Disclaimer: I don't own Fire Emblem Awakening, all rights to the owners.
Minor: Dark Flier, Immortal, Boxer (Pugilist), Exploitive, Swordmaster, Angry Cinnamon Roll, Tripping, Perpetual Cheer, Chef, Blacksmith, Pegasus Knight, Teacher, Librarian, Masochist, Literal-Minded, Authoritative, Middle Age, Wyvern Rider, Phobia, Thicc, Tsundere, Damsel in Distress, Gangrel's Child, Wyvern Rider, Child, Communist, Bomber, Bear Cavalry, Flying, ADHD, Super Strength, Patriotic, Martial Artist, Scottish, Sassy, One Liner, Seamstress, Shephard, Speedy, Cool, Shy, Bookworm, Mercenary, Sweet, Kung Fu, Buff, Lazy, Wingless Flight.
Standard: Elemental, Deaf, Foreign, Future sight, Nurse/Medic, Valmese Tactician, Medusa, Amazon, Genderfluid, Gift from Validar + evil to good, Mimic, Emotionless, Crippling Overspecialization (Idiot Savant), Coward, ESP, POW, PTSD, Magician, Mute, Handicapped, Secret Helper, Crazy, Morpher, Dreamwalker, Motherly, Twins, Regenerating, Animal Whisperer, Naga/Tiki Assistant, Deadly Touch, Mind Reader, Doppelganger, Arachne, D&D magic, Umbramancer, Horror Monster, Dominatrix, Songstress, Kinky, Matchmaker, Androphobic, Illusionist, Attraction Aura, Ring Maker, Therapist, Teleporting, Crippled, Puppet, Broken, Hallucination, Depressed, Bodyguard, Slave, Love Curse, Detective.
Unlikely: Chrom's child, Minotaur, Paladin, Werewolf, Assassin, Future Soldier, Bounty Hunter, Weather control, Kleptomaniac, Druid, Steampunk, Shadow Familiar, Magic Augmentation, Lucky, Exile, Piper (Charmer), Gladiator, Witch Doctor, Centaur, Drunk, Demon, Punk, Harpy, Revenant, Luck Manipulation, Demon Summoner, Megalomaniac, Kitsune, King of Plegia, Mood Ring, Reverse Aging, Hammerspace, Prostitute, Demon Hunter, Cyborg, Maid/Servant/Butler, Deadlord, Rebellion, Einherjar, Trap, Yandere, Living Weapon, Size Shifter, Queen of Plegia, Gluttonous, Stretchy, Ninja, Alchemist, Protoss, Spirit Manipulation, Invisible, Plegian Honor Guard, Mecha, Kryptonian, Creator, Orc, Memory Stealing Respawn, Racer, Khan, Misfortune, Vampire Hunter, Geokinetic, 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, Future Vision, Serial Killer, Pervert, Magic Fixit, Drakengard Restoration, Ying-Yang, Childhood Friend, Cyberpunk, Chrom's Mother, Obsessed, Berserker, Phase Shift, Gravity Manipulation, Hallucinating, Bladesoul, Zombie, Double Entendre, Shared Body/Two Souls, Cannibal, Singer, Violent, Insane, Waterbender, Casanova, Cupid, Undertaker, Master Thief, Guard, Faceless, Shadow, Age Control, Cradle Snatcher, Emo, Singer, 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, Witch, 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.
Other: Self-insert, Second Generation replacement, Dimensional Walker, Cycle, Fates.
Fashion Designer Robin. I lost whoever suggested it, so whoever you are, here you go.
"Robin, please…"
"Just a moment longer Milady."
Maribelle sighs and continues to stiffly hold her arms out to the side while Robin takes a variety of measurements which Maribelle is fairly sure are unnecessary. He's gone well above what other tailors would bother to measure. She knows artists are picky about their methods, but this is absurd.
"Alright." Robin says after a moment, and pulls away his measuring thread. Most tailors in Maribelle's experience use a measuring stick, but Robin instead used a marked thread to get his numbers. "Now, please, if you wouldn't mind walking across the room and back?"
Maribelle frankly has no idea what this has to do with making her a dress. Maybe she should have gone to her usual tailor, but she'll admit she was curious as to Robin's skills. So, despite thinking this is absurd and unnecessary, she obliges his strange request.
"Stop." Robin says suddenly. "Stay like that, don't move."
The lady of Themis breathes a long, deep, resigned sigh as Robin studiously measures the distance between her legs in her stride, and other such minor details. "I feel like I'm being scrutinized for one of Miriel's studies Robin."
