unknownseas | There's always a lighthouse

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endgame

There's always a lighthouse

And just like that, you wake up in the basement of a lighthouse in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. There's a circle of 25 pods in the middle of the room, and two more in a room off to the side, and you can imagine who is in which.

An elevator to the side of the room leads up to the ground floor (or to the first sub-basement, if you want to check out the machine that brought you here), where you can for the first time in weeks look out a window and see the sky. Its a beautiful sunny day, with a strong breeze on the grassy ground of the island where the lighthouse stands. Have you ever been this happy to hear seagulls?

You're free. Whatever comes next, you're free and you won. Take some time to relish your victory, won't you? Reunite with friends you thought you had lost, go forth and just... well, enjoy this.

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[ It's a little while before she joins him, mostly because there are definitely people to check on. But when she joins him, she leans against the wall, looking out the window as well. It's... odd, to see them all together again.

And maybe she's been a little on guard... what with her empathy all. The final confrontation has left her feeling a little wiped, but all the same, she gives him a tiny smile. ]

For an island, it was starting to get crowded fast.

[Therion might not be a bad person to be around with her empathy up and all. His own feelings run along similar lines: glad, sure, but overwhelmed, frazzled, and longing for a quiet corner from which to listen in on this mass reunion without having to take part in it.

When Mira joins him, though, his discomfort softens. He sighs and manages a small smile of his own. She has that effect on him.]

Yeah. And I thought everyone was noisy before.

You okay?

[ It's nice to feel, definitely. She relaxes, and that tiny smile grows just slightly. She's reminded of how much he's done for her. And to think, things were once strained between them... ]

I'm... getting used to a lot of things, but the quiet helps. [ She lets out a breath and glances out the window. The last two months were a nightmare, but... as she looks to him again, she's reminded that it wasn't all bad. ] How about you?

Oh, mourning the loss of the diamonds I thought I had. I'd collected nearly ten of them by the end there. Wouldn't have fetched me too much at that size, but I'm never one to turn down a tidy sum.

[What an absolute horseshitter. Yeah, for the most part, he's good, he's really happy they won and they're all in one piece. But he's already starting to feel lonely again. Everyone's going to go their separate ways.]

[ Ah... she shifts a little closer once she feels that loneliness. They might not be underwater, but there are some things that are too easy to drown in. ]

It's a shame we couldn't bring some of those things with us... [ But. Somehow, some things endured. She pulls out the Cait he'd made for her, the one they'd painted together. ] At least some things are still here.

Oh--

[He stares at it, eyes wide, then laughs aloud. Damn, but he's a sentimental fool.]

That made it out with us? How? Wasn't it part of the... the virtual reality?

[The vending machine works in mysterious ways...]

[ She can't help but laugh, too. ]

... Strange, right? But stranger things have happened.

[ She tucks it away. ]

... Therion? I wanted to thank you. Honestly, I'm not sure where to start on for what, but... I wanted to tell you that.

[Oh. Um. Mira doesn't even need to be an empath to recognize that Therion doesn't know how to take that. He blinks, at first surprised and confused, then unsure of an appropriate response. Instead of tugging at his scarf, he rubs at his unshackled wrist under the cloak.]

...You know I'm not the kind of guy who hears a lot of thanks.

[Or earns them. He studies her expression, then looks down at his feet.]

It's... You're welcome. I mean it. Anything I could do... was well worth it.

I know.

[ Her voice is soft, and she leans lightly against the wall. She can feel what he's feeling, but after so many weeks, after all they've been through together, she thinks she can pick up on at least a few of his tells. ]

It was just... important to tell you. Even if we're not there in that simulation, in constant danger... I don't want to leave some things unsaid.

[A beat, and he nods.]

I guess so. No telling when we'll see each other again, even if you do find a way to visit.

[He wishes he still had that snowglobe. He'd wanted to give it to her so she'd know Bolderfall when she saw it. So she wouldn't get lost. So. She'd have something of his, or of him, to look at sometimes and remember him.]

...I should be thanking you, too. I don't think I have. Not... properly or anything.

[ She-- had tried not to think about that. There's something that flickers in her expression when he brings it up, but she nods all the same. She almost tells him that Bolderfall is at the top of her list, that as soon as she can, she'll go to see him, but--

She's surprised. ]

Thank me? For what?

[Ah, there's the old scarf-pulling habit again. Boy, his own shoes sure are fascinating to look at right now.]

...You didn't have to speak to me again, after that. Wouldn't have blamed you. But you did. And if you hadn't, that one time...

['I don't think I could ever regret caring, or opening up. I haven't yet, not truly. Even if it's one of the hardest things I've ever done, or will ever do.'

Back then, Mira found the strength to look him in the eye as she spoke. Therion still isn't quite there, but his fingers stop plucking at the wool in his scarf and find anchor there instead.]

