Supports: Chapter 27

The Moment of Fate has arrived. The Black Knight shall soon meet his match. Not sure what that has to do with everyone else's Supports, but...

Today's Supports:

• Ike/Elincia C
• Geoffrey/Elincia C
• Ike/Elincia B
• Ilyana/Lucia B
• Mia/Largo B
• Muarim/Largo B
• Tauroneo/Largo B
• Janaff/Lucia B
• Calill/Geoffrey B
• Makalov/Haar B
• Devdan/Largo B
• Marcia/Tanith A
• Volke/Bastian A
• Oscar/Tanith A
• Mordecai/Stefan A
• Rolf/Tauroneo A
• Shinon/Janaff A
  

C Supports

Ike/Elincia C

Ike: Is there something wrong, Princess?
Elincia: Oh…my lord Ike. I was getting prepared for battle, but… I’m having a hard time attaching this scabbard to my belt.
Ike: Hmm… let me see. Ah… here’s the problem. The buckle on the scabbard isn’t fastened. There’s a little trick to this. Don’t move for a second. …All right. That should do it!
Elincia: Thank you. I just can’t seem to do anything right.I can’t even get myself ready for battle! Everyone else is all suited up.
Ike: Everyone here was the same way when they first started. In fact, it wasn’t all that long ago when I was having a hard time fastening my scabbard…
Elincia: Really?
Ike: That’s right. But my father drilled me hard and tested my swordsmanship and survival skills before I could eat breakfast. We come from different worlds, Princess.
Elincia: So that’s how you learned so much…
Ike: Well, you don’t need to practice so hard. You weren’t born to be a mercenary like the rest of us war dogs. You’ll just get yourself killed if you jump into this rough and nasty war unprepared.
Elincia: I understand…
Ike: Just don’t worry about it. There’s no shame in asking for help from the rest of us. We’ll be there to back you up.
Elincia: Thank you, my lord Ike.
Ike: Anytime, Princess Elincia.

The most quintessential Ike conversation to ever be.

Geoffrey/Elincia C

Geoffrey: Are you looking for someone, Your Highness?
Elincia: Geoffrey. I’m glad you’re here.
Geoffrey: Is there anything I can do for you?
Elincia: Yes, actually. I have a small favor to ask of you.
Geoffrey: Ask anything of me, Your Highness, and I shall make it so.
Elincia: Really? You would do anything?
Geoffrey: Anything at all.
Elincia: Well, then here goes… Geoffrey… I need you to leave me alone while I fight on the battlefield.
Geoffrey: What?! Without protection? But, you know that is the one thing I cannot–
Elincia: I don’t want to hear any objections. This is… an order.You must obey.
Geoffrey: But… Princess Elincia…

"I'm my own woman and I'd like to actually do things on my own."

..."Also I'm a pegasus and I can fly, while you're on a horse and get stuck by all the terrain."

B Supports

Ike/Elincia B

Ike: Princess Elincia? You’re still here?
Elincia: Oh, my lord Ike. W-well, I was getting a little practice in. I don’t want to be a burden to everyone else.
Ike: Wouldn’t it be better to have a training partner?
Elincia: I’d feel guilty asking someone to train with me. It would be a waste of time… I am no match for their skill.
Ike: I meant what I said earlier… About not hesitating to ask for help? But I guess you decided to ignore me.
Elincia: N-no, no… it’s not like that at all. I heard what you said, but I still feel so…
Ike: I know how powerless and frustrated you must feel. It was a terrifying feeling when I discovered my father had left me in command of the Greil Mercenaries.
Elincia: …
Ike: But there’s a huge difference between inheriting a country and a band of mercenaries, isn’t there?
Elincia: Not at all… You’re absolutely right. It’s hard… knowing what kind of responsibility I have, and just how unsuited I am to take it.
Ike: Over the last year, I learned a lot from all those battles… Mostly, I learned that there are many things I can’t do on my own. Everything I achieved was possible only because of the people around me. I trust them completely. And I’m not ashamed to ask for help. That goes for you, too. You’re not alone.
Elincia: That’s a great way to look at it. Thank you!

