robowest | [ DEPARTURE ]

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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.

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[she huffs again, but it isn't annoyed this time. she keeps her forehead on his shoulder, content with the way his hand feels in her hair]

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.

[he'll keep stroking her hair lightly, soothingly—he's okay with this, with being the one to do this for her, for once.]

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.]

I was.

[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.

[it's very human of her, honestly.

(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.]

[. . . her hand gently curls into the front of his shirt, and she shifts so her face is more pressed against his neck than his shoulder. she isn't envious, necessarily, of those of them who will stay together. but she has to admit, deep down, that the idea of being able to see Noctis again, even if it isn't for a long time. . .]

[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.

[even if she's already accepted his choice, it's still... a lot, and in a very good way to hear that milla wants it to happen to.

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.]

[yeah Sara's a great wingman, she deserves all the praise]

[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]

A... human vessel.

[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.]

[she smiles. no-- beams. because the prospect of being able to see her friends at home excites her just as much as the prospect of keeping in touch and seeing him again in the future does]

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.

Seems like it'll be legit. It's good... you being able to see them again. I'm sure they miss you a lot too.

[she looks so happy about the notion, too. how could he not encourage it—they're her friends. she would want the same for him too, he's pretty sure.]

I'll be busy, but... I think I can spare some time for letters.

[really, it's nothing new to him; he spent years taking time to write letters to luna too.] Lucky for you, I've done this long-distance thing before. Kinda... second nature by now.

[okay, that's him teasing just a little, and that's only because there was never any doubt that he was going to write to her as well.]

My, a king who is too busy for the Lord of Spirits? Are you sure you should be taking that sort of tone with me?

[SHE'S JOKING IN RETURN, which is made obvious by the light tone of her voice and her teasing smile]

Sure am.

[he's fine with this, with teasing so lightly.]

You gonna do something about it?

[...she should totally do something about it.]

Well, I could pinch your nose again.

[that is probably not what he hand in mind is it]

[it's not, but he'd deserve it if that's what happened.]

That's... one way of doing something about it, I guess.

[she's just giving him a hard time]

[again]

Oh? It isn't what you had in mind, is it?

[. . . her hands slide across his cheeks pretty quickly as she pulls his face towards her own in another kiss. this is probably what he was originally thinking]

[well.

that's certainly a little more in line with what he wanted out of this exchange. more of this? more of this.

which is why he just hums out a sound in response at first before he decides to break away.]

It's a little better than nose-pinching.

Only a little?

[arches her eyebrows at him. she's still hovering close, totally prepared to go in for another kiss]

I... was trying to be modest.

[it's a lot! and he still gets flustered.

but he's not backing away, despite that—he's ready for more.]

[pfffft. she just. grins]

You're quite shy sometimes, did you know that?

[a pause]

It's very endearing.

Edited (her eyebrows were already raised weeps) 2017-03-08 00:22 (UTC)

I—

[yeah, he's very shy. there's really no getting around that, especially when it's milla.]

I guess... it's why this works. [because she's so bold that it balances out. they may both be formidable in other areas, and he may even be bold about leadership sometimes.

but in terms of their relationship as it is, milla's undoubtedly the more commanding presence, and it works better that way.]

[how did he ever muster up the courage to be the first one to make a move]

"Opposites attract," yes? I've read that in many books.

[hmmm. . . but she shakes her head]

I think it's only one reason, though. I think we have much more in common than we have in opposition.

[because he might be shy, but he's determined. he's passionate. he does what he feels is right, deep down in his heart, and she admires that part about him]

[strictly because they were out of time, and if things went terribly wrong, he might have died without kissing a woman he likes a lot.

desperation wins.]

Yeah. I know we have a lot in common... our goals, and where we want to be.

[in a general sense. strong leaders, who can protect others and utilize their strength for good.]

But I think you're just... a lot bolder than me. Opposites in that way, I guess.

Ah-- yes. That sounds right.

[her smile could light up the room to be honest]

Either way, I've grown very fond of you. ["very fond" Milla. . . Milla plz. . . who tells someone they really like that they're "very fond" of them. . .]

[she makes up for it by leaning in for another kiss, though]

Uh—

[well, "very fond," at least, does sound very much like milla to say, though it's... probably not the phrase he'd use to describe his feelings for her.

though maybe it's the best approximation? he's not sure.

not that it matters, the thought is getting quickly shoved to the side by the kiss.

yes, this is fine, the kiss definitely compensates for milla's word choice here.]

[Noct is so patient with her accidentally failing at romance??? so. . . patient]

[either way, she isn't pulling away from him anytime soon, instead choosing to linger as her hands once again brush through his hair]

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elemancy - 2017-03-09 18:05 (UTC) - Expand

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