Sheila

Sheila: ......
Gatov: Do you remember this place, Sheila?

Sheila: I came here many times with you in the past, yes?
Gatov: So you do remember. Good. Well then, would you care to take a walk around?
Sheila: ...Yes.

Sheila: ......
Gatov: Is something wrong?
Sheila: ...They finished the church.
Gatov: Ah, it was still under construction when we came here last, wasn't it? Goodness, but it has been some time!
Sheila: Yes. Some time indeed.
Gatov: Sheila?
Child: WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!
Sheila: Oh no! D-don't cry. Er...stop crying? Oh dear. How do I help him?!
Father: I'm so, SO sorry about my son!
Father: Are you okay, Nico? There there, no more. If you stop crying, I'll give you some candy! You won't be able to eat it if you don't stop crying!
Nico: *sniff* I want candy...
Sheila: He stopped crying.
Father: I'm so sorry to trouble you both with... Wait. Lady Sheila?!
Father: But it's been over a decade since I last saw you and you look exactly the same! How is that possible?
Gatov: Hmm? Might you be...
Ignacio: And King Gatov! Oh, I haven't seen you in so long! It's me! Ignacio!
Gatov: So I was right! I barely recognized you. I'm glad to see you in good health.
Ignacio: You seem to be doing well for yourself— but never in my wildest dreams did I think to see you here!
Gatov: Is this your son?
Ignacio: Yes, my only child. His name is Nico. Go on, Nico! Say hello.
Nico: Hi!
Gatov: Quite the bundle of energy, isn't he? I recall when we first met at that party— you were so timid compared to him.
Gatov: That's also when you met Sheila, yes?
Ignacio: Your daughter helped me SO MUCH back then.
Sheila: I was helping you...back then? I'm not sure I...
Ignacio: Ah, do you not remember? That's okay. It was a long time ago, so I understand if you forgot about it.
Ignacio: I was having some real trouble, and you helped me out over and over again.
Ignacio: You taught me how to dance when I had two left feet, and you helped cover for me when I accidentally knocked over an entire table of food...
Ignacio: A bunch of kids were picking on me and I was too scared to say anything, but you came running and saved the day.
Sheila: Oh, I DO remember that now!
Ignacio: You never cared about social status— if you saw someone in trouble, you'd help no matter what.
Ignacio: You were so elegant and refined, and yet a ray of sunshine all the same—one that was even willing to reach out and help a wimpy commoner like me.
Sheila: Yes, I suppose...
Ignacio: I'm sorry, Lady Sheila, but are you not feeling well? You seem a bit...gloomier than before.
Gatov: Forgive us. During the fall of Lefkos...

Ignacio: ...I had no idea. I too bore witness to the fall of the country, so I know all too well how painful a thing it was.
Ignacio: I was so happy to see you both again that I failed to be as considerate as I should have been. You have my sincere apologies.
Gatov: That's not necessary. And while I'll spare you the details, Sheila has regained her heart and is slowly on the mend.
Ignacio: That's good to hear. I want you to always be the kind, strong person you were back when you were helping me out!
Sheila: ......
Nico: Daddy, don't we need to go?
Ignacio: Oh, right. We'd better get back home before your mom blows a gasket. She can be a real terror when she's mad...
Gatov: Apologies for having held you up.
Ignacio: No, no! No apologies necessary!
Ignacio: I should be the one apologizing to you! I'm no longer even a low-ranking noble, yet I thought it acceptable to run over and start babbling to someone of your status.
Gatov: Heh, we are no longer of lofty status ourselves, so feel free to talk to us however you like from here on out.
Ignacio: Thank you so much! Now, we should go. I'll pray for your health, Lady Sheila.
Gatov: We should be off as well.
Sheila: Yes...
Sheila: (What is this feeling...? Why does my heart hurt...?)