I have to wonder if making Elincia unavailable to participate in Chapter 28 was a late decision, and that's why her Supports have to double up like this.

Ilyana/Lucia B

Lucia: All right, Ilyana. Start now.
Ilyana: Let me give this a try… Huuuufff… Haaaaaa… Huuuffff… Puuufffff…
Lucia: …Wait, Ilyana. Can you come back here for a moment?
Ilyana: Yes? What is it?
Lucia: I know you’re not feeling great… But I still want you to do some running. Exercise is important. Why not start out slowly?
Ilyana: Yes… I’ll try. I… I ran the best I could…
Lucia: Hah! That was supposed to be running?!
Ilyana: Well…
Lucia: …Er… Listen, Ilyana. I didn’t mean to be so harsh. Nobody is born great at everything. It takes hours and hours of practice to get better at something. So don’t feel bad when you don’t excel at something right away. Is that clear?
Ilyana: Yes…
Lucia: Don’t worry. I’ll work on it with you. Go and give it another try.
Ilyana: All right… I’ll do my best…
Lucia: Then we can take a break. Perhaps you’d like some water before you try again.
Ilyana: Actually, I’m a little hungry…
Lucia: Food? No problem at all. What would you like to eat?
Ilyana: Do you remember that meal you made me the other day? That was so tasty… I’d love that again!
Lucia: You liked it that much, huh? Then I’ll set to work making you another big helping! But… you’ll have to run for it!
Ilyana: It’s a deal. Thank you… for everything.

Ilyana does a surprisingly good job of bringing out the best in the women she talks to.

Mia/Largo B

Mia: Hey, Largo!
Largo: Oh, it’s you again. Hey, um… Sorry about, you know, what I said the other day. My arms and legs are sorry, too. Oh… the bruises…
Mia: Don’t worry about it. But you know why I’m here!
Largo: Huh? Why?! Please don’t hurt me!
Mia: What else? I came here to get more sparring practice! I’m always in search of my true nemesis!
Largo: You want to fight again? I know you like to spar, but this is crazy!
Mia: So you’re saying I can’t win again because I’m a woman?
Largo: What?! No! No no! Noooooo! I didn’t say that. I don’t want to spar you!
Mia: I know exactly what you meant! Well, prepare to feel the wrath of my training sword again! And if that doesn’t teach you, we’ll train some more tomorrow!
Largo: Whoa… this is all a misunderstanding! You can’t expect me to fight you again. Look at these bruises!
Mia: You should have thought about that before spouting off about male superiority again. Get your axe ready!
Largo: But I didn’t say anything!! Oooh, all right. I’m going to be sore tomorrow…
Mia: Hah! I’ll go easy on you!

...OK, Mia, I'm side-eyeing you a little bit. Thank goodness no one else accidentally triggered this fury, because I think only someone like Largo could take it. Maybe this is why he's out of commission in Radiant Dawn...

Muarim/Largo B

Largo: How goes it, Muarim?
Muarim: Largo. Thanks for your help the other day.
Largo: Bwa ha ha ha! That was nothing. You know, I’ve traveled all around the world, and I’ve never seen someone as burly as you. I’m pretty stout, but I bet you could mop the floor with me… So who do you think could lift the most?
Muarim: It’s hard to say…
Largo: The heaviest thing I ever lifted was this tree I cut down. It was three times my size! What about you?
Muarim: Well… One time, I chiseled rocks from a mountain and carried them up to repair a castle wall.
Largo: Rocks?! How big were they?
Muarim: Mmm… big. Taller than me.
Largo: That’s incredible! …Hey, how do you feel about a little strength competition? I bet we’d be pretty evenly matched!
Muarim: No, that’s just…
Largo: Don’t be so uptight! Come on! It’ll be fun!
Muarim: …Hmmm… All right… But just this once!

Maybe between you two, we could lift Nados from its foundations and throw it at the Black Knight!

