fissionmailed | Knowledge is Power

Yes, I agree. [He rubs his tired eye.]

The next letter is 'D'. Its name is pronounced 'dee'. It makes a 'dh' sound. It starts off words like 'dog' and 'darling' and ends words such as...'end' or 'word'. Heh.

'Dee'... 'Dog', like a dog of war. 'Darling' as in... [He pauses, trying to decipher that one. He thinks Elisa may have used it in reference to him once. Instead he just shakes his head, ignoring it.]

'Disarm', 'deploy', 'director'...

Yes- [He writes all of those down and then some.] and 'delicious' and 'doughnut' and, oh- [He smirks]

Also 'Dad'... [He scribbles that down as well.] That's an easy one. Don't forget that one.

'D-A-D'. 'Dad'.

[He turns his head to look at Jack]

I'm able to spell that one. I recognize the letters... What does it mean, Sir?

It's an informal word for 'Father'. It's like the short version of 'Daddy'. It simply another word commonly used to refer to a male parent.

It's easy to say, learn and spell as you just noticed. Just three letters and two are the same: 'Dad'.

...Right. Understood. Forgive my ignorance, Sir.

[Truth be told, he's never really had a reason to use any of those words in reference to a parent. He has no recollection of his own, aside from the fact they're dead.]

[He begins to parrot his commander]

'Dad', an informal method of referring to one's male parent... The first word I have learned how to spell.

Heh...it is the first word you've learned to spell [and somehow it's strangely appropriate, regardless of how late it is that Frank's learned it.]

_{Hn. Funny how that worked out~}

[Frank can't help the thin smile that forms across his face.]

I appreciate you teaching me these things, Sir. I appreciate it greatly.

Frank, you need to learn these things. It is my responsibility as your Commander and your Father to make sure that you learn them. For you to be completely effective on the battlefield, and in life in general, you need to be properly educated. If I had known this sooner, I would have started teaching you earlier. [Oh, wait...there it is...that ]

[Frank bristles and moves back against his chair, looking to Big Boss with a sense of confusion.]

...My 'Father'? No, Sir. You are my commander... Or at least, you... Will be. One day. I am just your soldier. I do as you command, there is... Nothing more to it.

'Adoptive Father'. If you think I am going to continue to let you run around this nexus all willy-nilly, you got another thing coming-

[Frank grits his teeth in an uncharacteristic display of boldness. The concept of adoption and family in general is lost on him.]

I respect you, Sir. You are my commander and I am your soldier. I will obey any order you give me without question...

But I do not have a father. I do not have parents. They're dead.

I know you don't have your real parents any more, but you can have the next best thing. I will watch over you. Everyone deserves a chance at being part of a family unit. [God knows that this kid need more social and 'home-training'.]

Not everything in life is so black and white, Frank. [Why does he suddenly get the feeling that he might be preaching to a brick wall?]

Yes, Sir. I understand that you watch over me -- you are my commander, it is part of your duty to ensure the safety of your men.

I don't understand what 'family' has to do with this.

[John mentally facepalms. He really has a lot of difficult teaching ahead of him. He sees this much more clearly now.]

[John taps his chin, thinking. He knows that going through life without a Father can be difficult...not impossible, but difficult.]

Regardless of genetic relation, 'Family' are people around you that guide you and care for you. Family units are comparable to military units, for one both offer support. One main difference is that family goes beyond occupational support and give close, personal support.

[Frank shifts uncomfortably on his chair. Most of this isn't registering for him.]

Why would... I need 'personal support'? I don't see how it's different from being in a military unit...

You have no idea what it's like for someone to care for you and not just your general well-being. [He sighs wearily.]

Do you know what 'love' is? 'Affection'? [He writes down the second word since it starts with an 'A'.] It's similar to 'like' and it is the opposite of 'hate'.

Often times in military units, you only get basic concern for your well-being because you are needed for a specific purpose. In families, you are loved unconditionally just for being. There's a difference, Frank.

[He rubs his head feeling at a loss of ways to explain this concept to him. It's beginning to become difficult since the poor kid's frame of reference is so narrow.]

Edited 2009-05-28 22:51 (UTC)

...Love?

Elisa cares for me, as she is my doctor and caretaker... And my girlfriend. She is also that. She says that she loves me unconditionally, I am... Not certain as to what that means.

[He shakes his head in an attempt to clear it.]

...I don't understand. Are you saying you want to be like Elisa, Sir...?

Er- [he nervously scratches his ear for a second.] Not quite that close, but somewhere in that general vicinity.

Hmm...a 'girlfriend', huh? Do you like her...or are you unsure how you feel about her?

I am her 'everything', Sir. That is what she has told me.

Frank. Answer my question.

I will ask you again: how do YOU feel about her?

...I'm not entirely sure what you mean, Sir.

How am I supposed to feel about her?

...you don't feel anything for her? No opinions at all?

She takes care of me, as a doctor should.

...I appreciate her, Sir.

...'Appreciate'?

[He writes down the word for Frank. Getting the kid to admit that was sort of like pulling teeth. For his own sake he's going to let it go for now.]

I think you should spend more time with her...and show her how much you appreciate her.

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