Recommended Song: "Latch" by Disclosure

C-Support:

Maiden: ...and then I told him that he could eat a fist!

Soleil: You didn't!

Maiden: I did! It served that jerk right. One of his friends came up to apologize, but I already took care of the issue by then.

Soleil: Ugh, well, that jerk got what was coming to him.

Maiden: And good riddance. It will be too soon if I ever have to-

*Sylvain enters*

Sylvain: Hey Soleil, sorry to cut your little outing short, but the professor needs...is that you Sara? Wow, you look radiant!

Maiden: It's Sarai. Not that I'd expect you to remember.

Sylvain: I'm sorry, I really am bad with names. But I'd never forget your face, or your warmth…

Soleil: Sarai, is this the jerk?

Maiden: Yes, he is. And you two know each other?

Sylvain: Oh don't be like that Solie! Me and Soleil go way back.

Maiden: Solie? You're friends? Oh, this was some elaborate joke on me, wasn't it?

Soleil: What? No!

Maiden: First Sylvain, then you...I'm just like a rag to, that's it isn't it? Something to use and throw away at your leisure!

Soleil: Sarai, please…

Maiden: No, you get away from me. I'm done with you monastery types. Just because you're noble doesn't mean you're better!

*Maiden leaves*

Soleil: Way to go Sylvain.

Sylvain: What? It's not my fault she dislikes nobles. Besides, what were you doing chasing after her?

Soleil: I saw a beautiful heartbroken maiden, and I stepped in to help her heal. If I had known it was you who broke her heart…

Sylvain: You wouldn't have changed a thing. That's not who you are.

Soleil: No, it's not.

Sylvain: And there are plenty more fish in the sea.

Soleil: So long as they don't all have a Sylvain-shaped bite out of them, I think I'll be fine. I don't want you haunting me like some sort of ghost. That's not romantic at all...still, that comment about nobility hurt…

Sylvain: But-

Soleil: *sighs* You came here for a reason, let's go find out what the Professor needs.

C+ Support:

Sylvain: Hey Soleil, I wanted to let you know that I am really sorry about the other day.

Soleil: What, with Sarai? Don't worry, I'm over it.

Soleil: *winking* In fact, I have a date with a wonderful cleric lined up tonight, and an afternoon stroll with a cute page the next day.

Sylvain: Guys too, huh.

Soleil: What, you thought I was only into girls?

Sylvain: Sort of. Growing up, you were always into cute things. You had to make sure our shoes were all arranged by color, and that our clothes didn't have mud on them, and that our teacups were all nice and pink…

Soleil: Oh, please stop reminding me…

Sylvain: And Prince Dimitri! You were convinced that Prince Dimitri was the cutest thing in the world! It was such a shock when you wanted to learn how to flirt. Wait, was it because you had a crush on Dimitri and were too shy to tell him?

Soleil: *blushing* Sylvain! If you keep up this walk down memory lane, I'm going to have to start calling you Silly Sylie again...

Sylvain: Hehehe, sorry, I just couldn't resist. But the other day, you seem offended about how Sarai lumped us in the same category as nobles. It wasn't the flirting or the association that bothered you, but the fact that she claimed we're both nobles.

Soleil: …

Sylvain: Soleil, we're both nobles, so what's the problem?

Soleil: Sylvain, you are a noble. I was a noble. That's the difference. You got to live your life in a fancy castle with servants and attendants and training. I lived my life travelling from place to place, begging for scraps. It wasn't until I joined a mercenary group that Saul and I had a roof over our heads.

Sylvain: Look, I may not have had as hard a life as you have -

Soleil: No, you haven't, so don't try to compare your problems with mine. As bad as Miklan was, at least you knew him.

Soleil: You have a Crest. You have a future. You have parents who are still alive and present. Why don't you complain to them about your luck in life?

*Soleil leaves*

Sylvain: ...man, that could have gone better…

B-Support:

Sylvain: Hey Soleil

Soleil: Oh, what's up Sylvain?

Sylvain: I just wanted to apologize for my questioning the other day. It was rude and it wasn't fair to you.

Soleil: Oh that? It's fine. Water under the bridge!

Sylvain: That's good, because you're going to need your high spirits for what comes next.

Sylvain: I was thinking we could play a little game.

Soleil: Oh?

Sylvain: Oh indeed. Whoever can get the most names and date propositions by the end of a week will be the winner.

