DISCLAIMER: FIRE EMBLEM AND ITS CHARACTERS BELONG TO NINTENDO.
A/N: This chapter occurs the same day as the previous one.
Those Who Sprint Through Life, Never Grab Hold of
It was early in the morning, the day after the Ylissean's had defeated the Valmese. The Shepherds had just been given a few days of reprieve from their war
Lucina roamed the surprisingly active streets of Valm's portside town, just as the sun had barely begun to rise. She went off by herself before later meeting up with her mother and the others.
Lucina had no particular goal or business in town, she just needed some time to herself to think. To think of the war, what was left, and of him.
Like she had earlier predicted, the details of the first two of their battles had completely evaded her. Her knowledge of the future no longer had much credence in this world. It was scary for her. When she had originally journeyed through time, she was well aware of the task ahead of her. However, she found solace in the fact that every important detail in history had already been laid out before her. All she needed to do was introduce the most minute changes here and there, and hopefully the world would run its course, but this time towards a future where humanity still thrived.
She was not so sure anymore. In truth, it scared her. Her 'clairvoyance' had often been a safety blanket for her. No matter how bad things might have seemed, she knew nothing could take her by surprise.
But her actions in the present had changed all of that. She was now walking towards a future uncertain. Into the unknown.
She glanced upon the faces of the town residents as she walked by. A child holding her mother's hand. A man performing on the street. A vendor selling pottery. How had their futures changed because of her? Would they hate her if they knew?
Her thoughts wandered to Robin. He had been on her mind a lot as of late. In only over a week, her stance towards him had gone from moderately hostile, to rather friendly. She feared that she was too trusting to have let him get so close. Her suspicion of him still lingered, but more and more, she was beginning to hope that she was wrong, that he truly wasn't the monster she had feared he would be. At least at this point, he seemed nothing like one.
Her relationship with him was different from any she had previously had. It was the first time she forged such a bond of her own accord. The first friend she had that was not presented to her by circumstance. She was in no way belittling the friendship's she had already formed, but she acknowledged this one's uniqueness to her.
It was something rather new. A friendship where small shows of aggression were never perceived as hostile. One where she was stripped of the persona she tried so hard to wear. She felt naked before him. It was uncomfortable and yet, it relieved her. She felt freedom in her conversations with him. She could act in ways that she previously thought were inappropriate and unbecoming of someone of her standing. She was allowed to be selfish around him. She felt that it was because in many ways, they were a lot alike. He too had his burdens and his own image to keep up. She appreciated the deep talks they had. He freely confided in her of the problems that weighed on his mind. Seeing some of that in herself, she found herself consoling him almost too much.
But what she appreciated most of all with Robin were the times that they could speak at a level where 'titles' or 'reputation' played no part. Times where she wasn't Lucina, the hopeful savior of the world, but simply Lucina. He would often tease her about her insecurities, and she in turn was finding it to be quite thrilling to be able to fluster him herself.
She had once thought herself to be selfish for indulging in such pleasantries with the danger looming ahead, but he had seen through her thoughts and told her that it was okay to do so. Out of all things she was grateful towards the tactician for, that was most likely the one that comforted her the most. That it was okay for her to live.
She decided that she would still oversee Robin's actions from here on out, but no longer as an accuser. Instead, she would watch over her him as... his friend.
Lucina continued her walk through the bustling town.
The many people on the street would have never even suspected the life of fighting she had been through, for the content smile on her face made her appear as nothing more than a young woman.
Lucina later arrived at the barracks to meet with her mother.
Sumia was seated at a table with Sully, Cordelia, Olivia, Miriel, Nowi, Cherche and her aunt Lissa.
"Ah, Lucina! We were just talking about you!" Lissa exclaimed.
"Y-you were?" Lucina asked in surprise. She felt rather insecure at the thought of her being the center of attention.
They all smiled at her.
Sumia narrowed her eyes at her daughter.
"What... were you talking about?" Lucina asked a bit nervously.
The woman all let out a laugh.
Lissa snorted with laughter. "Ha, I was just kidding. You should have seen how you looked! You aren't hiding anything are you?" she asked.
"No... I am not." Lucina said confidently.
"Where were you?" Sumia asked as she got up to hug her daughter.
"I was just in town." Lucina explained.
"My, perhaps she was meeting with a man." Cherche teased.
"N-no! I merely needed time to reflect upon our journey."
"Oh, we're all joking, dear. I'm sorry." Cherche giggled.
"It's fine." Lucina smiled.
"Yeah, after all, she only admires guys who are different," Nowi said smugly.
Lucina flushed, looking down to hide her face with her bangs. She could feel the stares she was receiving. 'w-what is she saying?!' Lucina mentally panicked.
"She does!?" Sumia asked excitedly, leaning in towards Nowi, who she thought might've had some very juicy information.
"I'm just joking!" Nowi said cheerfully.
Sumia dropped her head. The women all laughed at the mother's disappointment.
While everyone was occupied with Sumia, Lucina caught sight of Nowi smirking mischievously at her.
