robowest | [ DEPARTURE ]

Entry tags:

game: end

[ DEPARTURE ]

DEPARTURE

It's time to go.

Most people are on the train by now. Settled into their cabins and among friends and loved ones. There are only three new arrivals left to board and once they do, Hal pulls a conductor's hat out from underneath the bar, tugs it on, and steps around it to the middle of the train. He opens his mouth to talk, voice filling the train.

"It's time to go. Stops happen once a day until everyone's departed and I already have your stopped listed. If you'd like to be prioritized, let me know, otherwise we'll go in order of death. Settle in and enjoy the ride. If there's anything you need, don't hesitate to ask, folks."

This, of course, means that those who died earliest (Manfred, Higekiri) will depart first while those who died latest (Barnham, Damian, Percy) will depart last. There's a stop for everyone, though those who want to get off together are more than welcome to. Hal pulls a notepad and pen out of his pocket later and people will notice that he goes around the train confirming stops with everyone. Whatever feeling Hal may have had to a character back in town isn't noticeable here -- he is simply a robot assigned with a job.

After that, it's all a matter of settling in and enjoying the ride. If that's possible for you, at least.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Barnh...

[ And then she stops, closes her eyes briefly, and takes a deep breath before she meets his eyes again. ]

Zach, you have every right to say that to me. I'm a little annoyed that you didn't tell me sooner, and I know you said you'd never be asking me for my support again, after what happened with Russell...

[ He may have done what he did, but when she'd confessed, she was certain... that had been true hurt and betrayal in Barnham's eyes. ]

But that's too bad. Because I couldn't do a damn thing while I was here, you're now officially stuck with my support until you go home and I break you out of jail anyway. You're-- not allowed to be that idiotic with your life anymore, or be a hypocrite and throw on burdens like a comfy winter jacket, because if you do, I swear I'll beat it out of you.

What I said to you then, that was--

[Well, the worst part is that it was true; he did feel betrayed that she killed a child, but he feels the same way about himself x10, so... here they are, two murderers with blood on their hands.

...]

I...

[God he'd missed Sara's support so badly. The way that she was always able to cut right through everything without hesitation. The way that she never failed to see right through him when it mattered most.

The way that being around her was a comfort all in and of itself.]

I...should I be deserving of it... [which he still doesn't think he is, but--] ...I...should gratefully...request your support.

[From here on out...please don't let him be alone. He's broken and sad and tired--but he doesn't want to be alone anymore, even if he doesn't think he deserves to have her.]

As formal as always.

[ But she says it with more than a trace of fondness, both in her tone and the way her entire expression softens in a way she'd only shown him once. He's exhausted and broken, but if he can still talk about accepting her help... there's hope there. ]

But I guess I should get started on that now, huh?

[ And he'd done it for her before, but now Sara reaches out, to run her thumb along his cheekbone and press her palm to his cheek. Her gaze remains a steady one; if he wants her support, in any way he needs it, she'll provide it. ]

[And Sara is as casual as always, to match his formality, he supposes. The gesture's familiar in an aching sort of way; it feels like it's been so long since he's seen her, even though it's only been a few weeks.

Over the course of this game, though....so much can happen in a few weeks.

So he tilts his head into her touch, and slowly lifts his own hand to cover hers.

...Even after everything, he still has the support of this remarkable woman, doesn't he? Even after everything, he's lucky enough to get more than he deserves.

So, softly:]

...Thank you.

[ If she had to be completely honest with herself, Sara hadn't been sure how this would go. While they'd had that conversation on the night before her execution, she hadn't had the chance to get a firm grasp on his feelings. On whether he even wanted to consider forgiving her, and what that would mean if she ever saw him again. For all she'd known, he could have washed his hands of this whole thing and been perfectly content to move on and forget about it.

But when his hand covers hers, she can't help but release a slightly shaky breath. ]

What are friends for? [ Maybe a lackadaisical answer, but Barnham knows her well enough; Sara's trying to keep this from becoming too heavy, for his sake, even as she continues the careful sweep of her thumb across his cheek. It's also an out, if he needs it. ] You would have done the same for me.

... You did do the same for me.

[Friends, Sara... is this what friends do??? He blinks at her, a little befuddled despite himself. Uh.... Uh?? Look, there's a lot going on emotionally today, and he's been on an emotional roller coaster of his own; when she says that, he can only blink at her, and then a little plaintively:]

...Friends? Is...that what we are?

