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

[philoxenia]

[ 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.

[bolderfell]

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.

[philoxenia]

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.

[bolderfell]

[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.

[philoxenia]

[ 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.

[bolderfell]

[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?

[philoxenia]

[ 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.

[bolderfell]

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

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

[Wow, this is suddenly the Worst Thing.]

[philoxenia]

[ 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...

[bolderfell]

[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.]

[philoxenia]

[ 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. ]

[bolderfell]

[Hehhehheh.]

Can't stop me from taking them while you're not looking.

[He pokes her gently in the forehead.]

[philoxenia]

I can't believe you!

[ She huffs and brings a hand up to gently swat his hand away... but there's no force behind it. ]

I won't make it that easy for you. I know some of your tricks, after all!

[bolderfell]

Sure. Some.

[Chuckling as he steps back, he waggles what's in his other hand: the cait in all its hand-painted glory.]