It was naturally a shock to learn that Ms. Sonda had apparently been betrayed by her own family. Since the Sondas had taken care of Sophie, it hurt her deeply. Sophie refused to believe for even a moment that they could do something like this. The Sondas had always been honorable people and loyal to the Dark Umbrella. But if it was true... why only now?
There were indeed several strange things that troubled Fiona. While Sophie denied that the Sondas had kidnapped their own daughter, Theresa Sonda, Fiona believed it was possible. It would also explain why the Sondas had said nothing despite their daughter being missing. However, she did not want to jump to conclusions, especially because it would hurt Sophie again.
Fiona was already worried about Violet. Sophie worried about Ms. Sonda, Violet, and Fiona, because the three of them had seemed more exhausted than usual lately.
Sophie: "So... I've treated her wounds... but is that enough?"
Fiona: "Either way, we kill her after she gives us information."
Sophie: "But Fiona..."
Fiona: "She knew Viktor killed children, and she didn't care. You heard what she said. It wasn't her problem. A person like that... shouldn't just be allowed to live. I don't want to make mistakes anymore, Sophie. Every time I did, someone innocent died. I'd rather kill the guilty than let an innocent person die because I hesitated."
Sophie: "Why are you always so hard on yourself... why?"
Fiona: "Hmm?"
Sophie: "You think Naomi's suffering is your fault. You think my suffering is your fault. That I lost my Crow title... look at yourself. Your eyes look almost dead. When was the last time you slept properly?"
Fiona: "You're not my mother. Leave me alone."
Sophie stopped her.
Sophie: "Fiona, just like you're afraid of losing someone, I'm afraid too. Just like you hate hesitation, I hate my own hesitation. And when I see you destroying yourself... it breaks my heart. You look exhausted. More exhausted than ever. You barely eat. You need to learn to love yourself."
Fiona: "Hmph."
She pushed Sophie's hand away.
Fiona: "Sophie... look at her. Look at this woman. Do you think a good person would kill people?"
Sophie: "But... you don't kill innocent people."
Fiona: "Killing is killing. Killing is never good, no matter who you kill."
Sophie: "You've killed fewer people than most detectives."
Fiona: "And what did I get from it?! Naomi lost her arm! You lost your Crow title! Cossette was in a coma for a year! Violet is a murderer now! All because I hesitated. Because I was too weak to protect others. Because I showed emotion. Howgarts was right... emotions get in the way."
Sophie: "Don't say that. You should finally forget that man. You're not a test subject anymore. You're also... a girl. An innocent girl."
Fiona: "Stop it, Sophie."
Sophie: "Mmm... Fiona... please. I'm just saying you should take better care of yourself."
Fiona: "Mmm."
Sophie: "You take painkillers. You barely sleep. Maybe... maybe you should get help. Some kind of therapy."
Fiona: "What?! Me? Therapy? Hmph. Listen. Therapy is the biggest lie. Those people don't help you. They just give you pills. And those pills are even worse. They take away your mind. They turn you into a puppet. I don't need those people. My therapy is finally being allowed to do my job... and seeing Cossette again."
Sophie: "Fine. I understand. But then you can talk to me."
Fiona: "Huh?"
Sophie: "You trust me, right?"
Fiona: "Ugh... yes."
Sophie: "Then you can trust me more. That's okay. I think it's sweet that you blame yourself because I lost my Crow title. But that was my decision. My hesitation, not yours."
Fiona: "I should've killed that bastard who did that to you. Mr. Willy."
Sophie: "No. Then you would've lost your Crow title too."
Fiona: "At least you'd still have yours."
Sophie: "Hah... Fiona, I don't want that title anymore. I'm just not as good as Marcus or you."
Fiona: "Who's talking negatively about themselves now? Before telling me to love myself and take care of myself, maybe you should do the same."
Sophie: "Ugh... so that's how it is..."
Fiona: "You just said you're not as good as Marcus or me. But you're better than both of us. Don't you understand? They threw you out because you're too kind."
Sophie: "Ugh."
Fiona: "You're too kind. How many people have you killed? How many criminals? I've killed twenty-two. And you? Let me guess. One? Two?"
Sophie: "...none."
Fiona: "See?"
Sophie: "But... what does that have to do with being kind?"
Fiona: "Sophie... they don't want someone who still thinks about others, even if they're criminals. They don't want you showing compassion to enemies, no matter how evil they are. You try to understand them. To see if they're broken. I understand that. Zantanel, for example. She isn't evil. She was an innocent child born with two curses. I think anyone treated the way she was would become a monster. I don't hate Zantanel. I even pity her. But you... you try to understand everyone. That destroys you."
Sophie: "Hmm."
Fiona: "If you try to understand everyone, it won't work. You don't know what they've experienced. Even if you did, you don't know how their spirit was broken. Physical pain can be ignored. But wounds of the mind never truly heal. The pain stays. It feels like your heart is crying blood."
Sophie: "Hmm."
Fiona: "Loneliness can break anyone. Grief can break anyone. Being mistreated, being treated unfairly... it makes people think, 'Why should I care about others if nobody cared about me?' Zantanel... if she'd had someone like you by her side... maybe she wouldn't have become what she is."
Sophie: "Do you think it's bad to be kind like that?"
Fiona: "Not at all. I like you because you're kind. I admire you because you're caring. I admire you because you understand people. But no matter how hard I try... I just can't."
Sophie: "You can't help it. Howgarts, your foster parents, your aunt... you experienced all that. Most of it as a child."
Fiona: "Mm."
Sophie: "You're kinder than you think."
Fiona: "No."
Sophie: "You helped Cossette. You helped Melina. You wanted to save Luca's child. So you have a pure heart too. Well... at least you're okay."
Fiona: "Neither Cossette, nor Melina, nor Luca's child... I could save any of them..."
[Conversation continues...]
Violet: "How sweet you two are."
Sophie: "Ugh!"
Fiona: "Ugh."
Violet: "(Yawn) Just so you know... I heard everything."
Sophie: "Okay. We can kill this one."
Fiona: "Yep."
Violet: "Whoa, whoa, whoa! I was joking! I only heard the part where Cossette is cute."
Fiona: "Oh. That's enough. Let's beat you until you lose that memory."
Violet: "Aaaah!"
Later...
Sophie: "What do you want to eat?"
Violet: "Oh! Please, please! Pasta and pizza!"
Sophie: "My goodness..."
Fiona: "Let her have it. Just this once."
Sophie: "Alright, but only today."
Violet: "Yay!"
As they walked through the city, people suddenly began staring at them.
Fiona: "No... something's wrong, Sophie."
Sophie: "Huh?"
The people stared with wide eyes. Some twisted their heads in unnatural ways.
Sophie: "Violet... didn't you mention a rumor... about people who were actually monsters? What were the details?"
Violet: "Big staring eyes... movements that don't look human... and black liquid."
Sophie: "Just like those people."
Violet: "...Yeah."
Fiona: "Uh, Violet... I think you—"
Violet: "Yeah..."
Even she was staring at them.
Sophie: "That can't be real... what happened to the real Violet?!"
Fiona: "Ugh..."
Violet Doppelgänger: "Don't worry. She's still alive... for now. Hehehe."
She grinned, black liquid dripping from her mouth.
Sophie: "Who are you?"
Monster: "We... are the Mimics... Give us your bodies... hehehehe."