Somewhere Beyond the Sea

On the following Monday, Arthur and Lucy have a talk. Lucy feels that Arthur has been hypocritical because Arthur has told David that he can be a monster and scare people while repeatedly emphasizing to Lucy that he cannot. Arthur says that David will be observing Lucy to help him decide right from wrong, which surprises Lucy. Arthur apologizes for making it seem like Lucy is not allowed to claim his own identity as the Antichrist, if this is what he wants to do. Lucy tells Arthur that, if he wanted to, he could use his powers to change the way people think about all of them, but Arthur helps him see that forcing his own will on others takes away their freedom and autonomy, even if it would be an easier path. They talk about the importance of free will. Arthur explains that David’s idea of being a monster is to bring others joy through pleasurable fear, not to actually hurt anyone. He tells Lucy that, so long as he respects others’ free will as well, he has the right to become anything he wants to become and that Arthur will continue to love him no matter what.