Louise (Dragalia Lost)

Louise: *sigh* I wonder what Lowen is doing right now?

Louise: Blast, I'm worrying about him AGAIN! He's grown up now, which means I can't continue to be the clingy older sister. I need something in my life beyond just worrying after Lowen.
Cleo: Ah, there you are, Louise. I could use your help with something, if that's all right?
Louise: Funny enough, I was just looking for something to help me while away the hours. How can I help?
Cleo: Well, our housework seems to be in something of a backlog. Unfortunately, I have to clean the storeroom today and don't have time to play catch-up.
Louise: I'm happy to help; living with Lowen has let me master all manner of chores!
Cleo: Well, if you'd be so kind as to take care of the laundry, dishes, and tidying the dining hall, I'd be most grateful.
Louise: Leave it to me. Perhaps I'll start with the laundry, since there's clearly no shortage of it. But with a little wind magic on my side, it will be dried in a jiffy. Off I go! I'm finished, Cleo.
Cleo: Done with the laundry, are you? Excellent. Next, you can take care of the dish—
Louise: No, I mean I'm DONE done. Everything around here is clean as a pile of fresh new whistles.
Cleo: Well, that's quite impressive. To thank you, I will prepare your favorite dish for dinner. What do you like?
Louise: Hmm. Let me think. Hmmmmm...
Cleo: Louise? You appear severely perplexed. Is something the matter?
Louise: C-Cleo? What DO I like?
Cleo: I beg your pardon?

Euden: All right, that's enough fiend extermination for one day.
Ranzal: 'Bout time! My axe arm is startin' to throb.
Louise: It's been three days since we left the Halidom. This was quite the journey.
Euden: Yes, and I appreciate all your efforts. We'll be sure to take a couple of days to rest when we get back to the castle.
Ranzal: Wait, an actual day off? Hell yeah! I'm gonna sleep like a cat and eat like a pig, then do it all over again!
Elisanne: Perhaps I'll finally have time to read that new novel I purchased.
Cleo: And I will take the opportunity to do a bit of painting.
Euden: Downtime is important if we're not going to burn ourselves out. But what about you, Louise? Any big plans?
Louise: Me? Ummm, weeeell... I guess there isn't anything I want to do.
Ranzal: The heck ya mean?!
Louise: I mean there's simply no activity that I particularly enjoy or wish to take part in. I fight and do various household tasks, but beyond that...
Cleo: Hmm. You had the same reaction a few days ago when I asked your favorite meal.
Louise: To be honest, I've never had to consider such things; my entire life has been spent looking after Lowen and making sure his needs were taken care of.
Ranzal: Huh. Ain't that a kinda unhealthy way for a person to live? Once the little bro takes off, yer gonna be left swingin' in the breeze.
Louise: This is a truth I'm slowly coming to grips with. Clearly I must learn how to prioritize my own life.
Euden: That's good to hear. Life is certainly more fun when you have hobbies and interests that make you happy. I'm sure Lowen would want you to be happy, right?
Louise: Yes, of course you're right. I must discover who Louise really is. I'm going to take this opportunity to sever my dependence on Lowen and focus on myself!
Ranzal: And we'll help ya!
Euden: The search for the new Louise starts now!
Louise: Looks like the wind is at my back now. All right, Louise, it's time to prove you're more than just a dependable archer... It's time to find the new me!

