Supports: Chapter 26

Well, as we prepare to face two powerful defensive structures in Crimea's name, we... good grief, more Supports?

Today's Supports:

• Ilyana/Lucia C
  
• Mia/Largo C
• Calill/Geoffrey C
• Tauroneo/Largo C
• Muarim/Largo C
• Janaff/Lucia C
• Devdan/Largo C
• Makalov/Bastian C
• Ike/Reyson B
• Volke/Bastian B
• Jill/Haar B
• Lucia/Bastian B
• Tormod/Calill A
• Boyd/Mist A
  
• Ike/Ranulf A
• Lethe/Ranulf A
• Mordecai/Ranulf A
• Ilyana/Zihark A
  
• Oscar/Janaff A
• Boyd/Ulki A
• Gatrie/Ilyana A
  

C Supports

Ilyana/Lucia C

Lucia: Well, well… Look at this cute little thing. So you’re a mage, huh? I’m Lucia. I’m a soldier in the royal Crimean army, and I thank you for joining our cause.
Ilyana: I’m Ilyana… I’m with Greil’s Merc… Oh…
Lucia: What’s wrong? Are you all right?
Ilyana: Yes, don’t mind me…
Lucia: Look at you! You’re skinnier than a sword edge! All this marching must be hard on you.
Ilyana: I fall down sometimes… I just can’t keep up.
Lucia: That’s no good! If that happens on the battlefield, you’re as good as meat. You’ve got to stay fit and battle ready.
Ilyana: Yes… ma’am.
Lucia: You’re sounding faint. Hang on. Don’t collapse on me! Here, let me help you. Let’s get you back to your tent.
Ilyana: I can’t move… Hungry… so hungry…
Lucia: Wait here. Let me go fetch some food.
Ilyana: Really…? You’d do that?
Lucia: Of course. What do you think you can eat?
Ilyana: I’ll take anything…
Lucia: All right. I’ll try to find something big and hearty to give you strength. Stay where you are until I come back.
Ilyana: Thank you so much…

Lucia's Support with Ilyana is probably my favourite of the Ilyana chains (and probably my favourite Lucia chain, too, though that's less impressive). If Lucia wasn't so poor of a gameplay unit, I'd have shown the A on the file.

Mia/Largo C

Mia: Wow! Look at the arms on that one!
Largo: Hmmm? My arms?
Mia: They’re huge! By the way, I’m Mia. I’m a myrmidon searching for a sworn rival. Do you want to spar?
Largo: Spar? With you? Ummm… I don’t know.
Mia: What do you mean you don’t know?
Largo: I’m not sure how I feel about sparring with a girl.
Mia: But I’m a dangerous myrmidon! A graceful whirlwind of singing steel!
Largo: I don’t know how to put this, but… shouldn’t you be doing something more domestic than fighting with a sword? I don’t know… maybe knitting? Or cooking? I guess you could learn to be a mage…
Mia: …For your personal safety, I hope you aren’t saying that I can’t fight because I’m a woman.
Largo: Well…
Mia: All right, you brought this on yourself! Get ready to fight!
Largo: Uhhh… I was only saying that people need to be more peaceful. Yeah…that’s it. Hey, I’ve got an idea! Let’s see who can knit better.
Mia: Enough talk! Time to fight!

Considering Largo is apparently an item with Calill, I have no idea how he has this opinion. Despite this, this is my favourite Mia Support chain.

Calill/Geoffrey C

Calill: Mmm… Such a drab locale. Not like the city at all– Aaaaah!
Geoffrey: Oof! Look out!
Calill: Ah! My face! My beautiful face! No, no… I think it’s still there.
Geoffrey: Are you all right, my lady?
Calill: Well… Oh my! He called me a lady. And such a handsome devil! Y-yes, good sir! Thanks to you, I appear to be unhurt.
Geoffrey: Really? Well, that’s good. I know that you were lost in thought, but do try to watch your step.
Calill: W-wait! Just a moment!
Geoffrey: Yes? What is it?
Calill: I’m… My name is Calill. What is your name, gentle sir?
Geoffrey: I am Geoffrey.
Calill: Geoffrey… Such a nice name. A fine gent like Geoffrey is just right for me! Oh… Love always comes when you least expect it. Sweet Sir Geoffrey! You will be mine!

