Chapter 9
Ylisstol: Library
The sound of well manicured nails tapping against a smooth, varnished, wooden table were but one of the very few noises ringing through the library. That, with some light humming, Maribelle kept to herself, reading books dealing with political views and her familiar subjects on law advocacy. It was about all she was reading these days anyway. The road to her becoming a magistrate was a long and arduous one. Even so, she continued to stuff page after page of knowledge into her head as physically possible. Fortunately, she had taken Chrom's concerns to heart and ceased reading all through the nights and subsequently being too exhausted to keep up with her duties as a Shepherd. Now, she only read when she had the free time to do so. Her reworked schedule was much less stressful in this regard, and if she happened to be in the right mood, quite enjoyable. Still, reading could only be so entertaining when the subject was not pertaining to swashbuckling tales of adventure or the softer, tender romantic novels that this library had in bulk. Honestly, she would rather read one of those once in a while. There is only so much one can stomach before going stir crazy from the same material day in and day out. Sometimes, Maribelle wondered how Robin managed to always keep a cool composure when reading nearly all the time.
Speaking of the devil, Robin had actually been at the library that day as well. Thanks to a tip from Sumia, the latest entry of the Wyvern Wars series had been recently published, and he surely wouldn't miss it. Not after the cliffhanger the previous novel left out on. It kept him up most nights wondering what the proud Wyvern Rider would accomplish in his next adventure. Needless to say, once he heard the newest book was out, he wasted no time after training to head for the library and find the coveted tome.
"My, my, Robin. You sure have been coming around a lot lately. You and other two women who I believe are also under Prince Chrom's services seem to frequent this place a lot." said the kind elderly woman who ran the library.
"What can I say? With nothing else to really take up my time, reading is the next best thing. It certainly beats getting run through by a spearhead, that's for sure!" Robin responded.
"Oh, I don't doubt it! Well then, enjoy your book. I've heard through the grapevines it's the best one yet. And, do tell one of your pretty blonde friend I said 'Hello' as well."
Robin turned his head behind him to see who the proprietress was refering to as she pointed behind his shoulder. There, sitting just at the edge of the building next to the non-fiction section was Maribelle. It was a pleasant surprise to see her, to be sure. Based on what Chrom and Lissa said to him before, it wouldn't be too hard to guess that her book of choice pertained to politics. Since no one else seemed to be around, the tactician decided to keep his noble friend some company. It would be nice to have some friendly conversation after their not-so-friendly interview they had just the other day. She actually expected an amnesiac to produce documentation about himself in full, just to speak with Lissa, though the whole thing came crumbling down once Maribelle remembered who it was exactly she was speaking to. But today was a new day, and Robin was ready to put that fiasco behind him, besides, it certainly wasn't the worst thing she had done to him since they've known each other anyway. Clutching his new book in-hand, Robin walked over to where Maribelle had taken her seat and sat down just across from her. Sensing the presence of another, Maribelle looked up from her book to see Robin of all people sitting there with her.
Her weary eyes sharpened at seeing Robin walk up and sit with her so casually. For once, it wasn't out of hostility or indifference, but a small boon of energy from seeing a familiar face. Robin did have her full attention, but for now, she elected to continue reading, her eyes dropping back to the pages. "Greetings, Robin. How does the day find you?" she greeted, rather calmly actually. Robin's fingers tapped against the hard leather of the book as he lay it down on the table's surface. For the first time in... probably ever, it seemed like he could have a civil conversation with Maribelle. It was probably all the free time they spent after training teaching each other vocabulary from either side's social classes, but it looked like the noble was finally beginning to warm up to the common tactician. Sumia was completely correct when she said Maribelle warms up to people slowly, of that, Robin was a prime witness.
"It's been going well, although it has gotten better now that I'm in the presence of a lovely lady." he laughed.
"You've been speaking with Virion again, haven't you?"
"Is it so obvious?"
"Ha! Only a man as well versed with flattery would speak that way. I would have to be daft to not pick up on his speech patterns within another." A half-smile curled at Robin's lips. It was a combination of embarrassment and also out of good humor. The one time he decided to speak so loosely around anyone like that, and it was quickly rebuffed. Even so, the act of it seemed welcome, despite it being a little bit disingenuous; a surefire sign that Robin finally broke through that gruff, cold exterior of hers. The noblewoman brought her eyes up from her book once more to see if a response was coming from her companion, only to see that dimwitted smirk. "T'would be best to wipe that look off your face, tactician." she huffed.
