Morning came quick but not fast enough for them. Everyone in the town was getting ready. Ready for tomorrow night.
Ready for the Prince's Birthday.
Today was going to be fun.


Chrom was a bit nervous about tomorrow. His pre-birthday jitters were causing him to be clumsier than usual. He had already broken two vases, accidentally tripped a maid and somehow burned his hands. Groaning the prince just wanted his birthday to be done and over with. Then the flap to his tent opened and his wife entered with a mischievous smile. He knew that smile and welcomed it with open arms.


Their tactition had planned this party with Lissa for months. When Lucina joined the group, she also put her ideas into the mix. All three women had cornered Chrom and told him that it would happen. Albeit her reasons were for moral purposes amongst the troops, but a party wasn't a bad idea overall for him too. Entering his tent with a wicked smile, she decided to give one of his birthday presents a little early. 3


Lissa woke early and headed straight to town with some of the others. She wanted to get Chrom something super special! Something no one else would get him. Humming along as she went down the streets, she looked up at a few cute dresses from the local tailor. "Hmm, I should get myself something too. Gotta look cute and royal for your brother's big event!" Forgetting his present, she went in to find something for herself. She'd get him something later.


Hard pressed to get everything finished and organized, Fredrick was in the village square. His hardened eyes staring at the decorations and wooden statues of Chrom he had specially requested, were placed all around. He looked at the wooden craftsmanship and approved of the different poses they were in. He was certain his Lord would thank him for this. Even if the statues were mostly naked, crown, sword and fig leaf aside...


Lucina didn't know what to wear. Her mother no doubt had a beautiful gown at her disposal. Now if only she could find something to match whatever her mother had prepared. Then something bright caught her eye. A lime green dress with yellow jewels sprinkled all around it to make the shape of the Ylisse seal. This dress! This would most definitely cause a few heads to turn!


Sully was training as was usual. She yawned and asked Cordelia to take charge of her coin purse to get Chrom something. It wasn't like she didn't care, she just didn't know what the heck he wanted. If it were truly up to her, she'd get him some irons or something to pump up those scrawny arms of his. "Yeah, it was the right choice to leave it to someone else." With no regrets, she went back to her daily regiment.


Virion didn't have much planned. He, Cherche and Libra have already picked a gift and he still had it boxed up and in perfect condition after he had made the purchase. It stood in the corner of his tent ready to go as he didn't have much time to waste. The duke needed to look dashing for the affair! Heading straight to town, he would find something suitable to wear. His other clothing were beginning to become outdated.


"Oh Libra would look so cute with this!" Cherche showed to Minerva as she was choosing an outfit for Libra to wear for the ball. Libra didn't really want to, but Cherche found a way to make her see her own side of this debate. A grin showed up on her face. "Will you be a dear and pick something for me? I'm going to give Libra her outfit!" She hummed softly, leaving a confused Minerva behind to choose a ball gown.


He was eating brunch and soon after this he'd have some seconds. Enjoying his meal relaxed as he had the birthday gift securely tucked away under his bed. Stahl took his time, watching everyone move around and talk of the party and presents and dancing with each other. Finishing off his pear, salted pork and jerky, he decided to do something productive! He was going to make a second lunch and share it with his wife!


Vaike slept long and hard from his drinking the night before. His slumber was only disturbed by the constant giggling of women and the yells of men around his tent. Annoyed, he poked his head out and told them to keep it down. The others glanced at him and shrugged, going about to their usual selves. He grumbled and left his tent. He'd get no sleep here at this rate and went to find some place more quiet.


Her nose was in her book and she read the intricate and strange methods creatures all around the world celebrated the birth of their friends and family. "I see... So some people held only a feast. While others only gave gifts. Many more have strange rituals. Hmm... Perhaps this book would give me a variety of ideas of what to get Chrom. Perhaps he'd like a sacrifice or..."


"Ah! No! I'm sorry!" Sumia was blushing red and covered in frosting. She had wanted to help the baker make Chrom's birthday cake with her own extra ingredients. Looking away from the baker, she licked the frosting and it made and shivered. It was sour. "I suppose adding a tomato for color and a whole five lemons for taste was a bad idea. Let's... Do this again."


Kellem was with Fredrick though he strongly had his doubts anyone was aware he was standing in the middle of the square, asking if anyone needed help. No one glanced his way much less answered him. He sighed in defeat until someone almost tripped over his foot. The poor individual had dropped something! Picking it up, he looked around for the person but they were already gone. Having disappeared themselves they had left a beautiful hilt for a blade behind.


