Yes! Got this out just in time for the new year! Wanted to get this out for Christmas, but plans and such.

Happy new year! And a big thank you to everyone who's still here!


Robin, as a man with no memories and basically a clean slate in life, liked new experiences. He liked them mostly because he had no other experiences and thus all experiences were new experiences. And, for the most part, his increasing number of experiences were positive. Mostly. It was also a chance to learn more about himself and try to piece together what he was like before the whole amnesia business. And learning was always fun. In fact, Robin learned new things about himself every day.

One of the things he learned relatively early on was that he really, really liked food. Good food, not food made by like, Sully or Lissa (although, to be fair, what Sully made couldn't really be classified as "food." More like "weapons of mass digestive destruction." And, to her credit, Lissa could make tasty little cookies and snacks. Sometimes. Other times her food was only slightly better than Sully's). Now, food made by, say, Cherche or Stahl or Sumia or Olivia? That was when Robin enjoyed his life the most. The post-good dinner good feelings and full stomach always got Robin in a good mood.

Another thing Robin learned about himself was that he was a uniform man in that he loved uniforms. Men, women, men and women, it didn't matter as long as they wore uniforms and looked good while doing it. Then again, uniforms made anyone look good. As long as they were the right uniforms with the right outfit sizes and colors.

Robin learned this about himself back in Ylisse when he was realizing his dream of making a national army. Flush with Plegian money, he could finally make his dream a reality. And did he ever.

Besides doing all the paperwork, organization and logistics, Robin spent a lot of time thinking of what the national army of Ylisse would actually wear and look like. Naturally, Robin had very many ideas. However, not being (as far as he was aware) any sort of expert in fashion, Robin thought it prudent to get some second opinions. Those second opinions were in the form of some of the finest tailors, fashion designers and other relevant people who had any sort of experience in this sort of thing. Some prominent nobles, too. Those guys should know their stuff and offer some valuable advice on what the forces of Ylisse should look like on the battlefield.

Getting advice from more experienced people turned out to be a wise move as, being savvier about their fields, they reigned in Robin's more impulsive habits. It was through their direction that Robin abandoned his idea that the Ylissean army's colors should be black and red. Although everyone agreed that black and red looked very good, an ensemble consisting of those two colors did give off a bit of a sinister air, especially if an entire army was clad in those colors. So pragmatism had to take priority over looking awesome.

Still, just because one had to be pragmatic didn't mean that one couldn't also look cool. That was how Robin was eventually persuaded to adopt blue and gold as the official colors of the army. It made sense, as blue was pretty much the unofficial color of the country. Hell, even their current ruler and his future daughter had blue hair! So it was fitting that the army did too.

Having decided on the overall color scheme (blue base with gold outlines and gold insignia), Robin ordered the tailors and weavers to get to work producing the required outfits so that he could hand them out when the army eventually materialized.

It was all good timing because Robin got the first batch of uniforms just as Frederick and the rest were finishing off training the first batch of recruits. Robin thought that new and fancy uniforms did make nice graduation presents.

And man did they make the new graduates look good! As soon as the newly minted soldiers put on their uniforms, they suddenly looked much more professional. Whether it was simple tunics over chainmail for the light infantry or heavier surcoats for the knights, gods the uniforms made the wearer look good and professional. Robin could barely contain his glee.

The soldiers themselves also seemed to be happy. Then again, they better have been for Robin spent more than a pretty penny to make sure the uniforms both aesthetically pleasing as well as comfortable and sturdy.

And they were very aesthetically pleasing as far as Robin was concerned.

When he could afford it, Robin made sure to drop by the training grounds and watch how Frederick or Sully drilled the troops. There was something about watching men and women in clean uniforms and in neat and organized rows that gave Robin warm feelings. It was like watching his board games, only in real life. And in his board games, Robin made sure to have all his soldiers impeccably organized. He demanded nothing less from his toy pieces.

Fortunately, so did Sully and Frederick. Say what you will about him, but Frederick liked to have things nice and organized as much (if not more than) Robin did. After all, Frederick did spend more time than necessary clearing little pebbles.

So, yes. As the peace lasted, the Ylissean army grew. It grew more professional and organized. The recruits knew the hierarchy, they knew to form up when their superiors demanded, they stood straight together, fought together, and, most importantly, they looked damn good while doing it.

And Robin was content. The only thing we could've wanted was a chance to test his forces out against real enemies instead of each other.

And the newest war was a chance to do just that.

What Robin didn't account for were the problems associated with commanding an army made up of solders from two nations across enemy territory without being noticed. Well, the problem, for that was it.

Sure, commanding your ragtag group of friends through enemy territory deserted by troops was fun and all, but it was completely different from commanding thousands of soldiers in enemy territory that was probably littered with spies and guarded by fearsome and professional forces. In fact, Say'ri pretty much confirmed that Walhart had agents everywhere. Robin supposed the only upside was that, being so far away from the capital, the rulers of the region didn't put too much emphasis on enforcing Walhart's will or rooting out his enemies. As far as they were concerned, the only thing that mattered was that their positions and territory were secure. That at least gave the Shepherds and their allies some breathing room.

Still, they couldn't be complacent. Although the rulers themselves might not have been committed to Walhart's cause, there were still spies and other opportunists that wished to gain favor with Walhart crawling about. In light of this, the leaders of the Resistance held a meeting to discuss how to proceed.

After much discussion, it was decided that the Resistance army would avoid big populated areas and stick to less traveled roads to move around and avoid enemy agents. Furthermore (and despite Robin's reservations), the army would be split up into smaller groups to ease their movement through the country and avoid detection. After all, it's a lot easier to notice a giant army walking through the countryside than it is a smaller group of armed soldiers. Finally, the soldiers would put away their uniforms (that one really hurt Robin) and wear their civilian clothes in order to blend in better. If someone asked too many questions, they could pretend to be random mercenaries or something.

Before the army separated into several different groups, everyone agreed on assigning captains for each group, method of communication and meeting place before engaging the Valmese. Based on Say'ri's map, their destination was the Mila Tree, which was to the southwest of their current position. Since that was their target and where the Valmese forces were concentrated, there was no need to draw unnecessary attention to themselves by needlessly picking fights with local garrisons. The Mila Tree garrison was their ultimate target and thus they needed to save all their men and energy for that engagement. Thus, avoidance and stealth were the order of the day.

As for communication, it was decided that should be kept to a minimum. It was risky, sure, but so was someone finding and intercepting the messenger hawks being sent between army groups. In line with the new stealth doctrine, everyone decided that communications be sent only in very urgent circumstances. Everyone would increase coordination and discuss their strategy once all the groups got closer to the Mila Tree.

Finally, since there were a bunch of forts and cities between Valm Harbor and the Mila Tree, it seemed that the army groups would have to take slightly longer detours to get there. Fortunately, Say'ri and her agents knew all the different routes that avoided enemy population centers and still led to the Mila Tree. So after countless hours of planning and convincing Robin that yes, these agents are loyal and would rather die than even entertain the thought of treason, the combined Ylissean-Feroxi army split up into several groups.

Basilio, Flavia, and some handpicked captains were to lead them through the Valmese backwoods to their designated meeting spot near the Mila Tree. Meanwhile, the Shepherds, accompanied by Say'ri, were to find their own path.

Fortunately for all involved, Say'ri knew the surrounding area quite well. That included leading the Shepherds up north past a small town where they could rest and resupply for the journey ahead.

Unfortunately, the Shepherds had learned that bandits have been plaguing the area recently. And of course, upon learning of this bandit scourge, Chrom, being ever the hero, pledged to save the townspeople from the big bad bandits.

Needless to say, Robin was not amused.


"Gods, I hate this."

And naturally, the bandits lived above and beyond some mountain path that went right up a mountain. Because of course it did.

"So…much…climbing…" Robin panted. "Why do mountains have to be so steep? I feel my legs are about to fall off…"

"You and me both…" Lissa groaned beside him.

"Gods, I can't believe that we're once again finding ourselves trekking through the backwoods in a foreign country hunting for bandits! Why do we even do this?"

"Because it's the right thing to do, Robin," Chrom said behind him.

Robin scoffed. "You and your 'right thing.' I swear that one of these days doing 'the right thing' will get you caught up in some trap. And you know what I'm going to do then? I'm going to laugh and remind you of how I told you so. All the while rescuing your sorry behind from said trap."

"Well that's encouraging."

"Also," continued Robin," Say'ri, I can't believe you went along with this. Went along with this and us!"

"Prince Chrom is right, Robin. This is the right thing to do."

"Oh gods, not you too."

"Rescuing the defenseless from opportunist bandits generates goodwill and support for our case. The villagers will certainly be more grateful to us than the empire, that has allowed these bandits free rein for so long," Say'ri said calmly. "Moreover, the bandit camp is on the path that leads us to our destination."

"Gods…" Robin panted. "Couldn't you have picked a simpler path to take? Preferably one that doesn't lead through these steep mountains?"

"I could have, aye. However, going around would have taken significantly more time than simply going through. And that would have put us off schedule."

"Your schedule," reminded Lissa. "As in, the one you drew up and insisted we all follow."

Robin remained silent.

"You don't want us to fall behind on your schedule, do you?" Lissa teased.

"…Shut up," Robin grunted as he continued walking.

Lissa snorted.

"Come on, Robin. Cheer up!" Chrom put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Walking through these mountain paths builds stamina and character!"

"Chrom, I'm still peeved that you're sending us on bandit duty in hostile enemy territory."

"Yes, I know. You've made it abundantly clear. Multiple times."

"And yet here we are, doing it yet again."

Chrom opened his mouth.

"And give me a better reason than 'it's the right thing'!"

Chrom closed his mouth and thought for a moment.

"I'm waiting."

"Okay, I got it."

"I'm all ears."

"This may be a good chance to find another of Lucina's friends."

"Chrom, that's got to be the stupidest reason yet. Do you know what the odds are of running into yet another one of Lucina's friends out here in this vast wilderness?"

"Pretty good, given our track record."

Robin opened his mouth to argue.

Chrom crossed his arms and looked expectantly at his best friend, daring him to challenge his assertion.

"…Shut up."

"I thought so," Chrom said smugly.

Robin grumbled and continued up the mountain path.

Lissa laughed. "You sure got him!"

"I have my days," Chrom chuckled before seeing Say'ri watching the scene curiously. "Say'ri?"

"Oh, my apologies, Prince Chrom. I did not mean to stare. It was just that…your conversation…"

"Yeah, got one up on Robin, finally. Naga knows it was long overdue."

"…Overdue?"

"Yes. Robin gives me grief on many occasions, so I tend to enjoy it when it's my turn."

"You…you do this on a regular basis?"

"Pretty much."

Say'ri stared at Chrom in astonishment.

"…Say'ri?"

"Apologies again. I simply did not expect Ylissean relations to be so…informal, especially amongst the leadership."

"Ours is a special kind of relationship," Lissa commented.

"It certainly is…unique."

"Does it bother you?" Chrom asked.

"Oh please, perish the thought!" Say'ri said quickly. "Who am I to tell the liberators of Valm how to behave. Please ignore my surprise. Different peoples have different ways of doing things. Worry not, I will adapt."

"Well as long as we haven't scared you off with our antics," Chrom chuckled.


"Argh!" Robin looked up at the ever-ascending road and winced. "I don't think my legs can handle any more of this. Actually, I'm not entirely sure how I got this far without collapsing."

"That is a simple result of your training."

Robin looked back to see Frederick casually walking past him.

"Still on about training, Frederick? Even all the way up here?"

"The pain you're feeling is a natural consequence of diligent training and pushing your body to its limits," the knight stated simply. "Or your lack thereof. Push yourself hard enough and your body eventually adjusts."

"If I recall, you were the one doing the pushing…" Robin grumbled.

Frederick rolled his eyes. "A thankless task, but one I shall pursue diligently. It's for your own good, Robin."

Deep down, Robin did realize that it was because of Frederick's constant and hellish training regimens that he was able to walk this far up a mountain without collapsing from exhaustion. Robin did notice how he could accomplish physical tasks more easily as he partook in Frederick's regimens. Hell, he could even see the results as his body built up more muscle. So deep down, Robin knew Frederick had a point and did help train his body to withstand tough physical tasks.

But he'd never admit that. So instead he chose to say, "You couldn't at least tone it down a little? I mean, my body feels like it's on fire after we're done. And the next day it hurts all over!"

Frederick smiled. "That is your body's way of telling you that it needs to get in shape."

Robin grunted and continued walking.

"Just a little further, Sir Robin. We are almost at the end."

"Ha! Easy for you to say, you're…" Robin paused to catch his breath. He then looked up to continue his sentence when he saw Say'ri and froze.

Say'ri looked at him curiously. "Sir Robin?"

"You…" Robin looked her up and down. "You're…not sweaty. Or tired. Or anything. In fact, you look no worse for wear than when we started all the way at the bottom of this path!"

"Aye…"

"…How?"

"Oh, that," Say'ri chuckled. "One builds a surprising amount of stamina and endurance when avoiding patrolling soldiers and being perhaps the most wanted woman in Valm. Countless chases and time spent avoiding enemy soldiers makes this trek but a simple stroll."

"You think this grueling walking up a mountain is a simple stroll?!"

"Aye. A tad steeper than the average walk in the park, but relaxing nonetheless. Certainly more leisurely than being chased by countless armed imperials. Also easier on the nerves."

Robin stared, dumbfounded.

"Come, Sir Robin. Let us make haste to the top. Let the knowledge that the goal is near push you forward."

With that, Say'ri turned and continued to march up the path as if she was not walking up a steep mountain.

Robin continued staring.

"She certainly makes this look easy, doesn't she?"

"Yeah, no kidding…" Robin paused to catch his breath.

Olivia reached into her bag and took out a waterskin. "Here. Have some water."

"Thanks, Olivia. You're a lifesaver," Robin said gratefully before drinking heavily.

"Oh, hardly. I just flail around and pretend to dance, mostly. Anyway, I've started looking for new ways to be useful."

"What're you talking about? You've been helping us lots for so long!"

"I don't really know about that…"

"I do. The little things around camp sure help. You know, cleaning, cooking, weapons upkeep, that sort of thing? I've noticed."

"I-it's nothing really…"

"Well all those 'nothings' really add up to make a 'something.' And we all appreciate it, Olivia."

"I just try to do my part."

"And hey, you've gotten pretty good with the sword lately!"

"I have?"

"I certainly think so? What, you haven't noticed?"

"Well, I do feel more comfortable fighting now. Sort of," Olivia admitted. "I think myrmidon fighting style suits me very well."

"It does," Robin agreed. "You're so graceful and elegant on the battlefield, jumping, twirling, moving just like you're doing one of your dances. It seems you're really taken to it."

Olivia blushed. "Th-thank you, Robin. Although fighting still scares me…"

"Understandable. You're a dancer, not a fighter. But that's okay, that's why you have us! Especially your family."

"Fighting beside Chrom and Lucina does give me strength. Seeing them trying so hard makes me want to double my efforts too!" Olivia said, determination in her eyes.

"It shows." Robin nodded approvingly. "And besides, if not that, your dances off the battlefield really help us relax when we're making camp."

"Ha! I dance like a ham someone rolled down the stairs. Just thinking of people watching me makes me cringe..."

"Well, you're a very graceful ham that someone rolled down the stairs. I know watching you always picks me up!"

Olivia giggled.

"But don't take my word for it. Chrom!"

"I'm here, I'm here," Chrom answered, walking up to where they stood. "What's up, Robin? You haven't called me here just to whine some more, have you?"

"While I do enjoy taking every opportunity to subject you to my totally reasonable and thought-out arguments, no. I've called you here because your wife is having some self-esteem issues and I figured that you, her dear husband, can use your husbandy charm to make her feel better. Or something."

Chrom raised a brow and then looked at his wife, who blushed and covered her face with her hands.

"Now if you excuse me, I need to…"

Robin trailed off as he saw the other Shepherds. More specifically, Lissa and how she was on Lon'qu's back while he walked up the path.

"Wow, when I said I'd be okay with people carrying me, I didn't think you'd take me up on the offer!" the princess said.

"You looked like you were getting tired. I decided to help," Lon'qu said simply.

"You're the best husband ever, you know that?"

Lon'qu grunted.

"Aw, man, look at that!" Robin groaned as the two walked passed him. "She's so lucky she has a husband to carry her. I wish I had someone to carry me…"

Robin gave Chrom a hopeful look.

"…You can't be serious."

"Of course, I'm not asking you to carry me!"

"Good."

"I'm asking you to order Frederick to do it."

Chrom snorted. "Ha, that's a good one, Robin."

"I'm serious, Chrom. It looks like we still have a long way to go and I feel that my legs are about to buckle!"

"Robin…"

Olivia giggled at the conversation.

"Can't we at least take a break?"

"Well…" Chrom looked back to see the other Shepherds making their way up the mountain path, some slower than others. "I suppose a few minutes couldn't hurt, although we have a schedule to keep, Robin."

"Yes, I know. I helped make it. Okay, now to sit down for a bit…"

"Dad! Hey, Dad!"

"Oh gods, why now?!" Robin froze mid-sitting down. Taking a deep breath, he then gathered all his remaining strength to get up and look as if nothing was wrong just in time to see Morgan running up to him. "Heeeey, Morgan! What's up?"

"Dad! Daddadadadadad!"

Robin took a step back. Morgan was acting very energetic. Well, more energetic than she usually was.

"Uh, Morgan? Are you okay?"

"Oh yeah. I'm fine! Better than fine, I'm great. Great! Super! Awesome! Special! Super special awesome even!"

Morgan was firing off words left, right, and center, greatly concerning her father.

"…Morgan?"

"Yeah, Dad?"

"Slow down. Try taking a deep breath."

"Why? I feel perfectly fine. Great, even! I got loads of energy and stamina and endurance to climb this big mountain and I feel all fired up and not tired in the slightest! Nope, not me!"

Morgan was practically bouncing on her toes as she spoke.

Robin shared a concerned glance with Chrom and Olivia before turning back to his daughter.

"…Morgan, you haven't been bitten by anything lately, have you?"

"Not that I've noticed. Why?"

"You don't feel sick? Or different?"

"Nope and nope! Why do you ask?"

"Well, let's just say that you're more…active than usual. I'm just wondering where all this excess energy came from."

"Oh, that. Why didn't you just ask?"

"Huh?"

"That's probably a result of this energy drink I bought back in town!"

"What energy drink?"

"Mountain Brew!" Morgan exclaimed. "I figured it was appropriate, what with our mountaineering adventures and all. Also, the guy at the stall said that it would give me enough energy to plow through these mountains and then some! 'Do the Brew!' he said. Or something like that. I can't really remember."

"Riiight…" Robin was becoming more and more concerned. "Do you have any drinks left?"

"Sure do!" Morgan tossed her father a waterskin. "The guy was selling this stuff by the jugs, but I figured it was more appropriate to pour the stuff into waterskins for ease of transportation. I don't really know how they expected a mountaineering drink to sell in jugs. I think their marketing department really didn't think this one through!"

