Disclaimer: I don't own Fire Emblem Awakening, all rights to the owners.
Minor: Dark Flier, Immortal, Boxer (Pugilist), Exploitive, Swordmaster, Angry Cinnamon Roll, Tripping, Perpetual Cheer, Chef, Blacksmith, Pegasus Knight, Teacher, Librarian, Masochist, Literal-Minded, Authoritative, Wyvern Rider, Phobia, Thicc, Tsundere, Damsel in Distress, Gangrel's Child, Wyvern Rider, Child, Communist, Bomber, Bear Cavalry, Flying, ADHD, Super Strength, Patriotic, Martial Artist, Scottish, Sassy, One Liner, Seamstress, Shephard, Speedy, Cool, Shy, Bookworm, Mercenary, Sweet, Kung Fu, Buff, Lazy, Wingless Flight, Blunt.
Standard: Elemental, Deaf, Foreign, Future sight, Nurse/Medic, Valmese Tactician, Medusa, Amazon, Genderfluid, Gift from Validar + evil to good, Mimic, Emotionless, Crippling Overspecialization (Idiot Savant), Coward, ESP, POW, PTSD, Magician, Mute, Handicapped, Secret Helper, Crazy, Morpher, Dreamwalker, Twins, Regenerating, Animal Whisperer, Naga/Tiki Assistant, Deadly Touch, Mind Reader, Doppelganger, Arachne, D&D magic, Umbramancer, Horror Monster, Dominatrix, Songstress, Kinky, Matchmaker, Androphobic, Illusionist, Attraction Aura, Ring Maker, Therapist, Teleporting, Crippled, Puppet, Broken, Hallucination, Depressed, Slave, Love Curse, Detective, Geokinetic, Trauma.
Unlikely: Chrom's child, Minotaur, Paladin, Werewolf, Assassin, Future Soldier, Bounty Hunter, Weather control, Kleptomaniac, Druid, Steampunk, Shadow Familiar, Magic Augmentation, Lucky, Exile, Piper (Charmer), Gladiator, Witch Doctor, Centaur, Drunk, Demon, Punk, Harpy, Revenant, Luck Manipulation, Demon Summoner, Megalomaniac, Kitsune, King of Plegia, Mood Ring, Reverse Aging, Hammerspace, Prostitute, Demon Hunter, Cyborg, Maid/Servant/Butler, Deadlord, Rebellion, Einherjar, Trap, Yandere, Living Weapon, Size Shifter, Queen of Plegia, Gluttonous, Stretchy, Ninja, Alchemist, Protoss, Spirit Manipulation, Invisible, Plegian Honor Guard, Mecha, Kryptonian, Creator, Orc, Memory Stealing Respawn, Racer, Khan, Misfortune, Vampire Hunter, Geokinetic, Imaginary Actualization, Death, Resurrection, Force, Merchant, Background Music, Variable, Civilian, Natural Disaster, Mental Noise Projection, Hidden OP, Summoner, Cyclops, Teleporter, Cryokinetic, Genie, Judge, Intangibility, Fortune Teller, Future Vision, Serial Killer, Pervert, Magic Fixit, Drakengard Restoration, Ying-Yang, Childhood Friend, Cyberpunk, Chrom's Mother, Obsessed, Berserker, Phase Shift, Gravity Manipulation, Hallucinating, Bladesoul, Zombie, Double Entendre, Shared Body/Two Souls, Cannibal, Singer, Violent, Insane, Waterbender, Casanova, Cupid, Undertaker, Master Thief, Guard, Faceless, Shadow, Age Control, Cradle Snatcher, Emo, Singer, Nun, Courier, Haunted Knight Armor, Egyptian, Sentient Object, Shit Lord, Court Wizard, Naga's sibling, Mad Queen, Artist, Predator, Cheshire Cat, Radio Host, Chimera, Wendigo, Witch, Symbiote, Hivemind, Hammerspace, Anna, Mother Nature, Psychopath, Stripper, Painting, Grima Parts, Knightmare, Super, Swimsuit, Bunny Outfit, One Punch, Idol, Chef, Rampage, Housewife, Determination, Vessel of Naga, Instant Expert, Time Travel, Hermit, Alternate Dimension 'Twin', Legendary, Resistance, Memory Regain, Umbra Witch, Naga, Aquatic, Hexblade Warlock.
Other: Self-insert, Second Generation replacement, Dimensional Walker, Cycle, Fates.
Okay, so… hmm… it's been a while since I've done my favourite thing, and my favourite thing is doing flirty/aggressive female Robin. So that's what I'm doing this chapter!
Clearly this is a good use for Ninja Robin, right? (Suggested by Dragon Tag)
"Here we are my dear." The Plegian noble grins. "Prince Chrom, in all his glory."
The prince is too tired to glare at them. He's weak from starvation, having only gotten small amounts of bread and water every morning for the last three months. It's not the first time some noble has come to gloat about his capture, and it's not even the first time a noble has brought some girl they seduced to come see him as a show of power (both over him, and to the girl) just to show off.
This particular man has come more than once. His name is Vandar Mekrov, and he comes in once a week with a new girl on his arm. It boggles Chrom's mind that taking them to a prison is his idea of a date. Maybe that's why he never sees the same girl twice.
