"Um… Lady Camilla?" Ananias awkwardly asked as Camilla continued to adjust the collar to the formal wear that she had bought for him and had somehow managed to convince him to try on. "I appreciate the fact that you bought me some formal wear, but do I really need to try it on right now? I mean," he looked down as he began to fasten the strings that were meant to tighten his sleeves around his wrists, "it's not like there's an important event that we need to prepare for anytime soon, right?"
"Of course not, darling," Camilla replied simply. "But it never hurts to be prepared. And as Elise's retainer, it is of the utmost importance that you make a good first impression at events such as those, don't you think? After all, how a retainer presents themselves can say quite a lot about the person that they are devoting their lives to protecting."
"Well," Ananias muttered, "when you put it like that…."
Camilla then giggled before adding, "And besides, the moment I saw these clothes, I just knew that I had to get them for you! I thought, 'Why, wouldn't Ananias look simply dashing in this?' And here you are, proving me right, you handsome devil you! You may have not been what your family was expecting, but they must admire how you turned out all the same!"
Ananias blushed as he bashfully bowed his head. "Um… thanks, I guess."
Camilla frowned as her eyes widened in mild surprise at Ananias' unexpected response. "'I guess'? Oh," she cradled her face with one hand and gently used the other onto one to gently caress one of Ananias' cheeks, "what's the matter, darling? Do you not like it?"
"N-No," Ananias said while shaking his head and waving his hands, "of course not!"
"Are you sure?" Camilla asked. "You know that you don't have to lie to me and spare my feelings, right? Say the word and we'll return it, and then we could pick out an outfit together!"
"T-That won't be necessary!" Ananias insisted. "T-These are really nice clothes that you've bought me, honest!"
"Oh?" Camilla asked, drawing her hand back as she blinked at him in confusion. "Well, whatever seems to be the matter then?"
Ananias let out an exasperated sigh before rubbing the back of his head and answering, "First the asking me of my family, then the offer to rest my head on your lap, and now this?" Ananias crossed his arms and gave Camilla a firmly questioning look. "Lady Camilla, what exactly is going on here? You said that you replacing Corrin with me was just a joke, but it seems to me like that's exactly what you're doing!" When Camilla didn't immediately respond to this, Ananias sighed and gently added, "Look, if that's what's going on, then I honestly don't really care. I've put up with worse things than being a replacement for someone else in somebody else's life. I just… want you to be honest about it, that's all."
Camilla hesitated for a moment before nodding her head sadly and saying, "Yes, I suppose that's fair." She cradled herself in her arms and took a deep breath before looking up at the ceiling and answering, "I suppose that I have been… replacing you with Corrin as of late. And I suppose that it wasn't very fair of me to keep you in the dark about it, but in my defense, I didn't think that you'd mind so much." She then giggled and added, "If I didn't know any better, I'd say that you were quite enjoying all of the attention that I was giving you."
Ananias sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose in exasperation. "Like I said, me putting up with all of this isn't the issue. It's the fact that you weren't being forward about what you were doing that irked me."
Camilla smiled and raised an eyebrow in surprised amusement. "Oh? Is that it? So does that mean that you're perfectly willing to continue humoring me then?"
Ananias let out a small groan before reluctantly nodding his head and answering, "If that will help you with getting used to Corrin's growing independence from you, then sure, fine, whatever. And besides, it was my idea to begin with, and since I doubt anyone else is going to go along with it, I might as well reap what I've sown, right?"
Camilla chuckled. "Well, that is certainly one way of looking at it."
"Just… one more question?"
Camilla nodded. "Of course, darling. I owe you at least that much."
Ananias hesitated for a moment before scratching the back of his head and asking, "W-Well, it's just…," he coughed into the side of his fist, averted his eyes to the side, and placed his hands onto his sides, "why me? Is it just because I'm more compliant than anyone else around here? I mean, I don't think I'm really going to care one reason or another, but I just sort of want to know, you know?"
Interestingly enough for Ananias, Camilla let out a somewhat embarrassed chuckle as she bowed her head, crossed her arms protectively, shook her head, and said, "Well, I must admit, it is a bit embarrassing, but…," she took a deep breath, "in an admittedly convoluted and roundabout way, I simply wanted an excuse to find time with you and learn more about that wonderful family of yours."
