Supports: Chapter 21

So how is our army going while gearing up to take on Nevassa?

Today's Supports:

• Nephenee/Calill C
• Oscar/Tanith C
• Oscar/Janaff C
• Mordecai/Ulki C
• Sothe/Astrid B 
• Tormod/Reyson B
• Tormod/Devdan B 
• Astrid/Makalov B
• Marcia/Gatrie B
• Ilyana/Zihark B
• Rolf/Shinon B
• Mia/Ilyana A
• Brom/Zihark A 

C Supports

Nephenee/Calill C

Calill: Hm? Hey, you there! Hold on!
Nephenee: …?
Calill: Why is a pretty girl like you covering her face with an unfashionable helmet like that? The world should see your beauty! It’s a travesty, I tell you! A veritable crime against nature! Oh, and where is your makeup?
Nephenee: Well, I ain’t really… a makeup kind of gal.
Calill: …Ain’t? Where are you from, missy?
Nephenee: I’m from… around.
Calill: Such an unsociable girl! Well, you can’t fool Calill! I know why you’re not much of a talker. You’re embarrassed about your country accent and low speech, are you not?
Nephenee: H-how do you…
Calill: How do I know that? Well, I used to have a… friend with the same problem.
Nephenee: You? But you’re from the city! And you’re so–
Calill: Elegant? Yes, indeed. Quite so. Oh, but I have an absolutly splended idea… I’ll teach you to talk like a true lady! Having a rube like you around will just make me miss the city, anyway. I’ll even show you how to put on makeup!
Nephenee: I… I ain’t–
Calill: Tsk! A lady never says such things! I can see this will be a bit of work… Well, you leave everything to me, missy!
Nephenee: …

Not any more pleasant the second time around, but for completeness...

Honestly, the Bechedel Test would be 90% more effective if conversations about makeup counted against the work. I'm not saying there's not feminist ways to talk about it- there are feminist ways to talk about men, too- but so many Fire Emblem supports that talk about makeup continue on downhill.

Oscar/Tanith C

Tanith: Oh, excuse me…
Oscar: Yes?
Tanith: Did you just drop this cloth?
Oscar: Oops. Yes, that’s mine. Thank you for picking it up. I apologize for troubling you, Commander Tanith.
Tanith: What is your name?
Oscar: Silly me. I forgot to introduce myself! I am Oscar, of the Greil Mercenaries. It’s a pleasure to meet you, milady.
Tanith: Hm. I hadn’t thought you were one of the mercenaries. That’s quite interesting. I am here with only a minimal retinue, but I hope that we can demonstrate the greatness of Begnion’s knights.
Oscar: I am well aware of Begnion’s reputation. It’s an honor to meet the leader of such an esteemed force.
Tanith: You’re too kind.
Oscar: It was a pleasure meeting you, milady.
Tanith: Hm… Such a well-mannered young man. I always thought mercenaries were rude, crude, and vulgar men… Ike certainly has some fine lads under his command.

Oscar and Tanith totally would hit if off. I'm not sure how much Oscar would respect Tanith's strictness, but he would definitely understand it and respect it. This one's a good chain.

Oscar/Janaff C

Oscar: Um… Hi there.
Janaff: Yes?
Oscar: Hello! …Um… Nice weather today!
Janaff: Can I help you with something?
Oscar: No, not really. I’m just…
Janaff: So, you want nothing from me then? What an odd fellow. Well then, I’ll be going. I don’t get these beorc at all.
Oscar: Dangit, Oscar! You messed that up! Stupid! Stupid! Aw, how am I supposed to do this?! I’ve never dealt with these bird tribes before… But we’re allies! We have to learn to communicate with each other… I’ll do it right next time!

I find it funny that both brothers have a Support with one of Tibarn's aides where the punchline is "the beorc doesn't know how to talk to laguz". I like how Boyd got talking faster while Oscar's problem is overthinking things.

