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[When the feed clicks on Maribelle is seated at a simple booth, her umbrella resting next to her on the booth, and her free hand holding a cup of steaming tea.]

Hello my fellow kidnap victims, I am Maribelle.

[She sip her tea rather daintily before sitting it down and looking directly into the device.]

I won't mince words, or lament my current situation because there isn't really much to discuss. I'm a noblewoman of Ylisse, and I intend to look into the current state of the justice system of our new home. With so many people brought here from so many different realms I expect there might be a constant state of anarchy if not for rather strict law enforcement. Since I didn't see brawling in the streets and this city seems to be in relatively good spirits, I have to assume someone is doing their job rather well. I'd like to help if I can, but I suppose I'll need a bit more information before a jump headlong into any promises I can't keep.

[She sighs, and places her tea cup down on its saucer.]

I've read these instructions I've been started with, and they were decently comprehensive. I'd like to extend my gratitude to miss Weiss if she's still here, and I would be willing to accept recommendations on which districts of this city have the finest accommodations. I may not have been started with much in the way of funds, but I suspect with my natural talents and well breeding it shan't take me long to recoup my losses. If there are any members of the shepherds here, or the Ylisstan courts, I'd ask that they please contact me as soon as possible.

[She seems to hesitate for a moment or two before raising her hand to cover her face, a slightly pained look coming over her.]

I suppose that I should also mention that if there are any who remember me as a ship Captain may also feel free to contact me, though in truth I think I'd rather put that part of my life behind me.

[With a touch, Maribelle turns off her device and leans back in her booth. Not actually slouching because a noblewoman of Ylisse never slouches! For those of you who might be at the Cat's Eye Cafe, you may run into Maribelle mulling her situation over in a booth in the back, pondering over what she plans to do with her new life here.]

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[Maribelle had stopped crying by the time Robin had entered the cafe, and she looked for all the world like she was going to keep her composure. Unfortunately the hand that reached for that handkerchief was incredibly shaky, and Maribelle's resolve and she wrapped her arms around Robin in a great big tearful hug. At least she's using the handkerchief to keep the tears from ruining her tactician's coat?]

YOU! You... you idiot... when there's another way... any other way... take it so that you can live! So that those who you never knew loved you so very much don't lose you! Sometimes... sometimes certain sacrifices are too great... and you'll never get to know what could have been because someone never had the courage to speak up when they should have!

I... I know you sacrificed yourself not only for the sake of the billions of lives in our world... but the trillions, and quadrillions and the infinite quantity of lives that may yet be lived without fear of living in Grima's shadow ever again. But who are you to say if one life is worth more than another? If the lives of a thousand are as worthy as one? These are the kinds of thoughts that have caused war and strife for eons, and to make that call...

[Maribelle's still sobbing, she had a lot of pent up emotions she wanted to get off her chest now that Robin was here. She'd never had a close friend come back from a self-sacrificing death before, and this was pretty much as close as it would ever get.]

You lowborn... fool...

[She was banging her tiny fists on Robin in a weak sort of futility.]

Do you... do you even know how few friends I have like you? [sniff] Why do you have to be so stupidly... noble.

[robin had been expecting something along these lines- but nothing this extreme. she had been here for so long that she had practically forgotten just how much she head also meant to everyone back home, and they all loved her just as much as she loved them. she had killed herself all so her friends could live, so those eons from now could live, she had put everyone else above herself. it was a good decision, the best decision, and she still stuck by what she had done. even so.... she had caused so much pain, especially to her friends who she had left behind.

the tactician was surprised at first, her hands up in the air as soon as maribelle embraced her in a desperate hug, but she soon relaxed a little bit more and hugged her friend right back. she stroked her back, an attempt to soothe her a little bit more, and robin could feel tears spring to her eyes as well. it was hard not to get emotional, especially when one of her closest friends sobbed against her and she had been the cause of it.

robin wouldn't argue against her logic, she wouldn't say that she still thought her decision was right, instead she just kept silent as she listened to maribelle's desperate rant. even when maribelle started to bang her fists against her she just kept on holding her, not saying anything until she was certain the blonde was done.]

...I'm sorry. [it was all she could think to say for the moment. robin took in a deep breath and then continued on.]

I cannot say how much one life means over another- but... at the time, it was my decision to kill Grima, to deliver the final blow myself, and it was the decision that made me the happiest. I know how... foolish it may seem, but I could not stand the thought of Grima ever returning and taking away lives like before. I... wanted you all to live on in peace, as well, even if it was without me.

[robin was not one to cry, she hardly ever did, but as she talked she felt a tear roll down her cheek. she didn't move to wipe it away, she just continued to hold maribelle.]

I am just... so glad that you are here. And I truly do apologize- you are such a dear friend to me as well.