Oh dear, Calill got bitten by the reverse Gatrie bug. This chain involves Calill moving past that, though, so Calill is very much not that kind of person, although I am starting to question where RD Calill came from after this.

Tauroneo/Largo C

Largo: That’s strange…
Tauroneo: …
Largo: Hey, Tauroneo!
Tauroneo: Hmm?
Largo: Don’t you think this army is a little odd? I mean, heck! It’s not every day that you see soldiers from this many countries all mixed into one army. I’ve traveled and fought in a lot of strange places, but this is the first time I’ve seen anything quite like this.
Tauroneo: You’re right. There are even former Daein soldiers in this army. There is no shortage of nationalities, to be sure.
Largo: My favorite part about it is we get to sample all kinds of exotic dishes. Gwa! I’ve never snacked so well in my life.
Tauroneo: What are you holding?
Largo: This quill? Oh, I use it to jot down ideas so I won’t forget them later. If I don’t, I just completely forget them! But back to food… I’ve noticed that the laguz sure like their food spicy! And now they’ve started drinking with us! Bwaa ha ha! That’s great! By the way, what’s your drink of choice?
Tauroneo: Drinks? I’m not picky. The stronger the better!
Largo: And flavor?
Tauroneo: Doesn’t matter.
Largo: Bwaaaa ha ha haaaa!! I like your answer! I better write that down so I don’t forget.

While I love the Mia/Largo chain for Mia, Largo also gets this awesome one with Tauroneo. This chain will also explain where Largo goes in Radiant Dawn, so it's one of the important ones for continuity's purposes.

Muarim/Largo C

Largo: Whoa there! Your arms are huge!! How’d you get that big?
Muarim: …?
Largo: I mean, my arms are pretty massive… but those babies are something else!
Muarim: You have big muscles, too…
Largo: Ba ha ha ha! Brute force is about the only thing I’ve got going for me! Hey, why are you carrying those water jugs?
Muarim: I’m taking them to the well.
Largo: You’re filling all those jugs? They’ve got to weigh as much as an ox once you get water in them! One, two, three, four, five… You’ve got quite a handful there. Let me give you a hand.
Muarim: You don’t have to do that.
Largo: Aw, heck! It’s no problem! I may not be able to cast a bunch of fancy spells, but I can carry heavy stuff as well as any man or beast!
Muarim: …All right, then. Let us go.

This is not going to go into Muarim's backstory, but I think it's important for Muarim all the same. It's nice for him to have a Support partner that just wants to be a good person, especially if it's a beorc.

Janaff/Lucia C

Lucia: You must be a Phoenicis knight.
Janaff: Eh?
Lucia: I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure. I am Lucia of Crimea, a vassal of Princess Elincia. I wish to tender my cordial thanks for the aid and succor your country has granted us. Will you accept it?
Janaff: Uh… Sure, why not?
Lucia: …
Janaff: …I mean, um… Thanks for your courtesy. I’m Janaff. I am here at the command of our king. So if you really want to thank someone, you should thank our king.
Lucia: Very well. Although telling him in person would give me much pleasure, such luxuries are not feasible under the circumstances. Please give my regards to King Tibarn. Long life to him! Huzzah!
Janaff: …All righty then…
Lucia:: What is it?
Janaff: Well, I don’t know that we need the formality. I mean, we’re fighting in the same army, right? Right…? Hey, I’ve got a better idea! Let’s go have a wild night on the town to fortify our new friendship! I’m buying!
Lucia: Oh, I could not. My father would not approve of me going out without a chaperon.
Janaff: What? Such a shame! You look like a gorgeous woman, but you’re still a child? I can never tell how old you beorcs are!
Lucia: …

Lucia's over-formality slams into Janaffs under-formality. Also, I feel like Lucia is partially trying to chase Janaff away with that line- her apparent age is 22. (This also makes me wonder how this age gap with Elincia worked over their lifetime.)

