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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Wouldn't doubt that it'd be any other way. Not even for a second—make sure you take breaks sometimes, though.

[maybe that little part of him that was constantly keeping concern for milla's injuries still lingers quite a bit even though they're long since gone...

but maybe that's also because noct knows that milla would recklessly charge forth as long as her feet will still carry her forward.

(and even if they don't.)]

Let's... not call them good-byes, either. We did that once already—it's not over yet, anyway.

[he'll see her again, even if it's a long, long time from now.]

[WHAT ARE BREAKS okay no, his concern is legitimate. he might scold her to take said breaks, but it's guaranteed to go in one ear and out the other]

Then, "I'll see you soon." How is that? A human lifetime is a blink of an eye for a spirit like me.

[she's exaggerating a bit, because yeah, it might be short for a being that can live hundreds of thousands of years. but it's not exactly a "short" time period, either]

...And I bet you'll still be just the same as now by then because of it.

[she probably won't even age a day—which in a sense, may be nice. something familiar and comfortable when they meet again, amid a sea of unfamiliar new things.

still, even if it's only temporary, goodbyes aren't easy at all.]

Guess... I'll find out in a few decades.

[physically. . . yeah, she'll probably look almost exactly the same (except her outfit might change a couple of times). but mentally?]

. . . to be frank, I hope I change at least a little. I'd like to continue to learn. To grow. To understand.

[isn't that one thing they inspired in each other? growth, and the desire to constantly strive to be better?]

[she reaches out, quietly, and brushes her fingertips against his cheek, touch feather light and almost hesitant]

[okay, that's fair. he really meant that she'll probably look much the same—but he wants her to grow and learn more too, of course. she's got too much of a thirst for knowledge to ever stop trying, after all. it... would be disappointed if she just settled.

but noct knows he doesn't have to worry about that, because milla is the sort to always strive to do better and understand things more. even in the last month or so of their train ride, he's seen it for himself countless times, after all.

he draws in a breath as he feels the tips of her fingers against his skin—and noct hesitates as well. For a moment, he looks at her, memorizing her expression before closing his eyes and bringing his hand up to clasp over milla's.]

This... is harder than I thought it would be.

[her touch becomes more firm once Noctis grabs her hand, and she presses her palm against his skin. he's right; it is harder than they thought it'd be. but Milla, being Milla, always pushes herself forward. always maintains an air of strength about her]

Come now. Don't say that. I'd like to see you leave the train confidently and with your head held high. It's the most accurate memory I could keep of you until we meet again.

[her words might sound determined and encouraging, but when Noctis opened his eyes again, he might notice there's something glistening in the corners of her eyes, even as she smiles]

[something]

[like]

[tears?]

[???????]

[DOES THE LORD OF SPIRITS EVEN KNOW HOW TO CRY]

[his own eyes aren't exactly dry either, but her words bring a smile to his lips, faint and endeared completely.

she's so strong. even though he can see that... this one time, maybe this only time ever, she could crack just a little—

milla still finds the words to be encouraging and remind him of what's important.]

I think I can do both, Milla. [his voice wavers, and it's not like it's the first time he's broken a little in front of her.

but right now, it's bittersweet rather than despairing. it's difficult, because the time he's spent with her has changed things a bit.]

I'll walk tall until the end. But... this time—

I cherish it. [he can admit it. he knows it's sentimental and embarrassing to say out loud. but they spent seven weeks in hell, some of those weeks working as trusted allies, and now he's had another four to spend with her in peace and she's done a pretty bang-up job of winning his heart in the process.]

[YEAH BUT AT LEAST NOCTIS HAS CRIED BEFORE??? this is abnormal for Milla!! and strange!! she opens her mouth to reply with a question-- when you first arrived here, did you ever think you'd be saying that about the time you spent in a town where everyone was forced to kill each other?-- but abruptly cuts herself off]

Ah. . .

[she blinks a few times, and lifts a hand to wipe at her eyes, seemingly bewildered by the movement. Milla can only remember one other time in her entire life where she's shed tears. . . and it was while she was standing hand-in-hand with Jude looking out on a world they helped create together. when their battles were behind them, and there was nothing but potential going forward]

[this is. . . a little different. she blinks at her hand when she pulls it away, and then blinks up at Noctis, like. he might. have the answers to this human emotion she's feeling]

[help what does she do here]

[it's another moment that's so distinctly milla—part of noctis is glad that he'll have a lot of memories like this, even to the last moments that they have to share together.

he knows, just from the look she gives him, that milla doesn't really know what to make of this.]

