DISCLAIMER: FIRE EMBLEM AND ITS CHARACTERS BELONG TO NINTENDO.
A/N: Get ready people, because this is going to be a long one.
I've received some backlash with Lucina's 'Pedophile' joke at the end of the last chapter. All I have to say is I will not apologize and that I'm keeping that in.
To be frank, during writing, and even afterwards, I see nothing wrong with it. A despicable comment that came out of nowhere? I believe not. Given the context of their relationship, with time travel and what not, I think that this is one of the few cases where it can be made fun of. In fact, some of the reason why people don't ship the two together is the overall weirdness that Robin knew the baby Lucina. I can't wrap my head around how that would be taken offensively by readers, or how it was really a harsh or cruel insult. Really, now? Robin kills people for a living, having to deal with the blood on his hands, and of all things, this particular joke would be the one that eats away at him? Robin takes shots at Lucina all the time about her baby self, saying he's changed her diapers and what not, then in a fit of desperation, kisses her. That was the perfect time for her to get some payback and lay it on him.
You might say Lucina is OOC, but let's be honest. The Lucina in this story was never completely in character after she began to open up. Despite her noble behavior and slight childishness, Lucina really had no personality in the game. Most interactions in this story, despite how little I wanted to change the characters, are in one way or another OOC. In fact, I'm surprised it was only until recently I was able to get away without being called out on it. Long story short, that's the relationship I'm making her have with Robin. The reason she acts this way in the first place was her time with Robin. Of course she's OOC, she picked up his habit of being an occasional ass. This is how she's bonding with him at this point. She can get personal, and be rude with him, and only him. This can be seen in the previous chapter were she actually apologizes to Chrom for sounding rude. Not like she's going around ripping everyone's hearts out. Robin's her only victim, and that's karma.
Besides, given the context of their little dispute, don't think Robin will be particularly devastated by the comment. Embarrassed to death? Definitely, but realize that that part of their conversation was them joking with each other, and they were perfectly aware of it. If anything in the chapter would be considered remotely offensive, I'd say it was the 'virgin' jokes, or the fact that Robin basically forced a kiss on her.
Maybe I feel this way because I have a a circle of friends where we can mercilessly rip on each other without any hard feelings? Or the fact that I believe people (Not just here) as a whole are overly sensitive nowadays, and cry out at anything that rustles their jimmies? Perhaps you feel it ruined the chapter because it killed the mood? Good, it was supposed to. This event was never supposed to be THE romance chapter that lead to them confessing their feelings. This was only the start. The kiss was there only to serve the purpose of waking them up to the fact that she is a woman, and he is a man. The kiss was a heat of the moment thing that shouldn't be taken too seriously.
I love everyone who's taken the time to follow this story. Regarding the reviews in question, I'm aware that none of you are 'flaming' me or anything, but that some of you merely have a problem with some of the last chapter and are expressing it. I'm just taking the time to say my piece, and that I will be moving on from this.
Well, rant over. Here's the next chapter!
Naga's Voice 5
Robin sat around with the other 'leaders'. There would be no discussion regarding the war tonight. They decided, despite the situation in enemy territory, to rest the troops.
Robin shook around his mug, the ale within rocking back and forth. The incident with Lucina moments ago weighed heavily on his mind. 'Strange. I go from having another identity crisis, to potentially ruining my friendship with her within an hour.' Robin slouched back into his seat. Being called a pedophile by Lucina, despite her smile giving away the fact it was a mere jest, hit him hard. It made him painfully aware of his actions. This was his friend's daughter after all. He was overcome with guilt, finding it hard to even look Chrom in the eye.
'I've stabbed him in the back...' he moped, hiding his face behind his mug after taking a sip.
"Robin, what's eatin' at ya, boy?" Basilio asked.
"Ah, it's nothing. Just a bit tired from the march here. Don't worry, I'll stay up with you all, just forgive my lazy appearance."
Basilio nodded, turning back to the conversation Say'ri was having with Flavia and Chrom.
Robin again, mentally kicked himself. 'Why kiss her? Why? Chrom's going to kill me if he ever finds out.' He takes a large gulp, setting his mug down and leaning back. 'I promised him I'd help take care of anyone who'd touch her... I agreed to suicide. That's what I did.' He hid his groan behind a hand.
