Painful MemoriesSummary
Hildegarde's rigidity clashes with the others' desire to enjoy some Valentine's cheer. The reason for her obstinacy turns out to stem from a memory of her difficult childhood. With the help of her friends, she rethinks her attitude and tries to enjoy the special occasion.
Dialogue
Valentine's Ezelith: Run this by me again—you DON'T want us to have a good time on Valentine's?
Valentine's Hildegarde: That is NOT what I'm saying!
Mym: Then why do you get in our faces whenever we try to enjoy ourselves?! I declare you Captain Funbane!
Notte: Okay, that is ENOUGH! Everybody calm the heck down already!
Luca: What's with all the commotion, Euden? Is there gonna be a fight?
Mym: There will be if SHE keeps trying to muck up Valentine's with her gloom and doom!
Valentine's Ezelith: Yeah! That's right!
Valentine's Hildegarde: I'm not TRYING to pour cold water on the proceedings; I merely want people to show a modicum of restraint!
Mym: Oh, of course. Silly me. I'll just celebrate the holiday by standing perfectly still and coughing occasionally. Will that do? You may choose to be Captain Funbane, but that doesn't mean the rest of us have to join your un-merry crew!
Valentine's Ezelith: I don't remember reading any Church precepts that said, "Thou shalt not party most hearty!"
Valentine's Hildegarde: I...
Luca: Ooookay! Maybe we should all take five here, yeah? We're friends, remember? So maybe we should go cool off and then talk about this once we've calmed down.
Mym: Hmph. Let's go, Ezelith.
Valentine's Ezelith: But...
Mym: An adult knows when it's time to quit.
Valentine's Ezelith: Mrrrgh...
Luca: Whew! Looks like we escaped disaster for the time being. But seriously, Hildegarde, you probably shouldn't be such a stick in the mud. If all you care about is protecting order, you're going to ruin your friendships— and then you'll be in REAL trouble! So let's try to have some fun, okay?
Valentine's Hildegarde: ......
Luca: Oof... I'm REALLY not a fan of tense situations like this... Sooo on that note...I leave the rest to you, Euden!
Notte: Luca, wait!
Valentine's Hildegarde: ...... I...I apologize for my behavior. My actions to all of you have been most inexcusable.
Notte: What's going on with you, Hildegarde? You've been acting super weird lately.
Valentine's Hildegarde: Yes, I suppose I have. Protecting order is doubtless an important charge. And yet... Well, perhaps I've been taking more issue with this Valentine's event than is strictly necessary.
Notte: Right, but WHY?
Valentine's Hildegarde: Because I haven't enjoyed such special events for a very long time. I don't understand why they are fun. As you may know, I was separated from my parents at a young age and raised in an orphanage. I know not what my parents' circumstances are now... But until I was sent to the orphanage, I was raised in a perfectly normal home. We were a normal, stable family that enjoyed seasonal events just as everyone else did. So whenever the orphanage would celebrate a holiday, it would make me think about my family. Those memories were so very painful that I ended up trying to shut them out. And rather than facing them, I focused on maintaining structure and order instead. So if you seek a reason for my actions, you now have it. ...Hmm? What do I want to do now? I don't understand the question, Euden.
Notte: Look, just because big events used to make you sad doesn't mean they ALWAYS have to do that! I mean, do you REALLY think events here are sad and lonely even though you're surrounded by friends?
Valentine's Hildegarde: Well, I don't FEEL alone, I suppose. However, I still can't make myself enjoy them. In truth, I may just not know how.
Notte: Man, Hildegarde, this has to be a huge bummer for you. I'm really sorry. But if you don't know how to have fun, let us help you learn! You don't need to think that hard about it; you just do whatever sounds good. And if you don't know what that is, we'll help you find something. Isn't that right, Euden?
Valentine's Hildegarde: I see... I used to spend events locked away in my room praying fervently until dawn. Everyone chose to ignore me, which... Well, I can't really blame them for that. But things are different now. I have a friend who accepts me as one of his companions and is truly concerned. And with that being the case, perhaps I AM capable of change.