[ DEPARTURE ]

[sheriffexe]

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.

QUICK NAV PRIVATE CONVERSATIONS | STATUSES | PROFILES | LOCATIONS | GRAVEYARD | MAIN NAVIGATION

Comments

[moraled]

[They made the only choice they could've made considering the knowledge they had and the circumstances. That's what they believe.

But still...]

... I am not sorry for what we did to bring the others their lives back.

I am only sorry...for leaving you alone, in the end.

[hydrokinetics]

[It's then he turns to look at Barnham, frowning softly to himself.]

Don't apologize for that either. But you could explain what you were thinking trying to end your own life. You know what that would have meant.

[moraled]

[..... right, well.

He shouldn't have supposed that would escape Percy's notice.]

... It did not matter to me if I was disqualified from this game.

[He'd already done unspeakable things. He already deserved little more than that.]

I... simply did not wish to have my blood...on your hands, or Young Mister Wayne's. That is all.

[hydrokinetics]

I agree not to have more blood on Damian's but I wouldn't want you disqualified. You deserve as much of a chance as the rest of us, even if you don't think so. I stand by what I said earlier. This isn't a bad thing. You did what was right.

It would matter to a lot of people if you were disqualified, actually.

[moraled]

[... He breathes out a soft sigh, letting his head fall back against the glass of the train window behind them.]

...Yes, I am starting to realize that.

[He doesn't deserve them--but he has them nonetheless.]

What happened...happened. Though I may have nearly made a mistake...in the end, it did not happen.

[hydrokinetics]

[A nod.] There are too many things that have happened we can't fix now. But if we move forward from here that means we still did something right.

Have you spoken to any of the others yet?

[moraled]

Yes, some of them.

[And he still seems a little wondering about that.]

It is...truly remarkable.

[That they don't seem to hate them.]

I suppose you were right, in the end.

[hydrokinetics]

I told you. People would understand in the end because it was the right thing to do. I've come to find that sometimes we have to do things in really terrible and unconventional ways in order for people as a whole to be saved. Some people thank us. Some people loathe us. In the end...you did your duty well.

[moraled]

... I did what I felt I needed to do.

[He shakes his head slowly.]

Whether that was truly my duty or not... I have not yet decided. I told myself that it was, but... perhaps not.

It is something I must...decide for myself in the future. Now... I have time to do so.

[hydrokinetics]

We only have a future because of what choices were made here. [He hums to himself.] So what happens now? What will you do? Back to Labyrinthia?

[moraled]

... I wonder.

[He sighs a little, shaking his head.]

Before, it was never in doubt. Labyrinthia...is all I had ever lived for. But I... do not necessarily deserve to have even that at this point in time. I can no longer call myself a knight--and certainly not a knight that could defend Labyrinthia.

[hydrokinetics]

[A frown.] Mr. Barnham. Have you ever really considered or thought about what would make you happiest at the end of it all?

[moraled]

[... He blinks.

......... well

No.]

That was not something that was part of my thought process here, no. [HE DOESN'T REALLY THINK HE DESERVES THAT.]

[hydrokinetics]

Why not? Our work here is done. And we can choose what happens to us from here. Wouldn't that make the most sense now?

[moraled]

... You may well be right. I am--sorry, Percy. I fear I am still trying to come to terms with...everything.

[Everything that happened, and everything he did. It's going to be a bit of a Road.]

But... you may be right.

[hydrokinetics]

[There's a solemn nod.] I know, sir. I'm pretty messed up still, too. But if anyone deserves a break and doing something for himself, it's you. You've done more than enough for the rest of us. We have a long ride...it's enough time to think about it.

Besides. That's why I asked Hal to let us off wherever we wanted to go.

[moraled]

[Him? He isn't sure about that. Quietly, contemplatively, he crosses his arms.]

... Though not everyone here knew what I knew... everyone was nonetheless doing the best they could to find a way to end this.

We all deserve to rest.

[Every single last one of them. Barnham may have taken a lot onto his shoulders, but that was his choice. The others... they just wanted to live, and there was nothing shameful about that.]

Still... I shall come to a decision before this trip is over, of that I assure you.

[hydrokinetics]

[He gives him a disbelieving look, if only because he's not so sure Ash or Nui actually would be working to actually be doing their best.]

Most of us were working, I'm sure. But I agree everybody deserves the rest. Including you. [Just to be clear, Justice Dad.]

You have time. Talk to the others, see if they can help you make a choice. I know that's why I'm taking a bunch of people with me.

[moraled]

[ok not Ash and Nui.]

... Yes, I will not argue that. Do not worry, Young Percy. I have no interests in punishing myself.

[More than he...already is??? ok]

I simply require some time to come to a conclusion for myself. I had never thought that...I would do anything but return to Labyrinthia.

[hydrokinetics]

That's probably the best news I've heard since I got on the train. [There's even a real smile? Like, it's small and looks like it'll easily disappear, but it's there because he wants Barnham to live. Do things for himself. Stop punishing himself for what needed to be done.

They could both use it, but Barnham carried the burden for much longer.]

It's weird having your destiny in your hands. But I know you'll think of what's best for you and if that is returning to Labyrinthia in the end...[Like. He doesn't like it, but.] If you go somewhere else though, there are ways people can stay in touch with each other if they wanted. So that's pretty cool.

[moraled]

Certainly aside from Miss Chase being alive, of course.

[He looks amused at that, at least--but at least they're both smiling a little. It's progress from how that hell of last week was progressing.]

... Indeed? [He likes that news, it's good news.]

Then... I shall certainly have to decide what I will do with myself before the end of this trip. I expect to remain in touch, Young Percy.

[He wants interdimensional letters!!!]

[hydrokinetics]

[He has the ability to look sheepish at least.] I mean...yeah. That was definitely the best news aside from her agreeing to what I asked her.

[But he rubs the back of his neck instead, giving Barnham another kind look. He'd done everything right in that regard, he hopes. People want to stay connected. He personally wants to be connected to people still.]

You can count on it. It might take me a few weeks to write back but I always will. I don't think it's fair for any of us to just stop talking after we've worked together. [He's learned his lesson about that.]

[moraled]

[...Cute. And good. That's as it should be, and he's happy for both of them.]

Excellent. You both deserve that happiness.

[And hey, he can wait a few weeks if it means Percy will still write back. That's all that matters to him, and...quietly, Barnham snorts under his breath.]

Yes, I... believe we have both received an earful about keeping these matters to ourselves.

[hydrokinetics]

Thank you. [He actually sounds grateful for that, too. It doesn't last long because there's another slightly sly grin.]

Multiple people, Mr. Barnham. Like. More than two. This was probably one of the dumbest ways we could have done this. [But there's no sense of regret.] Next time will be better.

[moraled]

[He snorts vaguely, shaking his head.

Yeah.

He's been read the riot act from multiple people too.]

There shall not be a next time--but I suppose we most likely...could have told the others more...

[maybe...

it doesn't really come naturally to him.]