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

[........ He snorts.]

What's this? Are you embarrassed, Young Russell?

[ WHAT!!!! How dare you tease him like this.

Whatever! Just looking away. Huff. ]

Uhm.... No?

I said later... When no one is, you know... Watching.

[ Totally embarrassed. What if he looks funny!! ]

I do believe you are. There is nothing embarrassing about smiling, Young Russell.

[sMILE!!]

[ why do people keep calling him out!!

Now, Barnham will learn that Russell is super stubborn. ]

..... I don't know how, and I'll...... look kind of weird, probably... So -- later.

[ How do people do it so easily... What's their secret? ]

[.... Russell...]

I do not believe there is a smile that can possibly look "weird", Young Russell.

[He sighs, shaking his head.]

You do not have to; do not allow me to force you to. I simply...would like to see it, before we must part.

[ DON'T MAKE HIM FEEL BAD??? God damnit Barnham.

Can't wait for Barnham to come back all like 'oh you know, I'm actually coming with you and Sara, by the way'.

Russell is silent for a biiiit... Thinking about it. He's thinking about it! He definitely doesn't want to disappoint Barnham-- ]

Uhm...

[ Well, let's see. He's still thinking about it, okay. Hm! Gardenia was pretty good at smiling, she did it pretty easily too. It shouldn't be too hard...? Think about something happy? Yeah! Yeah... Like, the times where Sara patted him on the head! And now he's going home with her! More pats.

There's indeed a small smile on his face now. But hey, still noticeable considering Russell doesn't really .... Emote much. ]

.......

[ Then he, uh, lifts his diary over his face, to cover it... Good enough... GOOD ENOUGH..! ] Okay...

[Sorry, Russell, he doesn't know yet!!!

He's proud, and happy though. It's strange how sincerely happy it makes him to see Russell smile like that. He blinks, and then smiles in return, nodding.

It's fine that Russell hides his face after--he's still glad for it.]

... You have an excellent smile.

Do not doubt it.

[ YOOOU BETTER APOLOGIZE WHEN HE KNOWS!!! So Russell can slap him with his diary out of embarrassment and betrayal but also hug him because he'll be happy!

He did his best. Maybe it'll come more naturally to him later! Someday. He'll at least lower the diary, uncovering half his face, to peek over at Barnham.

Well, Barnham looks pretty happy..! Guess that's a good thing, huh. ]

Uhm...... Thanks. [ emoting is hard, weird, and awkward. ] I guess, I'll get better at it.... You do it so easily though.

[HE'LL APOLOGIZE. SORRY RUSSELL.... But he's happy now, so at least there's that. There's a pause as he contemplates that, and then quietly he nods.]

Indeed... seeing your smile made it much easier to smile in return.

Thank you for that, Russell.

[ Got my eye on you...

But now Barnham is just being... Embarrassing and lame! Ugh. Feelings? Feelings. Or something like that.

How do you deal with emotions without wanting to stab something, real Q. Not that... Russell is feeling particularly stabby right now, but that's definitely going to be a problem down the road. How to feel without wanting to stab? ]

....Yeah. [ Okay, he's going to set down his diary (one day he'll burn this thing), and rub his cheeks. Ugh... Embarrassed. ]

It's better to see people on this train happy instead of sad.... Even you. So, that's good... Everyone should go home with a smile on their face, or something...

[Please don't be stabby, Russell...please.....Still, Barnham seems a little more light-hearted after all of this.]

... You are learning quite quickly, I believe.

But I agree with you. After everything we have all suffered... I shall hope everyone is able to enjoy...at least a fair amount of peace.

You as well, Russell.

[ DEPARTURE ]

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