"Sorry. It's just... Well, isn't it funny how this is probably the first time we've had casual conversation without you bludgeoning me with your parasol or being so condescending?" His half-smile started growing into a full one. He would probably feel that "condescending" comment come back to bite him in the rear, indicative of a stern look he received upon making it, but he did have a point. Out of the almost half year the two knew each other, with wavering interactions, it was surprisingly hard for them to simply sit down and talk without some sort of situation barring the process. "I suppose what I mean to say is that it's nice to see the more subdued and calm Maribelle. The one Lissa's always praising high and low for." He bashfully ran his right hand through his white locks. The way his tone came across was like someone speaking of their favorite actress in a theater troupe. It made him feel a little silly just bringing it up.
Taking this as a good point to actually engage in Robin's company in full, Maribelle dog-eared the page she was on in her book and closed it shut, resting her arms across the cover. "Alright, enough with the idle flattery, Robin. Was there something you needed of me?"
Her tone snapped Robin out of his schoolboy state and back to reality. The question itself came off as odd as well. It sounded like she pegged him to have some sort of ulterior motive. In fact, he simply wanted to sit and talk for a while. After all, it was by pure coincidence that they happen to be here at the same time. Even he couldn't plan for something like that. "No, I don't really need anything from you. I just thought it would be nice to talk. You know, friend-to-friend? Friends talk about stuff."
"Oh? And what, prey tell, does the master strategist wish to talk about?" Maribelle rested her chin on her hand, her russet-brown eyes staring back at Robin, and a smirk that matched his previous one. She noticed how nervous he could get when asked a bit too much about any subject. This actually proved to be a new, covert way to tease him, one that she gleefully seized every opportunity in which to do it.
Robin pressed his fingers together to contemplate whatever it was that the two should converse about. He never fancied himself to be an overly interesting person. Outside of strategy or tactical conversations, he was all but lost. Instead, he decided to shift the focus over to Maribelle herself. He never failed to notice that whenever Lissa and Maribelle were together, the noble would always adhere to Lissa's command and word without a single favor to ask. Whatever tea Lissa liked, so did Maribelle. Whatever Lissa saw fit to have for lunch, Maribelle had the same. Whatever Lissa wanted to talk about, Maribelle spoke too, no matter how much experience or little interest it held for her. Perhaps it was high-time she had something to say for herself. Although he might regret it, Robin decided to take that course.
"Forget about me. How about we talk about what's on your mind for a change? Anything at all." he finally said, leaning back in his chair. The offer actually came as a surprise to Maribelle. She was fully prepared to speak on Robin's terms, and possibly crack a joke or two at his expense. She was less caring about the wind being taken out of her sails, however, but more that she was asked for her own opinions and input. Her smug look vanished quickly, eyes drifting to the side, thinking about whatever she wanted to say. This was surprisingly hard for her to do. What could she possibly say that they could communicate on the same level? Surely Robin cared little about her personal life, her studies, her dream of becoming a magistrate. No, it had to be something that was simple, but also enough that they could sustain healthy conversation. None of the generic my-day-was-fine-thanks-for-asking nonsense.
Her mind was actually set on one thing. Something that she really hadn't wanted to focus on again and somewhat made her stomach turn a bit. It was the fact that Robin was living under the same roof as Lissa. Her entire being practically burned to ask whatever it was those two were up to behind the palace walls where no one saw them. They certainly acted familiar enough with each other. Her mouth actually began to twitch, as iff her body would betray her mind and blurt out her questions on its own. She hardly wanted to think about it, and certainly didn't want an answer either. She had find something else to talk about. Even something completely innocuous as if to ask how Lissa fared when they weren't together could trigger a conversation she did not want to hear. Biting her lip in frustration, she continued to think on what the two could speak of, then it came to her; why not simply talk about their relationship? Not in a romantic sense, of course, rather about their status as friends. Robin was the only one Maribelle had enough courage to keep a stable connection with since the war's end. Everyone else simply became detached, focusing more on their own relationships than with her. She had the excuse that it was only because he was so close to Lissa that she had to keep a hawk's eye on him, but she had to accept the fact that was only a facade. She genuinely did want to become closer friends with Robin, and this seemed like one of the first steps to doing so.
