melodiesoflife | C is for Cookie (and Chrom)

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C is for Cookie (and Chrom)

WHO: Chrom, OPEN!
WHAT: Despite not knowing much about the holiday traditions, Chrom takes up the job of Santa Clause. It affects him in strange new ways.
WHEN: December 1st - 7th
WHERE: House B-12, and around Aqures Ixen

Housemates Prompt:December 1st
Given how observant his housemates were, Chrom's awakening was obvious: his footsteps were the heaviest when he went down the stairs, always at the same time. He showered, he groomed himself, he dressed, and then he went down to breakfast.

This time, however, there was the light tinkling of a bell that resounded with each heavy step...heavier than usual, actually.

And that was when Chrom emerged, decked out in a red suit trimmed with white fur, glossy black boots...and a beard and spectacles? That beard actually seemed pretty real. But unlike most beards, it was thick and soft where it curled down to the middle of his chest, and just a little bit on the blue side.

Honestly, he had no idea why this place made a habit of sticking him in the most garish and eye-catching regalia he'd ever seen, but he supposed he couldn't complain. Instead he went to the icebox to retrieve the carton of milk. Somehow, nothing else would do. The fruit, bread, and hard cheese he normally ate just didn't seem appetizing. A little strange, but he didn't think much of it. And yet, there was still something decidedly lacking. It wasn't often that he was hungry, but didn't know what he was hungry for, but this was definitely one of those times.

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Aqures Ixen: December 1st - 7th
Behold! Santa Chrom had come to town! The thick red velvet and white fur trim was surprisingly warm. He tromped through the snow without fear of losing his footing, and he didn't feel the slightest hint of a chill despite being without a cloak of any sort. A few kids stopped dead in their tracks and stared, mouths wide open, and he offered an awkward wave as their little heads slowly pivoted to follow his every movement.

He was certainly growing popular with the little ones, he supposed.

Chrom made his way toward the weapons store, as he usually did when new shipments were due to arrive, just to see if there was anything that might prove useful. Particularly in the 'sword' department. But before he could greet the merchant, a sweet, spiced aroma tickled at his senses. What was that? Cinnamon? Ginger? He wasn't sure, but his stomach growled intensely. Milk wasn't the most satisfying breakfast, he had to admit, so maybe a sweetbread was what he'd been craving.

Instinctively, he seemed to know where to go. He moved down the sidewalk, eyes bright and alert, and he was steadily drawn to the bakery. Walking through the door, his gaze immediately fell to the tray of cookies, just seconds out of the oven, being transferred to a wire rack to cool.

"Welcome," the plump woman said with a kindly smile. "What can I get you?"

"How much are those?" he nodded at the cookies, unable to take his eyes off of the crisp brown disks. "How much for all of them?"

She stared at him. There was a sort of cheerful desperation in his voice that he couldn't deny. He should have been ashamed, but he was already reaching for his moneypurse.

* * * * *

From that day onward, Chrom stopped by the bakery every morning, and was scarcely seen without a stash of cookies hooked to his belt. Gods, he was as bad as Gaius, but at least he thought he could understand his thieving comrade a little better now.

What was this one now, he wondered, turning the cookie in his hand. Chocolate chip and walnut? He bit into it and sighed with contentment. It was the most splendid thing he'd ever had.

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Zelda had been getting used to the new job after finally deciding to give it a try. The clothes hadn't really fit her so she tailored them in and got rid of any weird parts of the outfit. Her dress was the red velvet while the thick black belt wrapped around her waist. The hat was probably her favorite part reminding her of the hats that they wore in Skyloft.

When she spotted Chrom she smiled but before she could call to him he disappeared into the bakery. She knew the place but she hadn't bought anything there herself. She followed after, almost sliding on the snow in her haste. When she finally stepped inside her cheeks were flushed a rosy hue which stretched across the bridge of her nose. It looked like she might have a few spots of freckles but it could just be a trick of the light.

Zelda stepped next to Chrom smiling at the wonderful smell that filled the bakery. She couldn't described the feeling that filled her but it was unlike anything she had felt before. It was cheery, warm and familiar as if standing in front of a warm hearth with friends and family around.

"What are you getting?"

She looked down at the cookies, then at the many other baked goods and then back up at Chrom.

Chrom looked up, one cheek already bulging. He had to swallow before he could reply, as he had no wish to be impolite. "They're called cookies, and they're amazing."

Then he paused for a moment, before recalling the incident with the Feather Circle. "...Right, you already know. You carried some the day we fed that odd creature, if memory serves me correctly."

As much as he loved the treats, he didn't hesitate to offer one to Zelda in his gloved fingers. It was simply the right thing to do.

"I see you've taken up the new job as well. Do you know much about it?"

Zelda smiled and took the offered cookie. It was good and not the first time she had run into the sugary treats. She took the cookie, bit into it and chewed before answering Chrom.

