Robin: Tactician, Gentleman, and Match Maker

Author's Note: I might have the campaign in Valm take a month or two between each mission in order to get the first generation characters together and also take that time to find the children. I'm hoping to have all the kids before they confront Walhart.

Chapter 7: Confessions part 1 By Maribelle feat Robin

The Shepherds had finally neared Port Ferox and now Robin was fine tuning his plan since scouts had just recently returned with intel on the enemy. Virion was correct in saying they had elite cavalry and not only that, they had an abundance of armor knights for support. Thankfully the port had plenty of narrowed streets so bottling up the cavaliers would be easy enough and with the Shepherds magic capability, Robin included, they hopefully be able to take out the knights swiftly. It would be a battle decided on how quickly they were off the draw, and a little luck in being able to take out as many cavaliers as possible before they started to overwhelm the soldiers in front that were to protect the mages.

Robin would continue his match making plan in this battle as well with pairing some suitable Shepherds together. He refused to give up on Cordelia because every time Robin had to hear her say the word sigh instead of actually sighing, he'd feel a small portion of his brain die in annoyance. So she'd be on duty with Lon'qu in flying over the streets to pick off lone riders and fly back over to get healing support from Lissa. The same would be done with Chrom and Sumia since they were a fairly powerful duo now. Kellam and Panne would be holding off the choke point right where they'd be entering the port. Miriel and Ricken would be behind Kellam and Panne picking off all armored knights so that Panne could focus on her specialty of killing cavaliers. Donnel and Cherche would split off to the left and deal with the cavaliers and Paladin that had been spotted there. Now Robin needed to find a tome wielder to pair himself with and...

"Hey Bubbles."

Instantly Robin felt that he was going to have an aneurysm. If it wasn't that scarlet haired woman saying 'sigh' it was the thief and that ridiculous nickname. You'd think someone like Robin would get a cooler name like 'Billy Badass' or 'Rockhard abs Robin' or something like... 'Fluffles'. Regardless he wasn't sure where Bubbles came from and it was starting to bother him.

"Hello Gaius, what do you need?"

"Well I know how much you like to read and I saw this strategy book in town..."

"Look Gaius, for the LAST time I'm going to tell you, I DO NOT care about your secret, in any way, shape, form, or fashion. I will also NOT, I repeat NOT tell anyone about what I saw. Are we clear?"

"Oh I see, books aren't going to make the cut, eh? Well lucky for you I found a traveling merchant that was selling these little candies shaped like-"

"Please Gaius, I'm trying to work on the strategy for the upcoming battle."

"Actually about that Bubbles. I was hoping you could put me in this fight, I need to get some battlefield experience."

At this Robin was befuddled since Gaius seemed more than happy to avoid the fighting and keep to picking locks. Then a devious grin passed over his face.

"So Gaius, I see that your trying to become a vital part of the fighting force to impress some lady. Well lucky for you-"

"No."

"Are you sure becau-"

"Yes."

Robin blinked for a little bit to make sure it was Gaius standing before him. It was one thing to ask to put him on the front lines, but then to answer him so bluntly and in one word responses well that... that just wasn't right.

"Can I ask why you want this?"

"Well I pride myself on picking locks and all, but lets be honest here Bubbles, chests don't just come flying onto the battlefield for me to open. I'd like to do something until we can find some chests and training to be an assassin or something would be cool. Besides I don't need to be a killing machine to get the ladies, they come flocking to Gaius like flies to cow plop."

Okay that sounded a little bit more like Gaius, although the bit about comparing himself to cow dung was definitely out of character.

"Well alright, I could use some soldiers on the right side to protect the support troops from the soldiers coming around the barricades. I'll have you working with... hmm Nowi, I guess."

"Bubbles seriously? That girl hasn't stopped bothering me about the group vote for the best looking lady Shepherd for days now. I don't need her pulling that in the fight."

"I'm well aware of her capability in combat, don't worry she'll remain focused. If not you could just tell her that you voted for her, that would probably get her to calm down."

"...whatever so long as she doesn't get me killed."

With that Gaius left and now Robin had a few more things left to do.

"Ah yes I need to pair myself off with a tome wielder so that there will be enough to help those on the front lines. Let's see, there is Tharja..."

There were very strange rumors going around that Tharja was stalking Robin very openly. Robin ignored these as just mess tent talk until he got the feeling like he was constantly being watched. Soon this feeling followed him to his tent, when he bathed, when he was doing 'research'. Robin couldn't help but feel like people were just saying it was her since they were wary of her being a dark mage and a Plegian. He just didn't feel like such a seemingly nice lady would follow him around of all people as he wasn't a very interesting person. Although he had planned on acting off of the whole wedding scene when he saw her staring at Vaike. Now that he was really thinking about it, maybe she was stalking Vaike instead of him since Robin did hang around Vaike a lot. Yeah that made much more sense than her just stalking Robin.