Tauroneo/Largo B

Largo: Hmmmm…
Tauroneo: …
Largo: Ahhhh… Er… Naaaaaahhh…
Tauroneo: Is something wrong?
Largo: Hmmm? Oh, it’s you.
Tauroneo: You’ve done nothing but stare at that piece of paper for hours. Are you crazy, man?
Largo: Oh, you have a point… Crazy… Craaaazy… You may be onto something. I’ll have to write that down. But it’ll have to wait until later. I can’t think about two things at the same time.
Tauroneo: You can’t? Well, what are you thinking about now?
Largo: I’m saving up the money I make here to open my own little place. I’m thinkin’ a pub would be nice… Is that a good idea?
Tauroneo: A pub? Yes, pubs are nice. Will you make savory meat pies? With buttery crusts?
Largo: Savory! Oh, yeah. They’ll be the savoriest! They’ll make your head explode! …I don’t want my customers dropping dead, though… I want everyone to be happy. Hmmm… Hey, people like butter, right? There’ll be free sticks of butter on every table!
Tauroneo: That’s a great dream. Where are you going to open your place?
Largo: Well, uh… it may not look like it, but I’m actually from Begnion. So I’ll probably open my pub back home. But from what I hear, Crimea and Daein are nice places, too… This is going to be a hard choice…
Tauroneo: …Do you want me to help you with the pub?
Largo: Oh, yeah! That would be great! Two people can think about two things at once. That will help for sure. All right, so we’ll have savory meat pies… But what about the rest of the menu?

I'd say this is Largo's "canon" Support, but Largo appears to have come up with this idea independently of Tauroneo's influence. It's nice for Largo to have an ambition of peace, isn't it?

Janaff/Lucia B

Janaff: My homeland of Phoenicis is bordered by the South Sea. It’s a wonderful place to live. There aren’t that many of us, and everyone gets along… I’ve seen many countries with my own eyes, but Phoenicis is the best!
Lucia: Did Phoenicis have diplomatic relations with other countries?
Janaff: No, we don’t associate with the others. We used to be allied with Serenes… until those cursed humans destroyed it. And Kilvas is ruled by a cunning and heartless king. We have no trust for him.
Lucia: Did you ever associate with beorc countries?
Janaff: Ha! That’ll never happen! After the slaughter of Serenes, the beorc became our enemy.
Lucia: I do not blame you for your anger… But as I have said, Crimea wishes to establish diplomatic relations with you. Our late king advocated friendship with the laguz, and enjoyed a good rapport with King Caineghis of Gallia.
Janaff: So I hear. Look, most Phoenicians would be perfectly happy living their entire lives without outside contact… But I suppose a friendship with Crimea is possible. If our king so decides.
Lucia: And what do you think?
Janaff: What do I think? Huh… I used to loathe huma… beorc. Even hearing the word made me angry. But… Now I think friendship is possible. That’s all because I met you.
Lucia: Oh… Well… Thank you. I am glad to be of assistance.

Because Oscar and Shinon are doing very little to reassure him of that. I really hope this isn't Janaff's idea of flirting, but Lucia's discomfort is hinting maybe.

Calill/Geoffrey B

Calill: Oh, there you are, Sir Geoffrey! You look especially rugged and dashing today!
Geoffrey: Hm? Oh, hello, Calill. How are you?
Calill: Hmm! How nice! You remember me… Perhaps love dares to speak its name!
Geoffrey: Eh? What are you talking about?
Calill: No, no, I’m just talking to myself. Say, you’re a knight escorting the princess of Crimea, no? It’s such an honor to meet someone like you! Such a noble bearing! Such grace!
Geoffrey: Um… it’s actually not a big deal. You and I are on the same team, after all. We shouldn’t worry about class or social standing.
Calill: Oh! He’s even more debonair than I first imagined! Thank you for being so kind. So… decent. So handsome and strong. So filled with manly virility…
Geoffrey: Um… you’re welcome?
Calill: By the way, Sir Geoffrey. I don’t know Princess Elincia very well. What manner of person is she?
Geoffrey: Oh! Are you interested in the princess?
Calill: Of course! I’m interested in any woman who could become my romantic rival!
Geoffrey: What did you just–
Calill: Nothing! Nothing at all! Just talking to myself. La da dum de dum… I just want to know her because she’s… a dear person that we must protect! Could you tell me about her?
Geoffrey: I can. Although… putting it into words is hard…
Calill: Why is that?
Geoffrey: The words always sound false, yet… Hmm… The princess is like–
Calill: Yes? Yes?!
Geoffrey: Everything about her is perfect. As her retainer, some might accuse me of bias, but it is not so! She is… invaluable. She is the treasure of Crimea…
Calill: Ooooh, I see how it is. You’re in love with her! Blast! Blast and double blast! I’m always so unlucky with men! Oh, vile cupid! Why do you mock me!
Geoffrey: Wait! Wait! Calill! You misunderstood! I… er…
Calill: No, no, good sir knight! Spare me your wicked tongue! I cannot bear another lashing across my heart! …Ah, well. It’s a shame I can’t have him for my own, but… I enjoy a good love story all the same! I’ll lend a helping hand to this naive knight and lead him to his one true love! Princess Elincia, your man is coming!

