robowest | [ DEPARTURE ]

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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.

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Even if you said it, it would have gone against what Will wanted. He...wrote me a letter on Friday. I got it after you and I talked. That's what solidified everything for me. He told me everything. I got a lot of letters that week.

...I think Milla's right but...even before this place...I know something's changed in me. Being in Tartarus changed me. It was enough to scare Annabeth when it got really out of control. [He's leading up to something, too.]

A goddess threatened me and Annabeth. Tricked us, you know? She was ready to kill us and instead I tapped into my powers. I could have just fought back, but I started to torture her before Annabeth stopped me. Like I said...things changed. I don't want this place changing me for the worst.

Edited 2017-03-05 06:50 (UTC)

I don't really think what Will wants should influence what any of us do.

[She'll leave that part of it alone, though, looking thoughtful instead. Crossing to take a seat on her bed, she gestures for him to sit beside her if he'd like.]

You aren't a bad person, Percy. Whatever happened, whatever you did... Nobody who wasn't a good person would have fought so hard to keep everyone here safe. It's bullshit that things came down to this, but it isn't your fault that they did. I know you would have given everything to protect us.

[It's better for both of them if he drops the subject of Will. He knows no one will understand his relationship with Will the way Percy does. Well. Maybe Hannibal. But that's even worse to consider. So instead he moves from the door and settles on the bed next to her, pulling his knees to his chest and letting his toes dangle off of the edge of the bed.]

And I still would. I know that much. All of this makes sense but it's just a mess in my head. I hate that. I need to get it together before we get back so I can fight and lead my old team. I'm a little tapped out on bravery for a bit. [A beat.] Think I used the last of it up asking Annabeth to marry me. I didn't want to come here just to talk about all of this. It's just harder to make it go away.

If what he said about the stops going in order of death is true... You've got time. We'll all be here to help you get there, too.

[Reaching over, she puts a hand on his shoulder, careful and gentle.]

It's okay, seriously. You can talk about whatever you want. [Although...] What did Annabeth say?

I have a few things to do before you guys leave, too. You all left about the same time...bet you and Xion could wait for Jason. But I know. I don't have an excuse this time not to lean on you guys.

[It's why he doesn't push her hand away. It's why he doesn't mind that his expression melts into something a little more troubled.]

The hilarious thing about it all is that Jason told me not to star in my own Greek tragedy. This was about as tragic as you can get. But...it's still a happy ending in some cases. [He smiles lightly at the question though.] She said no, but that's probably because I scared her by asking without any warning. It wasn't really a no though, that's just Annabeth's usual default answer for me. She wants to wait until after college and everything. But she's wearing my ring. It's a start.

Well, we're getting off at yours, so... It'll be the end. A month from now. God, that's weird to think about.

[The concern in her face remains for a moment, but she drops her hand after giving his shoulder a squeeze. Despite herself, she smiles.]

So she said no, but she's wearing the ring anyways? Kind of a conflicting message there, gotta say. [And then she grows a bit more somber.] Either way... Even if this whole thing was a tragedy, what comes next doesn't have to be.

You're not getting off at mine. You can't. That's Tartarus. When Hal asks you, tell him you want to go to my universe but to Manhattan. I'm going to give you my mom's address and a note for her and you guys have to take care of each other until I can come home. But...it's weird. You're right.

[There's a weak laugh.] When we first started dating she warned me she'd never go easy on me. She wants me to get through college first even if I have no idea what I want to do with my life. I just know I want you guys in it. [He looks at his knees.] I don't want to die, Natalie. But after this I'm also no longer worried about that. I'm going to fight with everything I've got so that everyone in the world can rest for a while. That means you three, too. And anyway, I gotta live up to my namesake.

...Okay. And you're sure he'll make certain it's the right one? I guess he has no reason not to at this point, but...

[She's still not inclined to trust Hal easily, honestly.]

I'm with her on this one. College is important. [But.] If you die again I'm going to kill you, man.

Yeah. I've done more than enough for Hal. He owes me this much. Besides, he doesn't have a reason to keep us here. [He moves then, pulling a small folded square of paper out of his pocket with an address written on it.] When you get there, find this apartment. My mom should be home. If it's summer, Paul will be there, too. Give my mom that first.

[He rolls his eyes though.] It's funny. I don't think that's how death works where I'm from unless you want to wait around for me for rebirth. But trust me...I'm going to try not to die. And if I do I'll try to make sure it's not like this. [A pause.] I don't know if I could kill myself again? Not like this.

Edited 2017-03-06 17:01 (UTC)

[With a nod, she takes the piece of paper.]

Okay. You're sure she'll be cool with it? [Also...] Is it okay if I read it?

[She rolls her eyes in turn, giving him her best Look.]

Don't underestimate me, I would totally find a way. [More importantly, though...] I'm sorry. You never should have had to.

