robowest | [ DEPARTURE ]

Entry tags:

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[of course, there are times when noct will leave her be to let her just watch the scenery.

but not all of those times.

there are times like this one, where noct just sits next to milla while it's quiet, leaning against her and closing his eyes because he's tired. he's tired and he knows their time together is fleeting—aside from the request he made to hal.

which is a secret he's keeping close to his heart for now, because he doesn't want to get his or her hopes up that one day, this will be more than a fleeting couple of weeks they get to spend together.

either way, he leans against her, sighing quietly (and though tired, not distraught) and reaching for her hand. it's fine, right?]

[she's coming to really appreciate the warmth of him sitting pressed against her side, honestly. she's pretty sure she's going to miss it. no. . . not just "pretty sure." she knows she'll miss it]

[which is why she basks in that warmth at every chance she gets, so her expression is probably more fond than wistful with Noctis sitting next to her. she feels his fingers brush against her palm and easily twists her hand to grab his, gaze flickering from the window to his face]

[she smiles]

I know... we both know it has to end.

[he'll say quietly. there's not reason for them to beat around the bush with this. they never have, right? they're duty-bound, and noct is going to address part of that in his conversation.]

But... Until we get to my stop, I still want this. [to embrace her warmth, to stay at her side and have all of these little moments as well as the stolen (and not-so-stolen) kisses they've been growing accustomed to.] I know I'll miss it, but...

I can go home saying I don't have any regrets. [because he found the courage to chase this, however fleeting. and there's a lot he wants to her know about it, from his own mouth and not just through a letter written in haste.]

[ah. . . so. he's bringing that up right away, is he? strangely enough, the bitter truth doesn't affect her smile at all. but she does lift the fingers of her free hand to press them against his mouth and give her head a small shake. she doesn't want to avoid this topic, because she thinks it's better for them to be open and honest about how short-lived this is]

[but do they have to talk about it right now? right here?]

[her finger trails from his lips as she leans forward to kiss him. it's the evening, and it's quiet, so this time they likely don't have an audience. thank goodness]

[they probably don't, but he has good things he wants to say to her—things he absolutely needs her to know sooner rather than later, so that they can just enjoy the rest of their time together, however that time may end up being spent.

but it's not like he's going to refuse. he's completely endeared when she silences him so easily because... he can't fight her. fighting against milla is a losing battle, and it's not even something he necessarily wants to do.

especially when it's followed with a kiss, which he'll move into willingly. it's definitely a lot easier without a peanut gallery and he'll probably throw his boot at anyone who tries to come back and wolf whistle at them.

(they could probably just get a room but whatever.)]

[HE USED TO BE SO SHY, AND THEN HE CRUSHED ON A BOLD SPIRIT, AND NOW LOOK AT HIM.]

[it's soft and chaste and she lingers for quite a bit, but after a moment she pulls away, fingers running through his hair. she doesn't go far, although their foreheads aren't quite touching]

[she exhales deeply. okay. now they can talk]

What do you plan on doing once you go home?

[he'll want more of those kisses afterwards, but... the talking comes first, and he's pretty glad that milla doesn't make him delay it while his nerves are at ease.]

I have a throne to reclaim.

[there's a quiet conviction to his tone; much like the letters she received following his death, there's an air of his nobility to it. the traces of his father flit to the surface, kingly as he knows he's going to have to be.]

My friends, my country... I will make sure they're safe.

[even though he knows it means there's no way for him to follow her. he can't follow her, because as tempting as running away may once have been, he has a duty to his country—to his whole world.] And I will... avenge them.

[she knows who.]

[she does know. and she's glad for that conviction. no uncertainty, no hesitancy. he knows what he must do, and she admires that]

[she's glad for it. she would have hated it if their time together had made him doubt]

Good.

[she says, leaning back a bit so she can actually look at his face while she talks to him. her hand remains in his hair, though. she still likes it]

I have faith in you. Whatever must be done, I know that you can do it.

[he's content to lean into her touch, as ever—it's comfortable now, in ways he never expected but is fully willing to embrace.]

I will. I'm not going to let anything stop me now.

[where he once wavered and felt unsure, he now has conviction. it's almost tangible...

but that's because milla is right there. he shifts slightly to brush some of the hair from her eyes, so he can look at her better as he says part of what he knows he needs to.]

Thanks. [why is he thanking her?] You... really helped me find what I needed.

[in himself, to be able to live up to his role. seeing her convictions and dedication to her duty inspired him; it was a light in the dark without people like his father or luna around to be that guide for him.

he... needed her, in some way, and he recognizes that pretty wholly. and for it, noctis is incredibly grateful.]

[she remembers their conversation about people who inspire them to be better. she remembers, and she thinks that Noctis honestly couldn't give her a better compliment than this]

[she thinks she wants to be the kind of person he can continue to rely on. the kind that continues to inspire him. a person worthy of that compliment he had just given her]

You're quite welcome.

[what else is there to say, other than that? well, okay, she might have one other thing]

. . . thank you. For giving me a reason to continue to better myself, even now.

[it seems like an appropriate time to lean in and kiss her again—because he's glad for it. that he can help better herself in some way...

it's not something he's ever thought himself capable of.

to be someone else's strength or motivation, some kind of inspiration.]

