I find it so very interesting that Julian contemplated (and nearly followed through) with killing Lucio. I don't really feel like his route (or Lucio's) really touches on this enough. Like, sure, we see that Julian feels guilty because he thinks he is the one that murdered Lucio. Maybe I missed something (it's been a hot minute since I played either of their routes). But I'm curious to know how Julian feels about being so close to actually following through with ending Lucio. He rushes into the room because it's on fire. But, had it not been, would he have hesitated at Lucio's door, wondering if he was making the right decision? Or is the only thing that stopped him the fact that Lucio was already on fire? What were his exact thoughts in that moment and in the moments leading up to it? If Julian had been provided the opportunity to follow through, would he and Lucio have had a confrontation?
I think Julian is often made out to only be a sweet, innocent, self-sacrificing man. And while he is endearing, caring, and, indeed, self-sacrificing, there's more to him. Julian contains wrath and anger, perhaps driven by a sense of justice (his motivation to kill Lucio is to end the plague). He's intelligent, strong willed, reckless, and tireless. Had he murdered Lucio, would this not have been, in some way, self-sacrificing? He would be ridding the world of the plague, but he would also be setting himself up for potential imprisonment (or worse, I'm not sure what the laws are in terms of murder in Vesuvia). I think he would view it as something worth it because ending the plague (by ending Lucio) would be for the greater good. But I also feel that Julian would be conflicted about it as a doctor, someone who is dedicated to curing people and saving lives. The psychology behind him is fascinating to me.
(Do I plan on exploring this in EUH? 100% I do)
I also wish Julian had appeared in Lucio's route more (is his only appearance in the magical realms, with that haunting apparition?). Mainly because I think Lucio really needs to acknowledge and confront the fact that he's the one that gave Julian the plague (force-feeding him a plague beetle). But I also feel like it would provide opportunity for them to have a discussion about what Julian was doing the night of the masquerade and why Julian was on his way to Lucio's wing/why he was accused of the murder in the first place. I think this could have provided good closure for their characters. I have a number of issues with Lucio's route (I feel he's fairly infantilized in it and the gravity of his actions is downplayed significantly, but that's another post for another day).
(Do I plan on exploring this in EUH, too? You bet)
Anyway, that's my Arcana rant for today. This is not me calling anyone out. Please continue to interpret things and characters how you want to. I like to see people's creativity and varying interpretations. That's the wonderful thing about fanfiction/fanart. Everyone can have vastly differing thoughts and it's all wonderful.