"Wow…" The girl gasps. "I thought people were joking when they said they'd captured the prince! Is this really him? It's not a lookalike?"
"But of course!" Vandar grins. "He's been quite the stubborn one too! Refuses to give us anything, despite our generous offers should he do so."
Chrom snorts. Generous? They consider a proper meal 'generous'? That's basic human rights.
"See? He even scoffs at us mentioning generosity!" Vandar says smugly. "Ylissians are too stuck up to accept kindness from others. They all think they're so much better than us after all."
That's not the case at all. These people are just assholes.
"I see…" The woman clinging on his arm glances to the guards around them. "Mister Vandar-"
"Just Vandar is alright dear." The man smirks.
"Can… can I talk with the prince, Vandar." The girl whispers in a low voice. Vandar raises his eyes, and the girl hastens to explain. "I'm curious… and I would like to try and get him to talk."
Vander's eyes widen in curiosity and surprise. "Really now?"
"Yes. I'm quite the dark mage." The girl smiles. "Don't tell mother, but… I'm rather important in the Grimleal, and I've been eager to test some of the things I've learned on a proper subject and put them to real use."
The girl pulls off her right glove and reveals the mark of Grima tattooed onto the back of her hand. Vander, for a moment, looks nervous, but hides it behind a massive smile. "Aha! I wish I could allow it, but alas I'm not in charge of the prince's interrogation…"
"Ah, I see…" The girl frowns deeply. "I had assumed you had more influence. I guess I was wrong."
Chrom realizes the manipulation as soon as he hears it. The girl is poking at Vandar's pride to get a response. He'd be amused if it weren't at the cost of an impromptu interrogation session.
"Well…" The man glances at the guards pleadingly. The two share a look, nod, and then one makes a motion of rubbing his fingers together. Money. Vandar nods immediately, and the two smirk and step out of the room. "Ah, how you press me my dear. It will cost a pretty penny, but for you, I have done it."
"Thank you~!" The girl hums happily. She turns towards him, pressing her chest against his arm that was linked through hers. She angles her head up at him and puckers her lips, clearly inviting a kiss. Vander isn't about to argue, and eagerly claims her mouth.
Chrom rolls his eyes. Really? They're going to do this here? At least, that's what he thinks until he notices what the girl's hands are doing. One arm goes around Vandar's head, keeping his mouth pressed tightly against hers. The other comes around, looking like it's about to do the same thing, but at the last moment the girl twists her wrist to reveal a small knife and promptly plunges it into Vandar's exposed neck.
The prince watches in horrified fascination from his cell as Vandar's eyes shoot open as he starts to choke on his own blood. He tries to shout, to call for help, but the forceful kiss keeps him from making noise. The girl demonstrates surprising strength when she forces him to the ground and pins one arm with her free hand and uses her legs to lock the other. Vandar flails, but his consciousness rapidly fades from being unable to breathe and he falls unconscious in a only a dozen seconds.
In less than a minute this girl executed Vandar, and it was almost totally silent. The guards clearly didn't hear, or they would have come rushing back in. The girl keeps her pin for a few moments longer, making absolutely sure the man is dead, and then stands up, spits some of Vandar's blood out of her mouth, and cleans her blade on his coat.
Chrom hadn't cared before because he'd mostly been ignoring his visitors, but now he's paying careful attention to every little detail about her. She's a bit short (about five feet) with black hair so long it almost brushes the floor (Chrom expects it's impractical in battle), and she has epicanthic folds on her dark brown eyes of a Chon'sin native. Her true skin color is hidden behind the makeup and mascara that pales her skin, making Chrom suspect she has the off-peach color common to Chon'sin (which, to a Ylissian, would be called "yellow", but Chrom knows that isn't quite accurate).
Her clothes are much less interesting, mostly because (Chrom realizes) they're probably made to fit in. It's some generic, fancy, over-embroidered, black and purple dress which clings tight around her waist and bust, but is baggy in the arms and below the hips. It also has a truly absurd neckline, and Chrom worries that the girl leaning too far forward will lead to a wardrobe malfunction.
Well, that explains how she get on Vandar's arm though. The man seemed to have a taste for women with large assets, and this assassin both has those and knows how to show them off.
"Hello Prince." The girl whispers as she approaches the cage. "Enjoying the hospitality?"
"Hardly." Chrom grunts quietly. He doesn't want the guards hearing if this is what he thinks it is.
"Well, you'll be glad to know that your sister has negotiated your release." The girl smiles.
"Gangrel doesn't seem the type to negotiate."
"Well, that's because Emmeryn didn't negotiate with Gangrel. She negotiated with Say'ri."
It takes Chrom a moment to remember who that is. Say'ri… wait, she's a Chon'sin ruler.
"And by that I mean she hired a ninja. Me." The girl laughs quietly. She pulls up her dress a bit to grab a small pack tied around her leg, and pulls a lockpick out of them. "So hello! My name is Diplomacy! By that, of course, I mean my name is Robin, but I am diplomacy in a roundabout way."
"Are all ninja this chatty?" Chrom thinks, blinking in confused surprise. He's equally surprised when the door to his cell creaks open. This doesn't feel real.