Don't forget me, then. Because... there's still something else. [he has something else to tell her, once the kiss has been broken. and he looks... a little thrilled by it, honestly.]

[she twines her arms around his neck and pulls him closer as he kisses her. it really is a good thing no one is around to watch!! she's a bit breathless when they break apart this time around, but she lets out a small laugh either way]

Spirits may live a long time, but we have very good memories. Have a little faith, Noctis.

[she teases. her expression turns curious when he mentions there's something else, though]

What is it?

[he's fine with staying this close, with small kisses just to embrace the fact that she's right there with him for now. and that they're alone, with no prying eyes to give them a hard time about it.

(though they probably still need to get a room, but whatever.)]

I... made an arrangement before.

[surprise, he's been using time on this journey to mull over his own future, and how to carve a path for himself outside of what he's meant to do as king.]

Edited 2017-03-05 01:02 (UTC)

[ROOMS ARE FOR LOSERS??? no j/k someone please tell Milla she should stop doing this in public]

An arrangement? What sort of arrangement?

[maybe someone will tell her eventually, but noct won't. what if he gets less of this because they'd be behind closed doors?

(that logic isn't even a little sound, but he's smitten, leave him alone.)]

I have to go back do what I'm meant to.

[that was never called into question, after all.]

But when my life ends there, back home—my spirit will go to your world.

[surprise...

he sure is smart when he puts his mind to it—he learned well from his father how to strategize, it seems.]

[NERD]

Ah--

[to say she's surprised is an understatement. in fact, her response is to just. freeze and stare at him, eyes wide]

-- the Sheriff can do that?

[to that, he nods—and he's endeared by her surprise.]

I figured he'd say no, but as soon as he knew what I meant, he said it was fine.

[she]

[honestly doesn't quite know what to make of that. she had already accepted, deep down, that it was unlikely they would ever be able to see each other after returning home. Sara had convinced her to ask for a human body, a way to communicate by letter with those she had come to care for. and she certainly intended to bring that up with Noctis, so they could continue to communicate even if they were worlds apart]

[and yet, here he is, telling her that he wants to come to her world as a spirit once he dies. after only having known her for a few short weeks]

You-- [god this is like the second time he has left her a loss for words and it's so weird] . . . are you certain that's what you want? I don't know what happens to the souls of your world when people die, but would you not. . . wish to be with Luna? And your father?

Edited 2017-03-05 03:29 (UTC)

I... don't know that I could be with them, even if I wanted to.

[that much is true. his gaze avert just a little, remembering what happened on that day.] Luna... said her goodbyes to me, in a dream.

[and he's not sure, with how that went, that even if there's a proper afterlife, that he'd be with her.] I know wherever I go... she'll watch.

[noct knows this. "When the world falls down all around you, and hope is lost, when you find yourself alone amid a lightless place, look to the distance. Know that I am there, and that I watch over you always."

he knows that luna wants nothing but his happiness.]

...I know that it may seem crazy. [because it is crazy. it's completely crazy.] But... it's my choice, Milla.

Luna and my dad, they... would both want me to. I've never had those choices before, to do what I want. It's always been... what I have to do, as Lucian royalty. What I want has never mattered.

[he accepts his duty now, but he never wanted it. he's the type of person who is perfectly content to sit at a riverbed and fish from sun up until sun down.

making this choice, even if it's stupid and fleeting and based off barely anything—

it's his choice, one he wants to make for himself and nobody else. if milla doesn't want to stand at his side then, when they exist in the same plane of existence, he'll... make what he must of it. but he has to make this choice for himself.]

[yells?? YELLS??? INTERNAL SCREAMING??? not the bad kind, she just. . . she just! doesn't know what to do with this??? no one has ever talked to her like this before?? Jude had followed her and remained at her side throughout all of their adventures. . . he had supported her, held her up, pushed her forward, helped her strive to be better. but in the end, she had parted ways with him because they had to. Jude had told her that he would move on and push forward without her, and she had accepted it. and that's what she had expected to happen here, too]

[but here's a man telling her that he wants to return to her once he finishes his duties back in his own world. that he wants to be by her side, as a spirit, for however long they may live afterwards]

[aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah???]

[she doesn't know what to say. and so she does the first thing that comes to mind]

[she reaches out and pinches Noctis's nose]

You. . .! You still have some sixty or so years to live, don't you? [a blink of an eye for a spirit. also: she's flustered] A lot could change between now and then. What if you don't feel the same way once you die?

Edited (omg i can do words) 2017-03-05 03:56 (UTC)

Ow—Hey!

[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.]

[she lets out a small huff, eyes slipping shut]

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.

Edited (I STILL CAN'T WORDS PROPERLY JFC) 2017-03-05 04:30 (UTC)

It's... not that I think you would. It's that... I want you to know I'm not obligating you to it. To... me, or anything.

[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.]

[truthfully, it's him clarifying the reasons behind his choice that help her ease up a bit. she doesn't want it to be all about her. as much as she's taken with him in return, she doesn't want every decision he makes in his life to revolve around her. just like she wouldn't make every choice in her life based on him]

[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]

[he couldn't make every choice around her—if he did, then he wouldn't be the one planning to get off the train first, and alone.

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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