Robin looked suspiciously at the waterskin before cautiously taking a drink. He noticed one thing immediately.

"Holy crap this thing is sweet! How much sugar is in it?!"

Morgan shrugged. "I dunno, but I'm guessing a buuuuuunch. After all, you need plenty of sugar and energy to climb all these mountains, right? And sugar provides plenty of energy! I'm so pumped I feel I can run all the way up and back!"

"Oh gods. Morgan, how much of this stuff did you drink?"

"I dunno. I figured it'd be pretty useful, so I bought a few jugs and poured them into my waterskins. Then when we started the uphill walking, I got thirsty and took a sip. Then I noticed it was really good and took another and another and before I knew it, my first waterskin was gone. So then I reached for another. And another and a bunch more after that. The one you're holding is probably the last one."

"Oh man…" Robin looked between the waterskin in his hands and his daughter. "So you mean to tell me you drank an entire jug of this sugar-filled drink?"

"An entire several jugs!" Morgan nodded enthusiastically. "I think it really helped! Even after all this walking I feel totally fine. Better than fine, I feel great! Still plenty of energy to go around and up this path. Hey, there's Nowi! Hey, Nowi!"

"Oh, Morgan! Hi!" greeted the manakete.

"Heeeey, Nowi! I wanna play a game. Do you wanna play a game?"

"I'm always up for a game!"

"Great! Let's see which one of us can run up this road the longest. Ready set go!"

Without waiting for a reply, Morgan darted up the path.

"Hey, no fair! You got a head start!" Nowi shouted as she ran to catch up.

"M-mother! Where are you…?" Nah panted, just catching up to Nowi only to see her mother dash off again.

"There, there, darlin'," Donnel patted Nah's shoulder comfortingly. "Take it easy. This here mountain's mighty steep and you've been walkin' for some time."

"But, Mother…!"

"She's gonna be fine, Nah. Nowi's got a lotta energy and likes to do a lotta runnin' around. Heh, she probably gets all her energy because she does so much runnin'! What's important is that you don't tire yourself out tryin' to catch up to her."

"Right…" Nah took a deep breath and exhaled. "I can't imagine how Mother finds all this running around 'fun.'"

"Nowi's a child at heart…" chuckled Donnel. "I think it's charmin'."

Robin tuned out the rest of the conversation as he watched his daughter zip up the mountain path. He then rubbed his temples.

"Gods…"

"Robin? Are you okay?" Olivia asked.

"This is gonna be a long and tiring day…" sighed the grandmaster. "I have trouble keeping up with Morgan on a normal day, but now? She's all pumped with gods know how much sugar from that drink. Now she's going to be practically jumping off the walls and stuff!"

"It's true that she's a bit more energetic than usual, but I don't really see that as anything to dread," Chrom said.

"It is when your kid wants to do everything with you."

"And that's a problem because…?"

"I have an image to maintain! I'm her dad, which means I should be tough and awesome and invincible and always ready for whatever she throws at me."

"But Morgan always seems to want to do something with you," remarked Olivia.

"I know, and I'm more than happy to spend time with her," Robin said happily. "It's just that it really take it out of you, you know? Morgan has a loooooot of energy."

"That she does…" Chrom nodded in understanding. "But can't you just say no to her? I'm sure she'll understand."

"I'm not going to turn down spending time with my daughter! In pursuit of my image as being the best dad in her eyes, I will always be available when she needs me!" Robin declared. "Even if I am two steps away from keeling over!"

"…Is that why you shot up to your feet when she ran up to you despite saying you couldn't go on any further?" Chrom asked.

"Precisely. Which is why I'm about to do the following." Without any warning, Robin fell on his back and groaned. "Oh gods…! Sitting down feels so goooood…"

Chrom looked at his friend in concern. "You're really out of it, huh?"

"Duh. Why do you think I was complaining all this time?"

"Because you like the sound of your own voice?"

"There are worse voices to listen to than mine."

"But none are as persistent."

"I take that as a compliment. After all, it's my persistence that gets things done!"

"Robin, although your willingness to spent time with your daughter is admirable, do you really think it's a good idea to do so when you're…not feeling so good?" Olivia asked.

"It's fine. I'm willing to endure a little personal hardship in order to spend time with my daughter. Because a good dad never disappoints, and I'm a good dad!" To emphasize his point, Robin shot his fist in the air. "And besides, I usually don't feel this bad when Morgan wants to do stuff with me. Fortunately, we don't make it a habit to talk up steep mountain paths."

"Well, you'd better get yourself up if you want to maintain that image," Chrom said.

"What? Why?"

"Because Morgan is coming back."

"What?!" Robin frantically tried and failed to get up. "Damn it, too soon! Come on, legs, work!"

"Here." Chrom extended his hand and helped Robin get up on his feet. "Let the record show that I am a good friend, despite what you put me through."

"Hey, I keep you alive," Robin countered. "I'd say that gives me license to give you grief."

"Robin, keeping me alive is your job."

"One that takes up all my time, if I may add!" Robin straightened himself up and was prepared to put on his best, most not tired looking face for his daughter who…wasn't there.

Looking around in confusion, Robin turned to Chrom for an explanation. For his part, Chrom just pointed.

Robin didn't have time to see where Chrom was pointing for at that moment, he heard a roar, something that sounded like a flap of wings, a surprised yelp followed by a thud behind him.

"What the…?" Turning around, Robin saw Morgan standing with a victorious look on her face and Nowi face down on the ground.

"That was awesome!" Morgan exclaimed. "Well, except for the unexpected last part. But we totally landed on our feet, right, Nowi? …Nowi?"

"Ow…" The manakete groaned as she got up and rubbed her face.

"Are you okay?" Morgan asked.

"Yeah, fine. I can't believe that happened! It was all going so well until we had to land. This path looks a lot bigger when I'm not a dragon!"

"Yeah, but hey! We totally proved the concept! Without any gear, too! And made a pretty good landing…for the most part."

"Morgan? Nowi?" Robin spoke up. "What just happened?"

"Oh, Dad! You'll never guess what we did!" Morgan said excitedly. "Go ahead and try! Go on."

"Uh…"

"I just gave Morgan a ride on my back. While in dragon form!" Nowi butted in before Robin could say anything.

"Aw man! I wanted Dad to guess…"

"Oh. Sorry about that, Morgan."

"Wait wait wait…" Robin shook his head and looked at the two girls seriously. "So let me get this straight: you, Nowi, transformed and what, gave my daughter a ride through the air? Up here in this mountain path? High above the ground?"

"That's right!" Nowi nodded. "It was really cool! I never had anyone ride me while I was in dragon form before."

"Are you crazy?!" Robin exclaimed. "You were flying around with my daughter through the air without any equipment or harness or safety gear! What would've happened if she slipped, huh? Then she would've fallen through the air to her death!"

"Aw, come on, Dad. There's no way something like that could happen," Morgan said dismissively. "Nowi has plenty of scales and stuff to hold on to when she's a dragon. Besides, Nowi would never let something like that happen to me."

"Never," agreed the manakete. "I may not look it, but I'm really good and fast in the air when I need to be. And that's despite being a big dragon!"

"That's not the point!" Robin snapped. "The point is that you undertook this crazy and dangerous exercise without any planning or approval or supervision! Whose idea was this, anyway?"

"Mine." At her father's look of incredulity, Morgan continued, "Yep. After we raced to the top, I thought we needed something better to do while we waited for all you guys to catch up. And I don't really remember flying all that often and Nowi can become a dragon, so an idea was born."

"Morgan, that's totally—!"

"Besides, it was also a strategic hypothesis and that I thought was worth pursuing."

That totally interrupted whatever Robin was about to say.

"…Go on."

"I mean, Nowi is a huge asset on the field, right? Big scary dragon that breathes fire and burns the bad guys from the air and stuff? Really resilient?"

"And strong!" the manakete chimed in.

"So I thought, 'what could be better than having a big dragon on our side?' And the obvious answer was someone riding that big dragon! It'd be like someone riding a pegasus or a wyvern into battle. Only instead of a pegasus or a wyvern, it'd be Nowi, who can take a lot of punishment and breathe fire. Can you imagine what she could do if she had someone riding her into battle? Like, if I did it, I could cast lightning bolts at the bad guys while she burns them! And we could do that at the same time!"

"It'll be double the firepower and double the awesome!" Nowi added enthusiastically. "Doesn't that sound like something that would help us out on the battlefield?"

It really did sound like something that would help them out on the battlefield.

"So Nowi and I decided to try the whole thing out," Morgan concluded. "And it turns out that it's totally workable!"

Robin carefully considered the proposition. Truth be told, having a mounted manakete warrior sounded pretty good. Cherche and Minerva were pretty good all by themselves, and this would be like that, but better! Like if Cherche could cast spells instead of just using an axe and if Minerva could breathe fire instead of just mauling her enemies. In fact, that sounded awesome.

"So…now that we've given you this awesome idea and proved it's doable, you're not angry with us, are you, Dad?" Morgan asked hopefully.

"Oh, I'm still mad. What you did back there was reckless and dangerous and could've got you hurt!" Robin scolded.

Morgan looked down.

"However, this is an interesting development that you've brought to my attention. Definitely needs further study."

Morgan perked up.

"So, good job, kiddo." Robin smiled and ruffled his daughter's hair. "Still, promise me you won't do something so reckless again, okay? At least not without some supervision."

"Promise. And I'm sorry, Dad."

"At least you didn't hurt yourself."

"Hey!" Nowi interjected. "I helped keep your daughter safe and sound out there."

"Yes…I guess you did, didn't you? Although it's totally part of your job description and I would've fired you so hard if anything happened to Morgan, nothing did. So thank you for not dropping her and stuff," Robin said as he walked over and awkwardly patted Nowi on the head.

The manakete smiled brightly. "Are we gonna do this again sometime?"

"We sure are! This is an avenue that we simply must pursue further," Robin stated seriously. "But later on, in a controlled environment. And with me. I'll be the one evaluating the viability of this idea."

"Great! You can count on me, Robin!" Nowi saluted. "I promise I won't let you down. This will be so great! I'll take you on my back and whiz through the air and breathe fire on stuff! Man, this sounds like it could be the best game ever!"

"Nowi, this isn't a game. It's serious war business and—"

"I gotta go and prepare ideas!"

"Nowi, we're not going to do it this insta—"

"Come on, Morgan! Let's get back to the top and brainstorm ideas on how to best ride my dragon form!"

"Okay! See you on top. Bye, Dad!"

And without warning, the two girls darted up the mountain path. Again.

Watching them with his mouth open mid-protest, Robin sighed.

"I hate kids."

"Now, now, Robin. That's not fair," Chrom spoke up. "After all, you have to remember that Nowi is really—"

"A thousand years old," Robin finished sarcastically. "As she keeps on reminding us. Would it kill her to act her age? Gods, now I know how Nah feels…"

"Who can say? After all, she may be acting appropriately for a manakete that's a thousand years old."

"I highly doubt that."

"Oh really? I assume you know enough manaketes to make an informed judgement on how they should act at different stages of their lives?"

Robin shot Chrom a dirty look.

"Oh, you two…" Olivia chuckled. "May I suggest we move along now? We're starting to fall behind."

Looking up, Robin was alarmed to see that they really were last in line.

"So much for my break…"

"We could rest a little more if you're tired," Olivia offered.

"Nope. Not happening. We have a schedule to keep and a daughter to not disappoint who'll be waiting at the top of the mountain path for her father. So let's get to it!" Robin forced his legs forward. He then looked at his hand and realized that he still held the waterskin Morgan gave him.

Hoping that the drink would give him at least a fraction of the energy it did to his daughter, Robin drank its contents all in one go.

"Okay. Let's go!"


As it turned out, a drink consisting of Naga knows how much sugar was a great way to get that little bit of energy to get Robin up the rest of the mountain path. With energy to spare, too. Although now Robin was conscious of the time he had. The extra energy was great, sure, but that inevitably led to the sugar crash which could vary from bearable to super extra horrible depending on circumstances. From Robin's perspective, based on how much sugar he had and on past experiences, the sugar crash should not be too terrible when it hit him. Probably.

But it was all okay! His schedule called for the quickest possible route to the bandit hideout and the even quicker disposal of said bandits. On top of that, his survival instinct and adrenaline would keep the sugar crash at bay until the fighting stopped. That gave him plenty of time! More than plenty of time for himself and Morgan. Probably more time than necessary judging by how much sugar she had. Robin wouldn't have been surprised if all that sugar gave Morgan enough energy to sustain her for days on end.

But those were thoughts for another day. Now, the task at hand.

"So that's it, huh?" Robin said, looking at the fort in the distance.

"Aye," replied Say'ri. "The Great Gate. A mighty fortress on this mountain that blocks our path. We must pass through it in order to continue our journey to the rendezvous point."

Morgan whistled. "That sure is a great gate."

"That it is… " Robin nodded in agreement. "And it's occupied by bandits. Oh well. Our scouts should return with a report. Shouldn't be too bad. This area is pretty remote so forces can't be that impressive."

"This area is not so remote as it contains several villages nearby," Chrom said. "And the bandit forces are impressive enough to terrorize them all."

Robin shrugged. "We'll see."

"It's only bandits. They'll be no match for us!" Morgan declared confidently.

"That's the spirit!" Robin tousled his daughter's hair. "They do say that attitude is half the battle. And with yours, we basically won."

"Yeah!"

"Being overconfident, Robin? That's very unlike you," Chrom remarked. "You usually advise us to exercise maximum caution when approaching the enemy."

"That is still my preferred approach, yes," Robin agreed. "However, I think our past experiences with bandits have given me some room to be optimistic. I mean, we've been wiping out bandits for as long as I can remember and haven't had any problems doing so thus far."

"Well…"

"Come on, Chrom. Give me one example of when things were tricky with bandits."

"Okay, Regna Ferox. When we went to take out the slavers and ended up rescuing Noire."

"A mission that went off without a hitch on all fronts if I recall correctly."

"Ah yes, up to and including those slavers having some very serious mounted aerial attack units."

"…That was certainly unexpected," Robin admitted. "I mean, how the hell did simple bandits get their hands of griffons and heavy pegasi? But still! I totally handled that situation despite that little nasty surprise and we emerged victorious."

"But it was an unexpected surprise," Chrom said plainly. "One that I assume you're prepared for should it happen again?"

"Chrom, please. What are the odds that more bandits –and specifically the ones we're going to fight today– have access to things such as griffons and heavy pegasi?"

"…So you're telling me that you're as unprepared for this hypothetical scenario as you were back then?" Chrom asked dryly.

"Chrom, I hope you know me better by now to know that I have always plans for even the most unexpected combat scenarios. Always."

"That's not really answering my question..."

"They're not going to have griffons or heavy pegasi," Robin predicted confidently. "And if they are, they'll still be weak to all the things griffions and heavy pegasi are still weak to. So I'll just tweak my usual plans a little to account for thirty percent more arrow shooting and forty percent more wind spells."

Chrom and Say'ri both looked at Robin dubiously.

"…What?"

"I agree with them, Dad," Morgan spoke up. "Only thirty and forty?"

"You're right. Griffons are almost as scary as wyverns. Make that fifty for both."

"Why not a full hundred if we're fighting only fliers exclusively?" Morgan inquired.

"Because nothing is guaranteed and we're most definitely not going to be fighting only fliers. And a little variety never hurt anyone. At least not anyone we need to care about."

"Oh. Okay."

Say'ri, not for the first time, looked questioningly at Chrom.

"He's really a lot better on the battlefield," Chrom offered lamely before turning back to Robin. "Robin, seriously? Your solution to enemy air forces is to just shoot them with arrows?"

"And wind!" Robin said cheerfully. "Lots and lots of wind."

Chrom crossed his arms.

"What? Don't give me that look! I haven't let us down before and I'm not planning to now. Besides, we're not going to face enemy air power."

Chrom frowned.

"Chrom, I've got this," Robin said, frustrated. "Look, if we do end up facing enemy fliers, I'll give you three gold. How about that?"

A voice interrupted before Chrom could say anything further.

"Ah, if it isn't the lovely Lady Say'ri!"

The small group turned and saw Virion approaching.

"Lord Virion," Say'ri greeted politely. "I am happy to see you safe and sound."

"But of course! I, the mighty Virion, am much too skillful to be caught by the likes of Walhart or his men!" Virion declared dramatically, before adopting a more serious expression. "How fares Chon'sin under the occupation?"

Say'ri opened her mouth to answer.

"Wait, wait, wait, wait!" Robin interrupted while looking between the two. "You two know each other?"

"Aye." Say'ri nodded. "Lord Virion's domain and mine shared a common border. We have gotten acquainted with each other before the war and relations between our realms were cordial."

"How am I just learning this?"

"Robin, you'd be surprised at the things you learn when you pay attention," Chrom deadpanned.

"I pay the right amount of attention to stuff! And yet not all the attention in the world can help me not miss stuff," Robin said before turning to Virion and Say'ri. "So, what? Turns out you two know each other? What is this, a childhood thing or something? What else have I missed? Next you'll be telling me she's some kind of long lost princess or something."

Say'ri raised a brow.

Virion facepalmed.

"…What?" Robin asked.

"He really is much better on the battlefield," Chrom said apologetically to Say'ri.

"Are you kidding me? Now Say'ri is some kind of lost princess? Why doesn't anyone tell me these things?" Robin threw his hands in the air. "Virion's royalty, Say'ri is royalty, next you'll be saying I'm royalty! Is there any other royalty that I should be aware of?!"

Robin paused before turning to his daughter.

"Morgan, you aren't secretly royalty, are you?"

"I…don't think so?" Morgan replied. "Certainly don't feel like royalty. But man, how cool would it be if I was?!"

"It would raise many, many questions…" Robin sighed. "Anyway, back to the topic at hand. How come no one tells me these things?"

"This was all discussed during our introductory meeting with Say'ri, Robin," Chrom explained patiently. "You were there, remember?"

"I was there, yes. How come I don't remember this part?"

"To be fair, Dad," Morgan spoke up, "we were busy looking over the map of Valm and trying to determine where stuff was and who we're up against and who we're not up against."

"Gods, that was a long night…" Robin shivered as he recalled. "Here I was expecting a simple 'us vs them' scenario and instead I get dozens upon dozens of little lands each with their own politics, agendas, armies, and degree of loyalty to the empire. I hate politics."

"It wasn't all for nothing, Dad. Now we have a handy list if we're ever lost."

"Heh, that we do, Morgan. That we do."

Virion cleared his throat. "Not to interrupt this walk down memory lane, but I believe we'll have to get to work soon."

"Hm?"

Instead of answering, Virion pointed.

Turning his head, Robin saw two pegasi heading their way.

"So much for a little break…"

Both Cordelia and Sumia landed in front of the group.

"Ladies," Robin greeted. "Not dismounting to report?"

"No time for that, sadly," Sumia said.

"Oh?"

"Sumia and I went to scout out the enemy base as requested. Unfortunately, we didn't have much time before we were spotted," Cordelia reported.

