1st Strategy ~ Unwelcome Change [Open Video/Action]

[tipmyscales]

A new video feed shows up, as usual, heralding someone's arrival out of the Bay and into the wider city. It seems she's either lost or trying to find her way around, by the looks of it. This time, it's a woman wearing a thick, dark purple hood to cover her face. She doesn't seem familiar with the device but she seems to be getting the hang of it, though she's going to great lengths to keep her face hidden from view.

"I understand this is a device for speaking to people from far away, and I've heard the speech given by that woman nearby the entrance, but I still don't know what to make of this place. Is this...Genessia some type of Outrealm, or something else? These buildings, all these fortresses of glass, steel and stone are pretty uncanny."

She seems to be reviewing a book of cartography, paging through it carefully and seeming both engrossed and perplexed. She's no stranger to waking up with no memories or idea where she is, but she's at least trying to keep herself out of trouble, this way.

"This certainly doesn't seem like Ylisse and doesn't bear much resemblance to anywhere else I've encountered. But if anyone's out there, I'd like to learn more."

She flips another page for a moment and some notes tumble out, which she quickly stuffs back into the corner of the map book. It seems she's been taking very detailed maps of the place full of scribbled side-notes, despite probably having a built-in map on her device.

"Gods, this place is so noisy, sometimes...how do you people manage living here?"

Comments

[tipmyscales]

It seems that's that, then.

Following the map practically to the letter - and experimenting with the functions of this device along the way - Robin finds her way to the home of her gracious host. Every step, she thought and overthought everything she might say. Perhaps one thing would lead to the troubled youth mistaking her for someone hostile. Another might ruin any chance of repairing relations, indeed if there were any relation at all.

Fretting internally, but still putting on a hesitantly positive face, Robin arrives exactly on time. She did have a way of 'just knowing things' perhaps, but that mostly had to do with her almost inhuman precision. She arrived almost a minute before the expected time her device had estimated by a few unintentional shortcuts and quick-footedness.

Leave it to the Tactician of Ylisse to over-plan even the most trivial of things as a commute. She takes a moment to calm herself before she finds where 'Marth' resides and enters the apartment, still a little reeling from the difference in technological advancement between here and home - amongst other things.

"Alright, 'Marth'. I've come as you asked." she announces, so her host can hear her clearly. "...Do you mind if I sit down?"

[sanguine_kismet]

"Yes please take a seat." the youth called from the kitchen. "You can pick your cup too if you like. If I remember correctly you like fruity herbal teas, yes?"

'Marth' stepped out from the kitchen, carrying a matching teapot to the cups that were out. Making their way to the table they placed it down on the table before taking a seat across from the Tactician. 'Marth' had taken up an odd appearance, wearing a form of odd glasses to cover their eyes instead of their usual mask.

"I'd like to start off with saying that I'm not fully sure why you're apologetic, if you're anything like Olivia or Libra, they have seemed to have come from a different timeline than myself. I'm not too sure when you came from or what exactly has happened..."

Taking a moment, they paused to gather their thoughts before speaking once more.

"When I come from is right before attempting to save Exault Emmeryn from an assassination attempt. I was standing outside in the courtyard before dusk. I feel like all I did was blink and then suddenly I was here..."

[tipmyscales]

Robin blinks, first at the odd glasses in place of the mask, then the topic of conversation. While she was prepared to answer and ask in turn, this hit the Tactician like a ton of bricks. She struggles to come up with something to say, quietly sitting down and taking a moment.

"You might be right. Though I haven't heard from them, just yet, I'd like to see exactly when they've arrived here - both on my side and in terms of how this place behaves. Something's very unusual about this place and time, as well, don't you think? Oh...and, do you mind? I know I'm the guest here, but..."

It's a force of habit, really, but if 'Marth' speaks true, it's impossible for her to know that. Not yet. She takes a cup before gently and delicately extending a hand towards the teapot. She's seemingly offering to pour, giving her host a weary smile. More of a facsimile of something that Maribelle would do, but a bit less practiced.

