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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Will and I are alike that way, I think. It's been a weird experience all around, Dr. Lecter. [Seeing so many of his traits reflected in someone much older, he means.] I'll see what I can do.

[There's a slight smirk.] You could say that. Our friends are waiting for me and Annabeth so we can close the Doors once and for all and the dead can stay dead. But it means Annabeth and I are being dropped off in Tartarus again.

[The question is also a good one.] ...but I think this place has helped, yes. I'm afraid of a lot of the things that have come from it, but I think it's helped a lot and will be what pushes us to the end of the war so we can win and maybe have a period of peace that lasts longer than a few hours.

[ See, and the more Percy references myth, the more Hannibal's expression lights up with nothing short of delight. Will had explained this to Percy in part, the fact that Hannibal had such an admiration for the very kinds of things that were Percy's reality, so having metaphor become reality is absolutely amusing to him. ]

I didn't realize you were so well traveled, Percy. Tartarus— [ He breathes out a small laugh, then adds: ]

I don't mean to laugh, but it's rather fitting. It is not quite the right mythos, but between Will and I, I compared you to Dante traveling through Hell. It was more literal than I knew.

[He knows. Will absolutely explained this to him and while he should be offended that Hannibal finds his insane and sometimes horrible reality amusing he only meets his gaze with a tired grin. Yeah. He knows.]

It's where we were before here. I, uh, sort of jumped into it to follow Annabeth when Arachne dragged her down. We've been there for nearly three weeks. We were working on closing the Doors from one side while our friends closed them at the House of Hades.

[The reference gives him pause.] I sort of know what you're talking about but not really. Why the comparison?

[ DEPARTURE ]

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