robowest | [ 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.

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[ ...

Without really any preamble, Xion will take a seat at his side, and she'll look up at him for a long moment. ]

You're a brave person.

[ That's how she starts. She'll look away, clasping her hands and kind of looking down at those, instead. ]

You knew so many horrible things, and you knew how hard and scary it would be to get all of us here... but you never stopped. From the very beginning you were doing everything you could to save all of us. When I said they needed you, I meant it, you know. I thought you'd be someone they couldn't win the game without, and ... I wasn't wrong.

[ Again she looks up at him, serious and thoughtful. ]

That's why I'm not mad. Not now, anyway, [ she concedes, not wanting to lie to him. ] ... you helped save everyone. ... thank you.

[... He's not brave, he doesn't think. He drugged and then shot an innocent little girl, and she deserved better. That's an act of betrayal and cowardice, if anything.

The only reason he was able to get as far as he did was due to his clinging of his duty, either way.

But... for now...

He doesn't want to argue with her. Not when she's trying so hard, and is being so brave herself.]

I...what I did is not deserving of thanks. But that you...are fine now is--it is all I could ask for.

[It's stilted and awkward, but he means it. He's so, so grateful that Xion is okay.

She deserves nothing but the world, and he took that from her, even if it was for a reason.]

I...hope that you are able to live your life properly from here.

[ Quiet, for a moment.

Then she'll loop both her arms through one of his own and hug it gently. ]

You're an amazing person, [ she insists, somewhat stubbornly. ] You did so much. I think we all just ended up wishing... you hadn't done it alone.

[ It'd been the talk of the graveyard for some time, Barnham's insistence on going it all alone. ]

... I've never really had a life of my own before, [ she says, rather straightforwardly. ] But now I'll have my chance, so ... I think I will, yeah. What about you, Mr. Barnham?

[...Ah. He won't pull away from that hug--not at all. And when she speaks...well, he understands. Others wanted to help, and yet... he would never have wanted them to stain their hands. Xion should never have stained her hands, not for this.

But... Xion will have the chance to live her own life now.

For that, it was worth it.]

... I am glad, Miss Xion. I am quite glad that you shall be able to live a life of your own now.

As for myself... [Honestly, what is he going to do? He's not sure--he hasn't talked to Sara yet.] ... I shall come to a decision before the end of this trip.

It's really something we can go anywhere we want, huh?

[ Leaning against him slightly, apparently at her ease, looking thoughtful. ]

I'm a little used to that, since my powers let me travel between worlds. This will be the first time I get to live where I want, though.

[ A beat, and: ]

Can I tell you something?

[He can support her weight easily at that, and doesn't seem bothered in the least at doing so; when she speaks up, he just tilts his head thoughtfully, nodding.]

But of course. What is it?

[The fact that Xion still wants to talk to him at all is a blessing that he doesn't intend to snub any time soon, that's for sure.]

[ DEPARTURE ]

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what the hell is that cute ass icon

FINALLY WE ARE AT THE POINT WHERE PEOPLE CAN SMILE.....