Fates Supports/Asugi Hisame
C Support
Hisame: Asugi! A word.
Asugi: Well if it isn't Gramps. What's on your mind, old-timer?
Hisame: G-Gramps?! I'm younger than you are, you wastrel! Bah. Never mind. Why have you not been attending the Tactics Brunch?
Asugi: Huh? Oh, that thing? It's not mandatory, right? Figured it wasn't worth going. I'm no officer. I carry out orders, not give them.
Hisame: Don't be a fool. Tactical understanding is vital to every soldier's training. And if you don't discuss battle plans with others, you'll never hone your thinking. Also we serve éclairs. You are fond of such treats, yes?
Asugi: R-really?! Nobody told me that...
Hisame: So. Do you have any reason for absenting yourself?
Asugi: Not really, no. Just figured I had nothing to contribute. We've got enough talented tacticians. Too many cooks'll spoil the cake.
Hisame: I disagree. If you were to participate, I believe we would all benefit greatly. New perspectives are always valuable. Particularly from highly skilled parties. However, if you do decide to come, I implore you to take it seriously. This devil-may-care attitude of yours will not do.
Asugi: Aw. I'm highly skilled? Thanks! I appreciate the compliment. I guess I'll think about it. Later!
(Asugi leaves)
Hisame: Tsk. That man could use a few lessons in etiquette.
B Support
Hoshidan: But in this situation we would be forced to retreat back over the river. We'd be slaughtered where we stood!
Hisame: Not quite. If we can get around them from here, we may yet win the day.
(screen shifts to Asugi)
Asugi: ...
(screen shifts back)
Hoshidan: I see. But it seems risky. Do we have any other options? Anyone?
(screen shifts to Asugi)
Asugi: Hm.
(Asugi leaves)
Hisame: Asugi? M-my apologies! Excuse me for a moment.
(Hoshidan leaves)
Hisame: Asugi!
Asugi: I forget something, Gramps? Weren't you in the middle of talking to someone?
Hisame: Why did you leave right in the middle of a discussion?
Asugi: Oh. That's what you ran all the way out here for? I just remembered that my cinnamon rolls should be about done!
Hisame: Huh?
Asugi: I put some in the oven right before the meeting. Don't want 'em to burn, right? Oh man, I can't wait for that frosting. Stuff melts in your mouth!
Hisame: Y-you left for THAT?! How ridiculous...
Asugi: Haha. Don't have a stroke, Gramps. Much as I'd like to believe otherwise, I'm sure everyone will be all right without me. Now, I gotta go. Those cinnamon rolls ain't gonna eat themselves.
(Asugi leaves)
Hisame: Hey! Stop! I'm not done with you!
(fade to black)
Hisame: Where did that dastard run off to? He wasn't even in the kitchen... ... I-is that Asugi? In the library? What is he reading...? "The Subjugation of the Peoples of the Upper Southlands: A Tactical Overview" What a mouthful. So, then...is he studying warfare all by himself? But...why?
A Support
Hisame: Asugi! I must speak to you about something. Regarding your attendance—or, rather, lack thereof—at the Tactics Brunch.
Asugi: Gramps! Lemme guess. You saw me ducking out to the library, right? Took you long enough. I thought you'd never catch on.
Hisame: So you know why I'm here, then. Well? What do you have to say?
Asugi: Yes, I've been studying up on the finer points of tactics and strategy. And no, I have no intention of attending more of those brunches. Tasty as those cream-filled éclairs may be.
Hisame: But why? You could get far more out of these studies if you came.
Asugi: Just a rule of thumb.
Hisame: What kind of rule, exactly?
Asugi: Ninja work best alone or in small groups. There's a reason for that. The more conspicuous they are, the less suited they'll be to their assignments. Assassination, intelligence gathering...that stuff requires anonymity, stealth. Can't go flashing our mugs around everywhere, you know?
Hisame: I see your point. However, you are not exactly an unknown element of the army.
Asugi: Sure. Those who serve the royals directly rarely escape notice entirely. But there's something else to consider. A ninja walks with death. The earliest part of our training conditions us to accept this fact. And as such, we take pains to ensure that when it comes...nothing is disturbed.
Hisame: What? And how is this related to our meetings?
Asugi: One of the precautions we take is to avoid forming too many personal bonds. Meeting with so many people every week will, obviously, make that difficult. Don't be upset. It's a part of our code. Has been for generations.
Hisame: Oh, I'm not upset. I understand very well. You are a fool.
Asugi: Oh? How's that?
Hisame: That outlook may be appropriate for a truly clandestine asset. But you fight on the battlefield with us, do you not?
Asugi: And?
Hisame: Have you never wondered why warriors do not follow a similar code? It is because camaraderie is an extremely important part of any military unit.
Asugi: So what's your point?
Hisame: Think for 10 seconds. When we fight, we often do so side by side, correct? And when we do, our effectiveness in battle increases. This is not an accident. It is a direct consequence of our mutual bond. So too with the others. If you learn nothing else of tactics, learn this: no warrior is an island. We fight and die, not just for a cause, but for each other. Never forget that.
Asugi: Hmph... Maybe you're right. Heh. You're not as aloof as you look, are you, Gramps?
Hisame: And you are not as shiftless as you appear, either. Perhaps we have learned something here about judging others' appearances.
Asugi: Don't be ridiculous. But...I will try to be a more integrated part of the army from now on. Sorry for the grandstanding. I hadn't considered the situation carefully, I guess.
Hisame: No need to apologize. Your willingness to sacrifice yourself is admirable. Under normal circumstances, it would not be misguided. Even so...I must admit my wish to dissuade you was not entirely impersonal. I want you to know that I am always here for you...my friend.
Asugi: I know. And I'll always have your back as well, Hisame.
