#I might also do more of these for Tellius since I did one for Ike too bc I'm very curious about people's favorite designs there too

[dimiclaudeblaigan]

[nonbinaryspy]

Meta: Titania and Knightly Devotion

My favorite way to read Titania is that in spirit, she never stopped being a knight. When Ike brings up her past as a Crimean knight, she isn't particularly pleased it's being discussed, and alludes to having a lot to worry about. Still, her Tellius Recollection profile says that "she is not ashamed of bearing the title of 'Paladin.'" Meanwhile, Greil and Elena's past gives a good indication of what Titania might have meant about her worries.

Back when Greil killed Elena and the villagers, and had to flee Gallia with his children—one of whom had amnesia and the other of whom was only a little older than a toddler—I've always assumed Titania went with him. It's stated in the Tellius Recollection book that she has been with the company since its inception, but IIRC, we don't know anything about this time from her perspective. What did she know about the medallion? How must she have felt, learning what Greil had done, when Elena was also her friend? Did she mourn Elena privately for Greil's sake, as she would later try to contain her grief for Greil?

Regardless, leaving the knights to join this broken family was a big decision. She doesn't seem to harbor any ill will toward the royal family or the knights, even getting defensive of them in chapter four while debating how Daein's invasion will turn out. Her choice demonstrates great loyalty to Greil. She certainly admires many things about him—his strength, his love of his family, and his values, which she shares. Those values contain arguably the main difference between her life now and her time as a royal knight.

As the Greil Mercenaries' captain, she helps people regardless of their status rather than focusing on serving the royal family. She serves Crimea and its common good with as much dedication as any knight, but she is able to do it in a more direct way than a knight perhaps would, without the trappings of politics. However, her Tellius Recollection profile lists her likes as justice and honesty, very knightly virtues. One of her design notes even says that "traces of her time in the Crimean Royal Knights remain." I imagine this is referring to elements of her visual design and her proper bearing, but I think it goes deeper.

Parts of the plot emphasize sacrifice as an ideal of knights, while also questioning it when Elincia refuses to let Geoffrey sacrifice himself (A post about this is absolutely coming soon, btw.). Titania, in deciding to follow Greil, sacrificed whatever her old ambitions had been as a knight. She continues to focus on taking care of others while hiding her own feelings. Even when Greil dies, she mourns him in private while working to keep the company together. Though Ike suggests that Titania loved Greil, it seems to have been a selfless love, not one where she looked for anything in return. That said, unlike a knight who might be expected to die for their liege, she lives so she can continue to support the mercenaries. This is even shown in one of her retreat quotes, where she initially intends to sacrifice herself for Crimea as one of its knights would, but withdraws at Ike's command:

Titania: Urgh! Ah… …I can still… …can still…fight… Ike: Stop it, Titania! That wound could kill you! Hurry up and retreat! Titania: For Crimea… I must… This war hangs in the balance… I cannot withdraw… Ike: No, that’s why you have to withdraw! I need you alive! We’ll be all right! Believe in us! Titania: I understand…Ike. And I’m sorry.

Just as Titania is too important to the plot to succumb to permadeath in PoR, she is too treasured within the group for her sacrifice to be accepted.

Titania has many roles within the group. She's a mother figure to Ike and Mist, of course—this is especially apparent in her Mist supports, where she's particularly doting. She tries to get Mist to relax, helps her with chores, goes shopping in town with her, buys her a dress, and even compares her own role to Elena's while offering herself as a confidant. If she left Gallia with Greil, then she would have literally been with Ike as long as he can remember.

But she's also a mentor who helps Ike finish his training after his father dies, and an advisor who guides him in both practical and moral concerns. She represents his conscience throughout the game. Even her Rhys supports feature her expressing concern that Ike may be tempted away from the ideals his father represented re: helping others regardless of reward, though she becomes certain that won't happen. She's Greil and Ike's second in command who they can trust to put in charge due to her calm demeanor and steady ideals.

But if you think of her as almost treating herself like Greil's knight, then doesn't that cast her relationships with Ike and Mist in the same light? She protects them. She supports them without question, and puts her faith in Ike to lead the group on a virtuous path. Despite having very personal relationships with them, she remains formal, stoic, and chivalrous, like a proper knight, rather than fitting the image of a rowdy mercenary. She's been with Greil for far longer than she was a Crimean knight, but she truly earns the title of paladin.

What really sells me on this reading is her A support with Ike, which I'm going to include in its entirety because it's one of my favorites:

Ike: Titania? I wish to thank you. Titania: W-what? What’s with all the formality? Ike: There’s no guarantee that any of us will see tomorrow, and I want to tell you this while it’s still in my head. Will you listen? Titania: Um… All right, but…what’s with you? And what have I done to deserve your thanks? Ike: You have done much. You helped my father build this company. He had lost his wife and had two young children to care for… I wish to thank you for that. Titania: …Oh, Ike… Ike: I’ve taken everything in my life for granted, and it was all possible because of you. My thanks is far too late in coming. Titania: It’s not necessary, Ike. What I did, I did because– Ike: You loved him. Didn’t you? Titania: …!!! …Um… Ike: Perhaps I’m wrong. Regardless… I stand here alive today because of you. And I still want to thank you for it. Had you not lent a helping hand, I would most likely be dead. And my father’s life cut short as well. You helped to keep him alive until the Black Knight brought him down… You made his final years happy. Thank you. Titania: Oh, Ike… …I don’t… …Sniff… …Sniff… …Sniff… Ike: Unlike my father, I lack both experience and strength, but… I’m learning. Please, keep aiding and supporting me. Please… Titania: …Sniff… Of course… Of course I will, Ike.

This conversation demonstrates Ike's thoughtfulness. He acknowledges everything she's done for him and expresses his gratitude, and even guesses at her hidden feelings. It shows the considerate person that he's grown into, in large part due to Titania's influence. In a base conversation, he even finally opens up about the night Greil died, a traumatic moment that Ike has not shared with anyone, because he feels she deserves to know. This helps her come to terms with her grief.

What's relevant about their support here, though, is his formality. Given the presentation of Titania as a motherly figure, and the fact that Ike is even calling out her feelings for Greil, one would expect him to behave more personally here, a step more casual compared to their professional relationship. But instead, he becomes more proper than he is in even meetings with politicians. It's almost like he's recognizing the princely role he plays in her life—the person she's sworn to follow, protect, and advise. That gives him a sense of duty to ensure she's properly appreciated, and that he has properly entreated her for her aid. It's certainly not a role one would expect him to be happy taking on, but maybe that's what happens when the only mother figure you remember is a gallant former knight. Either way, I'm glad her dedication at least gets the recognition it deserves.

[enbyleighlines]

Leigh plays Tellius prt 30

It's time for the epilogue of part 3!! I really love the concept behind this map so much. That glowing number up at the top right of the screen, going up with every kill... It's so ominous. And I love that the game kind of misleads the player by making the victory condition "rout enemy" even though that's not actually possible. It just adds so much tension, and allows for a genuine surprise for first-time players.

It wasn't long before the map was over. Since I didn't have to worry about attacking Pelleas with Soren, I just kind of took my time, focusing more on defense than offense. And before I knew it, it was time for this climatic scene!

I do think it's a bit odd that Mist also seemingly has a deep connection to the medallion. Does that just come from her having grown up with it always nearby? But that wouldn't explain why Elena and Mist are both able to touch the medallion in the first place. I don't know where I read it, but I think someone headcanoned that Elena actually has heron blood, which... idk. It might be possible? Perhaps she is even related to Altina somehow? Her hair is rather purplish rather than pure blue... Except obviously the heron blood never manifested in a brand with either Elena nor Mist.

I'm unsure how plausible this all is, but it is interesting to think about.

Savage, Tibarn, but entirely fair.

I love how Ike is just always himself. No matter the situation, he can't help but be his usual nonchalant, rude, no-nonsense self.

THERE SHE IS!!!!

Gosh, she's so intimidating, but in a really enjoyable way. I also love the feather motif. Both Ashera and Yune seem to really like birds, huh? I do kind of have to wonder why, though. Why did the writers choose birds to play such a large role in the story (at least thematically)?

RANULF!!! Ugh, I cannot get enough of Ranulf in cutscenes. I know I've gushed about it before, but he is too cute. I love the delivery of the lines, the subtle twitches of his ears to indicate his mood, the way his movements are all vaguely feline... They did such a great job with the cutscenes in this game. They're such a vast improvement over the ones in PoR.

This is such a minor detail, but I love how Ike gently strokes this laguz's head. Because despite all of his stoicism, rough edges, and blunt honesty, Ike is a person who cares deeply about the people around him. You really get to see that in this moment.

And that's that for Radiant Dawn part 3! I am sad that it's over, but I'm eager to choose and train up my units for endgame.

[soren-apologist]

Fire Emblem Heroes: Priam’s C - S Supports

for @thelogicofikeandsoren

C Support

Ike: Hah! Hyaaah!

Ike: You there. Do you need something, or are you gonna watch me all day?

Priam: I was admiring your breath technique. An exhale seems to line up with every swing. Impressive rhythm.

Priam: Your grip is also well-informed by your stance. Your form is deliberate and purposeful at all times.

Ike: You really were watching.

Priam: I do wonder if you are equally well coordinated against a live opponent.

Priam: Would you care to demonstrate?

Ike: Not what I had in mind for my training today, but I’m not the type to turn down a fight.

Ike: Let’s see what you can do.

Priam: Very good. At your ready.

Ike: Here I come! Hyaaah!

Priam: A straight frontal attack! You’ve got a lot of confidence!

Ike: Just getting started!

Priam: Well struck! Exactly what I’d expect from the Radiant Hero!

Soren: A moment, Ike? As soon as you’re finished with… whatever this is.

Priam: It seems we are cut short. Farewell.

Ike: …Hey, Soren.

Soren: I thought you were training on your own today. Something I should know about?

Ike: No idea. That guy disappeared as suddenly as he challenged me.

Soren: He was not holding back, from the sound of it.

Ike: No, he was serious.

Soren: If the enemy is sending assassins after you, we are going to have to tighten up security.

Ike: I don’t know if he was an enemy or what, but one thing is for sure.

Soren: And that is?

Ike: Even battered as it was, I’d recognize the blade he was wielding anywhere.

Ike: That was Ragnell. My sword.

Soren: You can’t be serious…

-

B Support:

Priam: I really must thank you for indulging me in that duel the other day.

Ike: Back for more?

Priam: Were that the case, I would have already drawn my blade.

Priam: My name is Priam. Forgive me for skipping introductions previously, I was eager to cross swords with you.

Ike: Soren managed to learn a little about you. You’re from Ylisse, like Chrom

Priam: Correct. I spent much of my life striving to become Ylisse’s most powerful swordsman.

Priam: My ambition was to surpass even the legend of the Radiant Hero, but...

Priam: The power of your strikes made clear that I still have much to learn.

Ike: You’re saying there are legends about me in your world?