Calill is just having an entirely different conversation than Geoffrey is. I do wonder about why Geoffrey thinks that highly of Elincia. Maybe that year apart has overinflated his image of her.

Makalov/Haar B

Haar: Hmm…? Hey! You’re that…
Makalov: Nooooo!!!
Haar: Yes, you are. You’re that weird guy I saw the other day.
Haar: Hey, stop right there!
Makalov: Please… have mercy on me! I’ll pay you back… I swear!
Haar: What are you yammering on about?
Makalov: Honestly, I only ran off the other day because I didn’t have the money on me. I was just… running home to fetch it. Sweet mercy… I’m begging you! I’m too talented and beautiful to die! Give me more time to pay you back!
Haar: Pay me back? What are you talking about?
Makalov: Huh? Wait… So you’re not… a debt collector?
Haar: A debt collector? Did you fall on your head?
Makalov: Are you SURE you’re not a debt collector?
Haar: I don’t remember being one. And I think I’d remember something like that.
Makalov: What!? You’re not!? Phew! Hah… you had me there. I mean… just one nasty look from that face of yours could scare a man to death!
Haar: So you’re saying I’m ugly, is that it? I look like some kind of thug to you?
Makalov: No, no, no! Not at all. You’re very… handsome. Ruggedly handsome… yeah…
Haar: Hmmm. That was weird. Oh well… back to sleep.

If Haar were not the laziest person in the entire army, he probably would have broken Makalov's arm on the spot. Either that or actually attempted to collect on this debt for kicks. As it is, Haar just does not give a damn about this weirdo. He has better things to do with his time. Like naptime.

Devdan/Largo B

Largo: Ah, what a great day! I think I’ll wander the streets and see what trouble I can… Hello? What’s this? Hm? Well, if it isn’t Devdan’s friend, Nadved! Why are you just lying in the street? Here, let me pick you up… Hey, Nadved! Speak! …Speak! Speak, Nadved! I command it!
???: …
Largo: Oh, this is nonsense! Bah! How would a piece of paper talk, anyway… Speak, Nadved! Speeeeak! Grrrrr! This makes me so mad! Fine, then! You don’t want to talk? I’ll just crumple you up instead!
???: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!! WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!! GYYYYAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAA!!!!
Largo: Yaaaaa! What the…?! N-no way! It screamed! Oh, I’m sorry! Are you all right, Nadved!?
???: …
Largo: Oh, by the goddess… What have I done? I’m a monster! A monster! …I gotta dispose of the body!
Devdan: Oh, hello Largo! How are you today?
Largo: Wha–?! Oh, Devdan! Um… how are you? I-it’s such a nice day, and I was just… AH! F-forgive me! Yaaaaaaaaaa!
Devdan: He ran away… Oh, poor young one. Perhaps Devdan is to blame for showing you his trick. But Devdan can’t tell you how it’s done, because it is a… secret… Oh, the shame of it all…

Please do not torment Largo with the weight of killing a man.

...Wait a second...

