Valentine's Hildegarde/Stories

General Stories Misc

Quotes

On Sortied

Let us nurture our feelings.

On Entering a Room

Let us remain together.

When Quest Begins

Let us go forth as evangelists of love.

We shall swear a vow together. Are you prepared?

Response to Beginning of a Quest

Yes, let us support one another.

I shall follow your lead!

When Controlling Character in Quest

I ask of you: what is love?

When Receiving a Heal

My thanks.

You saved me.

When Entering a Boss’ Room

Let us topple the final foe!

On behalf of the goddess, I bring forth the hammer of love!

Response to Entering a Boss’ Room

Let our hearts remain pure!

I shall deliver victory into our hands!

Upon Getting to Low Health

Even if my body should break...

Will I not...be able to help?

Upon Opening A Chest

Might this be a gift from someone?

Thanks be to the goddess for her love.

Boss on Low Health

Strike the final blow!

Love's victory is near!

Boss Enters Break State

Now is our chance! Our hearts must be as one!

There is no need for strategy; keep pushing until the end!

Rare Enemy Spawns

Such a gaudy enemy deserves naught but punishment.

Could this, too, be a fated encounter?

Upon Death

All that I am and was, I leave to you...

Even flowers wilt in time... I see that now...

When Using Shared Skills

Ilia awaits thee!

The struggle continues.

Let love flow.

Be purged.

All will be well.

I can go on.

Player Uses Damaging Skill

Ah! How captivating...

A beautiful technique filled with heart.

When Shape Shifting is Ready

Our hearts are as one, dragon!

Even the dragon's heart is full!

Shape Shifting into Dragon

Our feelings align!

Idle During Quest

Why have we stopped? This is no time for romance!

I do need some time to collect my thoughts...

Quest Clear

The power of love propelled us to victory!

Quest Failure

Was love not enough?

Home Screen Walking

May my devotion reach you this day.

It is well to have events every now and again.

I wish to rid my heart of foul lies.

My feelings are blossoming.

I cannot get used to wearing gowns...

Is this not love as well?

Home Screen Inside

Who knew that the day might come where I could enjoy a fanciful event?

Few desires are fulfilled by prayer alone—hard work and dedication are also required.

When I think back on wearing a dress with my friends, I think I understand what fun is.

I did yearn to be a princess when I was young. What of it?

Speak not a word of this dress! It feels like an awful sin to be without my holy vestments.

When I was young, I prayed constantly to the goddess and stars for rescue.

Home Screen Portrait

What think you of this dress? Have I overreached?

I've not gone shopping with friends before. It was...fun.

My past self would be most envious if she saw me now.

Let us strive to be the people we wish to be.

Perhaps Ilia will hearken to my prayers now.

Collection Portrait

Don't look at me like that! I know not what I should do.

I never thought to wear the lovely dresses I admired as a child.

Prayers and wishes are different things. And no desire is fulfilled by prayer alone.

I have changed since meeting you. I can now wear dresses and laugh with everyone.

The time I've spend with you makes me feel blessed for all my days until now.

At The Halidom

Did you mistake me for a flower because of this dress?

The right place to share one's feelings is... Hm...

This is where I belong.

New Mana Circle Unlocked

I'm most grateful for your continuous guidance.