"Fashion and science are not so different." Robin murmurs without pausing from his work. "In order to get the best results, precise measurements and knowledge of everything you are working with is necessary. All the minute details must be taken into account, no facet left unexplored… speaking of which."
"Oh what now?"
"I must ask you to sit down now." Robin says. "There are still more measurements I need."
"Naga save me. It's already been ten minutes! How many more measurements could he possibly want?"
###
"It was truly absurd." Maribelle huffs. "I have never felt so much like an object in my entire life."
"That bad, huh?" Lissa asks nervously.
"Well… I know he's an artist, and a perfectionist at that." Maribelle sighs. "I don't resent his behaviour per say. I simply think he is being extreme."
"Oh."
"And truly, if I did not know he was focused purely on measurements, I would have slapped him several times…" The lady murmurs and shakes her head. "That man pays no mind to what is acceptable behaviour sometimes."
"Yeah." Lissa has seen Robin's… interesting behaviour before. She remembers when he met Nowi. His first response had been to pick her up off the ground and heavily scrutinize her skimpy outfit.
Surprisingly, he had praised the mankete's outfit for being fitting to her personality, and very creative in its design (although, he had noted, not very practical). Nowi had just been weirded out by this random man staring very intently at her body.
Socially conscious Robin is not. At least he was polite, or else Nowi probably would have fried him on the spot.
"It is truly incredible how much information he took on me though. I would truly like to look through the information he took on me."
"What do you think he took down?"
"The usual, as well as stranger things like the length of my stride when walking, the straightness of my spine when sitting down, how far apart my legs are at various points when standing and walking…"
"Oh, uh, okay, that is weird."
"He is… meticulous."
###
"Another project?" Chrom asks in amusement. He came to Robin's tent to see the man for some advice, only to see him in the midst of an intense designing session. "Who this time?"
"Maribelle." The man says curtly. His long burgundy hair, despite being pulled back in a ponytail, is slick with sweat, and his orange eyes don't leave his work. He has his special mannequin with adjustable proportions to allow him to make and test dresses very precisely. The mannequin currently only has a fairly unremarkable gold bottom layer on, the layer designed for comfort rather than appearance because it's not meant to be seen. "What it is Chrom?"
"I just need advice." He says with an amused smile. "We have the choice between two paths coming back to Ylisstol. One is a bit more bandit infested than the other, and only quicker overall by a few hours."
"You want to know if it's fine to go looking for trouble." Robin says bluntly. "You want to go fight more bandits."
"Guilty as charged." Chrom chuckles. "What's your verdict?"
"Mmm." Robin humms. He grabs one of his three of four different scissors (Chrom doesn't know the difference for the life of him) and cuts through a thin layer of yellow fabric with one fluid motion. "I have no qualms with it. The fewer bandits the better. It is our job after all. Just check with Emmet to make sure we have the supplies for it. More combat means more bandages, more wear on our weapons, more food to re-energize, and so on."
"Right. Thanks for the advice Robin."
"Yes, yes…" Robin says absently. "Sorry, if you don't have anything more to say, could you leave? I need to focus."
"Right." Chrom says with a smile. He knows Robin doesn't mean to be rude, he's just being upfront. "Best of luck with your work."
"Luck?" Robin scoffs quietly as the prince leaves. "There's no luck about it. I'm a master. I don't need luck."
###
"Aesthetic buttons, hmm…" Robin muses as he gazes intently at Lissa, who is currently trying bothering Stahl. The girl is totally oblivious at the moment to the tactician's scrutiny. The man has a sketchpad in one hand, and quickly scribbles a few rough concepts onto the page. "Maybe on the bust of a dress? That might get in the way of bending over though, unless it's small, maybe weave a ribbon through the holes in the middle. On the upper back could work too. Bending backwards isn't usually necessary…"
"People watching, are we?" Virion asks the man, and tries to peer over his shoulder.
"Mostly outfit watching. Though I suppose the people matter so much as they explain the choice of outfit, and the outfit can serve to accentuate that personality." Robin mutters, and covers his sketchpad. "Go make your sketches. An artist does not share his designs until he's used them, or decided he will not."
"My, prickly, aren't we?"
"I must remain one step ahead of the competition. I will not allow my ideas to be exposed and stolen before I've had chance to exploit them…"
"What competition good sir? We are in the middle of farmland. What person could I possibly tell?"
"You could use a bird to send a message." Robin says suspiciously. "I know you have a bird. I've seen you using it before."
"Oh." Virion sounds genuinely surprised. "You have?"
"I was studying your outfit when you walked off, so I followed you." Robin says simply. "You rely heavily on no one actually caring enough to look for you."
