IMPORTANT NOTE:
Alright. Now, this fic is going to be somewhat like a game. It is a series of short vignettes similar to the "support conversation" function within the game. The levels are C, B, A, S, and SS. When a pair receives SS, I shall give them a little fluffy moment or something similar.
You, as the reader, get to review each update and choose a pairing, and the winning pair will have two support conversations in the following chapter, while the rest only has one.
Keep in mind: Ike is leaving Tellius, so obviously, you guys shouldn't be wasting time attempting to bring Ilyana and Zihark up to SS…even though I like that pairing…but, you know.
Anyways, on with the story!
Ike – Soren / Support Conversation C
"Where's that blasted mage?" Ike muttered under his breath, leaving the nearest tent flap flapping as he shut it, since finding it empty.
"You mean Soren?" Mia offered, hopping over, swinging her sword around.
"Yeah," Ike replied. "I've gotta tell him something, and he decides to go and play with his map and different colored rocks."
"After the war, Soren's been bored, and he thinks it'll be fun to create scenarios that only his 'tactical genius can solve," Rhys said, joining the conversation.
"Yeah, this is fun and all, but where is that blasted mage?" Ike questioned.
"In that tent, over there," Rhys said, pointing to a cluster of tents in a vague direction.
"Thank you," Ike muttered under his breath and ran over, immediately searching each tent to look for occupants that looked like a mage with dark green hair and an odd mark on his forehead. He apparently found him, as he disappeared inside one of the tents.
"Yes, Ike?" Soren whispered, staring intently at a ragged map of Tellius, while moving rocks of various colors across the table, as if playing a board game.
"I've…er…come to ask you a question," Ike said.
"I'm listening," Soren said, lifting a polished pebble, shining crimson red, and slamming it on the heart of Begnion.
"After…the events of the Mad King's War and Sephiran's War, I've come to a decision."
"And the decision would be?" Soren questioned, flicking the red pebble off the table. He finally glanced up and looked at Ike in the eye.
"Well," Ike started, scratching the back of his head, "I highly doubt you would approve, but I was thinking about leaving Tellius forever…and looking for another land to settle on."
Seeing the odd look on Soren's face, Ike continued, "I know Yune said that she accidentally flooded the world, but even she admitted that all Gods aren't perfect…so…"
"Okay," Soren said, easily. "And you want me to find a place for you to leave?"
"Erm…that's part of my question, yes."
"Well, the western coast of Begnion would be the first suggestion of any unskilled tactician, but during this time of year, the rocks create some untimely waves that would certainly destroy a small boat. Therefore…" Soren scanned the map intently, "I suggest the eastern coast of Hatari. There is a small port here that we could leave from…"
Ike nodded. "That seems like a good plan."
"It is," Soren said. "My plans are good, and unless they are executed with fault, they will definitely succeed. And by the way, you said 'that's part of my question'. So, may I wonder, what was the other part?"
Ike scratched the back of his head once again. "Well…I was wondering if Ranulf would join us."
"Us?" Soren asked, grinning.
"Well…I was also planning on asking you," Ike said.
"Of course I'd come with you, Ike. This continent has given me nothing but bad memories. Being a branded, I've been caught in the middle of all those nonsense issues between the beorc and the laguz. I'd love to find a new land to settle on."
Ike brightened. "Great! We'd love to have you on board!"
"Of course. Let me begin preparations," Soren said, his tone of voice returning to its usual bored manner. "There are many matters to prepare for this unprecedented journey…"
Soren – Titania / Support Conversation C
"Is it true that your accompanying Ike on his fairytale dream of a new land to dock on?" Titania asked, obviously not approving the journey.
"Yes," Soren replied, "you have a problem with that?"
"Of course," Titania said, "you guys would die out there in the ocean! Have you heard of the rumors of the great waterfalls that denote the edge of the world? There are mere miles from the edge of the coast!"
"If there are such rumors, then sailors obviously would have been there to see such waterfalls. Therefore, for such rumors to come back to Tellius, said soldiers would have had to return to Tellius, safe and sound! If such waterfalls do exist, I intend on pulling the ship back immediately. I don't intend on dying by falling down while being tumbled by tons of salty sea water."
"Fine," Titania gave in.
Soren laughed lightly. "You've always been a soft one."
"Only because you come up with the most ingenious ideas!"
"Of course," Soren said. "Oh, and by the way, when Ike has gone, you're to be the new leader of the Greil Mercenaries. Tell Shinon that for me, will you?"