Priam: Yes. I could recount them for you in full detail, if you’d like, though it will take some time.

Ike: I’m good, thanks.

Priam: Fair enough. What matters is that I did not challenge you merely to test your strength.

Priam: I did it so that I might see Ragnell at its peak. In its purest form.

Ike: You did it for my sword, huh? Your sword, I mean.

Priam: Ragnell is more than a mere sword to me. We are bound together. It is an extension of my body and will.

Priam: After all we have been through, I felt I owed it to the blade to see its former glory.

Ike: Right...

-

A Support

Priam: The legends say that Ragnell’s light has shone throughout all ages.

Ike: Ever since the time of the Three Heroes, when it was wielded by Altina, along with Alondite.

Ike: The sword’s done a lot of good for the people of Tellius.

Priam: I would say it has played a pivotal role in history. And of course we cannot discount your contribution.

Priam: With Ragnell in hand, you united the beorc and laguz and led them into battle against a god.

Priam: That is why they call you the Radiant Hero.

Ike: Heh. You make it sound easy.

Priam: What I saw in Ragnell during our duel convinced me that it is indeed a very special sword.

Priam: You know, some cultures believe that objects that are much beloved can take on otherworldly properties.

Priam: If that is true, it may well be possible for this sword to have developed something of a will of its own.

Priam: Perhaps even a soul. That could explain how it has chosen so many prominent heroes over the years.

Priam: Either way, to me, Ragnell is much more than simple steel. More than the sum of its material parts.

Ike: You sure do like the sound of your own voice...

Priam: Hmm? What was that?

Ike: Nothing. Go on.

Priam: As I was saying, Ragnell is a part of me--that is why I treat it with such care and respect.

Priam: I spend a portion of my day, each day, to ensure that the blade is given its proper maintenance.

Ike: You sure you’re doing that right?

Priam: I am. In fact, my maintenance routine is impeccable. But unfortunately even I cannot stave off its degradation.

Priam: As sad as it may make me to say, I must admit that the sword’s time may be reaching its inevitable end...

-

S Support

Ike: So Ragnell’s bound to decay, huh? Fine by me.

Priam: Fine? How can it be fine?

Ike: The way I see it, if Ragnell’s time is coming to an end, maybe that’s a sign that it’s no longer needed.

Priam: Why would it not be needed?

Ike: A sword is a weapon. It represents war. And a peaceful world doesn’t have any need for weapons.

Priam: Perhaps. But I was summoned to Askr with Ragnell by my side.

Priam: By your logic, that must mean Ragnell has a role to play in this world.

Priam: And if that is the case... perhaps there is some final task I must help it perform before it can rest.

Ike: You know, Priam...

Ike: I think you’d make a good fit for the Greil Mercenaries. Why don’t you join us, as least for your time in Askr?

Priam: That is a flattering invitation...

Priam: But I must decline. It is not in my nature to follow others’ orders.

Ike: I can respect that.

Priam: I will continue to do in this world what I have always done in mine--seek out the strong.

Priam: If that means our paths lie in the same direction, so be it.

Ike: I get you.

Priam: Then farewell for now, Radiant Hero. Until we meet again.

Ike: You got it... fellow Ragnell enthusiast.

Ike: See you around.

[oracleether]

Forging Bonds: Dueling Spirit!

So, I would upload screenshot, by screenshot, but that’d take ages and individual images attached to a textpost on tumblr are hell to manage... As a result, I’m just gonna write up the text snips from the taken event and give my commentary alongside them.

Also, obviously it’s going to be the one about the Radiant Hero, as I’m self aware of my own one-track-mindedness. :P

Ike: You there. Do you need something, or are you gonna watch me all day?

How avid of a watcher of people do you think Priam is? I think, given his zest for training and knowing how to measure people. It’s something he does a lot. It also strikes me as, by irony, a kid-like thing to do. When something just takes his full attention and he can’t be bothered to look away.

Priam: I was admiring your breath technique. An exhale seems to line up with every swing. Impressive rhythm. Your grip is also well-informed by your stance. Your form is deliberate and purposeful at all times.

Ike: You really were watching.

This is already a throwback to Priam’s support with Robin, and how long it’s been since I first got to see it.

Priam: I do wonder if you are equally well coordinated against a live opponent. Would you care to demonstrate?

NGL. What hit me about this one was my being curious if Priam was indirectly talking about Einherjar Ike from Awakening's DLC. Rogues and Redeemers, chapter 3. Because he has battle dialogue with Ike's spirit. Therein is the difference; fighting the spirit mirror and meeting the person in the flesh.

Priam: My name is Priam. Forgive me for skipping introductions previously. I was eager to cross swords with you. Ike: You're from Ylisse, like Chrom. Priam: Correct. I spent much of my life striving to become Ylisse's most powerful swordsman. My ambition was to surpass even the legend of the Radiant Hero, but... The power of your strikes made (it) clear that I still have much to learn. Ike: You're saying there are legends about me in your world? Priam: Yes. I could recount them for you in full detail, if you'd like, though it will take some time. Ike: I'm good, thanks.

Okay. I know Ike's not the gloating type, but me being an addict for backstory and lore... I kinda wanted Priam to go into telling the legends of what and how Ike is remembered. Just so I'm not doing my usual blind winging of how general history/Ylisse came to remember the story about the Radiant War (generalized term of what I'm calling it).

Priam: Fair enough. What matters is that I did not challenge you merely to test your strength. I did it so that I might see Ragnell at its peak. In its purest form. Ike: You did it for my sword, huh? Your sword, I mean. Priam: Ragnell is more than a mere sword to me. We are bound together. It is an extension of my body and will. After all we have been through, I felt I owed it to the blade to see its former glory.

Alright. This. Right here. Is the biggest thing I love about this forging bonds. Because Priam seems so sweet and genuine about his love of Ragnell. And the care he's tried to give it and leave it in a semi-usable state to have it around for longer, out of the sentiment and that love for the years that he's had it. It also tells me that he's had it for a majority of his life, maybe even from the years he was a kid and into the adult man that we see.

Priam: The legends say that Ragnell's light has shone throughout all ages. Ike: Ever since the time of the Three Heroes, when it was wielded by Altina, along with Alondite. The sword's done a lot of good for the people of Tellius. Priam: I would say it has played a pivotal role in history. And, of course, we cannot discount your contribution. With Ragnell in hand, you united the beorc and laguz and led them into battle against a god. This is why they call you the Radiant Hero.

I guess, barring some minute details, a lot of the Radiant War story is known and was memorized to time, even all the way on Ylisse.

Ike: Heh. You make it sound easy.

Because laughing is often an easy thing to do, Ike. Fighting wars? Not so much.

Priam: What I saw in Ragnell during our duel convinced me that it is indeed a very special sword. You know, some cultures believe that objects that are much beloved can take on otherworldly properties. If that is true, it may well be possible for this sword to have developed something of a will of its own. Perhaps even a soul. That could explain how it has chosen so many prominent heroes over the years.

I know FE is a Nintendo franchise, and sentient or semi-sentient weapons aren't a stranger to some of the games' lore. But I am very happy they said this, ever since FE10, or hell, even FE9. I fully believed that Ragnell (and by extension, Alondite) were living weapons. Not as in-depth, of course, but the twin swords might not be all that far removed from how the Master Sword is from Zelda in having, or come to having, a spirit dwell within the metal. It just makes me happy that my hunch was right.

And I need all the lore and story for those other heroes, IntSys. ASAP. Gimmie the food.

Priam: Either way, to me, Ragnell is much more than simple steel. More than the sum of its material parts.

I love this man.

Ike: You sure do like the sound of your own voice.

And I love this one, too. Which this is also a callback to Priam's support with Male Robin. I wasn't the biggest fan of the localization version. Since, in terms of tone, at least, I feel they had Robin brush Priam off in the English text. Where in the Japanese version, Robin listened to what Priam had to say and didn't try and cut him off.

Priam: Hmm? What was that? Ike: Nothing. Go on.

These two are nerds.

Priam: As I was saying, Ragnell is a part of me--that is why I treat it with such care and respect. I spend a portion of my day, each day, to ensure that the blade is given its proper maintenance. Ike: You sure you're doing that right? Priam: I am. In fact, my maintenance routine is impeccable. But unfortunately even I cannot stave off its degradation. As sad as it may make me to say, I must admit that the sword's time may be reaching its inevitable end...

I've got Divine Dew. I can fix her. The gods will let me fix the sword, I swear.

Ike: So Ragnell's bound to decay, huh? Fine by me.

I'm going to be honest. Of this whole forging bonds and for as long as I've known Ike's character? This is probably my least favorite thing he has ever said. In the last 17 years. I cringed at the indifference, the hurtful way his words came off and the general blasé in Ike’s tone of voice.

Knowing what Ragnell means to Ike, the journey he had with it. From his being (though Greil didn't have much choice in the matter) being abandoned by his father and Ragnell being abandoned by both the Black Knight and Alondite. That Ike carried Ragnell, in secret, and used the sword as his own pillar of strength and relied on it throughout his stories. It just seems incredibly callus.

Priam: Fine? How can it be fine?

I agree with Priam. Especially since he just voiced what the sword means to him, personally, and how he's tried to preserve the blade.

Ike: The way I see it, if Ragnell's time is coming to an end, maybe that's a sign that it's no longer needed. A sword is a weapon. It represents war. And a peaceful world doesn't have any need for weapons.

I called it the day I summoned Legendary Ike, way back when. Of how he was tired of fighting. And I get where he's coming from, but also that no peace can last forever. And I'm surprised he's just...not aware of this, given, you know. His whole character arc across Radiance and Dawn. Overall, their Forging Bonds was really good, aside from that overall last exchange from Ike. I got super well fed for Priam development content, and it makes me even happier that a lot of my guessing hunches of what to do for his character are on the right track.

