Prince of Fire Emblem: Invitation

[volleygenius]

Showing up at work and his family's house unannounced after that huge going away event was the funniest thing Marui can remember in some time. Who'd have guessed all that partying was for only a week-long farewell? Naturally, they have to have another bash to celebrate their return. And there's one person in particular he wants to make sure will be there.

Now, where in the castle to find Lissa...

Comments

[didntaxyou]

"Are you not?"

She twisted the spoon between her hands, wishing it was a staff that could turn back time.

"He's not usually... cruel."

She closed her eyes, hating even using that word to describe her brother.

[volleygenius]

She's right, of course. He's not. And now he's left to try to reconcile that against his recent actions. Was this a bad example for its layers? She does have a point. Well, not much he can do about it now.

"Did he make a big mess of everything? Would it've been better if he wasn't there?"

[didntaxyou]

"He wouldn't have been there if I wasn't there," she protested.

[volleygenius]

"Ah. I see."

Marui puts the ice cream back in the freezer and grabs another spoon for his newly finished sundae, a frozen mountain three times the size of Lissa's dessert.

"You're right, he wouldn't have been."

[didntaxyou]

That completely shuts her up. She frowned.

"Glad we're clear on that."

She took another bite of her ice cream petulantly.

[volleygenius]

Really, is that all? C'mon, Lissa, he deserves a little more pushback on this nonsense than that!

And she has to see that it's nonsense or she wouldn't be pouting like that, right? Maybe he can still get a little fight out of her.

"So, out with the rest. Let's hear your full laundry list. Confess your sins!"

Keep a straight face, keep a straight face, keep a straight face...

[didntaxyou]

She glares, hands on her hips. She can see him trying not to laugh.

"I'm only talking about stuff that's happened this week, and anyway, I'M the cleric! I'm the one who hears religious stuff, not you!"

[volleygenius]

She's correct: the juxtaposition of himself, a shamelessly hedonistic rogue and thief, playing the role of a priest was almost more absurdity than he could handle. Almost.

"Oh? Then are you confessing to yourself here?"

He sticks a spoonful of ice cream in his mouth, leaving the utensil there to nurse off of while he waits for an answer.

[didntaxyou]

"I absolutely endorse skipping the confession if you're just... trying to do better."

She huffed, and spooned herself a bite of his ice cream, purely out of spite.

[volleygenius]

"Ahh!! My sundae...!"

Marui allows himself a moment to pout and mourn that delicious casualty of a bite. But she seems to understand now, at least. That's right: there's no reason to apologize or be hard on yourself for doing your best.

He takes a mountainous spoonful and crams it in his mouth, puffing out his cheeks like a chipmunk as he stares back at her as though to say so there.

1/2

[didntaxyou]

"I'm not gonna heal any brain freezes," she warns.

2/2

[didntaxyou]

But a very slight smile peeks through at the sight.

"Putting together an ice cream sundae is low effort, though. Next time I want a three-tier cake."

[volleygenius]

Brain freeze? Don't know her. Must protect the dessert.

She is right, though. This was pretty easy for comfort food. Warranted here because it was fast, but he could 100% do better by her with enough prep time. He downs that giant bite (granted it takes two swallows to get it all).

"Understood...! Be our guest of honor, and I promise one three-tier cake will be waiting there for you. Deal?"

[didntaxyou]

"You can't just have a party where I go like anybody else?"

She frowns. Back to this. "You shouldn't have a party without a three tier cake."

[volleygenius]

"I'm not making a three-tier cake with no guest of honor. Your choice."

[didntaxyou]

"You haven't really defined what a guest of honor does..." she trails off.

"Also, if Maribelle finds out you're throwing a party where I'm the guest of honor and she isn't consulted on etiquette, she might be sad."

Which is as close to acquiescence as the princess can get and not feel too much like she lost a particularly long game of tic-tac-toe.

Although, even Lissa knows that Maribelle would be expressing that sadness... loudly. With proclamations.

[volleygenius]

"Huh? It's easy. Show up and have a good time like everyone else."

Also there might be toasting and speeches involved. That's fine, right? Please consult Maribelle, Lissa.

Marui's expression turns at the suggestion to consult Maribelle himself.

"Nnnngh... this isn't really meant to be that kind of party, though."

[didntaxyou]

Lissa's eyes light up, hearing something Marui might not have actually said.

"Actually, no etiquette sounds like my kind of thing! We can dress down, not worry about people..."

She gets a little ahead of herself, and grins slyly.

"Maybe Seiichi and I can both come if we can dress down like normal people? Not having to be the king and princess for a couple hours might perk us both up."

[volleygenius]

"That's fine, if that's what you want."

Casual party is certainly the name of the game considering the guest list.

"Most of the people going are the naval unit. Naturally, friends and family too."

[didntaxyou]

"Ohhh, that sounds like fun," she admitted, pretty much all in for the plan
now.

"They're a little rough around the edges but they have the best stories.
St. Rudolph aside, I love traveling, like they get to!"

[volleygenius]

"You know it!" Marui agrees. "Okay. After I confirm your brother's availability, I'll let you know when and where to be. Look forward to it."