Louise: So what DO I like? Goodness, this is turning out to be as hard as I feared it might be. I know I've asked before, but what was it that you all enjoy again?
Cleo: Painting.
Elisanne: Reading.
Ranzal: Eatin'! ...Also thinkin' about eatin'.
Louise: Painting, reading, eating... Hmm. None of those sound like they're for me.
Cleo: Perhaps if you were to try those activities out for yourself, you might see what's so enjoyable about them.
Louise: Hmm. Do you think you'd be willing to try them with me?
Cleo: Of course.
Elisanne: Certainly.
Ranzal: Ya better believe it!
Cleo: In that case, let's begin with painting. Portraiture is a bit advanced, so we'll start by painting something easy, like an apple.
Louise: An apple sounds lovely. Let's do it!
Cleo: Well, I feel like mine came out quite well. How about you, Louise?
Louise: ......
Cleo: Hmm. She must really be in the zone. Let's just take a look at her work here... BY THE GODDESS!
Louise: Oh, hello, Cleo. Are you already done with your painting? I didn't notice. Might I see how yours came out?
Cleo: No! Absolutely not! No one is allowed to see it—ESPECIALLY not you!
Louise: Er, but we've been painting side-by-side all this time. Why the change of heart?
Cleo: B-because you're a GENIUS! The design? The sense of perspective? The shading? It's all PERFECT! How in the world did you manage this?
Louise: Oh, I used to paint with Lowen from time to time. It made him happy for us to paint together, so I did it a lot when he was little.
Cleo: Well, it's an enormous waste for such a rich talent to sit unused! Promise me that you will keep painting— AND that you'll teach me all your secrets!
Louise: Er, all...right?
Elisanne: This needs to stay between us, Louise, but the kind of books I like...are THESE.
Louise: Is this a romance novel? I don't know that I've ever seen one before. Hmm, let me see what this is about... Ahem! "Princess! My love for you is true! The different places we occupy in the world are but trivialities before the power of this love! You shall be mine forever!" So this is a romance novel, huh?
Elisanne: Y-you're so good at reading stories... Something about your tone just sets my heart racing!
Louise: Oh? Then perhaps I should read this one to you as well. Let's see... ＂I will never give up! I will pursue you to the very ends of the world itself! Prepare to fall in love...with ME!"
Elisanne: STAAAAAWP! My heart is going to tear free of my chest if you continue! P-please give me time to recover before you read another line! I beg it of you! Oh, but promise that you'll read whatever book I pick out for you. PROMISE ME!
Louise: Um, all right? I'm just going to...slowly back out of the room now. Farewell.
Ranzal: Here ya go, Louise! This should be all the food what we ordered. Oh, and it's my treat, so feel free to eat up and chow down!
Louise: Yes, let's. *munch*
Ranzal: *horf* *snorf* *slurple* ...Gwaaargh?!
Louise: What is it, Ranzal?
Ranzal: Oh man, this grub is REALLY turnin' my crank today. What's the deal?!
Louise: Ah yes, that's what your body is craving. Looks like my order was right on the mark.
Ranzal: Wait, yer sayin' ya ordered stuff based specifically on what ya thought my body needed?
Louise: Indeed. I was always quite careful about Lowen's nutrition so he'd grow up healthy. Force of habit now, I suppose. No matter who it is, I want people to eat the food their body needs.
Ranzal: Aw, thanks, Louise! I could eat this stuff all day! *chomp* *slurrfle* *gulp*
Louise: R-Ranzal, no! Overeating is still terrible for you!
Ranzal: Uuuurgh... Ate too much... Stomach bloated... Tongue swollen... Feet...black? Oh man, that ain't good...
Louise: I warned you not to overeat.
Staff: Excuse me, miss? We're, um, out of food now, so I'm going to just close the shop. If you wouldn't mind settling up...?
Louise: Yes, my companion will... Ranzal? Ranzal, wait! You have to pay the check! Get over here at once, Ranzal! You must pay for all the food you ate!
Ranzal: BRAAAAAP! Oh yeah, that's the stuff. Now I'm gonna take me a nap...
Louise: *sigh* I'm very sorry about this. Please allow me to pay for him. *siiiigh*
Euden: What's wrong, Louise? You look beat.
Louise: I suppose I am a little worn out.
Euden: Did you manage to find your new hobby?
Louise: Actually, that is the source of my troubles.
Elisanne: There you are, Louise! I have that book I want you to read, as well as my favorite listening pillow.
Cleo: Louise! Wait! I need you to explain the concept of parallax distance in landscape watercolors!
Ranzal: Yo, Louise! Let's grab a bite to eat! My belly must FEEEED!
Louise: I'm pleased that everyone is counting on me now, but I... Well, I feel as if I've relapsed right back into being someone's older sister! I still have no idea what MY likes are.
Euden: Heh. The mountain of self-discovery is a steep one sometimes.

