[ He'll be very easy for her to spot. After everyone's finally tucked in for the night, he's standing in the lobby and dragging his hands down his face.
There's a very noticeable amount of strain in his demeanor...
[Well, today was... a day. A stressful day... Sophia's looking to unwind, herself.
But her attention is immediately grabbed by the young master. She doesn't know that much about him, funny enough; he always seemed to try to avoid her...
But she can't ignore this, and she quietly comes into the room, speaking softly.]
A long moment. He hesitates for a couple of seconds and then sits on the floor not far from her. After leaning his head against the wall, he closes his eyes. ]
... If I fail this time, it's over. All of you will have suffered for nothing.
[ He opens his eyes, looking straight ahead. ]
Do you think that'd make me a real monster? Bringing suffering with no relief? With no real purpose behind it?
Time... That has very little meaning at this point. I went five years into the past so they're technically alive somewhere in that universe. I just need to find someone stable enough and powerful enough to handle time and space power. To help me connect this universe with the one Lucifer is on.
If I can do that... all these deaths and all those games will be reset. They'll be returned to life and to their worlds.
[ He hugs his legs to himself tighter. ]
So I don't care if they hate me. If this goes as planned... none of you will remember me anyway. You won't remember having gone through this.
[The people in the castle. All the maids. Minato and Akutagawa.
Lucio.
Something tugs at her painfully.]
I don't want to forget.
[She takes a deep breath.]
But, I do want you to succeed. So I'll help. Whatever you need of me, just ask for it.
[She slowly draws her legs up to her, withdrawing her hand and wrapping her arms loosely around them.]
The reason I asked is because I don't think you're a monster... I think you're grieving. Death, especially of someone so important... it can drastically change a person.
[There's a deep frown at that first part; her gaze says she doesn't agree.
Her breath catches softly when he leans on her, and she slowly looks over to him.]
...
[For a long while, nothing is said. Her gaze is clearly full of pain for the guy next to her. She still doesn't fully understand what's going on. Far from it. But...
She can tell when she sees someone in pain.
After a moment, she'll shift closer, and try to (somewhat hesitantly) take him into an embrace.]
Her expression immediately becomes concerned, brow pinching at the sight of him so wounded. Though, when he wraps his arms around her, her breath falters a little, heart picking up the pace just the slightest bit...
[She shakes her head.] N-not that I don't appreciate it. It's just...
[She gives an awkward laugh, suddenly.]
You know, up until recently, I thought— [Her gaze dims a little.] ... you were always kind of elusive, you know?
I'm just— glad I'm finally getting to know you better. Even if there's bad news, even if I don't remember... [A squeeze.] I'm glad we had this time together.
[ He chuckles, though there's something weak and sad to it. ]
There's nothing "just" about you.
[ Ah... he nods. ]
I was-... [ it's clear he's struggling a bit ] ... The things I remove from people still linger, but it's only when I'm around that person. I don't feel it in its fullest, but it's... enough.
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W1
Post-Intro
There's a very noticeable amount of strain in his demeanor...
Hmm... ]
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But her attention is immediately grabbed by the young master. She doesn't know that much about him, funny enough; he always seemed to try to avoid her...
But she can't ignore this, and she quietly comes into the room, speaking softly.]
Lucio?
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... He can't be surprised. He holds a blink, and then he looks over to her. ]
Sophia...
[ There's a pause before one corner of his lips lifts, just slightly. ]
Do you need anything?
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What is it? [Because it's clear something is wrong.] ... you can talk to me, you know? I don't mind. And I won't tell a soul.
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Mm...
[ ... ]
I never told you why this is happening. Why do you listen to me so readily?
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She shifts slightly as if to see him better when he glances away, but at the question, her expression dims a little and lowers...
After a moment, she looks back up.]
Do you mean now, or in general...?
[She takes a deep breath, then straightens up a little, determination entering her eyes.]
I don't believe you're a person who does things meaninglessly. Especially not to this degree.
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Something in his gaze softens before he gives a dim kind of smile. ]
You might be the only one.
[ Right after saying that, he almost winces and looks away. ]
Maybe some would forgive doing terrible things for their parent, but given who mine is...
[ He holds a blink, very lightly running a hand over his face. ]
Lucifer did everything in an attempt to save the multiverse, only to fail in the end. And then they paid the price of failure with their life.
[ ... ]
Pur simply, I intend to ensure that never happened. But... rewriting time is, as one might expect... not easy.
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If I am the only one, then you've just proven that they aren't paying enough attention.
[...]