[megamog]

How about Tellius specifically?? (For episode maybe which stage is your fav? For season maybe for RD which is your favorite section? Or just between PoR and RD. :3)

I ahem might have been a little excited (more like a lot) and went overboard (I tried to hold back I swear).

the first character i ever fell in love with:

Probably Haar?  …I think it really honestly was Haar. (who am I kidding it was definitely Haar).  Marcia and Elincia are up there too.  I played RD and PoR in the wrong order, when I was introduced to these characters the first time was not the same order they showed up in PoR at all.  You can tell Part 2 in RD was my favourite. :3

a character that i used to love/like, but now do not:

Astrid?  Maybe?  I’m hot and cold with her, mostly from RD’s huge disservice it did to her character.

a ship that i used to love/like, but now do not:

I used to think Mist/Rolf was cute but it was never a serious ship.  I had them support in my first run of PoR.

my ultimate favorite character™:

This is a shocking news bulletin, Naesala!  A surprise to no one.  I have so many feelings for this complex sassy bastard, it actually hurts me.

prettiest character:

Leanne, Elincia, Lucia, Titania, and Almedha.

my most hated character:

I’d be remiss if I didn’t say Makalov, since he’s utter garbage.  But Lekain and Izuka are both dreadful and detestable people, they deserve at least a mention in this category.  (at least you get the chance to kill them late game)

my OTP:

Jill/Lethe, Boyd/Mist, Calill/Largo.   …I feel like I’m forgetting one though.

my NOTP:

Naesala/Leanne, Jill/Haar, Ike/Soren, Elincia/Lucia, Elincia/Geoffrey.  These were all family relations to me and ick I can’t see them otherwise at all.  On another note Makalov/Astrid is very ugh.  Yes I said ugh.

favorite episode stage:

skdfhjs my favourite stage you say?  Elincia’s gambit!!  That is probably my favourite stage in all of FE.  I get so giddy getting to play it!  The drama, defending the castle, the flying units, the reinforcements, oh so good!!  I’ve played it so many times I have this level down to a science haha.

saddest death:

Zelgius and Griel were both rather depressing and sad.

favorite season part:

It is such a toss up between Part 2, and 3.  (I really enjoy Part 4 too but it’s been a while since I’ve played that far, 4 might be ahead of 3 I can’t really say at this point.)  Part 2 has it all, drama, intrigue, political issues, sacrifice, reunions, so many good elements.  I’ve always really liked the group of characters you use in this part (lots of fliers, and even a few birds heck yes!).  The “You bumpkins!” line has always amused the heck out of me and was the go to mocking teasing with my cousins for ages.  

least favorite season part:

Part 1, with the Dawn Brigade.  Bless Aran, Nolan and those few returning characters from PoR for making it tolerable. 

character that everyone else in the fandom loves, but i hate:

Micaiah and Soren. 

my ‘you’re piece of trash, but you’re still a fave’ fave:

SHINON!  This category was built for him.

my ‘beautiful cinnamon roll who deserves better than this’ fave:

There honestly could be so many I could fit in here but mostly: Rolf, Mist, Leanne, Reyson, Elincia, and Sanaki.  All precious beautiful cinnamon rolls who deserved better than the shit these games put them through.  

my ‘this ship is wrong, nasty, and makes me want to cleanse my soul, but i still love it’ ship:

Oliver/Mirror, does that count?

my ‘they’re kind of cute, and i lowkey ship them, but i’m not too invested’ ship:

Nepehenee/Heather, Sigrun/Tanith, Rafiel/Nailah.  Hear me out I also think Sanaki/Tormod would be adorable as hell, even just in a platonic sense (them not interacting more was such a missed opportunity in RD).

[caelin-ismycity]

Please tell us more about Tellius ships

god theres a lot of ships with how many bitches there are in this game- like id have to play through the game some more which i plan on doing anyway to write an essay-ass anthology of all the good shit here but for now i can shoot off my faves

ike/boyd:

yall already know i like myself some elihec and one reason is cause of their lil rivalry/best friend relationship yknow- you can look at those losers romantically or not and it’d still be some Good Shit. 

same logic with ike/boyd honestly- especially with there bantering asses in the beginning and generally how boyd tends to think of ike immediately when it comes to finding a sparring partner or just helping him out during their quest with the tri-arrow attack discussed with rolf and oscar.

another scene i found cute was after ike and others disobeyed titania and sought out the bandits alone and when greil is about to rip into ike about disrespecting orders, boyd’s the first one (i think its been awhile since i played that chapter) to step up and take the blame (admitted by him to be pretty out of character which i like to interpret as boyd just being flustered that hes caught caring for ike beyond their competitiveness)

unfortunately, not only is fe9 hard to play legally because of its stupid price, but even if you did sell your soul to buy the game intelligence systems has cursed my household by not allowing ike and boyd to have any support conversations, nor any interactions all together beyond a certain chapter, so ike/boyd is one of the rarest pairs you can like in this series especially considering the most popular ship is ike/soren with the tellius series

ike/ranulf

ike and ranulf meet uhhh god i dont rememebr honestly- but they meet about halfway into the game when ike and co properly become associated with the beast laguz where ranulf, considerably, becomes a reoccurring ally to the greil mercenaries.

couple reasons why i love these two- one being the whole laguz/beorc thing ight (lemme get on that in a sec). i.e., ike is big on joining laguz and beorc together, and ranulf doesnt really seem to mind them (i say ‘doesnt seem to mind them’ because, if i remember right, ranulf has real issues trusting beorc and even tells ike that if he naively trusts people he’ll end up hurt). ergo, id imagine that ike would love to get to know more about the laguz alltogether and ranulf himself (he’s clearly curious considering h is supports with lethe as well). additionally, their C support is fuckin cute as hell with ranulf taking pride in making ike laugh/smile at one of his jokes (which tbh i thought would set the grounds for a lovely af A support but instead i get ranulf calling ike a nitwit for trusting him so easily so thanks intell).

another big moment for me is how ike hardly hesitated to defend ranulf from the other beorcs after he was discovered in that one really racist town (its the one where you get zihark and board nasir’s ship y’all know the one) even if it jeopardized the possibility of them escaping the town quietly (double points for ranulf insisting on ike leaving him alone and ike essentially telling ranulf to fuck off with that shit)

its utter trash that ranulf joins the mercenaries at the very end of the game (maybe chapter 25-26? you get JUST enough chapters to achieve their A support), not to mention he pops in-and-out of the gang’s path to actually talk to ike. but im grateful there’s some content for these two, even if there isn’t as much as i would like

kieren/oscar

again yall know i love that rivalry shit but this time it’s extremely one sided on kieran’s part (oscar more-or-less just dealing with it and not making a fuss about it). but damn if there isn’t potential, especially when you can take kieran’s insistent rivalry as some form of admiration for oscar (not to mention the possibilities of their past with oscar originally working alongside kieran)

double points for kieran’s insistence that oscar come back with him to work as a crimean knight again (obviously more because kieran’s genuinely astonished oscar would willingly work with lowly-payed, unknown, not-pristine mercenaries). you can really just take it as kieran really lowkey missing oscar but being too prideful to admit it

ill also be damned if oscar cooking with kieran/teaching him how to cook wouldnt be the tightest shit to watch; i cant tell if kieran would be too stubborn to let oscar fully mandate what he does, begrudgingly listens to oscar, or is utterly impressed with oscar’s culinary skills and insists that ‘only someone as amazing as his rival would obviously be fit with abilities like that’

kieren/rhys

not exactly phat on my radar but it is cute as hell considering how easily concerned rhys becomes of kieran (and for good reason to the fucker regularly bludgeons himself with an axe and he wrestles bears jesus christ man), so its easy to imagine rhys making the excuse to kind of baby kieran to make sure he isn’t seriously hurt on or off the battlefield to just look/watch him

its also pretty fun to imagine rhys going with kieran when the dumb bitch proudly tells the army he’s about to go bear wrestling and rhys getting to see kieran ;lightly’ clothed to fight a fucking bear

im pretty sure in their A support, rhys tells kieran that if he isn’t more careful then the army’ll lose their most valuable soldier to something as stupid as a self-inflicted axe wound. its obvious that rhys said something along the lines of that (as well as a couple of other things in that support) because he acknowledges kieran’s self importance, but its also cute to imagine that rhys was able to use that fact to his advantage to tell kieran how much he means to himself (bonus points if, alternatively, rhy’s dialogue would follow some shit like ‘I- uh... We can’t lose a soldier as important as you, Kieran.’)

gatrie/shinon

another lowkey one (considering shinon and gatrie are absent for a decent portion of the game post initial chapters), but the one support i did manage to get of them was enough to sell me- cause frankly i find the idea of shinon teasing gatrie about buying them dinner and gatrie just being like “hhrhrum” as he begrudgingly agrees to be endearing; i.e. the sinon mentallity being ‘If you’re going to throw your money at everything, you might as well spend it on something worthwhile’ aka ‘lets just have a nice dinner together instead of you buying some random girl three bouquets of roses’

they also have a pre-planned attack together (albeit quickly mentioned to titania) like cmon they bondin yall they conversin

finally i love how shinon’s taller than gatrie- like this isnt necessarily ship-related i just finally have the opportunity to say it. like shinon could absolutely tease gatrie about it like ‘what did you say you wanted a kiss? ? ? i cant hear you from down there’ and gatrie just playfully punches his arm like ‘bro- dude- cmon please i missed you all day just bend down for two seconds’

i’ve been typing for a while and ive got the attention span of a brick but these are the ships i think of the most. during my second playthrough ill be damned if i dont develop more but feel free to send in more ship shit

[gascon-en-exil]

A Not Actually Definitive Ranking of Fire Emblem Games

So after a lot of deliberation I’ve decided not to revisit last year’s Zelda ranking project on a full scale for FE, but that doesn’t mean it’s not something I really wanted to do. 2018 is the year we’re going to get alternatively hyped for and disappointed by FE16, after all. With that in mind have an abbreviated list that will end up being one very long post. I’ve got games to gush over and an anon or two (and very likely actual followers…eep) to piss off, so here we go.

The “personal favorites of the series, love revisiting them” Tier - FE10, FE2/15, FE4

I’m never going to argue that Radiant Dawn is a perfect game or even just a perfect FE game, but damned if it doesn’t manage to do so much right all at once. An extremely ambitious story that builds off its mostly conventional predecessor in a variety of interesting ways, deconstructing a bunch of series narrative standards (life in a defeated country kind of sucks and there are people that don’t warm that quickly to young and inexperienced rulers, go figure) and taking an eleventh hour hard right at Nietzchean atheism as read by a Pride parade. Kind of falls on its ass by the end, but every experimental FE story does the same thing so I can’t fault this one. I love the army switching as motivation to try different units almost as much as I love the oh-so-exploitable growth and BEXP mechanics. Its Easy mode also hits a sweet spot for me of being challenging enough to not be a complete snore while also allowing the freedom for all manner of weird self-imposed challenges that don’t even require grinding. By all accounts Hard mode is one lazy design choice after another, but I don’t play at that level so no complaints here.

Never played Gaiden, but to its credit around half of the unique gameplay mechanics I like in Shadows of Valentia were also in the original: the modest army size, the novel approaches to inventory management and magic, the pretty basic class system with just a hint of nuance. The remake threw in some hit-or-miss questing, dungeon exploration, and achievements, but all the rest was either a solid addition or a continuation of NES-era annoyances that I could live with. And the story…SoV makes me dislike the DS games even more just because this game does so much with so little. Even leaving aside the mostly great voice acting there’s a bunch of new content that characterizes almost everybody and makes half of them (the men, anyway, because this is a remake of a Kaga-era game and therefore misogynistic as can be) gay because why the hell not, and then some development that constitutes the only solid attempt at worldbuilding Archanea-Valentia-Ylisse has ever really gotten and also retcons some stuff from Awakening into making sense. It’s even got some solid DLC with lots of character stuff for the Deliverance, the least sucky grinding of the 3DS games, and probably the only context in which I’ll ever be able to comment on anything from Cipher.