Mordecai/Ulki C

Mordecai: I have a question, Ulki.
Ulki: Yes? What is it?
Mordecai: The bird tribes fly the sky. How does it feel to fly?
Ulki: Huh… I never think about it. It’s just something that I do.
Mordecai: Hrrrrmm… I see. It is for you like running is for me. I have never flown. I wanted to know if it was different.
Ulki: That’s what I figured…
Mordecai: What kind of place is your home? Do you have to fly there?
Ulki: Well… Even if you were to arrive by ship, Phoenicis has no ports and no docks. We have no need for them. Without our help, it would be hard for you to visit Phoenicis.
Mordecai: I see… That is a shame.
Ulki: Do you want to come to Phoenicis?
Mordecai: I do indeed! I have met many beorc and laguz throughout this war. Our world is big, and I would see more of it.
Ulki: You would, huh?

Mordecai and Ulki, on the other hand, get along swimmingly. Two quiet people, one of them eager to learn and share with the other. It's nice to have Supports like this one.

B Supports

Sothe/Astrid B

Astrid: Oh… Where am I…?
Sothe: …
Astrid: What… What happened?
Sothe: You passed out. I thought about just leaving you there, but that would have left a bad taste in my mouth.
Astrid: I’m sorry…
Sothe: I know it’s not my worry, but aren’t you pushing yourself a bit hard? You’re having a rough time just keeping up with the pack. You’re a wreck!
Astrid: I had no idea… how cruel and unforgiving war would actually be. Grueling marches… day in and day out. I can’t even sleep at night because I’m terrified of surprise attacks. It’s made me painfully aware of my frailty.
Sothe: Nobles aren’t cut out for war. As you can see, there are no chambermaids to attend to your every whim out here! I’m sure you’ve got a lavish and free life waiting for you back home.
Astrid: Lavish and free? Lavish, maybe… but certainly not free. I have no freedom.
Sothe: No freedom? What are you talking about?
Astrid: My parents have already chosen and arranged a fiance for me. I’ve heard he is thirty years older than me.
Sothe: …
Astrid: I volunteered for service with the knights of Begnion to live on my own terms. Of course, my family vehemently opposed the idea, but they figured it was merely a phase. They thought I would come home crying. I won’t give them that satisfaction.
Sothe: …Wasn’t trying to pry. Just asking, is all.
Astrid: I know… Thank you.

This? This is why Astrid/Sothe is Astrid's best chain. This is what it means to be a knight torn between her duty at home and the field of knighthood. Unfortunately, Astrid can't take the third option of "become an awesome steward and rejuvenate your territory's fields".

It also turns out we can eventually put a face to Astrid's fiance. I won't spoil who, but Astrid is 200% correct in cutting her ties and getting the hell out of dodge.

Tormod/Reyson B

Tormod: Hello there, great prince of the heron!
Reyson: Please call me Reyson.
Tormod: Are you sure? All right, Reyson it is. Can you spare a moment?
Reyson: Certainly. This is about chanting for your laguz friends, isn’t it?
Tormod: That’s right! You remembered!
Reyson: Why don’t you tell me more about what you have in mind?
Tormod: Well, I was hoping you would… you know… use your magic chant to transform all that sand into soil.
Reyson: Sand into soil?
Tormod: Exactly! Rich, fertile soil that will yield a bountiful harvest. We’ll build our village there.
Reyson: That is… utterly absurd!
Tormod: Hmmm, he sure stormed off in a huff. For someone that has such kind-looking eyes, he sure has a short temper.

Sounds more like you asked for the patently impossible. Imagine if Reyson had the power to turn any land into fertile soil, though. World hunger just got solved. Maybe we should invest some research in that.

Tormod/Devdan B

Tormod: That’s it. I quit! I can’t take any more of this cr–
Devdan: You should not leave a job unfinished!
Tormod: Waagghhh! Where did you come from?
Devdan: Devdan has been watching you… Mmm… Your wound has not been treated properly. You will get an infection.
Tormod: Aw, it’s useless. I rub it with vulnerary and dress it with a cloth, but it doesn’t do any good. I just need a priest to mumble some magic words and wave a staff over it!
Devdan: Grrrr! You are a fool! That makes Devdan upset!
Tormod: Huh?
Devdan: You can’t always depend on others for help. On the battlefield, you have to know how to take care of yourself.
Tormod: I see… Hah! You do have a way with words.
Devdan: Poor, lazy boy who knows nothing at all… Here, hand over that bandage. Devdan will show you how it’s done.
Tormod: Thank you.

Tormod just casually toeing the line on how many letters he can say before he ruins the game's rating. Devdan's advice is very much more of a story thing than a mechanical thing, what with the existence of the Physic staff. Physic just breaks any sort of injury story concept.

