Fire Emblem: Hoshidan New Year
~ Special Short ~
It is a brisk winter day in the kingdom of Hoshido as its citizens, the royal family included, were seen mingling amongst each other in the town square. After the events that transpired with their battles with Nohr, the city received much needed support from their former foes and by the year's end, the once destroyed district was repaired. A festival was held to welcome in the new year as we find Corrin, his daughter Kana and Takumi at the archery field. Each was dressed in a celebratory kimono. With bow in hand, Takumi took aim and let loose a quickshot arrow. It pierced the bullseye on the board.
"Awesome shot Takumi! You're really something!" Corrin applauded. Kana applauded as well as Takumi turned to them.
"It's not THAT special. You forget I've been practicing this since I was a child. Then again….no. You wouldn't know since you spent most of your childhood in Nohr." he said, muttering to himself towards the end. Kana slowly approached.
"Hey, uncle Takumi? Can I try please?" she asked, looking up at him. Glancing down at her, Takumi smirked before setting his bow aside. He looked nearby and found a smaller bow, capable of being held by a child, before handing it to her.
"Here. Maybe you should start with something your OWN size, Kana." he said. Kana giggled and turned to face the targets ahead of her. As Takumi knelt down to give Kana tips, Corrin could hear the sounds of footsteps approaching from behind. He looked back to see Hinoka trotting along with her pegasus close to her side, held onto by the reins. Like the rest, she was in a kimono also.
"So here's where you were, Corrin. I've been looking all over for ya." she said.
"Hey there Hinoka. How are you enjoying the festival so far?" he asked. Hinoka shrugged with a smile.
"Eh…it's been okay so far. Haven't really found much for me to get invested in yet. Ryoma asked me to make sure our visitors from Nohr arrive by the festival's end….so there's that." she said. Corrin seemed a bit concerned.
"Wait. So…Xander and the others haven't come yet?" he asked.
"So far..nope. I haven't seen anyone yet." she replied. Just then, they noticed someone approaching in the distance. Corrin looked over Hinoka as she glanced over her shoulders. From far away, Corrin could see the likes of two young men and two women approaching, all wearing stylish black kimonos. The eldest of the two girls lightly chuckled.
"Then I guess your eyesight must not be so well, Princess Hinoka, for we've just arrived." she said. Corrin smiled as Hinoka turned full circle towards her.
"That doesn't count, Camilla, and you know it." she replied. The two girls eyed one another as Xander approached Corrin.
"Hello Corrin. Sorry we're late. It took us a while to get accustomed to the "traditional clothing" Prince Ryoma asked us to wear before coming. As you might guess, kimonos aren't really a tradition back in Nohr." he said. Corrin shook his head.
"It's okay. I'm just glad you guys made it. It wouldn't feel like the new year without my WHOLE family here." he said. Leo smirked.
"So, we're still considered family after you found out the truth of your origins? Heh. I never thought I would hear about a royal child who had TWO different families….not even in the books back at Nohr Castle." he said. Elise giggled before rushing over, wrapping both her arms around his.
"So what? All that matters is we're one BIG family!" Elise exclaimed "And Corrin's the "knot" that ties us together." While Corrin and Elise glanced at one another with a smile, the others couldn't help but smile themselves. However, Takumi remained oblivious as normal, still giving his tips to Kana.
"Okay…and…let go." he said. With those words, Kana released her grip on the bowstring and her arrow rocketed towards the target. While she was not strong enough to get far, her shot had enough strength to reach the outer rim of it. Kana giggled and quickly turned around to her father.
"Look papa! I did it!" she called, pointing towards the bullseye. Corrin and Hinoka both turned to her and looked out towards the target. Corrin merely stood nearby as Hinoka crouched down to Kana's height, patting her head.
Across the courtyard, we find Ryoma and Sakura observing the festivites going on as they each held a warm glass of amazake. Sakura lightly took a sip before letting out a relaxing sigh. Watching this made Ryoma chuckle.
"I never get tired of watching you with a cup of amazake, Sakura. You always look so content whenever you have one." he said. Sakura lightly giggled.
"Well, its one of my favorites to have around the new year. It's what I always enjoy whenever we have festivals like these…because I know I can have as much as I want." she replied. Ryoma smiled before looking out towards the other festival goers gathered around them. Just then, he noticed Corrin and Hinoka approaching with Xander and Elise close at hand.