"I don't know much about it. I thought I would figure it out as I went." She liked the colors and it was marry and fun. She had almost all her jobs filled by now so she had to switch something out of her crystal to make room. So far she liked it, even if she didn't understand what it did.

"What about you?"

"Nothing beyond what Kulevi told me," he shook his head. "Apparently it was the same clothing worn by a legendary hero." The information he'd been given made this Santa fellow sound a little like his late sister, but he kept that to himself. He wasn't sure Emmeryn would enjoy being compared to a large bearded man in any case. "I know something about the skills as well, but I'm not sure why we would need many of them."

He hoped he never had to be in a situation where he was required to shrink himself down. The very idea sounded extremely unsettling.

Once his cookies were boxed up, he paid for them with a smile, then moved toward the door. "Where are you off to today? Running errands?"

Zelda wasn't sure either but like every other job she was sure it had it's uses. Right now she's thinking of ways to pass out presents or bring a child cheer. With a warm smile she follows Chrom away from the counter. A loose strand of hair falls from her hat and she quickly begins to push it back into place.

"Yes, I was hoping to buy some supplies for gifts this year. I gave everyone gifts last year but this year I'm thinking of doing something more general like hats, scarves or gloves. There are a lot more heroes now than there were then." She didn't think she could personalize things as much and this way the presents could be sent through the post. "However I might just send cookies."

She was sure that Chrom wouldn't mind the cookie idea considering his recent purchase. "But then I'm not sure what kind of cookies to make."

Chrom was definitely on board the cookie train, if the second cookie he was now grinding into his mouth was any indication. He'd never been so addicted to anything in his life. There probably wasn't much nutritional value to be had, but instead of feeling malnourished, he actually felt stronger and more energized. Perhaps these were health cookies.

If only.

"I'm afraid I can't be of much help there. I have yet to meet a cookie I don't like." Not that he'd been able to eat all that many, but from what he'd purchased and consumed so far, not a single one was met with anything but enthusiastic enjoyment.

"That's very kind of you. Is there anything you wish for in return?"

Zelda shook her head smiling up at Chrom. "I just want you to be happy." It was true for everyone and while she realized that her wish wasn't very realistic she hoped that it might one day happen. Cookies were just the start.

"Have you ever baked cookies before?"

It was worth asking but since he bought cookies just moments ago she had to guess that it wasn't the case. Currently her home was the close to being a cookie wearhouse. She had been trying different recipes hoping to get them ready in time for the holidays. Which meant that there were at least a hundred cookies in bowls and bags within the kitchen.

"No, I lack the skill," he admitted. Princes usually weren't welcome to dally about in the kitchen, and he had no idea how anyone would be able to bake with only the use of a campfire. As such, he had great admiration for Sumia and the others in the camp who could not only manage something more than roast meat, but were good at it besides.

"The Shepherds were always on the move. It was pretty rare for us to take advantage of free lodging when it was offered, rarer still for that lodging to include a kitchen." He wasn't sure how much Robin had told Zelda of their world, but he was pleased to know that the tactician had such kind friends to help her adjust and grow in this place.

He had no idea what kind of gifts he could possibly send to the few people he knew here. At least knowing the likes of his housemates made things easier on him.

"What about you? I assume you're good at it."

Zelda laughed softly. "Yes, my mother taught me before she passed away. She would tell me that it didn't matter how the cookie turned out, as long as there was love and light in it. She said that when she tasted it she could feel all of that brimming inside of her. If you can imagine when I first started baking I was awful but over time I got better."

She paused for a moment smiling fondly at the memory.

"It took a little while for me to get the hang of it honestly. I had a lot to do: music lessons, arithmetic, harvest and things like that." She had to prepare since her father was head of the village and so he had been teaching her different skills from a young age.

"Baking was sort of my way to have fun." Which probably sounded weird.

"I see," he grinned. "She sounds like a kind woman." And he could understand where Zelda had picked up many of her own personality traits as a result.

But he didn't think her hobby sounded any stranger than others enjoyed by the members of his company. He vastly preferred baking to practicing curses. And pitfalls.

"People tend to excel at the things they most enjoy, from what I've seen," he said as they tromped through the snow. "For me, it was swordplay. I learned very little else as a result. I may have been a little too enthusiastic." Chrom's smile widened behind the beard at the admission, a holiday twinkle in his eye.

"What else did you do for fun?"

Zelda laughed softly. "Well I play the harp and sing. I would help my father when I could or go to knight school. Everyone on Skylofts trains with swords. We're a small community who all protects each other and words together."

Other hobbies usually involve yelling at Groose or Link and her finding their way into trouble. "I also love to fly when I get a chance. My loftwing is even here. I don't know if the two of you have met yet." She was lucky that her loftwing was in the city.

"Do you only practice sword play?" And eat cookies. "You haven't wanted to do anything else?"

"Not that I know of. I've never heard of a loftwing before." The name gave him a good idea of what it was, but he couldn't assume anything as certain until he'd seen the creature itself. Or machine. It could have been a flying vessel, too.