Robin closed his eyes. Perhaps he had been getting a tad too close to Lucina. But in a way, he had no regrets. She was a joy to be around. Tough, compassionate, beautiful... She was an amazing girl. No, woman. The kiss made him realize that. She was an amazing woman. His relationship with her was one he felt would only come once, maybe twice in a lifetime. It was one that he dreaded he might have screwed up. All for the sake of such a ridiculous stunt.
'How awkward will things be now? She didn't seem to even move when I... I kissed her. Knowing her skill with a sword, I'm fortunate I wasn't cut in two. I guess she wasn't too bothered by it, but...'
Finishing the last of his drink, Robin straightened up, grabbed yet another mug, then sought to take a break from his thoughts by engaging in the conversation the others were having before him. Although, he did make a conscious effort to avoid talking to Chrom, without seeming too suspicious that is.
Lucina was sitting around a table with her friends.
Her thoughts wandered to event that had just taken place.
'I must have just pushed him too far into a corner. Yes, that must be it.' she reassured herself. 'After all, he did say he would be making use of more underhanded tactics.'
Lucina tried her best to rationalize the situation, deeming everything that had occurred to be nothing more than a show of tactics and quick thinking. 'I was merely helping a friend out. And if that means helping to exercise his mind with a few jokes here and there, then there is nothing wrong with it. It was just a joke between friends.' she concluded.
However, her thoughts betrayed her when she remembered how he had brushed the hair from her face. How he had pulled her close to him. How he had called her beautiful... And how he had stolen her first kiss.
No amount of rationalization could mask the pace her heart had been beating at.
"Lucina, you okay?" Kjelle asked.
Lucina was snapped from her thoughts, attempting to hide the red tinge on her cheeks by pulling her mug to her face and taking a sip. "U-Um, yes. Do I not seem well?" she asked, regaining her composure.
"No, it's not that. You just seemed kind of deep in thought. Something on your mind?" her friend asked.
"There is plenty on mind. Although we've joined forces with our parents, I still consider it my duty to watch after all of you."
Severa chuckled. "That's our leader for you."
Kjelle still seemed unsure. "I see. But, Lucina? If there ever is something bothering you, know you can always turn to us. As our leader, it's our job to watch over you as well."
Lucina smiled softly. "Thank you. When the time comes I need someone to lend an ear, rest assured I will come to you."
"You mean after you tell Robin first, right?" Severa snorted.
"You're still on this? I told you, you all are as much friends as he his."
"Then what's with those rosy cheeks, leader?" Severa grinned.
Lucina hid her eyes beneath her bangs. She grasped tightly at the cloth of her pants. "I refuse to dwell on this subject any longer."
Severa burst into laughter, while Kjelle merely giggled.
It was early in the morning, the sun had yet to rise. The Ylisseans were fast asleep after a night of relaxation.
Robin lay peacefully on his bedroll. All was silent until, "Robin! Robin, get up! Something's happened."
Robin shot up, opening his eyes to find Chrom shaking him awake. "Chrom, what is it? Wait, have we been discovered!?" he yelled in worry, hastily getting up and reaching for his equipment.
Chrom stopped him. "Easy there, friend. It's nothing that puts us in any immediate danger. However, it's best if we discuss a course of action immediately."
"If it's not the Valmese, then what? Don't tell me we've left someone behind."
"No, we're all here. And well, yes, it has to do with the Valmese but... It's best if we just meet with the others. They're gathered in the central hub of the mines. Basilio will explain there."
Robin nodded, grabbing his coat and pulling it over himself as he followed Chrom to the others.
The Ylisseans were gathered in the large space within the mines. Due to the amount of troops and supposed urgency of the news, many who could not fit in the room were standing within the many tunnels leading to.
"I've just been notified by some of my men who had come back from scouting of a rather, strange, occurrence."
Chrom spoke up. "Your men? We were not told we had deployed any of our men onto the field. We agreed tonight would be only for recuperation."
Basilio nodded. "Yes, boy, that was indeed the idea. However, a few of my men found it a bit unsettling to 'lounge around while the Valmese are on our tails'. They seemed insistent to go out on patrol, so I gave my permission for a small group of my fliers to survey the area."
"That could have given away our location!" Chrom said, upset.
"Aye, I know, and I apologize. However, I can assure you all that the Valmese remain unaware of our presence here."
"What of this urgent news then?" Say'ri asked, growing impatient.