"That's not good…" Robin mumbled. "How bad is it?"

"It…could be worse?" Morgan offered.

Robin looked down at his daughter, who pointed to the direction of the fort.

Squinting, Robin could see many shapes in the sky. Many shapes that were rapidly approaching them.

"What in the world…?"

"Griffons and pegasi," Sumia confirmed.

"Son of a—!" Robin almost swore out loud before remembering his daughter was right next to him. "Are you kidding me?!"

"Well, well, well," came Chrom's voice from behind him, "Look whose enemies just so happen to have fliers on their side."

Robin didn't need to look back to know Chrom was probably grinning with self-satisfaction. So instead, he reached into his pocket, and took out five gold coins.

"Robin..."

"I don't want to hear it, Chrom."

"You gave me five gold."

"The extra two was for me to not hear it."

"You're trying to bribe me? Really?"

"I'm not 'bribing' anyone. I'm just giving you something extra so you won't say what you'll inevitably say otherwise."

"Oh, but this isn't nearly enough money to shut me up, Robin," Chrom replied smugly, taking the gold. "Not even close."

"Well then I want my money back!"

"Um, boys?" Cordelia interrupted, looking behind her anxiously, "Those enemy fliers are closing in awfully fast. Maybe we should…?"

"Yeah, yeah…" Robin brushed his hands, cracked his knuckles, unsheathed his sword and turned to the rest of the Shepherds. "Hey, everyone! Form up!"

The others quickly got assembled.

"Okay, no time for a briefing so long story short, we got enemy fliers. Pegasi and griffons, from the looks of things. About…" Robin turned to his scouts.

"A dozen or so," Sumia ventured. "Split evenly between pegasi and griffons."

Robin nodded. "There we go. We face griffons and pegasi out here today. It'll be just like that time we rescued Noire, only with a lot less cover. So we form a circle! Mages and archers in the middle, everyone else protects their flanks. Mages, since we're dealing with fliers, you know what that means."

"Lots and lots of wind spells!" Henry cheered enthusiastically.

"That's right. Get your most powerful wind spells ready, because these blasted griffons take a lot of punishment. Me and a small group will take our fliers and engage the enemy in the air. Mages and archers, provide cover fire. The rest of you, protect them as the enemy will inevitably not take too kindly to being shot."

The Shepherds nodded and got into formation.

"Virion!" Robin called out.

"At your service," said the archer. "Am I to assume that I shall be part of your little strike force?"

"You assume correctly. Despite your posturing, your aim is always true, even in the air. I could use you to pick off our enemies up there."

"As always, my bow is yours to command," Virion declared. "Who shall you be pairing me up for this engagement?"

"You've fought with Sumia before, right?"

"Ah yes, the lovely Sumia. Of course! And I have to say that her beauty and grace up in the air truly helped me last time, for it was in her lovely presence that I…"

Robin frowned. There was something about Virion going on and on about how lovely and beautiful and pretty Sumia was that he didn't like. On top of that, the thought of Virion serenading Sumia with sweet nothings (which he'd inevitably do) was something that Robin really didn't like.

So he decided to change that.

"Actually…" cutting Virion off from his…whatever he called it, Robin changed track. "You've fought with Sumia, what, once? Twice?"

"A few more times than that," Virion said. "But not as often as I would have liked to fight alongside such a—"

"Yeah, not good enough. Cherche!"

Robin heard a roar and saw Minerva approaching.

"You called, Robin?" Cherche asked atop her mount.

"You and Virion have fought together before, right?"

"Multiple times."

"Good. You're taking him up with you."

"A sudden change of plan, but a welcome one." Virion turned and smiled at Cherche. "My dear Cherche, look at us, fighting together again. This will be just like old times!"

"There is a certain nostalgia to it," Cherche admitted as she helped Virion mount Minerva.

"Stay safe, you two," Robin said. "I know Virion is a good shot and Minerva is…Minerva, but griffons are tough and aggressive. Fall back if you think you're being overwhelmed."

"Robin, you're worrying for nothing! With the combined might of Cherche, Minerva, and myself, there is no way some simple griffons can come even close!" Virion boasted.

Robin gave Cherche a pointed look.

She smiled. "Thank you for your concern, Robin. We'll be careful."

Nodding, Robin absentmindedly slapped Minerva's side to let them take their positions. However, the wyvern roared and, before Robin realized what he'd done, the wyvern had already licked him.

"Argh! Gross! Wyvern saliva on my face!"

Cherche giggled.

"She must really like you, Robin. Miverva doesn't show such affection toward just anyone."

"I'd much rather be 'just anyone'…" Robin coughed and spat. "Go. Get yourselves ready."

"Here, Dad," Morgan said, handing her father a handkerchief.

"Thank you, dear." Robin wiped his face. "Gods, that's so gross…"

"I think it's cute how she likes you. You sure have a way with animals, Dad!"

"I wish they were the cuddly ones instead of the big, scaley ones…" Clearing his throat, Robin got back to the task at hand and examined everyone. Feeling satisfied, he then turned to where Sumia and Cordelia were waiting for his orders and thought for a moment.

"Everything okay, Dad?" Morgan asked.

"Fine, fine," Robin answered, distracted. After a brief moment of considering something he called out, "Henry, get over here!"

"What's up, boss?"

"Get your wind spells and your stomach ready, Henry. You're going up in the air with Sumia."

"Ooh, neat! More pegasus riding in the air! And killing bad guys! Two of my favorite things in the world!"

"Just make sure you and Sumia stay alive, okay?"

"You betcha."

"I'm serious, Henry. Keep Sumia safe, and not only because her dying would result in you also plummeting to your untimely demise."

"Yeesh, you worry too much, Robin," Henry said jovially. "Although it would be funny seeing what I'd look like as a pancake, I have no intention of dying myself or letting Sumia die. Noire still needs her dear old dad alive and well. Heck, if I died, Tharja would never let me hear the end of it!"

"I can confirm."

"GAH!" The sudden voice behind him caused Robin to jump so suddenly he almost lost his balance and fell on his face. "Dear Naga, Tharja! How many times have I told you not to do that?!"

Instead of answering, the sorceress shrugged. She then turned to her husband.

"You're also right. Come back alive, you hear me?"

"That's a scary threat if I ever heard one!" Henry laughed. "And a good a reason to stay alive as any!"

Tharja's expression remained dour as always.

"Okay, okay!" Robin clapped his hands. "Come on, people! The enemy is fast approaching and I need you in your positions! Henry, head on over to Sumia. Tharja, he'll be fine. He hasn't died yet and there's no reason for him to start dying now."

"And he'll keep it up if he knows what's good for him…" Tharja shot Henry a look before going to take her position among the Shepherds.

"Awwww, look at that. She really does care." Henry's grin was somehow wider than usual. "It really does pierce the heart, and not in a painfully bloody way. In a good way!"

"Yeah…just go to Sumia, would you?"

"You got it, chief!"

As Henry walked off toward Sumia, Robin turned to Morgan to tell her to form up among the mages. He paused when he saw her frantically writing in her notebook.

"…Morgan?"

"Yeah, Dad?"

"What're you doing?"

"Taking notes."

"On…?"

"How to be a good tactician. I still got a long way to go and want to learn all I can from you. Now I'm making notes on how to give commands with authority."

"Heh. Morgan, I'm sure you got that down already."

"Maybe, but it never hurts to have some notes, just in case!"

Robin smiled. "There's a time and a place, Morgan. Now is the time for you to form up and practice your wind magic. So take your position among the mages and do your best, all right? Remember to not overexert yourself. And be careful."

"Right." Morgan tucked away her notebook and got out her spellbook. "Ready to go. You be careful too, Dad."

"I always am."

Morgan quickly hugged her father before taking up her position.

Robin took one last look around before he was satisfied that there were no holes in their formation.

"Okay, looking good. All right, you guys! The battle will begin any minute! Remember to protect the archers and mages! And be careful. These griffons are tough beasts! Good luck to you!"

"And you, Robin." Chrom saluted.

"Chrom—"

"We'll take care of Morgan, Robin."

Robin smiled, nodded, and walked to Cordelia.

"Incredible…" Say'ri mumbled to herself.

"I told you," Chrom said beside her. "He's a lot better on the battlefield."

"You have told me this, but truth be told, I had my reservations. But to see Sir Robin now…it is as if he is an entirely different person!"

"It's certainly…something," Lucina agreed. "You get used to it eventually."

"Reconciling the different personalities of Sir Robin seems like it will take some time…"

"Less time than you think," Chrom said. When Say'ri looked at him questioningly, Chrom continued, "You get used to Robin being Robin surprisingly quickly. Spend some time with him and you won't even blink at his antics. They'll seem…quaint."

"I'll…take your word for it, Sir Chrom."

As the Shepherds stood in their formation, Robin was heading to the pegasus knights.

Cordelia was checking her gear when she was startled to see Robin beside her.

"Robin? You're fighting with me today?"

"You sound surprised."

"Well, it's just that you usually fight with Sumia."

"I decided to mix it up today," Robin explained casually. "Besides, Sumia's style is a bit more cautious. For griffons, I figured I needed a more aggressive approach, meaning your style."

"Oh. I didn't realize our fighting styles differed," Cordelia said as she helped Robin mount her pegasus.

"Then it's a good thing I don't pay you to realize things." And before Cordelia could open her mouth to make a witty remark, Robin continued, "But enough of that. Look, Sumia and Cherche are ready and the enemy is upon us. Let's go!"

"Very well. Hold on!"

Cordelia spurred her pegasus into the air as she, Sumia and Cherche few up to meet the incoming enemy fliers.

Robin took a deep breath. "Right, time to do—"

"WHOA!"

Cordelia jerked her pegasus to the side so suddenly that Robin almost lost his grip and fell.

"Hold on!"

Just as he was about to ask what the hell that was all about, Robin squinted and saw incoming fireballs from the direction of the enemy.

"Airborne spellcaster and griffons. Of damn course…"

"Robin!" Sumia flew her mount closer to Cordelia's. "What do we do?"

"It seems that the situation has got slightly more complicated with the addition of magic capable enemies," Robin heard Virion remark.

"Whoops, look out!" Henry cried out. He then shot a few wind spells to intercept the fireballs coming at them. "Wouldn't want us to get burned up here!"

Re-evaluating the situation, Robin quickly came up with a new plan.

"Okay, listen up! I was originally going to have us try to take these guys out in the air ourselves with a little help from the guys below, but that plan's gone now that we know they have enemy spellcasters. So now we're going to have to bait the enemy to come closer to us to that they can be in range of the others on the ground. From the looks of things, it seems that the griffons are going to be spearheading the assault while the pegasi stick behind them and try to shoot at us. So we're going to lead them right to the others. As much as I don't like putting the others at risk, I'm sure they'll be able to handle the griffons with their spells and armor and whatever. Our main target is to take out those spellcasters so they don't cause us any more trouble, got it?"

Everyone nodded.

"Good. So let's pull back to get those griffons over here. Virion, I'm relying on your eagle eyes and steady aim to shoot anyone who gets close and soften them up."

"Consider it done."

"Henry, keep your wind spells ready in case anyone gets too close, but focus on keeping the spells off Sumia."

"You got it!"

"Good. On my mark, we're darting past the griffons and flying straight to the pegasi. Now let's pull back!"


As with all of Robin's plans thus far, everything went well despite complications. Those complications being that the enemy spellcasters had some very serious firepower at their disposal.

Once the enemy griffons were lured within the firing range of the Shepherds on the ground, Robin's group immediately zipped past to head straight at the pegasi. That part of the plan went off without a hitch because the griffons were so preoccupied with the fact that they were getting shot at a bunch, they couldn't really focus on the small group that flew past them.

What was unexpected was the torrent of powerful fire and wind spells that Robin's group encountered while shooting for the enemy pegasi. Robin and Henry had to combat and disrupt streams of fire and hurricane-force winds before they got anywhere near the enemy. And that was on top of Cordelia and Sumia trying to avoid the spells!

All in all, it was a very nerve-wracking and turbulent ride. A ride that didn't get any less turbulent once they got close enough to engage the enemy riders. It turned out those damn ladies were as proficient in melee combat as they were in spellcasting!

Fortunately for Robin, Virion's aim proved true and pegasi were a lot more frail than griffons. Even while Cherche was engaged in combat, Virion managed to get shots off and pick the riders off. Or at least wound them enough for others to get the kill.

Tough a fight as it was, one thing to come out of it was that Robin gained quite a lot of experience in air-to-air spell combat. It wasn't anything Robin was expecting to gain experience in, but hey, Robin wasn't about to turn down potentially valuable combat experience, even if Robin was tired from all the spell casting and disrupting.

Grunting as he dismounted the pegasus, Robin stretched.

"Good to be back on the ground again. I can't believe how hard we had to work just to take a small group of pegasi. Damn spellcasters."

"It was a tough fight," Cordelia agreed. "I don't think I've ever done so many dodges and evasive maneuvers before."

"And yet you managed to pull it off. Thanks for keeping us alive, by the way."

"Just doing my job."

"Well then thank you for doing it well," Robin said, smiling. "Seriously, those were some tough conditions out there and you kept your cool all throughout. A fine job, Cordelia."

"Oh. Robin, I…" Cordelia started, but then looked away.

"Cordelia? Are…are you blushing?"

"I am not!"

"You are. You totally are, although…" Robin tilted his head curiously. "Why?"

"Well, it's just…I suppose I've gotten so used to your teasing that hearing you praise me seriously is…"

"Is…?"

"…Awkward."

"What? What do you mean by that? I've praised you seriously lots of times! At least…I think I have. I must have, with how often we've fought together! …Right?" Robin thought for a moment and shook his head. "Well, whatever. Good job today, Cordelia. I've come to expect nothing less."

"Er, right…" Cordelia tried to regain her composure. "Thank you, Robin. You can always rely on me."

Nodding, Robin turned to make sure Sumia and Cherche were all right.

"Woo, that was fun!" Henry laughed. "I forgot how awesome being in the air was! And it's even more awesome when you're firing off spells left and right with the enemy! I should do this more often. Hey Sumia, mind if I borrow your pegasus later on?"

"Henry, you know perfectly well you can't do that."

"Oh yeah. I forgot. But no problem! We have a workaround for that! I'll just borrow your body and—"

"Need I remind you that you need my written permission to switch bodies?" Robin said sternly as he approached.

"Oh. Okay. Robin, can I borrow Sumia's body?"

"No."

"Aw, why not?"

"Because the last time you borrowed someone's body, you almost got them killed!"

"But Cordelia's totally fine! And I'll promise to take really good care of Sumia's body." As if to emphasize the point, Henry turned to Sumia and added, "I really, really will."

"We're not having this discussion now!" Robin snapped. "Anyway, I'm here to check up on you two. How did you get along up there? It was tricky today, so any bruises or injuries to report? Questions, concerns?"

"Nope! Everything was just fine and dandy up there!" Henry reported cheerfully.

"Everything is always sunshine and rainbows with you…" Robin shook his head and then looked at Sumia for her take.

"It was a bit more difficult that usual, but we managed," said the pegasus knight. "After all, dodging fire and wind was no different than dodging arrows, and Daisy and I have been doing that for a while!"

"Good. I'm glad you're both safe and sound."

"Thank you for your concern, Robin."

"It's my job to care." The grandmaster then turned. "Virion, you magnificent bastard! Never let me doubt you when you inevitably boast about your archery skills ever again!"

"Why, Robin, you wound me!" Virion cried dramatically. "After all that we've been through, you still doubt the abilities of Archest of archers? After I have proven time and again my unmatched skill with the…"

Robin grimaced. "Oh, that was a mistake…"

Cherche chuckled. "Be careful when you stroke Virion's ego, Robin. It really gets him going, no matter how justified or otherwise the stroking is."

"Yeah, no kidding. Anyway, how did you two get on? Cordelia and Sumia were able to avoid the enemy spells, but with Minerva being bigger and bulkier than a pegasus…"

"Minerva took a few hits here and there, but it would take a lot more than a few spells to bring her down. Isn't that right, Minerva?"

The wyvern roared in response.

"That's a good girl," Cherche cooed.

Robin glanced around at Minerva and saw a few black spots from what he assumed were fire spells.

"Minerva's scales are made to take punishment," Cherche explained, seeing Robin's eyes wander. "I assure you she, and we, are fine."

"Good to hear. And good job out there."

"Robin!"

"Chrom," greeted the grandmaster. "How did you guys fare down here with the griffons?"

"Had a few close calls here and there, dodged or otherwise blocked our fair shares of large, throwing axes," Chrom said.

"Throwing axes?"

"Big, double bladed ones. Felt like it was raining axes."

"Ouch. You okay? No serious injuries? How's Morgan?"

"We managed, no and fine. Morgan seemed more fired up than usual."

"Oh?"

"I think it had something to do with all the sugar. She was casting spells faster than the others."

"Interesting. Will have to look into this later on. But for now, glad to hear that everyone's okay. And that also concludes our skirmish for the day. I'm famished. Let's get lunch!"

"Robin?"

"What?"

"Not to rain on your parade, but aren't you forgetting something?"

"I don't think so."

"The fortress?"

"The what?"

Chrom pointed to the Great Gate.

"Oh…" Robin deflated. "Right. That thing. Is everyone still good to go?"

"There are no major injuries," Frederick reported as he approached. "The Shepherds are ready to advance."

Instead of answering, Robin stared at the large crack on Frederick's chestplate.

"This? Please do not worry for my sake. My armor is thick enough to take much more punishment than this."

"Are you sure you're up for more fighting, Frederick?" Robin asked dubiously. "That crack in your armor looks pretty deep…"

"I will be fine," assured the knight. "I have sustained injuries far more serious than this, but I appreciate the concern."

"If you're sure."

Frederick nodded.

"Relax, Robin. Frederick has survived a lot worse than an axe to the chest."

"An axe to the…?" Robin looked at Frederick incredulously.

"It was unexpected, but nothing too serious," the knight said with a completely straight face.

"Anyway," Chrom continued, "I think that takes care of everyone on the outside. Do we have any intel on what we're facing inside?"

Robin turned to his scouts.

Sumia shook her head. "I'm afraid not. We didn't get a chance to do a thorough sweep before the fliers spotted us."

"So we're heading off to fight the unknown. Great. My favorite scenario…" Robin muttered. "Everyone, gather round! Congratulations on a job well done defending yourselves against the pegasi. Now we move on to the fortress. Now, since we don't know what the enemy forces are inside, we have to tread…"

Chrom tuned out Robin's instructions when he saw a young man casually heading toward the fort.

"Is he…? Gods, he's heading to the fort all by himself!" Chrom quickly made his way toward the young man. "Hey, you there!"

The man tensed and turned his head, visibly relaxing when he saw Chrom meant no harm.

"Me?"

"Yes, you," Chrom said after he caught up to the man. "May I ask what you're doing out here all alone? Don't you know that bandits stalk these lands?"

"That I do, good sir! And I have come to end their reign of terror so that the surrounding villages will finally know peace," the young man declared.

Chrom looked at him dubiously. "…All by yourself?"