Sheila: Hah!
Gatov: Enough!
Gatov: Phew! You've grown much more adept with that dagger. I'll have to be more careful in these little training sessions, lest you give me a scar to remember it by.
Sheila: I can keep going.
Gatov: I know—but I fear the hours of constant sparring are too much for this old man.
Sheila: That's not how you used to be.
Gatov: That was a decade ago, Sheila—and most of us, no matter how strong, cannot wage war against age and emerge victorious.
Gatov: But you, my daughter? You are special. Your body did not age while your heart was gone, so you are still as full of energy as you were at your prime.
Gatov: Normally, a body grows weaker as the years pass, and one finds themselves each day a little less adept than before.
Sheila: Right...
Gatov: Anyway, I was thinking about going back into town. Would you care to join me?
Sheila: Yes.

Sheila: Everything changed while I was completely unaware...
Sheila: (My heart hurts... It hurt so much when we talked to Ignacio yesterday, and then again today while training with Father...)
Gatov: Is there a reason you're staring at that church, Sheila?
Sheila: No. No reason at all.
Gatov: In that case, let us be off.
Sheila: (...I think I understand. I'm sad that so much has changed while I was unaware.)
Sheila: So I won't change—I don't EVER want to change.
Sheila: But if everyone else is changing and I don't...will they leave me behind?

Sheila: I'm coming in, Father.
Gatov: Hello, Sheila. What are you doing here?
Sheila: I borrowed the castle kitchen to make you a little late-night treat.
Gatov: Oh, a crème brûlée!
Sheila: I hope it's not too sweet.
Gatov: It IS rather sweet—but also delicious.

Sheila: Was I...dreaming about the past? Hmm...I could make that again...

Sheila: Father, it's me.
Gatov: Hello, Sheila. Did you need something?
Sheila: I made you a treat.
Gatov: A crème brûlée? Ah, but this brings back memories.
Sheila: How is it?
Gatov: Rather sweet, but delicious.

Sheila: Hee hee! That's the same thing you said to me the first time I made it.
Gatov: Well, that does seem rather like me.
Sheila: (My heart feels so warm right now... Am I just relieved to find something about Father that hasn't changed since then?)
Gatov: Hmm? There seems to be quite the commotion outside.
Town Youth: We've got fiends coming from the north! Run, all of you! Run for the hills!
Gatov: What happened to the town watch?
Town Youth: The entire force is taking them on, but they say the best we can hope for is that they buy us some time. Now come on—
Gatov: Understood. We'll lend our aid. Sheila, let's split up and assist from two sides. Agreed?
Sheila: I'm ready.
Town Youth: Wait, you're what?! Annnd they're already gone. Those two are FAST...

Man: GRAAAAGH!
Ignacio: By the goddess... It's a slaughter!
Nico: WAAAAAAAAHHH!
Ignacio: I have to protect Nico... Move, feet! Move! Dammit, why can't I—AAAAAAAH!
Ignacio: L-Lady Sheila?!
Sheila: I made it...
Ignacio: That...that was amazing.
Nico: WAAAAAAAAAAH!
Ignacio: Easy, Nico. It's all right now. Sheila took care of those nasty fiends for us, so you don't have to cry anymore.
Nico: WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!
Ignacio: Gya! He's just getting more worked up!
Sheila: If you stop crying, your daddy will give you candy. Now dry your tears.
Nico: *sniff* I like candy...
Sheila: As do we all, you courageous little thing. Ignacio, please make sure you give your brave son some candy later.
Ignacio: I will, I swear. And thank you so much, Lady Sheila. You saved us.
Ignacio: I can't believe I froze when my own son was in danger... It seems I'm still as big a craven as ever I was.
Ignacio: Meanwhile, you're as amazing as ever! I can't believe you saved me AGAIN!
Sheila: Yes, I...suppose I did.
Sheila: (I feel that warmth in my heart again...)
Sheila: (So much has changed, and yet so much remains the same. I think realizing that fact is starting to make me happy.)
Sheila: No time relax just yet. You should take Nico and flee to safely.
Sheila: I'll clear a path!
Ignacio: Wow, she may seem a bit different now, but she's still the same amazing person.
Nico: Lady Sheila is SO COOL!
Ignacio: That's right, Nico! She's super cool— and she always has been!
Ignacio: If she sees someone in trouble, she comes a'running like a hero from a faerie tale!
Ignacio: And while I can't fight the way she does, I still hope to be like her someday.
Nico: Me too! I wanna fight the bad guys like Lady Sheila! Hiii-ya!
Sheila: Hiii-ya!