Mana Circle Fully Unbound

Adventurer Story Episodes

Episode 1

Devotion to Emotions

(When I was younger, prayer was everything to me. After I was given to the orphanage as a child, I prayed without ceasing that my parents might one day return for me. Because of spending my childhood that way, I eventually came to regard fun as something...evil. To take pleasure from an event like Valentine's was impure...or so I thought. But here I am enjoying a dress my friends helped me choose. I fear the people here may be having an influence on me.) Heh. How very strange. Yep. Standing around grinning to yourself IS pretty strange. Did something nice happen? No, not really. I was merely reminiscing. Oh? What about? My years at the orphanage. I spent my childhood alone in prayer to the goddess that my parents might return. Yet here I am wearing a dress and enjoying Valentine's. I cannot help but wonder what my younger self would say if she could see me now. Well, what do you THINK she'd say? I imagine she would be quite annoyed and say that time spent gallivanting about in a dress would be better spent in fervent prayer. Honoring Ilia's teachings and offering her prayers are both deeply important. And yet, there are some wishes prayer alone cannot grant. Perhaps that is something we should bear in mind. I suppose that's the reality of it... There's no need to look so grim; I certainly WISH prayer could grant specific requests. But I have never once doubted the worth of my practice, for prayer brings salvation both great and small to all hearts. For everything else, we must simply act of our own free will to achieve those things. I'm forever grateful to the people of the Halidom for demonstrating this lesson through their continued actions. Hey, we're happy if you're happy! Agreed—we're just glad to help somehow. Still, speaking of things that can't be granted by prayer alone... Is there something you had in mind? Perhaps something related to all the Valentine's festivities. What do you mean? Maybe there is something you're looking to get out of the event—and if that's the case we can help. Prayer may not be able to give you everything you want, but WE might be able to if we all work together. Yeah! I mean, this is a time for giving and all that junk, right? So just be honest and tell us what's in your heart already! Hmm... This is not a question that's easily answered without thought. It could be something you want now, or even something you wanted but couldn't have as a child. Something I wanted... Oh. Well, I suppose there was ONE thing. But I couldn't possibly... Ooo, you got something?! Tell us, tell us! It's nothing, really... Freaking tell us already! If you do, we'll totes make it come true! Yes. It's Valentine's and all, so let us do something to show how much we all appreciate having you here. Think of this as a Valentine's present from us. Does that make it easier? I see. Thank you. Well, this is a very old memory— and not one I think of often—but... (And so I told them a memory from my orphanage years... But even as I spoke, I had no idea of just what the future had in store for me.)

Episode 2

Part to Play

"Ah ha ha ha! Foolish princess! I'll never allow ya to marry the prince!" "His lawful wedded wife shall be me, the witch! Now seize her, yeah?!" "Right!" "N-no, I will never allow you to..." Oh, but this is foolishness itself. What are we even DOING? Wait, what?! YOU were the one who said you always wanted the princess role whenever your orphanage put on a play! We're just trying to help you do that. You weren't just making all that up, were you? Heaven forbid! Lies are this world's most abominable of evils! However, I merely wanted to TELL you of this memory—not to have you attempt to rectify it in the present day. Look, you're dressed all princess-like, and I spent at least ten minutes tryin' to memorize these lines, so we might as well do this thing, yeah? Ranzal is correct about your dress; it truly does make you look like royalty. I quite agree. Incidentally, now that we've all broken character, what roles DID you used to play when you were a child? I assume the fact you always wanted to be cast as the princess means you were usually given other roles instead? W-well... Uh oh. Is it that bad? Were ya like Sad Mute Villager or somethin'? Or didja have to play Big Bad Fiend? DEFINITELY not! Still, I never pictured you wanting to be a princess. I'm well aware the role does not suit me. Oh, that's not what I'm saying at all. I just think it's kind of cute. Pray do not tease me about this; I had a very serious reason for wanting to play such a part. And what was that? Someone always comes to the rescue of a princess in the end. I have always been...intensely jealous of this fact. Oh, man. You wanted to be a princess because it meant your parents might come back for you? ...... "Enough'a the gloominess! Seize her!" No, seriously, there ain't no reason to be so down about this—ya got a chance to make yer childhood dream come true! Yeah! Just have fun being a princess! Hey, why don't we just skip to the scene where a prince comes to rescue you? And who is playing this prince? *cough* Hee hee! Well, if you want a serious method actor, he's your man! Okay, so we're gonna do the scene after the evil witch is defeated, which is the climactic kiss! Let's gooo! A k-kiss?! I don't remember there being a kissing scene in this play. Eh, I figured it'd be more exciting this way, so I threw one in. You probably should have run that decision past the rest of us first. It doesn't have to be a REAL kiss! Just get real close and act like it or whatever. Now places, everyone! And remember, this is all for Hildegarde! O-okay... Aaaand...ACTION! "I have come for you, Princess. I was so worried when I heard that you had been captured, I thought my heart would break." (A-are we really going to do a kiss scene?!) "But the pain I endured made me realize that what I feel for you is true love." (W-well, I'm older than him, I should be able to handle this...) "Can you possibly return my feelings?" (Everyone is pouring their heart and soul into this play, and it's all for me.) "I...I l-l-love y-yoo..." (I can't make all of their effort for nothing. B-but a kiss?!) I'm so glad that you feel the same way. Then let us kiss, that our feelings for one another may never change. Noooooooo! Aaargh! You okay, Euden?! Yeah, I think she just grazed me. Okay, what is this, Improv 101? The script clearly does NOT tell you to knock the prince out! I'm sorry, but I simply cannot do something so obscene as a public display of affection. And even if you weren't all watching me, the goddess would be! Such lewd behavior would not please her in the slightest. I see acting in a play only goes so far toward changing a person's nature. I cannot and shall not lie to the goddess. You all have my heartfelt apologies. I think we're going to have to come up with a plan B here, everyone. Heck, "plan B" is my middle name! What else you want, Hildegarde? I can only think of a single wish I have truly ever wanted... Is that... Yes. I want to find my parents. Oh, but I am a pathetic fool to continue to cling to this! Still, I have always yearned for them to come and see me perform. Every time I took the stage, I would search for their faces in the audience. Hoping your parents will show up for a play seems like a VERY roundabout way to find them. Why don't we just go look for them? Oh, this is all naive foolishness. What interest would they possibly have in seeing me after all this time?! If you're always afraid of the first step, you'll never take a journey. There are some wishes that prayer alone can't grant, remember? And just hoping for it won't get the job done either. So let's go out there and make your dream come true—together. ...... Your guiding voice has reached me more plainly than any oracle. Then...? Yes. Thanks to you, I feel I can finally leave my weakness in the past. Will you help me find my parents? You've dreamed of this long enough; let's go make it come true.