Devdan/Largo C

Devdan: Ladies and gentlemen! Gather ’round! Get ready for Devdan’s fantastic show!
Largo: Ah, a street performer! Could be fun. Hmm… Looks like I’m the only one here… Well, I’ll check out the show, anyway.
Devdan: Ho ho! Step right up… and be amazed! First, Devdan draws a picture like so… Hum de dum… Voila! All done! This is Devdan’s friend… Nadved!
Largo: Nadved? Waaaait a minute. This is just a sketch of some stupid stick figure!
Devdan: Ah! You are wrong, young one. Listen carefully… and be amazed!
Largo: Huh? Listen to what? … Aw, you’re crazy!
???: Hellooooooooo…
Largo: What the…? W-who was that?! Your lips didn’t move, but I heard something! What’s going on here?
Devdan: That was Nadved! Say hello to Largo, Nadved!
???: Hellooooo, Laaaaaargooooo… Whooooooooo!
Largo: Yaaaaaaa! I mean… um… Wow! That’s pretty incredible! Can it do anything else?
Devdan: But of course! For Nadved’s next trick…

Devdan is apparently also a ventriloquist. Nadved is surprisingly relevant to Radiant Dawn, but I still don't get the joke.

Makalov/Bastian C

Makalov: Incredible! I had no idea this army had the luxury of hiring a street performer. They are clashing with the mighty Daein! Who knew they had a taste for comedy? Or the time, for that matter…
Bastian: Hmmmmmmmm?
Bastian: I take it you direct your words at me. Lest my eyes lie, you are Sir Makalov! A Begnion soldier of some great renown.
Makalov: Wow! H-how did you know my name? You’re just a street performer. Wait… Oh, I see. That’s your schtick, isn’t it? I have to hand it to you… You guessed my name right!
Bastian: A street performer? Ha! I dare say no! You think me one to don the cap and bells, and gambol in the street for petty coin? But soft, I see why you might mark me so. Though now I am a man of some esteem, that job was once my sole mean of employ. When I look back on my performing days, I know that any hardship in my road shall be like ashes at the fire’s end! Yet till Crimea sees its freedom come, I shall pass myself as the simple fool!
Makalov: Ha ha ha!! You’re such a comedian!! That’s hilarious! Hey, why don’t we go get some dinner? Maybe you can tell a few jokes! Or juggle plates! I LOVE plate juggling!
Bastian: In truth, you make an offer square and just. And though it would do my heart very well, I fear I must decline this eve’s repast. Perhaps we could meet for a meal anon? I shall but count the minutes to the time!
Makalov: Wha ha ha ha! Man, you’re too much! But sure, that’s fine with me. See you later, fool!
Bastian: Excellent! Most excellent, good and fair… What ho? The watch! Alas, I must depart!
Makalov: Ha! What a riot! I’ve never seen him before! I wonder when we’ll meet again.
???: Hey! You there! Show some respect!
Makalov: Eh?
Makalov: Oh, a Crimean soldier. Can I help you?
Crimea: Don’t talk to me like I’m stupid! You also fight for the Crimean army, do you not?
Makalov: Oh, yeah… That’s right. Now that Ike is the commander of the Crimean army, that automatically makes me a Crimean soldier, too. Ha ha! I’m your brother-in-arms!
Crimea: Weeeell… Because you’re a member of General Ike’s personal mercenaries, I’ll cut you a break this time… However! Know that the man you were just talking to is the Count Bastian himself!
Makalov: Ha ha… Huh?
Crimea: Lord Bastian, the Count of Fayre, is a distinguished member of the Crimean royal court. He even served as the right hand of the late prince. How dare you address him like some common street fool! If you don’t want to get clobbered, I suggest you show some respect! Is that clear!?
Makalov: That street performer is a Crimean noble? If that’s true… He must be packed to the gills with gold! Makalov, you devil… It’s time to turn on that famous charm!

A generic character participated in a Support! It's not often you get one of these. Also, Makalov just completely zonked out of the Bastian lines- rude, even if I'll admit to sometimes doing the same thing.

Bastian is one heck of a Crimean advisor, though, so you can bet he'll be running mental circles around Makalov come the later conversations.