Narrowing her choices seemed much easier at that point. When it came to her and Robin, there was still little to talk about, but they were certainly viable options. One subject in particular stuck out in her head. Among the many times they've been together, Maribelle had been taking these 'slang' lessons from Robin and on many occasians after, tried them out when interacting with the others. This one day in particular after they had concluded their session was a peculiar occurance, as the people she tested her new found knowledge on hadn't reacted very favorably. This was probably the perfect thing to talk about, and maybe even clarify why this happens so much.
She rested her arms on the table and clasped her fingers together, tapping her thumbs against each other periodically as she prepared to speak. "You say anything?" she asked. Robin nodded once on response, ready to hear whatever her heart wished to say. "In that case, a question on the material we covered the other day, if you please."
Immediately Robin recognized what she meant. Particularly, their latest session with each other where he would continue to help her integrade with the Shepherds more by teaching her common phrases used by normal breed townsfolk. Oddly enough, she never seemed to use it around him, so he wondered about the effectiveness of his teachings. "Ah, you mean about my lessons on the language of the great unwashed?" he asked, mimicking her tone with yet another friendly smile.
"Precisely, yes. I immediately set about to practice what you taught me, but.." she trailed off. She tried to put her words delicately so as not to offend. "Well, everyone I spoke to looked askance, or avoided eye contact altogether. Other still contorted with glee, as if they were stifling laughter... Lissa hadn't even bothered with that. She practically fell to the floor in hysterics."
A stiff silence fell over the two for awhile. Maribelle patiently waited for a response. Robin's pupils shrank upon hearing her concerns. His previously friendly visage had turned into one of shock and embarrassment with a touch of fear. "Wait, you used that slang? Out loud? In public?" his voice also lowered in pitch with each progressive question. He was certainly right, he was going to regret where this was going...
Maribelle was quite puzzled at Robin's shift in behavior. Doubtless he knew the reasoning behind everyone else and their reactions. "If you hope to communicate with a person, you must speak their language, no?" she explained. "And the quickest way to internalize new knowledge is to put it into practice!"
"Yeeees, both of those are technically true." She definitely had him there. He could certainly empathize, what with him constantly trying out new strategies with a game of chess. It was much better than running everyone into the ground with drills and exercises. However, this was a different beast, and considering the things he taught her, it probably wasn't wise for her to simply toss them out to casual acquaintances. "B-But, Maribelle when we talked I..." He cut himself off to swallow a lump in his throat. He was mentally preparing himself for another world-famous beating from the noble, but all the preparation in the world couldn't help for when it actually happens. Feeling his temperature rise out of embarrassment, he brought a hand up to stretch his collar and air out his body heat, then a nervous exhale. Maribelle took note that something was indeed not right, especially considering his entire face was turning pink. Clasping his hands together again, Robin steeled his nerves for his confession and hoped that Maribelle would bring him no harm. They were in a library after all, what was the worst she could do here? "L-Look. The examples I taught you are reserved for... intimate friends..."
Once those final two words hit the nobles ears, she felt her dignity shattering like fragile chapel glass. Her left eye twitched in the things she had said. No wonder everyone gave her such unwelcome looks! And Lissa, dear Gods, she could only imagine what her opinion was of her now. "What!? You knew this and didn't tell me!?" she shrieked, trying to keep her agitated voice to a minimum given their location. Robin was at least glad she wasn't yelling his ear off, though that relief soon melted away when he felt two strong hands grip at the front of his coat. It happened so fast, he had not time to react, and was soon looking at Maribelle's angrily contorted face from less than a foot away. His facial color paled in comparison to hers. Her entire face was as red as a freshly picked beet. "Did you hope to ruin me!?" She was practically seething with anger at her reputation being forever soiled by this tragic misunderstanding, and it was all Robin's fault. She knew she was right to peg him as some sort of deviant. "Oh Gods... when i confidently told Chrom he was a 'right sweet bit'a fruit'... You mean to tell me, that was inappropriate!?" Her control over her voice was beginning to fail. Any moment now, she could scream loud enough to shatter the library windows. She had to find away to get this weasel back for what he had done to her.