Episode 3

A Dream Preserved

So this is your old orphanage, eh? Seeing it brings back so many memories... It is good to see you again, Hildegarde. Is that you, Saul? Yep! Your old childhood pal, in the flesh! I'm in charge of the orphanage now. Well, this is a surprise! I had no idea! Thank you for looking after the place. No problem. But listen, what brings you here today? And who's that with you? We're Hildegarde's friends, and we're here to ask for your help. We are searching for information about her parents. We thought this would be a good place to begin our search. I see... So you still haven't given up hope, eh? I remember how you used to just shut yourself in your room and pray for them to come while the rest of us were going about our lives. I've no desire to relive the past. Can you help us or no? Let me go see if there's anything useful in storage. Oh, and it's a mess in there, so it might take a while. You mind playing with the children while you wait? I know they'd love the company. Of course. Hey, lady! Are you gonna play with us? We would be happy to play with you. What would you like to do? Really?! Yaaay! This way, this way! C'mon! H-hold on a— Ha ha! Poor Elisanne has no idea what she's gotten herself into. They seem almost overjoyed to see us. Are visitors really so rare? They are, I'm afraid. The life of an orphan here is mostly one of unceasing sameness, so they tend to latch on to even the smallest hope of love or salvation. I know exactly how they feel, for I used to be the same. Well, most of them seem to be well-adjusted regardless. Still, there must be some children here who are lonely. You're right—which makes me wonder if I shouldn't be spending my time and energy differently. Should I really be spending all my time on this self-serving path...? What do you mean? ...It is nothing. Sorry, Hildy. I've got a rough idea where the info you want would be, but like I said, it's a huge mess. I could use an extra pair of hands in there, if you don't mind. Of course. Let's go, Hildegarde. A-all right... (Is this really what I want? Is meeting my parents truly what I want?) Several days later... Well, according to our new information, your parents should be in this village. Then let's go find 'em already and make a Valentine's miracle! I mean, there's no better time to tell your parents how you feel. ...... Is something wrong? I cannot do this. OH, COME ON! Are ya gettin' cold feet NOW? I won't deny there is fear in my heart. After all, what if they reject me anew? But there is something I fear even more than that...so I cannot go see them. What do you mean? My dream was never to MEET them— it was for them to come BACK for me. I wanted them to be the ones who reached out to me, not the reverse. And if I find them in this village today, that dream will become impossible. The thought of my dream dying—of the only thing I ever truly wanted vanishing in a hopeless cloud—terrifies me. I am so very sorry for saying this after all that you have done to help me, but I cannot lie to myself. Well, if you're sure, we won't push it. I'm sorry we couldn't do more. But I AM happy you felt comfortable enough to tell us how you feel. I was only able to reach this conclusion because you were all here with me. I was able to look past my loneliness, face my feelings, and find my true wish. Your TRUE wish? Wait, so there's actually something ELSE you want? Sister, I cannot keep up with you.. You have done too much for me already, but might I ask one more thing of you? We've come this far, and we'll be with you until the end. Right, everyone? Of course. You are very important to us. Thank you all so much. Okay, out with it. What's your true wish? It is...

