AN: In the epilogue, I introduced a new character called Marcel, intended as Amara's third major love interest. For a while I contemplated whether she should hook up with someone new, and eventually I decided sure. A few ideas for him went around in my head, for example making him a Japanese guy, until eventually I came up with a young, handsome and slightly dorky French archaeologist. Not a Persona user, of course, but he has a full bio! And here it is. I'd consider this spoilers, except most of this isn't going to appear in the story, beyond a hint to some sadness in his past.
Name: Marcel Bonheur
Age: 24/25
Height: 5'9
Occupation: Archaeologist, Historian, Lecturer
Birthplace: Marseilles, France
Birthday: 18th February 1988
Arcana: Unknown (possibly Lovers or Magician)
Family: Brothers Olivier (28), David (26), Louis (30), several nieces and nephews, Late wife Saskia (died 23 years old)
Hobbies: Baking (bread especially), Reading (mostly history books, but the occasional mystery novel too), Film. Also, He speaks fluent French, Arabic, English, Dutch and Russian, and can read hieroglyphics.
Marcel is a French Archaeologist and Historian, who occasionally gives guest lectures at universities. Ever since he was a young lad, he was determined to study the past, engrossed with the mysteries of the unknown, so he could make great discoveries and uncover the truth behind the world's greatest mysteries. His parents supported him, but he used to get teased by his three elder brothers. He also became rather athletic, often playing football with his brothers and their various friends. After school, he studied history in Paris.
There, he met a young lady from Amsterdam called Saskia, who was a blonde bombshell with a killer smile, and a wit to match. Marcel, normally a shy lad when it came to the opposite sex, was smitten immediately. They started off as study partners, before they became devoted lovers. Marcel thought about her every day. They graduated together, and soon afterwards, Marcel was encouraged by his brothers to propose. They got married in a beautiful old church in France.
While he was on a job to read hierogylphics on ancient tablets, however, Saskia discovered something horrible - she had terminal cervical cancer. She hid it from Marcel as long as she could, but when he saw her growing weaker, she told him in hysterics, sobbing in his arms. Marcel was crestfallen - there was no time for them to do all the things they wanted to. She would die young, leaving him behind.
Despite his fears, Saskia told him that as long as he was with her, she wasn't so scared. In her words, some people go through lifetimes without finding the one they love the most. So she didn't feel so unlucky, for he had been so wonderful. In the limited time they had to together, they tried to do as many things as possible, even swimming with dolphins. Marcel continued to travel, and gave lectures on Archaeology from time to time, but he wanted to stay as close to his ill wife as long as possible.
The dreaded day came. She wished to die at home, the place where she felt loved. Marcel held her hand, as she said her goodbyes. And in an instant, she was gone. The lovely lady Marcel had strived for since becoming of age, gone. For a long time, Marcel could find no joy in anything. He had no heart to chase after mysteries, or even a football. His brothers, however, decided it was time they intervene. Their stern, but loving approach to helping him finally paid off. They told him that he had a long life ahead of him, and whatever he got to see, Saskia would see this too.
One day, he decides to visit a prestigious museum in Cairo, where a relic he helped uncover is on display. There, he would run into an Egyptian lady, one who he flirted with - but her passion for her own craft, art, drew his attention. This woman, Amara Furaha, seemed like a strong, determined woman, able to see the best in even the darkest situations. Thus, even though they lived in different nations, they continued to chat. Six months on, and Marcel is seriously considering the possibility that he could love Amara as much as Saskia - maybe even more. Yet he has no clue that Amara too has lost someone she adored as well. If they can find the courage to discuss the darkest days of their lives, will they grow closer?