Astrid/Makalov B

Astrid: Good day, Makalov.
Makalov: Hi, Astrid. We sure bump into each other a lot, don’t we? Do you think we’re linked by fate?
Astrid: I’m not sure. Though…I’d be honored if that was the case.
Makalov: Speaking of fate… I have a little favor to ask of you.
Astrid: What is it? If there’s anything I can do for you, I’d be glad to help!
Makalov: Um… Well, the thing is… You see… Can you lend me some money?
Astrid: M-money?
Makalov: Yeah! Just a few hundred! That’s it!
Astrid: I don’t think I can help you… I don’t have a single gold piece to my name.
Makalov: What?! Not even one gold? What did you spend it all on?!
Astrid: The last time I went to town, I stumbled upon a destitute family. They hadn’t eaten in days… So, I gave it all to them.
Makalov: WHAT?! That’s madness!! If you’re feeling charitable, maybe you should think about helping out one of your comrades, and not some stranger! What were you thinking?!
Astrid: I’m sorry. I had no idea you were in need of aid.
Makalov: Arrgg! Fine. I’ll go hit up someone else.
Astrid: Wait… just a moment.
Makalov: Hmmm?
Astrid: Will this help?
Makalov: Whoooo! Hey, look at that beauty! This pendant looks expensive… Are you sure I can take it?
Astrid: Please do. Anything that will help.
Makalov: Wahooooo! Thanks, Astrid! You’re the best! I’ll see ya later!
Astrid: …

Fuck you, Makalov.

Also, I'm not really sure how this whole "wage" thing works in the Crimean Army, but I wonder how much of the Damiell fortune Astrid is allowed access to. I imagine very little, considering she ran away from her family's chosen path for her.

Marcia/Gatrie B

Marcia: Heya, big fella! What are you doing today?
Gatrie: Marcia! Good to see you. Actually, I was just about to meet up with Ike for a little sparring session.
Marcia: W-what!? You’re going to fight the commander?!
Gatrie: You bet I am! That’s why I asked you to stop by. I wanted to invite you along so you could check me out in action. Now, don’t get my wrong… Ike is a strong commander. But he doesn’t have a chance to match my overwhelming physical power! It’s breathtaking, really.
Marcia: Breathtaking? Really… I can’t wait to see this, Gatrie.
Gatrie: Ha ha ha! Well, what can I say? Why don’t you just kick back and watch me unleash the raw fury of these mighty arms! Hhhrraaaawwww!
Gatrie: Ike! Now’s your chance to give up, cur! No?! All right, don’t say I didn’t warn you! Here we go!
Gatrie: This one’s for you, Marcia! Haaaarrrgggg!! …Bwaaa!
Marcia: Ooooh, jerky! That looked painful.
Gatrie: Whoa there, Ike. Don’t make me get tough on you… Hey! T-take it easy! Ooof… Ooof! Ouch! Aghhhhhh!
Marcia: Uhhh… is he going to be all right? Gatrie? …Gaaaatrie? Oh, crackers.

Never mind, this conversation is all better from C Rank. I forgot this happened, and man, this is catharsis for all the bad Gatrie conversations so far. A trained Ike really is this overpowering. But Marcia really does seem to get paired with the men who just have no idea what their limits are...

Ilyana/Zihark B

Ilyana: Er… Hello…
Zihark: Hello, Ilyana. You’re hungry again, aren’t you?
Ilyana: No. Maybe. Fine… yes. I’m starving!
Zihark: How can you possibly eat so much and still be hungry? Last night you swiped the chicken wing right out of my hands! Does casting a few spells really make you that hungry?
Ilyana: To be honest, I don’t know why I’m so hungry. I’m never full. I always get hungry as soon as I eat. Normally, I eat about as much food as five people. Today was tough because I only got enough food for three.
Zihark: What?! That’s just… incredible! That sounds like a serious problem. Well… good luck with that.
Ilyana: Er… Excuse me? Can you wait for a moment?
Zihark: What?
Ilyana: Er… Haven’t you forgotten something?
Zihark: Now, let me think… Nope! Didn’t forget anything.
Ilyana: Oh… my mistake, then.
Zihark: See you later!
Ilyana: … Everyone gave me something to eat but him…

Please see a better doctor, Ilyana.

