Changing Winds/Hilda: Idle Maiden


Hilda	Your timing couldn't be more perfect, `【Summoner】`. Commander Anna was asking for me. Would you be a dear and tell her that I can't make it? Let her know I'm dreadfully sorry, but my hands are full, so I can't help with whatever she needs help with. What's with that look on your face? What, you don't believe me? I really am busy, you know. See? I'm making hairpins. Crafting accessories is a hobby of mine. I was looking at the women around here and thought they could use an extra splash of fashion. These are almost ready, but they're missing something. So I need to hunt down a couple more materials. ...What? That doesn't seem like a good excuse? It's not as though she needs me for something important! She probably just wants to train. She keeps inviting me to train with her, for some reason. Not my thing. I don't like working up a sweat. Plus, I don't have to worry about grades here, so who cares? Tell you what. Why don't you just devise your own excuse to satisfy Commander Anna, OK? Thanks!


Hilda	Hey there. How are you today? As for me, I'm feeling lousy. I'm clearly the weakest Hero around, but for some reason, Commander Anna keeps making me go into battle. Is this some kind of cruel joke that she's playing? Or is this her way to showing she cares? "If Hilda won't train with me, I have no choice but to make her learn the hard way!" It's unjust! I'm a delicate flower. I am not cut out for this life. Even calling me a "Hero" is a bit strong. Sure I want to help other people, but mostly I have to watch out for myself. I'm a fragile maiden and all that. And I haven't made any progress on those hairpins since we last spoke! Making accessories requires time and energy to focus. I can't do it when I'm fighting all the time. ...Sorry that I'm complaining so much, `【Summoner】`. You're way busier than I am, and you never complain. I kinda admire that. Not to say I'll stop complaining. Which reminds me. Can you talk to Commander Anna? Tell her to go easy on me. I'm falling apart here.


Hilda	Hey. How are you? Good? Good. I'm still pretty exhausted. I found out Commander Anna wasn't just putting me through my paces. She actually needed my help. Most people in this situation would probably say something like, "I'll do my best to meet her expectations!" But not me. I'd rather not deal at all with everyone's expectations. I find it easier to avoid all responsibilities. What If I let everyone down? I'll have to look at all their disappointed faces. Just the thought depresses me. I know how people are. My brother is really strong, so everyone depends on him, but even he fails sometimes. When that happens, everyone has this expression like, "Why'd we ever think we could count on him!" It's awful! And here I am, with people loading more and more of their expectations onto me. I hate it! Yet no matter how many people count on you, you take it all in stride. How do you do that?


Hilda	I owe you an apology. I didn't mean to make you worry about me in our previous conversation. I'm OK. I need to stop getting worked up about others' expectations. I'll do what I can, and hopefully I'll be able to contribute. If I don't, I'll just do better next time. I think you might have helped me get a new perspective on failure. You're always so calm when you're doing your job. You don't fret about what other people expect from you. I thought I could try to do that in my own life. So thank you for leading by example, `【Summoner】`. The best part is, I'm not feeling so tired anymore! I even finished making some very cute accessories. I was wearing some recently and someone came up to ask where they could buy some. My accessories are really popular now! People are buying them faster than I can make them. What should I make next? Hmm... Oh! I almost forgot! Commander Anna asked for my help with something! ...Would you do me a huge favor and let her know I can't make it? Please?

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