[IS THIS SARA'S VERSION OF FRIENDSHIP.]

[ ... Or, she amends, she probably shouldn't have teased him. ]

That's--

[ Oh boy. ]

I mean, I'm not really sure what we are? It's not like we really had any time to work it out and then I was dead, but then Russell, of all people, had to go and ask me if I like liked you and that's--

[ She lowers her hand after a few seconds, and then lets out a soft groan of defeat. ]

We're friends, but at this point, I'd actually kind of prefer it if we were more than that. Which is kind of late, I know, since you're going home and I'm going home, but...

[ Well. There it is. ]

[... Well. There it is. And despite himself, his lips quirk into a faint smile. Well... despite everything, and despite still not deserving any of this...he's grateful.

He's so grateful.

And he's not going to pass up this opportunity now that it's been granted to him.]

... I, too, would prefer if we were more than simply "friends".

[He shakes his head quietly.]

I am sorry it took me so long to confirm that much for you.

You know... at this point...

[ She's shaking her head with a wry smile. Of course they'd only have now to address this, but at the same time, she's glad she's had the time to think through it. ]

Let's stop apologizing, okay? I don't want to have to explain to anyone how our getting together involved saying "I'm sorry" more than it actually involved... you know, kissing or you collapsing in my arms or whatever.

[SARA....... he snorts softly despite himself, and then his shoulders are shaking as he laughs. It's less...a laugh of any true joy or amusement so much as just a way for all of this pent up stress finding a way to escape... because a moment later his throat is tight and he feels like he's lingering on the line between laughter and tears.

He bites back any tears, though his eyes are suspiciously wet.

Shakily, he breathes out.]

...V-very well then. No more apologies. Only...whatever it is the future shall hold from here.

... Yeah. [ And she reaches out, wrapping one arm around him to rest her palm on his back. He's been fighting for so long, alone and then with hardly anyone to support him. She can tell there's still so much stress pressing down on him and if she can give him a way to release some of it...

That's fine. ]

So let me be there for you this time, okay? It's okay for you to rest now. I'm not going anywhere, I promise.

[... they have time. He can rest now, and.... and in the morning, the problems will still be there, but more manageable. There shall still be apologies to make, and things to fix. He still has to piece together the broken shell of himself--

But he has time.

It doesn't have to all be done right now.

Slowly, shakily, he breathes out and swallows, nodding.

He won't properly cry, but... he leans into her hold and her arm, accepting that support.]

... I understand. I... shall put my faith in that.

Good.

[ And because between the two of them, Sara is still the bold and impulsive one, she's going to keep him close with that one arm and lean up a little to kiss him.

There's a lot they need to catch up on, and this is just one of those things on the list.

Her throat feels tight, but for Barnham, she won't cry. Because she wants him to know-- right now, she's going to be as strong as she needs to be for the both of them until he can piece himself together again. ]

[Well.

That's.

That's good. That's fine. I mean-- that's definitely fine.

Though he can only lean into that kiss quietly, and when he straightens, he looks a little bite more like himself. It's going to take him some time to piece himself back together. It's going to take him some time to accept what he's done, and everything that comes of that. His forsaking of his duty. Everything he's done--

He has to accept that.

But for now... he knows he won't shatter and he won't break.

And that's enough. Roughly:]

Lady Instructor Sara...

[He sighs out, slowly.]

I wonder... if it is shameful to admit that all this time...I truly missed you.

I... [ Sara's eyes widen, just slightly. Looking at him now, it's hard to remember that she'd been talking to Milla only a short while ago about how she would have been surprised to hear Barnham mention her at all. They'd had a lot to muddle through, after all.

But considering this conversation has been largely about caring about each other more than a normal friends--

Maybe she shouldn't be surprised. Even so, Sara's surprised, before she breathes out a watery laugh. ]

Then we're both shameful people. I had to deal with all of these romantic and emotional reunions and I just... kept thinking of all the times you were there and I didn't even appreciate it enough until after...

I missed you.

[It's funny, really, how much that little bit of relief he feels is such a high note for him now. Emotionally, he's been through the wringer; he's not really sure what he feels anymore, except...well, feeling anything positive is still new.

He'll take it. It's been awhile...since he's truly felt happy, but right now, he does. Muted, and tired--but happy.]

