Robin sat in one of the rooms that the Shepherds had been offered; as she did she looked over several dresses that one of the west khan's entertainers, a dancer with pink hair who had spoken so quietly that robin hadn't caught her name, had said she could borrow for tonight's festivities. The decision on what to wear tonight had become considerably more difficult with what she had learned about herself within the last hour.
As they had left the arena she had spoken with Lissa about a few things including their feelings about other members of their little troupe, when the topic of Corrin came up Lissa had set in motion a series of questions that had helped Robin understand how she felt, she had previously put her feelings for Corrin in the familial love column however Lissa upon hearing Robin talk about Corrin told her that what she felt wasn't familial.
After she had parted ways with Lissa she had ran into Stahl "Ah Robin! Are you okay?"
"Oh… Stahl… Yeah I'm okay, I'm just trying to figure some stuff out." Robin smiled weakly which only caused Stahl to frown.
"Well I don't know how I can help but I've been told I'm quite good at listening" Stahl smiled gently at Robin.
"I'm just… really confused about my feelings for someone, I had just assumed that I saw them as an older sibling but apparently… the way I feel isn't the same as that" Robin sighed she was glad that she had someone to talk to, on the trip to Ferox she had spoken with a few of the Shepherds, while she had gotten on with them Stahl was the one that she had gotten on with the best.
"Well if I had to guess I'd say you're confused about how you feel about lady Corrin right?" Stahl smiled gently he had already had a conversation about this particular topic with someone else I almost feel bad for lady Corrin…
Robin looked surprised "I'd heard from the others that you were good at reading people but… guess seeing it makes it easier to believe, but yes your right it is about Corrin…" She sighed deflating slightly.
"Heh… well I'm glad someone else thinks so, now I don't mean to pry too much but could you explain how you feel about Lady Corrin? Talking it out with someone else might provide some extra insight." Stahl smiled gently as he spoke, he could already see what was happening but needed Robin to the figure it out herself.
"Well… whenever I'm with Corrin I feel like that's where I'm supposed to be call it fate… or destiny but… it feels like… whenever I look at her it's like my heart is about to explode, my head feels light and all I want is to be held by her… I… oh…" as Robin finished talking the realization hit her like a truck "I'm in love with Corrin…" as she spoke she looked to Stahl with crimson cheeks and wide eyes "Stahl…" he patiently waited "If you tell anyone about this I'll… I'll… look please don't tell anyone…"
Stahl smiled "I promise I won't, but now you know how you feel what are you going do?" He had to admit he was curious.
"I… I need to… I don't know!" Robin pulled her hood over her face and did her best to make herself as small as possible.
"I think… you need to try and tell Lady Corrin how you feel. She has a lot going on and I'm certain knowing that someone cares about her will help make her burdens a little easier" Stahl smiled and gently pulled Robin's hood up.
"You think so?" Robin looked to Stahl who nodded.
That conversation with Stahl had brought Robin to her current predicament; she wanted to wear a dress that would capture Corrin's attention however she had hit another obstacle that being the fact she had no idea what would look good and she didn't want to ask anyone for help, after another few minutes there was a knock at her door as Robin went to answer she prayed to the gods that it wasn't Corrin "Oh… Sumia, what a surprise… what can I do for you?" She was slightly disappointed that it wasn't Corrin.
"Um… Everybody else is just finishing getting ready I thought I'd check on you" Sumia smiled gently, however her smile faded upon seeing that Robin was wearing her regular clothes "Are you not coming?"
"I am it's just… I have no idea what to wear…" Robin smiled as she did Sumia's face lit up.
"I don't want to make assumptions but might I ask who you want to impress?" Sumia's usual nervousness faded as she spoke, she also seemed to have a small sparkle in her eyes.
"Uh… what gives you the impression I'm trying to impress someone…" Robin could feel the heat creeping into her cheeks as she spoke.
"Well if it was simply putting on a dress I don't think you'd be having this much difficulty Robin, you'd have already made a decision and been waiting for the rest of us." Sumia watched Robin's face turn crimson as she spoke.
"I… well look at how you're dressed who're you trying to impress" Robin gestured to Sumia's breath taking form fitting white dress "Also where did you get that?" With that Sumia entered Robin's room and began explaining everything while helping the confused amnesiac pick out a dress.