Titania laughed out loud. "I would pay good money to see Shinon's reaction after being denied leadership to the Greil Mercenaries again."
"So would I. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got quite a load of preparations that Ike has dumped on me. Lord knows, he's only having me along so he doesn't have to do all the boring stuff…"
Ranulf – Lethe / Support Conversation C
"Ranulf!" Lethe cried.
A blue haired laguz with a long blue tail whipped around. Seeing Lethe, his eyes quickly softened.
"Are you honestly going to leave Tellius?" Lethe asked.
"Yeah. Ike wants to go, and quite frankly, I'm curious about what lies on the other side of a vast, blue, ocean that I was taught was to be endless." Ranulf's eyes stared fondly out towards the west, the direction of the great Ocean.
"Will we ever see each other again?" Lethe questioned.
"I believe so. If we find another land, then I'll be sure to navigate back and bring you with me, so you can see the new place for yourself."
"Why can't I just come with you now?" Lethe questioned.
"Because…" Ranulf whispered, "It's too dangerous. We can't possibly pretend to know what's on the other side of the ocean."
"But Ranulf…you promised that you'd come back!" Lethe cried.
"I will," Ranulf promised, "and If I die…you'll learn about it. I promise."
"Oh…Ranulf…" Lethe sobbed.
Ranulf patted Lethe on the back, "don't worry! I'll be fine. I trust Ike's judgment, and he reckons that there won't be any danger at all."
Naesala – Nealuchi Support Conversation C
"Hey, nestling! Have you heard the latest development?" Nealuchi questioned, headed towards Naesala.
"Nealuchi!" Naesala yelled, flapping his wings in frustration. "I've told you a million times! Don't call me 'nestling'!"
"Sorry. It's just too difficult not to," Nealuchi replied, "All I have to do is remember those times when you were just a wee-little baby…all bundled up and wrapped in a small, white, towel. You'd suck your fingers until I pried them out, and when I fed you milk, you'd spit them on my face! Then, you'd laugh and lick all the milk off my dripping face. I think I deserve to call you nestling…at the very least…"
"Nealuchi! Not in front of…her!" Naesala yelled, his face turning deep crimson.
"Of course…of course…" Nealuchi grinned widely.
From behind him, a gleaming white heron with flowing blonde hair and gleaming emerald eyes gently flapped down and landed gracefully on the ground. Her robed arm was covering half of her face, and a faint giggle could be heard coming from her mouth.
"You…really lick Nealuchi's…err…face?" Leanne asked, her face contorted oddly as an attempt to prevent herself from bursting out laughing again.
Naesala's face turned, if possible, even deeper crimson than it was before. "I dunno…I was too young to remember anything. Everything depends on Nealuchi's word," he whispered.
"Not just me," the old raven crowed, "you can ask Giffca…he's been there on more than one occasion to witness this event. Oh, and…"
"Yes, yes," Naesala waved a hand in front of Nealuchi, "I know…I know…"
"So…what is this…new…umm…de-development?" Leanne asked.
"Ahh, yes! With all this excitement, I almost forgot!" Nealuchi exclaimed, clapping his hands together. "It's not exactly joyful news, but still some interesting gossip. If all goes well, we may be on the verge of the greatest scientific discovery in history!"
"Yes?" Naesala asked impatiently. "Out with it!"
"Just as impatient as before, eh?" Nealuchi noted. "Its just this kind of rushing that got Kilvas into trouble with the blood pact in the first place."
Naesala's eyes flashed with guilt, and he sighed, "Oh, Nealuchi. Just say it."
"Fine…fine…Skrimir just told me that Ranulf told him that Ranulf, Soren, and Ike were going on a little trip…"
"What kind of trip?" Naesala questioned.
"A little trip that involves leaving Tellius, navigating the globe, and finding a new continent to settle on," Nealuchi exclaimed.
Naesala's jaw dropped, "What? They're crazy! That's what they are!"
"I-Ike…Soren…Ranulf…leave T-Tellius?" Leanne asked.
"Yep," the old raven seemed proud to know information before the young ones did.
"They're going to kill themselves! However…" Naesala had an odd look in his eye.
"Don't even think about it, nestling," Nealuchi said.
"Don't call me nestling!"
First chapter done! Whoo…wasn't too bad. I think this may turn out to be one of my best stories yet! All right…now, next update's pairs will include ZiharkxIlyana, NaesalaxLeanne, SorenxIke, RanulfxIke, RanulfxSkrimir, MiciaihxSothe, NailahxMiciaih, and I'm always open to suggestions! The ones listed here are subject to change.