"I'm sorry!" Robin pleaded. He was unsure how far Maribelle would go at this point. He knew she wasn't below delivering a blow to his head, a well-deserved blow, at that. "Maribelle, I swear, it was all in good fun! I never thought you would actually go so far as to-" He was then cut off by Maribelle suddenly releasing her grip on his coat, letting his head drop painfully to the wooden table with a blunt thump. If this was her way of punishing him, it was a good start as he landed squarely on his nose. "Ow..." he muttered, face firmly planted on the table's surface.
"One moment..." Maribelle spoke, looking down upon the tactician's head. "If you went to the trouble of teaching me this slang, then you must consider us intimate friends, right?" Her face quickly regained it's normal peach color, and the angry she-demon look she wore quickly turned to a calm, neutral state. The mood felt like a complete whiplash, a metaphorical heel turn, made all the more jarring by her question. Robin peeled his face from the table and held a hand over his sore nose, tenderly rubbing it. He honestly didn't know how to respond to her question.
"Uh..." Was all he could muster.
"I'm afraid I had no idea!" Maribelle squealed. "I'm flattered Robin, truly." Her demeanor completely changed. Now it looked as if she was beside herself with joy. And her tone, it didn't even sound sarcastic one bit. She placed a hand over her chest to further drive home her sincerity. "In that case, I ought to have begun my practice with you. Forgive me." Again, her tone sounded genuine. Was this some sort of joke? Robin worried if within that noble head of hers, some sort of dark plot was unfurling for his downfall after nearly ruining her high-standard image around everyone else.
"No, that's... I don't..." he stammered. Still, he was at a loss for words. He wondered if she would yet again, pull some mood swing just to spite him.
"Awright then, pet? Everythin' luvverly jubberly, ain't it? 'Ave a bit'a rabbit?" There it was. Out of nowhere, Maribelle took on this nonsensical manner of speech that Robin had never heard before. He certainly didn't teach her anything like that. Actually hearing this dribble was embarrassing for him, more than whatever she could insult him with. He so desperately wanted his ears to simply cave into the side of his head to spare him from her verbal assault. He would rather she yelled at him than listen to this.
"Maribelle. Stop. Please." he responded. As much as he wanted to, he refrained from yelling, if only to drown out the echo of her words in his head. His horrified face was evidence enough of his complete abhorrence for the whole thing as it were. "I can literally hear everything you stand for screaming and dying in agony... Look, I'll clear things up with everyone. Okay? I'll take the blame. Just please, please, PLEASE promise you'll never talk like that again."
"Well," Maribelle placed a finger on her bottom lip, pretending to think the situation over. "I suppose if it's that important to you..."
"Thank you." Robin sighed, hoping this would be the end of it.
"Hey, no skin off my arse is it? I'll shut me north and south!" It wasn't. Once again was Robin's ears assaulted by these vulgar words. They were much more coherent than her last outburst, and it actually sounded somewhat familiar. He could have sworn he heard another woman speak like this before, though he couldn't rightly place it. All that aside, he knew very well she didn't learn such crude words from him.
"...Wait a minute. I didn't even teach you that." he wondered aloud. "Okay, out with it, tell me who's done this to you, Maribelle? Who!?" he demanded. He had to find the culprit behind this. Not to deliver justice or protect Maribelle's honor from using such language, but simply to beg this person to never give her speech lessons of their own. Gods help him if that nightmare were to ever become a reality.
The sly noble was reluctant, however, to impart the knowledge of just whom that someone might have been. She teasingly wagged her index finger before him in a half-mock gesture. "Hm-hm! I'm afraid THAT is my little secret..." she giggled.
"Of course it is..." Robin sighed. Now he had to take the blame for what Maribelle had done, and even further, may have caused her to misconstrue his intentions when bothering to teach her this whole time. He still wasn't betting that she was only joking with him, thinking Maribelle was sincere in thinking the two were intimate friends. Oh, how he would have to explain this when it inevitably got out. Once again, he was right in thinking that he was going to regret this talk.
The following week had certainly been taxing on Robin, mainly in the emotional and psychological sense. Ever since he had his talk with Maribelle, word had somehow, and very quickly spread of their supposed relationship. The misunderstood tactician had to spend his free time running hither and yon to clarify among his friends what was really going on between him and the noblewoman. Even when trying his hardest to quell any wrong thinking, so many others thought his denial of what was going on was some sort of cover up on his end, or trying to keep quiet, so as not to make the other males jealous. He especially suffered quite a bit of teasing at the hands of Gaius, Lissa and Vaike.