"Ah! Prince Xander. I had a feeling you would arrive sooner or later." Ryoma said, turning to face him. The two princes exchanged a hearty handshake as Elise rushed over to Sakura's side.
"Thank you for the invite, prince Ryoma. Sorry if we are later than expected." he replied. But Ryoma simply shook his head.
"Don't be. The fact that the other half of Corrin's family is here makes this all the more reason to celebrate. Come. Have a cup of amazake since you've come all the way out here." he said. Xander nodded with a smile.
"Thank you. I think I shall." he replied "Evidently, why don't we take the time to talk about what our plans involving our ascention to the thrones? We agreed holding off until both nations had recovered from the tides of war." Ryoma nodded.
"All right then. Please…this way." he said, guiding Xander alongside him.
Amidst all the festivities happening in the courtyard, we find Selena at a table with Rinkah, competing at arm wrestling. The two girls struggled while the men observed nearby.
"Go Selena! Show that Hoshidan female why YOU are one of Nohr's finest!" Odin proclaimed. Laslow chuckled.
"Getting ahead of yourself there, Odin? They only just begun after all." he asked. In the crowd, Keaton watched alongside his daughter, Velouria.
"Why don't you try daddy? I bet nobody could out wrestle you." she asked. Keaton grinned.
"Don't worry my little pup. Ol' papa is gonna challenge whichever of them comes out the winner." he said with a sly grin on his face. Returning to the contest, Selena and Rinkah continued their struggle until Selena suddenly slipped and Rinkah brought her arm crashing down upon hers. The crowd gathered let out a loud cheer as Selena groaned, shaking her arm in defeat.
"Sheesh! Y-You're a freaking MONSTER! Is EVERYONE in your tribe as strong as you?!" she asked. Rinkah huffed.
"To doubt ANYONE from the Fire Tribe is foolish, even in competitons such as these!" she boasted, crossing her arms. As Selena left the table, Keaton slowly approached while cracking his knuckles.
"All right. Let's see your "Fire Tribe" spirit overpower the strength of a Wolfskin!" he sneered. Rinkah grinned.
"Is that a challenge? Well, let's see if you're more BITE than BARK." she said. Elsewhere, we find Felicia seated with her sister Flora beneath a snow covered tree as Kagero sat nearby with a small set of painting tools, painting their portrait. Elsewhere, Orochi shared her fortunes to the people who came by her stand in the festival, aided by Hayato. At another festival stand, Kaden was seated with a shamisen in hand, playing music for everyone who listened. Amongst those listening was the likes of Azama and Setsuna. As the festival continued, everyone had a smile on their face and merriment was in the air.
As the skies soon filled with the sight of stars and the moon, everyone was gathered together by the large fountain in the center as Anna appeared before the crowd.
"And now, ladies and gentlemen of Hoshido AND Nohr! It's time for the moment you've all been waiting for! We wrap up today's festivities with a musical rendition by the idol of both countries, Lady Azura! Give her a hand!" Anna exclaimed. Everyone began to applaud as Anna disappeared into the crowd, letting Azura take her place. With all eyes on her, aided by music provided by Kaze and Kaden, Azura begun to sing her beautiful song, counting the tales that took place between both sides as the war brought to a satisfying end for each country. We find Corrin standing next to Hinoka and Kana amongst the listeners in the crowd.
"At long last, we can put the past behind us….and look towards the future with our heads held high." Corrin said. Hinoka nodded.
"Yes. The war is over, many can go back to their old lives without fear….and all of it thanks to you, Corrin." she said, looking his way. Corrin glanced back with a light smile.
"Hey. It's not just me. We ALL worked hard to make sure Nohr and Hoshido avoid more conflict in the future." he said. Hinoka lightly smiled.
"Still, without you to act as the guiding star, I doubt anyone on either side would've considered a peaceful outcome. In a way, you've helped us all realize….that peace is really what we all wish for." she said, slowly taking his hand. As the two interlocked fingers, we notice a pair of wedding rings on their hands as Kana took hold afterwards.
"I can't wait to see what comes next for us….papa….mama." she said. Both smiled before crouching down to Kana, each putting a hand on her shoulders, as the concert went on.
THE END