As for swordplay? He just smiled a little sheepishly. "Not really, no. My sword is a family treasure. It was a great honor to have it passed into my hands, an instrument to serve and protect my people. I wanted to learn how to use it properly."

Everything else he was supposed to learn as a prince of the land was, to put it bluntly, kind of boring. But training to be a mighty warrior? He'd enjoyed that far too much to consider it little more than an obligation. "I learned to ride horses and shoot a bow as well, but I'm not sure I'd call that a hobby."

"It can be." Zelda said encouragingly. She had taking up things like painting and other solitary hobbies since arriving to Crystallis. There are a lot of things she's wanted to do but has never had the time. She spends a good amount of time here reading into things but even she needs a break.

"Anything can be a hobby I think. Even eating cookies."

She laughed a little, her smile bright as they step forward.

"But if you want to try something else you should or if you need idea I'd be happy to help." This was a place where swordplay, while useful, might cause boredom after awhile.

Swordplay? Cause boredom?!

Not in a million years.

"Ha ha," he chuckled. Zelda earned a cookie for calling it a hobby, and he gladly passed over another. "I'm not sure it's healthy to make it into a hobby, but it sure hits the spot right now, doesn't it?"

He was absolutely going to regret this once the month was over and done with.

"Is there somewhere you'd like me to escort you?"

Zelda took the offered cookie with a warm smile. She bit into it tasting the sugary goodness before continuing towards her destination.

"I'm heading towards the observatory if you'd like to walk with me." She smiled, happy for the company. "I believe you said you were a knight correct? What did you do at home?" She wasn't sure what the details were or if he wanted to talk about it but she was curious.

"Not a knight, exactly," he said, his hand finding the back of his neck as they walked. He would at least see her safely to her destination, though he had no desire to linger and read. He was far too restless for that now. "I'm sure Robin must have mentioned at some point that I'm a prince." And future Exalt, though he still didn't know how he felt accepting the title that had belonged to his late sister.

"Currently I command a legion of assorted soldiers and fighters, called the Shepherds. We patrol the halidom and keep the common people safe from thieves, ruffians, and enemy soldiers." Maybe that would better explain why he found his swordplay so important to learn.

Zelda smiled brightly. "That is very noble." Robin hadn't mentioned the details about Chrom's past though she wasn't surprised to hear that he was a prince. He had an air around him that made it hard not to hang onto his words, of course that might just be because of his time as a soldier.

"Skyloft had warrior's too though they were mostly a guard against birds or beasts." Not people since those who lived in SKyloft were the only ones in the sky.

Edited 2015-12-21 21:34 (UTC)

"Not noble. Necessary." He was a little flushed regardless, but even so, the topic was serious enough that he couldn't fake a smile. "Lately the halidom has been overrun with Risen...beings that rise from death and attack indiscriminately. With the war at an end, it's become easier, but there remains much to be done."

He could scarcely call himself a prince, much less a man, if he left innocent and untrained civilians to fend for themselves against those kinds of forces.

"But you say you had enemy birds and beasts? Was it similar to those found in this world?"

It sounded as if his world had it's own problems. "Sounds like they are lucky to have you all the same."

Zelda shook her head. "It isn't the same as it is here. There are a few dangers. I think that's true of everywhere but it wasn't anything compared to the volume here. At least not in the sky where skyloft is."

She looked over at Chrom with a smile.

"The world below has monsters like here but they are creatures sent by Demise." To kill the hero and find the goddess.

"Not just me," he shook his head. "Every man and woman who lent their strength. It's no easy task set before them, but each person has performed admirably."

Not to say that he had no confidence, for he did. But he didn't want to take an undue share of credit, for those who joined the Shepherds were giving up far more by volunteering. He would have done it simply because, as the wielder of Falchion, it was a duty and an honor.

"Your home was in the sky?" he blinked, trying to imagine it. "How?"

Zelda laughed a little as they made their way to the observatory.

"It was a gift from the Goddess Hylia. During the conflict against the darkness she took her people and created them a safe place in the sky. The world below was obscured by magic and the darkness sealed." She paused but then continued knowing what questions usually came next.

"There was a chance the seal would fail so the goddess and her hero was reborn should that happen. It's only then that they'll find their way back to the world below to seal it once more." Her smile stays in place. "It's a legend from Skyloft."

"...Right. So. Magic, then," he said with a faint nod of his head. He supposed he shouldn't hope for a better explanation than that. Even if there were such an explanation, he wasn't sure he would understand it. Magic had never been his strong suit.

Best to just leave it at that.

Once they arrived at the observatory, Chrom came to a halt, the bells in his cap jingling. "Well, here we are, then. It was a pleasure to speak with you."

"You as well."

Zelda bowed her head slightly before turning towards the Observatory. Her loftwing circled overhead and then landed in the top most room of the observatory which was where Zelda was heading first. She looked back at Chrom for a moment and then slipped inside.

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C is for Cookie (and Chrom)

Aqures Ixen December 2nd

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