"Now, just stay still…" Robin murmurs as she starts picking the lock on his shackles. They come open a moment later. "Ta-da!" She whispers. "Now come on, getting out is going to be a bit harder."
Chrom stands up shakily. A month of minimal food and water has left him pitifully weak. He knows immediately he won't be able to walk out of here. "I'm… I think I'm too weak, Robin."
"I know, I have a plan." The girl grins. She reaches underneath her dress into a different bag strapped on her other leg, and pulls out some supplies. "Now, come here. We have to make this quick."
It takes about ten minutes, and thankfully neither of the guards poke their head in during that time. Robin carefully applies makeup, a wig, and hair gel on that wig during that time. She also strips off Vandar's clothes, has Chrom put them on, and dresses Vandar in Chrom's clothes and puts him in the cell. She dyes his hair blue, and makes a quick tattoo on his arm of the symbol of Naga.
"It should fool them for long enough for us to escape." Robin murmurs.
"I'm still too weak to walk for long" Chrom reminds her quietly.
"I'll support you." Robin smiles. "I hope you aren't shy~!"
They link arms, and Chrom does his best to stand upright. Taking a deep breath, he lets Robin lead him out of the room.
"Just nod to the guards, smile, and hand them this money." Robin whispers. She passes Chrom the pouch of money Vandar has on him. "Then just look at me and let me lead you out."
Chrom doesn't have time to prepare before they exit the room. He locks eyes with one of the guards, and feels his pulse spike. He expects the man to immediately start ringing the alarm, but he underestimated Robin's disguising skills. The guard just raises an eyebrow, waiting.
Chrom forces a smile, reaches over, and drops the money pouch on the table in front of him. The guard opens it and his eyes widen. He grins widely, nods to Chrom, and he and his companion move back inside to their post.
The prince can already feel his legs starting to shake. He leans heavily onto Robin, resting his head on her shoulder. She rests her head on his in return, making it look like they're just cuddling. To Chrom's surprise, none of the guards question this. Apparently they saw Vandar and Robin come in, so the two of them just walk out unopposed.
"Naga above…" Chrom breathes when he sees the sun setting outside. It's been too long since he's seen it.
###
The trip home is a lot more perilous than Chrom expected, but Robin's expert disguise and acting skills keep them safe. Chrom also notes some of her habits, like how she primarily uses her sex appeal over any other tactic to get by problems. Chrom doesn't disprove necessarily, but he is shocked just how easily men are swayed by a bit of cleavage and flashing some leg.
"Robin…"
"Hmm?" She smirks.
"Is this strictly necessary?" He asks weakly.
"Of course." She purrs. "We have to keep up the facade, don't we?"
Chrom swallows thickly as the girl leans into him. It wouldn't be so bad if Robin didn't insist on trying to make him as uncomfortable as possible. He can understand the girl showing off herself in front of guards and such to distract them and get him and her through without issue, but then there's no reason for her to be doing such a thing towards him.
"You're a prince." Chrom reminds himself. He takes a deep, calming breath. "Pretty women are nothing new, this happened all the time back at Ylisse with your suitors, there's no difference. Ignore it."
Except, of course, there is a difference. Robin is much more pleasant than those suitors. He could dare say he likes Robin, or at least enjoys her company. That alone makes it much harder to ignore when she gives him a view down her dress-
"Nope, nope, nope." Chrom squeezes his eyes shut. "Not doing that. She's a trained manipulator, she's messing with you. Ignore her. It doesn't matter how hot she is, her actions are all a trick, just breathe."
"Sir? Miss?" Their coach driver calls from up front. "We're half an hour from the last checkpoint before we hit the border. Just thought I'd let ya know; an advance warning."
"Thank you, my good man." Chrom says gruffly. "Keep on course."
"O' course sir."
"Just half an hour more of this…" Chrom thinks. Robin presses in even closer, practically sitting in his lap. Her head rests on his shoulder, her lips tickle his ear when she breathes, and one hand rests on his chest. "Oh gods, half an hour more of this…"
"Hey…" Robin whispers in his ear.
"What?" Chrom mumbles.
"Want to have some fun?"
"What kind of fun?" The prince asks cautiously.
"Well…" Robin shifts again. This time she does sit in his lap, but she's facing towards him. Her hands go to his shoulders, and she smiles down at him in amusement upon noticing how he pointedly looks to the side to avoid gazing at her chest which is right in front of his face. "I have a list I'd like to add to."
"And what list is that?" Chrom asks.
"The number of royals I've laid with."
Chrom's pulse immediately starts pounding. He did not just hear that. "P-Pardon?"
"You heard me." Robin's smile couldn't possibly get wider. "I'm a ninja, a kunoichi to be specific. I've lain with plenty of important people to get trust and information, including a few royals. This wouldn't be for either of those things, but I don't know any other ninjas who can brag they've bedded a member of the Ylissian royal family and I'd like to be the first."
The prince's mouth is dry, his hands clammy. "W-We're half an hour away from a checkpoint!" He hisses.
"Plenty of time." The ninja grins. "We can be quite. I'll do all the moving."
Chrom doesn't know what to do, he's panicking. He's never had to deal with a situation quite like this. "I-I I can't. No, no, uh…" He stutters. "S-Sorry, but…"
"Sorry?" She tilts her head, and laughs softly. "It's fine Chrom. It was a question, not a request. If you're not comfortable with it, I won't force you. It was a suggestion."
