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, Phobia, Thicc, Tsundere, Damsel in Distress, Gangrel's Child, Communist, Bomber, Bear Cavalry, Flying, ADHD, Super Strength, Patriotic, Scottish, Sassy, One Liner, Seamstress, Shephard, Speedy, Cool, Shy, Bookworm, Sweet, Kung Fu, Buff, Lazy, Wingless Flight, Blunt, Elf, Dwarf, Scottish, Melancholic, Punny, Dark Mage.
Standard: Elemental, Deaf, Nurse/Medic, Valmese Tactician, Medusa, Gift from Validar + Evil to Good, Mimic, Emotionless, Crippling Overspecialization (Idiot Savant), Coward, ESP, POW, PTSD, Magician, Mute, Handicapped, Secret Helper, Morpher, Dreamwalker, Twins, Regenerating, Animal Whisperer, Naga/Tiki Assistant, Deadly Touch, Mind Reader, Doppelganger, Arachne, D&D magic, Umbramancer, Dominatrix, Songstress, Kinky, Matchmaker, Androphobic, Illusionist, Attraction Aura, Ring Maker, Teleporting, Crippled, Puppet, Depressed, Slave, Love Curse, Detective, Geokinetic, Trauma, Siren, Changeling, Shapeshifter.
Unlikely: Chrom's child, Minotaur, Paladin, Werewolf, 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, Deadlord, 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, Chrom's Mother, 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, 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, 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.
Originally had a different chapter, but on second thought the timing was awful. You'll see that one again at chapter 75 (assuming this whole situation is over with by then, if not, then later). Timing was a total coincidence, I'd been planning that chapter for a while in advance, but such is life. Instead, I'll put this out.
Demon Robin, as suggested by a guest and XenoEmblem4TW. Alternative title: Robin has a grand old time messing with Noire.
The portal out of her old world dropped her in the most inconvenient spot possible: directly in the path of slavers, who promptly captured her with plans to sell her to the highest bidder.
Noire doesn't have her weapon, but she does have her hair beads… which are more than they seem. They're not just beads, they're gems. Gems she can use to cast a ritual spell if she's desperate, and she'd say she's very desperate at this point.
Her mother never taught her how to do this ritual. Noire figured it out herself by perusing her mother's collection of tomes after her death. This one in particular was… forbidden, and highly dangerous… but that sounds like exactly what she needs right now!
So at night, when the guards are distracted, Noire takes the beads out of her hair and arrays them on the dirt in front of her. She then grabs the sharp rock she had found earlier, cuts her finger on it, and allows the blood to drip down onto the beads while murmuring the phrases she memorized.
She can tell the ritual works when the beads start glowing. The blood on the surface melts into the beads, turning the formerly green and blue orbs to a deep red.
"You know, usually the people summoning demons are cultists." A voice says conversationally. "Not that I'm complaining. This is a pleasant surprise."
Noire twists around to find a man sitting on a rock behind her. He's dressed casually in plain black pants and a black shirt. His hair is jet black and slicked back, and his eyes are red. He's also quite tall.
"Oh, well that's a pretty face." The man grins. He extends a hand. "Robin by the way."
"N-Noire?" She responds hesitantly, and shakes his hand.
"Noire… black…" Robin hums. "Very mysterious."
"I wouldn't call myself that…"
"Maybe not." Robin smiles. He stands up, showing that he's even taller than Noire had expected. He's almost seven feet tall and very thin. "Now, I presume you want these slavers dealt with, hmm?"
"Yes."
Robin's voice is almost a coo. "Your wish is my command." He leans down and extends a hand. This time Noire notices the sharp nails on the end of his fingers. With minimal effort he hooks a finger around her restraints, and his nail cuts through the metal to free her. "Stay here, won't you? I'll be back soon."
He winks and blows a kiss at her as he leaves, and Noire can only watch in confusion. She was expecting something a lot more… scary.
Then the shouting starts, and the screaming. So. Much. Screaming. Noire is glad she can't see what's going on.
About ten minutes later Robin walks back over to Noire. She tries not to stare at the blood stains on the man's clothes or his hands.