"... hmm, since both Cordelia and Sumia went for Falcon Knight, the only other tome wielder we have at the moment would be Maribelle..."

FLASHBACK

Robin sat in Maribelle's tent with tea in hand and sweat falling profusely from his face. This was his first tea session with the woman and of course he feared it would also be his last. It had been a few days since the hot springs, but as we all know revenge is a dish best served cold... or nude. Anyway Robin was anxious, sitting here with this woman. The same one that assaulted him, the one he saw naked, the one that treated him and comforted him after his failed operation in Plegia...

Now that Robin thought of it, she was the one of the many to do that, but he remembered hers above all others because back then she was still fairly inaccessible due to her personality. He decided that he'd ask her about that before she killed him.

"Maribelle, can I ask you about something?"

"If it is within my power to answer it, I shall do my best."

"Do you remember back in Regna Ferox, when you were there in my room. You tried to make me feel better about failing the mission and all so I was wondering... what was that all about?"

She put her cup down and gave a devious grin that had Robin looking desperately to the exit.

"Isn't it normal for friends to come to the others aid in their time of need?"

"... I honestly didn't think we were friends until just recently."

"How rude! I must say you need to work on your behavior and sensitivity for a woman's feelings!"

Robin's shoulders sagged and his face dropped at this.

"You've called me lowborn for some time now and your first impression of me didn't give you the best image of me from what I remember. Personally I've always felt that you just never liked me in general."

"...Is that true? You truly feel like I never liked you because of how I acted? Is that how abrasive and dreadful a person I am to everyone? If that is how you feel then you can take your leave now."

Robin knew he'd struck some cord because he heard Maribelle's voice cracking and she now looked like she was choking back tears, along with avoiding eye contact altogether. Every day it seemed like he was being forsaken by some supernatural force like Naga, or Dark magic, or maybe the NHK. Regardless, there was now a woman that was on the verge of tears thanks to Robin and it wasn't like him to leave a fellow Shepherd in such a state.

"If something is wrong you can tell me about it."

"YOU Robin YOU'RE what is wrong! You're just like everyone else, judging me because I'm not well versed in talking to others! This is why I told Lissa not to make me speak to the other Shepherds, I told her not to! Now you're all going to treat me the same! I wanted Lissa to be my only friend because I knew she would never do this to me!"

...And now there was a woman sobbing in her tent with Robin sitting across from her, trying to piece together what she said. Apparently some people had judged her for being a little... unfriendly and Robin assumed it must have been kids from her childhood as she said that she didn't want to talk to the Shepherds in case this kind of thing happened again. He had to try and do something again, but he was hesitant since when he tried that ten seconds ago it ended with Maribelle in tears.

"Um I didn't really judge you, I just decided that maybe..."

"Don't lie to me! I know you did and you still do, you have avoided me in camp since we first met and you made me the butt of jokes with your ridiculous name for me! I tried my best to approach you, but you just run away under the guise of studying!"

There was too much going on for Robin to be able to assess this situation and react properly. It had gone from awkward tea party to full on tears in tea confession. Robin had no idea what to do at this point since both attempts at consoling her had failed miserably.

"Why Robin, why?"

"...why what, exactly?"

"Why do you hate me? Why does everyone hate me as well?"

"No one hates you, I don't either it's just well, like I said I thought you never liked me with how you acted and all, yeah?"

"How was I supposed to act any differently, that was how I was raised to be! I never had any friends when I was a child so I never knew how to do such a thing, the only reason that Lissa is now with me is because she was the one who approached ME!"

"..."

"*sob**gasp*"

"..."

"...*sniff*"

"..."

DAMN! Robin needed to do something about this. He was the one who set off this display of tears and now it seemed like Maribelle had given up on making friends within the Shepherds.

"...why are you still*hic* here?"

"I believe you said that it is normal for a friend to come to the other in their time of need. I guess we could start with the story behind all of this. That is, if you'd like to tell me."

The next thirty or so minutes was the story of how Maribelle had a horrible time making friends as a child. He parents were adamant about teaching her the finer points of Noble life which never included relevant facts on how to be sociable. As such she never had friends and came off as rude so the others would make her the focus of japes and taunts. Then Lissa came along and decided to be her friend regardless what anyone, even what Maribelle said. Eventually Lissa had convinced her to join the Shepherds when Chrom still had it in the early stages and even after all that the Shepherds had been through, Maribelle still had a hard time approaching most of them. She even said that she had tried her best to befriend Robin himself since Lissa was such a good friend of his, but he was always ducking out on her. In fact, her slang lessons were also an attempt to become closer to the tactician so they'd become fast friends.

Robin felt like there was one word for what he was at this particular moment. Jackass. He felt like a grade A, pure, one hundred and ten percent Jackass.

"Listen Maribelle, I'm sorry for all that I've done. I never realized that you were trying so hard to be my friend. I'd love to be your friend from here on out and I'll even help you out if you ever try to approach any of the other Shepherds. How does that sound?"

