SS Supports: Chapter 9

Today's Supports:

• Ephraim/Tana C
• Neimi/Amelia C
• Eirika/Forde C
• Ephraim/Forde C
• Forde/Kyle C
• Franz/Forde C
  
• Moulder/Colm C
  
• Lute/Kyle C
• Eirika/Seth B
• Ross/Garcia B
• Gilliam/Moulder B
• Gilliam/Garcia B
• Franz/Natasha B
  

Ephraim/Tana C

Tana: Oh, Ephraim! I’m so glad to see you.
Ephraim: Tana, you should pull back to a safer location. What would we do if you were attacked by archers?
Tana: But… I want to go where you go. I feel safer when I’m close to you, Ephraim.
Ephraim: I’m sorry, but I won’t be able to protect you if I get into a duel. I have to focus on fighting our enemies.
Tana: Oh, no… Please, Ephraim, don’t speak to me like that. I’ve trained with Frelia’s finest pegasus knights. I can fight, too!
Ephraim: But…
Tana: I’m sorry if I’ve been following you too closely lately… But I promise that I won’t be a burden. I’ll work my hardest. So, please! Don’t make me stay behind and wait for you.
Ephraim: Tana… All right. If it’s what you want. We’ll go together.

Tana is going to have her work cut out for her getting Ephraim in line. Then again, anyone who can deserves a medal.

Neimi/Amelia C

Neimi: Whoa… That’s beautiful! Your armor, I mean. It’s so shiny.
Amelia: Th-thanks. Ah… Er…
Neimi: I’m Neimi.
Amelia: Oh, my name is Amelia. Nice to meet you, miss.
Neimi: Miss? Oh, no. I’m just Neimi. It’s nice to meet you, too.
Amelia: All right, Neimi it is.
Neimi: Anyway, your armor really is lovely. That color reminds me of the michew berries that grow in my hometown.
Amelia: Oh, I’ve had michew berries before! They’re really shiny, and they’re sweet and a little tart when you eat them. I just love them in pies…
Neimi: Oh, I know! I didn’t think they grew anywhere else. They’re so yummy!
Amelia: Tell you what: if we come across any in the field, let’s stop and pick them.
Neimi: That sounds like a good idea.
Amelia: Maybe we can use some of the supplies to bake some michew pies for everyone. One bite, and they’ll forget all about their exhaustion.
Neimi: I agree. I’ll keep my eyes peeled, and if I see any, I’ll pick some for you.
Amelia: Ha ha! That’s great! Now we’ve got something to look forward to, hm? Oh, we’d better get back to the battle.
Neimi: Aw… All right, Amelia. But let’s talk some more again.
Amelia: Oh, you bet! I’m really glad I met you, Neimi.
Neimi: Me too, Amelia.

Restoration Queen cuts the fluff and just makes this romantic. The fact the original writers gave them a lot of room to work with is a testament to the sheer scale of the homoromantic content of Fire Emblem's female writing.

Eirika/Forde C

Forde: Aaaah…
Eirika: Forde, you’re looking in rare form today.
Forde: Ah, Princess! Yes, I’m trying not to overextend myself today. I see you’re looking well, too. Except for…
Eirika: Yes, Forde? What is it?
Forde: Well… I was just thinking about something… Princess, do you find that your armor leaves a bit too much… exposed?
Eirika: I beg your pardon?
Forde: You know, too exposed. Especially around the… er… midriff, if you will. Aren’t you worried that, in the heat of battle, it might, eh…
Eirika: Fly up like this?
Forde: Augh! Oh… Uh… You were… just joking. Wow. Don’t scare me like that!
Eirika: Oh, I’m sorry. That must have seemed rather unladylike. Honestly, though, I do rather like this armor. It’s very easy to move around in. I think that freedom of movement is far more important to me in combat.
Forde: Well, sure. I guess everyone has his own preference. I’ve gotten many long years of use from my armor.
Eirika: I can imagine. Now that I look at it, I can see all the scars from all your fights.
Forde: A knight’s greatest pride are the scars his armor bears for him. This battered shell of mine is the only true badge of valor… …The only real sign that I’ve weathered blade and arrow for king and country.
Eirika: Forde…
Forde: Oh, and… Well, in my case… Some of these dents are from me falling off my horse. Heh… Oh, and some come from falling asleep in my armor and rolling onto my weapons. Kind of a lot of them, actually. Heh…
Eirika: You stood by my brother when he and I were separated, didn’t you? I never got a chance to thank you.
Forde: Oh, it was nothing. Really. To be fair, Ephraim probably saved my hide more often than I his.
Eirika: I doubt that. My brother rushes into battle without thought for consequence. I think, if nothing else, you restrained his natural recklessness. I owe you a debt. Both you and Kyle.
Forde: Princess Eirika…
Eirika: Forde, Renais thanks you. May you always stand beside us.
Forde: At your service, Princess.

