Disclaimer: I don't wn Fire Emblem Awakening, all rights to the owners.
Minor: Dark Flier, Immortal, Exploitive, Swordmaster, Tripping, Perpetual Cheer, Chef, Blacksmith, Pegasus Knight, Teacher, Librarian, Masochist, Literal-Minded, Authoritative, Phobia, Thicc, Tsundere, Damsel in Distress, Gangrel's Child, Communist, Bomber, Bear Cavalry, Flying, ADHD, Super Strength, Patriotic, Sassy, One Liner, Seamstress, Shephard, Speedy, Cool, Shy, Bookworm, Kung Fu, Buff, Lazy, Wingless Flight, Blunt, Elf, Dwarf, Scottish, Melancholic, Punny, Dark Mage, Dragoon, Tea/Coffee Obsession.
Standard: Elemental, Deaf, Nurse/Medic, Valmese Tactician, Medusa, Gift from Validar + Evil to Good, Mimic, Emotionless, Crippling Overspecialization (Idiot Savant), Coward, ESP, PTSD, Magician, Handicapped, Secret Helper, Morpher, Dreamwalker, Twins, Animal Whisperer, Tiki Assistant, Deadly Touch, Mind Reader, Doppelganger, D&D magic, Dominatrix, Songstress, Kinky, Matchmaker, Androphobic, Illusionist, Ring Maker, Teleporting, Crippled, Depressed, Slave, Love Curse, Geokinetic, Trauma, Siren, Changeling, Shapeshifter, Chrom's child, Minotaur, Werewolf, Future Soldier, Bounty Hunter, Weather control, Kleptomaniac, Druid, Steampunk, Shadow Familiar, Magic Augmentation, Lucky, Exile, Piper (Charmer), Gladiator, Witch Doctor, Centaur, Drunk, Punk, Harpy, Revenant, Luck Manipulation, Demon Summoner, Megalomaniac, Kitsune, King of Plegia, Mood Ring, Reverse Aging, Hammerspace, Prostitute, Demon Hunter, Cyborg, Rebellion, Einherjar, Trap, Yandere, Living Weapon, Size Shifter, Queen of Plegia, Gluttonous, Stretchy, Alchemist, Protoss, Spirit Manipulation, Invisible, Plegian Honor Guard, Mecha, Kryptonian, Creator, Orc, Memory Stealing Respawn, Racer, Khan, Misfortune, Vampire Hunter, Imaginary Actualization, Death, Resurrection, Force, Merchant, Background Music, Variable, Civilian, Natural Disaster, Mental Noise Projection, Hidden OP, Summoner, Cyclops, Teleporter, Cryokinetic, Genie, Judge, Intangibility, Fortune Teller, Serial Killer, Magic Fixit, Drakengard Restoration, Ying-Yang, Childhood Friend, Cyberpunk, Obsessed, Berserker, Phase Shift, Gravity Manipulation, Hallucinating, Bladesoul, Zombie, Double Entendre, Shared Body/Two Souls, Cannibal, Violent, Waterbender, Casanova, Cupid, Undertaker, Master Thief, Guard, Faceless, Shadow, Age Control, Cradle Snatcher, Emo, Nun, Courier, Haunted Knight Armor, Egyptian, Sentient Object, Shit Lord, Court Wizard, Naga's sibling, Mad Queen, Artist, Predator, Cheshire Cat, Radio Host, Chimera, Wendigo, Symbiote, Hivemind, Hammerspace, Anna, Mother Nature, Psychopath, Stripper, Painting, Grima Parts, Knightmare, Super, Swimsuit, Bunny Outfit, One Punch, Idol, Chef, Rampage, Housewife, Determination, Vessel of Naga, Instant Expert, Time Travel, Hermit, Alternate Dimension 'Twin', Legendary, Resistance, Memory Regain, Umbra Witch, Naga, Aquatic, Hexblade Warlock, Dragon, Demon of Choice, Demon of Temptation, Affliction, Good Samaritan, Gallant, Rosannite Tactician, Leeroy, Dungeon, Apparition, Unwilling, Wildlife Commander, Consistent Kidnapee, Grenadier, Magic Creature, Alternating Mind Control, Sothis in the Mind, Exalt, Unicorn, Pegasus, Alicorn, Star Lord, Slenderman, Bird Laguz, Junk Dealer, Gate Guardian, Shaman, Ghostbuster, Exorcist, King, Soldier, Bird Wings, Failed Vessel, Of the Corn, Valentian, Harem, Car, Incubus, National Personification, Gravity Magic, Kraken, Zora, Kirby, Moon, Quadruplets, Unnoticed, Inventor, Bastilio's Kid, Treasure Hunter, Future, Mind-Swapping, Criminal, Hunter/Tracker, Biker, Gigantic Sword, Miracle, Medium, Warlord, Greater Good, Acrobat, Mother of Chrom, Soul Stealer, Mid War Memory Loss, Reverse Memory Loss, Necron, ARMS, Naga's bride, Titan Sinkhole, Squire, Anti-Magic, Tomesmith, Dimensional Traveler, Falchion, Unbreakable Shield, Many Robins, Muscle, Fearful Knight, Narcoleptic, Big Eater, Aversa's Sister/Mother/Daughter, Evelynn, Witch, Frankenstein, Mirage, Stand, Persona, Pyromancer, Toon Force, Lawer, Deadpool, Yokai, Eldritch, Sentient Sword, Form/Personality Shifting.
