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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robowest2017-03-04 12:02 pm
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[he's going to try and back up now, because that's rude!?
and also because the moment of like, probably the only sweeping romantic gesture he could ever possibly even make has been utterly destroyed by milla trying to dissuade him.
but even once he can break from that, there's an expression on his face that... seems entirely displeased and maybe a bit put out by that.]
It... probably won't be even that long. Maybe 40, at most.
[and besides that:]
I'm not going to leave with regrets. When... I die, there might not be anything for me at all. Why—why would I want to risk that when there's somewhere I could go?
[obviously, he was hoping she would like this gesture, but now he's wondering if he really should have just let things lie and accept his fate to never see her again; to never even have that chance.]
I... won't pull you away from your duties. When that time comes, we... can figure it out, or you can just ignore it. [he's not going to force his choices on her.
this is his decision, one he's making for himself—because he needed to.]
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Don't be foolish, Noctis. I'm not worried about you pulling me from my duties. Nor would I ignore you. Honestly! After everything we've been through, do you truly think that I would?
[that was never her intention at all, truthfully. it's just. . . it's just. . .]
[she's still bad at feelings sometimes, and the put off expression he wears reminds her of this fact. kissing was easy, sure. but commitment? well. yeah. SHE'S BAD AT THAT]
. . .
If. . . you're sure that it's what you want in the end, then. . .
[a deep breath, and her cheeks turn a bit red as she opens her eyes again]
. . . I'll wait for you.
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[that's what he thinks, and what he believes in. he's pretty honest about this. of course—milla saying she'll wait for him does soften his expression a bit.
but he wants milla to understand where he's coming from wholly, because... she's not the sole motivator here.]
I just want to have one choice I make in this life that's mine. That I can do because I want to, and not because... someone or something else decided it for me. I can't—and won't—look away from what I have to do as a king. But I didn't choose it.
Being the king of Lucis meaning protecting the people of Lucis and the Crystal. And doing that... takes life energy. My dad—I saw what it did to him. How he looked twenty years old than he really was, how... he had to walk with a cane, and couldn't summon his weapons as it drained him. And I know... that is coming for me one day too.
[except for the part where it's not because he's going to do something Totally Different, but he doesn't actually know this yet.]
Luna... made me want to accept my place as king, twelve years ago when she explained to me why I needed to. But... you...
[he hesitates, a bit nervously.] Inspired me. To keep moving and do what I must, because it's my duty. That was something that before I got here... I was having a hard time with.
[he definitely seems to be caught between being kingly and still being that hapless prince, but he's trying.
the truth of the matter is that much like with luna, noct is completely taken with her because of her convictions, and she really makes him want to do better.
but he also wants to prove to her that he can.
his gaze shifts to meet hers, and then away—because apparently, neither one of them is very good at figuring out this commitment thing.]
...I'll be a better man by then.
[someone far more worthy of her time and energy.]
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[she relaxes, leans forward a bit, and thunks her forehead against his shoulder]
Then I accept your choice, and acknowledge that it is yours to make.
. . . and I honestly look forward to seeing what sort of man you become in the meantime.
[not that she thinks he needs improvement now because she likes him the way that he is. but she can admire him wanting to be better. and she'll do nothing but encourage that]
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in the end, he still believes in his duty, in reuniting with the friends that he's had far longer than this place had ever provided. those three are his brothers, and he would do anything for them.
noct's life revolves around them more than it could ever revolve around milla.]
Thanks. [he says quietly; truthfully, the idea of pursuing her in a few decades, when his life is worn and he's lived as best he could...
it sounds pretty nice. maybe then, he can understand her better, and treat her better.
but for now, he lets her thunk her head that way, and he reverses the role a bit, bringing a hand up to stroke her hair lightly.]
I'll work hard. I know... I'm not where I want or need to be just yet.
[listen, he may be a king, but he's gotta be better to be worthy of the lord of spirits.]
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I apologize if my reaction concerned you. I didn't mean to make you feel as though I didn't want you to make that choice.
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I know. You... were worried that I was being too impulsive. Or that I was just trying to follow you.
[and maybe it's a little bit of those things, but it hardly encompasses everything he feels.]
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[worried about those things, yes. but also. . .]