It's... what we'd call bittersweet. [he'll do his best, at least, to explain the feeling. it's not like noctis doesn't know, after all—considering it's something he's feeling too.]

Being happy to go back to where we belong in our worlds and see old friend. But... sad, because... it'll be a long time before we can see each other again. And... we don't know what the future holds.

[it's something like that. he knows that it makes his chest ache a little, even though it's hard to define and explain, and even though his own tears threaten to spill—noctis still reaches out to milla, brushing away any wetness from her cheek with his knuckles.]

It's complicated, huh...

[ah. . .]

[even now, she's still learning about emotions. her own emotions. perhaps, deep in her heart, she really is human]

[she rubs at her eyes again and takes a deep breath, tilting her chin up and curling her mouth into a confident smile. her head instinctively tilts towards his touch, but she is doing her best to wipe all traces of weakness and bittersweetness from her expression]

[the wetness disappears with a brush of his knuckles]

Bittersweet or not, both of us will be okay.

[she doesn't doubt that]

And I believe, in the end, regardless of how we feel. . . we'll both be proud of the choices we're making.

Yeah. We both... have important things to get back to. Things we can't ignore, even if we want to.

[she's still so strong, and it's still so admirable. endlessly, he wants to do better because of her strength and conviction. and that's why he knows he can't let this get the better of him either.

he draws in a breath, trying to steady himself, and he nods.]

But when it's over, we'll be okay. And... we'll see each other again.

[she reaches up and envelopes his hand in her own, the touch warm and comforting. she lingers for a moment, but eventually, she purposefully moves his hand from his cheek and returns it to his side. she feels cold when she lets go and draws back, but there's a new sense of resolve there as well]

Of course.

Until then, take care.

[which is really all she can say, at this point. everything else. . . well! that's already been said]

You... take care, too. Try not to break any ribs while I'm gone.

[well. he does have to at least throw in a teasing remark—noct will be noct, after all. but there is a certain lingering feeling as their contact breaks, and he can't help but to keep his eyes fixed on her a little longer.

he knows it's about time to really leave, but there are still one or two more things he feels he needs to do.

the first, is to soak in everything he can see about milla for the last time before they part ways for decades.

and then second... well, it'll come right after he's done with that.]

[. . . she's never going to live that down, is she. but thankfully, her response to his teasing is to laugh lightly and prop one hand on her hip. she's taking it in stride!]

Even if I did, we have healing artes that can accelerate the body's natural healing process.

[THAT ISN'T THE POINT MILLA]

[and after a moment of silence (in which she definitely notices the staring, not that she's complaining), she inclines her head slightly]

[ah.

yeah, he's definitely staring.]

I'm... just trying to make sure I never forget this.

[what she looks like right now, as the end is here. it's a little embarrassing and definitely a bit cheesy—but after everything that's happened in the last couple of months, he doesn't really have it in him to hold back anymore.]

There's just... one more thing.

[it is a bit cheesy, but it's certainly one of the things about him she's come to appreciate. so she smiles warmly, opens her mouth to tell him it's fine-- but then he mentions there's still one more thing, and curiosity crosses her expression instead]

Oh?

What is it?

[it takes him a minute—for all that noct has improved when it comes to expressing himself while with milla, some things are still tough.

though maybe it's less because of what he's trying to do and more the circumstances that surround it.

it's the end, for now, after all. the last chance for any of this, so he knows... he needs to make it count. so he draws in a breath before stepping closer to milla, bridging that gap as he brings his hand up to cup her cheek in his palm—and then kisses her with intent. after all—it's going to be a long, long time before he may have that opportunity again.]

[oh]

[it's funny, how even with her boldness, she hadn't thought to do this. perhaps it was just because it was easier for her to keep herself at a distance. perhaps it was because this good-bye was way different than the last one]

[there's a moment's hesitation born of surprise, but it only lasts a moment. she's then quick to lean into him, to grab the front of his shirt tightly, to tilt her head and invite him to linger in the intensity of that kiss as long as he wants to. the train isn't going to leave with him still on it, after all]

[. . . at least she doesn't think so]

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[ DEPARTURE ]

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