When she's not having to maintain the responsibility of being "the sane one", Eirika is hilarious. Forde's just kinda... well, there's a reason he's Ephraim's bodyguard.

Ephraim/Forde C

Ephraim: Hey, Forde…
Forde: Yes? Oh! What is it, Prince Ephraim?
Ephraim: …What are you hiding?
Forde: …What are you talking about? We are in the middle of a battle, you know. Pay less attention to me and more to our enemies!
Ephraim: No, no, Forde. Give it up. Come on- let me see it.
Forde: …Fine.
Ephraim: …What is that? Is that a painting?
Forde: This? No, no… No, it’s a topographic map! Yes. For strategy. We need to plot out our strategy, don’t we? During battles, I like to look at this map and analyze enemy lines…
Ephraim: But… that’s clearly a landscape painting.
Forde: …
Ephraim: Did you paint this?
Forde: Er… Yes. A long time ago.
Ephraim: This is impressive, Forde. You’re good with both a sword and a brush! You know, when Eirika and I were young, we’d sneak out for long horse rides. We used to watch the sunset sink behind the mountains while we talked for hours. Your painting reminds me of those days.
Forde: … Prince Ephraim…
Ephraim: But… during a battle probably isn’t the right place to indulge your hobby. What if something happened to you?
Forde: I’m no fool, Prince Ephraim. I always stay alert on the battlefield. I’ll cut down any enemy that crosses my path. Well, Prince… Good luck!
Ephraim: Heh… You’re all talk.

Forde is also a bad liar. Imagine trying to pass off a landscape painting as a topographic map. Even if the latter requires vivid attention to terrain details, you still need... labels for it to maintain strategic value. It's no good drawing a pretty picture of a mountain trail if you have no idea where it is or where it goes when it comes to strategy.

Forde/Kyle C

Kyle: Hello, Forde.
Forde: Hmm? Oh, Kyle! How have you been?
Kyle: What are you doing out here? Are you- Are you painting?
Forde: No! I- Well, yes. Actually, I’m not so much painting as sketching. I use this piece of charcoal to draw and shade, like this.
Kyle: You know we’re in the middle of a battle, don’t you? What if someone attacks while you’re distracted?
Forde: Calm down, calm down. I just like to keep a record of our battles with these pictures.
Kyle: You’re just rationalizing! You’re a cavalier- it’s time to start acting like one.
Forde: Fine, fine. I’ll stop. As you command, Sir Kyle, commander of the Knights of Renais.
Kyle: …Oh, brother. Do you have to make everything so difficult?
Forde: If you don’t want the hassle, stop telling me what to do!
Kyle: Then stop fooling around on the battlefield. Seriously, wasting my time on an idiot like you is just stupid.
Forde: Huh? Did you say something?
Kyle: Nothing! If you have so much time to waste drawing, let’s have a quick spar.
Forde: What! You want to spar? Now?
Kyle: Yeah, that’s right. I don’t waste time. I take care of my weapons, my horse, and myself. And not just that- I also make sure our morale is good and our men are safe.
Forde: You’re thorough, aren’t you?
Kyle: I’m a knight. It’s my duty.
Forde: You really need to take yourself less seriously.
Kyle: And you need to take your duty MORE seriously.

The devs really wanted to characterise Forde as a painter, but the GBA Supports requiring him to paint on the battlefield really makes a fool out of him.

To be clear, "oh brother" is an expression, Forde and Kyle are not related.