The whole situation made absolutely no sense to Robin at all. Maribelle herself could have choked him to death, had she a mind to when they last met all because she thought the others would think terribly of her with her new-found dialogue. Yet, she had zero shame when it came to spreading rumors of her and the tactician sneaking off with each other behinds the Shepherd's backs. The details on exactly what they had been doing were sketchy at best, probably even on purpose, but the mystery of it all only fueled people's curiosity. 'Bubbles, the Lucky Bookworm' Gaius began to call him, among other things like 'sly dog' from Vaike and other names that Robin dare not speak aloud that he heard from Lissa. Even Frederick wasn't above the odd tease every now and again. It was hard to believe only 7 days passed since he last had a private conversation with Maribelle, yet it felt like 7 months. He had practically spent every hour of the week being teased or cheered by his peers. For what exactly? Everyone saw Maribelle's high class status as some sort of large wall that no man or woman could ever mount. Speaking of mounting, there were plenty of conversations surrounding that word that Robin had began to completely avoid Gregor. There were just some things he really didn't want to hear.
Thankfully, Robin had found some respite this particular day, as the Shepherds were taking the day off from training. Although he was reluctant to even step outside his room, he decided that anything was better than being locked within the palace walls all day. Mainly though, he needed an excuse to not attend court today with Chrom. Anything but that. He would endure one-thousand smacks by Maribelle's hands as long as it meant he didn't have to attend court. He had his fill being around Maribelle only on a daily basis, but the condescending stares of the other high-nobles and archdukes was just too much for an otherwise common man like himself. He was just thankful that he had the good fortune to do so on an off day from training. At least he wouldn't have to deal with snickers and stares while honing his swordplay.
Cautiously, Robin left the palace, making sure Lissa or Chrom wouldn't spot him. He did happen to run into Sully, although she knew just how boring court was, and let the tactician sneak out the palace while keeping her mouth shut. Almost anyway, she hadn't let him leave without making a comment regarding him and Maribelle. All he could do was sigh and trudge out of the gates, hoping the day would be kind enough for him not to run into anyone else. For that, he would need to go where no one would expect to run into him, and he knew the perfect place. Nestled into one of the more out-of-the-way alleys of Ylisstol was a quaint little pub that very few knew about. Mostly it was a place where mercenaries and bards would gather together to trade business or stories. Robin visited the place a few times on his own, and if nothing else, it was a quiet place to read and just keep to himself, and on rare occasions, he would even have a drink. This was probably one of them.
As he made his way down the cobbled streets, he turned down plenty of alleyways. The path was absolutely strife with twists and turns, and to one who was unaccustomed to the normal route, could easily have been turned around and even talk into the completely wrong direction. It was no easy place to find. Not only were plenty of alleys had to be walked through, but the pub itself was concealed by many buildings, requiring one to slip through some narrow walls to even find the place. Thankfully, one could be certain that they could never be followed down a path like this. For one such as Robin, who was very well aware of the town's layout, he made it through the path with little error, and was soon at the door to the pub. With a series of sequential knocks that acted as a sort of 'password' the door was opened, and Robin was met with the few patrons of the bar raising their glass to a fellow attendee of the secret place.
Robin made sure to greet the few people he knew there. They were simply regulars that the tactician had the pleasure of speaking with on many occasions. Afterward, he took a seat in his usual spot; a nice little corner in the far back of the pub. The lighting was just fine for reading, and no one would really bother him there. At last, it seemed like he could finally get some peace and quiet. He reached into his coat and pulled free a book of the latest Wyvern Wars entry. He was about only a third of the way through, and he was prepared to sit and knock back quite a few chapters.
For a while, the stressed tactician was actually able to spend most of the afternoon to himself. Just being able to sit and read and not have to deal with anyone accusing him of anything did wonders for him. It was just a shame that this all had to end tomorrow. No doubt his disappearance would only stoke the flames of the numerous rumors likely being spat out as he sat there. Still, it meant nothing, as long as he could just have one day to himself, that was all he needed. Just him and the half empty mug of light alcohol to keep him company. While he sat there, enjoying his novel, he heard the door of the pub creak open. That seemed a bit rare since the pub had very few customers on a daily basis. Robin lowered his book to get a view of the person who walked in, and the view was probably the last thing he would have ever wanted to see today. There, standing confidently and soaking in the traditional greeting of another customer, stood Virion, of all people. This had come as a surprise to Robin, as he hadn't seen the foreign noble for quite some time. He had assumed that he continued with his life elsewhere after the war. He knew not where Virion originated from, but surely he would have returned home, and yet for whatever reason, there he was.
