Strange remains quiet as 9S explains. And his face pales, an expression of dawning horror creeping up as 9S mentions the logic virus. To have everyone dead, being alone in such a powerful way...it's terrifying. Oh, there have been moments where Strange felt he was alone, but nothing to the extent that poor 9S is feeling right now.
Though, as 9S expresses his last thought? That he understands completely. That Arabella wasn't real. Their conversation ended with that Arabella realizing she wasn't real. But she was real enough to Strange, real enough that the loss still pierces his stomach and he's more bound and determined to save everybody than before, simply because she asked to.
"I don't know what magic the Prince used to make those illusions. I don't know if they were pulled from our memories or were replications of those who already exist. But whatever that magic was, it made 2B real enough that you believed it was her. You believe 2B's words because even though she was fake, there was enough real to her that the words rang true. After all, I've a feeling you'd be able to tell instantly if 2B was entirely fake."
But Strange knows there are enchantments that could make something fake seem believable. He buried one of those. But he doesn't need to tell 9S this, not here and not now. He doesn't really know what to do here. But awkwardly, Strange reaches over and attempts to put a reassuring hand on 9S's shoulder.
"Something can be a lie and the truth at the same time. The world's devilishly contradictory that way." Some of the stories of the Raven King, those from hundreds of years ago, did they happen? Probably not! But they were real to Strange and that's what matters. Likewise, the Arabella that he danced with, that he spent time with wasn't the real Arabella. But it was good enough for Strange.
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Though, as 9S expresses his last thought? That he understands completely. That Arabella wasn't real. Their conversation ended with that Arabella realizing she wasn't real. But she was real enough to Strange, real enough that the loss still pierces his stomach and he's more bound and determined to save everybody than before, simply because she asked to.
"I don't know what magic the Prince used to make those illusions. I don't know if they were pulled from our memories or were replications of those who already exist. But whatever that magic was, it made 2B real enough that you believed it was her. You believe 2B's words because even though she was fake, there was enough real to her that the words rang true. After all, I've a feeling you'd be able to tell instantly if 2B was entirely fake."
But Strange knows there are enchantments that could make something fake seem believable. He buried one of those. But he doesn't need to tell 9S this, not here and not now. He doesn't really know what to do here. But awkwardly, Strange reaches over and attempts to put a reassuring hand on 9S's shoulder.
"Something can be a lie and the truth at the same time. The world's devilishly contradictory that way." Some of the stories of the Raven King, those from hundreds of years ago, did they happen? Probably not! But they were real to Strange and that's what matters. Likewise, the Arabella that he danced with, that he spent time with wasn't the real Arabella. But it was good enough for Strange.