I suppose I also-- [. . . huff huff! where has her dignity as the Lord of Spirits gone? with the way she's huffing and letting herself get a little flustered over here, she almost seems like a young school girl]
I hadn't thought much about what might lie beyond the game. I had accepted, right from the very beginning, that there wouldn't actually be anything beyond it. That it would all come to an end once the train let you off at your stop.
So it. . . surprised me. That's all.
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(which means it more endearing, because. you know. she's not.)]
I didn't either. I was ready to leave it at the door.... because we both have things we need to do. Our duties are too important for us to do what the others are.
[even if he's envious of their friends. that percy, jason and natalie will stay together; that barnham and sara will as well. he's happy for them, of course, because he cherishes them.
but he's envious too, that he can't just throw it all away just to be with any of them.]
I got the idea... after I realized what they were doing. I didn't actually think he'd say yes, though. But...
I'd rather see you eventually... instead of never again. [even if he has to clear his throat a bit after admitting that. he's...
still a bit embarrassed, for all that he's been getting bolder with her.]
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[it's nice. it's very nice]
. . . I'd like that too. [she eventually admits aloud, but her voice is a little muffled]
Which is why I suppose I should tell you about some of the arrangements Sara convinced me to make.
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every bit of reassurance helps; it's a decision he made on his own and for himself—but having her support when she is at least part of the reason helps.
his fingers thread through her hair, a little more focused; it's probably only a matter of time before he nudges her for another kiss, but he's not yet given the chance after what milla says.]
Arrangements... Sara convinced you to make? [sara is truly a wingman, apparently? okay then.]
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[Milla lifts her head from his shoulder and nods]
. . . I'm going to ask the Sheriff to grant me a human vessel. One that can exist on my world without consuming the world's precious supply of mana.
I'd also like to ask him for the ability to exchange letters with those I've met here.
[it. may be a little selfish, and she's still getting used to the idea that she can follow her duties and keep in contact with those she cares about. but. she's trying]
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[he pauses for a moment, and for a second—he doesn't even think of the letters.]
You'd be able to see your friends then, right? That... Jude guy and all.
[he doesn't know all that much about them, but—he smiles, because that would be good for her, noctis thinks. she's a good person who deserves to get to be near people she cares about despite her duties and responsibilities.
but the letters don't escape him, either.]
I guess I'll be hearing from you too, then.
[well, for a time. and boy, will he write back while he can as well—he's going to have so much to tell her along the way, even if it's brief. but he wants to hear from her before the time comes when he meets again, that he's sure of.]
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Yes, that's right. Provided he can actually do it. It almost feels like. . . cheating.
[but. Sara told her to be a little selfish, and so selfish she will be]
And I'll be expecting you to write to me as much as you can, because I'll certainly be writing to you.
It will be-- something. Something to keep us in contact until we meet again.
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[she looks so happy about the notion, too. how could he not encourage it—they're her friends. she would want the same for him too, he's pretty sure.]
I'll be busy, but... I think I can spare some time for letters.
[really, it's nothing new to him; he spent years taking time to write letters to luna too.] Lucky for you, I've done this long-distance thing before. Kinda... second nature by now.
[okay, that's him teasing just a little, and that's only because there was never any doubt that he was going to write to her as well.]
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[SHE'S JOKING IN RETURN, which is made obvious by the light tone of her voice and her teasing smile]
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[he's fine with this, with teasing so lightly.]
You gonna do something about it?
[...she should totally do something about it.]
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[that is probably not what he hand in mind is it]
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That's... one way of doing something about it, I guess.
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[again]
Oh? It isn't what you had in mind, is it?
[. . . her hands slide across his cheeks pretty quickly as she pulls his face towards her own in another kiss. this is probably what he was originally thinking]
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that's certainly a little more in line with what he wanted out of this exchange. more of this? more of this.
which is why he just hums out a sound in response at first before he decides to break away.]
It's a little better than nose-pinching.
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[arches her eyebrows at him. she's still hovering close, totally prepared to go in for another kiss]
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[it's a lot! and he still gets flustered.
but he's not backing away, despite that—he's ready for more.]
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You're quite shy sometimes, did you know that?
[a pause]
It's very endearing.
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[yeah, he's very shy. there's really no getting around that, especially when it's milla.]
I guess... it's why this works. [because she's so bold that it balances out. they may both be formidable in other areas, and he may even be bold about leadership sometimes.
but in terms of their relationship as it is, milla's undoubtedly the more commanding presence, and it works better that way.]
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