No remake needed for Genealogy of the Holy War to make it competitive with the rest of the top tier - just an excellent translation patch and the standard features of an emulator. I’ve never watched Game of Thrones and probably don’t plan on it, but I gather that this game provides the same essential experience with less blood and female nudity and marginally more egalitarianism for all. I can forgive it for being the original Het Baby Fest since you’d be hard-pressed to find a single entirely healthy and well-adjusted individual anywhere on Jugdral and I relate to that just as much. Screwed up family dynamics for everyone! It’s also arguably got a more fun breeding meta than either of the 3DS games, lacking Awakening’s optimization around a single postgame map with very specific parameters or Fates’s high level of balance that ironically stymies analysis. This is another game for interesting inventory management and unit leveling that isn’t too obnoxious, which mostly makes up for the maps taking an eon to play through even with an emulator speeding through those enemy phases. This would be a strange game to remake, but if it got a localized one of the same caliber as SoV I fully acknowledge that this could climb to the #2 spot. SoV would probably have the queer edge though unless they do some strange things to the plot or just make Gen 2 really gay…but then again Gen 2 is the part that’s more in need of fleshing out as it is. (Also, this game has So. Much. Incest. That’s not even really a kink of mine especially as it’s all straight incest, but I just find that hilarious in light of how Tumblr’s purity culture speaks of such things.)

The “good games, but don’t come back to them as much” Tier - FE7, FE9, FE8

Blazing Sword is not here for nostalgia purposes, especially since when I first played the game at 14 years old most of what I like about it didn’t really register. It was just that game with RPG elements that I liked and permadeath that I didn’t, and it took a few games after that for me to become an established fan of the franchise. Massive props for putting such an unconventional spin on a prequel to a textbook FE; this is a game in a series about war in which no war is fought, how crazy is that? We actually get to see the backstory of FE6′s tragic antagonist, even as it’s completely tangential to the plot of this game and so just feels like random Jugdral-esque family drama without context, and on top of that we get the first hints of interdimensional travel and kinky human/shapeshifter sex several years before either of those became controversial talking points about how they were ruining the series. I am so there. Lyn doesn’t matter to the saga, but her character arc is distinct and self-contained and also she picked up a disproportionately large fanbase while being bisexual and biracial so go her. Eliwood is sympathetic and homosocially-inclined even if his growths frequently make me want to cry (at least he gets a horse unlike his similarly-challenged son), and I can live with Hector even if I could have done without his lordly legacy. Throw in some average-for-the-time gameplay with just enough variety across the two routes and even more good character work *waves at Sonia and Renault and Priscilla -> Raven/Lucius and Serra and…* and it’s all in all a solid experience. The ranking system can go die in a fire though, which funnily enough it did after this game. Yay!

Like most early 3D games - except on Gamecube so it’s even more embarrassing - Path of Radiance has aged terribly by every aesthetic measure aside from the soundtrack. It’s also painfully slow, and my computer can’t run Dolphin apparently so an emulator’s not going to fix that for me. Those obvious flaws aside, it’s still an entertaining game, and more importantly it’s the prologue that had the crucial task of setting up all the pins RD knocked over in stellar fashion, whether we’re talking about the basic storyline that actually isn’t or the many het relationship fake-outs (more so in localization…I guess we’ll never know if NoA was actively planning that when they pushed Ike/Elincia like they did). PoR is also a love letter to Jugdral in both gameplay and themes, albeit an occasionally critical one. The jury’s still out on whether Jugdral or Tellius succeeds the most (fails the least?) of the FE settings at developing a complete world with a nuanced and resonant saga narrative, but that Tellius manages to be competitive while being kind of clumsy overall with racism and shifting the series’s overarching motif of dragon-blooded superhumans to one of kinky interracial sex is pretty impressive. The less I say about Ike the better since it’s only his endings in RD that save him for me; suffice it to point out that his worldview and general personality were clearly designed to appeal to a demographic that does not include me.

And finally comes The Sacred Stones, truly my average benchmark FE as I like it but struggle to have any particularly strong feelings on it one way or the other. The story is standard but has a few intriguing quirks, like the light vs. dark magic meta, surprise necrophilia, and how the main antagonist’s sexuality sort of depends on which route you take (except he’s still never getting laid so does it really matter?). It also seems to have been the first game to have made a legitimate effort toward the kind of replayability that’s normal for RPGs, what with the branched promotions, the route split, and the actual postgame. That’s all much more engaging than just filling up a support log. The gameplay is also more polished and (I think?) more balanced than the other GBA games, if one is willing to overlook the minor issue of Seth. Let’s see…something something twincest that’s now an IS running gag, something something guys talking intimately about their lances, something something SoV did the whole dungeon crawling with monsters bit better but I can forgive SS for not taking it that far. Moving on….

The “they have Problems” Tier - FE14, FE13

Probably qualifies as a fandom heresy, but yes I’m putting Fates first of these two. Fates is in every conceivable way for me the “You Tried” game, because I had such high hopes for it from the moment we got the earliest promotional content. I was expecting a World of Warcraft-style conflict between two morally grey factions with myriad convoluted grievances against each other messily resolving themselves one way or the other according to player choice (though note that this is already somewhat damning with faint praise as no one’s going to call WoW a storytelling masterpiece), with Conquest in particular a true villain campaign that I imagined might play out as European Imperialism: The Game. What we actually got was…not that, not at all, but amid all the complaints about plot holes and idiot balls and moral myopia most fans seem to have forgotten just how much there is to this game. It’s three full stories that together average out to be just about passable, with possibly the biggest gameplay variety in the series that fixed most of Awakening’s more broken elements (pair-up, children being unquestionably superior to the first generation) while also adding in new features that undoubtedly appealed to someone or other like Phoenix mode and the castle-building aspect. I can even mostly forgive the obvious growing pains Fates exhibits in terms of queer content, as they were pretty much inevitable once the developers realized that (almost) everyone was picking up on the subtext and that that approach just wasn’t going to cut it anymore. Again, they tried, and if the results included face-touching fanservice and plot contrivances left and right and two-way cultural posturing that inevitably crosses over into real world racism at some point I can still step back for a moment and acknowledge that Fates began as a distinctive, high-concept setting on par with Tellius and Jugdral that was willing to do something different with the narrative norm (for two of its routes at least, and even so I’m not begrudging Birthright its conventionality because that grounding is important overall). And who knows? Maybe a later game will come along and retroactively make this setting coherent.

Fates might have more sexual fanservice, but if there’s any FE that I feel ends up a slave to fanservice in a broader sense it would be Awakening. Yeah, I get that when it was in development everyone thought this would be the final game, so it makes sense that the finished product turned out to be a nostalgia-laden greatest hits piece. It’s still hard to forgive Awakening for feeling so insubstantial, doubly so since it ended up revitalizing the franchise and now it and Fates are everywhere. It’s got a plot that only makes some sense in light of SoV and possibly on a meta level (following my theory that the plot structure is meant to mirror FE1-3 in sequence), the first iteration of an Avatar dating game heavily coloring the characterization and support system, and a queasily feel-good atmosphere that allows almost no character to actually remain dead and centers everything around the self-insert and the power of friendship. So much for the series’s traditionally dim view of human nature and recurring theme of the inevitability of conflict. What’s more, in spite of its theoretically broad scope (including a criminally under-explored time travel plot with a bad future) and numerous call-backs to older games Awakening does surprisingly little for developing the series’s most frequently-visited setting. I think it was in large part how generic this game has always felt to me even before release that I never got very hyped for it and as a consequence was never very disappointed by it. It’s just….there, with its nostalgia and its chronic “no homo” and its host of hilariously broken mechanics. I wonder if we’d have ended up viewing Awakening more favorably if it really had been the last game? Eh, probably not.

The “needs a remake or needs a better remake” Tier - FE5, FE6, FE3/12, FE1/11

I don’t have a specific order for these, except that FE1/11 is almost certainly the bottom since 5 and 6 have remake potential and, lack of localization aside, New Mystery was a better remake than Shadow Dragon.

I still haven’t fully played Thracia 776, but I’ve watched and read through Let’s Plays and have read more than enough analysis and meta on the game to where I can definitively say that I wouldn’t enjoy playing it too much and don’t feel all that emotionally connected to the story except insofar as it relates to the overall Jugdral saga. The concept of a standard FE plot that ends with the playable cast losing is an intriguing one, though they really could have done better than the weird non-ending that is this game’s final boss. I’m also not as invested in Leif the fallen aristocrat as I usually am those types of characters, possibly because it’s a foregone conclusion that he eventually gets his kingship anyway. I would like a remake, hopefully one that smooths over some of the original’s mechanical roughness and also makes a bunch of characters gay because the material’s certainly there in places, but I also admit that I’d rather have a remake of Genealogy first. Or, for that matter….

Binding Blade doesn’t have the potential for an amazing story-driven remake that Thracia does; after all, it’s basically a soft reboot of FE1 with an equally bland lord saved by his Super Smash Bros. fanbase and possibly his weirdly large harem. That said, there’s a fair amount of character potential and worldbuilding opportunities what with the series’s first true support system and the content of its unorthodox prequel. Even by itself I feel like BB does more to sell Elibe as its own distinctive world than any of Marth’s games ever did for Archanea, and that’s even with the reality that like the Archanea games this playable cast is inflated with some really forgettable characters (that seem to have followed a semi-rigid numerical quota by class in this instance. It’s weird.). This game never really stuck in my mind as a good playable experience either, not helped by the fact that it feels simple and antiquated compared not only to the GBA games that followed it but to the Jugdral games that preceded it. Good on them for throwing out some of Thracia’s more unwieldy mechanics, but did they have to throw out skills, hybrid classes, and varied chapter objectives too? The space limitations of the GBA couldn’t have been that severe.

While I’ve been spending much of this post ragging on Archanea, I will say that (New) Mystery of the Emblem has some interesting character beats, like the resolution of the Camus/Nyna/Hardin tragedy, Rickard and the situationally bisexual(?) Julian, and some of the antics of Marth’s retainers. I did like bits of the remake’s new assassin plot even if most of it is cribbed from the Black Fang; Eremiya’s no Sonia, but Clarisse and Katarina have their moments. Also, Kris isn’t that offensive to me since I was never all that engaged in Marth’s inconsistent personality and from what I’ve seen his/her supports don’t all devolve into a dating sim. New Mystery has a broader array of characters than either the original or the previous remake, without requiring the player to kill off characters just to get some of the new ones. That said, the reclassing in the DS games is still broken and allows the player to strip even more character out of their personality-deprived units. I’m getting to the point where I’m having trouble separating the two actually, so I’ll just go ahead and remark that I think everyone can agree that Shadow Dragon is the worst of the three remakes so far, with no supports, the aforementioned killing of units, a prologue that adds to the story but only exists on Normal mode and also requires you to kill someone off (seriously, what is it with this game? Is it commentary on the necessary sacrifices of war that they tried forcing on the player for one game until they realized it was a terrible idea?), the needless removal of features from earlier games like rescuing even as others like weapon ranks and forging were left in, that first clumsy iteration of reclassing, and little to nothing that I can see as elevating the story above the standard fantasy adventure fare of Dark Dragon and the Sword of Light that might have been good in 1990 but didn’t look so hot in 2008. Archanea just feels so lifeless overall compared to every other setting in the franchise, to the point where I don’t even feel that guilty about putting the first game in the series way down at the bottom when over in the Zelda ranking I raised the NES games above ones I found more fun to play solely because of their historical significance. Isn’t FE1 arguably the first tactical RPG? I feel like I should appreciate it more, but I just can’t. *shrugs*

[pinksnowboots]

Sour Grapes, Chapter 3/?