Woman: AAAAH!
Gatov: Are you all right?
Woman: Yes, I think—Look out! Behind you!
Sheila: It's dangerous here. Please get to safety.
Woman: I will. Thank you!
Gatov: There are a lot more fiends than before.
Sheila: Should we split up again?
Gatov: Yes, but don't let your guard down; every one of these fiends has been strengthened by black mana.
Sheila: I know.
Gatov: Excellent. Then let's move out.

Sheila: *pant* *pant* Any stragglers here?
Man's Voice: Aaaaaaah!
Sheila: Ignacio!

Ignacio: Nnngh... I just had to blow it at the end... All I need to do now is run, but there's no way I can with this injury...
Nico: LEAVE MY DADDY ALONE!
Ignacio: Nico, no! Why did you come back?! Get to your mother right now!
Nico: No! I'm gonna beat up the bad guys and save you just like Lady Sheila!
Sheila: They're in trouble!
Sheila: No! I can't get through!
Ignacio: NICO!
Ignacio: GYAAAA!
Nico: DADDY!
Ignacio's Wife: NOOOOO!
Sheila: I can't stop the bleeding! We have to get them to a healer right now!
Ignacio: I'm not...going to make it... Please, Lady Sheila... My son...
Sheila: It's okay. You're both going to be fine.
Ignacio: Nico looks up to you so much... And I, too, was able to change because of you... *cough*
Sheila: I'll carry Ignacio if you carry Nico! Hurry!
Ignacio's Wife: I'm right behind you!

Sheila: ......
Ignacio's Wife: Lady Sheila?
Sheila: How are they?
Ignacio's Wife: My son hasn't regained consciousness. They're applying healing magic, but his injuries are... They don't know whether or not he'll pull through.
Sheila: I'm so sorry. I should have been there sooner.
Ignacio's Wife: No. You are the only reason Nico and I are even alive right now.
Sheila: And...Ignacio?
Ignacio's Wife: ...He didn't make it.
Sheila: No!
Ignacio's Wife: He fought those fiends because he wanted to help those in need just like you do.
Ignacio's Wife: He used himself as bait to let us and the rest of the townspeople who hadn't yet escaped get away. He said...he said that was something he could do.
Ignacio's Wife: He always was very fainthearted, but he wanted to be better—and it was all because he met you, Lady Sheila.
Sheila: It was because of...me?
Ignacio's Wife: Yes. He saw how you'd changed and realized it was possible for him as well.

Ignacio: When I met Lady Sheila again, she didn't know what to do while Nico was crying.
Ignacio: The old Lady Sheila wouldn't have hesitated to help. If I'm being frank, I thought it was a real shame.
Ignacio: But when she saved us from those fiends, I could see she was different. Why, she comforted our boy as if he was her own!
Ignacio: It's incredible that she learned how to comfort a crying child in such a short period of time!
Ignacio: I always thought heroes were born that way and remained so throughout their lives, but now that I've seen Lady Sheila, I know it's not the case.
Ignacio: Anyone can change, no matter where they start from—and change for the better! And if heroes don't always start as heroes, that means it's not too late for me.

Sheila: It was all because of me...
Sheila: I'm the reason he died.
Ignacio's Wife: No, my lady! You mistake me!
Sheila: If I hadn't changed, none of this would have happened and he'd still be alive...
Sheila: And if this is what change does to people, then I never want to experience it again!

Ignacio's Wife: Lady Sheila?! LADY SHEILA!