A Supports

Marcia/Tanith A

Marcia: So, you know… I was thinking… If possible… It would be great if you could overlook my punishment.
Tanith: Punishing deserters to the harshest degree of the law has always been an iron rule. I cannot make a special exception for you.
Marcia: Deputy Commander… Why do you have to be so mean?!
Tanith: Why am I mean!? Because you deserted, I had to–
Marcia: You were always like that. Unlike Commander Sigrun, you never once commended our unit. You think you understand us, but you don’t. You’re just heartless and frigid.
Tanith: Don’t you get it? Why do you think I’m coming down on you so hard!?
Marcia: Excuse me?
Tanith: I wouldn’t normally say this, but… I had high expectations for you, Marcia. I thought you could take the reigns and someday lead the Holy Guard.
Marcia: What!? Where did that come from? Back in Begnion, you said nothing about any of this.
Tanith: Do you think I would say something like that on my own? I have no choice now. I’ll offer counsel to the commander, and see to it that you have a place back on the Guard. If you come back, I might just forget all about your desertion.
Marcia: Deputy Commander… I… I appreciate it!

I wonder how not rejoining the Holy Guard in Radiant Dawn affects Tanith's perception of her.

Volke/Bastian A

Volke: You still want something from me. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be here.
Bastian: When does your contract with Commander Ike expire?
Volke: Heh. Why do you ask?
Bastian: There is a very delicate matter I’d like you to attend to. It’s something only you are suited to… address.
Volke: I’ve known you for a long time now, and I’ve never seen such a desperate glimmer in your eye.
Bastian: Twenty thousand.
Volke: Eh?
Bastian: I’ll get you twenty thousand. But you’ll have to attend to it right away.
Volke: That sounds… tasty. Unfortunately, I have a policy against taking two jobs at once. It will have to wait until this one is over.
Bastian: …
Volke: Don’t fret, Bastian. My contract with Ike will only last as long as this war, and it’s already coming to an end. It’s not clear yet who will win, but it’s certainly coming to a head. When my plate is clean, I’ll find you.
Bastian: This is absurd! You won’t take the job?
Volke: Oh, I’ll take it. I never pass up a lucrative offer. Plus, I’ve come to think you’re not so bad, Bastian. You’ve always paid in full and on time. I like that in an employer.
Bastian: So I’m an excellent employer? Perhaps I should set you up with a pension! Ta ha ha! In any case, it appears that I will have to wait until the end of this miserable war to secure your services. But do not dawdle, Volke. It is a matter of utmost urgency.

Well, if this isn't a very critical Support to keep your eye on. We actually find out what Bastian wants Volke to do in Radiant Dawn, and the timing of the Support is remarkably relevant.

...Also, Volke's sole quantifier of a good employer: Pays in full and on time.

Oscar/Tanith A

Tanith: Are you going somewhere, Oscar?
Oscar: Yes, milady. I was just about to prepare supper. Is there something you needed?
Tanith: No, it’s nothing important… I just wanted to thank you. Your insights into mercenary tactics have been helpful. I feel like I’ve learned more here than I did at the academy! Why, I’m starting to wish that I could take you back to Begnion with me, so that we could all benefit from your wisdom.
Oscar: That’s kind of you to say, milady.
Tanith: By the way… you cook?
Oscar: Yes, milady. As I’ve said, we’re a small company. Each of us handles a variety of tasks, from fighting to cooking to cleaning.
Tanith: You are full of surprises!
Oscar: You think so?
Tanith: I may be a fine warrior, but… It’s embarrassing to admit, but I can’t even crack an egg without hurting someone. The last meal I prepared at the academy took three of our finest generals out of action for nearly a month.
Oscar: Oh, my…
Tanith: Shocking, isn’t it?
Oscar: Oh, no. I take it as a testament to your skills as a warrior. Just… remind me never to accept an invitation to dinner. Or… you know, if you’d like, I could teach you a little…
Tanith: You’d teach me how to cook?
Oscar: Only if you’d like.
Tanith: Hm. I’m sure you’re as good an instructor in the cooking arts as in the military ones. All right. I accept your offer!