Franz/Forde C

Franz: Brother.
Forde: Hey, Franz.
Franz: I’m glad to see you’re still in one piece! After that last battle, I was starting to get a little worried.
Forde: I’m glad you’re all right, too. Good job out there, by the way. Your fighting form is perfect.
Franz: Thanks, Forde. I keep thinking about this war… What do you think will happen?
Forde: Dunno. I mean, whatever happens happens, right?
Franz: Always quick with a joke… But I’m serious this time. What do you think?
Forde: Hey, I was being serious. We are the best and brightest of our age, but we face overwhelming numbers. If you ask me, all I can say is that I hope we win.
Franz: It takes more than just hoping for it. We need to FIGHT for it. We are Knights of Renais, and it’s our duty to fight.
Forde: Sigh… You’re so serious. You’re just like Kyle. If you take the battle too seriously, you’re sure to make a mistake.
Franz: You think so…?
Forde: Of course! It’s good to be responsible, but you have more pressing concerns at times.
Franz: All right, Brother. I know what you’re saying.

Franz is Forde's brother, though, and while Ephraim and Kyle can't make him keep his head screwed on, Franz can get him to at least focus long enough to be helpful.

Moulder/Colm C

Moulder: Colm, you dolt! Don’t you see what you’ve done!?
Colm: Hey! That’s no way to be! I was trying to do you a favor here. It’s not my fault if I accidentally burned your package lighting my torch!
Moulder: That’s exactly what I’m talking about! You’re always so careless! My spare robes were in that bundle! Oh, and now look at them! They’ve been charred black!
Colm: Oops… Those were your clothes? Tch! That IS a shame. My mistake. I apologize.
Moulder: This isn’t the first time this has happened, Colm! And it was my robes of office then, too! I’m starting to wonder if you have it in for my clothes!
Colm: Oh, no, no. Don’t be silly! And besides, only the bottom has been singed. Just trim it off and wear it short. See? Why, I’m sure you’ll set the world of fashion on fire with your new look!
Moulder: That’s what you said last time about the sleeves.
Colm: Oh, er… Really? Ha ha ha! Well, sorry. I’m sorry. No, really. I deeply regret this.
Moulder: You don’t look particularly sorry. You look rather pleased with yourself.
Colm: No, I’m sorry! Truly! Seriously!
Moulder: If that’s the case, then you can just spend tonight reflecting upon what you’ve done.
Colm: Me? Are you kidding?
Moulder: I want you to take some time to reflect on the consequences of your actions. Colm, I’m only doing this because I care. I care about the condition of your soul.
Colm: …You really know how to lay on a guilt trip, don’t you? Sigh. I’m in trouble now… Shoot!

Goddammit, Colm, how are you even getting into these situations? ...Actually, yeah, Moulder, why the hell are you keeping your robes close to his torches?

Lute/Kyle C

Kyle: Hey, you.
Lute: …… I’m sorry, were you talking to me?
Kyle: There’s nobody else here, is there?
Lute: And who are you?
Kyle: I beg your pardon. I should have introduced myself. Kyle, of the Knights of Renais.
Lute: Ah, I see. And I am Lute, mage of profound genius.
Kyle: Very well, Lute. The pleasure is mine. To tell you the truth, I’ve been looking for you.
Lute: Has someone issued a search notice? Or is there a bounty on my head? Or is this perhaps a private matter?
Kyle: I… guess it would be that last one. I have a favor to ask.
Lute: What would it be? My requests are classified into seven categories and 25 items.
Kyle: I don’t know how it would be classified, but… I want you to help us fight.
Lute: Why?
Kyle: I’m a strong believer that morale is best served by good leadership. A unit of knights, all trained by Renais’s finest generals. But we’re fighting no ordinary foe, and we need more diverse skills. That’s where you come in. Because you can use magic, you could be invaluable in helping me develop unique battle strategies.
Lute: So that’s what you wanted me for, is it?
Kyle: How about it? Would you do it?
Lute: Sure. Anything you say. I don’t mind.
Kyle: I should warn you, I spend my time on the front line. I ride out to meet the enemy head- on rather than attacking from afar. It’s a much riskier prospect than supporting from the rear guard. Is that going to be a problem?
Lute: I have no objections.
Kyle: Excellent! I appreciate your help. I expect we’ll be able to generate some stunning tactics together. You don’t need to stay at the front the whole time. I’ll give you a cue when to approach.
Lute: Got it. I’ll do whatever you say.
Kyle: I’m counting on you.
Lute: You have nothing to worry about. There’s no one better than me!

