The title of today's installment is a line from Dannika Dark's book Seven Years, and was chosen because…well, it’s been two years since I last updated this blog. And it’s also been two years since I last played FE: Awakening, for anyone still interested in this little project, and was worried that I’d ditched you all to continue Yukari’s story on my own. I do apologize for abandoning you all, as I have done with numerous other Liveblog projects in the past. But with the hype of Fire Emblem Fates helping to drive me forward, I have returned! …Maybe not for long, but at least I can contribute something!
Now, according to my notes (and the last time this Liveblog was updated), it appears that we were going to rescue a red-haired Trickster and add her to our forces. But first, it seems I did train up my characters in SpotPass fights before setting the game down. I had even summarized the supports in an old text file, so let’s just cover those first, shall we?
- Chrom & Yukari (B-Rank): Chrom is looking all around the camp for Yukari in order to get some tactical advice. He finally finds the lass in a steamy room she doesn't want him to enter, and realizes about half a minute after he's walked inside that the tactician is not wearing any clothes. This leads to great embarrassment, and Yukari yelling at him to leave at the top of her lungs before the lord breaks out of his stupor and listens. A short while later, outside of the women's bathing tent, Yukari wants to know what the heck Chrom was thinking. Chrom apologizes profusely, and when Yukari asks what the important matter that couldn't wait is, Chrom states that he needs help picking out which route they plan to take. One route is a steep trail through the hills, and the other goes around the hills and onto the main road. Yukari recommends the path through the hills, for while it is not the easier path to take, they would be less exposed if foes are encountered. Chrom thanks her, and stumbles through one more apology before Yukari tells him that the incident is water under the bridge that should be quickly forgotten about.
- Sully & Sumia (B-Rank): It turns out that Sully's method of preparing the tea, spicing it with crowberry extract and a dash of mustard, is actually quite good. Sumia states that she had gotten the tea from a travelling merchant, and when Sully states how rare that must be in troubled times, Sumia states that troubled times are when you need a nice cup of tea the most. The girls decide to chat about things other than war, and when Sumia suggests some 'girl talk', Sully asks if she wants to confess a forbidden love. This embarrasses Sumia, but Sully states that they're both women of the world. Sumia says that she's willing to talk about love only if Sully goes first, which flusters the tomboy and leads to Sully stating that her love life's duller than a sack of flour. Sumia states that Sully's acting more shy than before, and Sully states that it's because they were just talking about things like horses earlier, and she could easily talk about her mount all day. Sumia asks if they should move the conversation back to their horses if it would make Sully more comfortable, and the cavalier accepts.
- Gaius & Libra (C-Rank): Gaius returns a small doll that Libra dropped earlier, and asks if it's supposed to represent one of his gods. Libra says that it's just a toy doll, and adds that the children at the orphanage have been asking him for toys to hold at night to help them sleep. Gaius, having noticed that the doll was hand-stitched, tells the kindhearted 'Padre' that there's probably a special place in heaven for him. Libra states that it's not really hard to make a doll, and that it didn't feel like work at all. Gaius is amazed, as it's hard for the thief to even get out of bed some days, and asks if the orphans like sweets. Libra hadn't planned to make them any, but will keep it in mind for his next visit. He thanks Gaius for the chat, but before they part ways, Gaius asks if Libra could set aside a couple of treats for him in return for the suggestion if Libra does make a load of them in the near future. Libra doesn't like the idea of taking anything away from the little moppets, and the scene ends.
- Yukari & Lon'qu (C-Rank): Yukari and Lon'qu are partnered up for the training session of the day. Lon'qu's as good as they say, at least when it comes to dodging, but he refuses to get close or even draw his sword. The myrmidon says that swordplay is a man's pursuit, and is about to ask what a women knows of such things, but Yukari interrupts by...throwing figs at him. Since Yukari can't get close to Lon'qu, she's decided to engage him at long range, apparently. Lon'qu states that it's not as if she'll ever hit him, but Yukari takes this at a challenge, repeatedly throwing figs and trying to get close so that they can start training properly. Lon'qu has had enough of this nonsense and just leaves, while Yukari calls him a coward.