Episode 4

Reflections of the Past

"His lawful wedded wife shall be me, the witch. Now uh...seize her and stuff." "Right." CUT! Just because this is rehearsal doesn't mean you can give it less than your best! Ranzal, you need to sound more nasty! That way people will understand the central theme of evil being punished! Er, ain't this a love story? And you! Lackeys! Put some heart and enthusiasm into your response! Perhaps we could even replace the plain "right" with the growl of a fiend. Slow your roll there, sister. I get that you're enthusiastic and all, but if you start making changes like that, this is gonna get weird fast. Perhaps you are correct. My apologies. It's all right—it just shows how serious you are about fulfilling your true wish. I was curious what you'd come up with after you mentioned it... But I never expected you'd want to put on a play for the orphanage. Indeed, this is the work of a true priestess of Ilia! My position in the church has nothing to do with this. I am merely following my heart. Now, less talking and more practicing! We must deliver happiness unto each and every child! Several days later... I'm so grateful to you for doing this for the children, Hildegarde. I couldn't believe my ears when you told me. They're all really excited. What kinda play is it gonna be? Do bad guys get beaten up?! Huh?! Heh. We shall endeavor not to let all of you down. ...Hmm? ...... Saul, who is that girl over there, and why is she on her own? Oh yeah, that's Eve. She pretty much keeps to herself. She's a pleasant, well-mannered child, but she seems to prefer being alone. ...Reminds me of you, actually. I suppose I did act in rather the selfsame manner... But that means she might not actually enjoy being alone at all. What do you mean? She likely feels she cannot join in with the others, lest she embarrass herself. And so she is left with the belief that only the goddess can free her. That is how I was, at least. Then that makes you the perfect person to help her out. Me? It sounds like you understand her feelings better than anyone. If this play is intended to make everyone happy, that includes Eve, right? Then I accept the task! ...This is proving harder than I thought. She's not letting me get close at all. She's a clever child who clearly knows what the adults around her are thinking. I just need a way to break the ice. Perhaps something akin to how I was caught up in everyone's Valentine's enthusiasm, which is how I ended up wearing this dress. Or perhaps... Hmm? That's it! Everyone who wants to play the princess, raise your hand! Meeee! And who wants to play the prince?! Meeee! What about you? I don't... No, thank you. There's no need to be so dismissive of something you've never tried. Your mind will never be able to change otherwise. In this play, there can be as many people playing each role as there is demand. You can be whatever—or whoever— you so desire to be. So then! What will you be? I... I'd like to be a princess. But someone like me could never... Do not disparage yourself so. If you lack confidence, you should seek to improve yourself and work from there. Is it really okay if I act with everyone? Can I really be a princess? Of course! All right, time to start getting ready. This way, everyone. Oooo-kay, we've basically got an entire cast of princes and princesses now. You sure you're okay with this? Whatever do you mean? They're totally gonna overshadow you, no matter HOW smokin' your dress is. This whole play thing started because you wanted to be a princess, remember? Heh... Aaah ha ha ha! Um, did I say something weird? No, Notte—and I appreciate your concern. But I'm happy to let the children take whatever role they desire. When I was growing up, all I did was pray. But now I'm an adult, and a senior priestess to boot. I cannot stay a princess awaiting rescue for the rest of my days. I would rather use my experiences to help someone else instead. That is my true wish.