Elsewhere Chrom was finishing getting ready; he despised black tie events he felt out of place at them however he was representing Ylisse tonight and this was a good way to further cement their newly forged alliance with the East-Khan, as he pulled on his suit jacket he thought back to an earlier conversation he had with Stahl thankfully out of earshot of Fredrick.
"Ah Captain! Well done in the arena" Stahl spoke in between mouthfuls of food, Chrom wondered where he had got it from.
"Yeah you too Stahl, say could I ask you something?" Chrom seemed nervous which was strange for him.
"Sure Captain" Stahl had a feeling he knew what was coming bur decided to let the conversation take its course.
"What do you think of Corrin?" Chrom asked the question he'd been asking himself for quite some time.
"I think she's a kind hearted and noble woman who has scars that run deeper than she's willing to admit and is looking for someone to help heal those scars" Stahl shrugged as he finished his thought while Chrom just looked at him surprised.
"That was more in-depth than I expected" Chrom continued to look at Stahl who was nonchalantly moving on to another piece of food.
"I guess I've always been good at reading people. Even when I was young, I could tell what folks wanted before they even said it. It's not much of a secret ability, but it's the only one I've got!" Stahl smiled as he spoke before looking straight at Chrom "But can I ask you what you think of Lady Corrin captain?"
Chrom could feel heat creeping to his cheeks "I think she's an amazing woman, strong and proud, she definitely has more problems than any of us yet… she is still trying to save Ylisse despite the amount burdens she bears she continues to push on… I feel as though I'm only adding to her burdens when all I want is to see her smile…" Chrom sighed heavily as he spoke "She saved me when she was younger despite the war she had to fight and she didn't ask for anything in return and now even after facing that war and its hardships she decided to come to Ylisse and help again… I've never known anyone to live up to the legends of the hero king but she does… She's noble, graceful… breathtakingly beautiful and one of the most vexing women I've ever known… but…still…" As Chrom took a moment to think, Stahl simply smiled.
"If I may be so bold Captain you sound smitten with Lady Corrin there were plenty of people back home that spoke like that when they were interested in someone… and looking at Lady Corrin I'd say that it probably won't be long until someone else thinks the same way you do so maybe tonight you should ask her to dance" Stahl gently nudged Chrom's shoulder as he spoke which earned a small smile from him.
"You really think that she feels the same way?" Chrom looked at Stahl trying to gauge how much the seemingly unassuming knight actually knew about the situation.
"When I said I was good at reading people Captain I didn't mean I could read everyone… I look at lady Corrin and I wouldn't know where to begin, everything she wants or needs she's already taken care of there's very little I can do to help her, it's like looking at some battle plan that Robin and Corrin have drawn up… there's so much going on that I think it will take someone special to help her really begin healing." Stahl sighed he really didn't like talking about people like this however with Corrin's need to protect everybody Stahl could see that she would neglect her own happiness if he didn't try something.
Chrom looked to at Stahl in surprise for the second time that day "So you can't tell?"
Stahl laughed before responding "Think about it Captain if I knew do you think I'd tell you? I'm still a gentleman"
Chrom nodded it made sense Stahl was just doing what he could without compromising Corrin's secrets after all he was too kind-hearted "So… Tonight I just ask her for a dance and hope… I guess I really am in love with her if I'm considering this" He chuckled to himself "I'm in love with Corrin... Right… guess I better get some sort of idea of how I'm going to do this"
Stahl sighed "I thought you weren't one for formalities, I think Lady Corrin might appreciate you just being honest" he smiled and stood up "Now we have to get ready for this evening… good luck Captain"
Chrom sighed as he put his tie on loosely Stahl had made what he had been so oblivious to plain to see and he wasn't going to waste his chance… he sighed he rarely felt this nervous but the idea of dancing with Corrin left him terrified, if he screwed this up then… I can't be thinking like this he stood up straight and made his way toward the door upon opening it he was greeted by Fredrick who was wearing a simple tuxedo with a bowtie "Ready milord?" Chrom sighed "As ready as I'll ever be Fredrick" with that the two of them made their way to meet up with the rest of the shepherds.