Soleil: A week? Are you sure that's enough time?

Sylvain: *winking* Oh, don't worry about me. I'll do fine.

Soleil: Oh, my sweet summer child...you're on!

B+ Support:

Soleil: Seventy-two, Seventy-three, and that lovely couple at the end makes it seventy-five! I guess I win!

Sylvain: I...seventy...five...how!?

Soleil: Oh, Silly Sylie, it was easy! It just so happens that a few of your targets may have found out about each other; I, being the kind-hearted girl I am, was the perfect friend to vent to. And some of them were curious about a little more than just that. So yes, seventy-five.

Sylvain: Wow. I bow to your skills.

Soleil: Thank you, thank you. It turns out that being a mercenary brings a level of adventure and worldliness to these lovely ladies.

Sylvain: I don't doubt it. Being able to travel the world, meet new people, and experience different ways of life...I'm sure it's far more intriguing to those women at the moment. It's like all the adventure they'll never get without any of the dangers of adventuring.

Soleil: Sylvain…

Sylvain: Sorry, sorry...still…

Soleil: …

Sylvain: Hey, wait-a-minute...how did my dates find out about each other?

Soleil: Was that the evening bell? I have a date tonight! I'm sorry Sylvain, I have to go!

Sylvain: That little...well...it's good to see her smile again. Never lose that cheer Soleil…

A-Support:

Soleil: Say Sylvain...

Sylvain: What's up?

Soleil: How come you never flirted with me?

Sylvain: ...is this a trick question? Because it feels like a trick question.

Soleil: No tricks, I'm just curious. I've seen you flirt with nearly every woman under the sun. You've flirted with Hilda, Dorothea, Archbishop Rhea.

Sylvain: Please don't remind me. Seteth stalked me for a week.

Soleil: Flayn. (If Sylvain has at least a C-Support with Flayn.)

Sylvain: And then Seteth stalked me for a month…(If Sylvain has at least a C-Support with Flayn.)

Soleil: Ingrid, Ingrid's mother, Ingrid's grandmother…

Sylvain: Beautiful women, all of them.

Soleil: Even the Professor! (Only if Byleth is female.)

Sylvain: What can I say? I love strong women.

Soleil: My point is that you've flirted with every woman you've met. Except me. And don't give me that "It's because I don't see you as a woman because I've known you for too long" excuse. You flirt with Ingrid all the time. Or the "you're not my type" excuse, because we both know that's a lie. And don't you dare say that it's because I'm not pretty enough.

Sylvain: I would never!

Soleil: I know. I've seen you flirt.

Sylvain: Ouch!

Sylvain: Well, the truth is...it's your father.

Soleil: My father? Really, that's what you're going with?

Sylvain: It's true!

Soleil: Sylvain he taught you how to flirt. He taught us both how to flirt. Why would you be afraid of him?

Sylvain: I don't want this to come out the wrong way, but...well, here, let me try it this way.

Sylvain: Remember the time we were practicing our lines as kids, and it started storming, so we went inside and practiced on the maids?

Soleil: How can I forget? Maid Sonia's laugh made my heart beat faster than ever before.

Sylvain: Do you remember what happened after that?

Soleil: I remember turning around and seeing you. You tried to stumble something out before running away back to the room you were staying in. You didn't come out until dinner.

Sylvain: Exactly.

Soleil: So that's why? Because you failed once?

Sylvain: ...I was sure of my line when I was about to say it to you. But behind you, I saw your father. We just happened to lock eyes, and I saw an expression on his face I've never seen before. I've only seen it a couple of times since...in the eyes of the fathers of the girls I've wooed.

Soleil: ...oh.

Sylvain: Every time I think about flirting with you, I swear I see your father's face, glaring at me from the corner of my eye. And if I think of you at night, I swear his face is right there!

Soleil: That's a little too much detail, but I think I see the point.

Sylvain: Right. Does that help explain things?

Soleil: It does. Knowing my father is watching out for me, even after he passed...thank you Sylvain, well and truly. Thank you.

A+ Support:

Sylvain: Hey Soleil, what are you doing here?

Soleil: I had heard of a festival, same as you. Did you come with a lucky lady?

Sylvain: Nope. I had a few offers, but none of them felt right.

Soleil: Uh-huh.

Sylvain: You doubt me?

Soleil: I think you were turned down at every corner.