Robin extends a hand again. "Well, we should-" The man pauses, looking at the blood all over him. He snaps his fingers and the blood just vanishes. "We should go."
Noire grabs his hand and he pulls her up to her feet. He pulls her very close to him, they're almost nose-to-nose. At first Noire thinks it's unintentional, but then Robin kisses the tip of her nose before releasing her. Noire is vaguely shocked. Robin is a demon, right? Is he just messing with her?
"Well, let's get to leading everyone back to the nearest village." Robin says calmly as he releases her. Noire isn't sure if he can tell how hard her heart is pounding right now, but she wouldn't be surprised if he left her like this intentionally. "Let's be off then, hmm?"
Noire nods mutely. This is more than she ever expected, though she isn't sure if that's a good thing.
###
"Noire, my lovely master!" Robin greets with a wide smile and open arms when Noire steps into their room in the inn. His red eyes crinkle in amusement, and he shows teeth with his smile. His teeth are sharp, like a carnivore's, and it makes his smile more intimidating than welcoming. "How can I serve thee best today? Do you need another massacre? Perhaps an assassination? Some spy work? Or maybe…" He takes two long strides forwards and leans over her. One hand trails down her arm and lightly grabs her hand. "You have other interests? Hmm?"
Noire opens and closes her mouth mutely, trying to formulate words. "Can't he ever greet me normally?!"
"Speechless? Have I read your mind?" Robin says. His smile is massive, and he seems genuinely amused. He tugs her hand, pulling her against him, and his other hand goes to her back. Noire tenses even as she blushes. "Shall I continue to read you? I think I know what you want."
Noire finally finds her voice when Robin starts to lightly push her into a dip. "I-I'm good!"
"I'm well aware you are." Robin coos. "And you can be better…"
"N-No thank you!"
Robin huffs in amusement, but he listens to her words and releases her from his grip. "Well, master, how was your… mission?"
"D-Don't make it sound so sinister…" Noire yelps, and holds up the bag. "I was just going shopping."
"Ah… 'shopping', I see…"
"No, I mean actual shopping."
"Of course." Robin says in a way that makes Noire fairly sure that he's only pretending not to understand. "And which organs did you shop for?"
"I got carrots and potatoes." Noire says a bit more forcefully. "Not everything I do is sinister, unlike you."
"Me? Sinister?" Robin tilts his head and splays his fingers out on his chest. He's probably supposed to look offended, but the wide smile on his face makes it clear how sarcastic he's being. "I'm merely your humble servant. If I am sinister, it is only because you will me to be."
That's a lie and they both know it. Basically everything Robin says and does is sinister. They could be discussing the weather and Robin will make it sound like he's offering to shank someone. "But I don't will you to be like that!"
"Then what do you want me to be?" Robin asks. He drops to one knee, and stares up at her in a way that's probably supposed to look injured, but he just looks like he's mocking her (which he is, kinda). He grabs her hand and presses it to his chest in his usual over-dramatic fashion. "I am yours to mould, my Mistress."
"Please don't call me Mistress." Noire whines. "And just… stop being weird?"
"I have been nothing but courteous and kind! I swear on my rotten heart and boiling blood that I am the epitome of a gentleman."
Yeah, if by gentleman you mean shameless womanizer. "Do you actually have a rotten heart and boiling blood?" Is that how demons work?
"Do you want to find out?" He asks. He holds one of his nails against the vein on his neck. "I'll show you, if you want."
"No! No! That's fine! I don't need to know!"
"Ah, you care about my well-being? You truly are the kindest of masters." Robin coos. He kisses her hand before releasing it. "Well then, when do we leave Master? We still need to find your companions, yes?"
Noire takes a breath to steady herself. Robin has a way of jumbling her nerves. "We leave tomorrow morning. It should only take a few more weeks to get to Ylisstol."
"As you say Master." Robin chuckles. His eyes twinkle in amusement. "But it will be such a shame to have to share you with others…"
Noire fights the redness in her face and moves on to putting her purchases in her pack. She's looking forward to finding someone else so she's not at the mercy of Robin's teasing.