Been a minute since I last updated this collection, hasn't it? I got very distracted with writing Bravely series content for a bit.
Tiki's Assistant, as suggested by Dayleaf. The original plan was to give Say'ri a bigger role in this, but… it didn't work out. By that I mean I'd have to make this chapter significantly longer, and I'd quite ran out of steam by the time I hit my 2000 word soft minimum length, so I didn't.
"I'm sorry Sir, but the Voice is not currently accepting visitors." Robin says calmly. His fingers and entwined in front of him on his desk, and combined with his well-kept longcoat and short, slick, silver hair, he is the very image of professionalism.
"I travelled all the way from Lower Rosanne to speak with the Voice!" The middle-aged, balding man says loudly. He looks down his nose at Robin while Robin stares back with unimpressed, cold grey eyes. "I am lord of the Eterzer estate! I shan't be turned away at the gate of my destination like a plebian! I did not make this pilgrimage to come away empty-handed, with no visit with the Voice to show for it."
"Status has nothing to do with who is allowed to see the Voice or not." Robin replies. His voice is even and still calm despite the other man's rant. "Today, the Voice is not accepting visitors. If you wish, I can put you on the waiting list for an audience."
The man gives a disgruntled huff. "And how long is this list?"
Robin consults a book on his desk. "Your approximate waiting time would be… two years."
The man sputters in outrage. "Two years!? I don't have that much time to waste!"
"Then I'm sorry Sir, but you cannot see the Voice." Robin says evenly. "However, I assure you, your religious experience can be fully had without her presence. Many a noble has prayed at the Mila Tree and come away fulfilled without the Voice's presence."
"Don't lecture me about religion, boy." The man snaps. "I am the picture of piety."
"Of course you are Sir." Robin says, and surreptitiously makes a tick mark on a piece of paper with some graphite. "So I'm sure you know that the scripts of Naga's faith include no such line that dictates special privilege for nobles, or that the Voice in any way needs to be seen to have a fulfilling pilgrimage."
The man's eyes narrow into a glare. Robin meets the glare calmly, and completely unfazed.
"The Voice will hear of your attitude." The man threatens. "I will find a way, be it through a letter or waiting two years."
"So, shall I schedule you in for Pegasus Moon two years from now?" Robin asks, raising his graphite.
The man's face reddens in fury. He turns around and loudly stomps away, only quieting when everyone waiting in line turns to watch his noisy exit, and he doesn't want to deal with the embarrassment.
Robin closes his eyes for a moment and slowly released a held breath. He then relaxes his shoulders, opens his eyes again, and looks towards a short woman in peasant's clothing. "Next please."
###
Robin's hand deftly weave the ribbon around a bundle of green hair. "-and you have a meeting scheduled for four with the Duke of Lurchire. Supposedly it's on the subject of 'attaining a better connection with Naga'."
Tiki yawns. She tries not to slouch in her seat as Robin manages her hair. "So... espousing their own supposed piety and trying to gain my favor. Again."
"Most likely." Robin agrees. He takes a step back. "Done, by the way."
"Thank you Robin." Tiki says. She stands up, and quickly inspects herself in the mirror. "You do recall that you are my assistant and not my servant, correct Robin? I am quite capable of doing my hair myself."
"Today is busy. We don't have a spare ten minutes." Robin says curtly. "I've taken the liberty of asking the kitchen to bring your meal directly here. Please try not to dawdle too much. Your image might suffer if you're late for mass again."
"But I miss mass regularly." Tiki grumbles. "Could I simply not attend?"
"Everyone knows today is one of your active days, my lady." Robin tuts. "You cannot make the excuse of being asleep, or the effectiveness of the schedule will be called into question."