The young man nodded, confident smile unfaltering.

"Do you even know what you're up against?"

"Ah, it doesn't matter whether it's one bandit or a dozen. None of them will be a match for me, Inigo!"

Chrom raised a brow, looking at Inigo and wondering if he was insane.

Inigo's smile faltered. "P-please don't stare at me like that. I get so...terribly shy."

This boy was getting stranger and stranger by the minute.

"Look, Inigo. I don't know if you know this, but the bandits you're about to face are very well equipped and dangerous. To take them all alone is near impossible."

"Impossible, you say? Then I accept your challenge! After all, I've got some experience beating impossible odds…"

"Just out of curiosity, why are you so set on fighting these bandits?"

"Because the greatest prize of all waits me if I do, good sir: some quality teatime with a fair maiden!" Inigo explained cheerfully.

"You're doing this…for a girl?"

"That's right!"

Inigo smiled brightly.

Chrom started at him, dumbfounded. But before he could say anything further, he heard an irritated voice coming closer.

"Chrom? Chrom!"

"Oh boy…"

"Chrom…?" Inigo's eyes widened. "Then that means…"

Inigo was cut off when an irate Robin made his way to them.

"Chrom, what do you think you're doing? I'm busy laying out plans that'll help you stay alive in the upcoming battle and you just waltz out in the middle of the briefing!"

"Peace, Robin. I—"

"You wandered off in the middle of my briefing!" Robin snapped. "Chrom, how do you expect me to do my job if the man I'm being paid to protect doesn't listen to my life-saving plans? I can't keep you alive if you don't want to keep yourself alive."

"Chrom and Robin…?" Inigo looked between the two men.

"R-Robin, please!" Olivia rushed to intervene. "I know you're upset, but I'm sure Chrom had a good reason to leave in the middle of your briefing, right, Chrom?"

"Thank you, Olivia," Chrom said gratefully. "In fact, I do."

Robin crossed his arms. "This should be good…"

"I walked off because I saw this young man heading for the fortress all by himself," Chrom explained.

"Chrom…" Robin sighed. "Looking after strays again? Really? And just when we're about to storm the enemy base?"

"I had to stop him, Robin. Who knows what we'll find in there. Judging by what we faced, it'll be a tough fight and we can't let Inigo do this alone."

"Inigo?"

"Ah yes, where are my manners?" Chrom turned. "Allow me to introduce yourselves. I'm Ch—"

"Chrom, current exalt of Ylisse and leader of the Shepherds," Inigo said. "And with you is Olivia, your wife and queen of Ylisse."

"And me, Robin. Head tactician of the Shepherds and Grandmaster of Ylisse and stuff. Only maybe the second or third most important person in our little group."

Chrom rolled his eyes and ignored Robin, instead choosing to say, "Oh, you know of us, then. May I ask how?"

"I know this because…" Inigo hesitated and took a deep breath. "I'm your son."

"You're what."

"You're what?"

"You're what?!"

Chrom, Olivia, and Robin all asked the same question, with the only difference being the inflection on the question, reflecting disbelief, shock, and outrage respectively.

Inigo cleared his throat. "A-allow me to introduce myself. I am Inigo, Lucina's younger brother and crown prince of Ylisse myself. If you need any further proof, I bear a Brand in the opposite eye as Lucina."

Three sets of eyes zoomed in on Inigo's eye.

"Yep. That's a Brand all right," Chrom remarked.

Although there was the risk of an awkward silence falling on them as they processed the news, Robin took that risk out of everyone's hands by turning to glare at Chrom.

"You just couldn't keep it in your pants, could you?"

"R-Robin?!" The question caught Chrom off-guard.

"I mean, I know you and Olivia are married and all and had Lucina and stuff, but this?" Robin pointed at Inigo.

"Robin, wha—"

"Shame on you! Shame on you both! Look, I tolerated the romance and the Lucina because there was peace in the land and we weren't being threatened, but this? This is foolish and irresponsible and you should be ashamed of yourselves and…and…!"

"Robin, please!" Olivia tried to calm him down. "We don't—"

Robin suddenly rounded on Olivia. "And you! I expected something like this from Chrom, but you, Olivia? You're supposed to be the voice of reason!"

"Eep!"

"I—" Robin suddenly paused. "Olivia, tell me just one thing: are you pregnant?"

"I…" Olivia blushed furiously. "Robin, I don't…!"

"Because, obligatory congratulations and all, but if you're going to tell me you're pregnant right when this Valmese campaign is kicking off, I swear…!"

"Robin!" Chrom decided to intervene before things got out of hand. "Relax! Olivia isn't pregnant!"

"Chrom, how can I relax when—wait, what?"

"Olivia isn't pregnant!"

"Oh yeah, then how do you explain your son randomly showing up?!" Robin pointed an accusing finger at Inigo, who was staring at the scene unfolding in front of him with increasing confusion.

"Robin, I…" Chrom sighed and turned to his son. "Inigo, I'm so sorry you have to witness this. This isn't how I wanted to be introduced to my son…"

"Um, that's…all right, Father, I—"

"Mother! Father! Robin! Are you all right? I heard shouting and—" Lucina stopped dead in her tracks. "Inigo? Is it really you?"

"Hello, Lucina." Inigo smiled. "It's been a while."

"Inigo!" Without thinking, Lucina rushed and hugged her little brother. "I'm so glad to see you safe! You have no idea how worried I was…"

Inigo returned the hug. "Come on now, Lucina, you didn't really think I couldn't handle myself here in the past, did you? I might be your little brother, but give me some credit!"

"I'm just glad you're safe…"

Chrom and Olivia watched the heartwarming reunion, not wanting to ruin the mood.

"So…Olivia isn't pregnant, then?"

Robin had no such restraint.

Olivia blushed furiously.

"No, Robin, Olivia isn't pregnant," Chrom said tiredly.

"But then—"

"Inigo was probably born after Lucina and the others. Probably after the war and during peacetime."

Not entirely convinced, Robin stared suspiciously at Olivia's stomach, trying to determine if it was any different than before.

"S-so, Lucina!" Olivia decided to urgently change the subject. "You have a little brother and we have a son, huh?"

"Yes, Mother. I apologize for not telling you sooner, but we all took it upon ourselves not to reveal any information about ourselves lest it negatively influences the timeline."

"Well, now we're all here! And look at you, Inigo. I'm glad our son turned out to be such a handsome young man."

"M-Mother, please!" It was Inigo's turn to blush. "You're embarrassing me!"

"Right…" Robin cleared his throat. "As touching as this little family reunion is, now that we have established that Olivia isn't pregnant…" Robin looked at Chrom for confirmation.

"For the last time, Robin, she's not pregnant!"

"No need to shout! Anyway, now that we got that sorted, I'd like to remind everyone that we're here for a reason and still have a job to do."

"Yes, that's right" Inigo brightened up. "We must save the heartwarming reunion until after we're done here. It's back to the fray for us!"

Chrom nodded. "That's right, Inigo. But please, yo—"

"Then it's off for tea with a farm girl! …And perhaps more! Don't wait up!" Inigo said giddily before heading off toward the fort.

"…I apologize for Inigo," Lucina said. "He tends to get a bit enthusiastic at times. I'll go get him."

"He certainly seems eager," Olivia remarked, before adding dreamily, "I can't believe we have a son…"

For his part, Chrom grimaced. He was naturally happy that he had a son. But Inigo's last comment, along with what Chrom heard while talking to him, drew Chrom to one conclusion.

"Oh gods. I raised a philanderer."

And if that wasn't bad enough…

Chrom reluctantly turned his head to his best friend. His best friend, who had the biggest, smuggest, most self-satisfied grin on his face.

"…Go ahead, say it. I can see you're dying to."

"Oh, Chrom, Chrom, Chrom…" Robin put his hand around his friend's shoulder. "In the interest of accomplishing the task at hand, I'm going to do you a favor and not milk this for all it's worth at this moment in time."

"Thanks for your thoughtfulness," Chrom said sarcastically.

"You're very welcome! Of course, I reserve my right to rub this in your face in the future. Multiple times. Repeatedly."

"…I hate you, Robin."

"And I love you, Chrom!"


And so, after a brief introduction to the rest of the Shepherds, Inigo joined their ranks. The other future children were naturally delighted to be reunited with their own. Well, at least Noire was. And Nah too, to an extent. Kjelle's face remained impassive and even showed signs of annoyance when Inigo gave her one of his (terrible) pickup lines. Morgan seemed happy to see a new face. Then again, Morgan was always happy. For his part, Inigo was slightly confused at seeing Morgan. He became very confused when being told she was Robin's daughter pending a full explanation after the battle.

So with that done, the Shepherds approached the bandit fort.

"Wow," Morgan whistled. "Big door."

"Yep. Probably locked, too." Robin walked forward and pushed. "Yep, definitely locked."

"Want ol' Gaius to work his magic?" asked the thief. "I'll charge the usual fee for my services."

"In a minute." Robin looked thoughtfully at the door.

"What's up, Dad?"

"I was hoping to strike these bandits using the element of surprise, but that plan was lost as soon as Sumia and Cordelia were spotted."

"So a sneak attack is out of the question."

Robin nodded. "And I'm willing to bet the delay between then and now allowed the defenders inside to prepare themselves for us."

"So the question now is how to proceed," Morgan said.

"Exactly. Since we can't go in quietly, we have to go in loud. The question is how loud…"

"Very," Morgan said automatically.

Robin raised a brow.

Morgan shrugged. "Something you always told me in the future. If you don't have the element of surprise, you either go big or you go home."

Robin looked between the big metal door and his daughter before smiling. "I like it!"

"Robin?" Lucina approached the two tacticians. "Have you decided how we should proceed?"

"Loud."

Lucina blinked. "…Loud?"

"Loud," Robin repeated as he took a few steps back and his hand glowed with power. "Oh, you might want to step back."

"Very well…"

"Morgan!"

"Dad?"

"Thunder magic, if you please."

"You got it!"

Father and daughter stood and charged up their spells.

"We're going in loud, everyone!" Robin called out. "Be ready!"

Before the Shepherds could ask what that actually meant, Robin and Morgan both cast their spells directly at the door, knocking it off its hinges and sending it flying inside. By the grunts and shouts of surprise, Robin guessed that they managed to catch whoever was waiting for them inside off-guard.

"Okay, people! We have our entry point! Keep your eyes open and stay alert! Chrom and I will take point. Let's go!"


Robin slumped on his cozy bed and sighed. Well, it wasn't really anything special, but after so long in the wilderness, any old bed in an inn would feel cozy. Especially after a tough battle.

And damn if today's battle wasn't tough.

Slowly making your way through the corridors of a fortress, fighting either heavily armored knights or hit-and-run assassins really did take it out of you. The latter were especially annoying as they could hide in any shadow and try to stab you in the back when you weren't looking. And on top of all that, they were all Grimleal. So being fanatical cultists, they fought twice as hard and made Robin's life twice as difficult (they still died all the same, but still).

Robin grunted as he rubbed his side. Damn assassins. If they weren't trying to stab you, they were shooting you from the shadows like the dirty cowards that they are.

And yet the Shepherds prevailed. Despite injuries varying from minor to kind of serious, they managed to clear out the entire fort without anyone dying. And on top of that, Chrom's kid apparently knew the area well enough to lead them all to a nearby village so they could rest in a proper inn with proper beds.

And just in time, too. Although Robin attributed his tiredness at least to some extent due to his sugar rush ending, Morgan took it much worse. Having consumed much more sugar than himself (and that sugar having sustained her for much of the day), when the rush ended, Morgan crashed hard. So hard that she ended up falling asleep on the way to the village and Robin had to carry her on his back to the inn. Still, it was a lot better than her crashing on the battlefield.

So, after tucking Morgan in her room and having a debriefing with Chrom and the others, Robin saw it fit to go to his room and maybe call it a night (even though it was only early evening).

A knock on his door interrupted Robin's thoughts.

Robin wondered why did someone always want to see him when he was about to call it a night.

Sighing, he went to the door.

"Lucina?"

"Good evening, Robin," greeted the princess. "Is this a good time?"

"For what?"

"Oh, I wanted to introduce Inigo to you."

"Wha?" It was only then that Robin noticed the second person standing beside Lucina.

"H-hi there!" Inigo waved nervously.

Robin looked at him quizzically before turning back to Lucina. "Not to be rude or anything, but shouldn't Chrom and Olivia have first dibs? I mean, this is kinda their second kid and all."

"Robin, Mother and Father have been talking to Inigo ever since we started making our way to this village."

"They…they have?"

Lucina nodded. "Mother was particularly excited to get to know as much as she could about Inigo."

"Oh. Where was I during all of this?"

"I believe you were concerned Morgan caught an illness of some sort and were keeping a close eye on her."

"…Oh."

"We can come back if you're feeling too tired…" Lucina offered.

"No, no. Now is a good a time as ever. I have a bed and a desk and a table in here, so we might as well…" Robin then motioned for the two to come in.

"Er, right here? In your room?"

"Yeah. Is there a problem?"

"It's just…would it not be more convenient to talk somewhere with more space? In the dining hall, perhaps?"

"Meh." Robin shrugged. "The dining hall is all the way downstairs and we're already here and I have a small desk and some chairs in here. We have everything we need to chat, all I need to do is move some of this stuff around…"

"If you're sure…"

Robin waved nonchalantly as he moved the desks and chairs in his room.

"Thank you, Robin." Lucina looked encouragingly at Inigo, who still looked hesitant. "Don't worry, Inigo. Robin isn't as scary as you remember him. I think you've already seen the differences, have you not?"

"Yeah, I have. Seeing that actually got me very confused because with what I remember of him…"

"You'll be fine, Inigo," Lucina assured. "I'll be with you in there. Just…brace yourself. Conversations with the Robin of this time tend to be difficult to follow."

Inigo took a deep breath. "Okay."

The two siblings stepped inside Robin's room.

"Okay," Robin said, sitting behind the small desk now in the middle of his room. "Please, have a seat. Lucina? You're still here."

"I would like to join you for the introductions," explained the princess. "I also believe I can help fill some of the blanks and answer any questions that you may have if Inigo is unable."

"That seems helpful. Thanks!" Robin then reached into his coat and got out the notebook containing the ever-increasing roster. "I'll need to get another notebook at this rate. This this is already bursting at the seams with the amount of notes I take about everybody…"

"You have notes on us?" Lucina inquired.

"Of course. As the head tactician of our little group, it's my duty to know anything and everything that might affect our performance on the battlefield. So I keep an eye out on everyone and mark my observations and comments in this handy notebook," Robin explained rather proudly.

"And you keep it up to date?"

"All the time. I always spot new things that may or may not help or hinder us out there. Better to keep a note and account of everything instead of having it sneak up on you when you least expect it, you know?"

"I see."

"And before you ask, no, I can't let you look at my entries."

Lucina looked at Robin curiously.

"That information is highly classified. For authorized personnel only."

Inigo opened his mouth to ask some very obvious questions before Lucina lightly elbowed him.

"Very well, Robin. We'll defer to your judgement and not ask any questions."

"Yes, thank you. Asking questions is my job. Speaking of which…" Robin looked at Inigo. "So! Chrom's son, huh?"

"That's right!" Inigo flashed his most charming smile.

"Okay, first question."

Inigo sat up straight, wanting to make a good impression.

"There aren't more of you waiting to pop up out in the world, are there?"

"Uh…" This wasn't the question Inigo was expecting.

"Because, seriously!" Robin continued, "I get the whole 'we must keep quiet so we don't mess up the future or whatever' mentality, but, for my own mental wellbeing, I'm going to need you two to come clean to me about more future kids. Well, more specifically, if you two have any more brothers and/or sisters out there waiting to make their appearance and push me ever closer to early retirement."

Inigo remained silent, not exactly knowing what to say.

"Because, I've made my peace with more future kids showing up from the others. Sort of. But I swear, if Chrom has any more kids…!"

"You don't have to worry, Robin," Lucina quickly stepped in. "We are the only siblings Father and Mother had."

"So I don't have to worry about more blue-haired kids showing up and claiming Ylissean royal lineage?"

"You do not."

"I'm holding you to that, Lucina."

"You have my word."

"Good." Robin nodded before lightening up. "Anyway, on to other matters.

Inigo looked at Lucina at the sudden mood change. Lucina just shrugged.

"Anyway, Inigo. You're Chrom and Olivia's kid and Lucina's younger brother. That's quite the lineage you have there!"

"The blood in my veins always gave me hope even in the darkest of days," Inigo admitted. "I remember hearing stories of how heroic Father and Mother were and I always think that I have a legacy to live up to. Much like Father was able to give everyone hope and how Mother was able to inspire everyone despite the odds, I have always tried to follow in their footsteps and do my part." Inigo then smiled and added sheepishly, "Of course, having Lucina as a sister helped keep the ideal alive as well as reminding me what I aspire to be."

"I see you also inherited your father's penchant for making heartfelt speeches," Robin remarked. "As well as your mother's self-depreciation."

"I am their son, after all."

"You give yourself too little credit, Inigo," Lucina said.

"Come on, Luce, we both know that of the two of us, you're the one who does the leading and the inspiring. I just follow behind, trying to put smiles on everyone's faces wherever I can."

"You do much more than that, Inigo," Lucina insisted.

"Lucina, I—"

"Okay!" Robin interrupted. "As cute as it is seeing you two argue like little children, I think I'll swerve this conversation back on topic."

"I'm sorry, Robin," Lucina apologized. "Although, I have to say it's funny seeing you be the one to bring a conversation back on-topic."

"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?"

"It's merely an observation, but more often than not, it takes someone else's intervention to steer you back on-topic."

"It most certainly does not!" Robin objected. "I can maintain a conversation by myself just fine, thank you very much!"

"Of that I have no doubts. But keeping it on the same topic, however…"

Robin narrowed his eyes. "Have you been spending time with Cordelia?"

"What makes you say that?"

"People usually can't parry my verbal quick wittedness, let alone riposte. At least not within the appropriate timeframe. I can count the number of people who can on one hand. Although come to think of it, I guess Chrom is one of such people. I usually get the drop on him, but he manages to hold his own with me sometimes. Wait…" Robin narrowed his eyes again. "Has he been giving you tips against me?!"

"Robin, you're being paranoid."

"I don't see you denying anything."

"Robin, Father has nothing to do with any of this."

"Hmm…"

"I have just picked up a few things while watching you interact with the others."

"…How long have you been watching me to be able to hold your own so well?"

"The camp is small and you talk with many people," Lucina said simply. "It's inevitable that one tends to hear your conversations with others here and there."

"I don't know whether to feel more impressed or threatened by this new development…" Robin cleared his throat. "Anyway, as I was saying! Inigo."

The man in question, who was watching the back and forth between Robin and his sister snapped to attention. "Yes?"

"Being Chrom's kid and all, I assume you can handle yourself with Falchion, right?"

"Um…"

Robin looked up from his notebook when he heard no answer.

"I'm…not entirely sure," Inigo admitted.

"What?"