She gets off it, taking a seat next more casually this time. Chrom takes long, deep breathes to calm himself. His pulse hasn't stopped pounding, and he's hyper-aware of the girl next to him.
"So…" Robin says after a moment, in a much more neutral tone. "I trust that's a good demonstration of my abilities?"
Chrom blinks. "Wh-What?"
"You looked confused every time I charmed or seduced the guards or soldiers." Robin shrugs. "I gave you a demonstration. You can see how they'd be so easily swayed now, can't you?"
"Y-Yes, I can." Chrom manages to say through a dry throat. "You're very… persuasive."
Robin smirks triumphantly, and spends the rest of the time before they get to the checkpoint checking through her equipment.
Chrom is left half-stunned, trying to process what had just happened. "Was all that just a lie to mess with me?" He puts a hand over his heart, feeling it pumping rapidly. "Gods she's terrifying."
###
"Chrom!" Lissa lunges at him and hugs her brother violently as soon as he steps through the door. The prince smiles tiredly and pats his sister on the back.
"Milord!" Frederick's reaction is much more subdued, there's no hug from him, but his relief is obvious. "It is a relief to see you well!"
"No concern for me? I'm hurt." Robin quips. Since they got to Ylisse, she's returned to dressing as she usually would. The best way Chrom knows how to describe it is a tight brown dress with (as Chrom has come to expect from Robin) a plunging neckline and a hemline that just barely covers her modesty. She has several other adornments, like leather plating bound on her hips and upper leg, her lower leg, and upper and lower arms, as well as a tight black sash around her waist and a number of pouches and daggers attached to it. Her hair is no longer nearly dragging along the floor and is instead tightly braided.
If anything, it looks even more immodest than the revealing dresses she was in before.
"Yes, well, I suppose it is good to see you in good health." Frederick says curtly.
Robin shakes her head. "Don't sound too worried there buddy."
Frederick ignores her. "Lady Emmeryn would have come to greet you, but she's currently in council. She said she would try to drop by later."
"Alright." Chrom nods. "In the meantime, then, I'm going to go sleep. It feels like forever since I've slept in a proper bed…"
"All the other shepherds are going to want to see you." Frederick warns.
"They can do it tomorrow." Chrom sighs. "Frederick, I'm exhausted."
"As you wish Milord."
The prince extracts himself from his little sister, still patting her on the back, and then makes his way up to his room. He enters, turns to close the door, and then pauses at noticing that Robin has followed him. "Uh… can I help you Robin?"
"I was thinking I could help you." Robin smiles. Chrom is instantly wary. A smile from Robin is always a sign she's up to something. "As a kunoichi, I'm trained in a lot more than combat and assassination. I'm trained to spy, charm, seduce, and so on. Part of seduction and charm can also mean doing menian favors like, say… a massage."
Chrom is actually tempted. A massage would feel fantastic, but… he does not trust Robin in the slightest. Well, he trusts her with his life, but after that shock in the carriage he's wary of anything nice from her just being a way to test her skills or to manipulate him. Just because she was helping him doesn't mean she isn't also trying to get information out of him. She does work for Say'ri after all. He can't trust this isn't a trick. "I'm good Robin."
"Are you sure? I can do more than that. The offer for fun still stands!" She offers cheekily.
"No Robin."
"C'mon."
"Out."
"Fine…"
###
"Awesome!" Lissa gasps.
"Oh no." Chrom mutters.
"Oh yes." Robin grins. She waves the letter in front of his face. "See for yourself."
Chrom snatches the letter and reads it over. It's from Say'ri, addressed to Robin, telling her that she is to help the Ylissians in their war against Plegia in any way possible to stop Gangrel from expanding his power to dangerous amounts. Also… "what's this part about 'don't mess around with the prince too much'?" Chrom asks warily.
Robin plucks the letter out of her hand, and slips it into her cleavage. "I have a bit of a reputation for having undue fun with royals. Remember that list I mentioned?"
"Naga preserve me." Chrom moans. He just prays that Robin will mostly stay away from them.
"Oh, and I should bring up: Emmeryn said I should talk to you about joining something called the Shepherds."
"Why sister!? Why!?" Chrom forces a smile. "The Shepherds are our elite fighting unit, sent to do special missions. I agree with Emmeryn, your skills would be quite useful with us."
"Us?"
"Well, I lead the Shepherds." Chrom says. "And Lissa is part of them too."
"Ahh…!" Robin's eyes light up eagerly. "I see!"
"We're going to have a meeting tomorrow, so I'll introduce you then." The prince sighs. He's going to have to deal with this girl all the time now. "I think you'll get along well with some of them. Virion comes to mind."
"Ah, Lord Virion of Rosanne?" Robin smirks. "We've met before."
"I don't want to know." Chrom says quickly. Considering the archer's penchant for flirting, and how Robin does much the same thing, he doesn't want to think about what that entails.
Robin chuckles at his reaction. "Virion probably doesn't want you to know either. If you ever want a laugh, ask him about me."
"Noted."
"Ooh…" Lissa seems interested now. "Tell me, tell me!"
Robin taps the side of her nose. "Confidential, sorry. Ask him."