[Maribelle had buried all of it inside of her. She hadn't been able to face Robin's death, it was something she'd never been able to accept. So with Robin before her at last it all came flooding back to her so fiercely she could barely hold back the metaphorical tidal wave made of tears and emotions. There was a sad sort of satisfaction in that Robin did at least understand just how much Maribelle had been hurt by her sacrifice. She sniffed, trying her best to regain her composure.]

Did... did you ever stop to think how we would feel? You sacrificed yourself for our sake... but don't you know just how lonely our lives feel without you in it? At first it's like you're just gone somewhere else... but then slowly that hole becomes bigger and bigger until its an empty void that draws me to look at it and I realize... you might not ever come back. Then I scream and I try to fight against it, and I want to bring you back even harder, but you're not th-therhahahar-ahhhh!

[Maribelle broke down into more sobs, holding Robin tighter, as if she let her go she'd disappear on her again. It was painfully clear where Brady got all his blubbering from now.]

I love you like my darling Lissa, or the sister I never h-had... you s-stupid... you say you sacrificed yourself for us, but don't you realize how guilty that makes us feel?! If weren't for us, maybe you'd have kept on living!

[She took the handkerchief and finally cleared up her nose and her eyes, feeling incredibly drained.]

Don't... don't you ever leave us like that again... please?

[robin definitely had considered how everyone would have felt afterwards, and that was why it was such a hard decision for her. she had been told not to worry about it, so just let chrom deliver the final blow, but she couldn't in the end. she was nothing like grima, she didn't want anymore lives lost to such a beast, and if she could put an end to it for good then of course she would. she had a choice, and she would always choose this one.

she hadn't realized just how badly maribelle would take it, however. she was always such a composed woman, one of high nobility that knew just how to tease and how to talk in any sort of situation. she could clearly see where brady got his emotions from, indeed.]

No, Maribelle, that's not quite right. Do not feel guilty because of what happened, I did it for everyone- and also for myself. I would never have been satisfied if Chrom had imprisoned Grima instead, I would also have been miserable at the end result. Trust me when I say that I am fine with how this progressed.... but I am still so very, very sorry that I brought you and the others such pain.

I am here now, we are together, and I will not leave you or anyone else for that matter. I promise you that.

[Maribelle hiccuped the last of her tears away, rubbing her face in Robin's handkerchief... and overcoat.]

You... you'd better not. I know you felt you had to, and if you hadn't it would always haunt you... I just... I wish there could have been some other way.

[Because what if she couldn't bring Robin home with her? What if Robin only existed here but she'd fade out of existence as soon as she tried to leave? These questions gnawed away at her and twisted at her gut like a vice, but she shook her blonde locks back and forth with her head. This wasn't the time to be worrying about what may happen, and she'd finally come to grips with what had happened.]

Robin... thank you for... everything. I've missed you more than I could have possibly admitted to myself.

[Then it clicked to Maribelle that she'd had an emotional breakdown... right in the middle of the cafe... and everyone was probably staring.]

*AHEM!*

[It was said not just for the benefit of the onlookers to go back about their business, but also for herself so that she could regain some measure of dignity. If this had been the Maribelle of just a short year or so ago she might have dragged Robin out of the cafe in sheer embarrassment, but fleeing the scene would only make her public embarrassment more complete.]

S-So! What have you been up to?

I've missed you, too.

[robin was feeling much more satisfied with this, with having someone else from home here and scolding her for what she had done, she found it oddly calming. she had been longing for someone else from ylisse, and now she had one of her shepherds back and she was extremely happy.

but yes, once maribelle moved off of her and tried to compose herself, robin couldn't help but smile at her. same old maribelle. robin brought her sleeve up to her face and she wiped away any tears that had fallen while they had been talking. right, on to other topics.]

I have been keeping myself pretty busy. There has been a lot going on, and I'll definitely fill you in on everything. I've just recently opened up my own book store. [robin went to sit down at the table now, since she had a feeling they would be talking for a while they might as well get comfortable.]

Ah yes... I remember hearing a bit about that from that Micaiah girl. I almost was going to go try to track down the store to confirm whether or not it was you, but then you found me first.

[Maribelle took her seat and began to pour the both of them tea, getting back into a routine she hadn't used in years. It was comforting to be able to have Robin come back into her life, a little jarring to re-align some of her lines of thinking, but so very reassuring.]

I'm still trying to decide which of the many jobs I am qualified to fill that I shall attempt. So far I know I will apply my knowledge as a member of the courts here to try to aid justice as best I can. My skills as a healer are still quite formidable, so I'm thinking I might also work at the hospital... and open a small tea shop.

[She tapped her chin thoughtfully.]

I suppose being a concert violinist and a teacher can wait until I'm a bit more settled.