"Indeed… you are far more perceptive than I gave your credit for." Virion says approvingly.
"I'm fairly sure I'm normal for any competent tactician." Robin says calmly.
"You would be surprised." Virion chuckles.
"If I ever am, then I will be extremely disappointed alongside being surprised."
###
"Orange or gold… what shade…?" Robin frowns. "Or maybe a different color entirely? This dress is looking rather monochrome, and that's not the best for a fancy dress."
Robin clicks his tongue in frustration. He got too over-eager and forgot his steps. He should have planned this more before starting anything. Master indeed. He can't claim that title after making such an amateur mistake.
"White?" He mutters while sketching with his colored ink. "Red? Green? Blue…?"
Blue would be a risk. It's the exact opposite of the gold and yellow colors he's currently using. Opposing colors can compliment, but they can also clash horribly if you don't use them carefully.
"Some contrast is needed, but where and how? Maybe colored ruffles? Ribbons? No, no, ribbons don't seem like they'd fit Maribelle." The designer muses. "Embroidery? Hmm… maybe."
Robin makes a few detailed drawings, trying out a few colors and concepts. He eventually settles on using white, so as to give Maribelle a dress like Lissa's. She'll probably like that. He'll give her white gloves… and maybe also the bodice and a strip down the center of the dress as well. It will make the abundant gold and yellow less overwhelming if it's spaced out by the white.
"Okay, okay…" Robin nods. He adjusts his original concept for the dress again. "Hmm… how am I supporting this?" He consults his notes. "She has long strides, so if I have a full coraline underneath it might get in the way of her walking. Can I get away with only part of one? Maybe just the sides?"
"Robin."
The man looks up at the entrance of his tent. "Hmm? Yes?"
"It's past midnight." Frederick sighs. "You must sleep. I expect your light to be out by the time I've made my next round."
"Fine, fine…" Robin grumbles. He flips to a fresh page, and frantically starts scribbling down every idea that crosses his mind. Usually he'd just sketch out the ideas, but apparently Frederick won't give him that time.
He only barely gets everything written down and his lantern extinguished by the time Frederick comes back around.
###
"Hmm…"
"Can you not?" Severa scowls at the man scrutinizing her. On the inside she's actually freaking out, but she's not going to show that.
"Green, blue, or red?" Robin asks suddenly.
"What? What do you mean?"
"What do you like more, green, blue, or red?" Robin repeats.
"Uh… blue?"
"Alright. I can work with that…" The tactician says. He pulls out a sketchbook. "Blue…"
"Robin, I think you're intimidating her." Chrom chuckles.
"I am not scared." Severa snaps while crossing her arms.
"Hmm, no, your body language says otherwise." Robin mutters. "Chrom is right."
Severa's face blushes in embarrassment and indignation. "W-Well screw you too!" she shouts and quickly retreats from this strange situation.
"Hmm. Did I do something?" The tactician frowns. "Shame. I want to make a dress for her. Her hair will make for a nice picture… I have ideas."
"You might want to try not invading her personal space." Chrom sighs.
"Ah, right. I should ask first." Robin nods.
"About that…" The prince says slowly. "Erm… how to say this…"
"Be blunt. It's easier."
"Right. So, erm, you know how you take measurements for the garments you make, right?"
"Yes?"
"Well… you may want to consider a female assistant for taking measurements with your female clients."
Roblin blinks a few times, confused. "Why?"
Chrom didn't think he'd actually have to explain this. "Because it's awkward for them to have a man measuring them, especially when you're measuring things like their… uh… chest."
"It is?"
"Yes, Robin, it is."
"Why?"
Chrom doesn't know what to say about that. "Because of… erm… societal norms? Embarrassment as well. I bet if you asked Miriel she'd say 'sexual tension' or something."
"Right." Robin's expression still conveys that he doesn't get it. "Is this the whole 'attractiction' thing?"
"What?" Now that's an odd question. "Sort of. I don't know the psychology of it exactly, but… yes, I think."
"Okay. Because I don't get it." Robin says bluntly. "I've heard other Shepherds talk about romance, and 'liking' other people in a romantic or sexual sense and… I don't get it. I don't think I feel whatever they feel. Is this why what I do is embarrassing for others, but I don't feel it?"
Chrom takes a long minute to process what he's hearing. He needs this to be clarified before he makes a statement though. "To be clear, you don't feel lust, right?"
"I don't think so. I've never desired someone… well, not beyond artistic appreciation of their form."
"Okay." Chrom glances around, making sure no one is in earshot. "Robin. Do you feel sexual attraction of any sort? Towards anything?"
"Not that I'm aware."