Lissa eagerly rushes off to do just that, leaving Chrom and Robin alone. The prince immediately looks for a way out. "Well, erm, I have some other matters to attend to, so I'll just be off…"
"I see. I'll go… see some things." Robin says vaguely.
Chrom is instantly wary. He almost forgot; Robin, while she may be on their side, is a foreign agent. Who knows what snooping she might get up to on her own? She's a ninja too. He can't rely on the guards keeping her out of certain places (and seeing what he has of her skills, he doubts the guards would keep her out anyways even if she didn't sneak in). No, it'll be better to keep her in sight of someone he can trust… or himself.
"Change of plans. You're coming with me." Chrom says firmly.
Her eyebrows quick up. "Ooh, where are we going?" She leans forwards with a conspiratorial whisper, and slightly tugs open the top of her dress. "Your bedroom perhaps?"
"No." Chrom says firmly. "We're going to get an update on Plegian movements from the Strategy Room, and I'll inform you of some of our plans."
"Well, that works too." Robin shrugs.
It doesn't take long to get to the Strategy Room. A few of the generals are there, quietly conversing over a map with several pins in it. They're all old, noble, rich men. Some of them are worthy of respect. The others, however, clearly got their position due to being nobility or through their wealth. If Chrom had his way, those men would have been replaced a long time ago. Emmeryn doesn't want to ruffle any feathers at the moment however, so he's had to refrain from kicking them out.
"General Dullberry." Chrom nods as he enters. "Duke Themisia, General Hawtank, General Arbnest." His mouth thins in distaste at the last man. "Duke Albinioth."
The Duke of Albinon, Harold Albinioth, has a special place in Chrom's heart for people who disgust him. Not only is he a fat, slothful, messy man who'd probably wallow in his own filth if it weren't for his servants, but he's not nearly as smart as he likes to say he is.
Really, that's just icing though. He hates this man mostly because he had the audacity to try and pressure Emmeryn into marriage at one point to "bring stability to the realm through a strong noble connection".
While technically that might have been true, the fact still remains that he was a fifty-something man trying to marry a twenty year old, and unabashedly trying to get himself into the royal family without having anything beyond his noble standing being worth more than a copper.
"Ah, Prince Chrom." General Dullberry greets. Despite what his name might suggest, the man is anything but dull. He's the oldest of the people here, bordering on ninety years old. He has Chrom's utmost respect. He was actually Chrom's strategy tutor at one point (before it became clear that Chrom lacked the talent for it) and was the one who suggested Emmet to the Shepherds. "And…?"
"Robin." Chrom provides. "She's a gift from Say'ri to help our cause, and responsible for my rescue."
"Ah, the ninja." Duke Themisia nods. "Hello there girl. I presume you're both here for an update on Plegian movements then?"
"You know me so well." Chrom smiles. He stands at the edge of the table. "Tell me what you know."
Robin pays close attention to the proceedings and information. She's surprisingly silent the entire time, merely nodding with each point General Dullberry and the Duke of Themis bring up.
"But of course," General Hawtank interrupts. "We musn't forget the possibility of a cavalry ambush here."
"From where my good man?" The Duke of Themis asks patiently.
"Why, from the mountains of course!" General Hawtank says confidently.
The Duke of Themis blinks slowly. "Erm…"
"Yeah, that's not gonna work." Robin says abruptly. "Hoses don't do well on rocky terrain, and trying to charge down a rocky mountainside or mountain trail is just asking for broken legs and falling off cliffs. Now, a wyvern ambush is perfectly feasible, but cavalry would suicide for them."
"Indeed." General Dullberry agrees. He looks at Robin appraisingly. "Plegia possesses very few horses to begin with. Such an attempt would be a horrendous risk of valuable resources."
Chrom hides his amusement at General Hawtank's shocked expression at being so effortlessly rebuffed. Maybe this meeting won't be so bad.
###
Despite Robin's frequent seduction attempts, Chrom does start to consider a friend. When she doesn't decide she wants to see him sputter and panic, they play a variety of board and card games in their free time, and frequently talk about their respective life experiences. Chrom is very cagey about revealing anything that might be used to exploit him, but he enjoys the conversations nonetheless.
Still, he always has a nagging doubt in the back of his head. A doubt that whispers that Robin only entertains these conversations to keep his trust, because she has to due to Say'ri assigning her to them. That nagging doubt whispers that everything she does is because she's a ninja, a spy, and so she maintains good relationships with him out of the hope she'll eventually catch him in a slip-up, or that she'll be able to use this trust for a favor in the future.
This is why Chrom hates politics. It feels terrible to know someone he likes might not return the feeling, and might be trying to exploit him. If Robin weren't an agent of Say'ri he'd have no such worries, but being an agent of another country makes her untrustworthy.
"Come on, just a kiss then?"
And her frequent seduction attempts don't help him trust her either. "No Robin."
"Just one? I want to add to that list."
"I thought that list was people you had sex with."
"Yeah, but kissing a Ylissian prince is still more than others can say!"
Chrom sighs. "The answer is still no Robin."
"Why?" The girl asks. "I'm genuinely curious now."
"I need to remain vigilant against attempts to pry information out of me or manipulate me." Chrom says firmly.
"And you think I'm trying to do that."
"I know you're trying to do that."
