... I cannot promise you this to be a happy memory, so instead I ask that you steel yourself, Ser Kumon.
[ Aymeric touches the bubble... And a burst of color comes as the scene twists.
Dressed in the clothes your parents bought for you, you walk the streets of Ishgard, your home. Her walls tower over you, majestic and great. The knights, too, tower over you and you think of when the time comes where you'll too grow to reach their heights. The men and women who stand ever still, hands on their blades or shields, watching over the Pillars intimidate you yet you feel swelling admiration all the same.
How could you not? You're only a child.
Because you are a child, your parents encourage to make friends with the other noble children. They would be playing in the Hoplon they told you, so you make some hesitant steps there... You feel fairly nervous, forgetting all of your etiquette lessons, but you muster all of your courage to approach them.
Fortunately for you, the other children are tired of pleasantries and decorum. You can talk to them and play like status doesn't matter. You soon forget what noble Houses they come from, lost in all the laughter and fun. It would have been a good day, one you plan to tell your parents, until you catch whispers of adults who pass by.
"Isn't that Thordan's alleged bastard?"
"I thought that was hearsay."
"And yet he wants to ascend the throne as Archbishop..."
"These men who claim to value 'piety' never truly practice the virtue. 'Tis all superficial."
"I see naught wrong here. The child was born before his ascendance and passed off to the Borels."
They're not talking about you, are they?
The other children don't seem to understand, either, but it becomes palpable to you when one of their mothers come to snatch them by the wrist.
"Don't play with him, dear. You'll become dirty and it will bring shame to our House."
She looks at you when she ushers those harsh words. At that moment, you think you understand a little of what's going on. Your parents console you when you confront them on this, telling you no matter what you are still their son. You still think about the whispers you heard that they...
These rumors, they follow you for years, and they grow in number. From the same generation, then your own when your peers no longer have that childish naivety to cloud their eyes.
For all of your efforts, you will be labeled a bastard — belittled, overlooked, and unwanted son of the Holy See of Ishgard.
Aymeric watches, though his expression is neutral. ]
Hmm... I love my big brother more than anything in the world. But... I think what matters the most is that family is who you choose! And they chose you. That's the important thing, no matter what other people say.
For Kumon, the memory he shares is something heavy. Something he's carried with him. Maybe not this specific instance, but there's a feeling that this has happened before. He thinks too much, feels too deeply and works himself into a worried frenzy.
Kumon is laid out in bed, fever ravaging through his body, Juza is there, calm and quiet, taking care of him. You're really, really lucky to have a big brother like him. He's always doing his best to look out for you.
Of all the people who deserve to be on the stage, it certainly shouldn't be you. All you've ever been able to do is let people down. You don't want to let them down, but your body keeps letting you down and there's nothing you can do to fight back against it. You want to help, you want to support them and... your body gives out on you, every time.
He... failed. Again and again and again. He never manages to live up to what he wants, for himself or for the people around him. Juza was right when you first asked to get on stage, wasn't he? Kumon never should've been on stage. It's nothing but another group of people he's let down.
But Juza speaks, gentle, a soft smile on his features as he encourages you. There's no such thing as a right to be on stage, that you'll get through it this time.
[Maybe not his worth, exactly. But he can't deny it'd be really nice of his body to not make him go into stress fever melt down the moment he feels too stressed.]
You are so hyped after watching Ginji the Wanderer and your big brother looked the absolute coolest on stage! He always looks cool on stage but this is his second time getting to colead and you're definitely gonna congratulate him on a job well done! (Not Banri though, that guy sucks.)]
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[ Aymeric touches the bubble... And a burst of color comes as the scene twists.
Dressed in the clothes your parents bought for you, you walk the streets of Ishgard, your home. Her walls tower over you, majestic and great. The knights, too, tower over you and you think of when the time comes where you'll too grow to reach their heights. The men and women who stand ever still, hands on their blades or shields, watching over the Pillars intimidate you yet you feel swelling admiration all the same.
How could you not? You're only a child.