This was not good.
It appeared that Nowi wouldn't let her get away with it quite yet. Until then, Lucina feared what possible trouble she would get into trying to keep the manakate from spreading such slanderous rumors.
"Well, what have you all got planned for today?" Sumia asked.
"Frederick's asked me to teach him my family's signature fighting style. We'll be out training in a little while." Cherche said.
"Training? But it's our day off." Cordelia said.
"Sounds more like a date to me." Lissa laughed.
Cherche blushed. "Oh, hush." she said, waving a hand.
"Ricken and I also have some training to do. We have Henry to thank for that. He will be instructing us in the art of Dark Magic." Mirel said.
"Henry, huh? I'm not too sure about the guy. He seems a bit too friendly if you ask me. And he did work for Plegia." Sully reasoned.
"I assure you, as frightening as he may seem, I've yet to observe a hair on him that would indicate any malicious intentions towards us." Miriel stated.
"Really?" Sully asked.
"I too can confirm his innocence." Lucina said.
"Hmm. Well if she says it's fine, I've really got no say then." Sully concluded.
Olivia nodded her head enthusiastically.
Cordelia saw this and decided to poke some fun. "Isn't that wonderful news, Olivia?"
Olivia turned red and looked down.
They all laughed at the dancer's bashfulness.
"Maribelle's left me all alone to go hang out with Donnel, and Lon'qu's off doing gods know what with the other guys." Lissa whined.
"That's right. I heard they're having a 'guy's day'." Sumia laughed.
"I wonder what they're up to." Cordelia said thoughtfully.
"Hah, something extremely stupid, no doubt." Sully snorted.
"Well, let's let the men be men for a day." Cherche said.
"Cordelia, I've heard that they've got the nicest little bookstore in town." Sumia said.
"Really? I wouldn't mind picking up something new to read myself." Cordelia said.
"Right! Let's get ready. Who else wants to come?" Sumia aked.
"I'll join you." Sully said.
"Me too." Olivia added.
"Lucina? Do you want to come along?" Sumia asked.
She was about to respond, but saw Nowi mouthing something to her with an evil smile. 'You're coming with me' her lips read.
Lucina grit her teeth. "S-sorry, I've got something I need to do... I promise I'll meet up with you afterwards." she said.
"Oh, okay then. Be safe!" Sumia said.
The girls went their separate ways for the time being, getting ready for the day.
Lucina and Nowi were standing in the now empty barracks.
"Nowi, what are you doing? That wasn't right for you to twist my words like that." Lucina said, arms crossed.
Nowi pouted. "Ahh, I'm sorry. Ricken's off studying and I just wanted someone to play with today. I promise if you hang out with me, I'll never bring it up again." she offered.
Lucina sighed. She was well aware of the girl, err woman's childish antics. She's changed little from how she was in the future.
"Fine..." she said, looking to severe the hold the dragon girl had on her.
"Alright! I've got a lot of fun stuff planned for us!" Nowi cheered.
Lucina got ready for the worst.
"Why did you take us to a tavern this early in the morning!?" Lucina asked incredulously
"Oh, pipe down, princess. How else are we going to spy on them?" Nowi asked.
"Spy? On who?" Lucina asked.
Right on cue, 7 male Shepherds exited the bar.
"No, this is wrong." Lucina said.
"Come on, it's like a game! If we get caught we lose!" Nowi said excitedly. "Besides, you promised me."
Lucina rubbed her temple. There was no getting out of this.
"Fine, but only for a little. I also promised my mother that I'd meet with her later."
"Alrighty. Let's hurry, they're already headed out!" Nowi said as she followed the group, making sure to stay hidden behind various walls and stands on her way.
Lucina felt ridiculous as she followed, crouching behind cover along with the small woman.
They followed them up the street. They saw Virion walk up to a brunette girl selling flowers.
"Hmm, I wonder what they're doing." Nowi said.
They then saw Virion get slapped across the face.
Nowi doubled over in laughter.
Lucina jumped at the suddenness, but couldn't help but giggle at the sight.
Gregor went up to a blonde haired girl. He said something that cause her to immediate flee.
Nowi laughed yet again. "I think they're trying to flirt with girls!" she choked out.
Lucina tried to hold back a laugh with her hand.
They continued to watch in amusement as the men struggle and failed to capture the attention of the various women they went after.
Finally, it appeared it was Robin's turn. He went up to a rather beautiful girl sitting on a bench.
"Oooh, you jealous?" Nowi laughed evilly to Lucina.
On the contrary, Lucina was watching intently, a smirk plastered on her face.
Robin chatted up the girl. The girl immediately took notice, on offered him an awkward smile.
Robin seemed uncomfortable, kicking his foot at the side of the bench.
After a little small talk, he eventually turned around and left the girl.
"Hahaha! Lame!" Nowi laughed.
Lucina giggled. 'Heh, wait until he hears about this...' she thought mischievously. The feeling of having such ammunition against the occasionally snide man made her feel quite naughty. At the same time, it was thrilling.