###
She wishes the first person she met weren't Inigo. She'd prefer to be alone with Robin rather than have Inigo around.
"I must protest such scandalous words in the presence of my sensitive master." Robin says in a slow, mocking voice. He makes a show of leaning down and curling his arms around Noire, and she shivers at the feather-light touch. Robin's tell-tale grin appears on his face, and he leans his head against hers. "I fear the poor girl will need to be comforted after such trauma."
"And I'll be glad to be the one doing that comforting." Inigo grins. He winks at Noire. "What do you say? Tea with me to get away from your devoted servant here? Hmm?"
Robin creeps Noire out a bit, but she's not that desperate to get away from him. "I-I'll pass…"
"See? Clearly she prefers someone with a bit more… class." Robin smirks.
"Oh, and demons are known for being the classiest of creatures." Inigo scoffs. "What with all the burning, torture, corruption and that."
"Noble pursuits I assure you." Robin chuckles, and flashes his sharp teeth. "You can tell the worth of a demon by how quickly they can get information out of someone."
Noire shudders, and Inigo's smirk falls into a more serious expression. "And how good of a demon are you then?"
"Awful, truly awful!" Robin sighs dramatically. "My poor father could never get me interested in a good tortue session. He never brought the right victims. Too many frightened maidens and trembling servants. They were no fun to tortue. Who wants a victim that doesn't deserve it? Not I. Alas, I am truly the lowest of demons." He strokes the side of Noire's face, and goosebumps roll down her spine. "Though, I suppose if my master wished it, I could push past my reluctance and take out my old branding iron. Maybe to deal with a certain… pest?"
Robin smiles at Inigo, who flinches at the implication. Noire immediately puts a stop to it. "No, never." She says with sudden venom in her voice. She pushes Robin off her and turns on him. Her expression is incensed. "DO NOT DARE TO MAKE SUCH AN INSINUATION AGAIN, WORM! OR THE BLOOD AND THUNDER WILL PAY YOU BACK IN EQUAL MEASURE!"
Robin bows low to the ground. His voice is quiet, devoid of any of his usual playfulness. "Of course master. My pardon. It was a jest. I never intended your friend any harm." His eyes raise just a fraction to meet hers. "Such jokes were normal in the company of other demons. I sometimes forget humans have different standards."
Noire allows herself to calm down. Maybe that was an overreaction…? No, not that was warranted. That joke was too plausible, they're not familiar enough with each other for him to make that joke. "It's fine… just don't do it again."
"Of course." Robin gets up from his bow, but the smile doesn't return to his face. His expression is carefully neutral now, and his hands are clasped behind his back. Only now that he's been cowed does he look like the professional demon he always claims to be. Tall, expressionless, and vaguely threatening.
Robin doesn't say much for the rest of the day, only speaking when spoken to. Even then, if he can communicate through a nod or a shake of the head, he does so. He even keeps a respectful distance, which he has never done before, and allows Noire and Inigo to go about their business while keeping five steps behind them at all times.
Noire ends up feeling more uncomfortable after ten minutes of this than she did when Robin made the joking threat.
###
Robin doesn't go back to normal the next day. He keeps his distance from Noire and Inigo, and his usual forwardness is completely gone.
Noire is surprised and more than a bit unnerved. All it took was one shout from her and he completely backed off. On one hand, that's arguably a good thing. He respects her boundaries without question, she need only voice those boundaries and he obeys.
On the other hand… his reaction is a bit drastic to her. She told him not to make vaguely threatening jokes, not to completely avoid any sort of interaction with either of them.
"I don't see the problem really." Inigo shrugs when she murmurs this to him. "Didn't you want him to stop flirting with you? Just like me? Besides, he's a demon; a species known for being exceedingly dangerous. This seems like the perfect outcome to me."
Maybe, if Robin actually seemed like a bad person, then Noire would agree. However, for all his usual vaguely-threatening murmurings, he's never done anything that has really given Noire a reason to fear him. It's not like he goes around assaulting people. The worst thing he did was make jokes in poor taste. Even his flirtation always stopped when she told him to, or when she was too obviously uncomfortable.
