Title: Robcina Week 2019 - Day 4: Class Change
Description: Sometimes its difficult to pick up new skills. It can be even more frustrating, however, when you are struggling to relearn one you once had.
Notes: Minor spoilers for A Future Tied by Fates, as this one-shot takes place some indeterminate time after the conclusion of that story.
"Alright, take a deep breath as you draw your arm back. Hold it and focus your aim above and to the left of where you want to hit… Good… and release."
A bowstring twanged as an arrow wooshed through the air. It sailed over the target, clipped the top of the bush behind before sticking into the tree with a solid thunk. The shaft warbled for a moment before it stilled, its point stuck fast into the bark.
"Well, that was certainly better than your last few shots. Looks like you aimed a little too high. At this distance you only need to aim a couple inches above your target," Robin explained, turning his gaze back to Lucina as she lowered the bow held before her. "That said, it looks like you adjusted left the right amount."
Lucina nodded, carefully plucking another arrow from her quiver. She slowly knocked the arrow against the string, the motion clumsy from lack of practice.
Robin watched on, watching her movements intently as to best give her pointers on her form and general technique. He wished he himself was a more skilled archer, but with none of the others available it had fallen to him to use his own basic proficiency with the weapon as well as his second hand knowledge regarding the art of marksmanship.
It had surprised him at first when Lucina had voiced her intention to take up archery, wanting to expand her proficiency to weapons beyond a sword or lance. He supported the idea in full, of course. Robin was truly happy to see Lucina attempting to broaden her horizons, especially in regards to picking up old skills she'd been exposed to as a child. Afterall, she'd received some training with a bow when she was younger, it being a common skill along with horseback riding taught among both royalty and nobility alike. Though after Chrom had died in her world she'd entirely abandoned the practice, focusing all her efforts on mastering swordsmanship.
As he watched, Robin couldn't help but smile as he remembered his further shock when Lucina had shown up to their little training session dressed completely for the part, having found a spare set of archer's gear somewhere in the armory. She certainly is putting her all into this, Robin thought to himself.
Lucina's brow furrowed as she pulled her arm back, her arm shaking with the strain of drawing the bowstring into place. Noticing this, Robin stepped forward, gently putting one hand on her arm and the other on her bow.
"When you draw the bow, try to use your shoulder more so than your arm," he explained, moving his hand up to rest on the back of her shoulder, guiding her as she finished drawing the bow back. "You should feel the tension here when you do so. Focus on that feeling and try to remember that."
Lucina dipped her head in affirmative, her brow furrowing once more, this time in focus as she lined up her shot. Robin stepped back, giving her ample space.
A moment later Lucina loosed the arrow. There was a splintering clack as the arrow struck the stonework in front of the target, fragments of the wooden haft scattering and skidding some distance before clattering to a still.
"That… was not great, was it?" Lucina grimaced, letting her arm relax.
"Not really. But it's too be expected given your experience," Robin answered, flashing her a reassuring smile. "Let's try again. This time aim for somewhere in between where you did on the last two attempts."
Again Lucina lined up her shot, this time following Robin's direction in regard to her form as she drew the bow. She held her breath, carefully lined up the shot, and-
Robin winced as another arrow clattered against the stonework, skidded and vanished into the bushes with a muted crunch.
"I'm sorry," Lucina apologized, lowering her bow. "I do not think I am cut out for this, Robin."
"Lucina, we've only just started. You aren't going to become an expert archer in a single afternoon. It's going to take time," Robin assured her, putting a hand on her arm and smiling gently.
Lucina shook her head. "But-"
"Also, if I may remind you, the version of you from Soleil's timeline used a bow. It's been what, two, three years from where that timeline diverged from ours? I doubt that Lucina got this down in the first try," he added.
"I…" Lucina trailed off, frowning. "You really make it impossible to argue with you sometimes, Robin. You know that, right?'
"It's a tactican's job to be prepared. Especially when it's to convince his wife not to give up on herself so quickly," Robin answered.
"I know, it's just…" Lucina trailed off, shaking her head yet again. "I am just… rather disappointed in my own shameful performance. Even as a child I was certainly more proficient than this…"
Ah, so that's what this is about, Robin realized. Stepping in front of her, Robin look Lucina's hand in his, holding it between them. "Lucina, there is nothing to be ashamed of. It's only natural to have forgotten what you'd learned after such a long time." He let go of her hand, cupping the sides of her face as he looked into her eyes.
"Instead of focusing on the past, think of what the you here and now can do. Because I am certain that Lucina can do anything she sets herself to. That's the Lucina who never gives up, no matter how many times she failed." Leaning forward he kissed her on the forehead, brushing a lock of her hair aside as he did so. Then the stepped back, handing her the arrow he'd pulled from her quiver.
"I…" Lucina dipped her head sharply, her eyes narrowing with focus. "I understand, Robin. I mustn't give up. Thank you."
Slowly exhaling, Lucina drew back her bow, carefully taking aim. Robin took another step back, giving her room. Her bow string twanged, vibrating like the cord of a lute as the arrow was propelled free.
Thunk.
For a moment there was silence, Robin turning to see that Lucina had squeezed her eyes shut the instant the arrow had left the string, not daring to see the result. Then, slowly, Lucina opened her eyes, expression of dread turning to elation.
The arrow was stuck fast in the target, right at the very edge of the outer ring. Not a perfect shot, but for the first time, she it hadn't missed.
"See, what did I tell you," Robin said, returning to Lucina's side and kissing her on the cheek. "I knew it was only a matter of time before you'd start to get the hang of it."
"Yes," Lucina smiled, breathing a deep sigh of relief. "But it seems I have a long way yet to go before I can call myself proficient."
"Of course. I did say becoming a master marksman wouldn't happen overnight. It's going to take a whole lot more practice before you get to that point," Robin smiled back at her, inclining his head to the target. "But so long as you keep trying like the Lucina I know always does, I know with complete certainty you will make it in the end. You always do."