SS Supports: Chapter 8

Today's Supports:

• Eirika/Ephraim C
• Ephraim/Kyle C
• Seth/Garcia B
• Artur/Lute B

Eirika/Ephraim C

Ephraim: Eirika, are you all right?
Eirika: I am fine, Brother.
Ephraim: I’m right here, so please call me if you need anything. I’ll always be nearby.
Eirika: Yes, thank you. But you do understand that I am here to fight, don’t you? I cannot ask you to watch me constantly. I am your sister, not your ward.
Ephraim: Eirika…
Eirika: Wait, don’t… What are you-?
Ephraim: You looked a little upset… I thought I would stroke your face like I used to…
Eirika: Please stop it. You’re treating me like a child…
Ephraim: Oh, I’m sorry. It’s just an old habit… Besides, you were always the one who pestered me to do it when we were little. Don’t you remember?
Eirika: N-no, I don’t remember! That was such a long time ago… Ahh… Dear brother, please try to remember where we are right now. What would our companions say if they saw us in such a personal moment?
Ephraim: Yes, that would be embarrassing… Forgive me, I did not mean to do anything you would find unpleasant.
Eirika: N-no… I didn’t mean that… It’s just-
Ephraim: So, you really do want me to stroke your face?
Eirika: No! I mean, look…
Ephraim: Ha ha, you always did blush so easily! You haven’t changed at all!
Eirika: E-enough! Brother… you are starting to anger me!

I'd tell Ephraim to take things seriously, but being Ephraim, I don't think he considers battlefields "serious time". Ignoring the personal boundaries Ephraim is flouting here, I think the "stroking her face" thing is one of the main thing used to support the whole "these two are secretly incestuous". Which, I mean... sure, I guess, but in this case, I think that's on Ephraim's complete naivete on the topic.

Ephraim/Kyle C

Kyle: Prince Ephraim!
Ephraim: Kyle, what’s the matter?
Kyle: Prince Ephraim… You charged at the enemy line after you were injured, didn’t you?
Ephraim: Oh, that? That was nothing. Don’t worry about it.
Kyle: It’s not the injury I’m worried about. You’re not supposed to do things like that!
Ephraim: If I retreat at the first scratch, command will fall apart.
Kyle: My lord, you are the future of Renais, the commander of this army. If something were to happen to you, morale would be shattered. We would lose this war. All because of your misplaced pride.
Ephraim: Fine, Kyle. I’ll hang back and let you knights lead the charge. But I don’t have time to talk about this now. I’m leaving.
Kyle: He says he’s going to stop being so reckless, but I know better. I have to stop him before he gets himself killed…

Apparently, even Kyle has his limits before he starts getting concerned that Ephraim is going to do some serious damage being Ephraim. And when Kyle is telling you to stand down, perhaps you should take notice.

Seth/Garcia B

Garcia: General.
Seth: Garcia. Did you come all this way to talk to me? I’m grateful. Thank you.
Garcia: Don’t make a fuss. Might give me second thoughts before I do it again.
Seth: Ah, right. Sorry, sir!
Garcia: Heh… You know, you remind me of myself as a young man.
Seth: Back when you were in Renais?
Garcia: That’s right. Oh, I was so ambitious then, focused on proving myself in battle. His Majesty commended my valor many times, he did.
Seth: His Majesty always watched over us. Hardworking soldiers received words of praise to drive them to greater glories. The lazy ones, he spurred to action, giving them a reason to improve… He was a great king. He earned the trust and respect of his people.
Garcia: …What a loss we’ve all suffered.
Seth: When Castle Renais fell, it was all I could do to save Princess Eirika. I’ve never felt so powerless in all my time as a knight… …I was mortified.
Garcia: …I’m sorry. I wasn’t blaming you for King Fado’s death. I am the one who surrendered his duty to live a carefree life with his son. I have no right to cast blame on anyone but myself…
Seth: Garcia, you needn’t feel that way. You’re fighting for Renais again, at the side of her crown prince and princess! There’s no shame in that.
Garcia: General Seth…
Seth: If you are still true to our late king, then let’s win this war together. And together, we shall visit His Majesty’s tomb to report our victory!
Garcia: Yes! You have my word!

For some reason, the game seems to entertain the idea that Garcia being retired when Renais was taken reflects badly on him. By which I mean... no? The very idea is repugnant. It's basically what Gilbert thinks he did that got him to abandon his family in shame. Seth's counterargument- that he's fighting to restore Renais after the fact- is a good one, but I don't think he disagrees with Garcia's conclusion that this act is his redemption and not... you know... doing the right thing because it's the right thing? There's a reason I don't get along with Seth.

Artur/Lute B

Lute: Are you tired, Artur?
Artur: Huh…? Oh, no, I’m… ……You’re right. I am tired. How could you tell, Lute? I was trying my best not to show it.
Lute: Oh, come on! There’s no one better than me at spotting things like this! I can tell, you’re mentally exhausted.
Artur: I don’t know what I expected, but… I had no idea war would be like this. One battle after another, overwhelming odds… and monsters!? In this day and age, we’re fighting monsters from the legends and epics? I know how much is at stake, but sometimes… I get so tired.
Lute: When you’re tired, there’s nothing better than a good meal and a long sleep. And if you look at page 990 of “De Floris Mysticis,” there’s a special herb that, once decocted into a potion, will help relax your muscles. Look for the parfina flower, and reduce it into a thick syrup before drinking. Oh, and I hear music helps you sleep. If you like, I can hum something for you.
Artur: Thank you. However, I think I’ll pass on your offer, delightful though your humming must be. You must be tired as well. Take care of yourself, and rest when you can.
Lute: I will. In fact, maybe I’ll just hum to myself instead. Will you be all right?
Artur: I’m fine. I feel quite refreshed, in fact.
Lute: Refreshed? How so? Was it some new kind of magic?
Artur: Perhaps, from a certain point of view. Your every word has nurtured my soul…
Lute: Hm. I’m not sure I get it, but as long as you’re feeling better!

I checked- I don't think there's a jump between them getting their rest and them feeling refreshed. With that said, though, Lute has demonstrated a very keen, if also very Lute-like, devotion to Artur's habits and understanding of what makes Artur tick. Although she might annoy him, Artur's probably glad to have Lute around- she probably understands him better than he does!