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

[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. ]

[Well then. That's quite the task to deal with, but...quietly, he nods, and he reaches out properly now to cup her cheek in his hand.

He'll lean in just enough to properly meet her eyes, serious and solemn.

Sara might be speaking with some mischief, but Barnham is 100% serious.]

To remain by your side, I shall do whatever it takes to keep up with you.

...And I shall do whatever it takes, too, to protect the people of your home.

That I swear to you.

[ ... She should have known he'd be completely sincere and serious-- and Sara peers back at him, expression sobering a bit. Leave it to Barnham to offer up something like a vow-- no, it was a vow, wasn't it?

To stay by her side, to not hold her back but to face things alongside her, and to protect the citizens of Erebonia... that's a lot Barnham's committing to. But she knows by now that once he is committed to something, he'll follow through on it without fail. ]

You... [ with a very quiet sigh, she leans into the curve of his hand. ]

I've never once doubted you. That's not about to start now.

Never once?

[He quirks an eyebrow at that, a little surprised despite himself. After everything... she still didn't and doesn't doubt him? He's pretty sure he deserved every last shred of doubt that might have cropped up.]

... Truly?

[Precious... and ridiculous in equal measure. He never deserved this faith.]

From the very beginning, you came off as someone who truly wanted to do the right thing. As a bracer, you learn how to tell just by observing, how someone is-- the words they do or don't use, their gestures and body movements...

In your case, your movements were always of someone who was trying to face forward, even when you didn't want to believe what you were seeing. Even if it hurt. You... refused to let me doubt myself, and even when I wanted to call you a killjoy and you were, you were focused and caring.

So no. When you carried me back, I didn't doubt you. When you told me you thought I was a good instructor, I didn't doubt you. When you told me you wanted to bring this game to an end, I didn't doubt you.

I didn't doubt you when you kissed me, or when you volunteered to be the one to kill me, or when you told me that you meant what you'd told me that night. I didn't doubt you when Hal told us that you were the only one who knew how to end the game and what would have to be done in order for that to happen. Even as you kept breaking more and more, you kept going.

... I told you to give them hell, and you did. So knowing all of that, why would I doubt you? Even the choice you made was you facing forward to bring us all here.

[... Ah.

Ah.... Ah??

He doesn't really know how to handle all of that. Sara starts and...she just keeps going, and it flusters him, even as he clears his throat.

...Ah???]

L-Lady Instructor-- that is, Sara...

[Um.]

That...that is more than enough...!

[WAY TO FLUSTER]

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