Kyle and Lute don't really have that much in common: This Support is more of a space-filler than anything. The space-filler Supports are the ones that really attack the integrity of the system as a whole, from both a writing perspective and a reader's perspective. No one wants to write these either.

Eirika/Seth B

Eirika: Hrrngh… Hahh! What do you think?
Seth: Your sword arm is magnificent, my lady. You have improved yet again.
Eirika: Thank you. It is only because I know my brother will scold me if I do not practice every day. But I still am nowhere near your level of skill, Seth.
Seth: …My lady, I hardly think…
Eirika: Perhaps next time, you could spar with me and help me learn some technique? The basics I’ve learned from my brother all apply to skills with the spear. If I could learn the sword techniques of the Knights of Renais, then perhaps I could be even stronger. I would be of greater help to you on the battlefield.
Seth: Yes, but… Princess Eirika, I think you should stay away from the front lines. You are of the royal family of Renais. Please leave the fighting to me…
Eirika: Still… How can I just watch from afar while others risk their lives for me? I cannot rely on you always. I must learn to protect myself. So please, continue to observe as I practice.
Seth: Princess Eirika…

Eirika, even if Seth let you in on some secrets of proper swordplay, I don't think he should be the guy you ask about it. He used a sword at the wrong time and lost half his arm, I'm sure he's got trauma to unpack there as well as just not being the greatest of examples. Might I suggest Joshua?

Ross/Garcia B

Ross: Eeeyeeergh!
Garcia: That all you got?
Ross: Awww! Mmmmgrrrr… Ha!
Garcia: Gah! Ha!
Ross: Gah… Wahhhhhh!!
Garcia: Hm?! Haaaah!
Ross: Whoa!
Garcia: All right… Good. That’s it for today.
Ross: Whew! Wow!
Garcia: Whew.
Ross: You’re so strong, Dad.
Garcia: Ha ha ha! You’re finally getting the hang of it, boy! Your stroke is heavier, and your swing has definitely improved.
Ross: Yes. I’ve been practicing all the time, even when I’m not in battle. Maybe someday, I’ll even surpass you!
Garcia: You’re getting stronger, no doubt about it. But I’m not going to LET you win. You’ll have to get there yourself.
Ross: Now you’re talking! The higher the hurdle, the bigger the reward. All right, I’m gonna go practice my swing! See you later, Dad!
Garcia: All right, boy. Risa, you’d be so happy. Ross has grown into a strong young man.

Ross grows up so fast. And also out. And in general. I feel like Ross is supposed to be a better unit than Garcia to fit in with this Support chain about Ross eventually surpassing Garcia narratively as well.

Gilliam/Moulder B

Moulder: There it was again! That sound I told you about. Gilliam, did you hear it?
Gilliam: Oh, not again. No, Moulder. I don’t hear anything.
Moulder: Is it really just me? Am I the only one who can hear it?
Gilliam: Maybe you should describe the sound to me. Is it a dull noise? A chirp? If it’s louder, I should be able to hear it.
Moulder: No, it’s nothing like that. It’s soft… a melody of some sort.
Gilliam: A melody? Are you saying someone is playing music during a battle? What kind of music? What sort of instrument is it?
Moulder: I can’t explain it. It’s so… heavenly.
Gilliam: Heavenly? You don’t suppose it’s some sort of… sign, do you?
Moulder: Gilliam, I would be happy if you didn’t say such things.
Gilliam: Oh, sorry. But, Moulder… You’re the one dedicated to spiritual matters. I wouldn’t be surprised if-
Moulder: I said enough of that, Gilliam. I must be imagining things. That’s all.
Gilliam: A melody only you can hear. Sounds mysterious to me.
Moulder: I agree. Especially because I can’t explain the cause. I must say, I’m worried. Gilliam… If something were to… happen, well… I’m counting on you.
Gilliam: Moulder, we’ve been friends for a decade and a half. I’ll protect you. Besides…it’s my duty as a Knight of Frelia.
Moulder: I know I can count on you, Gilliam. I know that better than any man. You have my gratitude.
Gilliam: Of course, Moulder.

