Title: You have to be at A-Support to get my backstory

Summary:

C-S Support Conversation of Hoshido's High Prince Ryoma and his enigmatic mercenary tactician, Mao.

"You have bad experience with nobles, I see." Ryoma said.

Morgan didn't deny it. She did have bad experience with Lucina but she never generalized before. Damn, Morgan, mother will be disappointed in you.

"Sorry but you have to be at A-support level to get my backstory."

"What?"

"What?"

"What?"

B support

It was an accident that Mao happened upon Ryoma that night. She was going to ride out north to follow up on a sighting of a casanova who partially matched her brother's description. The only trouble was that there was also sightings of Nohrian army, so she needed to sneak in there as a random traveller and not as a Hoshidan sellsword/selltome/selltactician.

"What are you up to now, Mao?" She stumbled at the sound of Ryoma's voice.

Mao turned, surprised that she failed to hear him and realized that he didn't wear his usual armor. It was odd, and oddly flattering, that he would let a nameless mercenary he once distrusted, be honored to see him at his vulnerable state.

Well, he still has his sword tucked on his side but extra points for the trust.

She watched his brows furrow as he focused on her, at her father's old torn cloak clasped close over the Hoshidan clothing she was given and the bag of tomes at her side and the spear at her back.

"..." She was unsure how to answer that.

"Are you running away?" Mao peeked to see his face thundered.

She stood straighter, indignation clear on her face, "How dare you presume so?" She glared. "I do not run from a promise. And I certainly gave you my word that I would help you get your siblings back home, didn't I?"

Ryoma's tense shoulders relaxed, "I know that. But it truly doesn't bring you into a good light that I see you traversing the dark with your pack instead of asleep like the rest of us, correct?"

Mao sighed, "There's new news on my brother's whereabouts. Well, there's rumours but no concrete evidence but I'm off to investigate it."

"Why are you off on your own then?" He asked. "I made a promise to you - I shall offer resources for your search. You have done all you could to help me regain my siblings, I won't let you down when you need me."

Mao pursed her lips, "You aren't letting me down. And while you did promise that, I also promised to protect you from harm. I'm your tactician. There's news of Nohr army around those parts, I can't let you use resources because of me."

"Then you plan to traverse the heart of the enemy alone?" He asked. "And you believe I would be a callous enough leader to allow my tactician to do such a foolish thing."

"Hey!" Mao cried out. "I am offended!"

"You ought to be," he said. "This is a stupid strategy. Without Saizo or Kagero by my side, you are my right hand. With this flawed strategy, you are putting my limb in danger."

Mao gasped, "are you guilt-tripping me?"

"Yes. Is it working?"

"Yes, you idiot, it is." She gritted her teeth. "I hate you so much."

"I know," he said. "We'll investigate this lead on your brother by our own terms - you and me, with everyone else."

Mao didn't know what to feel about that. For one, she was offended he didn't think she could do it alone but there was warmth in her belly at someone holding her back from jumping into danger.

Ryoma grasped her shoulder and said, "You're not alone in your search, Mao, not anymore."