Robin doubted Virion had heard any of the rumors floating around in Ylisstol, as he had surely been traveling abroad the continent this past month, but he still didn't feel like speaking to anyone right now. Fate was a cruel mistress, however, because just when Robin turned his eyes back upon his book, he could hear the sound of Virion's boots stepping in his direction. Trying to remain disinterested, he pressed his book closer to his face. At its current distance, the text was too blurry to read, but hopefully Virion would get the hint and just go away. Alas, the smooth-talking nobleman stood arms crossed just next to Robin, his ever present smile as wide as ever.
"Well, if this is not a meeting of fate." Virion spoke. Dejectedly, Robin let his book fall from his face, and pretended to look as if he was glad to see Virion. In some small parts, he was. After all, he hadn't seen the man in some time, but he simply wanted to be alone today. Was that so much to ask? Apparently so, because without invitation, Virion pulled up a chair and sat with Robin, completely unwilling to leave. "Why the furrowed brow, dear boy? Are you not simply ecstatic to look upon the divine visage of your great companion?"
"Any other day, I probably would be, Virion." Robin shot back with a disinterested tone. "Come to think of it, where have you been these past few weeks anyway? You certainly haven't been in Ylisstol. That I know."
"Ah, you see my friend, Virion is like the wind. He does not linger in one place for very long, simply passing through the world unnoticed, unwavering. I am both everywhere in the world and nowhere, for I-"
"You've been bumming around the continent and harassing women everywhere, haven't you...?" Robin interrupted.
Virion's eloquent rant was put to a grinding halt. Whatever point he was trying to make was practically ruined by Robin's apathetic, but still true, guess. "Must you use such a terrible word? 'Harassing', indeed. You'll never see one so noble as I making such comments about you and your many escapades with our dear friend Maribelle, no?"
And with that, whatever small part of him was glad to see Virion again crumbled away like an abandoned storeroom. "How did you even know about that!?" His voice was starting to panic. He wasn't even aware of how long Virion was around to hear these rumors, so Robin wasn't able to clear the air with him of all people. With Virion's track record of skirt-chasing, Robin cringed at whatever he was going to say to him. "Virion... What have you heard?"
Pressing the knuckle of his index finger to his chin, Virion tried to recall the many, MANY things he had heard. For decency's sake, he decided to go with the subtlest thing he had heard. "I do believe I've heard the phrase 'intimate relations' have been uttered with reverence among our comrades." Rather than respond immediately to dispel the rumor, Robin reached for his half-empty glass of alcohol and tipped the entire thing back, quickly swallowing the amber liquid, then raised it high above his head.
"Waitress, another glass please, and make it strong..." he called. This would surely be a long day.
A/N: Well, look at this. I haven't done such a quick update in quite a while. I suppose I just had the proper motivation to write this particular chapter up. I dunno. Point is, this didn't take an entire month of procrastinating to do! Don't get too excited though, I'm not sure if this is gonna be a staple.
So, here's the next chapter. This time we get to see Robin and Maribelle reach their 'B' Support n stuff. I always wondered how Maribelle would try to enact some revenge on Robin after the whole incident that she freaked out about. Obviously, she's not above taking the piss out of him since she practically forced him into those gentleman lessons later on in their support conversations. I suppose you can think of this as a preemptive strike beforehand.
Now then, onto more pressing matters, I've been getting more PMs to do another fic, so with that in mind, I've finally gotten around to putting a list together. I think I've said this before, but if not: This next one won't have a very large roster of candidates, but they are very rarely ever written about. With that said, the poll should be up by the time you read this, so be sure to vote away! I don't really have a set amount of time on when I'll close it but let's say... By the time I upload chapter 12 of this story? That should take about six months, right? Well then, I eagerly await to see who you guys and galls pick!
As always, thanks for reading and follow/favorite/reviewing!