Er.....

(He thinks of Aulus 'it's OK to experiment on human beings if it's for the advancement of science' 'mal-practice' Asina.)

No.

(He slumps.) That's not helpful at all.

(He hesitates. He looks uncertain, like a lost child asking for guidance.)

...How will I know it's the right one?

Will do, Aeth. Just sit tight.

(He teleports away, only to come back some time later with two juices in hand. They're fancy, too - in unique glasses with colorful curly straws. He hands one to her.) There ya go! One orange juice.

It wouldn't have mattered either way, would it? At least I would have performed my purpose. Been....useful, in some way.

Could have...but didn't. Useless...

O-Oh, don't give me those eyes! I'll just bring one to you, okay?

(He still looks hurt.) No, no, I get it. I'm just one of the great Lahabrea's many glorious creations.

Yeah....you should probably take it easy for a while.

Aeth! Feeling better?

Bah. Forgot all about me, did you? (He sighed, slumping. He seemed almost disappointed.) Why am I not surprised...

(He smirks.) Hah. Already disobedient.

Aether!!

(He rushed over to her, all shadow, until he could catch her in his arms. Gazing at her worriedly, he cast a simple healing spell on her forehead where she had gouged herself.)

Oh, Aeth...you're okay. Just rest now...

Wasn't that the point?

the same for her.)

{ Aether, listen to me. You are of Amaurot, like me. Think of its spires and skyscrapers, burning golden in the night. Don't you remember? Think of your creator...do you remember his name? He was one of the Convocation. Your true father. Please, remember... }

(He frowned. Apart from bringing Themis himself back from the dead, what could convince her? What would prove to her that she was an Ancient like him?

Then it hit him.

He began speaking to her in the Ancient tongue, a language he doesn't remember learning but intrinsically knows. He hoped it was+

// i actually like him the best in arr when he showed up to complain about lahabrea and showed us how the echo worked. the other ascians actually got angry at him for this but he shrugged them off. he was actually the reason for a lot of the infighting between early arr ascians and he didnt gaf

(Lucius frowned, folding his arms.) Parents can be...complicated. But I'm telling the truth. Why do you think you can't remember anything? He tampered with your mind!

We're siblings because we're both creations of the Ancients! (He stepped forward, pleading with her.) We have strange powers that others don't understand. We're not connected by blood, but by time. By our experience. Please, Aeth, try to remember...

(His eyes widen.) You've even forgotten that...

Tell me Aether, why are we siblings? What do you remember about me?

(He shifts back to his Viera form, his eyes pleading with her to understand.)

Do you really believe that? Aether, please...you are an Ancient! No one can control you! Is this really how you want to live your life...?

WHAT? You tampered with her memories?!

(Lucius was slowly becoming more monstrous-looking, subconsciously shifting shape. But he managed to keep a clear enough head to hold himself back.)

I'll...I'll get through to her. I will.

(His hands shake as he balls them into fists at his sides.) Of course you don't. But you don't understand...you're toying with powers beyond your comprehension.

You....You did that to her, didn't you?

I guess I wouldn't. A life where I had never met Aulus or Kaeso...I would be very different, wouldn't I?

(He bares his teeth.) The reality of /what/?

How could I?!

(He was still wearing Aether's face as he snarled at her.)

You and I are the same! But...you lost yourself, somewhere. You became the monster they wanted you to be. Well, was it worth it?

You can't even see it even when it's staring you in the face?

(Wearing Aether's face, he bares his teeth at her.)

...You're not her. You don't have her sweet smile, or her warm heart. You've been corrupted, somehow...

// The villain timeline for Lucius would be if he hadn't been intercepted by Aulus and was in fact summoned by Emet-Selch for his purpose at the correct time. He would have laid waste to the Source and facilitated a rejoining. There would have been no one to show him he could have a happy life.

Because I don't believe that you're my sweet sister!