“Despite knowing, with all my heart, how short human lifespan is…why didn’t I try to get to know him better?”
“Whenever possible, I’d like to retrace the adventures I had with Himmel and the others. Before all signs of them fade away.”
“They gave me the courage to travel and taught me the joy of spending time with friends.”
[Frieren to Sein] “So you’re giving up before you’ve even gone to pursue him. It’s only been a mere ten years. If you don’t go now, you’ll regret it shortly. When that time comes, you may think, ‘I could’ve made it in time, and yet I…’. You must be wondering, ‘Why now, after all this time?’, correct? That’s because I’m talking about the story that unfolds for you now.”
Freiren: My adventures with all of you, don’t even make up one-hundredth of my life. I vaguely remember saying something like that.
“Your name is Castti Florenz, and you are an apothecary. Your tale begins in a port town of the Harborlands.Discovered adrift at sea, you awoke to the realization that you could not recall your own name. The only clues to your identity are your satchel and skills as an apothecary.Unable to ignore the nagging feeling within you, you embark on a journey to recover what you lost…“I need to rediscover who I am. And…there’s something else. Something important I’m forgetting…””
Travel Banter: Truth and Deceit
Ochette: Blech…This hunt is the worst…Why would you use people as bait to lure in other people? I’d use something tastier.
Castti: Ochette…
Ochette: Sometimes humans say they’ll do one thing, then do another, right?
Castti: Yes. People lie for all sorts of reasons.
Ochette: Yeah, but if everyone says things they don’t mean…How do you know if what you’re hearing is true or not? It must be so tiring thinking about it all the time…
Castti: Hmm…You make a good point. Still, sometimes the truth only causes pain. That’s why we tell small fibs. To slowly feel each other out, and learn how to interact without causing mutual pain. Strange as it may sound, in a sense, deceit is the basis of human relationships.
Ochette: H-humans are complicated…
Castti: Hehe. Sometimes falsehoods can be kindness. Ochette
Travel Banter: What Amnesia Feels like
Partitio: Howdy, Castti. Is it just me, or are you lookin’ worn out?
Castti: I appreciate the concern, Partitio. Physically, I’m healthy and whole. My memory on the other hand…
Partitio: Don’t push yourself too hard, you hear? Losing memories…I can’t image how hard that much be for you.
Castti: I…can’t say. There’s still so much I don’t understand. It’s like…there’s something right in front of me but I can only see its shadow. Isn’t it odd to be so distressed by something that doesn’t exist?
Partitio: Maybe. If it doesn’t exist, you wouldn’t even know to let it bother you.
Castti: But with amnesia, that very void is what absorbs all my thoughts. It’s like there’s a huge hole in me. I feel an inexplicable sense of loss.
Partitio: Hmmm…I’m havin’ trouble picturing’ what that’s like. Wait a sec…Come to think of it, I don’t remember what I did last night, either!
Castti: Really? My memories there, at least are fresh and clear. After you downed three full glasses of wine, you and I got up to all sorts of naughty hijinks.
Partitio: Huh!? We did? It’s all a blank to me.
Castti: That wasn’t enough for you, Mr. Wild Stallion. Next, we did that, and that, and…
Partitio: Whoa there! Just what happened last night!? I’m dyin’ to know.
Castti: Amanda that’s what it feels like to lose your memory.
Stark to Fern: That’s going a little too far! You’re always so mean to me! Do you hate me that much? Forget it! I’m going back to Master’s place!
Stark talking to himself while leaving: Why’s she always like that? Can’t she listen to me for one second?
Sein: What’s all the fuss about? Is it a lover’s quarrel?
Frieren to Sein: Today’s Fern’s birthday. But Stark didn’t get a present for her. And so Fern is furious.
Frieren to Fern: Honestly, I think you went overboard today. You didn’t even try to listen to Stark.
Sein: I didn’t get you anything either. Men don’t pay attention to small details such as birthdays and anniversaries.
(Fern kicks Sein over and over)
Sein: Ouch! All right! I’ll buy you something, so stop kicking. My knees are going to give out at this rate. Jeez, I feel bad for Stark. At my age, even if I’m treated coldly, it’s easier to brush it aside. But boys his age are easily affected by how girls treat them. I think it’s best to go after him.
Frierien to Fern: I think you should go.
(Sein picking a gift for Fern)
Sein: Her hair accessory was a butterfly too, wasn’t it.
Fern: What a cute pouch.
Sein: You hate it, don’t you?
Fern: No. It’s just off-putting that you seem so experienced.
Sein: Is that right. Did you find Stark?
Fern: He was at the plaza…
Sein: You couldn’t approach him, huh? I know that you don’t hate him. You just don’t know how to deal with boys your age. Oh, the woes of youth.
