Comms and Other Long FE Oneshots

Awkward Sniping

*Part of something I call the Takumi Timeline. Conquest up until Izumo, and then stuff happens. All royal siblings survive.*

Takumi studied his reflection in the ornately framed mirror for a moment. Jacket straight with all of the pieces, check. Ponytail that was unfortunately spiky at the top, check. He didn't look like he'd just barely woken up from a three hour nap, thank the gods. "Okay, that should do it." He turned to see Oboro smiling slightly, and arched an eyebrow. "What is it?"

"You just seem more energetic than you have this entire trip. You needed that nap, whether you care to admit it or not, milord," she replied. "I may have to hunt down that little princess and give her a treasure."

Takumi surprised himself by chuckling, and was happy to see her smile grow. "I do feel better than I did this morning, I'll admit. Come on, then."

She followed him out into Castle Krakenburg's dark halls, her spear still resting against her back. Takumi still felt a little weirded out by wearing shoes indoors, but it was apparently how things worked in Nohr. "There are so many servants," Oboro murmured.

"All armed to the teeth, I'm assuming," Takumi replied quietly. "But it's not like we're any different. We're just more open about everything." Shirasagi seriously needed to get rid of half of its guards. Then things would be the way they were before the war.

"Uncle Takumiiii!" A young girl skipped down the hall with a bright grin, her black braids flying behind her.

"I," he told her with a small smile, reaching down and scooping her up into the air. "Am not your uncle, Nina."

She gave a squealing little giggle, squirming in the air. "Ophelia calls you Uncle, why can't I?"

"Because neither of your parents are related to him, Small One," a quiet voice replied from the shadows, and Takumi set the little girl down as her smile faded to something more subdued. She ran over to her mother, and the dark mage took her hand, giving Takumi a slight bow before they slipped into the dining room.

"Nyx, wasn't it?" Oboro asked him.

"Niles, Nyx, Nina. Think alliteration, and you'll remember all their names," he replied with a nod, and they also entered the dining room.

"Takumi." Corrin offered him a smile from where he was seated, red eyes warm. He was seated at the foot of the table, while King Xander presided at the head. Azura gestured for him to take the empty seat between her and Sakura, and he did so, finding himself seated across from Forrest, who gave him the usual wide grin while his father who was seated across from Azura gave him a cool stare before turning his attention back to his retainer, Niles, who was standing nearby. Oboro had gone to where the rest of the Hoshidan retainers were standing, including Kaze, Mozu, and little Midori.

Thus separating the room cleanly between Hoshidans and Nohrians, with no one but King Xander and Corrin in the center. The servants brought out the food, and the usual awkward silence descended. Princess Elise looked down to where Sakura was. "Did you like the roses?" she called.

"Oh! Y-yes," Sakura replied. "Th-they were very pretty."

"We've been trying to get them to bloom for years," Princess Camilla remarked, leaning over her plate with her hand on her chin. "Looks like your soil really does do wonders for the plants that it touches."

"Which isn't that surprising," Keaton added, taking Velouria's hand away from the main platter of steak and placing it firmly on her fork instead.

"Ah, so when you said that you'd test it out before asking for more, that's what you meant." Hinoka nodded. "I'm glad it's working out for you."

"With that and some of your nifty farming methods, I'm sure that Nohr will be able to support itself by trade alone." Queen Charlotte smiled. "Which will make the people happy."

Takumi made a mental note to tell Ryoma about the success the soil they had sent to Nohr was having. "Hopefully the people being happier will make them less hostile to Hoshidans," Corrin added, poking at his food with his fork, and Takumi noted the concerned look that Flora, his brother's wife, was sending that hand. "I'm not sure why they would still be so hostile."

"Could be how they arrived," Prince Leo remarked dryly. "Nohrians aren't used to royalty arriving in such an unusual fashion."

Hinoka glared at him, and Azura frowned. "Leo..."

"It's the truth, dear," he told her simply, and Takumi tilted his head. There was nothing mocking in the other prince's voice... well not much, anyways. "Different traditions will always be viewed with less respect than others."

Shigure looked up at his father hesitantly, and Takumi picked up his fork, frowning at how it felt in his hand. "That may be the case, Prince Leo," he spoke up, deciding to see if he could turn away yet another dinner of tense, awkward silence and sniped remarks that Corrin and Azura usually left with their plates still mostly full. "However, it's not really your place to make remarks on fashion, seeing as you've been wearing your britches inside out all day."

Dead silence fell once again, and Takumi looked up to see everyone staring at Prince Leo, who quickly looked down along with Forrest, who blinked, and then looked up at his father again with disbelief etched across his young face. Prince Leo glared down the table at Odin, who shook his head. "I had no idea, milord."

"I didn't think anyone would notice," Niles admitted sheepishly from the Nohrian servant wall. "You've got sharp eyes, Prince Takumi."

"Excuse me." The Nohrian prince stood, red quickly blossoming on his face as he stalked out of the room.

King Xander chuckled softly once he was gone. "Well, I knew that was bound to happen eventually, even if he has been being very careful about it." He looked toward Hinoka, face serious once again. "He was right about why the people were so derisive of your arrival, but I wouldn't have you change anything. They're going to have to get used to having Hoshidans among them."

"I honestly wouldn't be surprised if we got a similar reception in your country," Princess Camilla sighed.

Azura gently hit Takumi's leg, but she, too, was smiling. "Don't embarrass my husband, please."

"Tell him not to embarrass you, and I'll attempt it," he replied, and she giggled softly. Niles quietly exited the room, but there was a steady stream of civil conversation tonight, even when Leo came back into the room. Corrin gave Takumi a hesitant nod, and Takumi found that he was able to smile easily at his brother.

Yes, tonight seemed to be one of his better nights. Even if the Nohrian cutlery still wouldn't work with him.