Disclaimer: I don't own the game Fire Emblem: Awakening.

I literally don't own the game Fire Emblem: Awakening. Have a whooping of nearly 5,000. And curse you The Apocryphal One for triggering my instinct to write more Sumia. She wasn't even originally planned to be in this chapter dangnabit.

"So I was like, 'Hey Chrom, I'm free right now. Lemme just help y'all defeat this goatee guy'. And then he was all, 'Huhrr duhrr shtand bahk Ruhbun, ah durnt turst yew enerf cuj yew wurnt furcused an' ish durngerus fer yewwww'."

My listener stayed awkwardly silent, taking her time on how to answer my ridiculous rant. "I," she said finally, "I don't think he'd say that . . . Especially in that accent." I shook my head.

"Of course not, Sumia," I shrugged in my normal voice. "Just so you know, I like to exaggerate to see other people's reactions. Pretty interesting. But still, you get the idea of what happened."

Yep, this is the kind of conversation I'm having with her as we walk around the capital. It's pretty surprising how the residents of Ylisstol wasn't affected. Not that it's bad, it's very relieving. I mean, I figured the enemies would've razed the city while they're at it. But that meant that they were aiming for Lady Emmeryn with their all. Yeesh, that's a scary thought.

It was originally planned for the Shepherds to move out today, but that was changed because everyone's trying to settle after last night. Lady Emmeryn was to move to a fortress in the east in secret with Phila and the rest of us. After that's done, we'll go to (sigh) Regna Ferox to talk to Flavia and uh, stuff. I don't know.

So everyone's preparing their things and I'm out here dwindling around. I know it's bad to put it off but I don't want to . . . care about it. It's just so stressful and worrying to think about the what-if's and the consequences. Especially since—as much as I don't want to say it—I play an important role in leading us.

We have a few days before we go. I'm taking the chance to relax by myself, get some walking around the square. I haven't had the opportunity to do so before, when I first arrived here. At least, I was planning to do that until I bumped into Sumia. I couldn't refuse her hopeful doe-eyes when she asked to tag along.

But man, the capital is beautiful. I can certainly see and feel the peace that Lady Emmeryn worked so hard for. Parents with content expressions rested on their faces as their kids ran and skipped around in the sunlight with gleeful looks. Merchants selling their wares from their stalls and stores with fresh smiles. I can feel a smile blooming on myself as well.

. . . And suddenly I'm irritated again. Did they even know what happened last night? The giant resounding boom did nothing? Gawds, everyone is so happy.

"And then Panne!" I mentioned sharply. "She just . . . she unintentionally led me to embarrass myself in front of the exalt and I was done with everything! This is worse than the time I blubbered gibberish in front of Lady Emmeryn."

Sumia tilted her head and arched a brow. "Who's Panne?"

"This . . . shape-shifting rabbit woman Chrom randomly recruited yesterday along with a thief named Gaius," I explained with a shake of my head. "Speaking of which, that dumb move he made was a very dumb one! Who recruits people they just met? Taguel woman and former enemy thief. But. . . ."

"But?"

"Panne looks so cool!" I gushed, frustrated with myself for thinking that. "The way she has her hair done, the way she fights and talks and walks. It's what part of me strives to be, Sumia. So I'm gonna say this once: Panne is my spirit animal."

"Spirit . . . animal," Sumia repeated blankly.

"Yeah, so I will try to respect her no matter what she throws at me. Oh, and Gaius! He's also pretty cool. Bonus points for being good-looking." I cracked a tiny giggle. "And he had my back during the fight. I wonder how Chrom recruited him.

"But enough of that. Next thing you know, we're gonna have magical dragons and enemy mages and people who can't fight. And then Chrom telling them to stay close to him because he trusts them and not me!" I fumed.

"But Robin, I'm sure he did it because he was worried," Sumia firmly assured. "He cares a lot for his army, you know."

"Then what about Sully?" I retorted. "Gaius I understand cause he was just recruited, they don't have a strong bond. But Sully!" I threw my hands in the air and sulked, trudging faster. Sumia hurried after me and nearly stumbled in the process.

