FIGHT YOUR FATE. /ap

futureswill.

“you’re . . HER - LUCINA. good gracious . . i,” he’s STUMBLING over his words, clearly excited. “i’m ricken. i know you don’t know me, i mean, we have mutual friends and such, but i’ve never met you. obviously, uh . .” he sticks his hand out to her, offering to shake her hand. “you’re even more amazing in person !”

██▒ “ Not really. “ Ike responds, shrugging a shoulder as if to dismiss the thought. He didn’t find it embarrassing, if anything while he scarcely could lay claim to the holiday as something he generally knew much of, his comrades and men found it special . It was enough to warrant his own desire to care . The sweet scent catches his nose and he peers over her, blinking in alarm at the words. 

“I didn’t realize you were the baking type.” He realizes the secrecy of the situation and his voice remains hushed . His query is one who hardly knows of expertise in the kitchens cooking, but of helping as staff at the very least back when he was still a mercenary and not their Commander.

 “Do you er, need help? Not that I know much about this kind of holiday . . who are you planning to surprise? These are a lot of chocolates, Lucina . “ 

She’s grateful for his hushed words, a feeling of warmth in her heart as she imagines all her comrades faces when she gives them her gifts. She wonders briefly if he has any idea he will be receiving some as well -- ? She hadn’t intended to be caught while making them, but perhaps it was fortunate as now she can slyly make note of which seem to be his favorites.

"Usually I’m not, I confess. But I’d heard this was the best way to show your affection for someone on Valentine’s Day, so I thought I’d try my hand at it.” She responds in a tone equally quiet, a smile coming to her lips as she contemplates his offer. She’s certainly no expert, and she imagines they are alike in that, but two heads are better than one as they say. Besides, she finds she always enjoys his company.

“Chocolates?” The answer surprises him; he did not expect her to openly admit guilt but he had been prepared to pull apart whatever story fabricated in its place. Instead he finds an all too simple plan, one that the evidence before him does not contradict and he clears his throat in attempts to disguise the moment it took to recoup his thoughts. 

“Your ingredients suggest an unusual quantity,” he points out, still trying to get a proper read on Lucina. “It is not inappropriate, no. Chocolates are traditionally the gift of choice; but in those quantities you will either bury your recipient in them, or have enough to give half the army.” 

“Ah, good then. I’ve come quite far in this; if I’d been wrong in my choice of gifts I doubt I would have had enough time to correct my error.” She’s openly relieved, offering a small smile. She pays no mind to his comments regarding the unusual quantity -- she didn’t expect this was the typical course of action for most -- but the last words he speaks catch her interest.

“And you intend on making what, exactly?” He’d been watching her, could tell at a glance she was scheming something, though what he had yet to figure out. Given Ike trusted her he had not confronted her just yet; this, however, he couldn’t ignore. “You’ve been up to something, what is it?”  

“Lucina?” It’s a curious query as her fellow swordsman approaches, listening to her mumble. “You were thinking - aloud . “ As blunt as he always was, Ike sounds genuinely curious.