C-Support
Stahl: Man, I've been looking forward to this meal all week! When it's Cordelia's turn to cook, the results never disappoint. I guess it only makes sense when she's so talented.
Link: Yeah. Looks great.
Stahl: Hey, Link, if that portion doesn't fill you up, let me know. I'll gladly give you some of mine.
Link: ...We get the same amount of food, don't we?
Stahl: Yeah, but I know you need it more than me. I've seen your voracious appetite in action more than a few times. You eat enough for a whole family! Of course, you probably need all of that energy with the way you fight. I swear, you're like a man possessed out there!
Link: ...You're being way too nice...
Stahl: Nonsense! You're one of the Shepherds' greatest warriors. If anyone needs the extra grub, it's you.
Link: No.
Stahl: ...No?
Link: What are some of your defining traits, Stahl?
Stahl: ...Defining traits? Heh, I don't really have any! I'm one of the most average guys you'll come across.
Link: ...What about your appetite? I've heard that you have a 'second stomach'...
Stahl: Haha! Well... I do really enjoy good food. Some people even say that my hunger controls my actions and not my brain...
Link: ...Right. Despite being notorious for loving food... you insist on giving me some of your portion... You want to help others, but you do it at your own expense...
Stahl: That's just how it works. For me to help someone, it will always be at the expense of my time, energy, possessions, or what have you. No need to worry, though. I'm well aware of what I give up.
Link: ...If you say so. Still, I'd be more accepting of your kindness if things weren't so... unfair for you... I appreciate your offer, but I won't take your food... You already told me how much you were looking forward to this meal.
Stahl: That's true, but-
Link: All I'm saying is that I think you're being too kind... When you offer so much that it starts to deprive you of the things that you enjoy... your goodwill only leads to concern from the ones you want to help...
Stahl: ...Hmm. You make a good point...
Link: I don't mean that you should stop trying to be helpful or anything... just... Everything in moderation, right? Even in the last few days, I've seen you being dragged around like an errand boy on more than one occasion...
Stahl: ...I don't remember anything like that...
Link: Well... I saw Miriel making you do all those strength and stamina tests yesterday... You were a mess afterwards. I've also noticed that you've been sleeping less since you started looking for those legal documents with Maribelle... That's without mentioning all the chores I've seen you help others with... You've been helping Cherche with laundry duty and-
Stahl: All right, I get it, I get it, haha! I promise I'll keep your thoughts in mind. For now, though, I'm gonna need to cut our discussion short. Our meal is gonna get cold if we keep this up!
Link: ...Oh... Sorry.
B-Support
Stahl: Link! Wait up for a sec!
Link: ...Hey, Stahl.
Stahl: There's something I want to talk with you about. It's related to our conversation we had in the mess hall awhile back.
Link: ...The time you tried to give me part of your meal?
Stahl: Yes, that one! See, I've been thinking... I agree with what you were saying. I am working myself a little too hard for the sake of my friends. However... I think you need to practice what you preach, Link.
Link: ...What do you mean?
Stahl: I'm saying you run yourself ragged, too!
Link: ...I do?
Stahl: You said that Naga brought you here to help us win this war, right?
Link: ...Yeah.
Stahl: But she didn't force you to, right?
Link: ...No, she didn't. She just told me that your world was in danger... and that she was looking for help.
Stahl: Did she offer you any kind of gift or reward for accepting her request?
Link: ...No, actually. I never really thought about it, but I'm surprised she didn't...
Stahl: See! That's what I'm talking about! You were pulled from your world, after you had just saved it from destruction, and agreed to put your life on the line again to fight a war for people you had never met. You weren't even promised a reward for doing so! This begs the question... Why did you say yes?
Link: ...Because innocent people might have died if I refused... Whether I was promised a reward is irrelevant. I couldn't say no...
Stahl: Exactly. When it comes to putting the needs of others before yourself, I think that you're even worse than me!
Link: ...Maybe... but I don't let this habit affect me on the battlefield, at least. You help the other Shepherds so much that I'm worried you'll be worn out by the time the fighting begins...
Stahl: That's a fair concern, but you tend to be just as reckless, you know. When you fight, you take on way too many opponents at once. And all the while, you're constantly watching your allies' backs for any trouble. You're an invaluable boon to our army, but you take on too much of the work.
Link: ...
Stahl: I'd be willing to bet that you went above and beyond in helping the people of your land, too, right? Running errands, solving problems, saving lives? That's the type of guys we are, huh?
Link: ...Yeah, I suppose I did do a lot of that... Helping Malon find her dad and humbling Ingo... Saving those carpenters that got locked up in the Gerudo Wasteland... Helping that lady find her Cuccos...
Stahl: Did you ever feel like your kindness was being taken advantage of?
Link: ...It never felt that way to me. Sometimes they would even give me gifts like pieces of heart or rupees... I would have helped without any of that, but it was still nice to-
Stahl: W-Wait, what?! Someone gave you a piece of a heart?!