"They trust each other a lot. I heard they've known each other since they were kids," Sumia said simply once she caught up. "So it makes sense they'd have an unbreakable bond and—" she realized how she was rubbing salt in my wound and winced. "Robin, please don't be upset!"

"It's okay, you tried," I said airily. "But I'm still mad."

"Oh, sor—"

"No not you, Chrom's the one," I said, trying not to think of that friendship-breaking traitorous fiend—

"Augh! I'm so bitter about it!" My sudden shout made Sumia jump in surprise. I gained several looks in our direction. And I think a mom covered her kid's eyes and backed away. Sumia shrank in embarrassment. "I mean, I'm human too, right?" I said quickly as the folks went back to their thing. "Right?" I gazed intensely at her.

"Y-yes?" she slightly squeaked, unsure on what to do.

"Exactly!" I snapped my fingers. "And that includes me being downright rude sometimes. I like to think about other things when people are talking to me. I'm pretty clumsy"—I quickly directed my words to a different direction because I'm talking to Sumia here—"but what I'm saying is: I'm human, so like other humans, I have feelings too. So here's the conclusion"—I placed my hands on my chest"—Chrom ripped my feelings from my heart"—I pushed my hands away—"and threw them in the trash can. Then he had Frederick happily burn it. Then Lissa healed it so Frederick can burn it again. Am I making any sense? S-Sumia can you say something."

Sumia sweated a little. "D-don't you think you're being a bit dramatic?" she asked carefully.

"At least I'm not Virion. If I wanted to be dramatic, I'd borrow some of his flair."

We decided to take a rest at a bench that was under a maple tree. As I leaned back and mulled over my words, a few leaves showered my hair. But I paid no mind because Sumia took something white out of her pouch. I realized it's a flower, a white daisy by the looks of it. It had a lot of petals. As she started to pluck one, I heard the small murmurs, "He likes me so."

She plucked another.

"He likes me not."

And another.

"He likes me so."

And it repeated. "He likes me not."

Soon, Sumia had a little petal pile on her lap.

"He likes me n . . ." I could see the disappointment kicking in as she pulled the last one.

I quickly butted in, because Sad Sumia is Worst Sumia!

"How do those fortunes work?" I pointed to the flower. "It seems pretty mystical."

She jumped, like she forgot I was here sitting next to her. Maybe she has. "Y-you were watching?" she stuttered tentatively.

"We've been hanging out all day together and haven't separated. I'm sitting right here."

"Oh right."

"So can ya teach me?"

"What?"

"Teach me how to do a flower fortune. Unless, of course, this is some sacred family tradition I'm stepping in."

"Ah, this is just a . . . hobby of mine," the brunette said shyly. "And anyone could do this. It's quite easy."

"So . . . is that a yes?"

Sumia smiled brightly, her previous emotion now replaced by eagerness. "Yes, of course! It's my first time teaching someone how to do one so go easy on me."

"I should be saying that to you," I remarked. "I don't know about flowers, so I'll be relying on you, Miss Florist."

She giggled a little and I grinned to myself. Yay! Happy Sumia is Best Sumia!

She reached into her pouch to get another flower and handed to me. I grasped the flimsy stem with a careful hand. Instead of a daisy like hers, it's a yellow rose.

"This is a yellow rose," she explained, noticing my curious look.

"I can see that. Is there a significant meaning or something?"

Sumia nodded, pleased with my question. "Yeah, each flower has a different meaning. The daisy I was using earlier meant 'innocence'."

Wow, I don't know if it's a coincidence or not, but that fits her.

"So what does mine mean?"

She was eager to tell me the story of this tiny plant. "It means friendship," she confessed. "Giving a yellow rose to someone tells them the joy they bring the giver and the close friendship you share with them."

Oh.

My.

God.

"W-w-wait," I blabbed, "so that means you . . . enjoy my c-company?!"

She only smiled brightly in response.