Sheila: ......
Gatov: I'm coming in, Sheila.
Sheila: ......
Gatov: The evacuations are nearly complete, which means it's time for us to withdraw.
Sheila: ......
Gatov: You need to try and eat something before we leave, so I took it upon myself to make a little treat just as you did for me.
Gatov: It looks rather a mess, but I think you'll find it tastes good all the same.
Gatov: I'll leave it here, but don't force yourself to eat if you don't want to. I'm sure it will come out better the next time I make it.
Sheila: ......
Gatov: I heard about what happened to Ignacio, so I understand why you're closing up like this right now.
Gatov: You have always tried to take the weight of the world on your shoulders, and I've no doubt you blame yourself for his death.
Gatov: You likely believe that if he had stayed the same timid man he was previously, he would still be alive.
Sheila: ......
Gatov: But do you really think Ignacio saw his transformation as a bad thing?
Gatov: Change itself is not bad. Yes, it may be sad or difficult sometimes, but it can be happy as well.
Gatov: I'm certain Ignacio understood that, so the fact you changed him is—
Gatov: Sounds like the fiends are back!
Gatov: I need to go, Sheila. We can continue this conversation when I return.
Sheila: ......
Sheila: (How can he say change isn't bad? How can you possibly embrace it?)
Sheila: (I couldn't ever think that way; there's not a single new thing about me that I'm happy about.)

Sheila: (It hurts to see my father and all those close to me growing old and weak.)

Sheila: (This town is nothing like the town I once knew...)

Sheila: (Also, I hate that I get hungry now! I just want to be full forever.)

Sheila: (I finally met a friend again after all these years...)

Sheila: (But if this is what happens when things change, there's nothing good about it!)
Ignacio's Wife: Lady Sheila, I have news!
Sheila: ......
Ignacio's Wife: Nico's awake!
Sheila: !
Ignacio's Wife: And I know you still blame yourself for my husband's death, but you must let that go.
Ignacio's Wife: He was grateful to you to the very end, for you gave him the opportunity to be the hero he always wanted to be.
Sheila: Yet if he didn't change, he'd still be alive. So how can he possibly thank me?
Ignacio's Wife: My husband wanted to be brave, which is why he fought to protect everyone.
Ignacio's Wife: And while he couldn't fight with your skill, he could help those who needed to escape.
Ignacio's Wife: I know my husband's efforts made a difference, even if it was a small one.
Sheila: ......
Ignacio's Wife: You gave him the push he needed to transform himself, which is why so many of us are still alive today.
Ignacio's Wife: So please don't say you regret the things he's grateful for. Don't say you regret the fact we're still alive!
Ignacio's Wife: My husband was overjoyed with the new path his life took, so please don't take that away from him!

Ignacio: But change doesn't have to be a sad occasion. In fact, it can be joyous!

Gatov: But nothing can stay the same forever. No matter how badly you wish it to not be so, everything moves on—including you and me.

Gatov: Change itself is not bad. Yes, it may be sad or difficult sometimes, but it can be happy as well.
Gatov: I'm certain he understood that. So Sheila, the fact that you changed him is—

Sheila: ...Is what?
Sheila: *sigh* I guess my hunger doesn't care whether it's an appropriate time or not.

Gatov: There's no end to these fiends, but I can't let up now!
Gatov: Blast! They got behind me!

Gatov: Sheila!
Sheila: ...It was burnt. Also bitter.
Gatov: What?
Sheila: You cooked the caramel too long. That makes it bitter.
Gatov: Apparently you ate my crème brûlée.
Sheila: I think I understand now that change may not be the terrible thing I thought it was.
Sheila: Nothing can stay the same forever, so I need to make sure that what DOES change does so for the better.
Gatov: Oh, my dear girl...
Sheila: So as soon as I'm done cleaning up these fiends, I'm going to teach you how to make a decent dessert.
Gatov: Ha! In that case, let's take care of this pack double-quick!
Sheila: Right!

Ignacio's Wife: I am so sorry you had to go through that. I can't thank you enough.
Gatov: We should be the ones thanking you.
Sheila: Your words gave me the strength to embrace change.
Sheila: So if you ever run into any trouble, just say the word and I will be there.
Ignacio's Wife: You really are just like my husband said... Well, we should be off now.
Ignacio's Wife: Say goodbye, Nico.
Nico: I'm not gonna cry anymore, even without candy. And some day I'm gonna be a hero!
Sheila: I see I'm not the only one turning over a new leaf. I wish you the best of luck, Nico.
Nico: Hee hee! Okay, see ya later! Byeeee!
Gatov: We should head out as well.
Sheila: I'm ready.