"Seems like you're having some fun yourself." Nowi said happily.
Lucina turned red. Not too long ago she had admonished the manakate for attempting to snoop, yet here she was now, taking delight at her fellow Shepherds' misfortunes.
"Well... I'd be lying If I were to say it wasn't a bit... funny." Lucina smiled.
Nowi beamed at her.
They continued their pursuit only to find the men heading to another tavern.
"Aww. Looks like our fun with them is over." Nowi pouted.
"Seems like it." Lucina, a tiny bit disappointed herself.
"No worries! I've got something else for us to do!" Nowi said.
The two were at small park at the center of the city.
Nowi insisted on playing with the other children.
Despite her refusal, Lucina found herself dragged into a game of hide and seek.
She had been hiding with Nowi in two empty barrels near the water fountain.
They were eventually found out and proceeded to run from the laughing children.
Lucina sat on a nearby bench, catching her breath. Training was one thing, but playing with children had absolutely drained her. She admitted that she did enjoy the small break from the war.
The game reminded her much of the days she played with her own friends. She remembered being very good at hide and seek, going as far as to once claimed that she was the number one 'hider' in Ylissestol. Not only had she expertly evaded her friends at the game, but also her parents during bedtime.
Lucina rubbed her cheeks in embarrassment of her younger self.
She looked up to see two young boys, no older than 10, walk up to her.
One of the boys was giggling, the other's face tinged red, hands behind his back.
"Hello there." Lucina said, softly smiling.
The flushing boy walked up and shuffled his feet a bit.
Lucina cocked her head, wondering what was bothering him.
The boy pulled his arms in front of him and held out a small daisy to the princess.
Lucina was taken back by the gesture, but softly took the daisy into her hands.
She smiled and patted the boy's head. "Thank you. It's very lovely." she said.
The boy's redness increased tenfold.
"Ha! He likes you!" the boy's friend sneered as he ran off.
The boy quickly turned around and chased after his laughing friend.
Lucina giggled. She found it rather cute.
"Aww, looks like you've got a boyfriend." Nowi laughed as she walked over, plucking grass from her hair.
Lucina smiled. "Thank you, Nowi. This has been surprisingly... fun." she said.
Nowi smiled back. "Does this mean you'll play with me more often?" she asked hopefully.
"Sure, if I have the time that is." Lucina said.
Nowi hugged the princess, who patted her head.
After a few more games of hide and seek with the children, the two went back to the barracks to head their separate ways.
Lucina had spent the remainder of the day with her mother and friends, reading their newly bought books at a local cafe.
When her father and the other men hadn't returned for the night, her mother was consumed with worry, but was calmed down by Sully saying that they were all probably getting piss drunk somewhere.
Lucina smiled at how right Sully probably was.
Lucina had just finished showering, and was now getting ready to get into the cot across from her mother.
"Did you have fun today, dear?" Sumia asked as she kissed her daughter's cheek.
"Yes, it was quite eventful." she said.
"You've no idea how happy I am to hear that. If anyone deserves a day off, it's you." she said, hugging her daughter. "I heard you spent the morning with Nowi? That's a surprise! I'm glad you're feeling at home with the Shepherds. They're your family too after all."
"Yes, they've always been." Lucina smiled, hugging her back.
"I was worried. You seemed a bit... awkward when speaking to them at first." Sumia said. She was right on target.
Lucina felt a tiny pang of guilt. It seemed her mother had taken notice of the small distance she had been keeping between herself and the others. But she was proud that she had begun to close that gap little by little.
"Why the sudden change?" Sumia asked.
"Umm... Robin managed to convince me that... closing myself off was unhealthy." she said slowly.
Sumia inwardly smirked. 'It's all falling into place...' she thought.
"Mother? Is something wrong? You look a bit strange."
Sumia was snapped out of her fantasies. "Oh, it's nothing, dear. I'm just happy that you're finally getting along with Robin. He's a dear friend to all of us."
"Yes, he's a friend of mine as well." Lucina said.
The two chatted for a while longer before finally heading to bed.
The next morning, Lucina was treated to the sight of her 'friend' and her father passed out against the door of the barracks.
A/N: To add to that ending, the guys came back from the tavern early in the morning, and crawled back to the barracks. Due to their immense hangover and still feeling the effects of the alcohol, they had all passed out yet again outside the barracks.
I just wanted to end the the chapter with Lucina finding them, so I left the explanation for the A/N.
A nice little Lucina centric chapter that goes along with the previous one. Bet you thought Lucina would overhear Robin huh? U MAD? :P
Say'ri was left out because she had, well, business.
The Shepherds have one free day left. For some fun, I've decided that I'll take up suggestions on what the final chapter for this 'fun segment' should be about before I move on with the story. Want Henry spillin' blood? Or maybe Stahl getting that beating from Sully he asked for? Leave your suggestions and I'll try to combine them into a single chaotic day. However, I advise to stray away from anything that would speed up Lucina/Robin too much. Leave your suggestions! I'll need at the least 3 before I began working on it.
Til next time.