"To what do I owe the pleasure of going to town with you, Lady Corrin? I must admit, I was rather surprised when you ran to my side. Have you, perhaps, fallen for me?" Laslow grins and winks at the white haired princess by his side.

"No." Corrin deadpans.

"Ouch… No need to be so blunt…"

Corrin giggles and tightens her hold on Laslow's arm. She's always held a soft spot for the flirt, amazed with his fighting ability and beautiful dancing. However, despite his notoriety with women and silk-woven words, there's a certain sadness and sorrowful aura swirling around him. Corrin knows enough about feigning happiness for the benefit of others, so she does all she may be to bring the retainer meaningful grins.

"Hey, Laslow, you truly are a wonderful guy."

The retainer jumps and blushes darkly at such sudden praise. He scratches his cheek and casts his head aside to avoid her noticing his shyness. "H-Hey now… It's not polite to tease…"

"I'm not teasing. Azura remarks about how great you are all the time. She's especially fond of your…" Corrin smirks and trails off.

"Fond of what?" Laslow hastily replies, jerking his face back to Corrin.

"Oh, nothing." The dragoness sings. "Just know that she talks about you quite frequently."

"What does she say about me?"

"Tut, tut. A girl can not reveal her closest friend's secrets. You'll just have to ask her yourself one of these days."

Laslow huffs and pouts, crossing his arms over his chest like a cheated child. He then smiles and heaves a heavy sigh before chucking faintly, unraveling his arms and draping one across Corrin's shoulder comfortably. He pulls the princess closer, leans down to her pointed ear, and whispers. "You incorrigible flirt."

Corrin laughs and lightly nudges his side with her elbow as they continue their stroll through the forest. As they approach the treeline leading to the entrance of a nearby town, Laslow releases his hold over the princess and hums to himself a song faintly resembling Azura's.

"Did Xander give you enough money for all these purchases?" Corrin questions as they walk the dusty road into town.

"Not exactly. I'm to first sell these golden bars we pilfered from our escapades as well as a few valuable objects the royal families so graciously parted with."

"Are our finances truly do depleted?"

Laslow averts his eyes and his smile falters. "The Nohrian siblings are labeled traitors by their kingdom and countrymen while the Hoshidans must use their wealth to defend their land. So, yes, we are impoverished."

Corrin frowns and stares at her bandaged hand, guilt budding within her heart for such carelessness. She bites her lower lip and mulls over opportunities to earn more income to support her soldiers and cause. She's spent enough time with many of her warriors to understand their hobbies and specialties to know for fact their talents may bring in extra gold, but to ask such a thing…

Laslow, noticing Corrin absentmindedly walking, gently caresses her elbow and guides her through the swarming crowds of vendors and buyers. She vaguely acknowledges his touch and blindly follows him.

Maybe she might send half of her experiences soldiers on bounty runs? Or, perhaps, defend a manor from bandits? Kagero's paintings are odd, but surely may catch the eye of an eccentric art collector. Even Orochi's predictions as a fortune teller ought to bring in some form of income. Maybe Odin…

"Lady Corrin," the princess suddenly jumps and snaps out of her thoughts and stares at Laslow with wide, ruby eyes. He squeezes her elbow comfortingly before releasing his hold on her. "This shop is extremely expensive. Perhaps we ought to take our business elsewhere."

Huh? Corrin eyes her brother's retainer curiously and he raises his eyebrows quickly in a quiet gesture. She briefly scans her surroundings and, to her shock, realizes she spent the entire walk mulling over her army's financial predicament, she never realized they entered a vendor's store.

Corrin brushes a strand of her long, silver hair behind her ear, her cheeks aflame in a blush of embarrassment. "Ah… Yes… Indeed…"

"Wait!" The middle aged woman shouts from behind the counter. "You will find no finer weapons than mine, I assure you! It's top quality!"

"Hmm…" Laslow hums, tapping his chin with his index finger in mock assessment. "Be that as it may, the price is absolutely abhorrent. Unless, of course, you are willing to… Negotiate?"

When the vendor remains silent, Laslow simply shrugs and pulls Corrin to his side by her waist. They turn toward the exit, but before they reach the door, she quickly calls out. "Wait! Fine. A one time deal! I'll… I'll cut the prices of my inventory, but you must tell everyone about my wonderful wares!"

"Ah, you drive a hard bargain, my beautiful flower, but we accept." Laslow beams, facing the woman once more and releasing Corrin.

And he calls me an incorrigible flirt, the princess muses.

After more compliments, gentle caresses to the shopkeepers aging hands, and a more dashing smiles than Corrin could count, the duo stroll out the merchant's shop with plenty of weapons and left over gold. Laslow hums happily as he re-shoulders a slipping bag and Corrin giggles with satchel in each hand.

"Who would've believed sweet Lady Eda also carried staves and healing rods!" Laslow beams.

"Heh, I'm pretty sure she stashed those away for herself and weren't for sale."

"Oh, my dear, dear, Corrin. So naive. Everything can be for sale - so long as your payment is desirable." Laslow winks suggestively and continues his brisk walk.

Corrin rolls her eyes, but smiles. She knows, deep down, Laslow truly believes every compliment he gives; he just plays it off as philandering to appeal everyone's misconceptions of him. She knows he's a genuinely good guy, even if others can't see it.

"Hey, Laslow, let's get some tea."Her brother's retainer stumbles at the sudden statement and stares in bewilderment at the dragon princess with a dark blush spreading across his cheeks. "You deserve a little reward for this massive score on supplies!"

"You… You… Really?"

"Yep!" Corrin bumps her shoulder with his playfully and grins. "Besides, you've been blown off way too many times recently by so many women around camp, I don't want your ego to dwindle too much."