B Supports

Ike/Reyson B

Ike: Reyson!
Reyson: I’m here, Ike.
Reyson: Do you wish to talk strategy?
Ike: Yes. Your participation in the next few battles will be critical… How are you feeling?
Reyson: Well… I found that the negative energy isn’t so bad when I fly. Even feeling a breeze can be a huge help. I can hold up. Don’t worry about me.
Ike: You look tired. Exhausted, even. I think I know how King Phoenicis must feel… I’m sorry for pushing you like this.
Reyson: Saying so is an insult. I choose to be here.
Ike: Look, that’s not what I meant… I apologize. I know that you hate having people fuss over you. It’s just–
Reyson: Ike? Be quiet. If you were anyone else, I’d punch you in the nose and make you be quiet.
Ike: Whoa, easy, Reyson! That’s not necessary! And hey… I didn’t think that herons could attack.
Reyson: …I know how to punch! Although…
Ike: Yes?
Reyson: I suffer more damage than my target.
Ike: What?!
Reyson: When I bashed Duke Tanas’s face, he only suffered a bloody nose, but it cracked the bones in the back of my hand.
Ike: Holy…
Reyson: Indeed.
Ike: …But it felt good, right?
Reyson: Oh, yeah.

I think Reyson might be corrupted beyond saving by Tibarn's influence. Ike, of course, is only going to enable that, but he is doing a good job of being responsible about it all the same. Relative to the demands of the war, of course.

Volke/Bastian B

Volke: Back already?
Bastian: A little bird landed on my shoulder and whispered some very juicy information in my ear. Most of it matches perfectly with what I’ve heard Ike tell the princess. Yes, the information I’m not sharing with you is most interesting indeed. Delectable, even.
Volke: You never could resist a tasty morsel of gossip.
Bastian: We all our habits have. In any case, my doubts about you and Commander Ike have been put to rest.
Volke: How kind of you.
Bastian: That’s all I need say. I just thought I’d ease your concerns. Consider it a professional courtesy.
Volke: Bastian?
Bastian: Yeeeees?
Volke: You’re well suited to skulking behind the scenes and playing the puppeteer. Have you considered a change in employer?
Bastian: My allegiance is with the Crimean royal family. I’m sure you understand.
Volke: Suit yourself.

If Bastian wanted to, he could get into Volke's line of work and probably do it better than Volke himself. Good thing he's such a good person!

Jill/Haar B

Jill: Mr. Haaaaaaaaar! Where are you!? Mr. Haar!!!
Haar: I’m right behind you.
Jill: Why can’t you just respond the first time I call for you? And didn’t you promise that you’d respond right away if I stopped calling you captain?
Haar: That was only if I wasn’t sleeping.
Jill: Well, that’s most of the time! By the way, it seems like the only time you acted like a professional soldier was when you were in front of my father.
Haar: And I recall the only time you weren’t so uptight was when you were around Lord Shiharam.
Jill: I… I couldn’t help it. He was my father. He was different.
Haar: I’m with you on that. Lord Shiharam was something special. I didn’t want him to see me as hopelessly lazy.
Jill: Mr. Haar…
Haar: Mmm… I think I’ll just stretch out here… Yeah…that’s it. This moss is nice and squishy. Leave me alone. It’s nap time.

Jill and Haar reminisce on Shiharam, and it seems Jill got the parental affection she needed all the same. Although speaking of which, where is Jill's mother and what are her opinions on Jill? It's a mother, we're not getting answers on that, but I'm curious what wound up happening to her.

Lucia/Bastian B

Lucia: Count Bastian! Where are you?!
Bastian: Lady Lucia… It’s not like you to be looking for me. Or even acknowledge my existence, for that matter! Ta ha ha!
Lucia: How badly are you hurt? Do I need to tie a tourniquet?
Bastian: A tourniquet? Ta ha ha, aha! No, my dear. I’m not injured. Unless you include the heart which you have so eagerly stomped!
Lucia: You aren’t hurt? Really? I heard a funny-looking man with a mustache suffered a severe injury. Naturally, I assumed it was you. But I see that wasn’t the case.
Bastian: Lady Lucia! You were so concerned with my welfare that you rushed to my aid! Ah! You are a true delight! A magestic–
Lucia: That isn’t the case at all.
Bastian: There’s no use in fighting your feelings! I have already given in to the bottomless pit that is my love for you!
Lucia: Did you not hear me? I already told you how I felt.
Bastian: The more you try to hide it, the more your true feelings show through! You cannot fight true romance any more than you can fight the tides, milady.
Lucia: Arrrggg… Count! Will you please listen to me?!