Now that's a bit of humanisation on Tanith. I'm not sure if I'm prepared to believe Tanith's culinary failure was "three generals ate her dish and got food poisoning" or "Tanith tried to crack an egg, it flew out of her hand, and knocked out the generals". Tanith just exudes the sort of macho aura that suggests she could do something like the latter. Plus, I feel like she'd notice if she made something inedible before she served it.

Mordecai/Stefan A

Mordecai: Stefan…
Stefan: Have you found your answer?
Mordecai: You are one of the Branded. You are the child of beorc and laguz.
Stefan: I believe so, at least. My proof is this mark upon my forehead.
Mordecai: …
Stefan: You don’t need to talk to me if you’re afraid. Now that you know what I am, I make you uncomfortable, don’t I?
Mordecai: I am unsure. A legend in Gallia speaks of the parentless. They are bad omens. When a parentless one comes into being, a century of destruction follows…
Stefan: Yes, that’s it. The laguz do call us that. “Parentless,” as if to deny our heritage. As if to deny that we are their kin. That’s how the laguz treat us– as if we should never have been born. The beorc may tremble when they see the brands we bear, but at least they do not deny that we share blood. That is why so many of the Branded hate the laguz– because they have rejected our very existence.
Mordecai: But how? How is it that you came to be? Laguz and beorc are different. They cannot bear children. This is how Ashera has made our world… It is her law.
Stefan: I don’t know. The laguz tribes cannot interbreed, I know that much. However, it seems possible, though rare, for a child to be born to beorc and laguz parents. But once the bloodlines have mingled, the trace of it can remain hidden for countless generations. Have I violated the goddess’s laws? Have my parents? No. Whatever happened was done by some forgotten ancestor. My parents are beorc, as were their parents before them. I do not know who is responsible for what I am. But now, after many generations, their sin has appeared in me. I bear no guilt, but the badge of impurity is mine to wear.
Mordecai: …
Stefan: My laguz blood gives me great power. I thought about using my power to gain revenge against the people who scorned me, but I decided against it. I have found friends, people who live outside the normal worlds of the beorc and the laguz. People who bear the brand.
Mordecai: What did you want from me, Stefan? Why did you ask about Gallia?
Stefan: I was curious about Gallia’s beast tribes. They looked different than those that live in Begnion. There are those among the Branded who think that a country willing to join hands with beorc… Might find a place for us as well. We thought we might at last find acceptance in Gallia and Crimea… Of course, it didn’t work out that way…
Mordecai: Stefan…
Stefan: Well, I guess that’s the end of our little “friendship” now, isn’t it? I intend to stick around until this war is over, but I won’t bother you anymore. I know how you laguz are about us.
Mordecai: No! I will not pretend that you are not among us. I will not pretend that I do not see what is in front of me!
Stefan: What will you do, Mordecai? Am I so wretched to you that you feel you must take direct action against me? You laguz are closer to nature than the beorc. Are you going to enforce the goddess’s law? Is that it?
Mordecai: I have not met the goddess. But if her laws make you unwanted, then I will have nothing to do with her. You have taught me much, and I would not like to lose your friendship.
Stefan: Hm. You’d want nothing to do with the goddess? Funny, but for the first time in my life, I’m grateful to her.
Mordecai: Why?
Stefan: If someone like you can be so sincere a friend, then perhaps she’s not to blame. Perhaps her laws aren’t what we think.

Finding out Soren was a Branded is one thing. Mordecai/Stefan has codified so much of the Branded existence for us, and has also nice and conveniently set up for where the Branded subplot goes for Radiant Dawn. With that said... I think it's time I mentioned I'm not a huge fan of the Branded. I do not fully understand what exactly the writers were going for with it, the nature of who is and is not a Branded is annoyingly inconsistent, and I might have the slightest bit of touchiness with how there's an entire piece of lore (Spirit Charming) whose only purpose is to be a mask for the Branded to hide behind. I wonder if this playthrough will enlighten me as to its good qualities, or help me put into words all of its flaws.