Sylvain: Ouch! Well, think what you want. What are you doing here?

Soleil: I'm working security. I figured since things are rough, festivals like these need a little more protection to make sure things go smoothly.

Sylvain: And I'm sure a lucky lady or five has already offered up a service to you in return.

Soleil: All I asked was for them to tell me when the last dance will be.

Sylvain: No partner?

Soleil: Hey, I never said I would dance. I just wanted to know.

Sylvain: Still have trouble dancing?

Soleil: ...yeah.

*Maiden enters*

Maiden: Lady Soleil, the last dance is on.

Soleil: *winking* Thanks for the warning!

Sylvain: ...come on.

*Sylvain takes Soleil's hand*

Soleil: Sylvain, what are you - where are we going?

Sylvain: To the dance area.

Soleil: *blushing* But I can't dance!

Sylvain: Then don't. Just hold me and sway.

Soleil: I...I..

Sylvain: Move with my rhythm…

Soleil: …

Soleil: *blushing* Sylvain, the song's over…

Sylvain: *blushing* That's fine. Let's get going, Soleil. Just a little longer...

Sylvain: ...there, keeping the rhythm isn't so bad, is it?

Soleil: *blushing* It's not...hey, I think I-

Sylvain: Yeow!

Soleil: Sorry! Sorry!

Soleil: *snrk*

Sylvain: What now?

Soleil: *blushing* I'm just imagining what my father would be thinking right now. Would he be mad? Oh, I can see the furrowed brow!

*Sylvain looks at a man in the corner. His face is never shown*

*Sylvain looks shocked, but then smiles*

Sylvain: *blushing* Actually, I think he'd be pretty happy…

Author's Notes:

I've had bits and pieces of this support in my head for over half a year now; it feels good to get it out. The support kept refining itself in my head the days before I made it, so it more or less left out of my head and onto the page. Sylvain and Soleil are too peas in a pod, and my reworking them as childhood friends (Soleil completes the Five-Man Band of herself, Dimitri, Sylvain, Felix, and Ingrid) gave this a heft to it that it might not have otherwise. ...I also may or may not have written this because I really hate Ingrid and Sylvain's support convo and dynamic. I get it, it's the whole "Childhood Friends to Lovers" thing, but it never feels like that. Ingrid just has to put up with Sylvain's nonsense until one day he notices her change. I prefer support convos where the two people falling in love actually inspire each other, or at least don't annoy each other like Sylvain does to Ingrid. That's not love, that's tolerating what you dislike because you've grown accustomed to it.

I did consider changing the Maiden's name to Sarai after she introduces herself, but that's a lot of names that start with "s" in a row, and I think not doing so underscores the "skirt chaser" nature (to put it nicely) of both Soleil and Sylvain.

There are echoes of Inigo's A-Support with his own father (aka Chrom) in Sylvain and Soleil's B-Support, as well as echoes of Laslow (aka Inigo) and Saizo's A-support in this couple's A-Support.

Soleil's feelings about her nobility allow for an interesting foil to Constance and Lysithea too. Both Soleil and Constance come from noble lines, but where Constance works to restore her family line, Soleil has no such desires. She's happy living as a fighter and hero. And while Constance and Soleil's families had their nobility taken from them, Lysithea's family is actively giving it up.

I knew the support chain would end with dancing and have a contest, but the rest wasn't as planned originally.

And now, the elephant in the room - Soleil's sexuality. I've always viewed Soleil as bisexual. Her conversations and personality in the original Japanese (if I remember correctly) is based around liking cute things. Girls are cute, ergo she likes girls. But she's still attracted to guys, it's just she has to either truly love them or think of them as cute. (She'd be all over K-Pop groups like BTS and whatnot.) So her ending up with Sylvain is more or less on the falling in love side of things than it is the "I think you're cute so I like you" side.

As I wrote this, I realized a bit of an interesting change in my writing/revising process. The beginning is usually the easiest to start with, but it almost always needs the most revision (assuming nothing needs to be added to the middle). The ending part is the hardest, but it comes out the most complete, since it feels like the events that I'm going to retroactively add in the earlier supports come to a head here. It makes me feel like I understand my favorite writer Brandon Sanderson a lot better.

Anyways, I should probably do a Soleil/Felix support (a dynamic I'm still trying to imagine) as well as Soleil/Ingrid (no idea what that would look like) and Soleil/Dimitri. But I probably won't.