Tiki wants to point out that 'the schedule' was made by Robin and she had no idea it existed until a few months into its use, and she technically never agreed to it being her official schedule in the first place.
Granted, the schedule has changed very little about her routine. Robin developed it by meticulously studying her habits and identifying patterns. He figured out that she tended to have a 'big sleep' once every eight days that lasts three days, and he also figured out that the second day after awakening from one of her 'big sleeps' was the day she tended to be most active (hence it being called an 'active day') and he's been using that pattern to organize her meetings and ensure there isn't any constant rescheduling like there used to be before she hired him.
Well, 'hired' isn't exactly accurate. She found him lying beneath one of the Mila Tree's roots after Naga told her to go searching, and he installed himself as her assistant out of gratitude (without any formal procedure to install him, mind you. He started organizing her meetings and everyone sort of just followed along when it turned out he could actually make sure Tiki was on time) and hasn't left since. Considering how much easier it makes her life, Tiki hasn't bothered to question it.
"Fine then." Tiki says. Considering she has to wait for her meal to arrive, she sits down on her bed to wait. "Did I miss anything while I was asleep? I forgot to ask yesterday."
"Twenty five this time." Robin says flatly.
Tiki pauses, searching her brain, then her eyebrows shoot up. "You mean…"
"People who insist they're incredibly pious while being petulant or making threats, yes." Robin says. "A new record, in fact."
Tiki shakes her head. "I don't understand how you deal with it Robin."
"Patience and sarcasm." Robin says. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to write some replies to stupid requests. Please head straight down to mass after your meal is finished, Lady Tiki,"
"Alright." She says reluctantly.
Robin bows (she's told him to stop that and he still hasn't) and quietly exits the room. Tiki shakes her head at him and spends the time between then and her meal arriving mentally prepares for the boredom of mass.
###
There are very few people who dare to, or are allowed to, carry weapons around the Mila Tree. Robin supposes he's technically not one of those people, so he's thankful no one has noticed the flux tome he keeps in his coat or the dagger at his side (beneath his coat of course).
Anyhow. The Chon'sinese woman standing in front of his desk is openly carrying a weapon. Two, in fact. She has matching katanas on her hips. No one seems to be challenging her about it, which either means she's one of those rare people actually permitted to carry weapons, or no one has dared challenge her about them.
Robin is inclined to think the latter, if only because the people allowed to carry weapons that aren't war monks he could list on his fingers, so few they are.
Still, he has to be professional. He steeples his fingers and meets the woman's gaze with as impassive a look as he can muster. "Can I help you?"
"You can tell me who you are and when the Voice hired you." The woman says firmly. "Because I don't recall you being here last time I visited, and the Voice made no mention of wanting nor needing an assistant."
Robin arcs an eyebrow at her. So this lady has actually talked to Tiki before. It's quite presumptuous of her to assume that Tiki would have talked about wanting an assistant or not to her. If Robin had to guess, this woman has spoken to Tiki once, and now assumes she has some incredible insight into Tiki's thoughts.
In other words, just another presumptuous noble, but with swords.
"Well, the circumstances around my appointment here are a bit strange, I wasn't exactly hired." Robin says truthfully. "However, the Voice is fully on board with my holding this position."
"And how do I know you're being truthful?" The woman asks, a stern look on her face.
"You don't, because you don't work here." Robin says flatly. "So perhaps you'd rather ask some of the priests rather than asking for proof that you should very well know is hard to provide on my own. Unless, of course, your intent was to be unreasonable?"
Both of them stare at each other for a few seconds. The swordswoman looks suspicious, and Robin mildly defiant.
"Now." Robin says. "Unless you have an appointment to make, please move along so I can attend to the next person in line. Also, weapons aren't allowed on the grounds of the Mila Tree. Please deposit them outside the ground and return after you've done so."
The woman now scowls outright. "I have never needed to shed my weapons here before, and I shan't start now unless a more reliable source tells me so. Lady Tiki shall hear of your words."
"Mmm, so you want an appointment then?" Robin says. "The next open slot is-"
"No. I have not needed an appointment before, and I won't need one now." The woman insists. "I shan't allow some stranger who has managed to impose themselves on Lady Tiki to prevent me from speaking to her."
"Well." Robin says as he slips a hand inside his coat to grab his flux tome. "I'm afraid I can't allow that."
The woman's eyes narrow. "You'd fight me?"
"If I must."
"Dueling the princess of Chon'sin over such a small matter could be considered folly, be quite sure you want to do this." The woman warns.
Robin pauses. "Sorry? The princess of Chon'sin?"