Of course she will. If anything, she's going to be mad at Hera, too, for kidnapping me for months but she won't mind you guys staying there for as long as you want. And you can read it if you want but I can't promise you won't get mad at me.

[So read at your own risk. That aside, there's a flat smile.] You'd have to fight Annabeth for the right to kill me twice, but the two of you together could easily find a way to do it and that's what scares me. [His eyes are downcast all the same.] All of us should have never had to do a lot of things. It's okay. I mean it's not okay but it's just...it happened. I did it because we needed to go home. Everything after that is on me and in comparison I kind of got off easy, didn't I?

Good to know. [She says, before opening and reading the entire thing with little hesitation. When she's done:] You're such a nerd.

[If anything, that word comes out a little bit touched, not angry.]

We could tag team you, it'd be fine.

[At what he says last, though, she shakes her head.]

Not really. Nobody got off easy, but... I don't know, you especially. Rough break.

I think I can handle that as long as you don't tell anybody. [He can hear the shift in tone. It's enough that it makes him happy, at least. The idea of both girls being within reach also makes him happy.

Family. Keeping everyone close. That's what he wants. To the rest...]

...I don't want to feel sorry for myself. Is it feeling sorry for myself if I agree with that?

No promises.

[The response is automatic, but it takes her a few moments to decide what to say to his next words.]

No, I don't think so. Acknowledging that you kind of got fucked over isn't the same as self pity.

I think we all got really fucked over but...Hal told me that he had a feeling I was going to be the one to win this game. I don't know how long he's felt like that. I don't know if I want to know. I was really, really hoping for once maybe it wouldn't come down to me.

I don't regret keeping my memories. I really don't. But the added nightmare fuel wasn't necessary. [...] It's just...weird? Everything about what happened is weird. When did it become almost normal to kill five people?

Yeah, all of us did, but I'm talking about you. [She sighs.] I asked him once if he knew how the game was going to end, and he said yes. So... A while.

[There's a quick shake of her head.]

None of this was normal, but it wasn't your fault, either.

So he was pretty much mocking me the whole time. Great. Awesome.

[He looks at the ceiling instead.] What if...I don't know. I don't want to become like them. [Them, of course, being people like Hannibal, Will, Nui or Ash. People that're vicious and cruel. They had reasons, he's sure. He's having trouble distinguishing between the two.] It's a weird place to be. The two things I never thought would happen to me happened in the span of eight weeks and now I'll never forget them. [...and he buries his head in his hands.] What the fuck am I supposed to tell my mom?

[She can guess who he's talking about, and her answer comes immediately and firmly.]

You're nothing like them, seriously. You aren't.

[There's no doubt in her mind as to that. The next part, though, is a bit harder to answer.]

...As much or as little as you want to. It's up to you.

[He's just going to be talking into his palms a little, excuse him.]

See, I know that. Like I definitely know that? But I know she's going to worry and there's seriously no easy way to be like "hey Mom, sorry I disappeared for almost a whole year, I got trapped in a game where I murdered five strangers and shot myself and Annabeth was burned alive, but we kicked Gaea's ass after we escaped the Underworld. What's for dinner?"

And that's if we beat Gaea. Which we will. She'll be easy after this. [Ughhhh.] She won't ask where you guys came from at least. That'll be up to me.

Then tell her you can't talk about it yet. From what you've told me... She'll understand, yeah? And you'll have long enough to find the right words.

Yeah, you will. I know you will. [A pause.] If you want me to tell her what happened, where we came from... I can do that, you know.

My mom tends to understand everything, but that probably comes from the fact she met my dad. After living in real-life mythology you kind of start accepting things. [But even so. This is still about taking someone else's life. Is he ashamed of himself? Yes. Does he regret it? Not entirely. It's what needed to happen to end the game. But it's a mixture of emotions here he doesn't bother unraveling.]

...I wouldn't ask you to do that. [He raises an eyebrow.] This is supposed to be a better start for you, remember? Don't spoil it just because I'm being a coward. I'm sure it'll be fine. Besides, you're going to have your hands full with Jason and Xion anyway.

I know you wouldn't ask me to, but I'm offering anyways.

[She rolls her eyes.]

It wouldn't spoil it, and you're not being a coward. But I won't tell her if you don't want me to.

[There's a pause before he moves to lay on his back and stare at the ceiling, feet firmly planted on the floor. They've been in this position before.]

Humor me a bit. What would you even say to her?

...I didn't really think that far ahead.

[She gives a half amused noise despite herself.]

I can think something up, though. Just give me a minute.

[At least there's a real laugh, quiet and short though it may be.]

You're going to fit right in. I never think that far ahead. [He rolls his head to look toward her.] If you don't come up with something, then start thinking about the fall. Are you guys bothering with school? Or is it permanently summer?

[And if it's the latter, maybe take him with you.]

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