"...Before we go on, though, I have something to tell you."

Robin's expression's more than weary, now. It just sits ill with her to have to deal with this much at once. The poor thing,

"It's been a long, long time since we met on that night, from my perspective. I can't say I understand your pain, exactly, but I'm starting to feel what that must have felt like."

She turns her gaze away from the youth, not exactly wanting to meet her gaze, right now.

"That's why I apologized, earlier. Memories and experience mean so much, considering I've lacked both of those for what feels like years. There's so much you haven't seen, on our journey together. And what a long, difficult journey it is. I don't know how much you actually know or not, but I can tell that you...aren't the same as the 'you' I know."

She quiets down a little, likely leaving behind a very tense, uncomfortable silence. Robin hasn't nearly been this distraught since learning of her past. But now, knowing someone's possible future...--

[sanguine_kismet]

There was a small nod of their head, agreeing to let Robin pour the tea, something Maribelle would frown horribly on but she wasn't here, was she? The youth studied the tactician's hand, eyeing the ring of the Exalt with a soft frown. Perhaps there was a lot of truth in what Robin said with differences. Different timelines along with time periods since only two people should have that ring. Herself or her mother, Robin was definitely not either.

Taking a moment to take everything in, there was a soft resigned sigh. Reaching up to take off their glasses, they gently placed them to the side of the table.

"Honestly those were so no one could point out my lineage but I believe you probably know about me more than I do. I feel silly in those anyway, someone stole my mask." the youth spoke quietly, looking pensive for a moment before looking up at Robin.

"Really, I didn't want father to be surprised...In case he didn't know me, I didn't want to ruin things."

She paused before continuing.

"I can tell you've been through a lot, I can also see this meeting is apparently bringing you a lot of discomfort...As for what I know it's not much, Libra and Olivia have been very tightlipped about it. So I guess this brings about the question, who is the me that you know versus me who is in front of you right now?"

ALL ABOARD THE LAST MAP FEELS TRAIN.

[tipmyscales]

Robin takes a sip while listening to the young Lord's worries. It seems she was much in the same boat, being kept in the dark about what went on...

"...It's fine, Lucina. I don't want to trouble you too much with what's yet to pass. I suppose your companions don't want to worry you with it, either. In time, I might tell you more. Who knows, it might save our lives."

While she puts down her cup for a moment, she doesn't seem to feel like hiding the ring for much longer. It seems she's making sure it can be seen, but for a moment, she seems a little worried that what she's doing isn't quite working as expected.

"I suppose you must've felt the same, when you approached us first. You arrived from the past to stop a great calamity. Grima would have rose again and blighted our lives if not for your help along the way. I suppose that's yet to fully happen, on your end, but...I'm certain, even from the way you look at me, that you aren't the same. And while I'm relieved to see you, I can't help but feel our meeting's bittersweet."

She smiles, trying to keep her energy up as she takes another sip. "A little like this tea, actually. Chrom always used to slip a bitter flavour into my tea to catch me off-guard. Then Morgan picked up on the habit and started doing the same, what a troublesome bunch. That's the first time you've done it, and I'm not sure if it's a mistake..."

She then looks to Lucina, then to her ring, then directly into her teacup for a moment before meeting her gaze again. It's as if she pulled herself together at the last minute. Her free hand reaches over as her finger gently pushes against the ring, like it's a comfort to her.

"...I have the same fear about your father. If I meet him, here, will he be the same as I know him? This ring has seen so much. And when it came time for our final battle, I wore it proudly. But the last thing I remember was saying that I'd never have to leave his side. Gods, I can't imagine how he feels. I don't know what I'm going to do if I see him again."

Another sip, another awkward pause. Robin tried to sport a weakly proud smile, pushing her distraught feelings away to focus on the time-worn heroine, instead.

"And you. I may as well tell you one important thing about what's going to happen. From what I remember, you fought the Fell Dragon himself to a standstill alongside all of us, and right next to Chrom and I. It's a shame I wasn't able to see you mature into such a brave girl. But without you, I couldn't have put an end to him. For that, even if you aren't the Lucina I know...I can't begin to express my pride."