Fandom: Fire Emblem Path of Radiance/Radiant Dawn

Pairings: Shinon/Gatrie

Summary: Shinon runs away from all his problems, but, as problems tend to do, they all come back to find him.

This one is very Shinon-centric, so if you were hoping for more Gatrie...I apologize, BUT this is getting me one step closer to the end, which I promise has plenty of Gatrie!

(Also I meant to post this in time for @telliusweek2017, but as usual, I’m a little late. Whoops.)

Also read on AO3

Shinon wakes up the next morning, hair tangled, breath stale, and head pounding.

And more importantly, he wakes up in an alleyway, alone.

It’s been a long time since he’s been able to consistently drink enough to forget what happens while he’s drunk, so the previous night bursts behind his eyes in full technicolor.

“Shit.” Shinon curses as he flings an arm over his eyes, trying to pretend for just five more minutes that things are ok.

He only makes it two minutes before getting restless, so he mentally squares his shoulder and pushes himself up.

“Well, this has got to be a new record for rock bottom.” He mumbles to himself, as he sets off, with no idea where he’s going. 

Looking for work as a pair of guildless mercenaries is hard enough, but it’s nothing compared to looking for work as a single guildless mercenary who just happens to have no money, no possessions, and a terrible tendency to alienate the people around him.

Still, after dragging himself from tavern to tavern and loitering in the hopes of getting a lead on a job, he finally finds someone who needs hands quickly, and doesn’t look twice at the fact that Shinon is a mess. The pay is terrible, and the bow they give him is worthless compared to what he’s used to, but it gives him something to do.

It turns out that he’s basically getting paid to get involved in a turf war between two groups of small-time bandits. It’s exactly the kind of job he would have passed over when traveling with Gatrie, because it’s messy and dangerous and not all that moral, but one of Shinon’s strengths and weaknesses is his lax moral standards. Morals don’t pay for a room and a pint of ale, but roughing it with bandits pays for at least a bed, and they give him disgusting home-brewed mead for free after it becomes clear that he’s the most talented of the bunch.

They run the other group of bandits off fairly quickly, but the fact that Shinon is a tier above the rest of the bandits ensures that he gets another job. And another, and another, and eventually he’s able to jump from bandits to slightly more professional mercenary groups. Their morals are just as loose as bandits, but they dress better and their booze is much more palatable.

The jobs start getting better paid too, and Shinon is able to buy a bow that’s at least slightly better. More importantly, he’s able to buy strong enough alcohol to distract him from his occasional pangs of loneliness, to banish his visions: of Gatrie, mostly, but also of Greil, of Rhys and Titania, even of little Rolf.

But those visions are useless, and he chases them away with alcohol while also chasing away anyone who might have thought to befriend him.

Eventually his jobs shift from acting as extra manpower for bandit turf wars to things that seem a little bigger, more well-funded, and more politically motivated. Shinon’s policy is that as long as he’s getting paid, he doesn’t ask questions, but he can’t help but wonder idly what exactly is happening to Tellius.

The strangest is when he gets hired by a crew that is half Daein soldiers and half Ravens. It’s something that he would have never guessed he’d see, Daein and Kilvas working together, especially since the average citizen of Daein tended to hate laguz as much as Shinon did, or more.

Still, who he was working with and why fell under the “Don’t ask questions as long as you get paid” category, even if it involved laguz. At the very least they were birds, and Shinon felt a little bit of comfort knowing that if it came down to him against the ravens, the odds were in his favor as long as he could get the first shot off.

Or at least that’s what he thought before seeing them in action. Sure, if he got the first shot off, he could take most of them down, but if they got to him first, he was toast. In a one-on-one battle, the odds would be about even, depending on who was faster. Unfortunately, of all the laguz, the birds were some of the fastest.

If Gatrie were still here, there’d be no question of who would win.

The thought pops uninvited into his head, and he tries to shoo it away with a twinge of annoyance. It was frustrating enough already that he missed the big oaf, and he didn’t need to be reminded that from a purely strategic standpoint, it was better to have Gatrie around than not.

Luckily, the battle started, and as soon as the first enemy moved into range, Shinon shifted into the altered headspace that he only found during a battle, with all other irrelevant thoughts-of laguz, of feelings, of Gatie-drifting easily away.

Was it ironic to feel most at peace in the middle of war? Probably, but that was just another irrelevant thought that didn’t last long, quickly subsumed by the rhythmic sequence of aim, pull, fire, reload, aim...

Right in the midst of reloading his bow, Shinon’s focus became momentarily and violently shaken when he saw a familiar looking figure coming into view, a little behind the stumbling soldier who he had just clipped with his arrow.

Just like Ike, charging into battle first, with no thought of how fucked his little band would be if he was cut down.

The thought, and the accompanying spike of disdain were so automatic that it took Shinon’s mind a second to pause and catch on.

Wait, Ike?

Goddess damnit.

It made sense, in a karmic way. He’d abandoned Ike’s mercenaries, and run away from Gatrie, and now at least one of the people he’d left was coming back to get him.

It made sense logically too. If the continent was really getting embroiled in a proper war, Ike was just stupid and noble enough to get himself at the center of it.

Practically speaking, nothing changed. Ike was there, but he was on the other side, and well, this is what he’d always idly imagined would happen anyway, wasn’t it? One of them would end up dying, maybe by the other’s hand.

As satisfying as it would be to be the one to put an arrow in the kid, Shinon valued self-preservation over self-satisfaction, and fighting Ike would probably be more skewed in Ike’s favor than Shinon would like to deal with, especially with his concentration already shot to hell.

So when Ike headed away from him, still oblivious to Shinon’s presence on the battlefield, Shinon breathed a sigh of relief

It didn’t last long though, because behind Ike came the rest of the motley crew; almost everyone he recognized, and some people he didn’t. It figured that Ike would keep picking up strays along the way.

But among the unfamiliar faces, Shinon picked out a flash of familiar armor.

Gatrie.

Gatrie wasn’t supposed to be with them. He’d left the group when Shinon had, following him without question, but now here he was, and the sight struck Shinon dumb, unable to move.

Shinon had known what being a mercenary was about, and had embraced it. With the exception of a few of the younger members, he had considered the possibility that he would have to fight against every one of his comrades, and had found that if it came down to it, he would have very little trouble choosing his life over any of theirs.

Except Gatrie. No matter how hard he had though, he had never truly considered that he and Gatrie might someday be on opposite sides. It was simply inconceivable, as much of a violation of the way the world worked as a river flowing upstream.

Luckily, Gatrie didn’t appear to see Shinon, and for the first time, Shinon thanked the goddess for the fact that Gatrie’s armor severely limited his peripheral vision.

Unluckily, as he was standing there gaping, the little cluster of healers and archers at the back seem to have noticed him, and before he knew it two broke away from the group and made a beeline straight for him. A redhaired man in priest’s robes-Rhys, Shinon deduced-tried to call them back. The girl, who was almost certainly Mist, hesitated for a moment before eventually returning when Shinon raised his bow in her direction, but the boy ignored his calls and continued heading towards Shinon.

Shinon didn’t need to wait until he came closer to know that it had to be Rolf.

“Shinon?” The boy called out in disbelief, completely oblivious to the fact that yelling on a battlefield when you’ve just broken away from the main body of your allies is an incredibly stupid thing to do.

“Rolf...” Shinon began, a lecture automatically forming in his head.

“Shinon!” Rolf yelled, cutting him off as he reached Shinon. “It really is you!”

The lecture died behind Shinon’s lips at the genuine happiness in Rolf’s voice.

“Look at you. You’ve grown so much.” Shinon found himself saying, noting that Rolf had grown a few inches in the months that he’d left. “You actually look like an archer.”

“Really?” Rolf says, as bashful and delighted as he always was at receiving a compliment from Shinon.

“ You always did have what it takes.” Shinon tells him. “It's just like I told you--you train the right way, and you'll surpass both your brothers.”

Not that your brothers set a particularly high bar. He add silently.

“I had a good teacher.” Rolf says, still beaming.

“Yeah, you did.” Shinon says, unable to suppress a little smile. He never planned on teaching anyone, but Rolf had a raw talent that deserved to be nurtured, and more importantly, an enthusiasm that wore even Shinon down eventually.

“You haven’t told anyone else about that, have you?” Shinon adds. Just because Rolf’s childish joy turned him into a little bit of a sap didn’t mean he was ok with anyone else knowing about it.

“Nope. Never said a word.” Rolf shakes his head, earnestly. “I keep my promises.”

“Good man.”

Rolf laughs, caught off-guard at being addressed as a man, before his delight changes to worry. “Um...Shinon?”

“What?”

“Are you...” Rolf hesitates. “With the enemy?”

Shinon answers quickly, because it’s the only way he can get it out without revealing any of the pesky emotions he feels poking at him. “Yep.”

Rolf’s face falls, a complete contrast to his delight at first seeing Shinon, and Shinon sees his lip start to tremble.

“Stop that.” Shinon tells him. “I told you that things like this happen.” Did you forget?”

“But...it’s not...” Rolf is full-on blubbering on the battlefield now, and Shinon is torn between annoyance and discomfort. “It’s...not...fair...”

If he keeps carrying on like this, the kid’s going to get both of them killed, so Shinon hardens his voice to the one that makes the nice girls that Gatrie likes glare at him.

“Ready your bow. It's time for the pupil to face his master.”

Rolf looks at him, uncomprehending.

“I mean it kid.” Shinon raises his bow for emphasis, but doesn’t truly draw it yet. “You better fight me or get out of here, and you have about ten seconds to choose.”

Rolf looks at Shinon, then looks at his own bow, and finally heads back towards the army. He glances back at Shinon every few seconds as if expecting to be shot in the back, but he doesn’t need to worry. Rolf may very well die today, but Shinon would rather not be the one to deal the blow.

The battle is a hard one for both sides, and although most of Ike’s company must know that he’s here by now, for the most part he’s shooting at people he doesn’t know.

But then eventually, Ike comes into view.

Shinon gets off two arrows before Ike gets close enough to counterattack, but he’s been off the whole battle, and neither of them are lethal blows. Although, Shinon notes with vindictive pleasure, they force Ike to start favoring his left leg.

