Gilbert x Alois, Gilbert x Catherine

Gilbert x Alois

C Support
Alois: Aha, finally!
Nothing?! I could have sworn I felt a bite... Regardless, I shall persist!

Gilbert: Alois! You shouted. Is all well?

Alois: Why, if it isn't Gilbert! Everything's splendid. I am fishing, as you can see.

Gilbert:  Yet you were also raising your voice, which is not conducive to fishing.

Alois: Well, a fish escaped, so I started shouting. See, they're biting all right. I think I'm reeling them in too slowly...
Oho! Another!
Grr, nothing, again? Why do these darn things elude me?
I've been at it since yesterday. Every time I feel a pull on my line, the fish escapes.

Gilbert: If I may, Alois, a bit of advice. You lifted the rod as soon as the fish bit.

Alois: Hm? Well, yes, of course I did. That way, the fish has less time to escape.

Gilbert: No. It is the very reason the fish escapes.
The fish in this moat know to nibble the bait first. They check if it is safe before biting in earnest.
Allow the first pull of the line. Then, when the  second pull comes, reel in your prey.

Alois: Oh. I've been reeling too quickly? Maybe that's why the little flipper flappers have been getting away.
You seem to know your stuff, Gilbert! Do you fancy yourself an angler?

Gilbert: In fairness, I am more a theorist than fisherman. I just happen to know some things about this location.

Alois: Ah, is that so? Well, I'm glad to have met a fellow enthusiast.
I fish quite often! Although I catch fish quite rarely...
Regardless, color me impressed! A master-of-arms, but also a master of the fishing rod.

Gilbert: I am honored by your compliments, and I believe you could achieve mastery if you attend to the basics.
With your permission, I might accompany you on a fishing expedition.
Perhaps offer more pointers, if I may.

Alois: Oho, splendid!
You shall be my second fishing mentor. My rise in skill will be astronomical!

B Support
Gilbert: ...

Alois: How goes it, Gilbert?

Gilbert: Sir Alois. Have you also come to fish? If I am in your way, you need but say so.

Alois: Oh, no, no. I was passing by. Please, carry on.
Hold on... You haven't caught a single fish yet. Are you feeling unwell?

Gilbert: No, it is nothing of the sort.
I am not here to catch a fish today.

Alois: So you're fishing, but not in hopes of catching a fish?How unusual.
Oh, I see! You're a vegetarian!

Gilbert: No...
I am using this time to examine my past deeds.
When I am fishing, the world fades, and I am left alone with myself.
Hm. That is, ah...
Perhaps the correct way to fish is the way you do, Alois. Simply for the pleasure.
I deeply regret I am unable to be the angling companion you desire.

Alois: Ah, no need, Gilbert. A thought occurs to me.

Gilbert: And what might that be?

Alois: It was Captain Jeralt who first taught me how to fish.
We had spare time between missions, and he said it was the perfect hobby.

Gilbert: Is that so?

Alois: He was always looking out on the water as though lost in thought.
Perhaps he wasn't fishing to catch fish either. Perhaps he was facing something within himself.
Silently struggling with his thoughts and hiding the struggle from me and everyone else.

Gilbert: We cannot know the minds of the departed. Therefore, we wrestle with their ghosts.

Alois: Yes, that's true...
Very well! I will join you today after all.
Please teach me this art of fishing without fishing.
I think it would do me some good to gaze on the water and think fondly about my old mentor.

Gilbert: Of course, it would be my pleasure.

Gilbert x Catherine

C Support
Catherine: Hello, Gilbert! Done with your drills?
That's a shame. I was just about to ask if you'd spar with me. What bad timing.

Gilbert: Eh? As I understood, you wounded your arm in battle.
Were you not told to avoid exerting yourself for some time, so as to not aggravate the injury?

Catherine: The arm's all healed now, thanks for asking!
Besides, I have to keep exercising it, or the muscle will waste away. Here I am, ready to spar!

Gilbert: Catherine, your wound was gravely deep, and should be given time to heal.

Catherine: It's not the first time I've gotten a scratch in battle. You needn't be concerned.
Besides, eventually I'll lose this whole body, not just an arm. As a knight, I have to come to terms with the fact that I will die someday.

Gilbert: Please... Speak not of such ill-omened thoughts.
I could not bear to see you fall in battle, Cassandra— Oh! Pardon me. I am quite sorry, Catherine.

Catherine: Is something wrong?
It's not like you to blurt that out where anyone could overhear.

Gilbert: I... I allowed my emotions to best my good sense. My deepest apologies.

Catherine: It's not like anyone is looking for me in Garreg Mach. But still.
Since we both have secrets to hide, we'd do well to watch our mouths. Right, Gustave?

Gilbert: Yes... Agreed, agreed.
It may be poor compensation for my gaffe, but I will aide you in your training if you are still interested.
If you're completely certain you're healed and strong enough, that is...

Catherine: Always so formal, eh? Still, I humbly accept your kind offer, good sir.
Let's see how your lance skills fare against me!

B Support
Catherine: Why'd you summon me so formally? Not going to confess your love, I hope.

Gilbert: I have something I must ask you.

Catherine: That's...a bit ominous. What is it?

Gilbert: Will you be going home?

Catherine: Ah. That's what this is about.

Gilbert: There must be those who, even now, wait for you. Believe in you.
Now that Lord Lonato is dead, I can think of no one who would stop you from returning.

Catherine:  I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss my friends and family back in Faerghus.
But no, I'm not going back. The person I used to be no longer exists.
The life of a noble, tied down by rules and etiquette? No thanks. Not for me.
My future is here, with the Knights of Seiros, as Thunder Catherine.

Gilbert: I understand. In fact, that is the answer I  expected from you.

Catherine: So why did you ask?

Gilbert: Five years ago, you chose to leave the knights...
I'm guessing you don't regret that choice.

Catherine: I do not.

Gilbert: But you have caused me to realize something about myself.
The sight of you, swinging your sword to fulfill your duty, your birthplace left behind...
It reminded me of my life before. Of the day I swore my vows and was made knight to my king.

Catherine: You think I'm just fulfilling my duty, huh? I'm not as virtuous as you make me out to be.
I fight because I want to. That's it.

Gilbert: We are the same in that respect. On the day my liege bestowed upon me my sword...
I knew protecting this man, fighting battles in his name, would be an irreplaceable joy.
King, country, family, friends, beliefs. My list of what I longed to keep safe grew.
Hence my realization. I did not become a knight so I could pray. I did so to fight.

Catherine: It seems we've come to an agreement, then.
So what are we doing standing around here chatting?

Gilbert: Good point. We should end the idle talk. Will you spar with me, Catherine?
I believe it is much too early for me to lay down my lance forever.

Catherine: Now we're talking! Oh, also, Gilbert...
You look much better now that you have some fire in your eyes.

Gilbert: Hah. I am honored you think so.