"Okay. Okay…"
"Is that bad?"
"No, just not standard. It's not a problem, just relatively rare." Chrom says. He's trying to phrase this diplomatically, he really doesn't feel like he's the one who should be explaining this. "Unless I'm getting something wrong, I think you're asexual."
Robin tilts his head, considering this information. "I never gave much thought to my own attractions. I suppose that does fit me rather well. How curious."
"So, uh, my main point was… women sometimes find being measured by a guy uncomfortable, so maybe get some help from someone for doing that. Also, don't randomly invade people's personal space."
"I'll defer to your expertise." Robin nods.
Chrom would hesitate to call himself an expert, but as long as Robin stops accidentally creeping people out, it doesn't really matter. "Good. Thank you for understanding Robin."
###
"So wait, you just want to make me a dress?" Severa asks suspiciously.
"Indeed. Though I will only be able to start it's construction after I finish the one for Maribelle." Robin says. "Do you accept? I realize my intent was not conveyed very well earlier, but I truly only wish to make a dress."
"Well…" The girl says slowly. "Is it free or…?"
"Yes." Robin says. "It is art for me, and your word of support later if need be to vouch for my skills."
Well, Severa isn't about to turn down a free dress. "Sure. I accept."
"Good." The man smiles. "Of course, I'll need measurements. I don't currently have a female assistant for such things, so if you have a friend you are comfortable around to aid in the process…?"
"Oh, sure." Severa's mind goes over her options. "Hmm… Noire."
"Alright. Are you both free now?"
"Should be. I'll go ask Noire."
###
"Hmm… I've seen this before." Robin realizes. He's working on the design of the dress for Maribelle again. "Where have I seen this? What am I referencing?"
He is, of course, referring to his idea to split Maribelle's dress down the center with a white section. It's not like he made up that idea, it's just one of many ideas in his toolkit, but he realized he was pulling from a specific reference without realizing it earlier.
"It's not from Lissa. Lissa's outfit doesn't quite have that." Robin frowns. "Not the mage outfit. Not Tharja… ah! Emmeryn! That's it, that's what I was thinking of when I made that." He quickly jots that down next to his sketches. "Huh, I'm pulling from both exalted ladies for this concept. I suppose there are worse references."
He also suspects Maribelle will be fully onboard with having a dress similar to her best friend and the Exalt's.
"With that in mind… do I want to make the inspiration more obvious?" Robin asks himself out loud. He could outright take certain elements if he wanted. Robin avoided a bustier with this design, but if he wanted he could add one like Lissa has, or maybe take some pattern elements from Emmeryn's robes.
Reference? Or originality? What's more important? Both have strengths, but both can backfire.
"Hmm… in this case… I'm making these for the art." Robin reminds himself. "Originality. It's not like there isn't any connection. I've already included several intentionally and otherwise as it is…"
With all of that out of the way, Robin finalizes his design. There's actually three designs he's torn on, but they're all relatively similar. He can make everything underneath, as it's all the same, and make three different top layers to see them in the flesh (so to speak) before deciding.
Yes, that works. He has a few hours before sundown. He can get started right now.
"Robin, you are not skipping dinner again." Chrom sighs as he pushes aside the entrance to the man's tent.
Okay, maybe dinner first. Then work.
###
"Tch…" Robin huffs. "I was working, and they just had to interrupt."
"I'm fairly sure the Risen don't care about your tailoring Robin."
"Excuse you, I do more than just tailoring." Robin huffs.
"Yes, and they care less than I do." Chrom sighs.
"You disappoint me." The tactician sighs. "Five myrmidons at our two o'clock. Leapfrog?"
"Leapfrog." Chrom agrees. Both of them charge at the Risen. Chrom strikes first with a massive horizontal swipe that would seem to leave him wide open… if it were not for Robin following up behind him with a massive slash of his own with his steel sword. The two repeat this rotation, using massive attacks that would be impractical on their own to cover the other's overswing in a repetitive motion that sees both fighters constantly advancing to protect the other.
And because Risen are stupid and reckless, it's a crazily effective tactic.
"You have no appreciation for art."
"No, I just don't care for fashion."
"Tsk…"
"Oh please, don't tsk me." Chrom snorts. "It's not my thing. Just because I'm royalty, doesn't mean I care for fashion."
"You're lucky you can rely on tradition to give you outfits…" Robin mutters. "Putting good designers out of work."
"Oh please." The prince laughs. "There's enough noble ladies looking for custom dresses that I doubt any half-decent designer is going out of work anytime soon."
"That's what you think." The tactician scoffs. "Four mercenaries, twelve o'clock."
