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

I... think it's better to leave it alone now. No more of dealing with him any more than we need to now.

Probably the best idea I've heard all day. [There's a beat.] You know I'm never looking at cup noodles the same way, right?

Good. Make sure you don't forget me.

[ha!

except really, that reminds me.]

Right—guess I almost forgot. Thanks for... doing what I asked in that letter.

Man, never. Even without the noodles I wouldn't. [His lips curl up into a small smile.]

Did you really think I wouldn't? You asked. It was the least I could do.

Didn't know if there'd be enough time, that's all.

[but he appreciates it.]

It... was important, though. [you know. for Reasons.]

I make time for the important things, dude. In case you haven't noticed. [He tilts his head.] Was it important because it was noodles, or because it was Milla?

[It's a very innocent question but the look is punctured by the small smirk that comes with it.]

Not like the noodles are that important. But... not like Milla can't take care of herself, either.

[don't look at him like that. it's embarrassing.

(it was 100% because of milla.)]

She definitely can. [But he gets it. He really, really does.] But it's no different than Annabeth sending me a box of blue food so I get it.

[he nods. yeah, it's definitely like that.]

I talked to her before that, but. I didn't really think it was going to be that fast.

I mean...everything here was sort of rushed, don't you think? I met all of you guys eight weeks ago and I'm taking three of you home with me. Unless you mean it was fast after...you know. [Luna, he means.]

Nah, it's not that.

[he's had a couple of months now to get over it.]

Luna wouldn't want me to wait forever anyway. More just. That was twelve years. This was a few weeks. Kind of an adjustment, I guess.

[it took him by surprise. feelings are weird?]

[A shrug.]

I've always kind of thought you can't help who you end up falling in love with. I think I always knew with Annabeth? I didn't get it at first so it took four years to figure it out but she's always been it. And now we're engaged and it's fine. So...I think if you're happy with it the adjustment period'll be easier.

[ugh! okay, noct needs a second to kind of just process that because his cheeks are definitely flushing at... percy's bold terminology.

love is a strong word????]

Ye..ah. Guess it's just one of those complicated things. Definitely... not anything I was thinking about until it happened.

[Noctis come on. Percy should not be the unashamed one her--well no, just kidding. Sorry he's this way.]

We were in a game fighting for our lives, I don't think romance was on most people's minds until it happened except for like...me, Annabeth, Chane, Felix, Dr. Lecter and Will. And those four are kind of crazy. [So there.] It happened. So what are you going to do now?

[leave him alone he's shy!]

Not much I can do, not now. I have too much I have to get back to. Milla does too. Not like we can just abandon our responsibilities.

[Dats cute, Noct.]

Well...after that. I mean, I have plans with Natalie, Jason and Xion for after Annabeth and I defeat Gaea. We're not abandoning our responsibilities either but there's hope for the future. Why can't the same be said for you guys?

...You have some good way to do that? [really... noct has nothing right now.]

She's... a Lord of Spirits. I'm the King of Lucis. There's not really going to be a time when either of us can get away from that. We both... have to go back to our rightful place now.

I don't know. [Is he pouting? Possibly.] There's a lot of things that happened here that I didn't think would be possible, so maybe I'm holding out that there's a way to make everything work the way we want it to. We deserve that much. I mean...they brought us here. Why couldn't they put us somewhere else when we're done with whatever? It's mixing universes but...I don't know.

Maybe you're right. Doesn't seem fair though.

It's not.

[noct knows it isn't fair, he wouldn't dream of denying it for a second, either.]

A lot... none of this has been fair. Life hasn't been fair. But... we both knew it would be like this anyway.

[it sucks, but he clearly hasn't come up with the conclusion he eventually will just yet.]

And you still went for it anyway. [He understands, but he wonders...] Still worth it, isn't it?

[ DEPARTURE ]

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