Anyway, you can pick out whichever one you want. We can look at other shops too.
Fern: No, it’s all right.
Sein: Then I’ll choose one myself. In any case, you didn’t have to get so mad just because he forgot a present. He’s obviously not the type to remember such details. I’ll bet you he doesn’t even remember his own birthday. Don’t hold it against him.
Fern: I gave Master Stark a present on his birthday.
Sein: Oh, really? Did you pick one out together that time?
Fern: How did you know?
Sein: Usually people don’t refuse when you say, “Pick out whichever one you want.” In your mind, it’s probably a special memory. Hence, you said “no” to me.
Fern: I’m not sure. I just felt like doing it, that’s all.
Sein: Is that right? Well then, hurry up and apologize and pick out a present with him. He’s still a kid. He’s not very intuitive.
You want to make up, right? You’ve got to use words to convey your feelings.
Fern: You’re right…
(Fern to Stark): Master Stark.
Stark: Fern…I’m sorry! The truth is, I wanted to pick something out together. Because I don’t know what you like. But…I was worried that you’d get upset if I said that. So I couldn’t bring it up.
Fern: I wouldn’t get upset. I’m sorry, Master Stark. I said things I shouldn’t have.
Stark: It’s fine. I’m used to it. Let’s go.
Fern: Okay.
(Frierien watching them on a rooftop)
Sein: You’re spying on them? How classy of you, Frieren.
Frieren: Right back at you.
Sein: It seems they made up just fine.
As you become an adult, you learn how to deal with others and begin to avoid conflicts in general. Fighting like that is a privilege of the young. I bet they have been a handful, Frieren. It’s not easy taking care of kids.
Frieren: How do you “deal with others”?
Sein: All three of you are kids, I guess.
…
(The episode continues to talk about Heiter’s efforts to pretend to be mature to become his ideal adult. And ends with Frieren learning the meaning of the mirrored lotus, a symbol of eternal love, that’s on the ring Himmel placed on her finger, and the bracelet Stark chose for Fern.)
I suffered the worst case of food poisoning I’ve ever experienced from a recent business trip to Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The inability to sleep well, exercise, or consume nutritious foods only exacerbated the situation. It’s astonishing how fast one can lose muscle and body mass—including water—in such a vicious cycle. Lesson learned: Avoid salads and other uncooked foods even in reputable hotels, and stick to bottled water whenever possible.
Lyric: Anytime Anywhere (English translation by Mewsic)
And you’re alright? Can you hear me? I’m tracing these railroad tracks we walked, now desolate and old I wish I could see you laugh or even to see you cry I’m holding on to memories that pierce my heart inside I want to convey all of these feelings with more that just a simple farewell But even if it’s plain, or if it’s a special day
Hold on, can someone tell me why my eyes are suddenly overflowing with all the things that I couldn’t see?
And if I had the choice to be reborn one more time I know I’d choose this place, oh I know I’d want to live this life And if I met you again, oh I would never let you go I guess I’ve made my choice today, I’ll walk down this road
Even if I can’t promise a thing Oh, even if I’m lonely and lost Even if I can’t dry my eyes I know that tomorrow will come
And I’m alright (I’ll be alright) Yeah I hear you (I care about you) The wind keeps on playing with my hair as I walk down this path But nothing is meaningless Even days that I felt hopeless I finally realized as I caught up to you on this long road
Hold on, can someone tell me why my eyes are suddenly overflowing with all the things that I couldn’t see?
And if I had the choice to be reborn one more time I know I’d choose this place, oh I know I’d want to live this life And if I met you again, oh I would never let you go I guess I’ve made my choice today, I’ll walk down this road
(Anytime anywhere) Wherever you are (Anytime anywhere) Will you show me your smile? (Anytime anywhere) Whenever I close my eyes now (Anytime anywhere) I will walk down this path (Anytime anywhere) Will you watch over me now? (Anytime anywhere)
I want to see you now, but I won’t say it out loud But I will reminisce just for today, a little bliss And if I met you again, oh I would never let you go I guess I’ve made my choice today, I’ll walk down this road
Even if I can’t promise a thing Oh, even if I’m lonely and lost The pain deep in my chest is growing more Is it just proof that our two paths have crossed?
Even if nothing’s absolute I know someday it all comes to an end Even if I can’t dry my eyes I know that tomorrow will come
I’m whispering a lullaby for you to come back home
I started practicing this piece after listening to Vikingur’s recording, beginning with his usual gentle touch and progressing to a forceful resounding climax. In an interview, he mentioned that this Organ Sonata is the piece that he returns to most often: reminding him of the inevitability of time, life, and change. Here’s Vikingur’s Tiny Desk concert.
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