"Ohhhhh youuuuuuu!" I playfully bumped her shoulder with mine with the stupidest grin on my face.

"Whoa, Robin, are you blushing?!" Sumia exclaimed in amazement, as if she was given the castle's treasure.

"Am I?" I'm pretty sure I don't need a mirror to find out. "Oh gods, I probably am."

"Yeah, your cheeks are really pink! I didn't think you were the type to blush!"

"It's just . . . this makes so happy, ahhhhh," I gushed, covering my mouth and nose with one hand and cradling the yellow rose with the other. "I feel so much better! Forget Chrom, hello Sumia my new best friend!"

She, unfortunately, stopped smiling and had a weird one. "I thought Sully was your best friend," she stated.

"Sully . . . ? Everyone but Chrom is my best friend," I huffed, my cheery aura downing a bit. "I could even call Frederick my best friend because that's how much I'm annoyed with Chrom right now. Frederick over Chrom."

"Oh dear."

"I know, right? But forget about that, you're the other best friend and nothing could change that!" I said happily.

She broke eye contact with me and fiddled with her pouch. "Um. . . ."

"What, you have a best friend already?" I joked. But when she didn't laugh like I thought she would, I closed my mouth and tugged my eyepatch's strap. "Wow, this is awkward."

"Sorry. . . ."

"Oh no, it's cool," I assured. "But really: am I not cool enough for you? What does this so-called best friend have that I don't." Then I hastily added, "Just kidding."

"We grew up together as pegasus trainees. I always thought she was amazing," she recalled, eyes softened at whatever memory she's remembering. "She was there for me when I was picked on—"

"Excuse me for interrupting you," I said, holding up a hand, "but you were picked on?" She nodded and I squinted. "How? You're so cute and nice and kind and thoselasttwordsmeanthesame but still! You need to be protected, young lady. I will do that. I will be your human shield."

"I was picked on," she clarified. "My friend defended me and when Captain Phila found out about the whole thing, it wasn't pretty."

I stayed silent until I asked a question that was unrelated to her past. "Is your friend pretty."

"What?"

"Is your friend pretty," I repeated.

Sumia widened her eyes. "She is! She's strong, smart, and talented!"

"I gotta meet this girl because she's everything I'm not," I snickered, pleased with my joke.

"What?" she frowned. "Robin, don't say that about yourself! You've got your own quirks like—"

"If you're gonna say that I'm pretty, then I don't want to hear it," I said flatly, plugging my ears. "Besides, you're triggering the one memory I sworn to forget back in Southtown where this teenaged girl said I looked. . . ." I dropped my arms and sighed. "Dang it," I snorted.

"Oh, what did she say?" Sumia pressed lightly. "Was it a compliment?"

"In a way, yes, it was," I grouched. "Maybe, I would've brushed it off. Maybe, I wouldn't have just left that girl there thinking that she offended me. Maybe, none of that woulda happened she didn't call me handsome."

"Oh," Sumia placed her fingers on her lips.

"How did we ever get from flower meanings to this," I sighed. "You were supposed to teach me how to do a flower fortune."

"Then let's start on that, shall we?" Yes, thank you, change the subject. "What kind of fortunes do you prefer?" she asked. "It doesn't have to focus on love, but it can be other things like—"

"Luck?"

"Yeah, luck!" she agreed, then her smile faded a little. "Wait, luck?"

"Uh, never mind, forget about it." I waved dismissively. "You were saying?"

Sumia hummed. "Other than love and luck, there's also wishes, choices, health . . . nearly everything, really."

"Then I guess I'll start with love first," I said casually.

Her eyes widened in surprise. "Robin, you . . . you have someone you like?!" she whispered excitedly. "Oh, do tell! I mean, unless you don't want to."

I just realized something amazing. I've been having one of those "gossips" that women do! I mean, I talked with other women (duh) but not subjects as deep as this! Ohohoho, it's time to be girly and giggly. . . .

"I do have someone I fancy," I said smugly, straightening up and wiggling my eyebrows. "Wanna take a guess?"