Episode 5

Shared Salvation

Thank you all for coming to see the children's performance today. They've all worked very hard for this day, so please, enjoy the show! All right. Here we go. ...... Eve looks really nervous. You think she'll be okay? I don't know; she still doesn't have many friends she's comfortable with. ...... "I...I a-always believed y-you would come for me, P-P-Prince..." Oh man, ouch. That ain't good. Thankfully, the number of harsh theater critics at a children's performance is likely to be quite low. "Nothing is too much for you, my beloved. Please take this as a token of my affection." "A tiara? Th-thank you..." Oh no! WHAAAT?! The tiara BROKE?! It must have degraded after being in the orphanage's storage for so long. Never mind the tiara—this PLAY will fall apart if we don't do something! What should we do, Hildegarde?! ...Huh? Where'd she go? The tiara... It's broken... Now I can't be a princess... I knew I could never be a pri— "I shall grant you THIS tiara!" What?! Isn't that...?! "I have been watching over you for an age, and I know you deserve happiness." "You should never belittle yourself thus. Now, bow your head and accept this crown." "Umm... You're..." "I am a saint who has come to bestow an oracle upon you." "This tiara is a gift from the goddess, and I have come to give it— and her words—to you, Princess." This play is getting WEIRD, man. That's why we couldn't find her earlier. She was changing into her dress and tracking down a spare tiara. And thanks to her, this little play is gonna go out with a happy endin'! You're right, Ranzal—look how happy all the children on stage are! "Now take this crown and wear it on your head with pride!" "...Right!" I don't know how they stuck that landin', but they stuck it GOOD! Magnificent work, everyone! Bravo! Well? What did you think of acting? It was suuuper fun! Everyone clapped for us! You all earned it. ...... And you, Eve? Umm, I...I didn't do very well. But... But you came to save me. Just like the goddess. What...? When you saved me, you were so pretty and nice and... And you were JUST like the goddess! Thank you, ma'am! You are most welcome. Hildegarde? Oh, there ya are! C'mon, we gotta shake a leg or... Is something wrong? You seem...distant. I think I may have been right after all. About what? Prayer used to be my entire life. I spent my every waking moment begging the goddess for salvation. But looking back on it, perhaps that wasn't such a bad thing after all. I believe that all of those prayers were leading up to this moment. It led to me meeting all of you, saving others, and being able to grow. Now I am not the one being saved— I am the one DOING the saving. I'm sure you were all along. Right? Heck, you've helped all of us! Thank you all so much. Speakin' of savin' folks... That saint act of yers was PERFECT! It's almost like ya practiced it. Well... Wait. DID ya practice it?! Most certainly not! ...However, it is fair to say this is not the first time I have played the role of a saint. Not the first time? You mean... You see it now. The role I was given as a child wasn't the princess—it was the saint who confers the goddess's words. I see. Ha! Talk about casting to type! I suppose it was a perfect role for me— or it is now, given how my life went. Back then, I wanted to be a princess more than I wanted to be a saint. But now, I feel as though the role of a saint suits me better. I was right to believe that prayers bring salvation to people, and that the goddess watches over us always. (My loneliness and prayers led me here. I didn't know it then, but I'm sure I was praying to meet all of my new friends. Oh, Goddess. My most heartfelt thanks for allowing me to meet them. And as I keep working to make my dreams come true, please watch over me. I may be praying in a different way, but prayer is still everything to me.)