Robin and Lucina spoke at the same time.

"I-I mean, I never had a chance! I never held the thing before!" Inigo said defensively.

"You've…never held Falchion before?" Lucina asked, stunned.

"Not really, no. In the future, you always kept it by your side and never let it go. I guess then I was too busy trying to survive to really think about trying it out. And with all the fighting, I never got the chance to try it myself."

"So then we don't know if you have the potential to wield it…" Lucina murmured.

"Wait, it takes a special person to wield it?"

"Hey, slow it down for the rest of the class," Robin spoke up. "What're you all talking about? What's all this 'potential' all about?"

"Ah, my apologies to the both of you," Lucina said. "It's been so long I tend to assume everyone knows what I do."

"Please, enlighten us."

"Falchion was forged with Naga's power and steeped in the exalt's bloodline. Only a select few are able to wield it, even among the Ylissean royal house," Lucina explained.

"Really? That sounds annoying," Robin commented. "Who knew a blade could be so picky about who wields it?"

"So it takes a special kind of person to wield it, even among us, huh? Quite particular," Inigo remarked. "Though I'm not surprised you're one of them, Lucina."

"You may well be another, Inigo. I'm mortified we've come this far without ever putting it to the test."

"Heh, not like we had many opportunities to do so. Although it would be quite an honor to wield such a divine weapon. A powerful warrior with a mystical sword... It's the stuff dreams are made of!" Inigo had a dreamy look in his eyes. "Imagine how the ladies would react. I bet I'd be irresistible!"

Robin frowned and made some notes in his book.

"Inigo! Falchion is a national treasure of Ylisse and a final memento of our father. It is not some trinket you can use in one of your pickup lines!" Lucina chided.

"Right. Sorry, sorry!"

"Okay, so that's a question mark over the whole Falchion thing…" Robin scribbled a few notes down. "But hey, at least we learned something new!"

"We will try it out and report the results to you as soon as they become known to us," Lucina said. She then turned to her brother. "Don't worry, Inigo, I'm certain Falchion will find you worthy."

"Yeah. I mean, how can it turn down a handsome devil such as myself, right?"

"Inigo…" Lucina warned.

"Relax, sis, it's just a joke!"

"Okay, so!" Robin spoke up. "If Falchion is out for now until we can prove your worthiness later. How's your swordsmanship, then?"

"Not to toot my own horn or anything, but I'd say I was one of the better swordsmen in the future. Naturally I can't even compare myself to Lucina, but I'd say I was pretty good on my own."

"I'd imagine you were, given your pedigree. I suppose your style is aggressive and powerful?"

"I do think I hit pretty hard," Inigo admitted. "Although I wouldn't say my fighting style is very aggressive."

"Oh?"

"Actually, I don't really think I've given much thought on what my style is."

Robin looked as if Inigo said something insane.

"I mean, there really wasn't that much time!" Inigo added quickly. "We were kinda busy fighting for our lives and the Risen don't really require much strategy beyond trying to stay alive and not die!"

"Oh. Yeah, I suppose that makes sense. Fighting undead hordes for pretty much all your life doesn't really leave you much time wondering about your technique," Robin conceded.

"Especially when your enemies are mindless and don't really require much finesse or strategy to fight," Inigo added.

"Point taken. Of course, now that you're back with us in the past, we'll have to assess your capabilities and see how you fight. Oh, and we'll have to quickly refine any deficiencies we see. After all, we're no longer fighting mindless Risen anymore."

"We're not?"

"…Okay, we are, but they're not the only ones we're fighting now! For now, we have to worry about Valmese, who are not undead, not mindless, and will exploit any holes in your armor or skill to kill you."

"Right. Gods, I've been fighting Risen for so long I've almost forgot how to fight living, breathing beings…"

"But you were willing to walk into a fortress full of bandits?" Robin questioned.

"W-well bandits are only slightly above Risen in intelligence! And they were attacking the cutest maiden I've ever—"

Lucina elbowed her brother again.

"Right. So, we need to test you to see how you fight…" Robin mumbled to himself and wrote a few more notes. "Although this also raises a very serious question."

"Which is?"

"How many training dummies do you usually break during a training session?"

"I…" Inigo blinked. "What?"

"Because," Robin continued, "I need to keep accurate records of our dummy stocks for my records and, more importantly, for the monthly betting pool."

"Uh…"

"And accurate records are very important to the betting pool. I mean, the entire pot depends on how accurately we all keep track of how many dummies Chrom and now, Lucina, break while training!"

"Robin!" Lucina blushed. "Th-that is not relevant to this in the slightest!"

Inigo smiled knowingly. "Lucina still does that, huh?"

"She did it in the future?"

"So often it became something of an inside joke."

"Heh, well she and her father keep us all very excited for the monthly betting pool summary. With Lucina's addition, everyone started betting more money."

"Heh, she does tend to overdo it when training," Inigo chuckled. "Maybe I should get in on the action."

"Everyone's welcome. Since we can't stop the dummy losses, we can at least make a game out of it…unless you're also a breaker. Then we have to exclude you as you can't bet on the amount of dummies you'll be breaking. Would be unfair. You understand."

"I do indeed. But fear not, for I have no record of breaking dummies."

"Aw, you don't?"

"Well, maybe one or two here and there, but my record isn't nearly as extensive as Father's or Lucina's."

"Well if that's the case, welcome to the club! Now let me just explain the rules of the game and—"

"A-anyway!" Lucina tried to steer the conversation away from her record of breaking the training dummies. "I can attest that Inigo is a fine swordsman and a skilled fighter. I'm sure you'll not find him lacking when you test his abilities."

"Good to know, although I'll assume that goes for all your friends, given their backgrounds in living in a hellish nightmare for the good part of their lives." Robin thought for a moment. "Oh yeah! Inigo?"

"Yes?"

"I have a question for you. How—" Robin paused as a thought occurred. "Actually, before that, Lucina!"

"Yes?"

"How are your lessons with Olivia going?"

"Lessons?"

"Remember? You wanted to spend some time with your mother, I conjured up a scenario and made that happen? The scenario being dancing lessons to spend time with Olivia and stuff?"

Inigo looked at his sister. "You got dancing lessons with Mother?"

"Indeed. Truth be told, Mother is so out of my league I feel that I will be lucky to be even a fraction as good as her."

Robin deflated. "Aw, so all those lessons that I helped arrange were a bust?"

"Not entirely. Mother did say that I had potential. And the time we've spent together…" Lucina sighed contentedly. "It was more than I could ever ask for."

"How…how was it?" Inigo asked hesitantly. "Dancing with Mother, I mean. How did it feel? Was it as you remembered?"

"It was," Lucina confirmed, smiling. "It brought back so many happy childhood memories. I didn't think I could experience as much happiness as I did when Mother was teaching me how to dance…"

"That must be nice. Maybe I should…"

"So I take it you're a dancer too, then?" Robin inquired.

Inigo's head shot up in alarm.

"You can dance, right?"

"W-w-what?" Inigo sputtered.

"I mean, on top of being Chrom's son, you're also Olivia's son. And Olivia is probably the finest dancer that I've seen. Granted, she's the only dancer that I've seen, but she's really, really good. Ask anyone!"

Inigo was still too stunned to speak.

"Anyway, being Olivia's son, I figured you'd have inherited some of your mother's amazing skills. Lucina here sure did."

The princess chuckled. "Robin, I'm not—"

"Ah, but she said you had potential. You even said so yourself! And, being Olivia's daughter, I'm sure you have at least a portion of your mother's dancing skills in you. It's basically scientifically proven!"

"I'll defer to your judgement, Robin," Lucina said, amused.

"So Olivia dances, Lucina probably dances, how about you, Inigo? I assume you dance?"

"Nope! Not me! I certainly don't! I flirt with pretty ladies and certainly don't dance. Yep."

Lucina looked at her brother curiously and opened her mouth.

"I'm definitely not a dancer, nope. Not a single dancing bone in my body, right, Lucina?" Inigo shot his sister a pleading look.

"That's…right," Lucina confirmed slowly.

Inigo looked visibly relieved.

"Are you sure you didn't inherit maybe just a little bit of dancer's skill from Olivia?" Robin pressed, "I mean, you're her son! You had to inherit at least some of her skills."

"Of all the things I've inherited from Mother, dancing was sure not one of them, nope, no siree!"

"You're sure denying that very strongly…"

"Not strongly, just as normally as is appropriate for someone who definitely doesn't dance at all, ha ha ha…"

Robin looked suspiciously at Inigo and made a note to himself to pursue this subject futher.

"But I must say," Inigo said, deciding to quickly change the subject, "I didn't think you were the type to be interested in dancing and such, Robin."

"Oh, I'm very interested."

"Really?"

"Yes. Olivia has an almost magical ability to invigorate us with her dances. I've noticed this effect on others as well as myself. It seems watching one of her dances is just the thing we need after a hard day of work or fighting. Just one dance and we all suddenly feel better. I don't know how it works, but it's incredible! And Olivia is so graceful and talented, you kind of tend to lose yourself when watching her…"

"Mother was one of the best…" Inigo murmured.

"So I figured, you know, if that's an ability unique to Olivia or if others could somehow duplicate it. And who better to ask than her children themselves? Having two or more dancers that have some sort of magical ability to lift our spirits and invigorate us all after a performance would be quite beneficial. Oh! What about watching you do a duet?! Oh, it could be so wonderful…" Robin had a faraway look in his eye. "Lucina, when are you and Olivia going to do a duet for us?"

Lucina laughed softly. "Mother and I will let you know as soon as we are ready, Robin."

"I'm looking forward to it. And I'm glad things aren't awkward between you two anymore."

"As am I."

"What about you, Inigo? Are you awkward around Olivia? If so, I think I could arrange for her to give you dancing lessons too."

"Heh, no need for that, Robin. I believe Mother is past her 'awkward' phase when it comes to her children. In fact, she seemed very eager to talk and learn everything there was to know about me when we were talking here," said Inigo.

"Oh. Well that's good. If two years as queen didn't help her with her shyness then at least talking to her son did. So, to sum up…" Robin looked at his notes. "You're a competent swordsman, you may or may not have the ability to wield Falchion, your combat abilities are pending review, and you definitely don't dance, is that correct?"

"That sounds about right."

"So…what're you good for, then?"

The bluntness of the question caught Inigo off-guard.

"Well, all the kids we've met so far have filled a niche. For example, Kjelle is a heavily armored knight, Noire is an archer, and Nah is a dragon. They help in roles where we lack manpower," Robin explained. "Moreover, Lucina is a powerful swordswoman in her own right and Morgan is an aspiring tactician—important rolls to play. Meanwhile, we have you with no apparent strengths or areas of excellence. You're of royal blood, yes, but how can I use you? We have plenty of sword users already, so that front's out unless you can do something incredible…"

Inigo shrugged.

"…And you don't dance, so that avenue's closed."

"Robin," Lucina felt compelled to speak up in defense of her brother. "Please, Inigo is—"

"To be assessed. A process which is ongoing," Robin stated, then turning to Inigo. "So, how can I use you? What are your skills that you definitely know you have? What are your hobbies, for example? Maybe we can find something useful there."

"Well, I'm actually quite the—"

"Please don't say your only hobby is hitting on women," Robin said tiredly.

"…Oh."

"Really? Okay, I was going to save this for maybe another time, but since we're here, let me ask you this: what is it with you and your obsession with women? Did you spend too much time with Virion when you were young or something?"

"Not at all! In fact, that's part of my mission."

"To…spend quality time with Virion?

"No, to fight and save the world so that every woman in the realm swoons at just hearing my name!" Inigo declared.

"Your purpose in life is to be popular with girls? You literally traveled across time...to be popular with girls?" Robin stated flatly.

"Well, popular and—"

Lucina elbowed Inigo in the ribs.

"Please forgive him, Robin," the princess said apologetically. "Inigo was merely joking. Of course he came back to the past with us to save the future and prevent Grima's rise. And naturally being popular with women is the last thing on his mind. Isn't that right, Inigo?"

"It's not really the last—OW!" Lucina elbowed Inigo so hard he cried out in pain. "Luce, seriously?!"

"Inigo is much more than a simple philanderer, Robin," Lucina continued calmly, "He inspires those around him with his easygoing nature and approachability. I remember Inigo always making the rounds and ensuring that those around him did not give in to despair in the future. He would engage in conversation or tell jokes and do everything in his power to lift the spirits of those around him. In our ruined future, those little acts where invaluable to keeping hope alive."

"Yeah, well, you know…" Inigo scratched the back of his head sheepishly at hearing Lucina's defense of him.

"…Did he hit on girls in the future too?" Robin asked plainly.

"Er, he…uh…"

"I take that as a 'yes.'"

"Robin, it's not—"

"So from what I understand, Inigo, you're mainly motivated by impressing girls in everything that you do," Robin said with undisguised disapproval, adding quickly, "Lucina, your comments about Inigo's actions in the future are noted. So let me ask you this, Inigo: are you at least any good?"

Lucina's eyes widened in shock at the question.

"Of course I'm good! I leave smiles on every fine lady I talk to!" Inigo said, rather proudly.

"Yeah…" Robin wasn't convinced. "So that's your end goal? To just leave them with a smile?"

"Well, a smile is the least I can ask for. Having a cup of tea would really make my day though!"

"And after that?"

"After that?"

"What do you do if a woman is receptive to your advances and decides she wants, and does, have tea with you, what then?"

"I…don't really know. I've never gotten that far," Inigo admitted.

"So your main thing is being a philanderer, but you're not even good at that?"

"Robin, Inigo is not simply a mindless flirt!" Lucina objected.

"Yeah!" Inigo agreed, "I'm a good one, too! I've made countless ladies smile with my dashing charm!"

"…Even if he does do his best to convince you otherwise."

"Okay, I've heard enough." Robin abruptly shut his book.

The sudden declaration took the two siblings by surprise.

"Robin, please don't think less of Inigo just from this one meeting," Lucina pleaded. "He just—"

"Oh, it's a bit too late for that, Lucina. Virion's philandering would make me think a lot less of him too if he wasn't the best archer we have around, as he constantly reminds us…"

"Robin—"

"But I am a fair man, Lucina. Meaning that I don't start to truly think less of anyone unless I have proof and justifiable reasons for doing so."

"I…see…"

"So to that end, I'm taking your brother out."

"Out?"

"Out," Robin repeated. "Out to see if he can actually do what he claims to do well or if he's just full of hot air."

"I…I don't understand."

"Uh, yeah, me neither," Inigo said. "What exactly are you going to do?"

"I am going to take you out to the village and judge how well you philander," Robin explained casually. "It seems to be your main defining character trait and I want to see if you can back up your talk with action."

"W-what?! B-but that's—! I can't just—!" Inigo stammered.

"You can and you will," Robin said firmly. "Otherwise I'll kick you out for being useless."

"Kick me out?!"

"…You're right. Chrom and Olivia would probably be a little upset I kicked out their only son they met a few hours ago."

Inigo sighed in relief.

"So I guess I'll just relegate you to stock duty or something."

"Robin, this is madness," Lucina began, "Surely—"

"It's not madness if Inigo proves inept at the thing he's been bragging about."

"But—"

"Enough chitchat! Come, Inigo, the night is still young and I'm sure there are still ladies for you to woo walking around in the streets."

Without waiting for a reply, Robin took Inigo's hand and dragged him out of the room, despite his (and Lucina's) objections.


"I can't believe this is happening…" Inigo mumbled as he stood in the street watching people walk by.

"What?" Robin asked beside him. "You said you were good at flirting with women, right? Go prove your point!"

"I can't just flirt on command! It has to happen naturally! And having a chaperone really kills the mood!"

"Come on, Inigo. I'm not your chaperone. Think of me as just an interested bystander. Besides, from what I understand of philanderers based off countless hours of stories from one, you guys do your thing as soon as you see a pretty lady walking around. I figure it's only a matter of time before you get to doing what you say you're good at doing."

"Robin, that's not how—"

"Hey, look there!" the grandmaster interrupted and pointed. "Down there, the girl with the brown hair and the grey dress! She's pretty, isn't she?"

Inigo followed where Robin was pointing, saw the woman, and smiled.

"That she is, Robin. I didn't know you had such an eye for beauty!"

"Well, what're you waiting for? Go turn on the charm!"

"Right. Right!" Inigo took a moment to compose himself, took a deep breath, put on his most charming smile, and confidently walked up to the woman.

Based on what he knew of Inigo, Robin guessed that this encounter could only one way. Well, two ways, but the second way would be very, very unlikely.

Sure enough, Robin was proven right when the woman Inigo was talking to laughed out loud and walked away. Robin tried to keep his face straight as Inigo approached.

"So? How did it go?"

"It…could've gone better. She laughed at my joke, at least!"

"Laughing is good. As long as she was laughing with you, and not at you."

"Y-yeah…"

"Well, that must've been a fluke or something. Maybe you'll have better luck next time. Oh, look over there! The blonde!"

"Ooh, she's pretty."

"Go work your magic on her!"

"Okay!"


"—come near my wife again and I'll gut you like a pig, we clear?!"

"Perfectly clear!"

The burly man grunted, gave Inigo one last glare, and left.

"Oh gods, I thought I was a dead man!" Inigo cried.

"Come on, you handled hundreds of Risen and survived a hellish future," Robin pointed out. "Do you really think some random guy was going to be the end of you?"

"Yeah, but that guy was really, really, big!"

"I suppose…"

"I can't believe she was married. If not for her husband, I would've totally had that one in the bag."

"Yet you don't. Even after so many women. I'm beginning to wonder if what you told me were all lies, Inigo."

"What?! Of course not! I'm usually really, really good at this. Today's just…unlucky. Yes, that's right. I was just unlucky!"

"…All these times?"

"Some unlucky streaks last for three, some for five," Inigo said sagely.

"And some for a dozen or more?"

"Exactly."

Robin looked at Inigo skeptically.

"Come on, Robin! You gotta believe me! I'm telling you I'll charm a girl right off her feet before the night is done. In fact, I'm sure of it!"

"Okay…"

"Look, I have to go to the bathroom. Once I'll get back, I'll turn on the ol' Inigo charm and sweep a pretty girl right off her feet!"

"I can hardly wait," Robin deadpanned.

"Me neither!"

Inigo ran into the nearest tavern.


"Okay, Inigo, you can do this. Robin is watching you and Lucina is counting on you to prove to him that you're more than just a shameless flirt. You have to prove to him that you're a shamelessly good flirt! Otherwise, you'll get kicked out of the army! …Or get stuck on stock duty and miss all the action. Then what'll the girls say?" Inigo took a deep breath. "Okay. Time to show Robin who's the charmingest…to show Robin who's…time to show Robin!"

With his mental preparations done, Inigo confidently walked out of the tavern he was in and to where he left Robin…only to find the grandmaster missing.

Inigo was just about to look for him when he heard a feminine scream not too far away from where he was.