"Is it someone I know?" she asked hopefully.

"Yup."

"Is he tall?"

"Yup."

"Taller than you?"

"Yu—" I stopped. "Actually, I'm not sure."

"Then I can at least conclude that it's not Ricken."

I—literally—gasped, feeling the tips of my ears tilt back because what in good god's name made her come up with Ricken! "Sumia!" I exclaimed, offended. "I don't have feelings for him! If anything, he's like a brother . . .
not that I know what having a brother is like."

"You told me to guess," she teased. "But I do hope that Ricken will find his significant other."

"Yeah, I pray for him. Continue?"

"Oh, um . . . ," she glanced at me sideways. "Can you give me a hint?"

"Ah . . . he hails from Regna Ferox," I smiled with dreamy face. "Should be obvious enough."

A look of realization crossed over Sumia's face as she dropped her mouth open in surprise. Haha, I see she got it!

"You like him?" she whispered in wonder. "I-I never would've guessed!"

"Mm-hm! He's so strong," I hummed, petting the flower's petals. But how did she not guess Lon'qu right away? He's so handsome! I could totally find him in a crowd anytime.

"We're traveling to Ferox in a few days," she said thoughtfully.

"Mm-hm!"

"So you'll be able to see him again, right?"

"Mm . . . hm?"

"You must really be in love with Khan Basilio if you're humming a lot."

"Mm—UH-UH!" My eye snapped wide open and I screamed with my mouth closed, dropping the flower on the floor. "Hwah—?" I squawked, twisting my head to her. "Whaddya—no! That's—that's a dark territory you're trending in!" I deathly whispered. "Don't even"—I'm breathless, unable to take in the mere thought of me being together with the Khan—"n-no! That's not—no! I'm talking 'bout Lon'qu! No!"

She, who had her eyes wide at my frantic confession, opened her mouth and let out a tiny apology. "I am so sorry."

"Just . . . help me with the fortune, please."

"Okay," she said just as woodenly, which was uncharacteristic of her to sound so stiff. "It goes in a pattern. Start with, 'He likes me so' and when you pluck the next one it's, 'He likes me not'."

"Thanks," I said solemnly, bending to the floor to pick up the yellow rose. It was a miracle that I didn't trample the thing during my mini frenzy. I started with the biggest one and slowly peeled it off the head. The petal was soft. Yet, it had a slightly sticky feel to it. Although it was sad to the flower that had once grown on the earth and was plucked off by a hand, it was oddly satisfying to peel the petals. Like I'm stripping its layers of protection and exposing it defenseless to the world.

"He likes me so," I began, dropping the yellow petal on my lap.

Whatever mood Sumia and I had just now vanished. The both of us eyed my hands unfurl the petals one by one, with my lips saying the scripted words. He likes me not, he likes me so, he like me not, and so on. There are a lot of petals on this tiny flower.

"He likes me not." I watched the last one flutter passed my lap and on the cobblestone street. "Wait so, if it didn't end the way you wanted to, what do you do?"

"Well . . . it's a fortune," Sumia said. "I just do more to change my fate."

"Oh. If this is a sign telling me fate's not changing, then fate can kiss my ass. Anyways, that was pretty soothing." I dusted the remaining petals off my lap and Sumia took out another flower.

"Do you want to try again?"

"No thanks. Fate can fight me and lose."

She laughed gently and did another fortune. "He likes me so, he likes me not. . . ."

Sumia really is a great person. I'm lucky to have someone like her to release my cooped up stress to her. I'll gladly return the favor. She likes Chrom, right? I was about to ask about him but decided to wait a bit more.

"—likes me so, he likes me not. . . ." She didn't bother brushing off the petals and the pile continued to grow. Does she really like Chrom that much?

"Is it that fact that he's a prince like in those fairy tales you read?" I asked curiously. "Is that why you like him?"

Sumia stopped and stared. "N-no, well, yes but that's not all!" she quickly confirmed, turning a bit red. "He's a strong, courageous leader and . . . that's what I really admire about him. Can't you see it?"