- Lon'qu & Gregor (C-Rank): Gregor tries to introduce himself to a furrowed-brow Lon'qu, though the myrmidon had already heard of the mercenary from Basilio, adding that Basilio thought Gregor was the only sellsword to ever match him in combat. Gregor states that their fight was in the distant past, and he can barely remember it. Lon'qu then states that he once heard that Gregor was once a candidate to become khan of Regna Ferox, which Gregor admits is an equally old, but true, memory. Lon'qu then challenges Gregor to a duel, but Gregor refuses to draw his blade and fight unless someone is paying him for his services. Lon'qu asks if the mercenary has no pride, or if he fears the myrmidon, but Gregor just states that it would be a waste of both of their time and that Lon'qu wouldn't grow stronger just from fighting him. Gregor then requests that they stop talk of fighting, being comrade-in-arms now, and they go their separate ways.
- Donnel & Maribelle (A-Rank): Mari is trying to give Donny lessons on formal dancing. Unfortunately, the farm boy isn't as good at remembering movements as he is books, and he apologizes after stepping on her foot. Plus, a blushing Donny admits at getting a tad flustered when he's around Mari. Mari, slightly blushing herself, tells Donny that a true gentleman must keep his feelings in check. Donny apologizes and says that any fella would get distracted by how pretty she is, and after Mari tells him to stop with the compliments, the farm boy apologizes for being inappropriate, especially since he's a mere pig slopper. Mari, not wanting Donny to be so hard on himself, admits that she respects his dedication and how earnest he is, and asks that they return to the lesson. Donny asks if her words were just another part of "high society learnin'", but Mari was sincere, and now that both of their thoughts have been aired, they both feel a tad less self-conscious and more liberated. Donny asks if that's a good enough lesson to walk away with, but Mari insists that they finish their dancing lesson as well.
- Kellam & Tharja (C-Rank): Kellam surprises Tharja by appearing seemingly out of thin air (no surprise there) while the dark mage is looking for something, and Tharja tells him that the last person who surprised her like that...isn't a person anymore. After a very brief chat over how Kellam can do that, Tharja states that she needs to mail a letter, but Kellam is in the area to mail a letter of his own as well. Tharja hopes that the postmen are still going to Plegia, and when Kellam asks if she's sending a letter home to her family, she says yes. Tharja comes from a family of powerful mages that she usually wouldn't need to worry about, but in times like these, not even Tharja is certain if they'll stay safe. Kellam states that a whole family of sorcerers is probably quite safe, and Tharja hopes that he's right about that.
- Virion & Panne (S-Rank): Virion approaches Panne, wanting to present something to her. The Taguel states that it's a tad early to share more wine, but then notices that Virion has pulled out a ring, and asks the archer to explain himself. Virion states that he's swear an oath of eternal love to her, and after Panne asks if he's drunk, he decides to cut out the idle flattery. Virion states how generous her offer of helping him fulfill his dream was, but knows that his dreams aren't hers. Virion wants Panne to have a dream of her own to guide her, and after Panne asks if he thinks he can offer that, the archer states that he'll do so or die trying. As if on cue, another sun shower occurs, and Virion states that the very skies above urge them on, especially since this very rain presided over their first meeting. After Virion says that the moon herself must be weeping for joy, Panne calls him mad...but amusing. She decides to accept the poet's ring, and he swears by the moon and rain that he shall never fail her.
And from now on, since all the Supports have been uploaded to Youtube by various users ("Justonegamr" immediately comes to mind), I probably won’t need to transcribe future conversations. But now, it’s time for a VERY long-awaited battle!
PARALOGUE 4: ANNA THE MERCHANT
Gee, I wonder which important character is going to appear in this battle? When we enter the area, Chrom crosses paths with a male Merchant, who tells him that a young merchant girl is being set upon by bandits. Chrom states that the Shepherds are on their way, and...we immediately get taken to the preparation menu. After all the dialogue that took place during Donnel's mission, it's a bit odd that we aren't told anything more about this mission other than 'save a girl'. Now, let's look at this battle's important characters.
ANNA (A level 1 Trickster, and the lady we're supposed to be rescuing): A world-traveling merchant who loves money and big spenders.
VINCENT (One half of the Twins that the area refers to): A ruffian boss who is eerily fond of his twin brother, Victor.
Most of the enemies here are around Level 10, and Vincent is a Level 3 Berserker. Including the boss, we're facing 30 opponents, and can bring in twelve to fight against them. The battle ends not when Vincent is killed, but when all the enemies have been wiped out. If you just want to get from Point A to Point B, recruiting Anna with Chrom along the way, it's certainly manageable. However, there are also four chests on the field, with good items such as a very rare Arms Scroll. And if you want to get at those treasures before a thief that starts in the top-left corner grabs the goods and runs for it, you've got to act fast. Now, it’s been a while since I last summarized a battle, and there’s already been a fair bit of text. Let’s see if I can both act quickly enough to get those chests, and also not bore you all in the process.