Shinon’s played this battle out in his head dozens of times, and he knows that in close quarters Ike always wins. Ike’s probably going to win this time, if it’s a fair fight.

“Look, it’s little Ike!” Shinon calls, taunting. The only way he’s going to win is by throwing Ike off his game, and the two arrows helped, but it can’t hurt to try to shake him mentally too.

The best method would be to put an arrow or two in Soren, but unfortunately, for once Soren is not trailing behind Ike like a shadow.

“I always knew it would come to this, Ike.” Shinon says as Ike comes into range, drawing another arrow as he speaks.

“Shinon...” Ike says, and Shinon sees that despite everything, Ike would like to forgive him, and the fact fills him with anger.

“Watch yourself!” He snaps, and fires, this time hitting Ike in the arm.

The pain snaps Ike out of whatever sappy fantasy he had of convincing Shinon to join Ike’s little fanclub mercenary band, and he charges.

Shinon does his best, but he’s not good in close quarters, and it’s over embarrassingly quickly as Ike, who at the very least is bleeding from several arrow wounds, lands a solid blow on Shinon’s left side that brings him to the ground.

“Curses...” Shinon grits out, instinctively clutching at the wound.

“Don’t move.” Ike is standing over him, but he doesn’t deliver the final blow. “You’ll tear the wound wide open.”

“What...” Shinon grunts. “Are you planning? Do it now. Finish me.”

Ike says nothing, just looks at him in...contemplation? Pity? Disgust?

“Ha,” Shinon barks out a laugh, which sends a wave of pain through his side. “Idiot...”

Shinon isn’t sure what happens after that, because he starts to drift in and out of consciousness, and in his half-conscious state, he registers that Ike is no longer there.

His thoughts are drifting in and out of coherence as well, half-formed thoughts meshing with wordless pain and slivers of emotions he couldn’t identify if he tried.

...stupid...stupid way to live...stupider way to die...

...fuckup. just like...

...hope Rolf...didn’t...

...at least...wasn’t...Gatrie...

Shinon comes completely back to consciousness some time later, surprised to see Rhys and Ike standing over him rather than...whatever might happen to good-for-nothing snipers who get themselves killed in battle.

“Shinon.” Ike starts.

“Ha!” Shinon cuts him off, still half-delirious. “I can't believe that the one who defeats me is little lord Ikie. Looks like I've lost my edge. I'm ready, boy. Go on. Finish what you started.”

Rhys looks at Ike, who nods, signalling that Rhys can leave, taking what looks like a mend staff and an empty vulnerary with him.

Ike turns back to Shinon. “Come back to the company.”

“I don’t think so.”

“You've never liked me. As far back as I can remember, you have never liked me.” Ike says, and it’s not a question, just a fact.

"That’s right.” Shinon confirms, because he’s already almost dead, so there’s no harm in digging his own grave when he’s already lying in it. “Still don’t.”

“You called me a weakling.” Ike continues. “Said I was nothing without the help of my father. That's what you said, right? That's why you hated me.”

Honestly, at this point Shinon doesn’t even remember why he started to hate Ike, but the fact that Ike seems to want his approval even now isn’t helping his case. Gatrie and Rolf aside, Shinon finds earnest people distasteful.

“Sounds like me.” Shinon hedges, because it’s a lot easier to say than I was half-way in love with your father and I resented you for having his love and living when he died and not being the failure that I wanted you to be. “Don't you get it?” Ike says, looking at Shinon like he’s stupid. “I just beat you. So your reasons don't hold water anymore, do they?”

Shinon’s reasons never really held water, but Ike doesn’t need to know that.

“Pah! It's enough you beat me, now you gotta talk me to death?”

Ike sighs. “I'll say it once more. Come back to the company. I acknowledge your abilities. As commander, I want you with us.”

Honestly, it’s starting to look like a tempting prospect, especially considering the other choice is bleeding to death on the battlefield.

Well, maybe not quite bleeding to death, because it seems like Rhys might have healed the worst of his wounds. But still, it would involve laying around with corpses and then starting again from scratch as a lone mercenary, and the Greil Mercenaries (or had they officially become the Ike Mercenaries by this point?) had tents and food and probably booze, and even though most of them surely hated his guts, at least Gatrie and Rolf would probably forgive him. Eventually.

“Let's have another go around.” Shinon says, wincing as he pushes himself to his feet. “I win, and I'm commander. Agreed?”

Ike looks at him, incredulous.

“Agreed?” Shinon repeats. Of course he’s going to lose, and he wouldn’t even want to be commander if there were a chance of it. But he’ll be damned if he admits that he’s crawling back to the Ike Fan Club Mercenaries with his tail between his legs, so he’s got to put up at least a token fight.

Finally Ike gets with the program, nodding. “I win, and you fall in line. Agreed?”

Shinon nods. He has no intention of docilely ‘falling in line,’ but at the very least he won’t storm off or try to kill Ike again, and that’s pretty much what Ike wants anyway.

“Don’t worry.” Shinon says, cocky to the last. “I’ll make it quick.”

Shinon does make it quick, landing few token arrows on Ike’s armor and then going down immediately as soon as Ike’s sword makes contact with his armor. Sure, Shinon hates losing, but he hates flesh wounds even more.

“I yield.” Shinon holds his hands up, and Ike takes one of them, pulling him to his feet.

“Welcome back.” Ike says, and he seems to mean it.

“Yeah yeah.” Shinon says. “Now, where can I find the booze?”

Coming back to the Greil Mercenaries (turns out they hadn’t changed the name to Ike’s Massive Fucking Fanclub. Yet.) was not the most pleasant experience Shinon had ever had. But that was to be expected, especially considering he’d basically stormed out in a hissy fit and taken their best knight with him.

Actually, it was refreshing how little had changed. He still didn’t like most of the people there, and they still didn’t like him. Just like it was supposed to be.

Some people expressed happiness at his return, and some of them, like Titania and Rhys, actually meant it. Rolf started crying again and despite his best efforts, Shinon couldn’t help but feel a little bit guilty. Being a dick to adults was one thing, but the kid was another.

“Hey,” Shinon told him, patting him awkwardly on the shoulder. “I’m back now kid, quit crying.”

Rolf just sniffled harder and, to Shinon’s surprise, hugged him.

“Hey now, Rolf.” Shinon said, unsure what exactly was happening but uncomfortable with it nonetheless. “Hey, it’s ok.”

When nothing appeared to be working, Shinon leaned down and hissed in Rolf’s ear. “Quite crying and let go of me and I’ll make you a new bow.”

Immediately, Rolf jumped off of him and smiled. “Thank you Uncle Shinon!”

“Yeah yeah, now scram. You don’t want to be hanging around bad influences like me.”

Rolf headed back towards his brothers’ tent, still smiling.

“And don’t call me Uncle!” Shinon called after him.

Some people were not quite as happy to see him again, like Boyd, who pulled a face as soon as he saw Shinon walk into camp. Or Soren, who seemed personally offended that Ike had let Shinon back into the fold.

“Thought you got rid of me, did you?” Shinon taunted after being glared at by Soren. Soren glaring was not a rare occurrence, but neither was Shinon being needlessly rude, and picking at Soren was a habit that had been suppressed for far too long.

"I had hoped so.” Soren responded, icily. “But I suppose Ike knows best.”

“Ike knows best.” Shinon mimicked, voice dripping with sarcasm.

Shinon had expected the reunion with Gatrie but be the hardest given the circumstances of their parting. He had even steeled himself to try to attempt an apology, although he probably wouldn’t be able to actually explain what exactly he was apologizing for.

As it turned out, he hadn’t needed to worry, because as soon as he sees Shinon, Gatrie pulls him into a tight hug.

“You’re back.” Gatrie says, sounding like he still can’t dare to believe it. “Thank the goddess.”

“You’re not mad?” Shinon asks, confused.

“I was mad.” Gatrie says. “I was furious, and sad, and then mad again. But I got over that while you were gone. Now I’m just glad that you’re back.”

Gatrie held Shinon at arms length, looking him up and down as if to make sure that he was all in one piece, eyes catching on the bandages covering the wounds Ike had inflicted on him during the last battle. Shinon, suddenly uncomfortable under the scrutiny, batted Gatrie’s hands away.

Gatrie, seemingly unflappable as always, just laughed giddily and pulled him into another embrace.

“Just...don’t do it again.” Gatrie says quietly, the vibrations of his voice seeming to echo in Shinon’s chest. “If you disappear again, I will be mad. And I won’t get over it.”

“I won’t.” Shinon accidentally promises, overwhelmed by the fact that he’s suddenly surrounded by Gatrie’s scent, and by the realization that the smell he always associated with the Greil Mercenaries, with the closest thing to family and home he’s ever had, was actually the smell of Gatrie.

Well, when he was with the Greil Mercenaries, Gatrie was almost always by his side, so it was reasonable that he would get the smell of home and the smell of Gatrie a little mixed up sometimes.

Or perhaps they weren’t two different things at all. But that was a thought Shinon was definitely not ready to examine yet.

Just like that, things returned to normal, or as normal as things could be with the fact that they had in fact kissed hanging in the air between them, conspicuously ignored by both parties involved.

But it was fine, really. Sure, there was a war going, and Shinon was on, if not the right side, at least on the side that was comfortable and familiar, with Gatrie beside him again. For now, it was enough.

It was enough, because it had to be. Shinon did not deserve even this much, and he did not dare ask for more, even in the privacy of his own head, because people like Shinon rarely get what they deserve, and even more rarely get what they want. So it was enough.

[mycatisstillloafingonme]

So, a possible wave 2 of DLC for Fire Emblem Warriors. Also some ranting.

I’m not saying there is going to be a wave 2 of dlc but since a lot of people seem to think there will the chances are pretty good. If there isn’t, KT is going to be dealing with a fuckton of pissed off fans. Also, there is some things I need to get off my chest so I put it under the cut with my speculations. You’ll know when I start ranting when you see it, hahaha.

I believe in a potential wave 2 the devs will do Awakening, Shadow Dragon, and  Echoes. The only things I see them doing for Fates are costumes and maps (if that) because Fates has too many characters. With that in mind, here is who I would like to see in the hypothetical Awakening pack (I haven’t played either SD or SOV and probs never will, unfortunately):

Inigo and Severa-their moms are or will be in the game. I don’t think IS would let KT get away with not adding them-especially Inigo, because he’s more popular than his mom much like Owain. Any concerns the devs might have about putting these two in can easily be addressed:

Too many swords? Use alternate weapons. Give one of them an axe and let them go to town with it. They did it with Lissa, Frederick, and the little Fates sisters so I don’t think the dev would shy away from doing it again.

KT didn’t want to add second gen units? Too fucking bad: Lucina and Owain are there as well as Cordelia and Olivia, so they’ve got nothing to lose by adding these two.

