I found myself back in the mansion bedroom in Paradox. My mind was still attempting to process what information I was given.
Mahale: "So... I'm a princess... and Marine is my brother..."
I wasn't sure what to do next. Do I get up out of bed and act as nothing happened? Should I tell someone? Nothing made sense. I felt helpless to my own fate, like I was being dragged on the side of the road by my arms. So many things were happening around me that I couldn't control, couldn't change, couldn't even predict. I couldn't make sense of where I was, why this is happening, none of it. My whole world just collapsed. The worst part is that, this life was all I remembered. I had no knowledge of anything before.
I decided that there was no point staying in bed. Letting the universe have it's way with me while I laid there silent, just thinking and being sorry for myself was not an appealing idea. I opened my bedroom door and was immediately hit with a ecstasy-inducing aroma wafting from downstairs. Food.
I literally couldn't remember the last time I ate.
I made my way through hallways and staircases until I happened upon the kitchen. There, was Sol, making what appeared to be pancakes, eggs, just about every breakfast food you could think of, and a little more. He noticed me standing there, awestruck by the copious amount of food being prepared.
Sol: "Oh! Good morning Beth!"
Sol donned his usual cheerful smile while juggling knives, hammers, and other kitchen tools which were being used to make about 50 different dishes at once.
Mahale: "Wha... Buh... O...Okeyh."
Sol ignored me having a stroke and continued with his cooking while pleasantly humming to himself. There was now food in the air along with the kitchen appliances. I attempted to recompose myself.
Mahale: "Um... Sol..."
Sol: "Mhm?"
Mahale: "Did you have a... weird dream last night?"
Sol: "All dreams are weird. Mine last night was about me living inside a cake!"
Mahale: "Never mind, then."
Sol: "Why do you ask?"
Mahale: "Don't worry about it... it's not important, I think."
Sol: "Okay!"
Mahale: "By the way... how are you so upbeat all the time?"
Sol: "What do you mean?"
Mahale: "Like, with all this death, and fighting. How do you remain so cheerful all the time?"
Sol: "..."
Sol stopped humming and began to slow down with cooking until he turned off all of the kitchen appliances and looked at me.
Sol: "You don't need to worry about that. It's just my personality! I'm fine, really!"
Something was clearly bothering him.
Mahale: "Are you sure? You don't seem... fine..."
Sol: "I SAID I'M FINE!"
The outburst quickened my heart rate. Silence passed for what felt like hours.
...
...
...
...
Sol: "I'm sorry."
He looked towards the ground. His voice trembled. He was on the verge of tears.
Sol: "I... I just..."
He sniffed and looked back up at me.
Sol: "I just want everyone to be happy. That's why I have to put on my best smile, and help others feel at ease. That way, no one will feel as cruddy as I do."
Sol closed his eyes and slowed his breathing, clearly trying to be calmer. His smile quickly returned.
Sol: "Sorry! Lost composure there for a second! Let me focus on cooking breakfast for everyone for now, 'kay?"
He just went on cooking like nothing even happened.
Mahale: "If you ever need to talk to someone, I'm always here. Okay, Sol?"
Sol: "Okie dokes! Not sure what we would talk about, but thanks for offering! I'll keep that in mind!"
Soon, knives and breakfasts were flying across the kitchen again. I decided that I would sit on the couch in the living room, right next to the kitchen.
Mahale: "Let me know when you're done with breakfast!"
Sol: "Ohhhhkaaaay~!"
A monotonous voice came from upstairs.
Artemis: "Will you please stop yelling? I'm really trying to sleep."
Mahale: "It's morning. People are supposed to be getting up right now."
Artemis: "Well I don't. Let me sleep please."
Sol: "Booooo!"
Artemis: "You people are insufferable."
With that, Artemis' footsteps, and someone else's were heard from upstairs.
Mahale: "I wonder who the other person is."
Sol: "I think it's Apollo. They both act the same way, and I don't think I've ever seen those two apart."
Mahale: "How peculiar."
Sol: "What's peculiar mean?"
Mahale: "It means something that's weird or odd."
Sol: "Peh-koo-lee-uhr."
Mahale: "Yep."
Sol: "That's a fun word to say!"
Mahale: "Mhm."
Sol: "I should use it more often!"
Mahale: "Okay."
Sol: "Blah blah blah blah blah!"
Mahale: "Got it."
Sol: "Blah blah blah blah blah blah bla-"
Suddenly, a loud sound could be heard coming from upstairs.
Sol: "Wuzzat!?"
Mahale: "Very interesting Sol."
Sol: "Beth, are you ignoring me?"
Mahale: "That's great Sol."
Sol: "Beth, I've been stabbed."
Mahale: "That's really good."
Sol: "I'm bleeding out on the floor."
Mahale: "Mmmmhm."
Sol: "I'm going to die, Beth."
Mahale: "Isn't that fascinating."
Sol: "This joke is getting old now."
Mahale: "Mhm."
Sol: "Please stop. I'm getting really really bored."
Mahale: "Quite."
Sol: "Beth, I'm done with breakfast."
Mahale: "Wait, really!? That fast?"
Sol: "No."
Mahale: "..."
Sol: "Beth, can you go check upstairs?"
Mahale: "Great stuff Sol."
Sol: "GAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