Inigo's instincts immediately sprang to action and before he knew it, he was rushing to defend those in need. It was only on his way there that he realized this was exactly what he needed! Coming to save some defenseless damsels from a nefarious villain? That's what all those bedtime stories his mother read to him were all about! Followed by swooning, love in falling, and marrying. Inigo wasn't too sure about the last two, but if he pulled this off, there would definitely be swooning! That'd also show Robin that Inigo wasn't all talk.

Finally, this night was starting to pick up!

Inigo listened and tried to pinpoint where the scream came from. Suddenly, he saw a bright flash of light coming down in an alleyway.

Inigo saw enough lightning spells in his lifetime to immediately identify one when he saw it. He quickly ran to where the lightning spell struck.

As he approached the alley, Inigo could make out some voices.

"—re you sure we can't repay you for your kindness, sire?" said a feminine voice.

"I know we may not have much," added another feminine voice, "but please, accept these coins as our—"

"None of that," interrupted a voice Inigo recognized as Robin's. "I was simply doing my civic duty, nothing more. Seeing you two safe and sound is thanks enough."

"But, sire…!"

"Please. If you really want to thank me, be off on your way to the safety of your homes or wherever you were headed off to."

"I…we…"

"Do you truly not desire anything as a reward for saving us?"

"Knowing you two will be safe is reward enough for me. Now please, run along before something else happens."

"Very well…" the first voice said reluctantly.

"Sire, please. At least let us offer you this…"

Inigo ran into the alley just in time to see Robin standing in the middle with two women walking away from him.

"Robin!" Inigo shouted.

"Hm?" The grandmaster turned. "Oh. Hey, Inigo."

"What was that all about?" Inigo asked, pointing to the two ladies.

"That? Funny story. I was standing around waiting for you to finish your business when this scoundrel over here stole my wallet!"

Inigo looked past Robin and noticed a man lying face down on the ground.

"So naturally I gave chase when I noticed," the grandmaster continued, "and gave this little thief a piece of my mind when I caught up! A piece of my mind and a little lightning bolt for good measure."

"Is he…?"

"He'll be fine. A little lightning bolt never hurt anyone," Robin said dismissively.

Inigo looked at Robin dubiously.

"…He's not dead, okay? Anyway, I managed to pick up my coin pouch when these two ladies are suddenly all over me, thanking me for saving their lives and such. Turns out the thief thought he was in the clear and decided to rob them in this dark alley. Long story short, I got my money back, taught this guy that stealing is bad, and apparently played the hero."

"And what's that?" Inigo asked, pointing at a piece of paper Robin was holding in his hand.

"Oh, this? Well the ladies really wanted to thank me for what I did and wouldn't take no for an answer. So they decided the least they could do was give me the details of this place they worked at and their shifts and invited me to come down for a cup of tea and stuff."

"Wha—?" Inigo stared in disbelief. "You got not one, but two girls to ask you out for tea?"

Robin paused and thought about it for a moment. "…Oh yeah. I guess I did, didn't I?"

"Aw man! I've spent the past hour or so trying to get girls to give me the time of day and you got two girls to ask you out in a few minutes!"

"If you had better bladder control and waited like, three more minutes, then maybe you could've helped me play the hero and shared some of their gratitude with me. Or taken it all for yourself, because frankly I'm not entirely sure what to do now."

Inigo's response was to wail in despair.

"Hey, cheer up," Robin said, throwing his arm around Inigo's shoulder, "I'm sure you'll get a girl eventually."

"Yeah…" Inigo mumbled. "Just let me grieve and collect myself before we're off again."

"'Grieve'? You talk as if you've lost your pet or something."

"Well, it hurts! The rejections, I mean. What, do you think I can just brush them aside and go on as if nothing's happened?"

"…Isn't that exactly what you've been doing for the past hour?"

"Well, in the grand scheme of things, each failure is just more practice for my next encounter. But that doesn't mean each failure doesn't hurt!"

"Okay…"

"You have to know what I'm talking about, right? You see a pretty girl, you give her your best lines only for her to laugh in your face, or worse, slap you. It really hurts, and in more places than just your cheek!"

"I really wouldn't know."

Inigo looked at Robin, surprised.

"To be fair, I'm not a shameless philanderer."

"Hey, I'm not—!"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Look, I'm willing to offer you a deal: if you manage to charm one girl to sit down and have tea with you before the night is done, I promise I won't fire you."

"…Can you really fire me?"

"…Okay, fine. I promise I won't relegate you to stock duty or something equally out-of-the-way, how about that?"

"Wait, you were serious about that?"

"Of course I was. What made you think otherwise? Why do you think we're even out here?"

"I thought this was your way of, I don't know, bonding or whatever!"

"…What?"

"Lucina told me some things about the you of this time and to expect some…unorthodox things, and…" Inigo trailed off, mumbling.

"Well, I guess this is technically some kind of bonding exercise. I've definitely learned more about you…I think," Robin conceded uncertainly. At Inigo's hopeful expression, he continued, "But that doesn't mean that you're off the hook! You have a mission now, soldier, and I expect you to make good on it if you don't want to tick off lists of things while the rest of us fight this war!"

"Right! I won't let you down, Robin!" Inigo declared, determination in his eyes. "I won't rest until I'm sat down with a pretty girl for some tea and pleasant conversation!"

"That's the Inigo I've grown to know in the last few hours and sort of understand! And I know the perfect place to guarantee success for you."


Inigo looked around uncertainly as he and Robin sat at a table.

"What, you've never been to a tavern before?" Robin asked, noticing Inigo's expression.

"Oh no, I've seen my fair share of taverns. It's just that I've had more than my fair share of unpleasant memories in taverns."

"Hit on too many drunken soldiers' wives and then paid for it?" Robin chuckled.

"Some of them have very good aim for such big guys full of alcohol!"

Robin's comment was intended to be a joke. The fact that it proved true cased him to burst out laughing.

"I'm serious, Robin. I almost had my head cut off multiple times!"

"You're a real piece of work, Inigo," Robin managed to say once he calmed down. "Anyway, it's my turn to relieve myself. Try not to antagonize the patrons, will you?"

"Antagonize? Me? I don't know the meaning of the word!"

"Yeah, I'll bet…"

With that, Robin headed off to the toilets.

When he returned, Robin saw Inigo talking to an auburn-haired woman who Robin assumed was their waitress. Inigo was smiling and laughing and, while the waitress had a look of utter contempt on her face.

"Inigo!" Robin rushed to the table just as the waitress left.

"Robin," Inigo greeted.

"What were you doing just now?"

"Just trying my luck with the pretty waitress. Even busted out some of my best lines on her, too."

"Uh-oh. You used your lines?"

"Yep…" Inigo sighed heavily. "But it seems she is immune to my charms, as she has told me very plainly and with the most…colorful language."

"Gods…" Robin sighed and decided to head off to where the waitress was to avoid disaster. "Stay here, Inigo. I feel like I'm going to need to talk to her to avoid having spit in our food. Or worse."

"They wouldn't do that just because she didn't like my moves! …Would they?"

"I'd rather we didn't find out, to be honest. Now stay here."

Robin then walked to the counter to where the waitress stood.

"Hi there!"

The woman turned. "Can I help you?"

"Yes. I'm with that young man over there," Robin said, pointing at Inigo, who smiled and waved.

Seeing Inigo, the woman frowned. "I see. I suppose you're here to hit on me too, are you?"

"Actually—"

"Because I very clearly told that wannabe 'charmer' over there what he can expect if he wants to pull that crap on me and I'm perfectly will to tell you where you can—"

"Whoa there, easy!" Robin tried to calm the irritated waitress down. "I'm not here to hit on you."

The waitress didn't seem convinced.

"I'm actually here to apologize on his behalf," Robin continued. "I realize that in an establishment such as this, you have to deal with that sort of person on an unfortunately daily basis."

"That's true…" sighed the waitress. "At least he's not the handsy type…"

"Heh, that he is not. Anyway, please accept my sincerest apologies and please don't spit in our food or put dead insects in it or something."

"Funny you should mention that. I was just about to order you the ol' Saliva Special."

Robin shivered. "I hope that my coming here has successfully dissuaded you from taking this course of action? Please?"

The waitress smiled. "You're better behaved than the usual bunch we get here."

"I really don't like spit and/or dead things in my food and drink."

"Noted. Although if you really want to 'persuade' me, you can throw in a few coins to sweeten the deal," the waitress said jokingly.

"Okay."

Not expecting Robin to take her seriously, the waitress was stunned to see Robin reach into his coat, take out his pouch and hand her over three gold coins.

"Will this be enough to persuade you to give us a clean meal?"

The waitress was stunned speechless.

"Yeah, you're right. I still have to compensate you for Inigo's undoubtedly terrible pickup lines." Robin then took out a few more coins. "There we go. Five gold should be enough, yes?"

"I…you…"

"I mean, I have a few slivers and bronze here if you want…"

"You know I was kidding when I said the thing about the coins, right?" the waitress asked when she regained her composure.

"And I'm serious when I say that I want you to have these. Think of it as a generous tip for your services. And something to help you tolerate my friend and others like him that'll naturally come tonight. And to not spit in our food."

"…You're not just giving me this and expecting something else in return, are you?"

"Something else? Like what?"

The waitress looked at Robin suspiciously.

"I really just want apologize for my friend and have some clean food," the grandmaster said honestly.

"…You're a funny one, you know that?"

Robin grinned cheekily. "So I've been told."

"Very well. Since you've asked so nicely, I guess I have no choice but to accept." The waitress took Robin's coins. "Don't worry about anything tonight, hon. I'll take good care of you."

"Much appreciated." Robin bowed and returned to his table.

"What was that all about?" Inigo asked, looking back at the smiling waitress. "Please don't tell me she asked you out too. That would be beyond unfair!"

"Relax, Inigo," Robin said as he sat down. "I just ensured that we'll have a normal meal untainted by spit or other unpleasant things a miffed waitress may put in."

"Wait, they were really going to do that?!"

"Of course they were. They're the ones who bring us our food. If they don't like you, let's just say there's a lot of space between the counter and your table. Space that can be used to do a lot of stuff to your food."

"Oh gods. I've hit on every waitress in every restaurant and tavern I've eaten in!" Inigo exclaimed in horror. "Does that mean…?"

"If they found your skills lacking…"

"I…I think I'm going to be sick…"

Robin snickered.

"Here you two go!"

Both men were startled when a tray with several tankards of ale was suddenly dropped on their table. They then looked up to see the waitress smiling at them.

"What's all this?" Robin asked.

"Just a little 'thank you' for being such good patrons. Well, one of you, anyway." The waitress shot Inigo a dirty look before turning back to Robin and beaming. "It's also on the house. There's more where those came from, too. So if you need a refill, just holler."

"Oh boy, free stuff. That's my favorite type of stuff!" Robin clasped his hands eagerly. "Thanks!"

"You're welcome, hon." The waitress winked and walked off.

"I like her," Robin commented idly, taking one of the tankards.

"And of course, she seems to like you, too…" Inigo mumbled gloomily.

"Hey, cheer up, Inigo! The night remains young and you still have a chance to prove yourself. Look around, we're in an ideal environment for you to do so, surrounded by many a pretty girl who are probably just waiting to be charmed by some schmuck. And that schmuck could be you!" Robin then took a swig from his tankard.

"But I've been shot down this entire night. I can't just go out on the field of battle and pretend like nothing's happened. I need some time for my pride to recover and to gather my courage."

"Oh. Well let me speed up the process, then." Robin pushed a tankard of ale to Inigo. "There you go. A full shot of liquid courage and pride, right there."

"I…I'm not sure that's a good idea…" Inigo said slowly. "From my experience, alcohol was usually the first step that led to very bad things in taverns."

Robin rolled his eyes. "Just take a damn sip if you're so worried about whatever it is you're worried about. Just enough to get you back up on that horse. Besides, you'll have me to intervene if things will go sideways, which they won't."

"Well, if you put it that way…"

"You have yet to impress a girl enough for her to willingly sit down and have tea with you, Inigo. With every passing second my belief in your abilities to achieve this before the night is done decreases, so drink up, buck up, and prove me wrong!"

"…Your ways of encouraging me are a lot stranger than they were in the future."

"I get that a lot. Are you at least feeling motivated now?"

"I sure am!"

"Then let's toast to your success!"

"Here here!"


Inigo sighed as he returned and sat down at the table.

"She shot you down, huh?" Robin asked after he finished his tankard.

"Very explicitly."

"Looks like you'll have to up your game, my friend. Let me help you with that." Robin passed Inigo another tankard.

"Right…" Inigo took a big gulp. "Off I go!"

"Atta boy!"


"Owww…" Inigo groaned, rubbing his jaw.

"Wow, she must've hit you pretty hard, huh?" Robin remarked.

"She sure had a mean hook…"

"Well, they do say alcohol eases all sorts of pain. Maye!" Robin called out.

"Yeah?" answered the waitress.

"Another round, if you please!"

"Comin' right up!"

"Oi, serving wench! How about more for us here too?" someone a few tables off called.

"I'm busy!" Maye yelled.

Inigo looked at Robin curiously. "Maye?"

"It's her name, yes."

"When'd you find that out?"

"While you were out and about and she was bringing us our…third round, I think."

"Oh."

"Here you go, boys." Maye delivered another tray full of tankards of ale. "You be careful with all this alcohol, hon, this here's usually the level when boys get rowdy."

"Rowdy? Please, we don't know the meaning of the word!" Robin said.

"Although I wouldn't mind getting a little rowdy with you, buttercup. If you know what I mean." Inigo winked.

Maye rolled her eyes. "You already tried that one on me, genius."

"Oh." Inigo reached out and drank from his tankard.

"Yeah, that's the spirit!" Robin cheered enthusiastically. "Don't let life get you down and drink until you can get right back at it!"

"Yeah!"


"Why do you do this to him?" Maye asked as she sat at Robin's table and sipped from her mug.

"Do what?" Robin answered innocently.

"You know, encourage him." Maye pointed to where Inigo was trying to chat up another girl. "He's been facing rejections for how long now? And yet you keep on encouraging him and sending him out to get shot down. Not something a friend would do, you know."

"Well…" Robin downed the rest of his tankard. "Inigo there's been boasting about his skills with the ladies ever since I met him and the idea was to see if he's all that."

"But…?"

"But it became very clear that his 'skills' aren't all that after the first few women. However, what became clearer after watching Inigo 'work' was that watching him fail was hilarious! So I decided to do more of that."

Maye raised a brow.

"No, really. I never knew one could elicit so much disdain before! And watching the rejections, no two are the same. It's the best entertainment I've had in ages!"

"Oi, Maye!" came a voice from another table, "What does it take to get some service around here?!"

"Get someone else to look after you!" Maye barked before turning to Robin again. "And you're not worried what this does to his ego?"

"Eh," Robin shrugged, "He seems no worse for wear. Also seems to jump back into the game pretty quick, even quicker with the alcohol. From what I gather, this is his main hobby, and one doesn't simply abandon one's hobby just because they got slapped and/or told off."

"So you're encouraging him to go out there and get shot down…because it amuses you?"

"Tell me that watching him isn't at least a little bit entertaining."

Maye turned to see the woman Inigo was talking to knee him right between the legs.

"…You have a point there."

"Ow, ow, ow…" Inigo winced as he limped back to their table.

"Went for your family jewels, huh?" Robin remarked, amused.

"With a wicked kick," Inigo groaned.

"Maybe that should be a sign for you to stop," suggested Maye.

"Ha ha, no way! A loss is just a time-out in a much larger game, one which I'll eagerly get back to!" Inigo tried to sound confident but winced instead. "…As soon as the pain goes away."

"See?" Robin spoke to Maye, "Perfectly fine. Well, his ego, anyway. The boy's going to keep going at it with or without my help. Might as well get a laugh or two out of it."

"Heh, you're a terrible friend, but a terrible friend with a point," chuckled Maye.

"Then to terrible friends with points!" Robin raised his tankard.

"To having more good customers like you!" cheered Maye.

"To the alcohol easing the pain between my legs…" Inigo managed to choke out while raising his tankard.

The three drank together.

"Ah…" Robin sighed contentedly, the familiar buzz and good feelings after drinking slowly settling in. "This is true happiness…"

"Had enough?" Maye asked.

"Ha! Not even close."

"Careful, hon. Drink too much alcohol and you invite trouble."

"Trouble? But we're just two humble travelers here to have a few drinks and have a good time," Inigo said.

"Hey, Maye! How's about throwing some love our way, huh?!"

"What kind of trouble can we possibly get into?" Robin asked, taking another swig from his tankard.


A man walked down the hallway of the royal castle, barking orders as he did so. All around him, soldiers were running around, delivering messages, tending to the wounded, or cleaning up.

Every capable soldier has been called up to reinforce the castle after the events of the night.

The man stopped in front of a knight in heavy armor.

"Frederick, report."

"Soldiers have swept through every corner of the castle. No Plegians to report. I've doubled patrols and ordered constant protection for the infirmary."

"Good." The man hesitated. "How are Chrom and Lissa doing?"

The knight grimaced. "Milady is understandably shaken. However, she refuses to sit in one place and insists on helping the healers in the infirmary. Understandable, since…"

Both men fell silent.

"…Milord's condition is critical but stable," Frederick continued after the pause, "The healers are working on keeping him alive, but they report that the worst has passed."

"So he'll make it?"

"The healers are optimistic."

"Good."

Silence again.

"It wasn't your fault, Frederick," the man said.

"I fail to see how it was not. My duty as a knight of Ylisse and guardian of the royal family is to keep them safe at all costs. Today makes it abundantly clear I have failed."

"Hey, none of us could've predicted what happened today. The Plegians came out of nowhere and struck without warning. They somehow slipped past all our defenses to…to…" the man trailed off.

"It should have been me," the knight said bitterly. "It is my duty to lay down my life for—"

"Hey! None of that," the man said firmly. "Not now. Ylisse needs all of us to be strong and on our guard. We can't be blaming ourselves or break down. Morale is already close to breaking point and it's up to us to ensure that it doesn't go lower."

Frederick remained silent.

"Ylisse lost its exalt today and almost lost its prince. We have to be strong, Frederick," the main said, putting a hand on the knight's shoulder before adding gently, "We can all mourn and feel guilty and assign blame later on, but not now. Now, we must be strong. We must be strong for the soldiers, for Chrom, for Ylisse."

Frederick took a deep breath. "You're right. Now is not the time for self-pity. There is work to do."

The man nodded. "Make the rounds, Frederick, take stock and tend to the wounded. The Plegians have declared war on us today. It'll only get harder from here."

The man watched Frederick walk away before sighing to himself. Gods, today was a disaster. How did the Plegians even manage to sneak an entire squad of assassins past every patrol and guard post? How were they able to infiltrate the castle completely undetected and take out the most important person in Ylisse? Were they tipped off from the inside and if so, by whom?

All these questions and more burned in the man's head before he brushed them off. Now was not the time to be asking questions; there was still a lot more to be done.

Walking further down the hallway, the man's eyes were drawn to a young woman sitting on a bench, clutching her spear tightly. She was shaking.

"Hey…" the man said gently as he approached.

