Reason to Fight/Thea: Stormy Flier


Thea	Excuse me, Commander Anna... Do you have a moment?
Hm? Do you need something? Weapons? Armor? I can get you either—and for a reasonable price!		Anna
Thea	No, no! My equipment is sorted for the time being, actually... I was hoping to ask you a favor. I'd like to sign on as a mercenary for the Order of Heroes.
Huh? Well... How would it be different from just being another one of the Heroes in the castle? We all fight, after all. So I guess I don't understand... Why set yourself apart as a hired soldier?		Anna
Thea	Well, if that's how it is, I'll be fine without. It's just...what I'm used to.
Oh, you don't want to be treated any...differently then?		Anna
If you don't mind me prying, what made you want to sign a mercenary contract with us?		Anna
Thea	Up until now...I fought as a mercenary with the pegasus knights of Ilia. Like I said, it's what I'm used to. So I thought, since I'm fighting here in Askr, I should sign on as a mercenary here as well. Of course, I expected no outrageous payment or anything. Just whatever rate my unique set of skills fetches on the open market in this world...
... I understand, Thea. There are many reasons we do what we do... Glory... Peace... Love... And of course...money. I of all people understand that. I'll see what I can do about having a contract drawn up for you.		Anna
Thea	Thank you for indulging me. You can trust that, as a mercenary under contract, I will earn my pay.


Anna	I've just finished putting the finishing touches on your contract, Thea.
Oh! Thank you, Commander Anna. I appreciate you going to the trouble.		Thea
Anna	After some thought, I decided that, since the one who summoned you here was `【Summoner】`... Askr shouldn't be your employer— it should be `【Summoner】`! But don't worry... The Order of Heroes will take care of your payment. So, anyway, here's the contract. You can take a moment to look it over...
... ... ... Everything seems to be in order. I'll just mark it with my seal...here. Now, with the contract in place, please let the Order of Heroes know my strength is at their command.		Thea
Anna	Of course! And I'll look forward to seeing you on the battlefield!


Alfonse	Hello there, Thea! I saw you fighting extremely hard in yesterday's battle... I must say—I was impressed!
I fight best when I'm being paid. Most of the Heroes here are fighting for peace, the thought of payment not even crossing their minds... I know better. Fighting has a cost—so if you're fighting for free, that cost is entirely on your shoulders.		Thea
Alfonse	Yes, the cost of war is high...
I come from the frozen country of Ilia. I have seen people taken by cold and people taken by empty stomachs. Money can save lives, including those of the ones you care about. Why put myself at risk for less? Honor? Honor won't fill your belly or keep you warm during long winter nights. I'm sorry... I didn't mean to say all of that. It just...came out.		Thea
Alfonse	No, don't worry. I appreciate you telling me all of that. I think I better understand your perspective now.
Well, if you'll excuse me, I must start preparing for the next battle now.		Thea
Alfonse	... "Honor won't fill your belly..." I wasn't expecting such heavy conversation to come out of a simple compliment...


Alfonse	I've been thinking about your reason for choosing a mercenary life, Thea. So you can give to those who need it.
Well...the payment I earn in this world cannot be used in Ilia, I'm afraid, so... I'll be using my earnings to continue living as a pegasus knight of Ilia.		Thea
Alfonse	Oh, I see! That must be pretty important to you.
We knights of Ilia take an oath that says a contract made as a mercenary cannot be betrayed. Even if we have to fight family...we follow our employer's orders to ensure the future of our homeland. My strength is yours. I will carry out any mission, no matter what, for Ilia. That is my oath.		Thea
Alfonse	The words of one who truly cares for their country... I care for my country as well... I would give everything... Thea, will you lend us your strength and help protect the people of this country as if they were your own?
Of course. That's included as part of the contract—and I never break a contract once it's been made. I swear, on my pride as an Ilian, this lance will protect Askr and its people.		Thea