Author's Note: Welcome one and all to Tricks and Treats, my Halloween special for Fire Emblem Awakening. Each chapter will basically just be some characters getting in on some good old-fashioned Halloween shenanigans. So, without further ado, let's start the show!
"So..." Frederick mused, arching an eyebrow in suspicion "this 'Halloween' tradition is supposed to be an event to raise troop morale?"
"Basically." Robin gave a curt nod to the stalwart knight, having just revealed his plans for a horror-based festival with the intention of rallying the spirit of the troops.
"Are you sure preying on the fears of our soldiers is the best way to raise the morale of the army?"
"Because your ideas for raising morale were clearly successful." The tactician taunted back, to which Chrom went a bit pale.
"So, what you're saying is, we'll get candy outta this, right, Bubbles?" Gaius asked from the opposite end of the table at which the meeting was held, his feet propped up on the oak surface.
"Well, if you participate in Trick-or-Treating, yes, but that's mostly intended for the children-" Robin explained, gesturing to the side of the table where the various children were seated.
"Surely I'm not the only one who believes a holiday centered around such crude and disgusting creatures from folktale is disgraceful, right?" Maribelle scoffed, crossing her arms.
"Maribelle?" Robin made direct eye contact with the noblewoman.
"Yes, Robin?"
"I'm pretty sure you only feel that way because the last time we exchanged ghost stories, you ran away screaming for Lissa." A teasing smirk twitched on Robin's face as the noblewoman's cheeks turned the color of cherries. "Anyways, at the end of the month, we'll be holding a Halloween party, including a dance and a costume contest. Come dressed as the most terrifying thing you can think of." Robin continued, retrieving a piece of parchment from his cloak, trying to ignore Tharja softly chuckling at the mention of a dance.
"So, will this dance be, er... romantic?" The inquiry came from a mercenary seated with the other children-none other than Inigo.
"Well..."Robin began, pondering the question, "Although coming with a partner is encouraged, it's not required. Now..." Robin unrolled the parchment across the table. "I'll need your assistance in arranging the party." Robin gestured towards the group, before beginning to rattle off the arrangements. "Lon'qu, Ricken, and Lucina, you two are decorating." Lon'qu closed his eyes and sighed at the prosepct of working with a woman he wasn't very well-acquainted to. "Cynthia, Owain, and Gerome, you three go pumpkin picking. We'll need a lot." Cynthia and Owain leaned over Gerome, wh was sitting between them, to share a brief high-five. "Frederick, Henry, and Sully, you make the Jack-O-Lanterns."
"Jack-o-Lanterns...?" Frederick's brow furrowed. "Whatever are those?"
"I'll explain later, Frederick. Now, Inigo, Severa, Noire, Brady, and Laurent, you all clean the palace."
"Me? A lowly housekeep? I don't think so!" Severa whined, folding her arms.
"Why? Worried you won't be as good at housework as your mother?" Although he was mocking the redhead, he did try to sound genuine.
"How dare you?! Of course I am! I'll even prove it!" The mercenary glared at the chuckling tactician.
"Finally, Olivia, Sumia, and Gaius, you three make some food for the party." Robin dusted his hands together after tucking the paper back into his pocket.
"Now, let the festivities begin!" Robin cheered with a frivolous hand gesture.