Laslow chuckles halfheartedly and tilts his head towards her. "Ah, haha… So, a pity date, then?"

"Nah. Just two friends getting tea." Corrin suddenly stops mid step, spotting a figure from the corner of her eye. "However…"

The princess bolts from Laslow's side, slipping passed oncoming passersby. Laslow swiftly gives chase, calling after her all the while offering apologies and pardons to anyone they rush into. He locks his vision onto her flowing silver hair and yells for her again, but she ignores him. He huffs and quickens his pace until he's just catching up…

Until Corrin suddenly stops causing Laslow to plow into her, knocking her and petite form onto the ground. He grumbles uncomfortably and Corrin groans, but another female voice forces his eyes wide.

"L-Lady Azura!" Laslow gasps as he attempts to untangle himself in the mess of women and long strands of aqua and white hair.

"What… Are you doing here?" The dance questions, her voice delicate but slightly annoyed.

"We're shopping!" Corrin giggles causing Laslow to sigh as he finally manages to find his footing.

"Shopping…" Azura repeats slowly before smiling faintly at her friend's enthusiasm. "I never imagined you to be so responsible, Laslow."

He blushes and murmurs a silent objection before reaching down and grabbing Corrin under her arms, pulling her to her feet. Once stable, he releases her and gingerly caresses Azura's hand, eases her carefully up, and places his other one on the small of her back to keep her stable. Azura grips his bicep and casts her golden stare deeply into his eyes.

Corrin grins to herself as the two lose themselves in each other's gaze only snapping out of their infatuation when the dragon clears her throat. They immediately separate, matching blushes gracing their cheeks. "Actually, Laslow just scored a huge sale and we're celebrating by going out to tea! Why don't you join us, Azura?"

The blue haired dancer smiles and nods lightly. "Sounds wonderful. I'd be honored to accompany you two."

Corrin follows behind Azura and Laslow, smiling at their awkward small talk and blushing faces. Laslow brushes his fingers against Azura's cheek, moving a strand of hair that didn't belong on her face and Corrin grins at a thought.

"Oh goodness!" The dragon princess shouts right as Laslow opens the door to the restaurant. "I completely forgot that I was to train with Xander this evening! I'm so sorry. Please, enjoy tea without me. I'll meet you two later back home!" Before either one might object, Corrin swiftly shoulders her weapon filled bags and rushes away leaving a stuttering Laslow and a shy Azura behind.

Once safely away from the restaurant, Corrin slows to a mild walk and hums happily with a skip in her step as she heads toward where she thinks she remembers is the town's entrance. She's known for quite a while now of Laslow's and Azura's feelings towards one another, but both too shy to act upon them. When she spotted Azura in town, she thanked the Gods for such a beautiful opportunity to water their blossoming affections.

"Now," Corrin sighs, "If only I could do the same for my own love life…"

The young princess scans her environment and abruptly stops walking. While in the midst of self congratulations in her matchmaking skills, she paid absolutely zero attention to her whereabouts. Corrin turns in a complete circle, searching for anything familiar landmark that might set her on the correct path, but nothing jumps out at her.

Normally, this is the moment her ever faithful Kaze appears and leads her safely home (after a firm hug to reassure her of her safety.) Part of Corrin dearly wishes for this scenario to play just as it did so many times before, but, deep down, she knows, this time, he will not show. Curse herself for forcing the loyal ninja to take the day off.

I… I am not going to cry. I will be fine. I'll find my way out of here… I'll be okay… I'm okay… I'm okay…

"Excuse me?" A male voice sounds to her side suddenly causing Corrin to jump violently and turn toward the stranger. "Are you lost?"

Corrin tilts her head to the side, eyeing the hooded figure cautiously. "A-Ah… Yes… I am… I don't suppose you could help me and show me the way to the town's entrance?"

"I could…" He responds slowly before growing silent. Corrin shifts nervously and reaches for her hidden dragonstone tucked safely in her pocket, berating herself for leaving Yato at home. "You… Are you, by any chance, Lady Corrin?"

Kaze's violet eyes stare firmly at the entrance to the Astral Plain from within a nearby tree. He tosses a shuriken dejectedly into the air, where it spins swiftly, and catches it as it falls, before resuming the gesture again and again.

"C-Corrin left with Laslow." Sakura's stuttering words resonate repeatedly within his mind.

Kaze frowns, catches the falling shuriken, and with a mighty, powerful throw, impales it into the head of Laslow's statue. He snorts irritably and leans back against the tree, his thoughts raging at the fact his liege wandering with that philanderer.

Laslow better keep his hands off Corrin.

Why couldn't she wait for him to return, anyway? He would've gladly escorted her to town. He'd happily escort her anywhere she desired… He'd do anything for her.. What is she waiting for?

A prince, his doubt responds.

She's shown no interest in any princes, he reasons. And she certainly never kissed anyone like she did him. Perhaps… She requires more definitive proof of his longing and affection? His teasing must not be enough…

Figures emerge from the portal he feverently watches. He leaps onto the ground, landing silently on his feet, and smiles at the outline belonging to a feminine figure. His walk starts briskly, but the closer he approaches, the more his smile falters and his pace quickens.

His heart stutters and a cold chill runs up his spine. He bolts toward Laslow, ignoring Lady Azura's protests, as he grabs the retainer's collar and shoves him against his own, pierced statue.

"Where is Corrin!" Kaze growls as Laslow gasps and grabs the ninja's wrists.

"We thought she returned here!" Azura responds, latching onto Kaze's bicep in an attempt to pull him away.

"Y-Yes. She said she had some training to accomplish with Prince Xander." Laslow wheezes.

Kaze drops the Nohrian and stares heatedly at the portal before launching into a full run, his mind racing with one word.

Corrin.