[There were a lot of things that would surprise Freminet and this was one of them. Immediately upon being picked up, he panicked as he didn't know what to do. Of course, it wasn't long before he found himself quickly placed back on the bed.]
Uh...yes. It was during when we went to see the area with my brother and I got hurt.
Hey, confidence isn't something that can happen overnight. It's something you build over time. Just like strength.
[He nods. In a lot of ways, Freminet might remind Zack of Cloud when he was younger... Wanting to be strong and confident. Not knowing how to be that.]
It starts with being confident in yourself. Not worrying what others might be saying or thinking.
That's the thing. I worry about what other say about me because I don't want to mess up.
[Especially during his days when he first entered the Hearth. It was always so cruel and overwhelming for him. One wrong move and he could be scolded or get even worse...]
[Poor kiddo. Just what happened in the past that made him like this? Freminet's self-esteem is abysmally low and it's very concerning... How can he help? Maybe he should talk to Arlecchino.]
But everyone makes mistakes sometimes. It's nothing to beat yourself up over. ... Was it something that happened back home that made you scared?
[That house he was with... Zack knows the surface story. But that's it.]
[... Huh. If Zack remembers things right, it isn't Arlecchino who's the mother. That woman was very interested in what Zack had to say about taking care of both Lyney and Freminet. She had a stern look and attitude to her but she seemed... sincerely kind.]
No, she isn't. My mother is Crucabena, she used to be in charge of the orphanage before Father showed up.
[He said with a mumble or two.]
...She used to be so cruel. She often made sure we fought against one another to see who would be the strongest. And those who aren't? They...they either are experimented on or they died.
[Considering the circumstances now, Zack thinks Freminet is doing pretty good. Now all Zack wants to do is to make sure he keeps doing good. Zack wants to support him but he still thinks he might need to talk to Arlecchino so he's not so out of his depths with this. Raising kids is hard.]
I know it's tough. Especially if you keep thinking about her. But just remember, you don't owe her anything. You don't have to live up to anything she wanted.
[He didn't stand out too much when compared to his more famous siblings. Although, he wasn't going to complain. Not when he didn't like being in the spotlight. Shaking his head, he just straighten his back.]
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[Zack smiles and then notices the state that Freminet is in so he decides to reach out and scoop him up.]
Here, I got you. Let's get you sitting down and we'll get that leg wrapped up properly.
[Back to sitting on the bed Freminet goes! Zack will kneel on one knee on the floor as he opens up the first aid kit.]
So how did this happen, again? A rabbit?
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Uh...yes. It was during when we went to see the area with my brother and I got hurt.
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That's the first time I've ever heard of a rabbit doing damage like this. Good that you were with your brother.
[Zack picks up some fresh bandages and gets to work.]
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[All the while giving a small mumble.]
I don't want to be bitten again.
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[This world is kind of full of them... Mostly fish ones. But then rabbits come out of nowhere like this.]
It looks like this should heal up just fine, though. You'll be okay.
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[He said with a mumble or two. Looking at his wound, it didn't hurt quite as much but it was a reminder of what happened.]
I don't want to bother anyone because of my mistakes.
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Nah. You didn't make any mistakes. It's not like those rabbits coming at you were your fault, right? Just be careful next time.
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I know. It's still a hard thing for me to accept.
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How so? Want to try to explain it to me? Sometimes that can help you work it out if you talk about it out loud.
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...I got my brother involved too. I know that he wants to help me out but I don't want him to think of me as weak.
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I doubt he thinks you're weak. It's just a big brother's job to worry.
Is it more that you want to be stronger, then?
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[He said with a sigh.]
I tried to sing in front of people too but it didn't turn out so well.
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[He nods. In a lot of ways, Freminet might remind Zack of Cloud when he was younger... Wanting to be strong and confident. Not knowing how to be that.]
It starts with being confident in yourself. Not worrying what others might be saying or thinking.
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[Especially during his days when he first entered the Hearth. It was always so cruel and overwhelming for him. One wrong move and he could be scolded or get even worse...]
I...I'm scared of getting things wrong.
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But everyone makes mistakes sometimes. It's nothing to beat yourself up over. ... Was it something that happened back home that made you scared?
[That house he was with... Zack knows the surface story. But that's it.]
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...I was lucky that Mother left the orphanage before it got bad. If I ever did anything wrong, she could probably have me sent away.
[He gave a mumble or two.]
I don't want to think about what would have happened if I ever did anything wrong in her eyes.
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And this mother... Isn't your father. Right?
[Just help him get that detail right, first.]
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[He said with a mumble or two.]
...She used to be so cruel. She often made sure we fought against one another to see who would be the strongest. And those who aren't? They...they either are experimented on or they died.
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That would explain a lot, kiddo.
[Zack reaches out to pat Freminet's head gently. Pat, pat.]
Hearing something like that. No one, let alone kids your age, should have to deal with it. Everything that woman did, was wrong to do.
[Experiments... God damn. Zack can feel his blood boiling.]
You don't have to fight for your survival, Freminet. Or to prove yourself.
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Even if his progress here hasn't been going as well as he wanted, at least he could be happy about how he doesn't fear people as much as he did.]
I know. That's what Father and my brother has been trying to tell me. I don't have to do any of that.
[He said with a sigh.]
...However, she still haunts me even when she's no longer here.
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I know it's tough. Especially if you keep thinking about her. But just remember, you don't owe her anything. You don't have to live up to anything she wanted.
[He nods.]
You can just be Freminet.
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[He didn't stand out too much when compared to his more famous siblings. Although, he wasn't going to complain. Not when he didn't like being in the spotlight. Shaking his head, he just straighten his back.]
And why I want to become better here.
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Well, I think you're on the right track. Keep going.
[All of this makes so much more sense now.]