“Oh, the devs aren’t gonna add these two because they’re saving the mercenary moveset for Ike in the sequel”: What. The. Fuck. Believe it or not, I’ve seen posts on forums that say something similar to this (not many, thankfully; usually at least one person disagrees with them). I don’t know what logic this follows, but it is completely absurd to me. Why, in the ever loving FUCK, would they do that?! And “they’ve done it before” isn’t a valid argument. In fact, that same statement was used to argue that the NPC squad would be free DLC but look at what happened. I doubt the devs would even CONSIDER that as a reason for not adding a mercenary like Inigo and Severa. While there is a possibility that they are saving the mercenary moveset for a sequel, I doubt they would save it for one fucking character, no matter how popular he is. The only class I do see being saved for a sequel would be the beast units because the laguz did have a big part in the Tellius games from what I’ve heard. And when the wave 1 Awakening pack releases (and the leak is to be believed) I have a feeling that a lot of Awakening/Fates fans will be requesting Inigo and Severa to be playable. In fact, there has been a fair amount of people doing just that already. Please note I mean no disrespect to the poster. I just honestly don’t understand their logic.

moving on...

I don’t know who would be in the third slot. Maybe Gaius because the other Summer Scramble Squad members (Chrom, Cordelia, Tharja) are there. I don’t give two shits about him though; I’d rather see Henry.

[gribarrinseteyrdum]

Hi! I saw your post about Camus characters, and I was wondering why you consider Micaiah as one, since I think that's an interesting point of view. Thanks!

Thanks for asking! I know that to have a main character considered as a Camus is really weird, especially cause a lot of people don't consider Micaiah as a Camus.So in Fire Emblem Radiant Dawn, Micaiah has 2 character 'phases' I guess you can call it? In Part 1, Micaiah has the basic goody two shoes lord archetype where she'll do anything. (Granted it's out of a sense of giving back +altruism not just altruism- a twisted sense considering Daein was the first place she felt loved and cared for but that's another story) and Micaiah is like that for the entirety of part 1 where she faces very few opposition to her ideals. In Part 3 is where Micaiah is like a Camus. So a Camus archetype is essentially a noble person who is forced to commit awful things and or support the enemy/wrong side. Most Camus' achieve this by the game telling us that they're nice people. For Micaiah, consider Part 1 for this. The game didn't simply tell us, it showed us 11 chapters of Micaiah's great deeds. Plus, Micaiah is forced to fight against Ike's army because of the Blood Pact (which forces King Pelleas of Daein and by extension Supreme Commander of the Daein army Micaiah to do whatever Begnion wants). It's during Part 3 where Micaiah literally, ambushes a RETREATING army (at night too!), willingly uses a diversion of people who are going to be killed by Ike to buy her some more time, is going to BURN ALIVE a whole unit of people including a small section of Crimeas's Royal Guards, the Apostle's Holy Guard and the Apostle herself, and was also going to let Sothe ( y'know Sothe, the first person she ever connected to, and the person who she actually raised. Y'KNOW thinking about it; I would've loved Micaiah and Sothe's dynamic if it were more​ like a mother and son) be killed by being dropped from a cliff because she wouldn't abandon Daein. And then Part 4 doesn't matter cause it ignores everything she did. Which she did cause she loves Daein! Just like how every other Camus is attached to their country.So imo, Micaiah is a camus cause in Part 3, she commits horrendous acts all for the sake of her country (just like every Camus) and in part 1 she's shown that she's not evil, she's a nice person. (Just like every camus except in Micaiah's case it's shown, not told) plus the game never tries to forgive what she did (although it did drop it) which is why Xander I can't tolerate for the Camus archetype. (I still like him but he was badly done)Also, a one good thing about fe13 (besides reviving fire emblem and some good characters) is Micaiah's​ recruitment for dlc. It's a nice little nod to show that Micaiah is really regretful for what she did. (And also that she's a bit of a bully/hypocrite which while get pushed aside later on in Fe10, I loved about her cause it makes Micaiah stand out from lords) so I'll leave you with that recruitment.MicaiahWhat is this place? Has the fighting ended? Then...that means we've lost... I am yours to command. My name is Micaiah. Do you know who I am?>Question: Have you heard of Micaiah?>YesMicaiahYou have? Then why don't you tell me about yourself instead?>NoMicaiahI hail from Daein, on the continent of Tellius—a world far from here. Some call me the Priestess of Dawn. I am gifted with occasional farsight... But in truth, I had no idea I would meet you and your army here. Just who are you, anyway?>After AnswerMicaiahWhat is your name? Robin, is it? And you are this army's tactician? Tell me, Robin, what sort of tactician are you? What plans have you weaved to secure your victories? If you had to resort to something underhanded and dirty, would you? What if failing to do so would get your comrades killed?>Question: Would you resort to evil to save a friend?>YesMicaiahYou are strong to be able to make such a choice... I wanted to be strong, too, so I made the same decision. I have been abused and cursed with a hundred insults for some of my actions. I wanted victory for my homeland...and denied myself greatness as a result... Forgive me... Surely you don't want to be burdened by the mewlings of a stranger. But could we keep talking? Tell me more about yourself...Thank you, Robin. You've taken a load off my heart. If I'd had a friend like you by my side, I might have made a better life. When the fighting is done, why don't you visit my homeland? It's not the loveliest place, but a person like you would make it more bearable. Think it over?>NoMicaiahThen you are just. But justice can cost you victory, and defeat can cost you the lives of friends. Are you able to live with that? ...I'm sorry. I'm being a bully. But I could never fully choose, and I made many mistakes as a result. Listen to me. I talk to you as if I've known you for years! We should remedy that. Tell me more about yourself, Robin...Recruit Micaiah > YesMicaiahAll right. Let's go.

[radiantxhero-moved-blog]

It had been a rough couple of days for both of them. Between being sent to both their homes in succession and celebrating at the mansion, it was not only three extended, intense parties they had had to attend, but also constant socialization and practically no time to themselves.

At least that was the part that had been harder for Marth - having to sneak subtle kisses and deliver impersonal wishes because there was always a pair of eyes or ears bound to witness their interactions. He wouldn’t have been surprised, however, if the omnipresence of liquors and games and food were what got the best of Ike in the end.

But here they were, finally crashing back in the room Marth mistakenly tended to consider home nowadays. Though he felt deeply deprived of affection and had spent the last days longing for the moment he could whisper true, heartfelt promises to his fiance, his energy levels dictated that a good night of sleep should be his only goal for now.

And it seemed Ike might agree; while Marth weakly dragged himself onto the mattress after changing into looser clothes, the mercenary was sitting on the opposite side, slouched in such a way that from Marth’s viewpoint he seemed to be downright sleeping in that position. 

There was more than exhaustion at work here - it only took him a few more seconds to realize. Some sort of sadness - not disappointment, or even nostalgia… maybe insecurity ?

It rendered Marth perplexed for barely a minute, and then his memory worked on fishing out some of the things he’d heard over the past days: comments, remarks, all seemingly more harmless than the last to someone who doesn’t pay attention - to someone who isn’t the one receiving them. But in times where everyone is wishing everyone the best and sharing how they plan to improve over the year to come, a few ‘harmless’ comments pointing out one’s flaws could be all it took to sap the spirit.

“Interesting, those New Year’s resolutions, don’t you think ?” Marth began, closing the distance between them. He knelt behind Ike, just so he could wrap his arms around his waist and rest his chin on his shoulder.

“I used to think a man should not wait for a whole year’s passing before trying to better himself,” the prince stated, punctuating his sentence with a humorless scoff. He briefly nuzzled the broad shoulder, and left it with a quick kiss to continue, “It sounded so vain, even as it remained only among my thoughts. Everyone seemed so happy and proud to be challenging themselves to improve in some way…”

He tightened his hold on Ike for a short moment, and then let go altogether, freeing his hands so he could place them against the other’s back and gently press his thumbs over the shoulder blades in a circular movement. “It makes you think, hm ? What goal would you set for yourself, if you had one thing to work on throughout an entire year…”

He pushed his hands higher, now massaging just below Ike’s neck. “I would bet a good fortune that you’ve given it some thoughts,” he affirmed with confidence, crooked smile taking over for a few breaths. He lifted his head off of Ike’s shoulder to kiss the back of his neck while his hands trailed down to ease tension out of the lower half of his back. 

“Spend more time with your sister. Train some more and make everyone proud. Maybe learn to read and even study to better help with the paperwork management of your company,” Marth guessed distractedly, more determined to get Ike to give in and relax under his ministrations than to have him admit what his potential resolution could be. “I dare even be so bold as to theorize some might have involved me, yes ?” he asked rhetorically, leaving no time for Ike to answer; “Get me to eat more, work less, something along the lines ?”

He let out a soft, quiet laugh - one so full of warmth and fondness, like he fell in love with Ike again just trying to guess his resolutions. “All very selfless intentions,” he commented lightly, smile audible in his voice. He wanted to see the other’s face, but his eyes were busy taking note of which spots made him go the limpest through his careful rubdown. “Since even in this situation, you won’t do anything for yourself, could you please do me a favor ?”

His nose partially disappeared into dark blue hair, as Marth pleaded by his ear, “This year, work on giving yourself more credit. Work on accepting that you fixed your world. Work on admitting that your deeds were astounding and unprecedented. Work on looking how far you’ve come. Work on remembering that it is your courage, your spirit, your values that got you through your challenges - not statesmanship or education. And if you truly refuse to look upon the heroic chapters of your story, the great tales of a young commander and fighter for justice - then at least accept the simple things you have achieved as a person. Everything that I am, or rather everything that I now allow myself to be- I owe it to you. You are entitled to my gratitude for making me as happy as I am. You have flaws, but you achieve perfection within their limits. That is more virtue than I have ever been blessed to witness. This year, please work on letting me show you how perfectly imperfect you are.”

It was the start of the new year, and as per the norm, the new year was ushered in by all manner of merriment. The competitors were allowed to go back to their respective worlds to celebrate – or not – in their own ways, with their own family and friends. They were then brought back to the Mansion, where another, last hurrah of a party was thrown. It was three different events for both Ike and Marth; they went to Archanea, to Tellius, and then back to the Mansion to celebrate. Three large, admittedly sometimes a little too wild parties crammed into a few days; the socializing and games, drinking and eating, and everything in between that happened was incredible, but nonetheless exhausting.

Especially considering that, with all the other people around, they never really got to have any time together. 

Finally back in their room, content to relax their social guards and just be together – as tired as they were – Ike had doggedly stripped down to just his underclothes, and then promptly slumped himself up against the headboard of the bed. He wanted nothing more than to just curl up around his person and fall asleep to some soft, dozy affections, but a few things kept bumping around in his head, making him restless despite how exhausted he was.

It was funny how people always had something to say, even about others’ potential thoughts for how to improve themselves in the future.

Ike didn’t mind telling his goals for the next year to others when asked, and he didn’t usually care if those people had an opinion on it. But, going through three separate events where these resolutions were the topic of the night – for those sober enough to discuss them seriously, that is – it got just a tad bit demoralizing hearing certain thoughts repeated in different ways by different people.

