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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[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.
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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.]
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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?
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(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.]
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An arrangement? What sort of arrangement?
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(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.]
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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?
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I figured he'd say no, but as soon as he knew what I meant, he said it was fine.
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[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?
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[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.]
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[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?
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[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.]
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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.
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[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.]
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[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]
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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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I apologize if my reaction concerned you. I didn't mean to make you feel as though I didn't want you to make that choice.
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I know. You... were worried that I was being too impulsive. Or that I was just trying to follow you.
[and maybe it's a little bit of those things, but it hardly encompasses everything he feels.]
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[worried about those things, yes. but also. . .]
I suppose I also-- [. . . huff huff! where has her dignity as the Lord of Spirits gone? with the way she's huffing and letting herself get a little flustered over here, she almost seems like a young school girl]
I hadn't thought much about what might lie beyond the game. I had accepted, right from the very beginning, that there wouldn't actually be anything beyond it. That it would all come to an end once the train let you off at your stop.
So it. . . surprised me. That's all.
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(which means it more endearing, because. you know. she's not.)]
I didn't either. I was ready to leave it at the door.... because we both have things we need to do. Our duties are too important for us to do what the others are.
[even if he's envious of their friends. that percy, jason and natalie will stay together; that barnham and sara will as well. he's happy for them, of course, because he cherishes them.
but he's envious too, that he can't just throw it all away just to be with any of them.]
I got the idea... after I realized what they were doing. I didn't actually think he'd say yes, though. But...
I'd rather see you eventually... instead of never again. [even if he has to clear his throat a bit after admitting that. he's...
still a bit embarrassed, for all that he's been getting bolder with her.]
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[it's nice. it's very nice]
. . . I'd like that too. [she eventually admits aloud, but her voice is a little muffled]
Which is why I suppose I should tell you about some of the arrangements Sara convinced me to make.
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every bit of reassurance helps; it's a decision he made on his own and for himself—but having her support when she is at least part of the reason helps.
his fingers thread through her hair, a little more focused; it's probably only a matter of time before he nudges her for another kiss, but he's not yet given the chance after what milla says.]
Arrangements... Sara convinced you to make? [sara is truly a wingman, apparently? okay then.]
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[Milla lifts her head from his shoulder and nods]
. . . I'm going to ask the Sheriff to grant me a human vessel. One that can exist on my world without consuming the world's precious supply of mana.
I'd also like to ask him for the ability to exchange letters with those I've met here.
[it. may be a little selfish, and she's still getting used to the idea that she can follow her duties and keep in contact with those she cares about. but. she's trying]
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[he pauses for a moment, and for a second—he doesn't even think of the letters.]
You'd be able to see your friends then, right? That... Jude guy and all.
[he doesn't know all that much about them, but—he smiles, because that would be good for her, noctis thinks. she's a good person who deserves to get to be near people she cares about despite her duties and responsibilities.
but the letters don't escape him, either.]
I guess I'll be hearing from you too, then.
[well, for a time. and boy, will he write back while he can as well—he's going to have so much to tell her along the way, even if it's brief. but he wants to hear from her before the time comes when he meets again, that he's sure of.]
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Yes, that's right. Provided he can actually do it. It almost feels like. . . cheating.
[but. Sara told her to be a little selfish, and so selfish she will be]
And I'll be expecting you to write to me as much as you can, because I'll certainly be writing to you.
It will be-- something. Something to keep us in contact until we meet again.
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