"Hmm…" Robin hums. "You're rather smart."
Chrom isn't sure if he's happy or not to have this sort of confirmation. "So you were trying to manipulate me."
"To an extent." She blinks. "I was checking to see how easy you were to manipulate, I admit. However, even if you were easy to manipulate, it isn't like I would have killed you or blackmailed you."
"Yet."
"Yet." Robin nods. "But, unless Ylisse posed a threat to Chon'sin, I would never have need to make use of that knowledge." She pauses for a moment, then adds. "And I wasn't lying about that list. I had multiple motives."
"I see…" Chrom is reassured at the very least to have her motives out in the open, even if she outright admitted to a bit of manipulation and ulterior motives. "Er, Robin?"
"Yes?"
"I have a question."
"Hmm?"
"How exactly does seduction work?" Chrom asks genuinely. "I mean, I know the superficial trappings, but I've never really understood how it works. Maybe that's just me being male, but…"
Robin blinks in surprise. Chrom has shown little interest in her work thus far, but then again he's always seen a bit wary of her. Was that confession of her motives really enough to garner his trust? "You're interested?"
"Not in learning, I'm just… curious." Chrom admits nervously. "You have a bunch of skills, not just seduction, that I just don't understand. I've always had trouble understanding the basics of stealth, deception, disguise, and so on."
"Ah…" Robin smirks. She rubs her hands together. "Well, it's not often I have someone who's curious and isn't trying to order an assassination. I'm happy to explain, and maybe teach a thing or two."
"Really?"
"Of course!" Robin looks genuinely excited. "I love teaching a friend! However…"
"Here it comes."
"Say'ri would disapprove of me giving away the secrets of ninja training for nothing. So, in return, I want you to teach me something." Robin says. "Something I wouldn't know."
"That's fair." Chrom mumbles. He rests his chin on his hand to think. Something useful that's equivalent to ninja training, and that Robin wouldn't already know. That's quite difficult actually, Chrom doesn't have any special skills of his own. "How much do you know about the workings of Ylisse?"
Robin arcs an eyebrow. This is quite a bit more than she was expecting to get. "Chrom, I was only requesting some skill or art, not national secrets."
"Well, I wasn't offering national secrets." Chrom chuckles. "I was just asking if you know Ylisse's general situation after the war."
"I know a thing or two…" Robin murmurs. "But not too much."
"How about this: you teach me one thing, I tell you something. We'll go back and forth."
"Fair enough." Robin nods. She sits back on the stool and crosses her legs. "Seduction then. Hmm… okay, first, what do you think seduction is?"
"Well…" Chrom fidgets. "All I really know is that it's about looking nice, and not being a threat?"
"Sort of." Robin says. "First, I'll address the superficial stuff. The easiest way I can explain it is that being physically attractive is useful, but usually not necessary. As long as one isn't ugly, they can seduce. Now, being attractive certainly helps, but not quite as much as one might expect."
That's news to Chrom. He thought seduction was mostly about physical appearance.
"Now, I'll be talking about female to male seduction, because male to female tends to be a bit different. A lot of the same fundamentals apply, but the nuances change things." Robin says. "The first thing to understand when seducing a target is preference. Usually they have one, and it's useful to cater to that. If not feasible you can usually get away with not catering, it's only relevant if they're very particular."
Chrom blinks. "Really? So if they like, say… long legs?"
"Then it can be useful to cater to that, but usually it isn't necessary unless they're extremely picky." Robin affirms. "So, like I was saying, it's really mostly about attitude. They way you dress can be fairly useful too, though that's more relevant when seducing women than with men."
"What do you mean by attitude?"
"Well, there's a few general approaches one can try. However, the essentials involve flirtation signals, even if you're intentionally being rude or hard to get." Robin explains. "Body language is far more important than anything you could say. Eye contact is important, and smiling (unless you're trying to appear opposed). Also, at this point the woman should be posing herself a bit. Show off the legs if they're sitting down, maybe by crossing them. They pout their lips a bit, and expose the neck if they're trying to look submissive. If they have breasts, they should emphasize them now by sitting up straight or even slipping one of their arms under them."
The ninja demonstrates. She does all the above: she looks Chrom in the eyes and smiles subtly. Her lips pout, and her head tilts to the side just a bit. Her legs cross, drawing attention to them with the action and also highlighting their softness and plumpness. She also slides one arm under her chest, which hoists them a bit.
"See?"
"I do." Chrom says, flushing a bit. "You said you only tilt your head to appear submissive though?"
"Well, if you're being aggressive, the head tilt can still be used. For example…" She stands, and gestures for Chrom to do the same. He does, and as soon as he's on his feet she sashays over to him, pressing her body against his forcefully, and wrapping her arms around him. "See, now, I'm the one on offense, but I can still play the head tilt." She tilts her head a bit, this time combining it with an amused smirk. "It's still technically a submission signal, but it becomes sarcastic or mocking when used in an aggressive context. A joke, playful, assertive."
She steps back, changes her stance, and approaches him again. This time her face has a scowl, but she uses all the other little tips she just mentioned like pouting her lips and such. The effect is making her look reluctant or annoyed, but not unwilling.