- Chrom & Lissa: Took the center after Pairing up. Chrom landed the first blow on one enemy standing in the way, and Tharja finished it off for experience. Chrom talked with Anna to recruit her in Turn 3. Chrom had taken a powerful hit from that first enemy he’d hit, so they split up, in order for Lissa to heal him on Turn 4. Chrom then followed Libra’s path, quickly getting hit again. After another heal, Chrom helped clear a path for Gaius’s sticky fingers, and then Paired Up with the thief to give him a bit of a boost. Lissa, meanwhile, simply healed others for experience.
- Lon’qu and Gregor: Started by taking care of a meddlesome trio near the center, at the start of the map. They fell behind for a tad soon after, and never really had the mobility to contribute much else, save for being a decoy for the very last enemy. After all, if everyone died before Gaius looted the chests, we’d surely have a problem…
- Yukari & Ricken, and Gaius & Nowi: Took the right, though none of them Paired Up until all the foes at the bottom of the map were vanquished. Gaius opened a door directly in front of where he started, allowing the others to charge forward to victory. Ricken holding Celice’s Gale helped take out a barbarian or two, while Yukari prioritized stabbing stupid mages. Nowi did fall behind a tad soon after, but caught up in time. Later on, Ricken gave Yukari his copy of Gale to deal with a slightly-out-of-reach foe, but it was basically smooth sailing after that. Yukari and Ricken were the first to attack the boss, after he moved forward and threw a Short Axe at them. Ricken then ended Vincent’s life near the start of Turn 5, while Yukari slung magic over the walls at Vincent’s back-up. Gaius, when things were a bit better-managed, started his looting spree with a Killing Edge near the top-center, and then a Mend and Arms Scroll in the top-right.
- Libra & Cordelia: Took the left. Libra used a Hand Axe, and Cordelia an Iron Lance, to eliminate an archer before it dared to harm a feather on the latter’s steed. They were next to Anna on Turn 2, and killed a foe before Anna stole any more EXP, at the cost of Libra’s Hand Axe. They charged up on Turn 3 to defeat the Thief, with Libra in front in case the next pesky archer tried to pull something. Surviving that archer, and the other enemies as well, they slaughtered them all; it helped that Libra’s Resistance made the nearest Mage absolutely trivial. With the others taking care of bosses, chests, and other foes, they spent the rest of their time getting sparkly spaces.
- Kellam & Tharja: Kellam, to be blunt, was just Tharja’s Pair Up shield for the whole map. The dark lady of magic took the center, dealing with Chrom’s scraps, and weakening a foe that would later run straight into Anna’s sword. She then worked on the right after Gaius unlocked a path, working together with him, Nowi, Ricken and Yukari. Finally, once everything else was taken care of, she vanquished the final enemy and ended the map.
- Anna: Situated in the center of the map with a Steel Sword and ten more levels than any enemy near her, she was fine. Attacked five times in the first turn, she was only hit once, and killed two of her attackers (one as a counter). Following her recruitment and Libra slaying a thief, she then went towards the nearest door, for behind it was a pesky mage, and a chest containing a Large Bullion. After that, as Gaius was handling most of the looting, she simply healed.
- Turns: 9 (would’ve been 6 if I didn’t delay things to loot)
- Heroes: Kellam & Tharja
That’s how the battle went…and it looks like my summary was just as long as most of my old ones. At least I’m consistent! Once the fighting was done, Anna formally introduced herself to the Shepherds, and decided to join the crew. Then, in the Barracks, Miriel decided to converse with a couple of people, which apparently was enough to increase Support ranks with one of them. On that note, the new Supports earned since that last battle are…
- Yukari & Ricken (S-Rank)
- Yukari & Miriel (C-Rank)
- Yukari & Nowi (C-Rank)
- Gaius & Nowi (S-Rank)
- Libra & Cordelia (A-Rank)
So, our second Lockpicker has joined us, two more couples have tied the knot, and our options for what to do next are wide open. Do we continue the plot, finally confronting Gangrel? Do we try out one of the two other Paralogues, possibly running into Vincent's brother Victor seeking revenge? Or do we see some more DLC? If anyone wants to make a suggestion, whether you’re an old follower of this liveblog or a new one, feel free to speak up! Oh, and of course, have a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious day!