Rolf/Tauroneo A

Tauroneo: Ah, I was so wrong… I wish I could apologize to my family.
Rolf: Do you have any idea where your family is? Any clues? Anything?
Tauroneo: …I’ve heard my wife left Daein and went to live with relatives in Crimea. I suppose she is still there.
Rolf: Then why don’t you go see her!
Tauroneo: I’m sure they don’t want to have anything to do with me. Even if I did find them, reappearing now would just reopen old wounds. I don’t want to cause any more pain.
Rolf: That’s just crazy! I mean… I wish I could see my dad!
Tauroneo: …
Rolf: I’ve always told my brothers that I’m all right and I’m not lonely. But the truth is I want to see my dad. We’ve got so much to talk about.
Tauroneo: Oh, son…
Rolf: My dad is dead. I can’t see him again. But your boy can. You’re still alive.
Tauroneo: You’re… right. But it is simply too late.
Rolf: It’s NOT too late! As long as you’re still alive, it’s never too late. Go on! Go see them! I’m sure they’re waiting for you.
Tauroneo: Maybe you’re right, Rolf. Maybe I should…

I wonder how things would change if Tauroneo tried this. Unlike Gilbert, his family seems like they don't want him in their life. This would just be closure, and potentially repentance, from Tauroneo's side.

There is a theory, which I happen to subscribe to, that Tauroneo's injured son is the man who sired Rolf, so as to explain the resemblance to Josh Tauroneo noticed at the chain's beginning. Most of the time, when the topic comes up, I believe Rolf's father is stated to have been sick and not grievously injured, but otherwise the facts fit in fairly well. Even if it does mean three more members of the Greil Mercenaries join Ike and Mist in having Daein blood.

Shinon/Janaff A

Janaff: Oh. There you are.
Shinon: …
Janaff: Shinon, right? Do you have a moment?
Shinon: Huh? Oh, it’s the half-breed birdbrain! Life is full of surprises, and not all of them are the good kind.
Janaff: Don’t lash out at me, you huma… Er… I’m sorry about the other day.
Shinon: Y-you’re what?
Janaff: I misunderstood the beorc. I thought all beorcs liked killing, and that we could never learn to live with one another.
Shinon: Why did you join Ike’s army if you feel that way? Did the king order it?
Janaff: No. The relationship with our king is not one-sided like that. If we do not deem the king’s orders to be right and just, we will not obey them.
Shinon: Then why did you join?
Janaff: Commander Ike saved one of my friends in Serenes. Though my first duty is always as Prince Reyson’s bodyguard, I also hope to return the favor. I trust the commander. I… like him.
Shinon: Ha! At least someone does.
Janaff: Hm?
Shinon: I’ve always hated Ike. He gets everything handed to him and takes it all for granted.
Janaff: But that’s not his fault, is it? One can’t decide their parentage.
Shinon: …Nah, I suppose it’s not his fault. But you know what? It’s my choice to feel this way, so I’ll keep doing it.
Janaff: Heh. You’ve got that right.
Shinon: Wait, wait. Why am I talking about this stuff with you?
Janaff: You know what, Shinon? You kind of… You remind me of me when I was young.
Shinon: Huh?
Janaff: I used to be quite the daredevil before I grew into adulthood. Nothing ever seemed to please me.
Shinon: How old are you, anyway?
Janaff: I’m a bit over 110 years old.
Shinon: Wha–?! You half-br… you guys must have a different way of counting than us humans.
Janaff: Don’t spring, summer, fall, and winter make a year in your calendar, too?
Shinon: So if I’m twenty-seven, you must be at least… eighty-five years older than me!
Janaff: Indeed. So give me some respect, you young pup. If you run into trouble in the future, come see me. I’ll give you the kind of advice that only an elder can give.
Shinon: Oh, hey! Hold on! Um… tell me more about your life. You’ve seen a lot, you know?

How nice. Somehow, Janaff and Shinon have managed to make themselves something resembling mutual respect for one another. Although Janaff gets another chance to lord over how old he is. Trying to calculate laguz ages is annoying because of how weird it is to compare Janaff's stated age here with other references to laguz timelines and so on. I prefer not to bother.