Link: ...Y-Yeah, but... It wasn't actually... N-Nevermind, it's not important. I'll admit, You're probably right about me...
Stahl: Now, don't get me wrong! It's as I said, your contributions to our cause have made an incredible difference. After you got me to realize how self-destructive my desire to help can be, though, it's only fair for me to return the favor and maybe get you to be more careful, too.
Link: ...I understand... but... I don't think I can change this part of me... even if I tried.
Stahl: *sigh* Yeah... Truthfully, I'm not confident that I can either... Maybe I am being taken advantage of somewhat, but the satisfaction I get from easing someone else's burden is all the compensation I need.
Link: ...Heh, I guess we're just hopeless, then...
Stahl: Haha! Well, being too altruistic isn't the worst problem in the world, eh? ...Oh! Hey, I just remembered! Gaius told me he baked a couple of elderberry pies the other day. Since I helped him gather some of the ingredients, he set one aside for me. Care to tag along? I'll split it with you.
Link: ...Uh, sure... I am pretty hungry... and thanks.
A-Support
Link: ...Stahl.
Stahl: Link! You're just the man I wanted to see!
Link: I have something I need to ask you first...
Stahl: Oh?
Link: Yesterday at dinner... They served me a larger meal than usual... Are you... responsible?
Stahl: Ah... You noticed...
Link: Look... I already told you I don't want you giving me your portion. You need the food just as much as I do...
Stahl: Worry not, friend! I simply asked the cook to make a little extra for you, that's all. It wasn't taken from what I would get, so it's all good...right?
Link: ...Okay. I'd still prefer I didn't get special treatment, though...
Stahl: Sorry, but we need to keep you in tip-top shape! Just consider it a small favor, nothing more.
Link: ...Thanks, I guess...
Stahl: Now then, I've actually got a question for you... So, today's my turn to gather firewood. I was getting prepared to set out when someone told me that the task had already been taken care of... and sure enough, we've got a huge load of lumber already waiting to be used. Forgive me for being presumptuous, but... was that your doing, Link?
Link: Heh... You're spot-on. I did see that it was your turn... but I also saw that you spent most of the day helping Frederick clear the path of pebbles. So... I thought 'Stahl can't stop himself from helping others, so who will help him?'
Stahl: And that's where you come in, huh?
Link: Yep. Even a therapist needs therapy, right? If you can't change the way you are... then I'll just have to step up and lighten the load.
Stahl: That's all fine and dandy, Link, but if you're going to start helping me out in addition to all the heavy lifting you already do for us... you're going to need someone to lighten your load, too!
Link: ...Stahl, no... You can't devote more even more of your time to me... We're just... going in circles... We don't have infinite time to give...
Stahl: Haha! Yeah, I guess we are being pretty silly... I never expected to get into a competition of kindness with another Shepherd! I suppose we're kindred spirits in that way...
Link: ...You always talk about how you're average at everything, isn't that right?
Stahl: Yeah, of course. I'd say everyone knows that about me.
Link: Well... You aren't. Your desire to help people is... formidable... and a bit frightening... You're good at it, too... exceptional, even...
Stahl: I never really felt I was 'skilled' at doing favors or anything... I mean, who doesn't like to help their friends out? I figured everyone's gotta be pretty good at it, right? But... I do take it to the next level, I guess... You've definitely made that apparent to me in the past...
Link: You give others too much credit... There are plenty of people out there who have no desire to benefit anyone but themselves...
Stahl: Well, when you put it that way... I think you're right. Being nice isn't the most interesting skill, but I'll take it! And don't be modest yourself, Link. You're right up there with me!
Link: ...I mean it, though... We really need to stop trying to... one-up each other... We'll end up exhausted if we keep this going...
Stahl: Yeah, that's probably for the best... Ah, but before I forget... You left one of your empty bottles outside your tent recently. I filled it with some of my famous stomach tonic! You never know when it might come in handy.
Link: Oh... Thanks... That actually reminded me... I have a bottle of Lon Lon Milk that I wanted to give you sometime. Since you love food so much... I think you'd be able to appreciate it.
Stahl: Wow, thank you! I can't wait to try it.
Link: ...
Stahl: ...
Link: ...This is impossible... Look, forget this. Do you... wanna get some food?... I'm starving...
Stahl: I thought you'd never ask!
A/N:
I think I enjoy writing Link as more of the 'straight man' type. Let him play off the more eccentric types of Awakening's roster. I find Stahl to be pretty similar in that way, so it took me a little longer to get an idea for this one.
I've been attempting to get one chapter out every week, but you know how things go. Responsibilities, motivation, writer's block. As only something fun I do in my spare time, I'll update when I can, but there will be bumps along the way. Despite my chapters averaging around 2k words, I'm a very slow writer, and it probably takes me more time than you might expect to finish these.
Thank you to everyone who reads this story and is excited to read more, but I ask for patience when my writing takes a backseat to my other priorities.