"Oh!" The woman scrambled to get up and salute. "U-uh, salute! Sir! Sire! U-um…"

The man raised his hand. "At ease, soldier. Take it easy."

"Th-thank you, sir." The woman relaxed a little bit.

"Are you okay?" the man inquired. "You don't look so good."

"I-I'm fine, sir."

"You don't look fine…."

"I…I…"

"Please, tell me what troubles you," the man said gently as he sat down next to the woman. "I'll do everything in my power to help."

The woman took a shuddering breath. "It's…the fighting, sir."

"What about it?"

"I…I don't think I can handle it. It's just…all the violence, the blood, the terribleness of it all. I knew that fighting was terrible and what I could expect on the battlefield, but to see it in real life, to experience it, to kill other human beings…" the woman shivered.

"It's never pretty…"

"I-I mostly signed up to the pegasus knights because I loved pegasi. I wanted to be near them and take care of them, to fly them," the woman admitted somewhat guiltily. "A-and it never really connected with me that we'll be doing any fighting. I thought I'd just stick to the stables and take care of the pegasi and that's it. I wasn't even the best knight when we trained. I tripped a lot and lost my grip on my weapons more often than I can count. To think that I'd go from that to actually killing other human beings…"

The man remained silent, knowing how difficult it was after experiencing your first kills.

"It's so terrible…the blood, the look on their faces when you…stab them…" the woman hugged herself, trying to forget.

"You're a new trainee, aren't you?"

The woman nodded weakly. "I just finished my training. I didn't even have my own pegasus until very recently. I was assigned to the Shepherds to ease me into it."

"I'm sorry your first combat experience was, well, this."

"I…I don't think I can do this, sir." The woman closed her eyes shamefully. "It's just so horrible. Nothing like I expected. I…I…"

"Hey, hey, it's okay," the main said soothingly. "You don't have to be ashamed. It's perfectly okay to feel this way."

The woman looked up at him with wide eyes. "R-really?"

The man nodded. "You never forget the first time you take a life. It's horrible, ugly, and makes you feel nauseous. You never want to feel those things ever again."

The woman nodded.

"Fighting isn't for everyone and I can't ask you to keep doing something you're not meant to do," the man said, hating himself for what he had so say further, "But, these are dire times and they're only going to get worse. You've seen yourself what the Plegians did tonight. There's going to be war, violence, death."

The woman winced.

"And I'm not asking you to stick around and fight for us then," the man added quickly. "However, we're desperately short on manpower and need all the help we can get. We'll be moving out and are in need of a scout. The other pegasus knights are stationed further away and you're the only flier we have. I hate to ask you this, but can you bear with us a little while longer?"

"I…I can't sit quietly and do nothing while the realm is in peril. I…" The woman closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I want to help."

The man smiled gratefully. "You have my gratitude."

"Will…will I have to do more killing?"

"I'm afraid that's a very real possibility," the man said sadly.

"Oh…"

At the woman's crestfallen expression he quickly added, "Although I can't guarantee you won't have to kill, I will do my utmost to reduce the probability or, failing that, have someone with you to protect you. You have my word."

"Thank you for your kindness, for listening to me, and for not berating me for my cowardice."

"It's a natural reaction, not cowardice. And the Shepherds don't make it a habit to berate our own because of their natural reaction to the tragedy of taking a life."

The woman smiled weakly before hesitating and asking, "Does…does it get better?"

"No. No it does not," the man replied grimly. "But in a sense, that's a good thing."

The woman looked up, puzzled by such a statement.

"It reminds you what you are doing is wrong and keeps your compassion alive. That terrible, nauseous feeling is there to keep everything in check, to remind you that taking another life is always a horrible, terrible thing that must be avoided if possible. To become numb to that feeling is to lose your humanity and be no better than the killers and bandits out there. Ylisse was built to be better than that. That's…that's what Lady Emmeryn believed..." The man trialed off, a faraway look in his eyes.

They both fell silent at the late exalt's name.

"Thank you," the woman said after a few minutes. "I…I feel I can do this, if just a little bit."

The man smiled. "Think nothing of it, Miss…?"

"Sumia."

"Robin. It's a pleasure to meet you."


The scene fizzled out as Robin's mind was dragged to the surface from blissful unconsciousness. And as Robin slowly became aware of the world around him, he also became aware of the increasing hammering in his head and all the unwelcome signs that pointed to a bad hangover.

"Robin? Robin, are you in there?"

The knocks on the door might as well have been sledgehammers hitting bells as far as Robin was concerned.

"Robin? Wake up. There are some things we need to discuss."

Robin groaned and buried his head in his pillow that he was clutching. "Chrom, this isn't the best time. Come back later!"

The knocking stopped, thank Naga.

"So you are awake."

"No thanks to you and your loud as hell knocking. Now go away! I'm nursing a killer headache and don't think I can get anything done today."

"Robin, are you okay?"

"No. Now go away and let me sleep."

"You sound hoarse. What the hell did you get up to last night?"

Robin tried to think. "I…can't remember."

"What do you mean you can't remember?"

"It's all a big, black blank, okay? And this headache isn't making it easier. So just let me lie here and try to get better, all right?"

"Robin, what did—"

"Father, just leave Robin alone! He speaks for the both of us when he says he's not doing too good!"

Silence.

"…Robin, what is Inigo doing in your room?"

"Hey, I'm just as shocked as you are."

"Yeah, especially since this is my room," Inigo said.

"Inigo, this isn't your room," came Chrom's tired voice from outside.

"How do you know it isn't?"

"Because this is Robin's room," Chrom stated flatly.

All this talking was not doing any favors for Robin's headache.

Chrom sighed. "That's it, I'm coming in."

Robin heard the door opening and buried his head into his pillow (which felt…different, somehow).

The silence after Chrom's entrance made Robin think that he just imagined his friend actually entering his room.

"Robin…"

Oh. There he was.

Chrom took a deep breath. "You're my friend, stalwart comrade and brother that I never had. That is why I'm going to ignore what looks like a very compromising situation and wait for an explanation."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Robin mumbled, face still buried in his pillow.

Then, something unexpected happened, even by Robin's standards: his pillow…moved. As far as Robin was aware, pillows didn't move!

"Mmm…"

Or groan. Pillows definitely didn't groan.

So now, despite the fact that he really didn't want to, Robin and to open his eyes more than just a little bit to see just what the hell was going on.

After the initial blurriness subsided, all Robin saw was…blue. Lots and lots of blue.

Oh gods. Did something happen to his eyes?!

His pillow shifted.

Pushing through the pounding in his head, Robin slowly let go of his pillow and moved away (as much as he could, as one of his arms was stuck underneath).

Looking at it coming into focus, it turned out that what Robin was clutching all this time wasn't a pillow after all.

And as his mind registered Lucina's sleeping figure beside him, Robin groaned and used his free hand to clutch his head.

"It's way too early in the morning for this…"


"Whyyyyyyy?!" Inigo wailed as he finished another tankard of ale. "I'm a dashing, charming young man with the best lines and *hic* the best *hic* stuff!"

"One of those things is true," Maye commented dryly. "And maybe not even that."

"And yet despite all my *hic* positive traits, the ladies all reject me!" Inigo continued, unfazed. "Whyyyyyyy?!"

Meanwhile, Robin was just laughing hysterically.

"Okay there, mister. I think you've had enough to drink."

"Aw, don't be like that, Maye! I'm not even…even…" Robin couldn't finish his sentence because he needed to support himself by holding onto the table. "Whoa. World spinning too fast…"

"And that is a good a sign as any to cut you guys off," Maye announced, taking their tankards.

"But I'm not *hic* done drowning my sorrows yet!" Inigo whined.

"Drown them another time. Or better yet, sleep on them before you'll want to start a fight."

"Oof!" Robin gave up and lay his head on the table, but managed to swipe the last tankard before Maye could take it. "Trouble? Now why would we wanna do that?"

"Experience has taught me that after passing a certain threshold of drinking, men inexplicably want to start fights. Some women, too. So I'm cutting you two off before it gets to that."

Both Robin and Inigo groaned, but before they could protest, a group of men approached their table.

"Oi, Maye! We're getting sick an' tired of you ignoring us and giving these chumps all your attention. How's about throwing some service our way, eh?" said the burly man in front of the group.

"I'm not the only waitress here, Duncan. Go flag up someone else working the floor," Maye snapped.

"I've had about enough of your attitude today, wench."

Duncan grabbed hold of Maye's arm.

"Let go of me, you oaf!"

"Or what? What're you gonna do about it?" Duncan asked menacingly.

"H-hey!"

The men turned.

"L-leave that *hic* sharp-tongued waitress be, you *hic* fiends! Or face the wrath of…" Inigo swayed.

Maye facepalmed while the group of ruffians laughed.

"Some company you got yourself, Maye," Duncan chuckled.

"I'm *hic* warrrrrning you!" Inigo slurred.

"Heh, warn this, chump. Merk!"

A large man stepped forward and cracked his knuckled.

"Don't worry, kid, I'll make sure to knock you out nice and clean."

"Who? Moi?"

Inigo moved to avoid the hit, but lost his balance and tripped on the table, causing it to flip and knock the tankard that Robin was finishing off right out of his hands.

"My drink…" mumbled the grandmaster, looking puzzled at his now empty hand.

Inigo groaned on the floor. He groaned more as Merk picked him up by his collar.

"Okay, boy, lights out."

"Just *hic* try it!" Inigo jeered.

"You asked for it."

Just then, there was a small flash of light. Before Inigo knew what was happening, Merk let him go as he convulsed before falling backward.

"Uh…yeah! That's *hic* right!" Inigo shouted at the downed ruffian.

"Oof, aim was totally off..." Robin muttered, his fingers crackling with electricity. "Completely missed who I was aiming for and hit his friend instead..."

"Oi! That guy there just done took out Merk!" cried one of the ruffians.

"Some company you got yourself…" Duncan sighed and let go of Maye. "Let's teach 'em a lesson, boys!"

"Ha! By the end of the night it shall be you who will…be...taught the…" Robin found it was hard to come up with witty one-liners when his mind was clouded by alcohol. So he instead chose to try and concentrate on hitting the approaching group of men. "You up for this, Inigo?"

"Ha!" Inigo swayed and swung his arm. "This isn't my first *hic* bar fight, Robin. I've seen worse!"

"Heeeeell yeah! Now let's do this!"

"And here I thought I was going to have a quiet night…" Maye sighed from the sidelines as she watched the brawl ensue.


Robin and Chrom sat in a room.

Chrom was sitting at one end of the table, arms crossed and a serious expression on his face. For his part, Robin had his eyes closed and was trying to ignore the raging headache that threatened to split his head in two.

The silence stretched until Chrom spoke.

"Well, Robin? I'm waiting."

"I don't know what to tell you, Chrom."

"How my son and my daughter ended up in your room would be a good place to start."

"No, Chrom. I can't tell you because I don't remember."

"…What the hell did you even do last night?"

"That's a gooooood question. The only thing I know for sure is that it involved lots of drinking, if this hangover is anything to go by…"

"Why do you keep doing this to yourself?"

"Hey, it's not my fault I want to have a good time and have poor self-control when it comes to alcohol, okay?"

Chrom looked bemused.

"Hey, I don't even know why you're so upset. All I did was sleep with your daughter. And a little bit with your son, too, apparently."

Chrom frowned.

Robin rubbed his temples.

"…Okay, that sounded a lot less bad in my head," Robin said after his mind registered his words. "Look, the point is that nothing happened. Again. Just like that time in Las Nagas. I mean, we were all wearing our clothes and were sleeping on top of my bed…right? Please tell me we were all wearing our clothes."

"Yes, you were all fully clothed, and I thank Naga for that. I'd be a lot more concerned if you weren't!"

"And how much are you concerned now?" Robin looked up to see Chrom grinning. "Hey, you don't look concerned at all!"

"I could only keep up the façade for so long, given the ridiculousness of the situation," Chrom chuckled. "And I know you, Robin. I know you well enough to know that although you tend to make poor decisions, you have enough self-control to prevent you from making poor decisions."

"I'm going to let that comment go because of this horrible headache," Robin grumbled. "Wait, if you didn't think I actually did anything, why did you drag me here when I would clearly rather be in bed?"

"Well, I had to get you out of there before Inigo and Lucina woke up."

"Why didn't you get them out first? It was my room!"

"Well, there's only one of you and two of them."

"You're the strongest member of our team! And they're your kids!"

"Ah, but you were the adult in the room"

"…I don't even know how that's relevant." Robin groaned. "However, in my infinite generosity as your best friend, I'm going to let that comment go. Now, if there's anything else we need to talk about…?"

"Nothing that can't wait," Chrom said. "Go. Rest. I just dragged you out here to sweat you a little bit."

"That would've worked better if I was paying attention to you and wasn't feeling like my head was going to crack open in two."

"Next time, then."

"There isn't going to be a next time because I'm not going to drink ever again."

"He says, after drinking himself silly for the third time in a row," Chrom remarked, amused.

Robin grumbled in response and walked out of the room to head back to his. Only Robin realized that he actually had no idea where he was as he wasn't really paying attention where the room that Chrom dragged him into was. In fact, he didn't even remember his room number!

Well, at least Robin remembered the general location of his room. Sort of. Provided it looked different than all these other hallways. So, realizing that every minute he spent standing around was a minute he wasn't in his comfy bed, Robin dragged his feet and walked in the direction where he thought his room hopefully was.

After passing by numerous doors, Robin came to what he thought was his and entered.

"Greetings and salutations, Robin."

"Ack! Robin! H-hi!"

"…Miriel?" Robin blinked. "What're you doing here? And do I hear another voice in here with you?"

"I might ask you the same question, considering you have barged into my chambers without knocking."

"…This is your room?"

"That his correct."

"And not mine?"

"It is not."

"R-Robin! I, um, you might be wondering what I'm doing here in Miriel's room. See, uh, funny story!"

Robin strained his eyes but couldn't see anyone else in the room.

"Who am I hearing?" he asked.

"That will be Kellam," Miriel said. "He came to visit me a few minutes prior to discuss something of utmost importance."

"N-not importance! I mean, yes, important, but, uh…" Kellam was stumbling over his words.

"Very nice, good for you." Robin was too focused on getting back to his room to notice Kellam's nervousness. "Can you guys point me to where my room is, by any chance? I seem to have misplaced it."

"If you mean to ask for directions back to your chambers, I believe they are down the hall to your right, door num—"

"Down hall, right. Thanks, Miriel."

Without warning, Robin shut the door and left.

"That was rather peculiar…" Miriel commented.

"Was it really?" asked Kellam.

"Robin seems slightly more irate today than usual."

"Yeah, well…" Kellam trailed off and scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Gosh, the mood is all ruined now…"

"To what do you refer to?"

"You know, to the thing I came here to talk to you about?"

Miriel tilted her head curiously.

"Look, Miriel, I…" Kellam hesitated, playing with something in his pocket.

"Yes…?"

"We've spent so much time together these past few years. I know that you were doing it to study me, but I've come to enjoy our time together. I've even become used to you constantly clinging to my arm! So much so that I…I get lonely when you're not there," Kellam admitted bashfully.

"Interesting. I have experienced these feelings of loneliness as well. Clearly, the bonds of friendship between us are growing ever stronger. It would be most intriguing to see where this relationship takes us."

"Y-yeah…" Kellam hesitated before committing himself. "S-say, how about we explore taking our relationship to the next level?"

"Do you mean taking our relationship to more than merely examiner and subject?"

"Yeah! Miriel, I'm going to speak plainly: I really like you and I thought…maybe…you'd do me the honor of being my…"


"Down the hall, to the right. Down the hall, to the right…" Robin repeated to himself. "Okay, getting close to the down the hall…"

"Robin!"

The sudden shout caused the man in question to grimace.

"So...loud…"

The shout was quickly followed by heavy footsteps. Before Robin knew it, he was face-to-face with Kjelle.

"Kjelle, is this urgent? Because if it can wait, I'd—"

"Spar with me! No practice weapons! No quarter! Spar with me for true!"

"…This again?"

"Those who lack strength have no place in this army. I will be the one to test you!" Kjelle declared.

Robin sighed and rubbed his temples.

For the past few weeks, Sully's daughter kept on pestering him for duels and sparring. Robin indulged her the first few times, but she kept on coming back and demanding he 'fight her for real' and stuff. Robin had no idea what that meant, so he started making up excuses to avoid meeting her on the training grounds (it helped Robin actually had better things he should've been doing).

"You really think I'm weak? After everything I've done?" Robin asked tiredly. "Really?"

"I will save judgments until we have crossed weapons. But I advise you not to take me lightly. I'm stronger than most men!"

"I don't have time to deal with this…" Robin muttered. "Look, I'm not exactly in the right condition to be sparring right now, so why don't we—"

"None of that. You've been making excuses and putting off another match with me for far too long now."

"Well excuse me for planning this war to minimize our losses and not having enough time to satisfy your idle curiosity."

"Hmph. How do you expect us to follow you if you won't even indulge us in a duel? You need to train to hone your skills. The enemy could strike at any moment and you will find your skills and reaction time lacking."

"I expect you to follow my orders if you want to live. As for my reflexes, they'll kick in if there are enemies about. Since there aren't any here, I can afford to relax. Now, if you'll kindly get out of my way, I'd like to lie down."

Kjelle didn't respond, instead suddenly grabbing Robin by his collar and pinning him against the wall.

The impact Robin felt when his head hit the wall didn't do his headache any favors.

"Argh, my head! What the hell do you think you're doing!?"

"Testing your reflexes. Look, if I was an enemy, you'd be dead."

"Kjelle, this headache I have is very close to killing me and the hangover is impairing my good judgement, so I'm going to ask you to put me down in the next five seconds before I do something we both regret."

"Tough talk. What could you possibly—" Kjelle was interrupted when something caught her attention. Looking down, she saw Robin's arm was glowing with energy, and it was aimed directly at her chest. "You wouldn't…"

"Massive headache and hangover equal reduced inhibition and increased impulsive actions minus thought for said actions. In short, yes, yes I would," Robin explained casually, before adding, "Three seconds, by the way."

"Would you really—"

"Two seconds."

Seeing the magic in Robin's hand getting stronger, Kjelle decided to take Robin at his word and let him go.

Robin grunted as he hit the floor. "All these impacts not helping the headache…"

"You were really going to do it, weren't you?" Kjelle asked.

"Ordinarily no, but today isn't ordinary. So yes."

"…I actually respect that."

"Yes, yes, now kindly 'respect' me by leaving me alone to my room. I'll kick your ass when I can think without this annoying pounding in my head."

"You? Kick my ass? Ha!" Kjelle snorted. "I can wipe the floor with you and you know it."

"Your comments have been noted. I look forward to rubbing them in your face later on. Now to borrow Lon'qu's catchphrase, leave me be!"

"You're a lot funnier here in the past, Robin. And less of a hardass taskmaster," Kjelle remarked. "I'll see how you measure up to your future self. You'd best be ready next time I come at you."