Many soldiers in the crowd grumbled in agreement, eager to learn of what had caused them all to assemble so early in the morning.
Basilio tried to settle the group down. "Alright, alright. Listen up. The small unit I had sent out were instructed only to stay within the area. But it seems like you dastards thought it wise to head all the way back to the Mila Tree." Basilio paused, to give an annoyed look at the scouting team. "This insubordination would ussualy call for punishment given the tight spot our forces are in. However, I'm willing to overlook the whole affair as they were able to report some very interesting information."
"Hurry and spit it out, you oaf!" Flavia yelled.
Basilio grumbled to himself. "It would appear that a very large group of Risen were sighted advancing towards the Mila Tree."
Gasp were heard throughout the large crowd.
"Did he say Risen?"
"Those are those undead beasts, are they not?"
"To think those foul monsters would make their way all the way to Valm."
Robin, Chrom, and Flavia went over to Basilio. "Basilio, are your men sure of this?" Robin asked frantically.
Basilio nodded. "Yes, they've fought enough of those scoundrels back home to know."
Say'ri walked up to them. "Forgive my ignorance, but what are these Risen you speak of?"
"The Risen are undead beings whose sole purpose is to do the bidding of Grima." a voice called from the crowd. The person made their way through the soldiers to the four. The person stepped out from the crowd, revealing herself to be Lucina.
Robin made brief eye contact with her, before she turned her head away. She looked the same as she always had.
Say'ri shook her head. "Why is Grima able to summon them here? I was under the impression that the beast had yet to be revived."
"Grima has not been revived." Lucinasaid sternly.
"The Grimleal?" Chrom suggested.
"It's got to be." Robin said.
"So that dastard Validar is still after us." Chrom spat.
Robin shuddered at the mention of the man's name. "I don't think that's it. He's not after us at the moment at least. If he had been, why send the Risen for the Mila Tree?"
"Because of Lady Tiki." Lucina concluded. "If she truly is a messenger of Naga, it would make since for the Grimleal to try and sever any communication to Naga the world has."
"But to send only Risen to accomplish such a feat? And against the Valmese no less? The number of Risen they've sent must be massive, because from what we've seen, they don't possess too much of a threat in comparison with the Valmese or even Plegia." Chrom said.
"Do not underestimate the Risen, father. I've seen the Risen you've fought back at Carrion Isle. And while after battling them, I could see why it would be perfectly reasonable for you to assume so, I know better. In my time, the Risen were much more ferocious than the ones at Carrion Isle. Indeed their greatest strength lies in their numbers, but among them were some very powerful adversaries. Powerful enough to stand toe to toe with the best of soldiers." Lucina explained.
"Damn, sounds like we've got our hand full." Chrom said, rubbing his temples.
"This might be the opportunity we needed." Robin said.
"Opportunity?" Flavia asked.
"The Valmese will no doubt try and repel the Risen. While they do, we rush in."
"You want us to rush in? We have even more opponents on the battlefield now." Basilio said incredulously.
"That's true, but keep in my mind that the Risen aren't taking any sides. They'll attack them as much as us. I say we take down only enough Risen to break through to the base of the tree. After that, let the Valmese do the fighting. Even if their reinforcements are in the area, if we pull it off correctly, they'll need to get through crowds of Risen to even get to us. Before that happens, we'll need to get into the tree and get a better position on the battlefield."
Flavia thought about it. "I see how that could work, but..."
"I know how it sounds, but when will another opportunity such as this arise? We need not be certain what the Grimleal are planning, but we can still make use of whatever they're doing."
"I'm with Robin." Chrom announced. "Despite the threat the Grimleal pose, I'd say the bigger threat here is still the Valmese."
"I also feel the plan is plausible." Lucina agreed.
Robin looked to her, earning but a soft, supportive smile.
"Heh, I guess it's time for the Valmese to learn of the other terrors of this world, huh? Alright, count me in." Basilio laughed.
"I put my faith in Robin once again." Flavia said.
"Let us once again teach the Valmese of defeat." said Say'ri.
Robin nodded. "Alright, here's what we'll do."
A/N: Risen vs Valmese vs Ylisse action coming up.
Robin and Lucina haven't gotten the time to speak about their little moment. But is something brewing?
You'll find out soon what exactly Validar is planning. Expect some new stuff being added into the story too.
Til next time!