As they gathered outside of the main hall Chrom scanned the gathered Shepherds, he was disappointed when he couldn't spot Corrin however they couldn't delay, when they stepped into the main hall they were greeted with the sights, smells and sounds of a Feroxi celebration. The music was lively it was a mixture of instruments that Chrom didn't recognize, the Lords and ladies of Ferox wore heavy fur cloaks along with their suits and dresses providing a wild Feroxi air to the affair, and the food was mainly meats that left the Shepherds, even Fredrick, drooling.
As the Shepherds fanned out Chrom scanned the room searching for the silver hair that had sent him spiralling into this deep need to find Corrin and tell her everything as he searched for her his mind was flooded with ideas and images thoughts of Corrin smiling and the moments they had shared, the two moments stood out the most were their encounter in the courtyard the way she had looked pinned against the wall and the words that had followed alongside that was the moment they had shared recently after hearing about what had happened to her they had embraced and while he wouldn't admit it Chrom loved that moment more than any other since it was a rare moment in which Corrin had let down her defences and leaned on him, these thoughts caused him to redouble his efforts to find her.
Robin was also searching for Corrin once the Shepherds had scattered she suddenly felt the need to be near her or anyone really, the crowd around her made her feel as though they were trying to crush her the only thing holding her together was the thought that Corrin was out there hopefully looking for her, as she searched she thought of all the times that Corrin had held her and comforted her with those thoughts and desires running rampant she moved through the crowd she began thinking of the great hall as a battlefield which somehow made it easier for her, evading the "Enemies" was child's play all she had to do was keep it up until she found the queen and captured her Okay Robin maybe you took that thought too far…
As the Prince and the Tactician searched the hall a hushed silence suddenly swept over the gathered Feroxi and Shepherds all eyes turned to face the now open set of doors on the far side of the hall what they saw pulled the hush of reverence over them, Corrin stood there wearing a long elegant dress its colours were white passing to silver before fading to black at the base it had a short trail behind it that was tattered in a similar fashion to her cloak, it hugged her regal form causing Chrom to notice just how much Corrin had matured as she entered the hall proper all eyes continued to follow her revealing her dress to be open at the back however that wasn't what drew their attention her wings were closely folded and her tail swayed behind her, her hands and most likely feet were also draconic, a small circlet sat upon her head and seemed to meld into her antler like horns which completed this amazing ensemble.
As she made her way towards Flavia Corrin felt incredibly self-conscious had she over done it? There weren't even hushed whispers which only concerned her, had she offended the Feroxi somehow? These fears ran rampant until she approached Flavia who stared a little longer than Corrin thought was necessary before grinning "You know usually you don't upstage the host"
Corrin turned red "My apologies Khan Flavia I… I should have…" Flavia silenced her with one of her rich laughs which caused the chatter to resume.
"Ha Corrin I'm kidding! I wish more gorgeous divine dragons would grace my court" She grinned at Basilio as she spoke the other Khan flipped her as he returned to his drink.
"Ah… right I'm sorry I haven't attended an affair like this for… a long time" Corrin looked down a deep sadness in her eyes Flavia frowned before speaking.
"Look clearly you are more than just some floozy with a blade that trails around behind Chrom, so who are you really?" Flavia watched Corrin smile as she spoke.
"I am more than…" she snickered "A floozy with a blade, I am Corrin queen of Valla the hidden kingdom and I'm from a different time" Corrin smiled as Flavia took in the details.
"So I have a Time traveling Dragon queen within my halls! I must truly be blessed!" Flavia smiled and raised her glass "To our new Allies in Ylisse and Valla!"
Corrin smiled as the toast was echoed "You're taking all this surprisingly well Khan Flavia"
Flavia smiled before speaking "Well I am slightly drunk and if I'm honest it explains quite a bit"
"What do you mean?" Corrin was confused as Flavia spoke.
The Khan sighed "Look clearly you like princely but you're unsure of his feelings towards you however you're blind to the fact that he and that sweet little silver haired girl are smitten with you." Flavia downed her ale as she spoke smiling as it was quickly refilled.
"Y-you're sure?" Flavia nodded as Corrin spoke while slowly turning crimson "E-Excuse me Khan I need some air" Flavia nodded and watched Corrin sprint for the nearby balcony as she did Flavia looked the shepherd with the messy hair who had revealed this information to her and nodded as he smiled, she was sure that among the shepherds he was an unsung hero that faded into the background in the light of his companions feats but he was the grease that kept the shepherds functioning and she could respect that.