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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He'll take it. It's been awhile...since he's truly felt happy, but right now, he does. Muted, and tired--but happy.]
Truly...that must have been torture for you. [He seems a little amused despite himself--all of these romantic reunions Sara had to deal with.]
But even so... I kept you waiting. It was necessary, but--my duty is now done.
I will not keep you waiting any longer, though...
[It might be a bit too late now]
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After that... I've never tried a long-distance relationship before, but I think you and your fussy justice-loving self are worth putting in some effort for.
[ Across worlds? Sure, why not. ]
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There is...something I would like to speak with you about, in regards to that, actually.
[He grimaces for a moment, before--]
I...regret telling you this after the promise I demanded of you but... you shall not have to keep it. I shall require no jailbreak.
[Barnham??]
As... I am not certain I intend to return to Labyrinthia.
[Oh]
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[ And that hand near his forehead turns to then feeling his forehead for a fever. ]
You-- seriously? After saying that you didn't want to so much as vacation from that place? That you had a duty to stay there and look after its citizens until forever? Wh-- this isn't some kind of self-inflicted punishment you're giving yourself, are you?
[ Because if so, BARNHAM... ]
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He blinks at Sara, and then glances away.]
... That is...
[...]
I still love Labyrinthia. With all of my being--I shall always love Labyrinthia. It is the place to which I owe my duty as a knight.
... But I...
[...]
... No longer, can I call myself a knight, nor can I call that my duty.
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You saved us, Zach, and I get that it was hell to have to do it like that, but that doesn't make you any less of a knight. You still aimed to protect.
You don't need to deprive yourself of your home just for being human-- and for being forced to make a decision that would have hurt almost anyone if they'd been in the same position.
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He listens to her quietly, head still tilted downwards into her touch, shoulders slightly slumped--and then he sighs.
He can't really call himself a knight of Labyrinthia anymore, no matter what she says. He gets it--he gets that the ends, she thinks, justify the means...but he doesn't think so. He knows he was doing so for the sake of everyone here, but he still killed people. He still chose to do the worst of things, and their blood is on his hands.
Childrens' blood.]
... Thank you, Sara. [He smiles--almost serenely. There's tiredness in his expression, but also acceptance.] But I have already come to this conclusion on my own. Regardless of the ends... the means that I have used to come here would have long since disgraced me from the knights of Labyrinthia.
I have already decided. I shall not be returning there.
[Where he's going...he hasn't decided on yet.]
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At the same time, Barnham's an adult and that's a choice only he can make. He's heard her opinion and responded to it, and all she can do now is respond in turn.
Which is why she speaks again, after lowering her hand. ]
Then come with me. If you don't think you can be a knight anymore, then become a bracer and protect the people that way.
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And then slowly, he nods.
It's a big life choice, and he knows it.
But.
It's also the right choice, he thinks. He's a disgrace, and he's no longer a knight. He can't return to Labyrinthia.
Slowly, he smiles.]
Perhaps...it is time for me to learn something new.
There is much I must repent for. Doing so by...protecting other people... that sounds right, to me.
... I would be honored to return home with you, Sara. I shall be under your care.
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And in a way, it's still keeping her promise. She was going to come for Barnham anyway, so this just saves her a trip. ]
We're going to be partners, you know. I told you I wasn't going to be letting you do anything alone anymore-- so I hope you can keep up with me.
Because being a bracer is almost going to be as hard as that.
[ Which she says firmly, but there's something like mischief sparkling in her eyes when she smiles at him. Mischief... and relief. ]
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He'll lean in just enough to properly meet her eyes, serious and solemn.
Sara might be speaking with some mischief, but Barnham is 100% serious.]
To remain by your side, I shall do whatever it takes to keep up with you.
...And I shall do whatever it takes, too, to protect the people of your home.
That I swear to you.
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To stay by her side, to not hold her back but to face things alongside her, and to protect the citizens of Erebonia... that's a lot Barnham's committing to. But she knows by now that once he is committed to something, he'll follow through on it without fail. ]
You... [ with a very quiet sigh, she leans into the curve of his hand. ]
I've never once doubted you. That's not about to start now.
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[He quirks an eyebrow at that, a little surprised despite himself. After everything... she still didn't and doesn't doubt him? He's pretty sure he deserved every last shred of doubt that might have cropped up.]
... Truly?
[Precious... and ridiculous in equal measure. He never deserved this faith.]
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In your case, your movements were always of someone who was trying to face forward, even when you didn't want to believe what you were seeing. Even if it hurt. You... refused to let me doubt myself, and even when I wanted to call you a killjoy and you were, you were focused and caring.
So no. When you carried me back, I didn't doubt you. When you told me you thought I was a good instructor, I didn't doubt you. When you told me you wanted to bring this game to an end, I didn't doubt you.
I didn't doubt you when you kissed me, or when you volunteered to be the one to kill me, or when you told me that you meant what you'd told me that night. I didn't doubt you when Hal told us that you were the only one who knew how to end the game and what would have to be done in order for that to happen. Even as you kept breaking more and more, you kept going.
... I told you to give them hell, and you did. So knowing all of that, why would I doubt you? Even the choice you made was you facing forward to bring us all here.
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Ah.... Ah??
He doesn't really know how to handle all of that. Sara starts and...she just keeps going, and it flusters him, even as he clears his throat.
...Ah???]
L-Lady Instructor-- that is, Sara...
[Um.]
That...that is more than enough...!
[WAY TO FLUSTER]
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[ She really can. And she says so rather calmly, with just a hint of firmness. Sorry, Barnham, you're not allowed to doubt that she had an exasperated sort of faith in you the whole time. ]
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[God....save him.
His shoulders slump, even as he flushes.]
You have made your point... I understand, and believe in you.
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[ Or seeing him offer up an expression that was anything other than exhausted despair. ]
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Is this your version of revenge?
[EXHAUSTEDLY.]
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But my 'lackadaisical attitude' works at knocking you out of your sadness at least a little, doesn't it? And what girl doesn't like making a good-looking guy go all flushed, anyway?
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And then he sighs, vaguely exasperated and endeared in equal measure, and leans forward to close the distance between them, pressing their lips together.
When he pulls away, it's just to calmly say:]
Honestly, you have not changed at all.
...I am relieved for that.
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You'd be one of very few, but I appreciate it.
Think you can breathe a little easier now?
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... Somehow, I do. There is a great deal that I still...must think through.
But if you shall be patient with me, then I believe I....I shall be fine.
In time.
[At least....he'll try.]
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[ Which is to say, of course she'll be patient with him. He's going to have a long recovery period, but maybe the bracer life will be good for him. That, and rest-- and that she'll mention. ]
You knoooow... there's a perfectly good bed here and someone who needs it not using it. I think that's kind of a shame.
[ ... in Sara fashion. ]
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He's quiet for a long moment, glancing at the bed, and then back at her, and, shamefully, there's something he feels like saying but isn't sure how to put into words.
He hesitates.]
... I suppose you...are not wrong. I do feel as though I should rest.
[He's exhausted. He can't remember the last time he slept and ate. But--]
Shall you be...
[...leaving?]
Ah, never mind.
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