I'm not at the store as often, I'm afraid, so I have a companion of mine running it in my stead. [a digimon she had adopted named dracomon is basically a bookstore npc.

this was nice however, just enjoying tea with her friend. since she was so used to this robin had already straightened her posture, sat proper, and delicately grabbed the handle of her tea cup. she remembered all the lessons maribelle had given her on how to act like proper nobility, after all.]

Wow, that's really ambitious of you. However- I know for a fact that you will be able to do all of that and then some. You are one of the hardest workers I know. I think many people here are looking for healers specifically right now, so perhaps that one should become a priority.

[robin laughed a little.] Yeah, I wouldn't want you to burn out when you've only just arrived.

I ought to have expected as much.

[Maribelle was likely going to have to have people take over certain menial positions for her as well if she were to fulfill her ambitions. There was a barely contained smile on Maribelle's face at Robin assuming a more dignified posture, one that turned into a full chuckle at Robin's confidence in her]

Is it any wonder I've missed you? In the last year or so of my travels, I can't count the number of low-lifes that insisted I couldn't do something.

[The smile on Maribelle's face turned to a more serious troubled expression.]

Yes, I'd heard a little about that. I thought that by now all the victims had received appropriate medical attention.

[at the serious expression that is when robin's demeanor changed as well. she knew the details of the attack, and she would definitely share it all with maribelle.]

Most, yes, but due to being low on healers I'm not sure just how well the wounds of the victims have healed up. Maribelle, we certainly have a situation on our hands. That.... dastard... he tortured and killed about twenty people, and he is still at large.

I have already offered my services to the cause, and I plan to provide tactical support during this time of crisis.

This is more serious than I had even thought.

[She had heard there were a number of victims, but she hadn't realized one man had caused quite that much damage to the community.]

I am glad to hear that you are taking an active role in aiding in his capture. There is something that I'm not sure of whether or not many people have thought about, and that is the matter of a trial. If I'm not mistaken, many people will want to see him killed for this but I do not know if that would be the most fitting form of justice. Not to mention the fact that if we do not hear his testimony on the matter, he could merely be a puppet for an even greater threat.

[She prayed that wasn't the case, but she was far too cautious to jump to any conclusions.]

Who has jurisdiction over him should there be a trial?

[robin hadn't thought about a trial, nor had she thought someone had been pulling the strings. it had been a possibility, especially since someone had once been pulling her strings, so of course that train of thought resonated with her.]

Gods.... much like how I was nearly.... [she nearly killed chrom, nearly became grima again, but thanks to her own plans they had all pulled through.

either way, with this new way of thinking she nodded at maribelle.]

We need to find out more information before any conclusions can be made. If he is a sort of puppet, then I would want a trial for sure.

And.... the jurisdiction would depend on where he was apprehended. Different cities have different guardians.

[In Maribelle's case, she had been thinking of how Gaius was used to frame her father, but Robin wasn't likely to know the details of that. She couldn't help but wince when she was reminded of Validar's manipulation of the fire emblem to force Robin's hand.]

Yes... unfortunately exactly like that.

[She wanted to rub her temples in sheer frustration when Robin informed her of the fact that it could fall under any of the five jurisdictions.]

That complicates things even further! I have yet to even be able to speak with any of the city guardians and now I find out that any one of the five may be the one presiding over his trial? Each section of this city seems to abide by different laws, and as I understand it this man has likely had victims across multiple jurisdictions? Is he tried in each through extradition, or does the one who catch him have free reign to do as they please?

[She wasn't certain whether or not Robin would know all of this, yes she was a brilliant tactician and well versed in many forms of literature, but law might not be her strong point.]

If that's the case I may need to speak with the bounty hunters, because they might feel inclined to turn him over to whichever guardian is offering the best price!

[unfortunately (or fortunately) she had forgotten her memories of validar. she had give them up in order to open up a gate to ylisse... but not like she can bring it up, she's completely forgotten.]

I'm afraid I don't know all the answers to that... I haven't had a chance to ask about the specifics of the law just yet. [she hasn't been here for very long either, after all.]

I doubt that- he cannot be captured or beaten simply by a bounty hunter or two. I am going to have a talk with.... someone who was directly involved, and hopefully will get some answers as to how powerful he really is. We need to know his strength before we can even act.

[Well that last part took her slightly aback.]

You mean with all the insanely powerful people in this place, his power is still more than that of any of the bounty hunters? You make it sound as if he's Grima himself! Just how many demigods do we have here?

[...she really hopes it isn't as much power as grima.]

I would say.... there are definitely a lot of individuals that possess powers akin to a demigod, yes. It is why I know for a fact we will need a big team for capturing him.

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action; aww maribelle! ;; this hurts so good already

My Maribelle has wanted to get this off her chest for years, so thank you T_T

you're welcome! robin wants maribelle to get it off her chest ;;

1/2 I was so glad when I saw you took Robin from the self-sacrifice ending OTL

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