Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to FE: A.

I Don't Think this Worked!

Maribelle was unbelievably excited. Chrom had agreed to allow her to screen any males who wished to confront her darling Lissa. It was a very important role. She was a noblewoman, Lissa was a princess and it was her honor to make sure that she only interacted with those who were right for her station.

Taking a calming breath, the blonde troubadour had to hold back her excitement. Though she wasn't out there searching for glory, she couldn't help the swell of pride that filled her heart when she was recognized. And today was her first official interview.

Heading towards the tent where she would hold these interviews, she tried to guess at who she would find. If it was Ricken or Kellam, she would probably let them right by. The two were very good people and both held a strong sense of honor and even nobility about them. Anyone else, they would have to go through the full interview.

Stepping inside the tent, she felt affronted by the sight she beheld. Lying upside down in the chair was their fabled tactician. Staring at the young man, she tried to figure out what she should do. Deciding to just sit down and begin the interview, she proceeded to her own chair.

Once in the chair, she covered her mouth and cleared her throat, startling the tactician. As he fell out of the chair, she could not help, but think how just it was for this to happen to him. Making a mockery of her, even as indirectly as he did, would not be tolerated.

"I'm sorry, I didn't notice you there," Robin said sheepishly as he righted himself. "Chrom told me I had to go through you before I could speak with Lissa. He said he didn't want to usurp your authority."

Maribelle smiled at that news. Even her liege's closest friend had to go through these channels. Chrom had taken her seriously and was truly giving her the respect for it. That pleased her greatly.

"Of course, now, let us begin this interview," she said, beckoning for Robin to return to his seat.

Obeying, Robin followed the motion and righted his fallen seat before settling into it. Locking eyes with the troubadour, he waited for her to begin.

"Now, I'll need to see papers stating exactly who you are," Maribelle began, an official tone emanating in her voice.

"Um, I don't have any papers," Robin said as soon as she finished. "Part of being an amnesiac who may, or may not, be from Ylisse."

Maribelle sighed. This was going to be more difficult than she had originally intended. And how did he not have papers. Chrom could have created some that would give some information about him.

Seemingly as if responding to her turmoil, Robin spoke up.

"Do you have any paper in here? I can write out anything you need me to. At least, that I can remember," he offered.

Maribelle stood up calmly. She knew she had some paper, mainly for her to write notes on, and was more than willing to give this man a small chance. A lack of forethought could be forgiven this one time, though she would deign to make it clearer that proper papers were needed for these interviews.

"I need you to fill out all personal information, history included, that you can give me. You will also need to provide me with at least two character references," she listed off as Robin began to write.

The white haired young man finished quickly and handed the papers back to Maribelle. As she read over them, her face contorted into sorrow. She hadn't realized how extreme the tactician's amnesia was; she had even blown it off as no more than a ruse, but as she read over his writing she could see differently. His history began in the field with Chrom, Lissa and Frederick. His character references were Chrom, Stahl and Kellam. Those in the camp he was closest to. Placing the paper down, she worked to reaffirm her composure before facing him.

"I have some questions now, if you don't mind," she began once the paper was out of her sight.

"Go right ahead. I'm here and at your disposal," Robin replied, a grin on his face.

Taking a moment to compose herself, Maribelle ran through her list of questions. Finding one that she knew Robin could answer, she looked directly into his eyes before speaking.

"What are your intentions towards Lissa?"

Robin's laugh was not what she expected when she asked the question. It affronted her to listen to him mock her question with his laughter and she was tempted to kick him out right then and there

Robin though, seemed to catch onto Maribelle's growing hostility and stopped his laughter. Straightening his posture, he coughed in an attempt to clear his throat and compose himself. Facing the vicious glare that the troubadour was giving him, he gulped nervously.

"I'm sorry for offending you, my intent was not to do that," he started. "I only find that the question seemed more like something I would face from Chrom if I was romantically pursuing her."

"You're not trying to pursue her?" Maribelle asked confused by what Robin was saying. "But she's got such strong wiles and they entrance all, but the strongest willed men."

Robin shrugged; he didn't really understand what Maribelle was going on about.

"Chrom told me to come see you before speaking to Lissa… I didn't realize that I would be interviewed as if I was a suitor."

Maribelle wanted to cry. Chrom didn't understand what she meant either. That or he was getting back at her for something. There could be no other reason that Robin had been sent here first.

"Um, Maribelle, are you alright?" Robin's voice broke into her thoughts. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

Wiping at her face, the noblewoman was even more ashamed that she had allowed tears to form in front of the amnesiac commoner. As she fought back more tears, she felt a comforting hand upon her shoulder. Looking up, she saw Robin there with a worried look on his face.

"Is there anything I can do for you?" he repeated. "Scare off potential suitors, anything?"

A blush appeared on her face as she listened to his offer. His caring nature was a rumoured aspect of his character, but she didn't expect it to be genuine. Pulling out a kerchief from her pocket, she wiped her face clean, though was unable to remove the blush. Looking directly into Robin's face, she gave him one of her normal smiles.

"If you could intimidate suitors in some way, that would be pleasant," she said in a hushed tone. "Just don't let anyone know I sent you to do that."

Robin chuckled as he stared into her eyes.

"You won't hear this come back to you. I'll make sure that your interviews are a thing to be feared!"

The troubadour's blush deepened as she suddenly clued into the proximity between the two of them. Standing up from her seat, she walked past Robin and toward the tent's flap. Opening it slightly, she beckoned for him to proceed out.

Grinning, Robin obliged, giving her a slight bow. Then, just as she started blushing again, he steeled his expression and exited the tent. Before he could fully leave though, she grabbed his arm and leaned close to him.

"You can speak with Lissa," she whispered, her face going a darker shade as she initiated the close contact.

Robin gave a curt nod in understanding before heading out and into the camp.

Left alone, Maribelle felt herself grow extremely weary. She really didn't like this interview. It dragged out a very unladylike side of herself and she wasn't sure that she minded. Shaking the thought out of her head, she composed herself and swore that she wouldn't allow this sort of thing to happen again.

Yet, within her mind, she couldn't find a reason to not meet with the tactician again. He intrigued her, and she wanted to know more. Maybe he could provide her some information on the language of the masses.

End I Don't Think this Worked!

A/N: Okay, another Robin x Maribelle oneshot. I love this pairing a lot and want to expand the romance that develops between the two. For this reason, this oneshot jumps back to the beginning and an AU first encounter between the two of them (well after her rescue). It also is meant to build her interest towards the first support in game (which I may do an adaptation of in this set of oneshots). Oh, and I just had to involve Maribelle and Chrom's discussion from one of their supports (involving her interviewing men interested in Lissa).

This was also a fun one to right. I enjoy writing these two and hope that I am making some cute stories (as I am intending to with this newly minted oneshot collection). If you enjoyed, please let me know in either a PM or review and I hope you'll be excited for the next oneshot!

So, until next time,

Nanashi Wanderer

Review Replies

Mzr90: I will definitely try to write a oneshot with one of those two. Most likely Cherche as I'm struggling to put together a non-angsty Cordelia one…

Zsar: I did pair Sully and Chrom together. Their supports are really nice and she fulfills the childhood friend relationship in the party!

ImagineWriter: An Olivia fic is in the works! It is in the planning and brainstorming stages right now, but it is in the works!

The Hybrid Monkey: I can see the awkwardness of that. Just blame the father for being pushy and wanting a child named after his mother!