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

[nothingcanstop]

[ A dragon on the lighthouse is probably more in-line with what Della's used to, honestly. When that dragon becomes Rhea... Della raises an eyebrow as she approaches. ]

What's up, Rhea? ...Is it about Mira?

[archboxer]

[She had fun basking but she... needed to talk to Della, woman on woman.]

Yes, actually. Well, yes and no. I... [She clears her throat again. Nervous.] Mira seems to have adopted me. As such, I wish to remain with her and go with you both. If you will... allow me, that is. Outside of such stressful situations, I can behave quite well. I do not even have to stay in the city.

[nothingcanstop]

She's adopted you? ...Wait, wait no...that pretty much tracks. [ Oh, boy. Oh, Mira. Della's clearly...a bit conflicted about all this. ] Duckburg's got it's share of stressful situations... I don't want to go against something Mira wants, but- but you understand... I can't put my family in danger. If you can really ensure, it'll be safe...

[archboxer]

She... called me Mom. [She's sorry.] I understand. I will not have to live with you if you do not wish. However, I will argue that leading a church for nearly a thousand years is also stressful but not nearly to the levels as these past two months.

[nothingcanstop]

[ Oh, wow...

Della thinks for a long, strong moment. ] My uncle's one of the most powerful people on the planet. Not just...in wealth. He's smart. Tough. Observant. I'll be watching, and...so will he. If anything happens... If there is any sign that you could endanger my brother, my friends, my children...then he'll act. And so will I.

Do you understand, Rhea?

[archboxer]

I do. I am giving up my title as Archbishop, Della. I am leaving my congregation... the land my mother died for. He can keep my relics if he wishes, as well.

[She's giving up on mom. That's gotta mean something.]

[nothingcanstop]

[ That's seriously a big thing, isn't it? ]

...Why? Why are you giving it all up? I... I wanna hear you say it. Because, Mira... She's my family now, too. If you fail her again...I won't be very forgiving.

[archboxer]

I am doing it for Mira. Despite everything she wishes me to be in her life and... I know that the actions I were taking will only end in failure. If I fail her again... then I will accept any punishment.

[She sounds... tired.]