Truly...that must have been torture for you. [He seems a little amused despite himself--all of these romantic reunions Sara had to deal with.]

But even so... I kept you waiting. It was necessary, but--my duty is now done.

I will not keep you waiting any longer, though...

[It might be a bit too late now]

Well, we'll have... what, a few days before I get dropped off? [ Sara grins up at him, reaching up a hand to nudge his hair away from his eyes. ]

After that... I've never tried a long-distance relationship before, but I think you and your fussy justice-loving self are worth putting in some effort for.

[ Across worlds? Sure, why not. ]

[... Sara.......... Honestly...]

There is...something I would like to speak with you about, in regards to that, actually.

[He grimaces for a moment, before--]

I...regret telling you this after the promise I demanded of you but... you shall not have to keep it. I shall require no jailbreak.

[Barnham??]

As... I am not certain I intend to return to Labyrinthia.

[Oh]

...

[ And that hand near his forehead turns to then feeling his forehead for a fever. ]

You-- seriously? After saying that you didn't want to so much as vacation from that place? That you had a duty to stay there and look after its citizens until forever? Wh-- this isn't some kind of self-inflicted punishment you're giving yourself, are you?

[ Because if so, BARNHAM... ]

[...Oh. Well.

He blinks at Sara, and then glances away.]

... That is...

[...]

I still love Labyrinthia. With all of my being--I shall always love Labyrinthia. It is the place to which I owe my duty as a knight.

... But I...

[...]

... No longer, can I call myself a knight, nor can I call that my duty.

... You killed five people. You lied to people who trusted you. And in the end, the reason we're all here, the reason we're all going home is because of you and the people you finally let support you.

You saved us, Zach, and I get that it was hell to have to do it like that, but that doesn't make you any less of a knight. You still aimed to protect.

You don't need to deprive yourself of your home just for being human-- and for being forced to make a decision that would have hurt almost anyone if they'd been in the same position.

[He sure did all of that!! Y i k e s.

He listens to her quietly, head still tilted downwards into her touch, shoulders slightly slumped--and then he sighs.

He can't really call himself a knight of Labyrinthia anymore, no matter what she says. He gets it--he gets that the ends, she thinks, justify the means...but he doesn't think so. He knows he was doing so for the sake of everyone here, but he still killed people. He still chose to do the worst of things, and their blood is on his hands.

Childrens' blood.]

... Thank you, Sara. [He smiles--almost serenely. There's tiredness in his expression, but also acceptance.] But I have already come to this conclusion on my own. Regardless of the ends... the means that I have used to come here would have long since disgraced me from the knights of Labyrinthia.

I have already decided. I shall not be returning there.

[Where he's going...he hasn't decided on yet.]

[ Sara still doesn't look too happy about any of this, regardless of just how tranquil Barnham looks. Yes, she'd also turned her back on her old home, but that had never been because she felt she no longer deserved to go back.

At the same time, Barnham's an adult and that's a choice only he can make. He's heard her opinion and responded to it, and all she can do now is respond in turn.

Which is why she speaks again, after lowering her hand. ]

Then come with me. If you don't think you can be a knight anymore, then become a bracer and protect the people that way.

[...With...Sara? It's the obvious answer, really, but he didn't expect her to actually offer it to him. For a long moment he stares at her, contemplative--

And then slowly, he nods.

It's a big life choice, and he knows it.

But.

It's also the right choice, he thinks. He's a disgrace, and he's no longer a knight. He can't return to Labyrinthia.

Slowly, he smiles.]

Perhaps...it is time for me to learn something new.

There is much I must repent for. Doing so by...protecting other people... that sounds right, to me.

... I would be honored to return home with you, Sara. I shall be under your care.

[ She'd come here in the middle of seeing things through to the end with her class-- and she's returning with a kid and a... boyfriend in tow. Sara's more than a little bemused by how things ended up like this, but her life's always been getting strangers involved before she herself tended to realize it.

And in a way, it's still keeping her promise. She was going to come for Barnham anyway, so this just saves her a trip. ]

We're going to be partners, you know. I told you I wasn't going to be letting you do anything alone anymore-- so I hope you can keep up with me.

Because being a bracer is almost going to be as hard as that.

[ Which she says firmly, but there's something like mischief sparkling in her eyes when she smiles at him. Mischief... and relief. ]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject