All Aboard the Steam(ship)!

Mashiro: How so?

*holds up umbrella defensively * HEAR ME OUT

So without getting into spoiler territory I’ll focus on personality and why Sein is such a good match.

First things first. He’s extremely emotionally intelligent and aware, which makes him a fantastic contrasting foil to Frieren, but also a Foil to Himmel. Actually he foils Himmel and Heiter in a lot of ways that makes him astutely unique in his dynamic in the party but that’s a whole utter conversation. The important takeaway is that He in some manner resembles a bit of each of Frieren past loved ones, traits that remind her of people she’s cared for while still have a distinctly unique dynamic with her.

Which brings me to the next point. She teases him, constantly, from their very first meeting. Which isn’t quite like her. She’s playful at times but rarely with strangers and normally is reactive. She doesn’t really bully Stark beyond making him face his fears, Stark kinda just says something that makes Fern go for him. Sein though? Woman cannot resist however unlike Heiter who she regularly made aside of being a degenerate. Sein she teases more flirtatiously or to exacerbate him/ make him squirm. He makes a comment about liking older woman, she immediately mentions she’s an older woman (knowing damn well what he means cause it’s her type too). She gives him headpats, she blows him kisses to try and get a reaction. And it’s not like she knows him all too well either. This is a near immediate attachment she shows for Sein, one that isn’t entirely one sided as we do see signs he does enjoy the attention to some degree.

Which brings me to the second point. Frieren has picked Sein. He is the only member of her party she has deliberately chosen to join her. Fern was entrusted to her by Heiter. Through trickery no less. And she sought out Stark on Eisen’s request. To her they are her friends precious children and that’s why they are welcome by her side. Sein? Yes he’s a talented and capable priest, but beyond that, she just wants him around. Even after they’ve split up she considers the role of priest in their party filled. To the point of strait up pouting at the idea of having another healer join them. Which delves back to her being oddly attached to him by her own standards. She want Sein and only Sein for her party (healer) that’s her unwavering choice.

Sein has a whole arc to get through before I think we see more of his opinions on Frieren. But we do get a few crumbs. For one blunt as he is he never argues the ‘older woman’ joke, and tends to roll with Frierens teasing pretty easily. He certainly is rather reserved but he enjoys when she dotes on him a bit like she does Fern (head pats, praise etc) On him being reserved this is more specifically in regards to Frieren than Fern or Stark who he treats very casually. This could be him respecting his elders (which I sincerely doubt) or being somewhat afraid of Frieren (even more unlikely because no one’s afraid of her temper) so I do think he’s keeping up a wall because he’s a bit of a brat/stubborn.