"Yeehaw! Now tha's how we do things back at the farm!" He had already caught a boar, this bear was no problem at all! Donnel would skin it and have the fur made into a coat for Chrom. The rest can be made into jerky and he could probably have some of the meat served at the party. There was no wasting a single piece of this creature! Even if Fredrick would deny having it, Donnel knew how to get around him just as easily as his prey.


He stared with great dislike at the bottle presented to him. Not knowing what the prince would like was hard, harder knowing that he was pressured by Olivia to buy something that would benefit Chrom and his wife. "An aphrodisiac... What in the Gods am I even doing here?!" Lon'Qu thought to himself. He didn't even confirm the purchase but placed the currency on the counter. The man boxed it up and Lon'Qu ignored the stares he was getting as he walked out.


Ricken was having some fun at the local magic shop. His own present would be a presentation! A grand magic show that would show off his talents and show everyone that he can do complex magic. But for the life of him, Ricken was unsure of how the man who owned this shop was able to pull a rabbit out of his hat! "You must be some grand wizard! Teach me everything!"


Maribelle was already in the process of buying her dress. She had to look proper and prime for Chrom's sake. Everyone needed to look their best to show off how wonderful Chrom was as a leader. That and she wouldn't mind turning a few heads in her direction, preferably someone of noble status who was well educated and handsome. A smile crept upon her lips, she needed shoes.


"These will do nicely." Panne thought as she took the herbs from the botanist in town. She was thinking of making him some herbal supplements that would ease his body and mind. She had remembered her mother often making these for her father after long strides of battle. It was good to recollect and wipe the weariness of combat away. This would do just nicely.


"Fifty-four... Fifty-Five... Fifty-Six..." Gaius was counting the candy he had in stock in his tent. The numbers were good but the variety was lacking. Not to mention he had to go out and get Chrom something. "Crivens... I'll just give him one of my candied Figs and get on with it." But on second thought, he might need that fig later in an emergency. Getting up, he strolled out to get some more sweets.


There were three things I knew about Edwardo. First, Edwardo was a werewolf. Second, there was a part of him- I don't know how dominant that part might be- That thirsted for my beef jerky. And third, I was very very very very very very VERY much in love with him. "Awe, that's such a sweet summary! I'll buy this book for Chrom," said Cordelia as she waited for her husband to come back from his present shopping.


"Hmm." In deep thought, Gregor looked at the two wines that the owner had said were the strongest in all the lands. One had hints of strawberry and watermelon. The other was a simple, deep red wine with no other taste added to the mixture. "Gregor must think. What would Gregor choose? Haha! Both!" Even though he knew Chrom wouldn't drink them, it wouldn't much harm to try and get him a glass or two. Parties were to live and let go! Wouldn't you agree, yes?


Nowi was singing off tune to herself as she skipped though town. Heck if she knew what to get the prince! The guy hardly showed much interest in things that didn't involve stopping Risen, his kingdom and his team mates. Then she grinned and yelled out, "I know!" Causing strangers to look at her confused. "I'll just get him some socks! Everyone loves socks!"


Tharja was smiling at the dark sphere looped around a chain. It was all coming together so perfectly. "Once he wears this, then his lovely wife will find him repulsive and go directly to me. She won't be able to resist!" But for a second something flickered in her eye. A sigh escaped her lips as she thought of being the cause of Chrom's grief. "Why is it so hard to be bad?"


A jump to the left, then a step to the right. She placed her hands on her hips and placed her knees in tight. A blush entered her face and she stopped. "I don't think I can go through with this dance..." Olivia said to herself. She felt like she had failed the prince and everyone else and she hadn't even danced in front of them yet! "No. I mustn't give up! From the beginning! I'll do this all night if I have too. Let's do the time warp again, for the fifth time..."


"Nyahaha! Don't you like jokes?" Henry said to a few townsfolk who were about ready to run him out of the village. He was a riot! Why wouldn't they like his jokes? But being ever so persistent and clever, he stopped with the jokes and went on with riddles. "What is black and white and red all over?" When no one said anything he finished the line for them. "A bleeding skunk!" Someone threw a shoe at him.


Libra was gone most of the day to the church and what orphanage the town had. She made sure to play plenty with the children and tell them tales of good defeating the evil and wicked. She was happy then, she was still happy now. Inside her tent she noticed a dress left on her mat. No doubt Cherche had left it for her and a sigh escaped her lips. She didn't want to dress as a woman to this event but... Tomorrow was her last night and she knew it would make Cherche happy if she wore it. Without hesitation, she went to try it on.

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A/N:: All this stuff happens around the day. Hope you guys can see the little tidbits of media I left there. They aren't hard to find at all.

On a side note, I have lemon juice concentrate. :c It's not the same...