This is the most intelligent diplomat in all of Crimea. A veritable mastermind.

...So who did get severely injured? Also this conversation would be funny to trigger next chapter...

A Supports

Tormod/Calill A

Tormod: Hey, pretty lady! What do you think of my magic now?
Calill: Hmm, let’s see…
Tormod: Yeah?
Calill: You’ve worked very hard. I have nothing more to teach you.
Tormod: Whooo-hoo! Now I’m a mage, too!
Calill: Yes, I suppose you could say that. You have inspired me, Tormod. Your passion makes me want to study more of the arcane arts. I think I’ll start learning magic again.
Tormod: What? Are there still things that you need to learn?
Calill: Ha ha ha! Oh, Tormod. I have only shown you the tip of the magical iceberg. Anyone can learn that much with hard work and practice. Maybe not as quickly as you, but… Whether you can go further, however, depends on your own essence.
Tormod: My essence?
Calill: The abilities that you were born with… or lack. Having a certain essence is the key to mastering magic.
Tormod: Wh-what do you think? Do I have a magical essence?
Calill: Sorry, Tormod. But you and I, we’re nothing special. Some talent, yes. But not the true essence.
Tormod: Then… this is it? This is as far as I’ll go? I can’t be the world’s mightiest mage, no matter how hard I try?
Calill: Well, there is a way to improve magical abilites beyond one’s essence, but… even that has limits. And a price.
Tormod: What kind of way?
Calill: You let a spirit come into your body. It’s called Spirit Charming.
Tormod: That sounds crazy!
Calill: Some would say so. Magic comes from these spirits– from their interactions with the natural world. If you take that power into your body, your magic will see a dramatic and powerful improvement. In plain language, you turn your body into bait. You get better magic, and the spirit gets… you.
Tormod: W-what? It… it EATS you?
Calill: As I understand it… the spirit will slowly consume your soul in exchange for essence. So I suggest you not make such a bargain unless you’re absolutely prepared.
Tormod: Who would do such a thing?
Calill: Oh, there are many people… I’m sure the intelligence officer of this mercenary group is one of them.
Tormod: You mean that Soren fellow?
Calill: You know the mark on his forehead? That’s what happens when you cut a deal with a spirit.
Tormod: Are you serious? Wait, I’ve seen those marks before! The old man in the desert who taught me magic had one on the palm!
Calill: Many magic users in Begnion and Daein hide such marks. They fear being confused with the Branded.
Tormod: Branded? What’s that?
Calill: Never mind that! Just listen to me. Don’t cut deals with spirits. The price is too steep.
Tormod: But I want to be strong! I want–
Calill: You can still improve your magic without making such a bargain. Look, we’re both nobodies in the big scheme of things. Let’s just try to help each other out.
Tormod: Oh…all right. I’ll work hard to be the most average mage I can be!
Calill: Ha ha ha! Now you’re talking!!

This. This is the one conversation in the duology that goes into detail about what Spirit Charming is. Despite the fact we meet a Spirit Charmer in Radiant Dawn, the extent of Spirit Charming's involvement is largely that Spirit Charmer marks are easy to confuse with Branded marks. Even here, Calill had to slip in a reference to Brandeds (and confuse which Soren is).