He just didn’t think so many people would have something to say about his life and where it might possibly go…

The mercenary was pulled from his thoughts when he felt the mattress shift behind him from Marth’s light weight, lithe arms coming to rest about his waist and a chin pressing comfortably against his shoulder.

A soft, “Mmn,” was all the sound that Ike made to Marth’s statement, taking a deep but slow breath when the Altean nuzzled his shoulder.

Leave it to Marth to be able to read him so easily.

“I...yeah, I’ve thought about it some,” Ike replied in a muted voice, almost catching Marth’s arms before he could pull away, relaxing a bit more when he felt fingers rubbing into the sore muscles in his shoulders. “Hard not to after a few dozen people ask...” 

Not that he hadn’t been thinking about what he wanted to do with his life now -- now that he had so much to look forward to, now that he knew what direction he was supposed to go.

He sighed contently at the kiss to his neck, arching his back tiredly when Marth’s hands moved their blessed attentions to his lower back. Even with the time off, not training or fighting, Ike still managed to knot up muscles in his back pretty darn well. Marth was quite adept at getting them to relax once more.

Ike lapsed into silence as Marth guessed what his resolutions could be -- a small smile edging onto his face when each one was practically guessed to perfection. Either he really was plain old easy to read, or Marth truly did know him well. “Of course there are quite a few that involve you...I want to be my best for you, and I want to look after you and support you as you deserve, Marth...You, uh, pretty much got ‘em all right there, you know. You’re too smart sometimes, but all it does is amaze me further,” he added, once he got a chance to put something in edgewise.

Head lolling, a slight moan of contentment building up in his throat at the massage he was being treated to, Ike hummed, “...You know I could...never say no to doing something for you to the best of my ability...”

He straightened up just a smidge when Marth spoke into his ear, face heating up as he fought to keep his emotions in check as his person voiced his favor. “I -- Hn, Marth...Barely even into the new year, and you’re already gettin’ me soft. I...It’s not going to be easy, I’m gonna need your help, but...I’ll do my best. This’ll be one of my...priority goals, I promise. Just...be patient with me sometimes; not always easy to see the things that you see in me, love.”

[enbyleighlines]

Leigh plays Tellius prt 15

It's the final chapter! I had Ike give his speech, because I love it, even if he's clearly uncomfortable giving it. I literally muttered, "you're doing great, sweetie" at this moment.

What a wild time for Ashnard to confess this. I'm surprised Bryce wasn't more upset by this, honestly, considering he was a loyal retainer to the last king for fifteen years. But I suppose it's possible that his loyalty was more for the post, rather than the man himself.

We never do learn much about the previous King of Daein. This amazing post theorizes that Ashnard was perhaps an illegitimate son of the king, which is why he was never mentioned in any talk of succession prior to the "plague" that killed off the rest of the royal family. I really like this theory, because it explains why Ashnard was so obsessed with strength over bloodlines.

I put Soren up against a dragon laguz, and he completely decimated it through a combination of crits and adepts. Then I felt really terrible afterwards, considering that Soren might have indirectly been the cause of him becoming feral, since it's possible that this was one of the dragon laguz that traveled with Rajaion to rescue Almedha and infant Soren.

As expected, Soren capped his magic before even reaching level 20, so I didn't have to use a spirit dust on him. Fantastic job, Soren!

Ilyana reached level 20 not too long afterwards. However, she was unable to cap magic and speed on her own, so I used both a spirit dust and a speedwing for her. Hopefully this makes part 1 of Radiant Dawn just a teensy tiny bit easier.

Unfortunately, Soren and Ilyana were the only two units I was able to get to level 20. I severely overestimated how much exp was available on this map. Even more frustrating, I got Jill all the way to level 19, but then I ran out of enemies to pit her against.

I very nearly got Mist to level 20, too, through using a physics staff to heal Ike. Unfortunately, I forgot to unequip Ike's ragnell and he defeated Ashnard with aether before I could get Mist all the way to level 20.

I unironically love Ashnard's dying words. There's no disappointment, no anger. He's just so happy to meet someone who proves to be a formidable opponent. I suppose he was getting bored. I suppose it makes war less thrilling when you wear invincible armor.

This reveal is sooooooo gooooooooood. I love Ena and Rajaion.

A closer pic of them because man they are too cute.

I wish Rajaion had survived. Unfortunately, they didn't make it very clear that he died, so when I first played this game, I thought he had survived until I played the sequel.

I love this image! So many cute and unique laguz designs.

Ike and Elincia's friendship is so good, so pure.

A moment of silence for my least used characters. Rhys, Volke, and Brom, you are great characters, but I didn't need you, I'm sorry. Sothe, I will see you in the next game.

And that's it! The end progressed too quickly for me to take too many screenshots, but I did record who my top 5 units were:

Jill came in at 5th. No surprise there. I worked really hard, trying to get her to level 20. It's a shame I never did.

Soren was 4th. I'm a little sad he didn't rank higher, but I suppose it makes sense. Once he classed up into a sage, I mainly used him as a healer, since he was such a higher level than everyone else.

Rolf was 3rd. I'm also sad I didn't get him to level 20. He would have been so buffed with those transfer bonuses. Oh, well.

Ilyana was 2nd. Again unsurprising. She lagged behind for a while, but I managed to get her to level 20 with 4 capped stats, so all the extra effort paid off.

And of course Ike was in 1st place.

And that was Path of Radiance! I'm going to take a break to work on my Big Bang fic, but I am excited to get into Radiant Dawn. I wish I had gotten more characters to level 20. So far, I have Ike, Ilyana, Soren, and Ranulf all at level 20. Ike has capped 5 stats, Ilyana and Soren 4, and Ranulf only the 1. Perhaps I should have played on hard, so there would have been more reinforcements. Additionally, I could have farmed several bosses for extra exp.

Oh, well. Overall, I did manage to achieve all 5 of my goals. No one died, Ike and Soren are at an A rank, Ike and Ranulf at a B rank, Soren and Ilyana capped speed, and Ranulf capped strength.

Next time: we meet the Dawn Brigade!

[canoncompanions]

The Best of Canon Companions Tracks 45-55

1. "Don't Tell Me" by Avril Lavigne Works represented: Total Drama Characters represented: Gwen While the song is only partly relevant to Gwen's situation, specifically her early relationship with Trent, it's a really good song in its own right, and since Gwen is one of the most prominent characters on the show, as well as one of the best ones, this song made it on without much trouble. 2. "Mr. Brightside" by the Killers Works represented: The Simpsons Characters represented: Smithers about Mr. Burns This is again one of the more relevant Smithers songs, especially for the episodes where Mr. Burns gets crushes on women, especially on those rare occasions where it seems mutual.  It's also a classic song, and of course representing Smithers is a plus in and of itself. 3. "Zombie Ninjas" by Songs to Wear Pants To Works represented: Total Drama Characters represented: Shawn I love this song and it's obvious from the title that it's at least partially relevant to Shawn.  In fact, the song is more-or-less relevant, with the exception of the ninja motif.  Its relative relevancy was a big part of what made it on, along with how good the song itself is. 4. "Black and White People" by Matchbox Twenty Works represented: Fire Emblem Tellius Series Characters represented: Ike The biggest relevance issue with this song is that it's a little too literal.  While Rob Thomas has stated that he meant "black-and-white" as in "greyscale", the application was meant to be metaphorical, and not necessarily for characters turning into stone.  However, given the fact that Ike is my second favorite character in my favorite game/work, and that this is a great song, it makes sense that it makes it on. 5. "Amnesia" by Chumbawamba Works represented: Tales of Symphonia; Fire Emblem Awakening Characters represented: Emil; Robin Much like "Black and White People", the biggest relevance issue is that it's too literal--in this case, that the song was meant to be used in the macro, and instead, the works use it in the micro.  However, because it's extremely plot-important in both, I love both games, the song is catchy in general, and it's mostly relevant, it's clear for Best Of. 6. "One by One" by Chumbawamba Works represented: Fire Emblem Tellius Series; Grimm; Tales of Symphonia Characters represented: Ike (and Ranulf) to Micaiah; Nick to Renard; Lloyd to Kratos The biggest verse throughline is "Whose side are you on?" and it exemplifies how in all three cases, there's a heroic character, and a character who seems like they should be heroic and yet is doing villainous things (or in the case of Lloyd and Kratos, a character who seems like he should be villainous but repeatedly does heroic things).  Though the song is actually about hypocritical union leaders, it works well in these cases as well.  In addition to being a fabulous song, it's also very plot important in every single case, covers both my favorite video game/work and my favorite live-action show, addresses one of my favorite characters in one case and is narrated by another in another case, it's no big surprise it made it on. 7. "Supreme Girl" by the Sterns Works represented: Total Drama Characters represented: Emma It's worth noting that I did actually have a song specifically about a law-school girl who was sort of insufferably knowledgeable but still able to be a hopeless romantic in ways, so honestly the only reason that this song is so low is because of the graduate and previous job aspects (and the competition).  I love Total Drama the Ridonculous Race, I love Emma (as did the show), and I love this song.  High marks in all categories. 8. "Violence Fetish" by Disturbed Works represented: Fire Emblem Awakening Characters represented: Henry You can probably tell from just the title that this would be a good song for Henry, right?  But unfortunately, the song isn't quite as relevant as the title, but it is close, representing Henry's creepy obsessions with violence and considering it a game.  It's not particularly plot-important nor do I care about Henry that much except compared to most of the other Disturbed narrators (with the exceptions of Judy Hopps and Nino, whose own songs were not very relevant), but I do like the song and Fire Emblem Awakening well enough as well as considering this song very relevant. 9. "The Last Sunrise" by Aiden Works represented: Fire Emblem Awakening Characters represented: Robin This is a very plot-important song for when Robin is still working with Chrom's army after learning the truth about Grima, specifically around the time of fighting Aversa.  While Robin is a more meh character for me, I really love this song, and the theme of staying with a group despite the presence of a "nightmare" really works for their relationship with Chrom and the Shepherds in general. 10. "I Should Be Allowed to Think" by They Might Be Giants Works represented: Lord of the Flies Characters represented: Piggy While like many They Might Be Giants songs, this one has plenty of extraneous details, it also perfectly encapsulates the frustration of a smart, practical person surrounded by a group of impressionable hotheads.  In addition to being a fantastic song, it's about a fantastic character from a fantastic book.  And on top of that, since its his main theme and he's one of the main characters, it's very plot-important as well. 11. "Everything Back but You" by Avril Lavigne Works represented: Cheers Characters represented: Diane This song represents the pilot of the show wherein Diane is abandoned by her fiance, who left her for someone else.  While the song is full of extraneous details, the main theme does a good job of explaining how she got to Cheers in the first place.  It's a good song, it's about a good character on a good show, and it's plot-important.  This song definitely deserves its position.