"See?" She glances at him. "Doing that, looking angry but hinting with the body that there's a chance, is also effective. Now, it's not suggested you go with that unless you know the target will pursue. Being assertive or just using standard seduction is more generally applicable. Going tsundere isn't everyone's cup of tea."
"I see." And Chrom does see. He understands. He can see (and feel, from his racing heart) how devastatingly effective these simple things are.
"Now, most of what I've just told you is the basics of flirting." Robin says, taking a seat again. "And seduction is based in flirting. However, as kunoichi, we often have to seduce targets who are already married. Doing that is a bit harder, unless they're already inclined to be unfaithful. Facilitating an affair is a matter of enticing a measure of excitement of doing something forbidden, and finding some part of their marital life they're unhappy with to poke holes at."
"Do… do you do that often? Break up marriages?"
"Ah, ah, ah." Robin waggles a finger. "I'm just teaching you how seduction works. I can't give away potentially important information."
"Right." Maybe it's best not to think about that…
"So, everything beyond that is mostly just practice and refining your own skills." Robin says. "I could go into detail about all the minutia of body language, but I've told you the important stuff. It's body language, being willing, and being confident in your body and abilities. Confidence is key above all else."
"Right… I suppose it's my turn then?" Chrom says.
"Yes." Robin leans forward. "I'm curious as to what you have to offer."
"Well, let me tell you about Ylisse in the aftermath of the war…"
###
"Surprise…" Robin whispers. She lunges out from the trees, effortlessly slitting the throat of the Risen sorcerer who was walking by. A follow-up slash to the back of the neck, just for safety, sees the monster dissipate into purple smoke.
This is a dangerous situation. The Shepherds are scattered, the Risen overwhelming. However, the Shepherds seem to be all alive. They broke off in teams, and there were no severe injuries at the time. It was only the threat of the sorcerer Robin just killed that split them apart. The Shepherds had feared a fireball blowing apart their tight formation, and so they scattered into pre-planned teams.
Robin, however, has gotten properly separated. She's supposed to be with Chrom and Frederick right now. A group of great knights had smashed through the three of them, and Robin had been forced to flee to the forest for safety.
Now it's just a matter of returning to the rendezvous point. If the mission went sideways, they were to fall back to their launch point. It's only an hour away. On her own, it's going to take longer though. She can fight individual Risen if she needs to, but not groups.
Robin sneaks through the trees. She avoids moving on the ground when she can, preferring the canopy. She's careful how many knives she throws, she only has so many.
The Risen in this area of Ylisse seem to be mostly old Plegian soldiers, which explains the large number of dark mages and the sorcerer. It also explains the wyvern riders that she constantly has to avoid.
With her exceptional stealth, Robin manages to get to the edge of the forest over the course of an hour. Now comes the tricky part. She needs to cross some open plains and reach the rocky outcropping the Shepherds staged this attack from. The other Shepherds should be arriving there by now if everything went according to plan. People are going to realize she's not there fairly soon as well. She hopes it doesn't start a panic.
"I need a straight line." Robin thinks as she gazes at the field of Risen. This area was clear just three hours ago when they walked through, but with all the Risen rushing to try and chase down the Shepherds they've pushed all the way here. They're slowing wandering in various directions, drifting apart. "There. As long as I can deal with that axeman I can get through there. Alright… go!"
Robin breaks out of the trees, dashing as quickly as she can across the grass. Her feet pound rhythmically on the ground as she blazes past a number of monsters. She pulls out a dagger as she runs, and throws it at the one axeman in her path. It buries up into the hilt in the monster's head, and thankfully that's enough to kill it. Robin moves right through its disintegrating body and, with no other opposition, outpaces her pursuers over the course of several minutes before reaching some sparse trees and again taking cover in the canopy.
It takes another half hour to reach the rendezvous point, making her travel time about one hour and forty five minutes in total. She arrives to a huge shouting match, apparently about her.
"I refuse to allow it Milord." Frederick says firmly.
"I, reluctantly, agree." Virion says. "As much it pains me to abandon such a lovely lady and comrade, it would be inadvisable to rush off to her aid, not knowing where she is. T'would be a suicide mission."
"We have to though! I won't abandon her!" Chrom snarls. "We've waited long enough! I'll go after her all on my own if I have to!"
Robin is surprised at the prince's vehement insistence on finding her. She knew the prince was very protective of his friends, and is quite touched it extends to her. The prince always seemed very distrustful of her, though he was always polite, so Robin is genuinely happy. She thought her over-the-top flirting had put him off.
Chrom and Frederick have continued shouting during this time, and Robin shakes herself out of her thoughts. She needs to break up this fight. The ninja jumps out of the tree she's hiding in and lands next to the men. "So, what'd I miss?"
"Wha- Robin!?" Chrom exclaims.
"Yeah?"
There's a few smirks shared among the Shepherds at seeing the prince thrown for a loop so quickly. All his fury and determination is snuffed out. "What happened, where were you?" He asks numbly.
"When we got split up I had to sneak back, and that's kinda slow. I was in the trees for a long time." Robin shrugs. "So, is everything good? Everyone else made it back?"
"Y-Yeah, everyone's good." Chrom mumbles. "Uh, are you up for a strategy meeting now, or do you need healing?"
"I'm good! Let's make a new plan."