Boyd/Mist A

Boyd: Hey, Mist.
Mist: Boyd…
Boyd: What’s wrong? You look depressed. Actually, you haven’t been yourself lately. Did something happen?
Mist: B-Boyd, I… Sniff… sniff… Whaaa! Whaaaaaaaa!
Boyd: Whoa! What is it?
Mist: Oh, Boyd, it’s… everything! Every… thing… Sniff… Boyd, I… Whaaaaaa!
Boyd: Um… Ah, geez… I’m not much good at this kind of thing, but if you need to cry, go ahead.
Mist: Whaaaaaa! …Snifff… Sniff… Awaaahaaahaaahaaaaaaaaaa!!!
Boyd: Um… Once you settle down, we can talk. All right? But go ahead and let it out. Let it all out. You’ll feel better.
Mist: Whaaaaaaa… Whaaa… Sniff… …Sniff… Tha-thanks…
Boyd: Hey, don’t worry. You have me and… everyone. You’re in good hands. We’ll take care of you.
Mist: …Sniff… Oh, Boyd…

This is obviously talking about the backstory bomb that Ike dropped on her in Chapter 25. Yeah, I think it might take her a bit to get all her ducks back in a row after that one.

Mist is using her usual arms-folded sad sprite, not her Chapter 8 super sullen one.

Ike/Ranulf A

Ranulf: !
Ike: What’s wrong, Ranulf?
Ranulf: Aaaah! Oh, it’s you, Ike… Phew! Don’t scare me like that!
Ike: You all right? You’ve been pretty tense lately.
Ranulf: The closer we get to the capital, the more the Daein king starts to worry me. Well, I suppose it’s more the medallion than the man… At any rate, all this negative energy is making my hair stand up on end. It’s hard to focus…
Ike: I’m amazed at how sensitive you laguz are to such things.
Ranulf: I’m amazed that you beorc don’t notice! How can you be so calm with these creepy auras all around us?!
Ike: You want me to leave you alone?
Ranulf: Yeah, would you? No, wait, Ike. Hold on. Stay here. I’ll calm down… Just gimme a second… …Whooooo!
Ike: Better?
Ranulf: Yeah. I’m fine now. Although I can’t believe I let a beorc see me in such a vulnerable state. I’ll never live this down.
Ike: Ranulf, what are you saying? Don’t you trust me?
Ranulf: No, I do! I do. But… well, not entirely. Look, I trust you as much as any beorc, but… You know! The laguz are my brothers! It’s different.
Ike: I trust you.
Ranulf: And you say it with a straight face, too. You know something? You’re…
Ike: …I’m what?
Ranulf: Dumb.
Ike: What?!
Ranulf: If you trust everybody, you’re going to get hurt in the end. Remember that!
Ike: Hey, wait! Ranulf! Dang… Was that friendly advice or is he just angry?

Wow, Ranulf is touchy. Considering a thought I have about Ranulf, I wonder if the explanation for all of his weird quirks amongst laguz is if he, too, has an unnatural attunement to Order like Mist. I don't know what this does for Ranulf's place in the world, but it does pair nicely with the idea that cat tribe laguz are closest to herons and dragons in terms of that magical communication power brought up in a conversation this map.

Lethe/Ranulf A

Ranulf: Hey, Lethe, about what we discussed the other day? Plans are in the works to bring some unit commanders back to Gallia. It’s not a done deal, but… I may be able to put in a word if you want to be transferred back to Gallia.
Lethe: Back to… No. I will stay here.
Ranulf: Stay here? Are you sure?
Lethe: …Er… I wouldn’t want something gruesome to happen to the humans as soon as I left. I think I’ll stay behind.
Ranulf: Heh…
Lethe: What?! What’s with that smirk?! You have something to say?!
Ranulf: Oh, nothing. It’s just that…when you used to say “human,” you’d curl your lip in disgust.
Lethe: Well, they are disgusting! I can’t stand them…
Ranulf: Hah! You always thrash your tail when you lie! It’s a dead giveaway. Don’t worry. I understand why you want to stay.
Lethe: …I have to get back to my training. I have to chew some straw out of a target dummy.
Ranulf: Whew! Must have hit a nerve.
Lethe: …Ranulf?
Ranulf: Yeeeees?
Lethe: I admit it. My feelings have changed.
Ranulf: They have, huh?
Lethe: I once thought your opinion about humans was weak and disgraceful… But now I see your viewpoint. They are strong allies. They fight by our side. That’s why I’ll stay with Ike.
Ranulf: I see… Well then, we’ll be here to party with Ike and his ragtag mercenary crew when they win this war!
Lethe: We can’t let our guard down yet. But…you’re right. I hope to celebrate with them one day.