[sanguine_kismet]

"I wasn't intending our meeting to be bittersweet...Nor the tea to be bitter. I remember father buying it for you as a present often, I use to sneak some so I could see what was so special about it and grew to like it. I didn't think it was a jest between the two of you." Looking appropriately embarrassed for their mistake in thinking that it may have been a favorite.

Hearing the tactician's worries echo her own and then the moment of pride she had in her made them smile, though a bit sad.

"Perhaps one day I can live that experience myself. Until then...We shouldn't dwell too much on possibilities, just opportunities that present themselves"

There was a pause, the last thing 'Marth'...no Lucina wanted was for her father's tactician to feel awkward around them. While he father wasn't here, she felt responsible for the wellbeing of the Shapard's, even if they weren't the one to lead them.

"What is something that would make you feel more comfortable, Robin? I feel like I'm not being a good host to you."

[tipmyscales]

"Don't worry yourself too much, Lucina. Just being here is fine enough to make me comfortable. It's not you that's bothering me, per se, and it isn't really your fault...or mine, either."

Robin just keeps up her wearily cheerful demeanour, so far. Even if she didn't quite feel the same way as she was reacting, she didn't want to upset her. Once again, she gently taps the ring and runs a finger across it with a faint smile. She's slowly working her way though the tea as Lucina speaks, but she isn't in a rush. Eventually, she lowers her cup and leans forward in her seat.

"We've had some unusual moments, him and I. But the fact that we held together for so long means plenty to me. It's my responsibility to keep you safe and bring you a brighter future than the one you departed. I had a very special reason to help create that brighter future."

For a moment, she looks relieved and lets out a genuine smile, this time quite a bit wider than her confused and awkward one she'd been using to keep Lucina from getting worried. On the contrary, it just worried the girl more. How troubling.

"I promised we'd survive, all of us. It hasn't happened, yet, for you. And it may not take place in the same way at all. But, from where and when I came, Chrom and I were very close. Two halves of the same whole, he used to say, and he couldn't be more right. You, on the other hand...you're the closest thing to a whole that either of us will see. So, I swore to him that I'd protect you until the end, just as much as I'd protect him. I wouldn't want to waste all my loyalty and love on just one of my dearest people."

And yes, she did say 'love' fairly prominently. Though Robin was convinced Lucina probably wouldn't understand what she meant, she figures she might as well be honest with her, even if it's in dribs and drabs.

[sanguine_kismet]

Lucina nodded her head in understanding, knowing the Tactician's heart was in the right place.

"You and father always did work quite well together." Lucina mentioned offhandedly. Both of them always did their best for the betterment of the Shepards and the country of Ylisse. The youth understood why Robin wanted to keep them safe, it was the same as keeping their country in the same shape.

This place was different though...And from what they read in the library during their downtime, nothing would appear to transfer, though some people come back and remember their time from before. They were beginning to wonder if they should take off their mask and leave it be in the meantime. It seemed easy enough to avoid others around here.

"If there is one thing I'm thankful for, while there may be strife here there is no all out war. Someone brought up the concept of living the life you've dreamed of, making a fresh start..."

There was a pause before they continued.

"What I'm trying to get at is, please don't feel like you have to go out of your way for me. Though please know that I'm here for you."

[tipmyscales]

"No, no...I don't mind doting on you at all, really. It's no trouble, really. Though, you really are your Father's child, from the way you've been speaking to me."

Yes, she thought. Both in her inability to catch her subtle turns of phrase and her propensity to start telling everyone not to worry in the most worrisome circumstances.

"I'm a little confused about all this, but I'd like to think I can start over, as well. For someone so confused for most of our journey...having the insight from the end of my travels has changed me for the better. And I hope my influence rubs off a little more on you, this time dear. Your Chrom's mannerisms are pretty persistent."

