(The day he'd said goodbye to Sophie, how she'd looked at him with tears streaming down her face as the realization that it was going to happen, that there was no escaping it, that the end really had come for her, is locked away tight in his heart. If he closes his eyes right now, he'd be able to see every detail of her face: every lash, every freckle.)
His brow rucks up and he shakes his head at her, uncomprehending. The pain blooms in his chest, as bloody and raw as the moment he fell to his knee there on the pier, all that time ago. ]
Maelle... Sophie's gone.
[ His voice is soft, like she's small and he's trying to explain the Gommage, the Expeditions. Death... death is just as final.
[So was he. So was Sciel, Lune. Maelle knows he's still in shock, but she has to give him this hope. A reward for all of his love, all of his suffering. An apology for not waking up and remembering sooner. Her voice lowers as well, eyes searching his.
The only person that needs to stay gone is Papa.]
Gustave. You're here again. So can she.
[Finding her chroma was difficult, considering the time that had passed since they left with Expedition 33. But it still remained, carried away in the winds and by the sea, and she thinks with Gustave's help she can bring her back and they can all go from there.
She thinks she would prefer to be an aunt rather than a big sister, but there's still time to figure that out. Not every big sister needed to be as cutting as Clea.]
You'd like that, wouldn't you? A chance to see her again and be happy together. Things are better now.
It's the first thought that blooms quietly in his mind when she says what she does. Maybe he shouldn't be here again. He doesn't understand how any of this works, how... if he's painted, what does that mean? If the Paintress created him and all the others, how could Maelle bring them back? How could she bring them back the same?
Would he even realize it, if he were different from before? Would she? ]
I...
[ This, at least, isn't different. He's sure of that. He remembers wishing with all his poor broken heart for even one more moment with Sophie, to see her smiling and sweet and mischievous in the sunlight. He'd longed for a chance at... at another future. Another life.
And here is Maelle, offering it to him on a silver platter. ]
Then you'll have it. [A beat. Her smile becomes sheepish.] Just... give me a little time.
[Time to simply have him back. Time to paint Sophie properly. Time is all they have, now, and so she doesn't really feel the need to rush into anything at all. Surely he'll understand, be patient. She'll bring back Sophie and Emma and whoever he wants. Eventually.]
I want to make sure you're okay. It's... it's a lot, I know. You've been through so much and now it's time for us to be a family that never has to worry about breaking apart. We've earned it. This is--the least I can do for you. You took such good care of me. [Ah, and here she thought she was beyond her voice cracking. She clears her throat.] You're still the best family I've ever had.
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[ No. She... she wouldn't. She couldn't.
(The day he'd said goodbye to Sophie, how she'd looked at him with tears streaming down her face as the realization that it was going to happen, that there was no escaping it, that the end really had come for her, is locked away tight in his heart. If he closes his eyes right now, he'd be able to see every detail of her face: every lash, every freckle.)
His brow rucks up and he shakes his head at her, uncomprehending. The pain blooms in his chest, as bloody and raw as the moment he fell to his knee there on the pier, all that time ago. ]
Maelle... Sophie's gone.
[ His voice is soft, like she's small and he's trying to explain the Gommage, the Expeditions. Death... death is just as final.
And it still is. Isn't it? ]
She's gone.
no subject
The only person that needs to stay gone is Papa.]
Gustave. You're here again. So can she.
[Finding her chroma was difficult, considering the time that had passed since they left with Expedition 33. But it still remained, carried away in the winds and by the sea, and she thinks with Gustave's help she can bring her back and they can all go from there.
She thinks she would prefer to be an aunt rather than a big sister, but there's still time to figure that out. Not every big sister needed to be as cutting as Clea.]
You'd like that, wouldn't you? A chance to see her again and be happy together. Things are better now.
no subject
It's the first thought that blooms quietly in his mind when she says what she does. Maybe he shouldn't be here again. He doesn't understand how any of this works, how... if he's painted, what does that mean? If the Paintress created him and all the others, how could Maelle bring them back? How could she bring them back the same?
Would he even realize it, if he were different from before? Would she? ]
I...
[ This, at least, isn't different. He's sure of that. He remembers wishing with all his poor broken heart for even one more moment with Sophie, to see her smiling and sweet and mischievous in the sunlight. He'd longed for a chance at... at another future. Another life.
And here is Maelle, offering it to him on a silver platter. ]
Yes. Yes, of course I would.
no subject
[Time to simply have him back. Time to paint Sophie properly. Time is all they have, now, and so she doesn't really feel the need to rush into anything at all. Surely he'll understand, be patient. She'll bring back Sophie and Emma and whoever he wants. Eventually.]
I want to make sure you're okay. It's... it's a lot, I know. You've been through so much and now it's time for us to be a family that never has to worry about breaking apart. We've earned it. This is--the least I can do for you. You took such good care of me. [Ah, and here she thought she was beyond her voice cracking. She clears her throat.] You're still the best family I've ever had.
[Funny, that.]