Even if you are the son of Satan himself... to you he's just dad, right? Family's a big part of everyone's life in one way or another.
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Or maybe I just don't have a reason to let them see the truth. It's easier to let them hate the kind of monster I'm capable of being.
[ Then he shakes his head. ]
My dad's a fox demon. Lucifer's gender-neutral. [ not that he sounds insulted ] And... heh.
[ Something in his expression dims and he shakes his head. ]
I guess that's true.
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And— oh, okay. The more you know.
After a brief pause:]
You didn't answer my question earlier. Something's bothering you.
[It's a no-brainer that it's related to what he just told her. The real question is what part specifically.]
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A long moment. He hesitates for a couple of seconds and then sits on the floor not far from her. After leaning his head against the wall, he closes his eyes. ]
... If I fail this time, it's over. All of you will have suffered for nothing.
[ He opens his eyes, looking straight ahead. ]
Do you think that'd make me a real monster? Bringing suffering with no relief? With no real purpose behind it?
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Even if it failed, that doesn't mean there wasn't ever a purpose.
[She turns her head to look at him.]
Still... you knew it might happen, didn't you? That it might not succeed.
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I did. But... they're worth it. With how hard they fought to save everything, with everything they gave up...
[ There's a tense laugh. ]
And it'd be nice to see my father again. My sister...
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Lucio... how long ago was it? That Lucifer died?
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Time... That has very little meaning at this point. I went five years into the past so they're technically alive somewhere in that universe. I just need to find someone stable enough and powerful enough to handle time and space power. To help me connect this universe with the one Lucifer is on.
If I can do that... all these deaths and all those games will be reset. They'll be returned to life and to their worlds.
[ He hugs his legs to himself tighter. ]
So I don't care if they hate me. If this goes as planned... none of you will remember me anyway. You won't remember having gone through this.
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[Her gaze drops to the ground for a long moment.]
Us too, huh...
[The people in the castle. All the maids. Minato and Akutagawa.
Lucio.
Something tugs at her painfully.]
I don't want to forget.
[She takes a deep breath.]
But, I do want you to succeed. So I'll help. Whatever you need of me, just ask for it.
[She slowly draws her legs up to her, withdrawing her hand and wrapping her arms loosely around them.]
The reason I asked is because I don't think you're a monster... I think you're grieving. Death, especially of someone so important... it can drastically change a person.
[She looks over.]
Have you talked to anyone else about this?
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[ That's all he says at first. After a moment of hesitation, he leans against her. ]
Be their strength, and... continue to watch after Makoto.
[ He looks away, and then he shakes his head. ]
The only other person I'd feel comfortable talking to... I have to keep him... [ biting his bottom lip ] away.
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Her breath catches softly when he leans on her, and she slowly looks over to him.]
...
[For a long while, nothing is said. Her gaze is clearly full of pain for the guy next to her. She still doesn't fully understand what's going on. Far from it. But...
She can tell when she sees someone in pain.
After a moment, she'll shift closer, and try to (somewhat hesitantly) take him into an embrace.]
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I'll be okay. I've endured far worse.
W2
Post-Trial
He manages a small smile when he sees her. ]
... I'm sure I'm a sight for sore eyes.
[ He steps closer, wrapping his arms around her. ]
Sorry...
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Her expression immediately becomes concerned, brow pinching at the sight of him so wounded. Though, when he wraps his arms around her, her breath falters a little, heart picking up the pace just the slightest bit...
Slowly, her hands come up to return the hold.]
What are you apologizing for?
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Worrying you. You do a lot of that because of me...
And I'll be needing to do it again soon.
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[She gives a sigh, tightening her hold a bit. Her voice lowers.]
I wish there was more I could do.
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[ ... should allow. ]
Because of you, I learned... humans aren't as horrible as I thought. You taught me what 'faith in humanity' means.
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Her face is turning a few shades darker.]
I-I... [She's at a loss for words.] I'm just me.
[She shakes her head.] N-not that I don't appreciate it. It's just...
[She gives an awkward laugh, suddenly.]
You know, up until recently, I thought— [Her gaze dims a little.] ... you were always kind of elusive, you know?
I'm just— glad I'm finally getting to know you better. Even if there's bad news, even if I don't remember... [A squeeze.] I'm glad we had this time together.
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There's nothing "just" about you.
[ Ah... he nods. ]
I was-... [ it's clear he's struggling a bit ] ... The things I remove from people still linger, but it's only when I'm around that person. I don't feel it in its fullest, but it's... enough.
[ He kisses her cheek. ]
And it was worth it, in this case.