"Right." Chrom breathes. He's frazzled beyond all belief at the moment. Steeling himself, he pushes his emotions aside, and decides to focus on the strategy meeting. He can sort through his thoughts later. "Virion, Frederick! We've got plans to discuss!"
###
"That's so weird…" Robin murmurs. "So, because all the young men died in the war, that's why all positions of power are manned by old people or people who are too young?"
"Exactly."
"And that's why you have so many suitors, because there's too few men? I mean, along with your status of course."
"Yes." Chrom nods. "At least I presume so. This was going on during the war too, not just after it. Father was considering extending conscription to women, as loathe as he was to think of them as capable of violence."
"What a lovely man…" Robin snorts.
"Overstatement of the century." Chrom grimaces. "Not that I was aware of his nature at the time. I was too young."
"What other effects were there from this lack of men?" Robin presses further.
"Well, it was somewhat useful in helping Emmeryn instate gender equality laws because women had already been doing stereotypically 'male' duties for a while." Chrom offers. "It's grim to think that way, but all those deaths did help Emmeryn push along her reforms. Without the male deaths women would never have been forced to step in, something even the old traditionalists couldn't refute the necessity of in order to keep the war going."
"I'm not saying the war was good, but…"
"It had its uses." Chrom sighs. "I only wish the reforms could have been instantiated without a war, the loss of life, and so on."
"Well of course, but reality is seldom that forgiving."
"Unfortunately." Chrom agrees.
They spend a moment in silent contemplation. Chrom more so than Robin. Learning the social reality of Ylisse was a large part of his teenage years when he learned how to be a prince.
"Robin?" Chrom mutters. There's something he needs to get off his chest. It's totally unrelated to the topic at hand, but he doesn't know when he'll get more time alone with Robin, or if he'll ever pluck up the courage again.
"Yes?"
"Remember when you took a long time to get back from those Risen we retreated from and found me and Frederick arguing?"
"Yeah?"
"Well… I… I was worked up because" Chrom chokes on his own words for a moment, trying to find the right way to put it. Robin jumps on the opportunity to make a joke.
"Lemme guess, you were in love with me and want to help me with my list?" Robin says with a cheeky grin and a wiggle of her eyebrows.
"No! Well, no to the latter thing, not the first."
Robin blinks once, then twice. "Wait, wait, run that by me again."
"Erm… I've developed an affection for you."
"And you don't want sex!? What's wrong with you!?" Robin shouts suddenly, startling the prince. "I mean, I'm flattered and all that, but seriously! Wait, are you asexual?"
"No…?"
"Oh thank Naga." Robin breathes.
"Excuse you." Chrom frowns. "That's rude."
"No, no, I'm not saying there's something wrong with being asexual." Robin clarifies. "But, uh, I'm kinda a fan of sex, so… it may have been an issue if you were agaist it."
"Wait, wait, so does that mean you-"
"Oh right, I should have said that before. I'm totally good for a relationship." Robin says. "I thought you weren't interested!"
"Why?!"
"Because you said no to sex! Seriously! Why!?" Robin pouts.
"Because I still had, and have, worries of manipulation and secret stealing? And because I've never done it before and don't want to make a fool of myself. Also, in Ylisse sex before marriage is frowned upon."
Robin looks aghast. "Good gods, what sort of hellscape is Ylisse!?"
"Very funny Robin."
"I know, right?" Robin sighs and sits back. "You still have worries you said?"
"Well, you're still a spy for Say'ri." Chrom reminds her.
"Yes, but that doesn't mean I can't have a life Chrom."
"I'm not worried about the relationship not being able to exist, I'm worried about you giving information to Say'ri."
"Why? We're allies."
"So, of course, that means I should be worried about you poking into information about our money, all our internal workings, and so on?" Chrom asks sarcastically.
"Well…" Robin sighs. "Chrom."
"Yes?"
"If we want this relationship to work, I'd have to quit my job." Robin says bluntly.
"Oh. Oh…" Chrom sags like a deflating frog. "I didn't think this through. Sorry Robin. I don't want to make you do something like that."
"Well, it's not too big a deal to give up for a marriage." Robin shrugs. "I could have a similar job in Ylisse, but I think I should wait on that step until we're engaged."
"That's fair." Chrom nods. "As long as you're alright with that. I don't want to pull you away from your life."
"Meh, it's fine." Robin shrugs. "I mean, I woke up in Chon'sin without a memory three years ago, so it's not like I have much of a life to be pulled away from."
"What?!"
"Did I never mention that? I'm an amnesiac."
"You didn't. Wow, okay." Chrom murmurs. He massages the bridge of his nose. "Well, I suppose that's the process of getting to know someone. Just… woah."
Robin laughs a bit. "Now just imagine how I felt."
"Oh gods…"
Does that work as an ending? Sure, yeah.
bauers374: You're joking, right? I'm never going to catch up. Robin knows Marth is a girl just by looking and listening. Not everyone is fooled.
Zero kami no mu: Being blunt and emotionally scarring people are two very different things. I'll put blunt on the list though.
Guest: Hmm… okay. That's an interesting one…
Darkness is complete: I'll put those down.
1silvergamer2: Ahh, good old D&D. I'm familiar with the concept.
bwburke94: Indeed. Fixed.
Cyberchao X: :D