friend's threat.
"Then let's begin!"
Without hesitation, Lon'qu dashed towards Robin, ready to press the offensive. Robin was only able to take three steps away from the circle's edge before meeting his opponent in battle. Their blades matched against each other with a loud thud. The tactician had to sidestep to avoid the next blow from the warrior, and jumped back from the next. He took a deep breath, already starting to grow exhausted. Lon'qu was swift and aggressive, as always. Robin needed to defeat him swiftly.
When Lon'qu turned to him, Robin struck out blindly against his friend, lashing out with multiple strikes. While the warrior was focused on defending himself, the tactician knew the plan would not be enough to defeat him. It just needed to distract him long enough for him to come up with a plan. He had to rely on his superior intellect to overcome the skill of his opponent. Even under pressure, he was able to come up with a plan.
Just as he did, Lon'qu broke through the assault with his own attack. The practice sword slammed into Robin's gut, earning a gasp from the man. He regained his breath fast enough to turn around Lon'qu. His eyes were briefly blinded by the sun, but he did not falter while spinning around to face his opponent once more. Likewise, the warrior turned to face him, and was momentarily blinded by the sun. The tactician took advantage of the opening, swinging his wooden blade down on his foe's arm. The metal bracer took the brunt of the damage, but the force was enough for him to drop his sword.
"Yield, Lon'qu," Robin demanded.
"You caught me off-guard," Lon'qu grunted.
"I decided to use my smarts to win this battle," Robin told his friend. "Yield."
"Your smarts won't be enough," Lon'qu spat on the ground. "I refuse!"
Lon'qu held his arms in front of his chest, angling his bracers. Robin thought he was going to try fighting with his hands, but that was not the case. Instead, the tactician was blinded by the same sunlight he used, reflected off the metal bracers of his foe. In that moment, the warrior charged forward, slamming his shoulder straight into his foe. Although more swift than strong, he was still powerful enough to knock the weaker strategist out of the circle and into the snow.
"I shouldn't have let me guard down," Robin chuckled. "I'm glad we're not at war with Ferox."
"And I am far from the strongest," Lon'qu revealed, stepping out of the circle and towards Robin. "I am inexperienced, yet. Raw."
"I find that hard to believe," Robin lifted one hand up towards the warrior. "You're a beast! But I guess you got where you are now by being tough on yourself."
"No. Just truthful." Lon'qu grabbed onto Robin's hand with a firm grip. "If you saw what I have seen, if you saw him fight, you would know that I have a long way to go."
"You mean Khan Basilio?" Robin asked.
"His command of his weapon lends it a weight," Lon'qu lifted Robin back onto his feet. "A depth. I may as well be swinging a feather in comparison. Knowing his power, I would not dare call myself strong."
"But he's giving you something to strive for," Robin pointed out. "I'm envious, really."
"If you would grow stronger, find a paragon of your own to pursue," Lon'qu advised. "Meanwhile, if you wish to spar, you need only ask."
"I will, thanks."
Robin thought back on Lon'qu's words and saw the truth in his advice. If Lon'qu was such a great warrior due to Basilio being stronger, then he needed to find his paragon. Even though many of the Shepherds were stronger fighters than he was, nothing really stood out to him. Perhaps between planning out his war, dealing with Gaius, and pursuing Cordelia, he could look back in history to find a paragon. For now, he needed rest. Tomorrow, the Shepherds would march into Plegia and bring war to Gangrel's nation.
A/N: And that is the last of support conversations on the list. Took over a month to get here, but it's time to move on. Next time, the Shepherds march into Plegia!
Warrior of Six Blades: Thoron is a useful tome, and will definitely be something to pull out of reserve once Robin's done with Thunder.
MalevolentDarkness16: Baby steps indeed. Although who knows if Gaius will want him to take it slow now.
Until next time.