And Lethe has been benefitting from her time among beorc as much as Jill, in her own way. For laguz, it's not so much "learning they're people" but "trusting they're good people". This is still an important step to achieve unity, because no matter how good a beorc behaves, if the laguz isn't open to apology, nothing will change.

Mordecai/Ranulf A

Mordecai: Grrr… I am… sorry, Ranulf.
Ranulf: What’s the matter, Mordecai?
Mordecai: I have thought about what you said. But I can’t change how I fight. It is the way I am.
Ranulf: Oh… I know.
Mordecai: I am a warrior, so I fight. I want to defend my people… and my friends… So I fight. But I can only fight like I know how.
Ranulf: You’ve always been that way. I mean, you like to take naps with the squirrels! Like I said, you have a big heart.
Mordecai: …Sorry.
Ranulf: Don’t apologize. Don’t worry about it.
Mordecai: Maybe… I cause trouble for Ike and his pack. Maybe I am a burden. This pains me.
Ranulf: You’re no burden, Mordecai. You fight hard for Ike. Now we must continue to fight to end this war.
Mordecai: You speak truth. I want this war to end!
Ranulf: Then let’s get out there and crush the enemy!
Mordecai: Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!

Maybe we shouldn't tell Mordecai about the next game. He might be better off. ...Maybe.

Ilyana/Zihark A

Ilyana: Oh…
Zihark: Hi, Ilyana. I’m bumping into you all over the place these days.
Ilyana: Yes, you’re right. …
Zihark: What’s wrong? You look a little… different today.
Ilyana: Really? How so?
Zihark: Yes, definitely. You’re looking cuter than usual.
Ilyana: Really?!
Zihark: Yeah, definitely a little cuter.
Ilyana: …
Zihark: You’re hungry, though. I can tell from the feral look in your eyes.
Ilyana: Feral?! Excuse me?
Zihark: You’re a bit of a celebrity among the men in the unit. They say you lure them in with your cute face and then run off with their snacks.
Ilyana: They do?
Zihark: Oh, yes they do! You’re a beef jerky thief, aren’t you? I know about the apple pie incident, too. Yeah… I know your tricks. Is it true that you don’t remember their names, even after they buy you an expensive meal? That’s just terrible.
Ilyana: No! It’s just that… I collapse into a coma when I get too hungry! That’s why I’ve got to accept everyone’s generous food offers.
Zihark: Then at least remember their names! Even if you had ulterior motives, everyone likes… Er… Is kind to you.
Ilyana: Sorry…
Zihark: Don’t apologize to me. You didn’t take my apple tart.
Ilyana: All right.
Zihark: Well, shall we get going?
Ilyana: Pardon me?
Zihark: You’re hungry, right? I feel bad about preaching to you, so this dinner is on me.
Ilyana: Are you sure?
Zihark: I’m sure. I can’t have you going hungry on me. However, I’m not rich. All I can afford is two dinners.
Ilyana: That’s…so kind. That should be enough. I’m so happy! Oh, thank you so much… Um… Er… Ike? No, wait! Um… Bill? Lance? Sword guy?
Zihark: Zihark.
Ilyana: Zihark! Oh, I really appreciate it…

Did Ilyana dress up for Zihark? Why bother trying to get food out of Zihark when Bill and Lance will feed you whenever?

Oscar/Janaff A

Oscar: Uuuummm…
Janaff: Yes? Oh. You.
Oscar: Look, I’m really, really sorry about what I said the other day. Please forgive my ignorance.
Janaff: Ha! Well… I guess it’s all right. As long as you don’t do it again. By the way, how old are you? I can never tell with you beorc.
Oscar: I’m twenty-four.
Janaff: Twenty-four!? TWENTY-FOUR?! You don’t even have a full set of feathers yet! You’re a child! A suckling babe! I can’t believe that the beorc send children out to battle! How can you be so cold and heartless?!
Oscar: Uh… well–
Janaff: What’s your name, little one?
Oscar: O-Oscar?
Janaff: Janaff. But you can call me Uncle Janny. No wonder you said such rude things. Heck, I’m surprised you can even talk!
Oscar: Yeah, it’s… um… surprising all right. I’m pretty bright for my age.
Janaff: Well, it’s the duty of an elder to guide an ignorant child until he can fly. I forgive your rude remarks. If you ever need anything, come find me. If you have a bad nightmare or something, Unkie Janny will tuck you in. All right?
Oscar: Y-yes. Of course. Thank you. That’ll be… a real help.

