There's always a lighthouse

[wheremst]

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.

Comments

[onefuture]

[...Okay, that gets Lif to chuckle.]

I understand. Our situation was quite precarious, up until the end. To say nothing of how fraught it was...

[be thankful you did not die, therion, shit got Whack]

I am glad to hear that you're alright, however. What do you intend to do, now that this is over?

[bolderfell]

Have to go back to Bolderfall. A place in my world, I mean.

[He taps his fingers against the hilt of a sword he's got buckled on.]

Things to take care of. You know how it is.

[onefuture]

I understand. One cannot let prior business go unattended, even for a moment; do what you must--

[Lif's gaze goes down when Therion's fingers move and--oh.

Lif pauses for a moment, eyes lighting up with some recognition.]

That sword...they were able to get their hands on it? I thought it had been lost to time...

[bolderfell]

Huh? ...This?

[He looks down at it, then back up at Lif.]

Is it yours?

[onefuture]

...It was mine. Fólkvangr was one of Askr's sacred weapons, that was entrusted to me.

[...

Lif shakes his head, after a moment. He's not nearly as attached to it anymore; it's just a chain at this point.]

...The boy who wielded that sword is long dead. Keep it. May it serve you better than I, as a weapon or as an item to sell.

[bolderfell]

No one's going to buy this off of me. And I don't know that it'd survive hitting anything.

[Therion draws the sword to show him. Every spot of rust on the blade has been sandpapered away by a meticulous, dexterous hand; the cutting edge sharpened; the metal refinished with something that still smells faintly of honey; but the scars and pitting from years of neglect remain.]

Did my best, but beeswax and linseed oil don't work miracles. Figured it'd get me one good swing if worse came to worst. ...Anyway, if the kid it belonged to really is dead, you can bury it. But you never know. He might need it one day.

[onefuture]

[...Oh.

Lif's eyes widen as he listens to Therion, just...kind of awestruck once he draws the sword. He had left that weapon behind years ago; it hadn't defended him then, and it wouldn't have helped him forge the path forward anymore. But to see it like this--to see it almost as it was, despite the years of neglect taking it's toll, it's...

...Lif finds his gaze softening. He doesn't actually know what to say to this, but...he sounds struck when he finally speaks up again.]

...It looks almost as I remembered it being, despite everything that has happened. Your craftsmanship is...incredible.

[And it really is. Everything about it seems brand new, despite it being a relic of a bygone age. But, well...

Maybe it doesn't need to be so bygone, does it?]

...Perhaps he might need it, one day indeed. If I may...I would like to keep it safe for him, until that day comes.

[bolderfell]

[Lif's reaction startles an embarrassed little scoffing noise out of Therion. He busies himself sheathing the sword once more.]

Didn't do anything special. Anyone can clean a blade with time and the right tools.

[Never mind how much time it took, or that he had to make some of those tools from scratch. With a short breath out, Therion unbuckles the sword belt and offers it to its rightful owner.]

It's yours, then. Let's say it makes us even after helping me out of the vending machine.

[onefuture]

[...Heh. You know what, Lif's fine with leaving it at that; he'll gladly take the sword back and keep it in his hands. It's been so long, and yet it's weight feels familiar in his hands.

It's...nice, in a way Lif never expected it to feel nice again. Maybe this is what freedom feels like.]

...Very well. I shall consider it as such.

[Lif's not...good at this, but--]

Do try to find a way to stay in contact, if you are able. I imagine you will be busy, but I would like to hear from you, every now and again.

[bolderfell]

[He's not quite fast enough to hide his surprise. Therion looks up at Lif, then glances away, idly adjusting his scarf.]

...Never was one for letters.

[...

And then he offers a slightly exaggerated shrug.]

Guess I'll have to visit in person. Good thing I'm used to travel, with all of us scattering like this. Just let me know where you'll be.

[onefuture]

[...Oh no, honey. Lif can't help but let out some sort of small noise--it seems pleased, okay.]

I'll be going to Skyrim--Whiterun, specifically. From what Aela has told me, it's a rather major trade city. You're unlikely to miss it.

[bolderfell]

[Ah. Therion looks comfortable enough with that, and he nods.]

Sure I'll hear enough talk of the both of you to track you down from there. The Companions don't seem the sort to keep too low a profile.