Euden: Louise, over there!
Louise: I have it! Piercing Wind!
Fiend: SCREEEAAAAAHHH!
Louise: Whew! All right, that's all of them. Let's meet up with the others.
Euden: You were a huge help today, Louise. Thank you.
Louise: You're most welcome.
Louise: (Euden certainly is an interesting person. I don't feel like a big sister when I'm with him. It's like I can just be who I am naturally.)
Fiend: Screeeee!
Euden: Uh oh. It's still alive!
Louise: Huh?!
Euden: Get down! HAAAAH!
Louise: Thank you for that. It seems I let my guard down. Not exactly my finest hour, I fear.
Euden: Don't worry about it. It's only natural that we'd help each other out. I'm just glad you're okay.
Louise: You ARE a curious fellow, aren't you? You just accept all of my flaws without any judgment whatsoever. I've always been the one who had to accept flaws, so this feels rather odd. Perhaps this is what it's like to have an older brother.
Euden: You and Lowen really have been alone in your own little world, huh? Perhaps these new feelings are a sign that you've taken a step into a much larger world.
Louise: You might be right. I've certainly never experienced such a feeling before.
Euden: ...So I'm a big brother, eh?
Louise: What? No! I was merely trying to think of an example to explain how I felt.
Euden: Heh. I get it. Although now that you mention it, I've also been having a strange feeling lately. When I see you confused about who you are—and yet trying so hard to figure it out—it makes me want to stop whatever I'm doing and help you. Maybe that's the big brother vibe you've been getting.
Louise: D-don't tease your elders like that!
Euden: I'm not teasing. Also, this kind of thing isn't really about age.
Louise: P-perhaps so, but...
Euden: You're searching for a new way to live, and it's okay to rely on someone else for help—even if they happen to be younger. Unless you don't want to rely on me, in which case I totally underst—
Louise: Ugh! Enough! I didn't mean to call you my big brother! And I am CERTAINLY not relying on you!
Euden: I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you.
Louise: I'm not upset! It's just... I mean... Ugh. I'm sorry. I WAS angry there for a moment, although I didn't intend to be.
Euden: Oh, you were just being a contrarian, huh.
Louise: Go on, make fun. It's just...hard for me to be open with my feelings.
Euden: Haha. That sort of trait is probably what makes me feel the need to help you. Louise, if you're up for it... I'd like it if you can be more open with me. If there's something troubling you, I want you to know you can rely on me. I'd be happy if you did that.
Louise: Th-thanks, Euden. I'll...do that from now on. I feel like, with you, I actually can...

Louise: Hum de dum de doooo... Hello, what's that over there? A tailor?
Euden: Louise! You're going to get lost if you get too far ahead!
Louise: Come here, Euden! Look at this outfit!
Euden: Annnd she's gone. Boy, she sure is cheery today. She must not have had time to just wander around a town before. Well, if I don't hurry after her, she really IS going to get lost. Wait for me, Louise!
Louise: ......
Euden: Louise? What's got you so fascinated?
Louise: Oh, I'm just charmed by these clothes.
Euden: Yeah, they're pretty cute. Seems like a color you'd like, too.
Louise: Actually, I think it might be a little TOO cute for me.
Euden: Oh? I think they'd look good on you.
Louise: Perhaps—although I'd be a bit embarrassed to wear them.
Euden: Lately I'm starting to feel like I've got an idea of the kind of things you like.
Louise: I've started to feel that way myself. Or to be more specific, it's more that I've remembered such things.
Euden: What do you mean?
Louise: Back when my mother was still alive, we went into a town just like this. Everything was so unusual and vibrant... And in one shop, I found an adorable little item that I instantly fell in love with. When my mother refused to buy it for me, I'm ashamed to say I threw quite the tantrum. She took it in stride, but once I'd calmed down, she told me that I mustn't be so selfish.
Euden: Sounds like an important lesson for a kid.
Louise: She passed away soon after, at which point life became a never-ending series of hardships. In the course of raising Lowen, the number of things I had to deny myself only increased. That's why I had forgotten what it was like to enjoy the smaller parts of life. But I'm remembering it all now.
Euden: It must have been hard to deny yourself like that. It's really admirable.
Louise: I'm aware.
Euden: Er, sorry. Didn't mean to be the young guy lecturing you again. Still, it IS okay for me to give you a compliment, isn't it?
Louise: I suppose. ...And thank you, Euden.
Euden: Any time. Now are you going to pull the trigger on that outfit or not?
Louise: Well, I suppose it wouldn't go amiss to give myself a small reward... Ack! This is EXPENSIVE! I can't justify buying something like this!
Euden: Then let me buy it for you. It's the least I can do for all the help you've provided.
Louise: Absolutely not. I may no longer be acting as an older sister, but even so, I AM an adult. I don't throw tantrums to get what I want. My mother would be appalled. Her teachings are how I was able to raise Lowen as well as I did. That's something I'm proud of. Now then, we've talked far too much. If we don't hurry and finish our shopping, we won't get home until quite late. Let's be off, Euden.
Euden: You're going your own way, but still honoring your mother's lessons. Your mother would be so proud to see you now.