"Yes. Was it not obvious?"
"I'm an amnesiac, nothing is 'obvious', thank you very much." Robin huffs. He flips through a small notebook, searching for a specific page while Say'ri awkwardly waits with a hand on one of her katanas. "Ah, here we are… are you Say'ri?"
"Aye."
"Hmm… black hair, headband, purple clothes…" Robin mutters, reading the description Tiki had provided. "Well, you check out. My apologies, go right on up Miss."
Say'ri blinks at the sudden change in attitude. He was ready to fight her a moment ago, and now he's offering no resistance at all. She decides not to question her good fortune and move up the tree and the Voice who this strange man really is.
The walk up the Mila Tree is as lengthy as usual. It's a familiar march for Say'ri, and one she used to do regularly when she spent more time around the Mila tree in the past. The still-living wood the staircase is carved out of doesn't make a dull 'thunk' as she steps on it like usual floorboards would.
When she finally gets up to the top of the tree and Tiki's room, Say'ri politely knocks.
"Robin?" Tiki's voice calls. "Has it really been four hours already?"
"Erm… no Milady." Say'ri coughs. "Tiz I."
"Say'ri?" The door quickly opens. "I didn't know you were coming! You should have sent word ahead."
"I would have if I could, my lady, but unfortunately I am not here for pleasure." Say'ri says grimly. "Walhart has attacked Chon'sin."
###
"Robin…"
"Stay still my lady. I can't well fix your hair if you keep moving." The man says firmly.
"Nor I tie your sash." A certain swordswoman says.
"Say'ri…" Tiki says. "It was bad enough to have Robin fussing over me all the time."
"I don't see how you ever got by without us. You're so slow my lady." Say'ri chastises.
Tiki sighs in exasperation. "The other Shepherds are going to get impatient. I can march perfectly well without my hair done or my sash properly tied."
"Absolutely not." Robin scoffs.
"Perish the thought." Say'ri agrees. "Your image is vital! You are the Voice!"
Tiki rolls her eyes as the two continue to fuss over her. Apparently this is her life now.
So, there's absolutely more that could be done with this idea, but I have neither the energy nor the creativity to write it. I love this concept, but I just can't wield it properly.
RedNephilim: :D
Your idea is noted.
ARSLOTHES: Noted. Same idea as Nephilim and on the same day, huh? Did something happen with a sentient sword I'm not aware of? A new game maybe?
AnAutisticHuman: Thank you for your words. It's always nice to hear I didn't completely mess up that chapter.
Raj8: (78) I mean, fair enough. It is the shortest chapter of the whole fic (except maybe the first, which is also shorter than usual) but it has the same structure, so it's a bit lacking.
(79) Frederick has some very valid concerns about Cynthia getting attached to a somewhat delusional wannabe detective.
You're assuming her height was intended to be realistic, which it wasn't. Smol Robin is supposed to be comically small. That's literally the point of the chapter.
(80) And here I was worried the excessive dialogue and explanations were going to detract from the chapter. After all, lore/world-building don't mean much for one-shots when those elements are never relevant again.
(81) Yeah, this chapter ended up being a bit mediocre. I think most of my Robins, especially later ones where I intentionally remove them from the role of tactician, could be argued to be basically OCs rather than actually different versions of Robin.
(82) This chapter was fun. Hard to write, but fun. Inigo was the key to getting the chapter to work.
(83) Even as I was writing that chapter I knew it was going to be generic. Anna absolutely wasn't the right call, and I knew it from the start. Admittedly some of the more recent chapters have been hamstrung by my desire to give every member of the main cast at least one chapter of spotlight, and that chapter is exhibit A as for why that can really be a hassle.
(84) Mmm, this chapter had a problem of telling more than showing in some respects. That said, the mismatch between her actions and her current attitude was absolutely intended, albeit poorly handled.
(85) Tiki somehow makes every story better. I don't understand it at all.
(86) I would have made her deal with more priests, but with my own scant knowledge of religion or realistic prejudice or issues within religious institutions, I couldn't come up with anything else to write, so I stuck to the standard racism plot.
Thank you for all your reviews! I appreciate you taking the time to make a note about every chapter, no matter how good or bad.
omegazeroinfi: That does indeed go against the central idea of this collection. In the past, I would have said I'd put it on the list for Varied Awakenings, but considering that collection is done… sorry, I just have to refuse outright. Good idea though.
Indeed they do! Anything to save their own skins. It's all well and good to be a protector when you don't have to do anything, but following their supposed beliefs when it actually counts? Perish the thought!
RedBanzai: I'm familiar with that skin. Noted.