Catch-all: Estelle

[ercnerd]

Comments

[ercnerd]

[Don't thank him!]

. . . Yeah. This should all be behind us tomorrow.

[mustbepurged]

[She looks out at the flowers for a bit, thinking...]

Um, did Sylvain tell you about our excursion...?

[ercnerd]

[His gaze drifts from Estelle to the flowers.]

All he said was that you saw me there. Based on that, he must have thought that we had a more extensive history. It was his idea for me to talk to you, too.

[mustbepurged]

[She smiles a little.]

He was probably just worried about me... I'm sure I looked really distraught after everything that happened.

Um, you don't need to worry, though! The other you didn't do anything bad. I mean, even if he did, it wouldn't matter, because it was all just a bad dream in the first place...

[ercnerd]

I'm not worried. Didn't I tell you? If it eases your mind, you can talk about it.

[mustbepurged]

[She thinks about it...]

In the excursions I went on, and in the nightmare I saw, it was always the same... Somehow, I'd end up hurting someone I cared about.

Maybe your face was one that was fresh in my mind? Because of the painting...

[ercnerd]

[Personally, he keeps forgetting that he's in the painting, too.]

Yeah? . . . It's possible. Those places like to toy with all kinds of memories, new and old.

[mustbepurged]

Right...

It's harder to see it in the moment, when it all feels so real...

... but I think I'm okay now. It helps, being able to see that everyone's safe.

[ercnerd]

Does it? That's good, then. Have you had the chance to talk to everyone?

[mustbepurged]

For the most part, yes. There are a few people I still hope to catch before it's time to go...

... oh, and before I forget. [She'll take out the rolled-up painting. It looks like she tried to smooth out some of the creases over the time she had it. She holds it out to offer it.]

Here. Lucretia wanted you to have it, right?

[ercnerd]

[Of course she did. Now that his one hand is free, he reaches up to take it.]

Oh, that's right. You've been taking good care of it, haven't you?

[mustbepurged]

Yes! I can't thank you enough for letting me hold onto it for all this time... It meant so much to me, to be able to see Rita's face at any time... and my new friends, too!

[Wrong Molly, but like, close enough.]

You should try to take better care of it, though... Don't fold it again!

[ercnerd]

[RIP, Mollymauk.

There's a pregnant pause as he considers the rolled-up paper.]

If I keep it like this, it's going to get crushed in battle. Folding it's the only way.

[mustbepurged]

So that's why... but... How much are you fighting, anyway?

[Looking kind of concerned at him... especially at the missing arm.]

[ercnerd]

Monsters and demons don't clear themselves. I fight almost every day.

[He, on the other hand, looks quite enthused about beating monsters up.]

[mustbepurged]

I suppose I can understand that... My world is similarly hazardous.

But will you be able to continue fighting as usual, with just one arm...?

[ercnerd]

Of course. Who do you think I am? I'm the legendary gladiator, Sieghart! Whether I have one or two arms, monsters don't stand a chance against me.

Besides, the missing one should grow back once this is all over.

[mustbepurged]

It will!?

[ercnerd]

There's a chance that it won't, but so far I don't see a reason why not. My body is indestructible in that way.