divineimpulse | RITA CATCHALL

Right.

But it was an illusion.

So the harm to you guys was real, but the threat to your loved ones was fake?

[she nods. that's about the size of it!]

We also obtained something. Have you seen it?

[she kinda grimaces...]

Was it... that daycare sheet?

Correct.

What do you think?

Th... they're just mocking us, obviously! That's all!

[she's being really defensive for some reason?]

Mocking us how?

Just look at it! The names of the dead, on something stupid like that...? They're just screwing with us.

[she opens up the image on her screen, and stares at it for a moment.

...]

I think it's hopeful.

... Don't tell me you buy that "maybe they're kicking around somewhere else" idea?

I do.

[...]

Any particular reason why you find it compelling?

Because I went through hell for it.

Because I want to believe in hope, no matter how slim.

Y-you can't just believe something because you want it to be true, though, I mean... That's not logical.

We also don't have any evidence that it's not true...

That's not a good reason, either!!

Would you rather believe they're all dead and gone?

[she doesn't look mad about it. more curious.]

Of course not! But clinging to false hope is just going to make it harder to move forward.

How do you know it's false, then?

It's just common sense. Dead is dead. They don't go anywhere, and they don't come back.

Has common sense worked here, so far?

[she glares

and has no retort.]

[byleth doesn't look troubled by rita's glares.

instead, she just sips at her tea.]