...If you hadn't, even if you'd given me the key to that band, I'd still be shackled. So... thank you, Mira. [He takes a deep breath and finally lifts his gaze.] For my freedom. Thank you.

[ For a few moments, she isn't sure what to say. Honestly... she doesn't need the thanks. She hadn't done much, just-- given him the key. He'd been the one to make the decision.

... But hearing that, knowing how difficult this is for him... It means so, so much. She shifts a bit, from one foot to the other, and she tucks a bit of hair behind her ear--it's a little longer now, her hair's always grown so fast--and she looks at him with a smile. ]

... You're welcome, Therion. [ She doesn't look away from him. ] I'd do it again, you know. Both of those things. Not out of any sort of obligation, or anything... but because I'd want to.

...Me too.

[He's so. Proud of her. Proud to know her. Proud that he had anything to do with her, even if it was part of this scheme of the Professor's, stealing thieves to turn upon the world. All that pride wells up in him and he laughs a little, rubbing his chin.]

Damn, this isn't like me at all. I live on leaving things unsaid. Just how much did you teach me when I thought I was teaching you?

[ She's taken a little off-guard, but it lasts only a moment... and his laugh encourages one of her own: something bright and soft. Warm. And to think... eight weeks ago, she never would've imagined they'd be standing here, together, talking like this. ]

More than both of us realized, apparently. I guess I'm that good of a teacher that I didn't even realize I was teaching you.

Must be. I'm a quick learner, but not the best student. Takes a fair amount of skill.

[He never expected to hear a laugh like that out of her. There's so much to her now, so much to see and explore and marvel at. His expression gentles once more, a little sad.]

I'll be honest. I'll... miss you. I have to get all the dragonstones back to House Ravus, but if I didn't... maybe I wouldn't go back.

I think you've done just fine, you know.

[ But-- oh. He takes her by surprise yet again, something he's done a few times since they met. More than what he says, though, is that expression.

It makes her want to reach out. So... she does, and she rests her hand lightly on his shackleless arm. Cautiously, carefully; he could shift just the slightest bit, if it's unwelcome. But it's there, if he'll allow it. ]

I'll miss you, too. [ The admission comes so easily--it's unexpected, just how easily. ] But... it won't be for long. [ She says that with so much determination and conviction; it's something she truly, deeply believes.

She'd ask him to go with her, to do what she has to do. She's so tempted. But he has important things to do, too; can she really let herself be that selfish? ] Bolderfall is at the top of my list of places to go. Or Duckburg's doors are wide open, too.

With any luck, you won't have too many stories to tell me before we see each other again.

[O...oh. It's nothing he's used to, that contact. People don't treat him gently. Even over the past two months around people who somehow came to care about him, the most touch he received was from the damn Therion check.

He shivers a little. He doesn't move away. He wracks his brain for a response, and finally, tentatively, shyly copies her move from earlier: he reaches across himself to touch her hand with his dark, slender fingers.]

...I could drop by after I hand the first stone over. I already have it, shouldn't take too long. And it's not like I know where Darius has the rest squirreled away.

[ Oh... She wouldn't have been too bothered if he'd shied away from the touch. But he doesn't. That little touch--it's different from the ones she's received over the past two months. It's not a hug, it's not Dell cradling her face, it's--

It's someone who's usually so guarded, letting himself reach out to accept that touch. ]

Really? [ She sounds pretty happy about that, actually, but she manages to tone it down at least a little. But she's not hiding the smile she gives him--open, easy, affectionate. ] I mean... I'd like that a lot. Maybe by then, my sense of direction will have improved, and I can show you around.

[S-so like... how long is he supposed to let the touch last... what is procedure here]

Are you bringing Daisy? Is she going to turn into a duck? ...Are you going to turn into a duck?

[ She's gotchu, Therion. She pulls her hand away, then tucks a bit of hair behind her ear. ]

Of course I'm bringing Daisy. [ Obviously!! ... But that's a thought she hadn't considered. ] ... Um. You know, I'm not... sure. About either of those things, actually.

[ ... are there only ducks in Della's world? She'd recognized Daisy was a dog, though, so... ]

... But Della told me she'd never seen a human before coming here, so maybe I'll turn into... something.

[Therion's mind has gone someplace else completely.]

If Daisy starts walking on two legs and talking...

[Wow, this is suddenly the Worst Thing.]

[ Oh my god. She lets out a groan and presses her hands over her face. ]

I can't believe you've put this thought in my head...

[And he just. Looks at her, for a bit, and.

Starts laughing.]

Hahaha... hahahahaha...!

[He turns aside and presses his hand over his mouth, but yeah, her face is the funniest damn thing in the world right now and he can't hold it in.]

[ He's such a bully, she can't believe this!! (She totally can.)

But she turns pink and huffs, putting her hands on her hips. ]

A-are you laughing at me? Fine, no more apple cinnamon muffins for you!

[ But it's clear that she doesn't mean it--because she's fighting not to laugh, too. ]

There's always a lighthouse

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