(As always, I do not own Mabinogi. Thank you.)
(I do however, own the quotes listed here made for my character. Please do not use them without my permission.)
Eh? Traveler, you seem to be obsessed with that book over there. What's in it? My boy, it's just a few things that Mark gave me before we left the world of Fire Emblem. I know it looks different than anything else there, but do be careful with it...
Now... The first few pages are just small summaries that he had for what he wanted to make when he was older. All of his games, stories, animated movies, everything was in there. He did have many dreams of his listed in there, and he even confessed to me of who he liked at his school. I thought such things were saved for high school, but I guess some things just start earlier than others... (The traveler turns to the back of the small, black spiral notebook.)
...Looks like you noticed his ''not-so-secret'' list of quotes. All of them he came up with himself. The first one:
''I shall forever remain a stranger to any community, no matter how much I contribute to it.''
-Mark Kalal
This was created due to his online reputation. Sure, he gives out his ideas and tries to help the community in different ways, but he is generally ignored. A thing that amazed him was when he was at school, he was popular. He did not know why, he just was. I remember Mark telling me that a few kids even make up a song about his name...
''For me, insanity breeds sorrow, sorrow breeds insanity. Yet, reality's responsibilities tried to settle the score between the two, and stop them from causing much harm.''
-Mark Kalal
This was made when he started going crazy. I know he had his troubles, but it never grew to be to this extent. He told me that one assignment at school lit the cursed fire that made him this way. He was wanted to go suicide and end it all, but he couldn't since he loved his parents too much and knew what grief and sorrow he would cause to them. He was worrying about many things, his future career, his relationships, and so on.
While this was made later on, it well suits of what he said before:
''For ages I have wore this cloak, its sole purpose to conceal what is hidden beneath. At first, its beautiful colors and patterns charmed all who looked upon them, now torn and ruined. While I am able to repair it, results are only temporary, and the despair and agony once concealed, revealed.
-Mark Kalal
This one is how he hid everything from everyone. He hid his despair and agony by wearing his ''cloak'' so no one would see. He was a talented and a smart person, and played his role almost perfectly, and no one ever had the slightest idea of what was going on. However, over time the his grief and suffering started to wear him down, and he started to break down in public, but he tried to fix is as fast as possible, and act like nothing happened. I remember a few times seeing him out of camp, sitting alone at any peaceful feature nearby. He knew I was there, but said nothing. One time though, he called me over, and told me everything. This is how I have this knowledge this day. I almost even hear him cry in his sleep sometimes at night when he's not there, with his adopted sister trying to calm him down...
''For most humans, we can only forgive so much, but the love and forgiveness of God is unmatched, for He will forgive the most brutal of sins.''
-Mark Kalal
This was, as Mark told me, for a teacher that had to deal with many students in class. He doesn't know how his teacher managed to stand the student's disruption and their attitudes and so forth. Thus, he made this. While Mark is not much of a holy man (he barely goes to church), he highly believes in God, and wonders if in their future, if people will even go to church, due to all the high-tech tools and people rushing back and forth from work, school, and pleasure. Luckily for us, we don't have to deal with such things, but this is why advancements and new technology isn't always a good thing...
''I remember a pastor on T.V. saying 'Don't bring out the measuring tape.' That saying basically means don't measure yourself to others, don't be afraid of being outclassed. If you start a company, don't be discouraged by the other companies that have huge businesses. He also said don't let other people wear you down. God only gives us challenges He knows we can overcome. If you start saying you reached your limit, you have. If you say you won't make a difference, you won't. Delete these thoughts, and become the young child you used to be, full of dreams and goals.''
-Mark Kalal
This one... This quote of his is one of my favorites out of the many he has written down. He told me that he was afraid he may forget what he learned from that pastor, and so he wrote it down. I remember him reading that quote time to time, probably trying to give him the strength he needs to move on. I sometimes even wonder myself, how he manages to move on with his despair, and how his sister, Crystal, still tries to comfort him any way possible when he goes into his depression. I haven't heard from him in a while, and I hope he changes for the better...
Of course traveler, we could be reading his quotes and discuss his ideas for his future, but shall we get back to the world of Erinn? I'm pretty sure you want to learn more about it, and know more of my adventures...