Because you are a child, your parents encourage to make friends with the other noble children. They would be playing in the Hoplon they told you, so you make some hesitant steps there... You feel fairly nervous, forgetting all of your etiquette lessons, but you muster all of your courage to approach them.
Fortunately for you, the other children are tired of pleasantries and decorum. You can talk to them and play like status doesn't matter. You soon forget what noble Houses they come from, lost in all the laughter and fun. It would have been a good day, one you plan to tell your parents, until you catch whispers of adults who pass by.
"Isn't that Thordan's alleged bastard?"
"I thought that was hearsay."
"And yet he wants to ascend the throne as Archbishop..."
"These men who claim to value 'piety' never truly practice the virtue. 'Tis all superficial."
"I see naught wrong here. The child was born before his ascendance and passed off to the Borels."
They're not talking about you, are they?
The other children don't seem to understand, either, but it becomes palpable to you when one of their mothers come to snatch them by the wrist.
"Don't play with him, dear. You'll become dirty and it will bring shame to our House."
She looks at you when she ushers those harsh words. At that moment, you think you understand a little of what's going on. Your parents console you when you confront them on this, telling you no matter what you are still their son. You still think about the whispers you heard that they...
These rumors, they follow you for years, and they grow in number. From the same generation, then your own when your peers no longer have that childish naivety to cloud their eyes.
you will be labeled a bastard — belittled, overlooked, and unwanted son
of the Holy See of Ishgard.
Aymeric watches, though his expression is neutral. ]
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It's certainly no secret to him, that children can be cruel. He reaches out to take Americ's hand and squeeze it for a moment.]
You're really strong to be as kind as you are.
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[ Kumon may do that. Aymeric's fingers flex when he does. ]
I can only thank my foster parents. Though we had not a drop of blood between us, they treated me as if I was truly born from their noble house.
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Those are sage words, Ser Kumon. Family... Can be found in any person. 'Tis a bond.
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I do think of them from time to time. [ And he hopes they are proud of him. ] 'Twould look like the bubble has not yet dissiapated.
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[He'll put a hand on it.
For Kumon, the memory he shares is something heavy. Something he's carried with him. Maybe not this specific instance, but there's a feeling that this has happened before. He thinks too much, feels too deeply and works himself into a worried frenzy.
Kumon is laid out in bed, fever ravaging through his body, Juza is there, calm and quiet, taking care of him. You're really, really lucky to have a big brother like him. He's always doing his best to look out for you.
A memory begins to play (until 2:24).
Of all the people who deserve to be on the stage, it certainly shouldn't be you. All you've ever been able to do is let people down. You don't want to let them down, but your body keeps letting you down and there's nothing you can do to fight back against it. You want to help, you want to support them and... your body gives out on you, every time.
He... failed. Again and again and again. He never manages to live up to what he wants, for himself or for the people around him. Juza was right when you first asked to get on stage, wasn't he? Kumon never should've been on stage. It's nothing but another group of people he's let down.
But Juza speaks, gentle, a soft smile on his features as he encourages you. There's no such thing as a right to be on stage, that you'll get through it this time.
You can only hope he's right.] ]
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[ This is sad and Aymeric chooses his words wisely. ]
Your brother is truly cool.
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Kumon smiles.]
He's the best big brother I could ever ask for.
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[ He smiles again. ]
... Physical strength and constitution does not define your worth, Ser Kumon. I hope you know that.
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It's not everything.
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Do you know what triggers it? Or does it come and leave as it wishes?
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It's a lot more stressful being here. But I haven't fainted yet. [ Nobody is relying on him for anything. ]
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[ And a good way, too. ]
This may be a difficult question, what do you find most humorous? Examples would be very helpful.
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Would that I could see that memory instead.
[ As in "he wishes," so he can BEHOLD the example. ]
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[He's kidding.]
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[ A joke question to his joke. ]
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[He does not burst into flames.]
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[ This is fine. Let's go. ]
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Here to 5:00. Brocon mini, indeed.
You are so hyped after watching Ginji the Wanderer and your big brother looked the absolute coolest on stage! He always looks cool on stage but this is his second time getting to colead and you're definitely gonna congratulate him on a job well done! (Not Banri though, that guy sucks.)]
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