I took my time before answering. "Yeah," I nodded. "Back in Southtown, that's the part I got my respect from. There's even a reason why I started calling him 'milord', but . . . ," I cleared my throat and shuddered at the memory, "that's a story for another day."

Freakin' Chrom and his freakin' ways. I was still embarrassed by that memory, but now that I look back on it, it's utterly hilarious.

A low grumble vibrated in my stomach reminded me that I'm famished. Ah, time to stuff it up. I scanned the nearby buildings but the one in front of us caught my eye.

"Hey, let's go to that bakery." I pointed to the small building across from us. It's pretty small, but it looked homey and warm and welcoming. "You like that kind of stuff, right?"

Sumia paused. "I'm actually a regular there, but are you sure?"

"Well yeah, I'm the one asking. Let's go go go."

I walked in front of her to reach the door to open it. "After you," I said. Sumia giggled and went inside.

Only to trip.

"Oh man." I quickly closed the door and the chatter from the citizens faded. Warm air greeted my chilled skin and baked goods are the first things I smell and it smelled good. There's some person in the bakery, but that's not important right now.

"Oh, that's going to be a bruise," Sumia moaned, massaging her nose after I helped her up.

I winced. "Do you need a healer? We can go back to the castle and have Lissa take a look at that."

"It's okay, I'm used to—"

"Sumia, my dear, wherever did you get that stumbling from!" A middle-aged woman appeared at the left where the kitchen's doorway stood. Her hands were on her hips, along with an exasperated expression. The patches of flour on her apron sprinkled on the floor as she briskly stomped to Sumia and I.

"Hi Grace," Sumia mumbled in greeting. Grace didn't look too impressed.

"Ah," I spoke up, "ma'am, do you have a cold rag or something for her no—"

"And who might you be?" Grace jerked her head towards me with a suspicious glare and I instantly smiled with a bead of sweat. Cranky women ain't my forte!

"I'm her friend and comrade in the army," I said with the smile, unsure how to deal with her attitude. I suppose just being polite will work? "My name is Robin, tactician of the Shepherds—"

"Meh, too polite," the woman cut me off. "Sumia, sit on one of the chairs. I'll get you a cold rag."

Being polite did not work at all. I stayed silent as I escorted Sumia to the tables on the right, where I pulled a chair for the both of us. Once Grace vanished from view to the kitchen, Sumia turned to me.

"I'm sorry about that."

"Yeah, so am I."

The stranger on the table to the right of us snickered. "Nice response, Eyepatch."

I pursed my lips in recognition as Sumia gazed behind me. "Okay, I've been meaning to say this but it slipped passed my mind. My name is not Eyepatch." I turned around to face Gaius. In front of him, he had a plate of what seemed to be sugar cookies. A lot of sugar cookies. "It's Robin."

"Nah, I think Eyepatch suits you more," he said dismissively. He picked up the cookies and started to stuff them in his cloak similar to how I store my books in mine. Sumia and I stared at the strange action, before I shook out of my daze.

"Yeah, that's cute. I'm done with this handicap thing. My eye doesn't even hurt anymore," I stated. I don't even know why I still had it on. I think my mind was trying to make part of my face look cool. Fumbling with the object that had been obscuring my vision for the past few days, I can finally see double again! "Now you can't call me Eyepatch again," I confirmed as I put it away in my pocket.

Sumia looked between Gaius and I, terribly confused. I got the hint.

"Oh, that's Gaius," I explained, "the guy that was recruited all of a sudden. Oh yeah, how'd you—"

"Sumia!" Grace yelled, popping out of nowhere. I shrank by surprise as she whipped up the rag that Sumia needed. "Here." The seemingly angry baker pried Sumia's hands off her nose and pinned the rag on it. "Keep it there," she ordered, then turned to me. Her shrewd stare made me thin my lips awkwardly.

"Uh—"

"Croissants and water, is that all right?" She's basically daring me to say no. But I don't want croissants and water, I want chocolate bread and milk!