Euden: Louise? Ah, there you are. Er, what are you looking at?
Louise: Ah, Euden. This is the first picture Lowen ever drew of me. Heh. Though I'm sure you'd never guess if I hadn't told you. But he tried his very best. It was so cute.
Euden: What made you think to look at this? Were you feeling lonely? I know the two of you have been living in separate rooms these days.
Louise: I used to be overcome with an urge to see Lowen whenever I looked at this picture. But things have been different lately. When I see it now, I'm not lonely at all. I've come to realize that it's enough for me to know he's doing well—and that I need to do my best to be happy, too.
Euden: That sounds like a big step.
Louise: Heh. I've changed so much, it even surprises me. Even without Lowen, I know who I am. Now I can say with certainty what colors I like, or what foods I enjoy eating.
Euden: It's proof of how hard you worked. And it's very admirable.
Louise: I believe I've told you multiple times not to treat me like your little sister. I'm older than you, remember?
Euden: You certainly seem like it now.
Louise: It didn't seem so BEFORE?!
Euden: Ha ha! I'm just joking with you. Anyway, I think I need to give a reward to the person who worked so hard.
Louise: What do you have in mind?
Euden: I'm going to give you what you like most in the world.
Louise: Er...
Lowen: Heya, Louise!
Louise: LOWEN!
Lowen: Man, it's been AGES since I've seen you, Sis. Oh, and I brought you a present!
Louise: Oh! This is the outfit I saw in that store the other day!
Lowen: Yep! Me and Euden bought it for you! I heard all about how you were trying to find stuff you like. And that made me SUPER happy!
Louise: Thank you both.
Euden: Of course. I'm glad you're happy with it.
Louise: Between this outfit and my little brother, I have more happiness here than I know what to do with.
Lowen: You've really changed, Louise. It's like you're... I dunno. More relaxed?
Louise: I suppose I did used to be much more tense, didn't I? I felt like I was fighting a battle all on my own. But now know I'm not alone. I even feel like I can rely on you now, Lowen.
Lowen: That's 'cause you can! I'm gonna work real hard and show ya how awesome I am. It's just really great to see you happy.
Louise: You don't need to worry about me, Lowen. I'm your older sister, after all.
Lowen: Don't I know it! Anyway, I gotta go. Cleo's says it's my turn to help with the dishes. Blech. Bye, Sis!
Louise: I'll see you soon, Lowen.
Euden: That was a pretty short reunion. You okay?
Louise: It was more than enough. I'm just happy to know that he's doing well. I think Lowen will always be what I love most in life, but I'm no longer sad or lonely when I'm not with him. I trust him, I guess. And I trust that he can achieve his own happiness. I'm sure he's thinking the same thing. We're brother and sister, after all.
Euden: Bonds like that are important.
Louise: They're everything. ...And speaking of bonds, there's one more I'd like to forge.
Euden: Oh? What's that?
Louise: The bond between myself and everyone here in the Halidom. I realize now that if I'm going to start my life over, this is the place to do it. There are people here who can let me be exactly who I am. And I love being with them. ...I think that's the new me I've been looking for. So what do you think? Will it be all right for me to stay here?
Euden: I'd be delighted to have you here—and so would everyone else.
Louise: Thank you, Euden. Oh, the wind picked up again... But no matter what it brings, I know that I'm going to be okay. So long as I have friends by my side, I can weather what may come.