A soft smile, almost as if there was something deeper behind it. She spoke clearly, without hiding her words behind double-meanings...

"...Either way, I couldn't ask for a better child than you to look after."

[sanguine_kismet]

There was a soft blush that highlighted her cheeks. They knew Robin meant well by it, since they were indeed the child of Chrom, but it also felt odd to be referred to as a child after so long as well as having her qualities compared to him.

"Please take good care of me then." She said softly, feeling both relieved and worried that her father's Tactician wanted to stick around and help her.

"Perhaps we can spar sometime after you get settled with a job and good housing."

[tipmyscales]

"Excellent. I'd be happy to. After all...regardless of how or when or why this place will send us back home, I'd like to prepare you for the battles ahead. I know you're not quite at the same point as I am, but I'm sure you'll improve in leaps and bounds, my dear..."

She stops and quiets down. Such terms of endearment were quite apt for Robin. She always thought of Lucina as a good girl, even if she had her father's lack of forethought. Robin supposes that was why she's the Tactician and Chrom's on the front lines. But really, how could she not take this chance...?

She lays down her teacup carefully on the table and stands from her seat. A moment or two passes before she takes a couple steps closer to Lucina and - rather suddenly - wraps her in a tight hug. There's tears forming at the corners of her eyes, as she can't hold back her feelings much longer.

"Lucina...this might not be home, my sweet, sweet child. But welcome back. I promise...I won't leave you alone, again. How could I forgive myself if--"

She squeezes a bit tighter and lays a hand on her head, gently smoothing her hair. After a slightly awkward moment, she pulls back a little and offers her a gentle, caring smile.

"--Nevermind. Let's...focus on the present, for now. Worrying and overthinking things is my job, isn't it?"

[sanguine_kismet]

Hearing 'my dear' was not something they were used to from Robin, if anything perhaps from their own mother would feel more right.

Regardless, it had been too long since they heard those words, it wasn't hard to tell they were full of endearment. A moment passed before they watched the Tactician stand to close the distance between them to wrap her up in an embrace. The youth stiffened at the touch, simple not use to it before giving Robin a gentle pat on the back. Robin's words were that of a mother, reaffirming and reassuring. It was still odd the Tactician called them their child, perhaps there was a strong bond formed between them in the future, which may explain the ring a bit better.

When Robin finally pulled away, they returned the smile, though it was one that felt of slight unease.

"It should never be just your job to worry. Together, we should be able to tackle any issue."

[tipmyscales]

"...That's right, Lucina. Perhaps I'm just used to bearing all that weight at once, but I don't think I ought to make you think I'm going to get in the way - the opposite."

Robin wasn't sure how Lucina felt about that moment between them, but it seems that despite all this, there was a flicker of some familiarity.

Regardless of what Lucina saw her role as, Robin knew that she promised to support the youth in any path she chose. Her own smile's a little uneasy as well, but still contains a little hope..."

"I don't quite know what I am to you, considering when you came from. But I'm sure we'll resolve any issues, Gods' willing, so long as we stay hopeful. This world's a second chance for both of us, and the least I can do now is keep my word."

She adjusts her coat, feeling a bit awkward...

"...I'm planning on sticking around here as long as you'll have me, but going forward: I'll see where we can arrange some sparring and training sessions, soon. And I'll send you the number of my room at the Commons, just in case you'd want to visit and catch up."

[sanguine_kismet]

"I suppose to clarify what you are to me...You were around a lot for my childhood, Morgan came to play a lot, as well as practice. After I turned ten I didn't get to see Father or you as often because war broke out...So I suppose like an aunt if anything." They explained as best they could. "But I understand if it's hard to treat me with such familiarity since I'm not the Lucina you know."

Lucina then reached for the teapot, pouring Robin another cup before pouring herself one.

"If you like, let's not speak of things that are hard to speak about, let's speak of our hopes and dreams and what we'd like to accomplish here with this second chance of ours. I believe as you know in Ylisse there's no overstaying a welcome unless you're a bad guest, something I know you aren't."