Ananias raised an eyebrow in surprise. "You did all of this… just so that you could get more opportunities to ask me about my family? Why?"
Camilla let out another self-conscious chuckle as the corner of her lips twisted into a mysterious smile and averted her eyes to the side. "Perhaps Elise has already told you this, but… our family, as of now, despite our best efforts… it's not really in the best state. The current state of our father… the constant pressure and expectations of being royals of a land as bleak and as uninviting as Nohr can be at times… the constant battles… despite everyone's best efforts to hide it, they've certainly taken their toll on all of us and have taken away whatever few opportunities we could've had to act like a real family."
Ananias gulped nervously upon realizing just how serious this conversation was turning out to be. "Y-Yes. She's expressed her concerns about that once or twice."
Camilla giggled as she bowed her head and shook her head. "I can imagine. She may put up a happy and adorable front, bless her heart, but she certainly isn't stupid. But the sad truth is, even before she became a part of our family, our 'family'," she said with a noticeable amount of bitterness and distaste, "never truly acted like a real family to begin with."
Ananias hesitated for a moment before sheepishly asking, "Do you, um… do you mind if I asked you to elaborate on that, or…?"
Camilla chuckled darkly before shaking her head and answering, "Maybe another time, dear. Just know that despite all of the mothers Xander, Leo, and I ended up having, they never truly acted like our mothers. And if I may be so bold, I doubt that they never truly saw us as their children either."
Ananias nodded grimly as he swallowed an uncomfortable lump in his throat. "I see…."
"Hearing about how wonderful and how big and loving your family seemed to be," Camilla explained softly, sheepishly running a hand through her hair as she did, "it really sounded like something out of a dream to me." She chuckled softly. "But to ask so much about one's family as if I were a child begging my father or mother to read me another bedtime story. I must admit, it was a bit too embarrassing to think about."
"So that's when you came up with the plan to start doting on me," Ananias finished.
Camilla nodded. "Yes. But now that I've been caught, I must admit, I can't remember the last time I've felt so…so … silly."
Ananias let out a small chuckle before shaking his head and saying, "Yeah, well, I won't hold it against you. And don't worry. Your secret's safe with me."
Camilla giggled as she bowed her head courteously. "Thank you, darling. I'd hate to think what would happen if word of this got out to everyone else!"
"Don't mention it," Ananias said. He then looked down at himself and asked, "So… is there more to this outfit, or what?"
Camilla chuckled knowingly. "Oh, of course not! Do you honestly believe that your Big Sister Camilla would simply leave you like this? No! Perish the thought! Now stay put and let your wonderful big sister work her magic!"
Ananias blushed and averted his eyes before muttering, "Um… yeah. I really don't think we're at the point where I'd call you 'Big Sister Camilla' just yet."
Camilla stopped what she was doing to look at him and give him a confused look. "Hmm? But didn't you promise me that you would humor me, no matter what?"
Taken aback by this unexpected remark, Ananias was shocked into silence for a moment before shrugging uncertainly and stammering, "Y-Yeah, I did, but…."
"Then should I not expect you to play your part to the fullest then?" Camilla asked expectantly.
"Tch," Ananias said, blushing furiously and fidgeting nervously for a bit at the strange and unusual predicament that he was roped himself into. "F-Fair enough. I'll…," he took a moment to gulp down his pride, "I'll trust you then… big sister."
"Oh, Ananias!" Camilla gushed before suddenly grabbing him and embracing him, much to Ananias' shock. "You truly are a treasure!"
After recovering from his initial shock, Ananias simply allowed Camilla to continue hugging him and grumbled, "I don't get paid enough for this."
Author's Note #1: The next supports after these will be Gunther, followed by Setsuna, Kanna, Selena, Beruka, Xander, Azura, Flora, Odin, Laslow, Rinkah, Arthur, Silas, and Leo. Got someone else you want to support with Ananias that isn't on this list yet? Request it. Remember, all Nohr first generation characters, Soliel, Ophelia, Anna, Kanna, Rinkah, Subaki, and Setsuna are allowed to support with him as well and it is a first come, first serve system.
Author's Note #2: The Fire Emblem Warriors poll is now officially up on my profile! Vote for which five characters you want for Ananias to support with from that game the most and, in the end, ten characters will be selected for Ananias to support with, so make your voices heard. Happy voting!
