A Trust Earned/Mordecai: Kindhearted Tiger


Mordecai	Hrm? Is that Fjorm?
Ah! I-I hope I didn't frighten you! My apologies... I saw you surrounded by all those animals, and...I had to get a closer look...		Fjorm
Mordecai	You did not scare me. Mordecai can smell when danger is close. You do not smell like danger.
I-I...I smell? But I bathe and change my clothes every day...		Fjorm
Mordecai	Mordecai's nose smells many things yours does not. But...it is not a bad smell.
Oh... Well... That's a relief! But enough of that—I came to ask about the animals that were all around you. All the little birds, squirrels, deer, and other forest creatures... It was... very cute.		Fjorm
Mordecai	They are my friends. They teach Mordecai about Askr.
I am a bit jealous. You have so many adorable little friends, Mordecai! Where I'm from, everything is always covered in snow and ice, so the cute forest animals stay hidden away... Growing up, I always longed to see all the cute little animals for myself, and then just now...there they were.		Fjorm
Mordecai	Hmmm... Fjorm maybe can get a closer look than this. Just need to try...like Mordecai.
All right, I will try! Thank you, Mordecai!		Fjorm


Fjorm	May I...ask you something, Mordecai?
Yes. I will answer if I can.		Mordecai
Fjorm	I was hoping you might have more... specific advice when it comes to drawing the forest creatures out...
"Spess...ific"? What does this word mean?		Mordecai
Fjorm	Oh, um...I mean, is there one thing I need to know to become friends with animals like you can? A...trick?
Hmm... No. No tricks. Mordecai...does not think about it. Just is friend.		Mordecai
Fjorm	Hmm... I went to the forest, but none of the animals would allow me to approach them... They were too scared.
Might take time. Practice. Be patient, and you will be friends...I think.		Mordecai
Fjorm	I see... Patience... Thank you for your advice, Mordecai. I will go put it to the test right now!
...		Mordecai
Ranulf	Hey, Mordecai... Was that Princess Fjorm you were just talking to?
Yes. Fjorm wants to make more friends. I am teaching her.		Mordecai
Ranulf	Huh? "Friends"? What do you mean? Wasn't she headed toward the forest just now?
Fjorm wants forest friends.		Mordecai
Ranulf	Oh, I see... She saw you in the forest, and wanted to get up close to some animals like that. Is that it? A laguz can do that kind of thing, but it might be difficult for a beorc, don't you think?
Hmm... You are right...		Mordecai


Lethe	Mordecai, I...saw Princess Fjorm out in the forest... Do you know what she's doing out there?
Hrm?		Mordecai
Lethe	She was out there scattering food, putting on what looked like...cat ears? Is it some Askran ceremony?
Hmm... I think Fjorm is trying to make forest friends...		Mordecai
Lethe	Sometimes the beorc do things I just cannot understand...

Hmph... It's no use. None of the animals are coming anywhere near me no matter what I do...		Fjorm
Mordecai	They must not be scared. Maybe they are confused.
Mordecai! ...What do you mean?		Fjorm
Mordecai	If you run, animals also run. Fjorm is after animals, so they are confused.
Ohh...I was too aggressive in my pursuit, and the animals were being careful to avoid me...		Fjorm
Mordecai	Fjorm should do nothing. It is best to be natural...and slow. Be with the forest. If you do, animals will not be confused.
Act naturally... As part of the forest... I believe I understand. Thank you, Mordecai! I will try again...		Fjorm
Mordecai	Fjorm can do it—she can be friends with anyone.


Ranulf	Hey, Mordecai. I just saw Fjorm out in the forest... She was out there surrounded by a bunch of animals!
Oh? I am glad.		Mordecai
Ranulf	She looked like she was having a great time too. And all the animals were calm in her presence... She must have learned to sense the hearts of the animals for so many to trust a beorc like that...
Fjorm is...kind. And open. Mordecai knew this.		Mordecai

Fjorm	Oh, hello, Mordecai. Look... It is amazing how much more comfortable they are around me now... All these birds and squirrels—oh, and the cute little bunnies...they've never been this calm around me.
I am glad... It is good to see you are all friends now.		Mordecai
Fjorm	If I were to tell the truth, I...fell asleep in this grove here. And when I opened my eyes, all the creatures of the forest had gathered around me...
Fjorm was one with the forest. So forest friends felt safe.		Mordecai
Fjorm	Of course... By acting naturally, the woodland creatures all felt more at home near me. When I stopped chasing after them, they came to me on their own... Perhaps the same could be said for people as well...
Yes. Mordecai and Fjorm grew close without trying.		Mordecai
Fjorm	That's true! And I'm excited to grow even closer with you and everyone else from Gallia!
It will happen. Two people near each other become friends before long. It is...natural.		Mordecai