So Close, Yet So Far

## Introduction

**Shulk:** I would have never guessed you were a princess, Melia.

**Melia:** I'm sorry I hid it from you. I was waiting for the right time to tell you, but it never came...

**Shulk:** I should have figured it out from the way you dress.

**Melia:** I dress... differently to other girls?

## Gain (+8)

**Shulk: *[It's not a bad thing.]***

**Melia:** Really? That is quite a relief. I don't really know what other girls wear, so I was worried...

**Shulk:** Clothes really aren't that important. I like you just the way you are. You could be a princess, a pauper, or even from a crazy alien world! I'd still be your friend. I always will be.

**Melia:** If you keep talking like that, you'll get back in my good books. But I do wonder what it would be like if I were not a princess...

**Shulk: *[Nothing would change.]***

**Melia:** I suppose not. I would most likely still have met all of you and travelled with you. But... I don't know, Shulk. Sometimes I look at everyone and I get very jealous.

**Shulk:** You do? Why?

**Melia:** Everyone is so at ease with each other. They get to be themselves. I was brought up as a member of the High Entia imperial family.

**Shulk:** But you're not stuck in this stuffy palace anymore. You're free now. So go on, show it off! Do something really crazy! It'll be our secret!

**Melia:** You mean right now, in front of you?! No, I'm too embarrassed. I can’t. Please don’t make me, Shulk.

**Shulk:** Haha. You don't have to. It's fine. But give it some thought!

**Melia:** I shall take your advice into consideration. And maybe one day you will see me do something... crazy.

## Net 0 (+4, -4)

**Shulk: *[It's not a bad thing.]***

**Melia:** Really? That is quite a relief. I don't really know what other girls wear, so I was worried...

**Shulk:** Clothes really aren't that important. I like you just the way you are. You could be a princess, a pauper, or even from a crazy alien world! I'd still be your friend. I always will be.

**Melia:** If you keep talking like that, you'll get back in my good books. But I do wonder what it would be like if I were not a princess...

**Shulk: *[I have no idea.]***

**Melia:** I suspect things might have been somewhat different.

**Shulk:** How do you mean?

**Melia:** We might have been closer...

**Shulk:** Really? You think it would make that much of a difference?

**Melia:** Sometimes... I'm jealous. I mean... of others. I don't seem to fit in. *And... you do not share the feelings that I have for you...*

**Shulk:** You don't need to worry about any of this, Melia. Remember, you're...

**Melia:** I know. I'm me, and I don't need to be anyone else. You're right.

**Shulk:** And don’t you forget it!

## Net 0 (-4, +4)

**Shulk: *[Yeah, your clothes are weird.]***

**Melia:** You don't like the way I dress? I suppose that's to be expected.

**Shulk:** What do you mean?

**Melia:** Ignore me... I was just... It's nothing.

**Shulk:** Are you suggesting my tastes are a bit less... sophisticated?

**Melia:** What an absurd question! I would never say something like that!

**Shulk: *[S-sorry, Melia.]*** It just felt like you were going for something along those lines...

**Melia:** Would you be quiet?! Let’s just forget this conversation ever happened. How about that?

**Shulk:** All right, if you're sure... But I am really sorry, Melia. That was dumb, what I just said.

**Melia:** You don't need to apologise. It was me being silly. I put you on the spot.

**Shulk:** Melia... I look at you and all I see is you. I don't care if you're a High Entia, a Homs, a Nopon or a Machina. You're my friend. You don’t have to be anything but what you are.

**Melia:** For you to say so much is appreciated, Shulk.

**Shulk:** So... don’t worry about it! I like you the way you are.

**Melia:** Then I shall remember that. And keep being me.

## Loss (-8)

**Shulk: *[Yeah, your clothes are weird.]***

**Melia:** You don't like the way I dress? I suppose that's to be expected.

**Shulk:** What do you mean?

**Melia:** Ignore me... I was just... It’s nothing.

**Shulk:** Are you suggesting my tastes are a bit less... sophisticated?

**Melia:** What an absurd question! I would never say something like that!

**Shulk: *[I swear you were about to.]***

**Melia:** I was not! I have no need to learn what type of girl you prefer!

**Shulk:** Yeah... I guess not... Sorry, Melia. You're not annoyed at me, are you?

**Melia:** No. It was my fault. It was a silly conversation anyway. Let's just forget about it. OK?

**Shulk:** You don't want to get back to the point you were trying to make?

**Melia:** I'd like to, one day. But... it will have to be another time.

**Shulk:** No problem. Just remember I'm here whenever you want to talk.

**Melia:** I do not intend to forget.