Letter to Robin

[shepherd_prince]

[The letter is sealed with wax, and stamped with Chrom's signet ring to ensure that Robin is the only one who reads this letter. And not any Moogles. Granted, he could just deliver it to her himself, but he wants to do this right.]

[He just hopes she didn't notice the multiple wadded up attempts at letters now overflowing from the wastebasket in the room he and Morgan share.]

To My Dear Friend and Trusted Ally,

I would be most pleased if you would agree to be my valentine, and accompany me to Trano Golsaucia on the fourteenth of February for a date.

Sincerely Yours,
Chrom

[And behind that letter, slipped in there by a too-helpful Kulevi, is one of Chrom's earlier attempts to convey his feelings. It's crumpled, and chock full of corrections, but she felt this one at least deserved to be rescued from the trash.]

My Dearest Dear Pal Comrade in Arms Roommate?????? Beloved Robin,

It would give me great pleasure honor if you would accept my humble invitation to spend a day of romance honoring the time-honored tradition of that's too many 'honors'

Do you like Trano Golsaucia? It's cold but I will keep you warm with my love OH GODS

I don't know how to tell you what I feel for you. I have never been gifted with words, nor can I claim to be particularly sensitive or perceptive to how you must be feeling right now. The things we saw that day cannot easily be forgotten, I know. But I don't want you to blame yourself. You were not responsible for those things. I will not grant you forgiveness, for there is nothing that needs to be forgiven. You are blameless. I now know that there is a precious future to protect, for your sake and for that of your son. Our son. Even before I knew of Morgan's lineage, I harbored deep affection and regard for you, unlike any I had ever felt before. I care for you deeply, and I swear to you on my sword, and on my brand, that the future we saw will never come to pass. I owe you that much, after all you have done for Ylisse and her people, and all the happiness you have given me.

This is completely backwards, I'm aware. Would that I had the courage to have asked you before we knew of our future, but perhaps it is better late than never? I would be the happiest man alive if you would grant me the honor of a formal courtship, for there is no one I would rather have at my side than you, my beloved friend.

[Then there are a lot of deep lines and dots where Chrom tapped at the paper with his pen in an agitated fashion, then gave up and crumpled up the note to throw it away and begin fresh on another piece of paper.]

Comments

[shepherd_prince]

I took the liberty of procuring some brochures. I thought we might read them along the way and decide what we want to do.

[Because as much as he's tempted to try and plan ahead, he has a feeling Robin will probably lay out a much better date plan than he could, and she'll likely have fun doing it, too. Besides, it's something they should do together as a team.]

We can stay as long as you wish. They rent rooms to tourists, if I'm not mistaken. We could get adjacent suites.

[tacticallyminded]

Oh, splendid! Let's see.

[She takes the brochures and looks them over for a moment, before she looks up at him. A vacation together? It's--well, it's a great idea. There is a lot of missed time to make up for.]

Hmm. Trano Golsaucia has an appeal. Did you ever go there?

[shepherd_prince]

[He shakes his head.]

I've been to the Santa Village once or twice, but didn't see much need in visiting the southern region of the continent.

[Not that he refuses to have fun, he's just. Busy. There's been a lot on his plate ever since he arrived. But he knows the importance of down time, and this will be a good way for him and Robin to talk and reconnect. And date.]

They have too many attractions to keep track of. Maybe we could sort out our options my whichever has the strongest appeal, and plan out each day accordingly?

[tacticallyminded]

Ah, yes! We can do that. Hm...

[She has a pen on her -- really, she always has a pen on her, because she might need to take notes at a moment's notice -- and begins to scribble numbers next to them. There's a few crossed out and redone ones.]

[She's being thorough.]

You got quite a list together, Chrom!

[shepherd_prince]

I wanted to ensure we had no shortage of options.

[He smiles as he studies the brochures at her shoulder, stealing an occasional glance at her face. This was a good idea, he thinks to himself. She looks like she's having a good time planning out a strategy for their date. Mission accomplished.]

How about the Battle Arena? I wouldn't mind trying the Memory Mode they have there.

[tacticallyminded]

[Are they really going to fight stuff on their first date? DAMN RIGHT.]

Certainly! I always thought that would be an interesting challenge. We might learn a lot, too.

[Which she considers... well, maybe not romantic, but a good use of their time.]

[shepherd_prince]

[It occurs to him that it might be useful if they want to play out any particularly nasty battles they went through in that vision. He's about to suggest it, when his common sense comes to his rescue.]

[PROBABLY NOT A GOOD IDEA TO BRING THAT UP RIGHT NOW.]

What about restaurants? Do any of the places in the brochures catch your eye?

[tacticallyminded]

Oh--yes. There were a few places. [She points; a seafood place and a steakhouse are on the list, along with a smaller noodle place that she heard was good.] That one might be nice for lunch.

What about you, Chrom? What sort of restaurants would you want?

[shepherd_prince]

You know me, I'm not a picky eater.

[He smiles, before looking at her selections. He nods in approval. Steak is delicious and one of his favorites, but seafood is something of a delicacy he rarely gets to enjoy. And noodles? Why not? Everyone likes noodles.]

But perhaps we should consider at least one place where I make an effort not to look like a vagabond mercenary. My aim is to impress you, after all.

[Chrom grins.]

[tacticallyminded]

[That prompts a smile. She doesn't think he looks like a vagabond mercenary... but she also takes his point. Robin nods, before she looks down at the list.]

Somewhere fancy, then? I think I can do that.

[shepherd_prince]

That should be interesting. I've never seen you wear a dress.

[Careful, Chrom...]

Is there anything else you'd like to do once we reach the docks, or would you rather get a look at the sights for yourself before deciding?

[tacticallyminded]

It can happen! Just... not often.

[Because really, dresses just aren't quite Robin's style. She smiles, though, and considers what to do for a moment.]

I'll see the sights myself. A good reconnaissance might affect my decisions!

[shepherd_prince]

Agreed.

[He smiles at her, then after a moment of consideration, his hand moves toward hers, fingertips brushing against the side of her palm. He won't take her hand without permission, but if she seems amenable to it, then there's nothing he'd like better than to clasp hands as they watch the world speed away.]

[tacticallyminded]

[When he takes her hand, tentatively, Robin doesn't hesitate; her fingers squeeze around Chrom's, happily taking his hand in hers. She smiles, then, and she nods. Let the word speed away; they're together, now.]