"Right."
###
"Oh my." Maribelle breathes. "I'll admit, it's not what I was expecting… but I am impressed."
Robin smiles pridefully as the duchess of Themis inspects the dress. The final design he went with was one less flashy than the others. He scrapped the idea of having extensive embroidery or patterns on the dress in favor of adding bands around the waist (like her standard outfit) and adding ruffles around the chest area on the second layer.
At a glance, the dress is a drop-waist ball gown with a special white shawl that drops down to ankle length in a straight line at the front and back. The shawl is the white section dividing the otherwise yellow gown (along with the gloves and high-heeled boots), and there are certain sections like the shoulders and the bands around the stomach that are made of gold to add a bit of change as well, though it's certainly not as pronounced due to gold and yellow being similar colors. Also, there is only a partial coraline underneath that doesn't fully extend in front or behind the legs, making the outer parts of the bottom of the dress round while the center and back are more flat and a bit shorter so the hems won't accidentally be stepped on. It also gives the gown a unique shape rather than just being circular.
All-in-all it's a rather simple design, if unorthodox for a gown. Usually ball gowns don't have shawls or boots. The shawl also gives it a high neckline and no cleavage whatsoever, which is a bit unusual for a ball gown from what Robin is aware, but he doesn't figure Maribelle will care that much if it's less revealing.
"May I try it?"
"Of course. It's your dress." Robin says. He carefully removes it from the mannequin and hands it to her. "You may need help tying up the back, but otherwise you should be able to manage on your own."
Seeing Maribelle in the gown really completes the project for Robin. He nods to himself in approval. It's not perfect, but really, when is anything perfect? He can spy a thing or two that he can improve on, but it's not a bad job altogether. The lady walks about the tent in the dress, testing how it feels, and nods approvingly. "This is quite well done Robin, thank you."
"Of course." Robin says with a bow. "If I may say so, you paint quite a nice picture that dress."
"Well I would hope so." Maribelle huffs. "Or you haven't designed the dress very well, hmm?"
"Quite true." The tactician agrees. "In that case I shall be so prideful as to congratulate myself on a job well done."
"Good." The lady smiles. "I simply cannot wait to show this off at a ball…"
Robin grins. He can't wait for the good word Maribelle will spread. Hopefully, with her influence, he can start establishing a customer base for when this war is over…
I dunno when in the Awakening timeline this is, or if it even fits into the timeline anywhere, but whatever. I enjoyed writing this one. Originally this was actually gonna center around Severa rather than Maribelle, but Maribelle just fit better to be in the spotlight here. Had to feature Severa a bit though.
Darklight of the 0 arcana: Yep! That's what I was going for.
I've heard of Fate/Stay Night, but I've never seen it, so I'm afraid I don't know what you mean by 'servant' (as I assume that's special somehow).
N-Lorin: It's a fine line to walk when writing Chrom. He's supposed to be a trusting character, and as I see him he's not one to blame someone for something they were completely unaware of and had no reason to suspect. As for everyone else… yeah, you're probably right.
bauers374: Well there was a lot of people under mind-control, but some didn't know where Robin was at the moment, and some didn't know Robin was responsible, and some just didn't want to go rushing to confront someone who could easily re-establish that control if she felt like it. I put Lissa into that second category.
Darkness is complete: That idea poses so many issues in story writing… but sure. I'll put it on the list. I do like the idea. It's just that it's quite possibly a story-breaker.
Guest (X5): Chrom has his priorities straight!
You do know the Shepherds act as a vanguard in war already, right? Either way Vanguard Robin would literally just be 'Robin who fights on the front line' (of which I have made several already).
Feeling bad for Robin? Lol. Honestly didn't expect that.
pofehof: I mean, sure. If you want to assume Robin is secretly manipulating them all still, go ahead. Makes for a cool headcanon.
Dragon Tag: Probably not. I have other things I want to do in the future, and doing a repeat of The Robin Variable (probably including a lot of the same quirks) might get boring. I could be convinced to open up Varied Awakenings to Fates suggestions though… hmm… might have to rename the collection though.
bauers374: I don't think that fits for this collection. Cool idea, I'm putting that down for Varied Awakenings, but it doesn't fit The Robin Variable.
Jay Hayden: Nice to see that you understand both sides here.
Time Travel huh. Now that's a story breaker if not handled well, and I don't think I can handel it well. I have Savepoint Robin that deals with a variant of that (she can set marks in time, and then rewind time to the last mark), but I think proper time travel is just too much of a mess to use. I'll put it down in unlikely in case I come up with something (maybe a Robin bored with life and people in general because he can just time travel at will?).