Shinon/Rolf B

Rolf: Look, look, Uncle Shinon! Doesn’t it look like a bow now?
Shinon: I guess you could… categorize it as a bow. Maybe. If you closed your eyes.
Rolf: So will you use–
Shinon: No way! I don’t want to die just yet.
Rolf: Wha… Whaaa… Oh, fine! I’ll just use it myself.
Shinon: Oh, for the love of… Rolf! Wait!
Rolf: What?
Shinon: Give me the bow.
Rolf: Did you change your mind?
Shinon: Yeah. I suddenly got this… uh… weird urge to take it.
Rolf: Really? All right! Whooooo! Here you go, Uncle Shinon!!
Shinon: Thanks. Um… see you later.
Rolf: Wow, I bet Uncle Shinon will just love my bow! It’ll be his favorite bow ever! But I wanna see him fire it… I know! I’ll follow him. Tee hee hee! Here I come, Uncle Shinon!

Look, Rolf, I know you want to make Shinon proud, but if he tells you "you use this bow and you die", that's a good indication it's not a good idea to use that bow. One thing about Rolf to keep in mind is that while the Rolf's Bow of Radiant Dawn is made by Rolf, Rolf's Bow in Path of Radiance is made by Shinon for Rolf. They thought of that, despite both weapons having the same name.

A Supports

Mia/Ilyana A

Mia: I can’t seem to focus today. I sense my foes out there, hiding in the trees and snickering at me! Haaaa! Take that, foe! You know, I haven’t seen Ilyana lately. I hope she’s all right. Hmm… Well, can’t do anything about it now… I need to get back to practice. One… two… strike! One… two… stab! Hey! What was that?
Mia: Ugh! What did I just step on? It feels… squishy.
Ilyana: …
Mia: Aaaack! Why are you on the ground?! Are you dead? Gravely injured? Perhaps slightly wounded?
Ilyana: No, no…
Mia: Well? What’s wrong?
Ilyana: I’m just… hungry.
Mia: Huh? Hungry? Why don’t you quit your whining and have a biscuit?
Ilyana: So… hungry. Please… if you have anything…
Mia: Hold on a minute! Don’t tell me you’re always staggering around and fainting because you need a snack!
Ilyana: Yes… As soon as I finish eating, I get hungry again. That’s why I faint.
Mia: Well, I don’t have any food on me right now. I’ll go get you something right away, though. We can’t have you passed out on the ground like this!
Ilyana: Please… don’t leave…
Mia: Whoa there! Let go! Hey! Stop trying to eat my foot!
Ilyana: Mmmm… so… tasty…
Mia: No, no, no! I can’t have you feasting on my limbs! Somebody bring this girl some food! Anything, people! Old leather shoes, fruitcake… anything!

So now we know why Ilyana was this hungry: Zihark didn't feed her. How rude.

Brom/Zihark A

Brom: So, anyway… My oldest girl is well built! Actually, she’s about my size. But don’t worry! She can still work the fields like a man! I’m sure you’ll love her!
Zihark: Um… she sounds… lovely.
Brom: Stop giving me such halfhearted answers and start listening! I’m talking about the girl who is going to be your future wife!
Zihark: Brom, listen… I didn’t tell you this the other day, but… I have no intentions of getting married now.
Brom: What? Aw, shucks! Why not?
Zihark: I had… I had an important girlfriend before. We couldn’t be together because of…complicated reasons… But even now I still think about her. I can’t get her out of my mind. I appreciate your kindness, but… Anyway, that’s why.
Brom: I see. That’s a real shame…
Zihark: But I tell you what! The idea of joining your family was quite appealing.
Brom: Hmm… Then how about my second-oldest girl?! She’s a little younger, but don’t let that worry you too much! She’s a sweetheart, I tell ya! Why, once when the cow got loose, she lifted it right up and hauled it back…
Zihark: No! Wait! That isn’t what I meant… Aw, nuts.

Zihark's "important girlfriend" is the thing that ties Zihark's character together. We know very little about her because Zihark only brings her up a few times, but she made a huge impact on Zihark and practically everything about the man is governed by her actions.

Oh yeah, on Brom's side, not only am I kinda side-eying how he's describing his daughters, but that second-oldest girl will come up again in Radiant Dawn. Yes, you read that correctly.