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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It's a soft sound, and a little tentative, but... it's sincere.]
...You have grown, Noct.
You have grown...immensely in this time.
[It was just seven weeks. And yet the way that Noct holds himself, the way that he pledges that support here and now--it's completely different.
Barnham's proud of him. Despite everything that happened--Noctis came out of this stronger, with his head held high.]
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[it's nicer to hear barnham sounding just a bit more like himself, even if it's a bit embarrassing to have it pointed out to him that he's grown.
he's changed.
of course, he's still the same at his core, and he hasn't lost his light or his hope completely; even when it wavered, he had things to look for and work towards, and he pushed through it somehow.
noct draws in a breath, taking a moment before he says what he thinks barnham should hear.]
I'm... finally ready. [to reclaim his throne.] And I know that I have you to thank for that.
[partially.]
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Noctis will be an unmatched king.
... The rest, however, Barnham takes issue with. He stirs a little, frowning to himself, and actually lifts his head at that, if tiredly. He can...barely accept that Noct doesn't hate him.
He can't accept thanks, though.]
Do not be ridiculous. You have reached this point on your own--I have done nothing worthy of thanks.
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[he shakes his head firmly; noct already knows this to be a truth. he knows the people he met here, the desire to help them, and so, so many other factors have contributed to why he's ready to ascend properly.
he won't let barnham deny that.
because really, it's not even his place to make that decision, even if he wants to.]
You... were a great help to me. And there were things I was able to realize that I wouldn't have without that help.
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But.
That doesn't mean that Noct's wrong, either. To Noct, Barnham helped, and... to Barnham, that...]
... If that is the case, then... perhaps that is the greatest honor I could ask for, as what I am now.
[Whatever he is--not quite a knight, not quite an ex-knight, but something in between.]
Perhaps...thank you is the only proper response, then. If I was able to be of assistance... I am glad.
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[he wants barnham to be certain of that.]
You weren't the only one, but my time here, and the time spent with all of you... I've learned more about how important it is for me to... try and protect others.
[if nothing else, noctis wants to try and articulate this. he wants barnham to understand him as completely as possible—because he thinks it's only fair after everything else.]
I wasn't ready. When I got here, I just... couldn't handle it. Even when I was taking the steps I needed to in order to ascend after my old man died, when things got tough. I wanted to run.
[so many times, he wanted to give up. to go to sleep and just hide from the world and his duty. he got scolded and reprimanded so much by those at his side; they were never supposed to guide him in the way they tried, and maybe that was why it hadn't worked.]
I couldn't do that here. With everything that was happening, it was either... I figured out how to do it right, or everyone would die.
[well, before he knew everyone had to die anyway, but he's assuming that barnham would understand what he means by that.]
Seeing everyone struggling to find the answers. You, and Percy. Milla and Shinnosuke. Jason and Natalie. Damian, and even Ash...
I just wanted to find a way. And I guess, somewhere along the way, I found my answers.
[his resolve, his dedication.] I couldn't have done it without you guys.
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As a knight, he couldn't be prouder of how far Noct's come.
And that's something that won't ever change at this point.
So quietly... he huffs out a short breath, almost amused.]
...Well. I do not believe there is much you require my guidance for, any longer.
[Which is good because Barnham's about fresh out of guidance, honestly.
But he's happy. Noct doesn't need him to guide him any longer, because Noct... has figured this all out in the end for himself.]
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[even noct knows that he's at a point where he couldn't possibly ask for any more than what he's already received. barnham's helped him far more than... well, he really should have.
in a lot of ways.]
I'll... be able to do what I need to, when I get back.
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But--]
We are not yet at your stop.
[So until then--]
Let us focus then... on enjoying what time we have left together.
[Wryly:]
I quite honestly barely recall how to "enjoy" anything.
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[he'll state is quietly after a moment, once he's acknowledged barnham's understanding of burdens.
but it's no less true, honestly. noct got by on pockets of enjoyment, small moments with the friends he made that allowed him to feel amusement or happiness. but they've been few and far between, still an adjustment noct himself is trying to make.
especially when he knows very little in the way of enjoyment awaits him on the other end.]
Guess we got a good.. what, month or so before it's all over? I think we can probably figure it out before that.
[how to enjoy things again, that is.]
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We shall all...be fine. [ish. Mostly fine. They'll make it.]
Though you are certainly right about the amount of time we shall have, if that announcement was to be believed.
[They sure took their sweetass time dying, so...they're sure going to be on this train awhile.]
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[he probably shouldn't be making light of things so easily...
but it's something that noct is still trying to cope with too. he may have accepted what needed to happen, but he never wanted it too, and it was still painful and terrifying for him to go through.
coping mechanisms!]
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It's progress, either way--Barnham sighs, tilting his head back to look at the ceiling of the train. What....a crazy couple of weeks it's been.]
...Indeed. There is much about you I would still like to learn--
As friends.
[Not because they have to, or they're playing a stupid game. Just because... he wants to know more about his friend.]
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[the things that were important to their situation and why they had chosen their paths. but it says little for the friends they have back in their homes, the worlds they really come from, and plenty of other things that make up...
well, who they are.]
Not like I've got any secrets to keep at this point, anyway.