Sometimes I just go with my gut on these things. That's when they get the craziest. Or stupidest.
"...What happened to your shoulder?" Cherche asked Robin.
"I don't wanna talk about it." Robin replied, rubbing his bandaged shoulder. "Anyway, more important question is WHY IS THE DRAGON IN MY OFFICE?!"
Minerva roared.
"She's a wyvern." Cherche corrected Robin, as the latter covered his ears.
"WHAT?!" Robin shouted. "HOLD ON!" He uncovered his ears. "Ok, then. Let's get down to business. Where have you been?" Robin asked.
"What do you mean?" Cherche asked.
"Nobody's heard from you for a few weeks." Robin replied. "After my meeting with Gaius, I decided to follow-up on him. He was pretty...messed up."
"He's...doing better." Cherche said, darting her eyes away from Robin.
"See, that's why I think you're full of it." Robin said. "For one thing, your house was coated in sugar. I think Gaius is having a relapse. Also, you never mentioned that I fired him."
"You...fired him." Cherche said, although her mouth didn't appear to move. "Yes...I was aware of that." Minerva growled.
"See, there's the terrifying tranquil fury you're known for!" Robin exclaimed. "You've just shown your hand. If you know about what was happening to Gaius, he would be in this room now. Specifically inside of Minerva. For that matter, how did you get the dragon- uh, wyvern in here?"
"It was difficult." Cherche admitted. "Yes, I haven't been home in a while. I was in Rosanne, doing work for Virion."
"Yeah, you're still full of shit." Robin said. "As much as I loathed to do it, I got in contact with Virion. After about ten minutes of him flaffing on about some fancy bullshit, he said you weren't there. Also, you never mentioned he was fired, too."
"WHAT?!" Cherche exclaimed, before regaining her cool. "I-I mean, of course I know that."
"And Maribelle."
"Ok, you know what?" Cherche said. "You got me. I haven't been around."
"MASTER TACTICIAN!" Robin exclaimed. "Now, what have you been doing?"
"That's a...personal question." Cherche replied. "I might as well tell you. I'm having...an affair."
"...You're cheating on Gaius?" Robin said. "Cherche...I'm...shocked, actually."
"Let me explain what happened." Cherche said. "I went down to Wyvern Valley with Minerva. One thing sort of lead to another and…"
"You never mentioned your lover." Robin said. Before Cherche could respond to him, he said, "Look, I can figure out who it is. Just give me a second...It would have to be someone I know, if you expect me to jump to the conclusion…Gerome was with Cynthia last night at dinner...I got nothing." Robin admitted. "Hell, the only other person I know that would be with you would have been…" His eyes suddenly widened. "...No FUCKING way…" He looked at Minerva.
Cherche sighed as she petted the wyvern's head, who purred. "Correct. We went there to find her a mate. I suppose we found one." She giggled a little.
"I...I...What?!" Robin muttered. "I don't...How...What?!"
"We've just been through so much together." Cherche continued. "I still love Gaius, don't get me wrong. I'm sure we'll come to an agreement about it."
"...I...I guess you're fired." Robin said, still somewhat shell-shocked.
"Do you just not understand our love?" She asked, hugging Minerva.
"No. You missed too many report days. Really, the Shepherds have basically become an office job since the war ended. I...guess you guys can spend more time together…"
"That's one way to see the glass half full, I suppose." Cherche said. "Thank you, Robin. Would you like to go out to dinner with Minerva, Gaius and I?"
"...That sounds like something I should really talk to the wife about." Robin replied.
"I understand." She replied. "Goodbye, Robin!" She said, climbing on top of Minerva. The wyvern roared and charged through Robin's office window, shattering it and the wall.
"...You know what? I'm just gonna keep it like that. I always wanted a balcony."
Gaius and Cherche: A strangely dysfunctional match made in Heaven.
I guess we're pretty much at the halfway point now. I want to take a second to thank everybody for making this story as popular as it is. It's amazing how popular one stupid idea I had could become.
Chessy stuff out-of-the-way now.
Up next: Lucina! Second Generation Time!