And Noire would be lying if she said his advances were always unwelcome…
Noire makes up her mind to talk with Robin as soon as she's alone with him again. Unfortunately, that's a full day of travel away where Noire is stuck with listening to Inigo.
At the end of the day, after dinner has been had and Noire and Inigo have their tents set up, Noire finally gets a chance to talk to Robin.
"You have need of me Master?" Robin asks quietly.
"I… sort of." Noire says hesitantly. "Robin, you're going a bit overboard."
"My apologies, though I don't know to what you're referring." Robin says solemnly. "Tell me, and I will improve."
"That's a bit dramatic…" Noire thinks. "No, you haven't done anything else wrong… in fact I wanted to tell you that you're going a bit overboard, you don't have to hold back so much. I just didn't want you to threaten my friends…"
"I see." Robin says with a flat expression.
"S-So I guess what I'm saying is that… you don't have to stop what you were doing before, just be mindful." Noire mumbles shyly.
Robin blinks rapidly and a familiar smile, wide and slightly sinister, slowly crosses his face. "Why, my master… could it be that you actually enjoyed my attention, hmm?"
"I admit nothing." Noire says while averting her eyes.
"Ahh… but though you don't admit to it, that doesn't mean it isn't true~!" Robin coos. Good, he's back to normal. The man leans over her, though Noire doesn't exactly feel threatened. Nervous maybe, but not threatened.
And not necessarily nervous in a bad way…
"Master, if you wanted more of my attention, all you had to do was ask!" The demon smiles. He reaches out a hand and his fingers trail along her cheek. "I would have relished more opportunities to play with such a lovely lady…"
"I'm not a toy." Noire huffs quietly.
"Of course not." Robin says in an obviously sarcastic voice. "You are my master, I am clearly the toy. Please then…" He grabs one of her hands and pulls it to his collarbone. "Play with me…"
Noire shivers and a blush flares on her cheeks. She pulls back her hand as if burned. "I-I need some sleep, we can talk tomorrow!"
"I didn't hear a no~!" Robin says in a sing-song voice as he steps out of the tent. "I'll look forward to tomorrow then!"
###
"Oh, right. Robin is a demon." Noire blinks.
"You summoned a demon!?" Severa hisses.
"A demon… interesting..." Laurent mutters.
Noire also forgot that she's never really seen Robin in action. Sure, she's seen him fight with a sword, but she's never seen him do anything particularly demonic; so to see him gleefully dancing across the battlefield with his sword trailing fire and slinging dark magic with his other hand while laughing like a maniac is a bit disturbing.
Robin had offered to deal with a group of brigands this time all on his own, and Noire, curious as to how he could do that, allowed it.
Noire isn't sure if she regrets it or not. Seeing Robin like this is slightly scary, but if she never allowed it she would have never known about this side of him.
It takes about five minutes for Robin to deal with all the bandits. He comes sauntering back over to them with a grin on his face and blood on his clothes.
"Thank you Master!" Robin says. "That was the most fun I've had in awhile! The adrenaline rush was exquisite! I heartily endorse some healthy mass murder as stress relief!"
Noire sighs deeply. She knows Robin isn't exactly serious. He says things like that just for fun, because he's putting on a character. He does it to get reactions out of the others and to fluster her.
"And I did it all for you, my master!" Robin says dramatically as he strides over to her. He magics away the blood on his clothes and weapons before stroking a hand over her cheek and grabbing her own hand with the other. "Thank you for enabling me so! For this, I shall love you to the end of time!"
"And you all say I'm too blunt." Inigo mutters. Severa rolls her eyes, and everyone else ignores him.
"Uh, you're welcome…" Noire murmurs.
Robin's grin widens, and he tries something more. He moves his fingers to her chin and holds it up for just a second, making her eyes meet his. He leans forward just a bit, just enough to make Noire's heart race, before releasing her. "Now then! Onto the next adventure, hmm? Maybe there will be more foes to slaughter!"