Nobody tell this man about Rolf. I think the shock will kill him on the spot. Old man's one shock away from kicking the bucket already.

Lucky he asked about Oscar's age to clear up that misunderstanding. Ish. Wonder why he did that.

Boyd/Ulki A

Boyd: There you are! Wait a sec, Ulki!
Ulki: …
Boyd: Why are you avoiding me? Did I make you mad or something?
Ulki: Boyd…
Boyd: I thought we were friends. I guess we can’t be friends because I’m a beorc. Is that it?
Ulki: No… You are… good. It’s me. I’m the worst.
Boyd: You called yourself that the other day, too. What are you getting at?
Ulki: Mmm… When you first spoke to me… I was suspicious. When a beorc like you speaks to a laguz like me… I thought you were plotting something.
Boyd: Er… But you said nice things about me when we first met! Were you lying?
Ulki: I thought the exchanging of lies upon a first meeting was a beorc tradition. You also gave me a series of flattering compliments that were not true, no?
Boyd: No, they were true! Well, mostly… Look, I was nervous! I’m not that good at talking to new people.
Ulki: I checked you out when we parted company. I investigated your name. Your background. I checked everything.
Boyd: Yowza! Really? So what did you find?
Ulki: Boyd of the Greil Mercenaries. You are a skilled fighter who says what’s on his mind. It is just as you seemed.
Boyd: …
Ulki: Even though you showed me goodwill from the very beginning… I had no trust in you. I thought you were…mocking me. Or setting me up for a trap. That’s why I am the worst. I am not worthy of being your friend.
Boyd: Ha ha ha!
Ulki: What is it?
Boyd: We’re so alike! At first, I was sure that you would hate me, or claw out my eyes, or… something. I didn’t think I could just hang out with you like Ike does. He’s just so darn natural about everything! But then I happened to talk to you, and it was really easy! That made me pretty happy. So after that, I tried to get to know you. I even followed you around the battlefield.
Ulki: I see.
Boyd: Look, beorc can be a bunch of jerks. I don't blame you for checking me out. Heck, I know what we did to your people. But now it's gotta stop. Now that you know I'm clean, you have to stop putting up walls. We'll never understand each other if you're like that. So tell me straight, yes or no? Are we friends or what, Ulki?
Ulki: Yes. I'm sorry, Boyd. If you can forgive me, I want to be your friend.
Boyd: Forgive you? Pah! I wasn't even mad! I was going to be your friend from the beginning!

Boyd seems to have had better luck befriending his bird. Either that or Ulki possesses enough introspection to reassess his own walls. Janaff is just kinda weird.

Gatrie/Ilyana A

Gatrie: Ilyana! I just found this exquisite seashell on the shore. Isn’t it stunning? Here, why don’t you take it?
Ilyana: Oh…
Gatrie: Not interested, are you?
Ilyana: It’s not that–
Gatrie: You don’t want it, do you?
Ilyana: Not really…
Gatrie: Hmm, this tactic isn’t working. To be honest, I was thinking that if I gave you something you liked, you might come out to dinner with me sometime.
Ilyana: Oh! I wouldn’t mind joining you…
Gatrie: For dinner?
Ilyana: Yes… for dinner.
Gatrie: Really!? Brilliant! I, Gatrie, will deliver you to the finest purveyor of salacious foods in all the realm!
Ilyana: G-Gatrie…? Oh, that’s right… Now I remember…
Gatrie: Huh? Did you say something?
Ilyana: Oh, nothing…
Gatrie: Hmmm… Well, never mind. I’ll see you later!
Ilyana: Gatrie… Gatrie… Remember that name! He’s going to take me out to the finest restaurant! Tasty food… Oh, I can’t wait!

How can you hate a man so bad at flirting that he tries everything but food to tempt Ilyana into his pants? Well, still very easily, but still, how can you fear him, perhaps the better question.