"Yeah, yeah…"

Robin supported himself on the wall as he got up and headed to where he thought his room was. Opening the door, he saw that it was not his bedroom but rather a room with a long table in the middle. A private dining room or a meeting room of sorts if Robin had to guess. But Robin didn't guess. By this point, he just about gave up trying to find his room and settled instead on sitting and resting his head on the desk.

"Oh gods…" Robin sighed in contentment. "Now if I can just lie here in the quiet for a little while…"

The quiet lasted exactly thirty seconds before Robin registered the sound of the door opening.

"Robin? Are you in here?"

"…If I say no, will you go away? Wait…" Robin then paused, realizing whose voice it was. "Lucina?"

"Robin, how are you feeling? You had quite a night yesterday…"

"Yes, yes I did. And I can't even remember most of it, although you were there, apparently. How'd that happen?"

"Well, I rushed after you when you took Inigo into the town," Lucina said, sitting next to Robin, "However, you two have walked quite fast as I had lost you outside. I searched for some time before walking by a tavern. There seemed to be some kind of commotion and I happened to look inside by chance and spotted both you and Inigo standing after what seemed like a brawl."

"A brawl? That doesn't sound like something I'd do…"

"Oh, but it was. The tavern was in quite a state: broken furniture, men prone on the floor, groaning in pain…"

"Did we at least make it out of there in one piece?"

"I assume so, although I've been told by a waitress that someone has broken a chair over your head."

"That would explain the worse than usual headache…"

"Anyway, I apologized on both your behalves and took you back to the inn. The manager seemed surprisingly understanding, said something like this happens every other night or so."

"Wow."

"Indeed. After that…"


"—nnnd a bottle of rum!"

"Woo!"

Robin and Inigo both laughed merrily.

"You two, please keep it down," Lucina begged, supporting the two drunks as they leaned on her. "It's quite late and everyone is asleep."

"Come on, Lucina. We made it singing and songing all through the alleys and no one said a word to us about anything!" Robin said.

"It was the bessssst," Inigo agreed.

"Yes, well now we're back at our inn and the walls are a lot thinner than those of the houses in the streets, so I beg you, please keep it down! Otherwise you might wake up the others."

"So what? They can *hic* join the fun! The night is young anyway." Inigo yawned. "Although I'm feeling *hic* sleepy…"

Robin snorted. "Pffft, lightweight."

"H-hey, who're you calling a *hic* light…light…*hic*…"

"Robin, Inigo, quiet!" Lucina hissed. "Look, we're almost at our destination."

"What's our destination, anyway?" Inigo asked sleepily.

"Robin's room."

"Aww, why does *hic* Robin get his room first?"

"Because it's closest. Inigo, we'll head toward yours once we deposit Robin, okay?"

Inigo mumbled drowsily.

"Inigo!" Lucina pulled her brother along when he stopped walking. "Just a bit more, we're almost there."

"Pffft, this kid. A little fight an he's all out of it. Back in my day…" Robin stopped talking and leaned on Lucina more. "Whoa, everything's spinning pretty bad…"

"I can imagine, with how much you seem to have drunk. Your breath reeks of alcohol," Lucina remarked, trying to hold her breath. "Look, here we are."

Pushing the door open, she brought the two men into the room.

"Here we are. Now, Robin, you—"

"Sleeeeeep." Inigo walked over and fell on the bed. "Nighty night…"

And he was out.

"Inigo? Inigo! Wake up, this isn't your room!" Lucina sighed in frustration. "Robin, please help wake my brother."

"Okaaaay." Robin tried to walk over to the bed but swayed so much Lucina had to hold him again. "Or better yet, maybe we should join him."

"Robin, no. This isn't—whoa!" Trying to keep Robin upright, Lucina tripped over his legs, causing both of them to fall on the bed together.

"Mmm, comfy bed…" Robin mumbled and wrapped his arms tightly around Lucina. "Comfy pillow…"

"Wha—? Robin, no! You musn't—"

Lucina barely started protesting when Inigo shifted and trapped her between himself and Robin.

"Inigo?!" Lucina struggled to break free. Naturally, she could break free if she used her full strength, but that would've also probably resulted in Robin and her brother sustaining some potentially serious injuries.

Lucina tried to wiggle.

And Robin's grip was surprisingly strong for someone who was out cold. Did he always grip his pillow so tightly when he slept?

Lucina sighed and tried to make herself as comfortable as possible, sandwiched between two men in a village inn in the middle of nowhere. Naturally, Lucina experienced much worse in the future, so this wasn't the worst thing in the world.

Shaking her head, Lucina closed her eyes, resigning herself to the night's sleeping arrangements.


"So that's how we ended up sleeping together. Although I believe Inigo fell on the floor sometime during the night. He always was a restless sleeper…"

Robin still kept his head on the table.

"Robin? Can I get you anything? I imagine you mustn't be feeling well after last night's events."

"No, no, it's fine. And while this is still in my mind, let me apologize for my behavior and for the fact that you had to fetch and drag me back to the inn. That's something I should've done myself…or have passed out in some alley."

"It was no trouble, Robin."

"Also for putting you into an embarrassing and uncomfortable situation."

"What do you mean?"

"You know, with the sleeping together in the same bed and all?"

"Is it wrong for people to sleep together?"

Robin turned his head and looked at Lucina incredulously.

"Forgive me, Robin. It's just that it became the norm in the future."

"To…sleep together?"

Lucina nodded. "One of the consequences of Grima's rise was that the sky was in perpetual darkness. As a result, the temperature in the world began to drop. And as the conflict dragged on, our forces began to run out of resources. Things like beds, blankets and pillows became rarer and rarer. We had to sleep outside in the freezing weather and the only way to keep warm was to huddle close during the night."

Robin listened silently.

"To be honest, I don't think I've gotten used to the fact that we can simply rest at any inn we desire, in warm beds with pillows and blankets. Such things were considered luxury items in my time…" Lucina had a faraway look in her eyes. "So yesterday, us huddling and sleeping together felt reassuringly…familiar, if it makes sense."

"I'm sure not having to worry about a Risen ambush or something helped."

"Indeed." Lucina laughed softly. "Ah, forgive me. I seem to have slipped into brooding about the future again."

"No, it's okay. I find your stories interesting, if not a tad sobering. I appreciate these little glimpses into your future, even if they are all doom and gloom-y."

"I wish I had happier tales to share with you…" Lucina murmured quietly.

Even in his state, Robin could sense the change in the mood. So he decided to quickly change the subject.

"Anyway, glad there's no awkwardness from yesterday."

"Ah yes, you mentioned that there would be. Why is that?"

Crap. Out from bumming Lucina out with her memories from the future and right into explaining to her why it's weird for a man and a woman to sleep together (even though nothing happened!).

"Uh…" Robin's mind was not in any condition to think of an excuse out of this.

Fortunately, it didn't have to as someone chose that moment to enter the room.

"O-oh, Robin, Lucina. You're already here."

"Noire?" Lucina sounded surprised. "What're you doing here?"

Robin thanked Naga for the distraction.

"I-I'm here for the book club," the archer replied timidly. "If you're still accepting new members, that is."

"Book club?"

"First of all, it's not a club, Noire. What we have here is a society," Robin corrected. "And more importantly, were we meeting today?"

"That's what I've been told. Someone told me it was you who scheduled today's meeting in this room because 'it'll be nice to have a meeting in an actual room for once and not a tent' or something to that effect."

"When was this?"

"I think at the meeting yesterday?"

"I…" Robin felt a cold sense of dread in the pit of his stomach. "…I did say that, didn't I?"

"Is this not a good time?" Noire asked, seeing Robin facedown on the table.

"No, no. I scheduled the meeting and I shall chair it from start to finish as is my duty," Robin stated with determination. "It'll just…have to be quieter than usual."

"Robin, you do realize that you can simply postpone the meeting until you're feeling better," Lucina pointed out. "You don't have to do this at this precise moment in time."

"Actually, as the co-founder of the society and its appointed head, yes, yes I do. It's my solemn duty and I will carry it out, even to my own detriment."

Lucina briefly wondered whether she should argue Robin's point and tell him that no one would mind if he delayed or rescheduled the meeting, given his hangover and all.

"Oh, as for your question, you're more than welcome to join, Noire."

Although he did seem quite intent on carrying this thing through. And Lucina knew how Robin got when he decided he needed to do something.

"Thank you, Robin."

Noire took a seat next to Lucina.

"Are the others coming?"

"I think so."

"Is it just the usual?"

"I don't know about that. The only thing I do know is that Lady Sumia, Lady Cordelia, Lady Olivia and Lady Cherche will be coming."

"You kids and your formalities. Can't you just call us by our first names without the titles?"

"I…"

"Whatever. A topic for another time." Robin raised his head from the table, groaned, and covered his eyes.

"Robin, what happened to you?" Noire inquired. "You don't look so good."

"I don't feel so good either, Noire. Last night was rough…"

"Are you okay?"

"I'll be…I'm…I'll survive, let's just say that."

"Robin…" Lucina began.

"I'm still chairing this meeting, Lucina," Robin said firmly.

Noire looked at Lucina questioningly, but the princess just shrugged.

"As you wish."

"And you'll be joining us again for this session?"

"I shall. I've grown to enjoy these little meetings. It also helps expand my literary horizons and learn more about the stories my parents read to me when I was little."

"I hope we can read something nice and happy…" Noire mumbled. "And not like those dark and horrible stories Mother and Father like. You don't read stories where anyone gets disintegrated, right? Or disemboweled?"

Robin opened his eyes and stared at Noire. "What kind of messed up books have you been reading?"

"Mother and Father—"

"Right. For a moment there I forgot who your parents were. Don't worry about it, Noire, what we read is nice and wholesome."

"Wholesome sounds nice…" Noire closed her eyes and sighed contentedly. "It'd be good to finally read something where the main character doesn't die horribly."

"Er, right…"

"What're you reading now, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Ever heard of the Stories from series?"

"I don't think I have."

"It's a long-running series of stories and myths set in different lands. Each novel is set in a different world and features different characters, although some worlds get more than one novel to themselves, like the Elibe and Tellius series."

"It sounds interesting."

"Oh yeah. It has everything you could ever want in your epic novel: strategy, war, action, adventure, death, betrayal…"

"And romance," Lucina added.

"Unfortunately," Robin said distastefully.

"O-oh wow. That sounds very interesting!" Noire was visibly excited.

"Interesting indeed," Robin agreed. "Just wait until the others get here and we'll get you up to speed with everything you need to know."

And so, Robin, Lucina and Noire talked while they waited for the others to arrive. Eventually, Cherche, Olivia and (surprisingly enough) Frederick took their seats. They also kindly informed him and Cordelia and Sumia had some things to take care of and were going to be late and everyone should start without them. Robin had his reservations about starting before all the members were present, but he didn't have the energy to protest, so he started the meeting and mostly sat back and nursed his headache as the others talked about…books and stuff.

"—is why I think that Stories from Valentia is my favorite book thus far," Olivia finished.

"It was an interesting novel for sure," Cherche said. "It is said the novel is roughly based on the history of Valm."

"Really?" Olivia's eyes widened. "Do you mean to say that we are currently walking on the land once home to Rigel and Zofia?"

"I would take that statement with a pinch of salt, milady," cautioned Frederick. "Authors are known to make exaggerated statements in order to help sell their works."

"Oh. But do you think there is any grain of truth to that claim?"

"Perhaps some, but I wouldn't believe everything written in the book. Works claiming to be based off historical events tend to suffer from their authors taking some artistic liberties in interpreting how events happened."

Cherche pouted. "Frederick, can you not suspend your disbelief and at least attempt to believe that this novel was historically accurate?"

"I'm afraid I cannot, milady."

"Frederick, one of these days you must learn to relax and have some fun."

"You're wasting your time, Cherche," Robin said. "Frederick is incapable of fun. I'm willing to bet he doesn't have a fun bone in his body."

"I take pride in my ability to take things seriously. After all, someone has to."

"If you hate fun so much, why are you even here?"

"I wish I knew," Frederick sighed in exasperation. "Somehow Lady Cherche manages to convince me to come along with her to these meetings every time, despite the fact that I may have other things I need to be doing."

"I'm simply trying to expand your horizons and list of hobbies, Frederick."

"I am perfectly content with my horizons and hobbies are they are."

"My dear Frederick, you need a better hobby than picking pebbles off dirt roads."

"Milady—!" Frederick stared at Cherche, too flustered to speak. For her part, Cherche just smiled innocently.

"Heh, I never get tired of that," Robin snickered. "Although I guess Frederick does have a point."

Cherche raised a brow. "What's this? Robin agreeing with Frederick?"

"Shocking, I know. But Frederick does tend to be right on some occasions," joked the grandmaster. "But seriously, some of those events I find a bit hard to believe."

"Like what?" Olivia inquired.

"Well, the thing that comes to mind is the fact that the author tried to tie in his story to that of the Hero-King's and shove some characters from that saga into his."

"That is the part you find hard to believe?" Cherche asked, amused.

"Well, that and the fact this Abel character has fallen for the youngest of the pegasus knight sisters."

"Why do you find that hard to believe?" inquired Lucina.

"Because I find it absolutely crazy that someone would go for Est when they have someone like Palla to choose from. Moreover, Palla actually likes him. There's no excuse not to go for her!"

Lucina raised a brow.

"I mean, come on. Palla is kind, generous, pretty, level-headed and rational. As the eldest sibling she also took care of her younger sisters, which gives her bonus points because she's motherly and compassionate and knows how to take care of those she loves. She's basically the ideal wife, ready to go. Est is nice and all, but she seems, well, like a little sister type to me. The fact that someone would pick her as their wife over the infinitely more wifeable Palla is totally unbelievable and why I don't believe that Stories from Valentia is very realistic."

Olivia giggled. "Who knew that Robin, of all people, would go to such an in-depth analysis of a character's taste in partners and that would break a story's believability for him."

"The world truly must be ending," Cherche quipped.

"Hey, I may not tolerate romantic dalliances in real life, but if I must tolerate them in my fiction, then I at least demand it be believable! And the fact that someone would choose Est when they have Palla is most definitely not believable."

"Robin, that part is not even the main focus of the story," Olivia pointed out. "Surely you can enjoy the main story without letting this small part ruin it for you?"

"Don't get me wrong, the story itself is very good. About what you'd expect out of this series and certainly better than Fates by leaps and bounds. However, as a reader, I have become very discerning when it comes to romance in the stories I read."

"Do you really feel that strongly about it?" Lucina asked.

"Actually, yes. Palla is a pretty, loving, capable woman who deserves a happy ending. In fact, I judge Abel's taste for choosing Est over Palla. I judge it very harshly and come to the conclusion that Abel must not have any taste for choosing Est over Palla."

"To see Robin all worked up over something this trivial…" Olivia giggled.

"It's not trivial! When faced with a choice between Palla and Est, any sane man would choose Palla."

"Sounds like someone would like to have Palla all to himself if he could," Cherche remarked playfully.

"What about Catria?" Lucina asked suddenly.

"Huh?"

"You seem to be forgetting that there are three sisters to choose from, Robin."

"Well, yeah, but Catria's not in the running since she doesn't have any feelings for Abel. Although she would also be a better choice over Est. I mean, it's Est! She's like your kind of annoying younger sibling, not a wife!"

"Robin, you speak as if Est would be perpetually young and never grow into a mature woman like her sisters," Frederick remarked.

"Yeah, she could, or Abel could've chosen someone already there and available like Palla! …Or Catria too, I guess."

"What do you have against Catria, Robin?" Lucina inquired.

"Nothing, really. Just seems like Catria is a bit too uptight. Serious and professional, which makes her a good soldier, but a bit of a stick-in-the-mud. Like Frederick, only a woman and less obsessed with pebbles."

"Catria has many admirable qualities, so I take your comparison as a compliment," Frederick said.

"Of course you do…"

"Meanwhile," Robin continued, "We have Palla, who is single, available, and infinitely more wifeable than Est, yet Abel doesn't pick her!"

"Are you sure you're not merely projecting, Robin?" Cherche teased.

"Cherche, please," Robin scoffed. "We're talking about the fictional relationships of fictional characters."

"Then why are you so worked up?"

"Because I have made some criteria on what I'm looking for in my fictional relationships and how I judge pairings after countless hours of being exposed to romance novels. And Abel being with Est fails every single one of them!"

"Ah…" Olivia nodded in understanding. "So it's you disagreeing with the author's decisions?"

"Yes. Disagreeing very much, I may add!"

"I didn't realize you were such a picky reader, Robin," Lucina said.

"Countless hours reading books will do that to you, and while I'm willing to forgive some artistic liberties, this one I can't let go."

"I can't imagine how you would react if you read a novelization of our lives," Olivia said.

"I'd probably quit the book when I read about you and Chrom," Robin admitted. "Reality sure is strange, although I will say that your relationship is rather sweet and you two go well together and thus won't violate my criteria."

"I'm glad our fictional selves have your approval, Robin," Olivia chuckled.

Before anyone could say anything further, the door opened.

"Sorry we're late!"

"We just had to whip up something for a certain someone."

Hearing something being set in front of him, Robin opened his eyes to see a tray full of food sitting in front of him.

"What the…?"

"For you," Sumia said, sitting beside him.

"For me?"

"A little bird told us what you got up to last night and how you may be feeling today," Cordelia explained, taking her seat. "Sumia also told me what she did the last time she saw you with a horrible hangover, so here we are. We got you a whole lot of food and liquids to ease the pain."

"Guys, I'm not—" Robin paused as he realized that his lips were parched and he was starving. "Holy crap, yes I am!"

He then promptly downed several glasses of water.

"And there we go," Cordelia laughed before turning to the others. "So, what have we missed?"

"Noire joined us today," said Olivia.

"H-hello." Noire waved nervously.

"And Robin was just telling us about his tastes and what he looks for in his fictional relationships," Cherche added.

"A pleasure to have you with us, Noire." Cordelia smiled before turning back to the others. "But Robin taking an interest in relationships in his fiction? Is the world ending?"

"Robin doesn't even tolerate relationship in real life, so it must be a sign of the end!" Sumia laughed.

Robin rolled his eyes but was too busy eating and drinking to offer a snarky comment.

"If I may," Cherche spoke up, "I would like to take this opportunity to suggest a book for our next session. It's one that's written by a Valmese author and is very popular here."

"Ooh, that sounds interesting!" said Sumia. "I don't think we've had much exposure to anything foreign, let alone Valmese. What do you have for us, Cherche?"

Cherche took out a book. "It's called 69 Shades. I haven't read it myself, but from what I gather, it's a love story about…"

Robin tuned out Cherche's voice as he concentrated on filling his empty stomach.

Sitting next to him, Lucina had a thoughtful expression on her face.

"W-wow, I didn't think that book club meetings could be so animated," Noire remarked next to her.

Lucina hummed absentmindedly.

"Lucina? What's wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong. I'm just thinking over what we've learned just now…"

"What we've learned?" Noire looked confused. "What have we learned?"

Lucina remained silent, instead glancing to where Sumia and Cordelia were busy teasing Robin.