Robin didn't see the dark expression that flitted across Christian’s face. But, Keith did.
Later that night, on the other side of the mountain, Keith pulled Christian out to watch the fire with him. Keith sat there, poking the fire, and making sure it had enough fuel for the night.
Christian just sat there, looking into the flames.
Keith glanced up. “That's a right soured milk face ye’ve got on ye.” He noted. “Something on your mind?”
“...” Christian sat there, biting his lip with a grimace. Keith simply sat there and watched him. The fire crackled and popped in front of them. When Keith was about to return to poking the fire, Christian finally spoke.
“Jasmine and Robin seem to be getting really friendly these days.” Christian muttered darkly.
“Is that a problem?” Keith asked. “Robin knows a sense of decorum.”
“It's not Robin I’m worried about. Everyone is too clingy!” Christian grumbled.
“This is about Robin hugging Gerard earlier today, isn't it? You can get childish over the most insignificant things sometimes.” Keith chuckled.
“So what if I am?” Christian grumped, leaning forward, and propping his arms up on his legs.
“You know Gerard had no intentions of that happening. Robin could not make sound judgements at that time.” Keith chided. “You know that.”
“I may know that, but it still bothers me.” Christian replied. “It feels like he's getting farther and farther away. To the point where I’m starting to wonder if he even thinks about me at all.”
“...Robin…is not as strong as you think Robin is.” Keith suddenly said. “An excellent swordsman, and a hero, yes. But … Robin is also human. Robin can get hurt. Robin can feel pain, suffering…loss. Robin can also be wrong.”
Christian stared into the fire, a sour expression on his face. The scent of pinewood, and the crackle of flames brought him out of his thoughts.
“...But, even if Robin is wrong, I don't think you should worry about the Hero forgetting you.” Keith poked the logs again, sending up another salvo of sparks. “Because the reason why he didn't tell you what he was doing is because he considers you his important friend.”
“...Jasmine and Robin…they look good together.” Christian finally said.
“Hmm? Well of course they're friends, after all.” Keith replied.
“...For now, they're friends.” Christian corrected.
“I’m afraid I don't see where you're aiming your bow” Keith leaned back and put his poking stick aside. “Care to elaborate?”
“They look good together…but I can't give them my blessing if they decide to become closer than friends…I guess you were right, Keith. Something must be wrong with me.” Christian attempted an ill-humored joke.
“Them? Together? Pfft! Christian.” Keith chuckled. “Robin sees Jasmine like a sister or a cousin. There's no way those two will get together.”
Christian shot a sour look at Keith. “Stop laughing. It isn't funny.” His eyes turned back to the flames. “Besides, he could see her as a sister now, but who's to say whether or not that will continue into the future? What's stopping Robin from falling in love with her later?”
“Because Robin loves someone else. That's all there is.” Keith replied. “It could be the most beautiful person in the world and Robin won't even bat an eye, because that person isn't the one who Robin desires.”
“How do you know that?” Christian asked.
“Because she's the spitting image of her mother.” Keith stared into the fire as if he were seeing someone through the flames. “And both her mother and I are the same kind of person. Loyal to a fault.”
Christian recalled something as he was listening. He thought back to the conversation he had overheard. That's right, he remembered now.
Robin was in love with someone who was already dead. There's no way he could love someone else so soon. But why did Christian suddenly feel relieved?
“...as I thought. There must be something wrong with me.” Christian sighed.
“Huh? Why?” Keith asked, puzzled.
“Because I want to steal Robin away from that person.” Christian replied.
“That…would be difficult.” Keith replied with difficulty. Staying around these young folks had helped him hone his poker face. He was able to perfectly conceal his amusement despite the fact that he really wanted to burst into a full bellied loud burst of laughter. But, if he actually did that, everyone in camp would be throwing things at him for waking them up.
But still, the situation was hilarious. Christian couldn't steal Robin away from himself, after all…
~-~
The next morning, they set out as soon as the horizon began to lighten. If all went well, they would be out of the mountain pass by the end of the day. If not, they would be out by morning of the next day, at latest.
They stopped around midday to eat food, and stretch their legs.
“Don’t go too far.” Stella warned them. “Sometimes beasts can appear close to the road around here.”
“Oh? What kind of beasts?” Robin asked.
“If you’re lucky? Wild dogs and crocodiles. If you're unlucky, leopards, Panthers, and even Tigers are possible.” Stella replied. “Wild cats, though large, aren't considered edible. Perhaps it's because they are semi intelligent. They're only good for collecting pelts.”
“Wait, you eat crocodiles and wild dogs?” Christian asked, with a skeptical look.
“Hmm…while It isn't common, such practices also take place in my homeworld. I have also eaten crocodile. I mean, it isn't that big of a leap away from eating snake meat.” Robin offered her perspective. “Dog is not on my preferred menu, however.”
“What about tigers?” Briar asked
Skye’s fur bristled a bit. If people were willing to eat the larger cats would they begin going after the smaller ones as well? Skye looked unsettled.
“Eating large wildcats is considered illegal…because they were overkulled for their pelts, and are currently an endangered species.” Robin replied. “I'm not a lawbreaker. But even if it was legal, I probably wouldn’t do it.”
“Why?” Briar asked.
“Because. I like cats.” Robin shrugged. “Cats are friends, not food.”
Briar moved her hands as if clapping, but ended up only tapping them together in consideration for Stella's hearing. “Bravo. Bravo. You passed the test.”
“What test?” Robin asked.
“The test of whether you will be my new favorite or not. If you condoned the eating of cats, I would consider you a hypocrite.” Briar replied.
“I too, would question my sanity, in that case.” Robin replied. “Besides, cats are an important part of the economy.”
“Why?” Christian asked.
“Because, they decrease the population of rats and mice.” Robin replied. “A very deadly disease once tore through my world called the black death. The carrier animal for this disease were the fleas that grew on rats and mice, which were practically everywhere at that time. We have a cure for it now, but back then, the best way to decrease the number of victims was to have a creature on the premises that could guard against such small beings.”
“In other words, cats.” Jasmine summarized.
“Yes.” Robin agreed. “As they are considered a companion or a comrade in arms, there are very few who would contemplate the idea of eating them.”
Skye calmed down after heaving a sigh of relief. The Flying cat settled back down on its perch upon Robin’s shoulders.
“Can you two please not bring up things like disease and death while I'm making lunch? Regardless of whether some of us have iron stomachs, I don’t want to think about such things in terms of food!” Ponzu objected.
Robin blinked. “Ah, right. Sorry, Ponzu. My last reason would obviously be…” Robin picked up Skye off her shoulders, and showed it to the others. “Look at it! It's so cute and fluffy and loveable! Who would think to harm such a precious child? They're obviously not right in the head!”
“So, the reason is mainly an emotional one~” Jasmine chuckled.
Robin put Skye back on her shoulders. “Emotions are not necessarily opposed to reason, Jasmine. Sometimes they bridge the gaps where reason fails to find its foothold.”
“Yes. That would be faith, hope, and love, predominantly.” Briar nodded. “But allowing your emotions to fly unimpeded is like putting yourself at the mercy of the ocean’s waves. If you're lucky, the ocean is calm. But, if not, you will end up drowning in it. Emotions build up the momentum, but it's the intellect that steers your vessel.”
Robin smiled. “Understood, Big Sis.”
“So long as you know~” Briar replied patting Robin on the shoulder playfully.
“Oh, that reminds me…before we get to the bottom of the mountain, you will have to get out and walk.” Stella said.
“Huh? Why?” Robin asked.