"...*sniff*Well I must say that being around your good friend Maribelle has turned you into more of a respectable Gentleman. I'd love if you'd do that for me, yeah?"

Thankfully she seemed to be back to her old self with her some what condescending attitude and teasing of his grammar.

"Well Darling, I'm glad you feel that way, but I was always a gentleman for your information. Well I'm glad that we settled this, but I need to go and speak with Chrom and Frederick about the harbor attack so I'll be off."

Robin heaved a heavy sigh as letting her explain her situation had made him late for his strategy meeting, but it was for her sake so he was very happy to lend a hand. Whats more was that it seemed all of the weird, awkward feelings that had resided between them were now gone. Robin felt like he'd just made a very good friend and only good things could come out of this...

FLASHBACK END

Well I guess this would be a very good chance to get closer to my good friend Maribelle and keep Tharja closer to Vaike as well. Hm that settles it, now the plan is complete. I'll go get Chrom and Frederick so we can confirm it and then get this show on the road.

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The battle for the port went exactly as Robin hoped, with the cavaliers falling prey to Cordelia and Sumia and the mage groups picking off armored knights and cavaliers from behind Kellam and Panne. Not only that, but Gaius was able to get some of the experience he wanted on the frontlines as he was able to confront some cavaliers and Nowi was there to back him up when knights came around. All in all, it was a victory for the Shepherds.

"Chrom we need Plegia's help if we are to stop Valm's invasion."

Robin knew Chrom would be against it, but it was the only logical choice and no one was sure if the new king was even a malicious person like Gangrel. It wouldn't hurt to try and get their help.

"No absolutely not!"

"Chrom we need the ships that Plegia can give us! We've got a farts chance in the wind without them."

Khan Basilio never failed in being crude, but effectively serious at the same time.

"The oaf is right. Crude, but right. We need those ships Chrom."

"Chrom believe me. I want to do this no more than you, but without their naval power, all that we've done, the war with Plegia included, will have been for naught."

Robin knew that Chrom definitely couldn't turn that down. It was simple, they needed to get those ships, or end up dying on the ends of the Valmese spears.

"...fine. We'll go to Plegia now and request their aid."

As they all turned to leave, Robin's forearm started to hurt again as well as his head. Something about going to Plegia made his head hurt for some reason or another...

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A farts chance in the wind. Robin just couldn't get over how funny that was. He also couldn't figure out how Lon'qu could work for someone so funny and still be a total sour puss. Speaking of Lon'qu, Robin overheard him asking Cordelia why she came to his aid in the last battle and she simply said that he looked like he needed the help. Then he said he'd like to settle the debt soon so she'd think of what she wanted. It was no where near what Robin had wanted from those two and he was close to giving up on those two ever seeing each other in a romantic sense.

After being thoroughly disappointed by Lon'qu and Cordelia, Robin went to the field where the Shepherds were to train while on the road. They'd left from the port only one day ago and weren't exactly making great time to Plegia since most weren't ecstatic to be going there.

Robin was going to observe the Shepherds and their new abilities so he could put them to use in any upcoming battles. Instead he saw Panne seemingly talking to a tree. Then he realized that Kellam was there when he started talking as well. Robin definitely wanted in on that action so he carefully made his way over there.

"You think that because the tactician puts us together in fights, you can ask me to spar man-spawn?"

"N-no it's just that I was going to ask if you wanted to spar so that-"

"No."

"Well if it's because you can't find a sparring partner then I'd be glad to-"

"When I fight it is to the death. I'm not interested in playing at war."

This little tit for tat exchange continued until Kellam finally convinced Panne into sparring with him. She was very careful in constantly emphasizing the fact that she would probably kill him if they sparred, but Kellam seemed very insistent. Robin wasn't sure if there was something here to see besides the fact that Kellam was trying to get Panne more involved, but Robin was going to keep at it with them.

"Hyah, Elwind! Yah, Fire! You're awfully quiet over there, Miriel. Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen you practicing spells. So, I guess you just read and think? A lot?"

Robin was torn from Panne knocking Kellam around like a person kicking a tin can when he heard Ricken talking to Miriel. He had missed some of the conversation when he saw Miriel pull out two metal objects and submerse them in a glass of water.

"THUNDER! Success! How pleasant."

"Whoa! They both look like the same metal now. How'd you do that?"

Robin zoned out again as he simply observed the two interact with each other. He didn't note any sort of romantic interest in each of them, but he knew these things didn't happen overnight. They'd take time and sometimes a little push or heartfelt confessions while drinking tea...

"So does that experiment that you just did have any sort of combat application Miriel?"

"None whatsoever."

"Oh. That's kind of... weird."

Weird it was. But what was even stranger was earlier when Nowi had walked by and his eyes instantly began watering. When he had asked her what she was doing she simply said she was trying to have more poise. He'd have to do more research on that later, but for now he was going to go back to his tent and draw out some more romance plans.