"O-oh, yes please. Thank you," I found myself saying. Grace gave a short nod at my response and jerked her head to Gaius.

"You there," she demanded. "Keep an eye on these two for me. I'll get you cupcakes because I have some leftover."

Gaius' eyes lit up like a child, stopping midway of his storing. "Sweet!" he cheered. "Thanks lady!" After she retreated to her kitchen, I was dumbfounded.

"She didn't even ask what I wante—wha—why—Sumia, is she like this to you?" I whispered harshly. Sumia shook her head, setting the cold rag on the table.

"Grace's stern, but that's just her nature."

"Stern" is an understatement, but I didn't bother to voice that out loud.

"Right, so my question." I turned to Gaius once more. "How did Chrom snag you into the Shepherds? Did he bribe you? Force you? But if I know Chrom then he probably talked about the greater good and whatnot. But tell me, what'd he do? You know you can run away from this army if you want, right?"

"Robin!" Sumia gasped at my casual statement. "Running away is-"

"I was kidding," I said quickly.

Gaius took a moment to stuff in the last of his cookies. Then, a familiar pouch was in his hands.

"That's Lissa's bag of candy . . . ," I trailed off.

He gestured to keep going.

"And . . . Chrom was holding it for her?"

"Getting warmer," he replied with a sly smile.

"Ugh, um. . . ."

"Here's a hint." He opened the pouch and popped a couple candies in his mouth. My envious eyes tried not to stare at the sweet treats. "Told Blue to 'sweeten the deal'."

It finally clicked and I gaped. "So a deal was made and he complied. Was he that despar—!"

Something hard slammed on the table and I yelped like a little kid, scooting my chair back until my head hit the wall. Sumia cringed at my poor performance and a glass of water sat in front of me.

"Here's your water," Grace almost disgustingly scowled. My god, what is up with this woman? She's out for my head!

"Thank you very much," I pushed out through a gritted smile. When she vanished again, my fake smile dropped. "Sumia, how are you a regular here," I said in a monotonous tone.

"Yeah, Stumbles, how are you a regular?" Gaius echoed. "Lady wasn't that cranky when I came in, but now her attitude's getting spicy."

Sumia dropped her shoulders not at the question, but the nickname. "S-Stumbles?" she recoiled.

"Hey," I snapped, "you can call me whatever the hell you want, but leave my friend out of this please."

"Whoa there, didn't mean to offend your girlfriend. Just saw her trip a couple times yesterday in the castle. And if her tripping her way in here ain't proof enough, then I don't know what is."

Sumia and I exchanged tired glances. I picked up the glass and started to drink from it. Huh, the water's fresh—

SLAM!

"GRACE, CAN YOU STOP?"

Because of the bubbles I made from spiting my water back into the cup, Gaius gave me a new nickname.

At least the croissants were tasty.

I have some things to say. Happy fourth of July wherever you are!

-Have you SEEN the new legend of zelda trailer IwantitIjustneedtosavemoneyforthecopy

-I was so anxious to publish this chapter because this is the first I've spent so much time on one character. I'm not sure if I got Sumia's character right. And Gaius. Bleh.

-I'm pretty sure you all heard the term: Sumia/Severa/whatever female is best waifu.

-I think I have another fire emblem story planned noooo.

-So much dialogue. So little background.

-After I finished this chapter, I realized, "Did I accidentally had Robin flirt with Sumia? Hot damn."

-About Robin's earlier mentions of Southtown, in this chapter and previous chapters. I do plan to make an arc of that. The beginning, where it all started. Maybe it'll finally answer some unanswered questions. And make you laugh.

Review Responses

The Apocryphal One: The Sumia is too much.

robotortoise: I heard from The Apocryphal One that you recommended my story on tv tropes?! Oh my god?! I am truly flattered, thank you so much! Oh, and when I read that I had a typo about tombs, I laughed at the thought of them fighting gravestones. It's now fixed and thanks for pointing out.

She Who Is Woe: Again, thanks for the suggestions.