TO BUILD ANEW.

            “  I don’t like fighting. I prefer to resolve conflicts with words… some have called me naive for believing that. But to be honest, sometimes I find it difficult to stay true to myself… Do you think it’s foolish of me to believe in the best of people? Even the enemies? ”  Sighs befall her lips, her thoughts trace back to Lyon as she recalls the despair she felt knowing that he betrayed her and took their sacred stone. That was not Lyon, she knows it that well… but it still sits uneasy with her. Teal eyes dim, saddened shimmer to their hues, her eyes watches the Lunar Brace that secures her wrist as melancholic eyes ponder about her decisions she made in the past.

     “...Foolish?” Robin turns to give the princess his undivided attention, brow furrowing at the sight of her despairing conflict. She doesn’t look to him -- but to her bracelet, and Robin easily puts two and two together to realize it must mean something to her. His own eyes fall as well, downcast as he thinks of the right words to convey his thoughts. Robin was a realist -- his job demanded he be. Even so, when he sees Eirika and watches how doubt afflicts her expression, he knows to vouch for her ideals. After all, he was also an optimist, and saw her own troubles reflect some of his own.

❝ ah, robin … how are you fairing this evening? ❞ i was shaken out of my reverie by the tactician’s presence, turning and balancing my axe next to me. it wasn’t often i was approached by him, so i admit that i was a little surprised. a smile was given nonetheless. ❝ is there something that needs tending to? ❞

     “Oh -- there’s nothing of the sort,” Robin says with a dismissive wave of his hand. An easy smile graces the tactician’s expression. “I was only wondering how your painting was coming along -- though...”

Hot air is exhaled in a single, short spurt, and the tactician wipes at his brow as he looks at what could have been. Robin’s made a name for himself, yes, but to think others would attempt to take that name from him at his most vulnerable state... he didn’t think his life was worth much as it is. But Kamui, the ever mysterious mercenary, always seemed to appear when Robin was in danger. He lets out another short breath, and decides now was as convenient of a time to address the mercenary’s odd... attentiveness. It surely wasn’t like Tharja’s own way of conveying concern, that much was for sure; Kamui seemed to always keep his distance, but his heart was always on his sleeve.

     “...I’m sorry?” Robin’s eyes flutter at the familiarity found in the retainer’s voice -- only for said feeling to skitter away immediately upon the tactician’s confusion. Brown eyes remain steady, observing the teetering behavior with both curiosity and mild apprehension. With his hand coming to rest upon his chin, a low hum resounds from Robin’s throat as he thinks quietly for the time being. Then, he’s shaking his head.

     “You haven’t lost faith in me yet.” Calloused hands come to smooth out the wrinkles of the map depicting Valm’s terrain, and Robin’s eyes narrow as he busies himself -- tracing route after route. “I don’t plan on letting that happen any time soon, either, but...” Robin dons an uneasy grin, the tip of a quill pen scratching along the parchment as he marks locations further into the west. He leans back with a sigh, and stands upright.

     “H-Hold on now...! I’m not trying to----” Another oncoming swing of the border guard’s axe has Robin ducking with a yelp. He watches as white strands flit and fall steadily under his nose, and the tactician swallows -- throat running dry. However, Robin was an optimist, and he tries once more to plead for peace.

     “It’s been days,” Robin starts, “weeks, even.” The pacing follows shortly after, a hand curled to his chin as the imminent worry seems to seep into every pore of the tactician’s body. There was no doubt that oversea supplies were delayed, but what delayed it was the real question. Possibilities poured in all at once into that little head of his, and in no time Robin was already biting his thumb nail.