[Lobelia is, true to his word, minding his own business and leaving not just Beelzebub alone but everyone else in the garden save for a single man. He and Vergilius have an agreement, after all, and it's that agreement that has him going out of his way to mind Beelzebub's space whenever they happen to pass one another in this flower-clad purgatory.
It comes as something of a surprise when Beelzebub approaches him, Lobelia sat beneath the shade of a tree and whistling a tune on the edge of a leaf. Hm. Considering Beelzebub's... tendencies, Lobelia suspects he's here to pick the apples from the tree, so he simply stands up, dusts himself off, and prepares to vacate.]
[Ah. So Beelzebub meant to approach him? Lobelia manages not to say anything, but his surprise is written all over his face before he settles back into an easy smile. Hm! Maybe Beelzebub wants to kill him? Rip him to pieces and spread his entrails all over the garden? Lobelia certainly wouldn't deny him the opportunity, but...]
...Ah, but of course. We've nothing but time here. How can I help you, Beelzebub?
[An apology. Is he hearing Beelzebub correctly? Maybe Skywarp's atrocious singing really did damage his hearing, butβ no, he can believe the words he's hearing. Beelzebub isn't a bad person β quite the opposite, in fact β so this apology really ought not come as a surprise. Still...]
Merci beaucoup... that is to say, thank you, but I can assure you that no apology is necessary. I've earned your ire and then some, have I not?
[Even if he's found his happiness and thus changed his life to revolve around that very thing, Lobelia acted without care for how his choices would make Beelzebub feel. If anything, he should be demanding an apology from him. Still, Lobelia has a pretty good idea of what has inspired this sudden change of heart.]
Even so, I have no intention of remaining in this place. There is someone I've made a promise to, and so long as we remain imprisoned here, I can't uphold my end of our agreement. [...] It's no different for you, is it?
[Well, at least Lobelia isn't pretending otherwise. The apple comes to his mouth, bitten clean in half as Lobelia talks.]
Mn. You know who's important to me. I'd crawl out of this place with my bare hands for them if this were hell.
If Merlin needs help from us on restoring our bonds... that includes you and I. And if all I'm feeling towards you is anger when everyone else is trying to work towards some kind of truce, then that just makes me a hypocrite.
...
[Another exhale as his gaze narrows slightly.]
I don't forgive you for what you've done and said to me or to the people I love. But I'll put it aside for now, if it means getting all of us out of here.
Correct! I had alluded to as much myself when we last spoke.
[There is nothing to be gained by animosity in this place. Lobelia isn't a man who regrets his actions often enough to offer Beelzebub a genuine apology, but he is someone who will doggedly work towards his goals no matter the cost.
Even if bringing happiness to the one who gave him a reason to exist costs him his life, no part of Lobelia will falter. He won't waver. To that end, he senses he and Beelzebub don't differ one bit.]
Please understand that any apology from me would be a hollow, meaningless thing. In order to get to this point, sacrifices had to be madeβ casualties of my own ambition. If it helps you to better understand, imagine that I'm simply incapable of regretting any decision that furthers my ends.
Still, I believe we can work towards our common goal without issue. If you can put aside your personal feelings and offer me your assistance, I see no issue with offering you the same.
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It comes as something of a surprise when Beelzebub approaches him, Lobelia sat beneath the shade of a tree and whistling a tune on the edge of a leaf. Hm. Considering Beelzebub's... tendencies, Lobelia suspects he's here to pick the apples from the tree, so he simply stands up, dusts himself off, and prepares to vacate.]
Excusez-moi.
no subject
[Oh. Was his timing bad? Hm.]
Hey, no, I... uh...
...
[This is awkward.]
I need to talk to you. If you have a minute.
no subject
...Ah, but of course. We've nothing but time here. How can I help you, Beelzebub?
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...I wanted to come apologize to you.
You were right. My attitude towards you was disgusting and stubborn the other day. It's not going to get us anywhere while we're here.
I can't promise that I'm ever going to trust you. But... you're not my enemy here.
I'm sorry for losing sight of that in my anger. I don't know what's changed you... but you're not the Lobelia I remember.
...
Do you want to leave this place?
no subject
Merci beaucoup... that is to say, thank you, but I can assure you that no apology is necessary. I've earned your ire and then some, have I not?
[Even if he's found his happiness and thus changed his life to revolve around that very thing, Lobelia acted without care for how his choices would make Beelzebub feel. If anything, he should be demanding an apology from him. Still, Lobelia has a pretty good idea of what has inspired this sudden change of heart.]
Even so, I have no intention of remaining in this place. There is someone I've made a promise to, and so long as we remain imprisoned here, I can't uphold my end of our agreement. [...] It's no different for you, is it?
no subject
Mn. You know who's important to me. I'd crawl out of this place with my bare hands for them if this were hell.
If Merlin needs help from us on restoring our bonds... that includes you and I. And if all I'm feeling towards you is anger when everyone else is trying to work towards some kind of truce, then that just makes me a hypocrite.
...
[Another exhale as his gaze narrows slightly.]
I don't forgive you for what you've done and said to me or to the people I love. But I'll put it aside for now, if it means getting all of us out of here.
no subject
[There is nothing to be gained by animosity in this place. Lobelia isn't a man who regrets his actions often enough to offer Beelzebub a genuine apology, but he is someone who will doggedly work towards his goals no matter the cost.
Even if bringing happiness to the one who gave him a reason to exist costs him his life, no part of Lobelia will falter. He won't waver. To that end, he senses he and Beelzebub don't differ one bit.]
Please understand that any apology from me would be a hollow, meaningless thing. In order to get to this point, sacrifices had to be madeβ casualties of my own ambition. If it helps you to better understand, imagine that I'm simply incapable of regretting any decision that furthers my ends.
Still, I believe we can work towards our common goal without issue. If you can put aside your personal feelings and offer me your assistance, I see no issue with offering you the same.