Fire Emblem Awakening: A Starlit Holiday

Festival of Lights

Anna

I couldn't believe my eyes.

The city was gorgeous. Candles burned in every window, fairy lights hung from streetlamps, and the moon and stars lit up the night sky. Not only that, but different colored gems decorated the entire plaza. They shimmered and sparked in the night sky and colorful reflections painted the ground.

"Beautiful, huh?" Cordelia asked as she joined my side.

"It's...it's something..." I couldn't find the correct words to describe how I felt. "W-why wasn't this here last year...?"

Cordelia sighed. "Because of the war. We couldn't get the correct materials for it, so we had to, unfortunately, skip it," she said.

I was barely listening to her, I was too distracted by shiny things.

"Anna? Anna!" Cordelia punched my shoulder. "Are you even listening?"

I shook my head and stared at the redhead. "Uh, yeah! Totally!"

"I swear, you're the most distracted person I know!" She took my arm. "Now come. Let's check everything out! And don't let go of me, either. The gods know that you'll get lost."

"Hey, I'm not a child!" I complained, narrowing my eyes at her.

Cordelia's Mom Friend instincts kicked in and she looked back at me. "You are going to wander off and find a way to accidentally impale yourself on something sharp. Now, let's go."

I clung to her coat and huffed. "Fine."

...

"Oooooh! This is pretty!" Cordelia held up a ruby necklace.

"Yeah, it matches your hair!" It wasn't really that big a surprise that there was a place to buy jewelry. And of course, I must touch the shiny things.

"Oh, my gods. Look!" Cordelia held up two necklaces. The pendants on them were shaped like two halves of a heart. Cordelia put them together, and they formed a full heart. "Sumia and I have a pair of these! They're so cute!"

I took one of them and examined it. "...I don't really get it," I said.

Cordelia sighed. "You keep one, and your best friend or someone you really care about gets the other one." She began to giggle. "Actually, some of the Shepherds were taking bets on if you and Chrom actually had these!"

I snickered and set it down. "Well, we don't."

"You totally should, though!"

"Do you and Stahl have one?"

She set the other necklace down and put her hands behind her back. "...Maybe."

I laughed and went to look at other things. "I still need to get a gift for Sumia. What do you think she'll like?" I asked.

"Get her a hairpiece. She loves those."

"Got it."

I purchased an emerald hairclip and met back up with Cordelia. "So, what's next?" I asked.

Cordelia took my arm and smiled. "There fireworks show is starting! Let's find a good place to watch!"

I smiled back and followed her. "Ok!"

...

As Cordelia and I were heading home, I saw a familiar cloaked figure darting through the crowd. I released Cordelia's arm and cleared my throat. "Hey, I think I forgot something back there! I'll be right back!"

She raised an eyebrow. "Do you want me to wait up for you?" she asked.

I shook my head. "No, I'll be fine. You head on home, I'll catch up," I said.

"Alright, stay safe!" Cordelia chimed as she walked towards the castle.

I began to scan the crowd for Marth. Where in Naga's name could she be? After searching for a few minutes, I saw her. I smiled and ran up to her. "Marth! I didn't know you were here! It's so great to see you!"

Marth turned around quickly and she immediately became flustered. "L-Lady Anna!" A hair fell in front of her left eye, but she didn't make any attempt to fix it. "It's nice to see you as well!"

I smiled at her and put a hand on her shoulder. "What are you doing in the city? I rarely see you here! Do you have someone here that you're visiting?" I asked. 

She looked like she wanted to pull away, but she let my hand remain on her shoulder. "I, um, no. I'm just...passing through. I don't have friends or family anywhere..."

"Oh...I see," I murmured. "Well, know that the Shepherds will always welcome you into our family! I know exactly how you feel. I used to be alone; without friends or family. But then Chrom found me and then he and the Shepherds became my family. Hell, I'm even marrying the man! We will always welcome you into our family. No matter what."

Marth looked like she was about to cry. "I-I am honored by your offer, Milady, but I'm afraid that I must decline." She wiped away a tear with her sleeve. "I'm better off on my own. I would only bring you all down."

"Nonsense." I shook my head. "But if that is what you want, then I won't press the matter any further." I checked my pocket watch and gasped as I saw the time. "Ah! I'm so sorry, but I have to head home. It was really nice to talk to you, Marth!"

She smiled and bowed. "And you too, Milady."

I waved goodbye and headed back to the castle. It's a shame, really... It would be so nice to have Marth around... I can't help but feel some sort of connection towards her...

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I realized that I could add Lucina so I did. Thank you so much for reading and look forward to reading more!

Next Prompt: December 22nd, Handmade With Love