This is definitely the middle chapter of a three-part story, and its ability to stand on its own is a little strange as a result. Considering we're also moving around the continent as Moulder hears these jingles, the mystery of what exactly it is escalates even further than perhaps the writers intended.

Gilliam/Garcia B

Garcia: Sir Gilliam.
Gilliam: Yes, Garcia?
Garcia: About that match the other day…
Gilliam: What, you mean when we arm-wrestled? That was a GREAT match.
Garcia: Yes, well… I’ve been thinking. Now, if I remember it correctly, I was using my sword arm… But you’re left-handed, aren’t you? You were using your off hand.
Gilliam: Huh? Oh, well… I didn’t want to say anything, but…
Garcia: I knew it! All right! We have to have a rematch using our OTHER hands!
Gilliam: Garcia, are you- Fine, fine. I accept your challenge.
Garcia: Let’s try this again!
Gilliam: Yes…
Garcia: Hah!
Gilliam: Hmmmmm…!
Garcia: Hm… See, this time, you beat me.
Gilliam: True, but it WAS your off hand this time, and it was still close. Garcia, you really are amazing.
Garcia: Ha ha ha! You know, I feel good about this. I lost, but…I feel good. With a great knight like you at our side, we’ve nothing to fear.
Gilliam: Don’t be silly, Garcia. You’re an amazing fighter. With you in our midst, our forces are invincible!
Garcia: Ha! Let us fight together, then, and watch our enemies fall like leaves!
Gilliam: Gladly!

Gilliam is a lefty? Neat. I think the animations don't actually demonstrate handed preference- since animations are mirrored, a right-handed stroke will turn into a left handed one depending on which side of the field they're on.

I don't actually think it's possible for a right-handed person and a left-handed person to arm wrestle with both using their dominant hand. There are a few work-arounds I can envisage, but most of them involve some other mismatch (for example, one side having their hand backwards, or one side leaning on the other's arm).

Franz/Natasha B

Natasha: Franz. That satchel you made me is ingenious. Really.
Franz: Really? Good… I made yours more lightweight than the one I made myself.
Natasha: Thank you so much. I’ll cherish it. Oh, ouch!
Franz: Hn!? Sister Natasha, are you all right? What’s wrong?!
Natasha: My hair…
Franz: Oh… Your hair’s gotten pinched in your clip.
Natasha: Ow…
Franz: Oh, don’t move. Let me help you.
Natasha: Thank you. …
Franz: ……
Natasha: ………
Franz: Got it.
Natasha: Thank you so much.
Franz: But your hair’s still… Ah, I know. Hold on a moment. Let… me… see…
Natasha: Hm?
Franz: Ah. Here it is.
Natasha: A comb…?
Franz: Your hair is messed up. Would you like me to fix it?
Natasha: Yes, please. But where did you get that comb…
Franz: Excuse me for a moment. ……
Franz: Natasha: ……
Franz: …This comb is a memento of my mother.
Natasha: Your… mother…?
Franz: Yes. See, when I left home, I was afraid of something bad happening. So I thought I’d take this comb with me as a good-luck charm. I usually keep it in front of the portrait of my mother Forde painted.
Natasha: I see…
Franz: Yes… … …… There! All done.
Natasha: Um…… It looks good. Much better than when I do it myself… Franz, you truly are a remarkably handy person. When you’re near me, I find myself comforted by your presence.
Franz: Don’t be silly. The pleasure’s mine.
Natasha: No, I mean it. Thank you. I hope that this marks the beginning of a long friendship.
Franz: As do I, milady. As do I.

Franz is just a nice guy to hang around, and he at least likes to make people feel comfortable in his presence first and foremost. It helps him feel the most respectful suitor of Natasha's, considering the other two are more interested in getting her to break her vow of chastity than being her friend.