He intentionally don't pay more attention to Noire, leaving her flustered and embarrassed. The girl glares for a moment, then sighs again and shakes her head.
"You sure know how to pick 'em Noire…" Severa mutters from the side, as they all move on from the scene of the battle.
Yeah, this works. Trying to do my usual flirty/aggressive with Male Robin this time and it's… okay. A lot more difficult though. Dunno what it is about trying to do flirtation with male characters, it's just really hard.
omegazeroinfi: Noted.
RedRat8: Not really. I'll put it down though.
LoveGlutton: :D
Guardian54: Lol, I'll put it down.
Half-beastdragonsoul2013: I never thought the day would come when Yarne is the sane one. Also yes, paranoid taguel Morgan.
bauers374: Yeah, that is how Robin would respond…
No actually. Haven't watched that movie. I don't watch a lot of movies. Total coincidence.
Darkness is complete: Noted.
ElementUchihaMaster: Yeah. If Bernadetta was also willing to point a knife at people's throats.
: Bernie and Yarne? I could see it.
Ideas noted.
Guest: Yep, probably. Sorry.
Hunter of Entities: Yeah, pretty much.
Natzo: Noted. I like this one.
DarkyTime: The bunker will protect us! It's top secret, hidden in a volcano, invisible to scrying, and on no records or maps! We'll disappear from the world!
Rolen von Keng Digor: Noted, and it's no problem. This is fun.
Guest: Yes, sorry.
Raj8: Let's see…
I really appreciate you writing so many reviews. I love reviews (as I you already know), even if it's to express displeasure with a chapter.
You've got some interesting favourites. Old Robin is one I almost never see, and the same goes with Supermagic. The fact that you prefer Male Robin doesn't really surprise me. I write most Female Robins in a certain way, and it's not for everyone (mostly because it's self-indulgent on my part to begin with), while Male Robin tends to be more broad… if also more one-note.
Incidentally, for chapter 50, Emmeryn's sudden backbone was purely for fun. This collection is indeed The Robin Variable, but I like to make the other characters vary slightly as well.
I think you had another question about one of the Robin's marrying Anna in the short epilogues despite never interacting with her in the story proper. Timesnap Robin. That was mostly because there wasn't much for me to say. The chapter is mostly self-contained, so I kinda did whatever for the epilogue of that one.
Oh! And in that same review you talk about the differences between Male and Female Robins as they pertain to this collection, I have to agree. It's not something that was conscious when I first started, but over time I realized the patterns in my writing (especially the flirty/aggressive female Robin I tend to do. That's something that shows up in a lot of my writing…) and how Female Robin tended to be mostly the same and easy to write while Male Robin could vary wildly and therefore tended to be more difficult to write as a consequence (as well as more one-note in some chapters). Combine that with an already existing preference towards Female Robin and I started keeping all the fun quirks for her because it was easy and the most fun to do. Male Robin is always a challenge. I think some of my best chapters are Male Robin (I'm very proud of Consistent Amnesia), but he really is a pain to make work sometimes.
I could say more but this response would get super long (and if I took time to answer all the questions you put in them I could easily double the length of this chapter). Thanks for all the reviews! I really do appreciate them. I hope you enjoy future chapters as well!
Aiba: You know what? That's a good point. I'll just push it back a bit. Believe it or not, it was total coincidence for that chapter to coincide with the current pandemic. I haven't really been paying the situation much mind (mostly because me and my immediate family are at little to no risk and I don't like to unduly stress myself, I have stress issues already), so the fact that it would be tasteless to put out such a chapter slipped my mind.
As for flirty/aggressive Male Robin… I can certainly try. Actually, I've probably tried for this chapter precisely because of your review. It's a lot harder than with Female Robin because Female Robin has Chrom to bounce off of, and it's hard to make a male character flirtatiously aggressive without him coming off as a creep. Maybe it's just a mental roadblock on my part.
Anyhow, thanks for the review.
Random Nerd Otaku: Indeed.
Takedo: Yes, it was removed. You'll see it… eventually. When the pandemic is over with (because it was Virus Robin). This is the replacement.