❧ Homeward bound

[luministimods]

[Audrey waits outside the door to Lab #3. she smiles--she finally has something to smile properly about again] Go on in if you're ready, and take care, my darlings.

[the door opens to reveal a silver, cylindrical room within, and on the opposite side of the room is a small observation room, walled off with glass through which the real Dr. Constantine Caligin and Verita can be seen, waiting. Caligin moves out of that room, into the main area; the warm smile on his face from so many past announcements is tinged with sadness and regret.]

I heard everything you said before, and I thank you. Saying "I'm sorry" is in no way sufficient enough for what you were put through, but I really hope you do believe me when I say that I made the biggest mistake in my life. Grief, like love, makes us all fools. I just know that if you had met my father, you would have understood why I started the project in the first place.

But now, if you can head into this chamber, I can get you home. If you need a minute to say any last good-byes to anyone, do so now and let me know when you are all set to depart.


[ooc: Once your character is all set to leave, please write "Ready to go home!" in the subject line of your comment.]

Comments

[alwaysanarcher.livejournal.com]

... Thank you, Audrey. For everything, really. [Cissie smiles brightly at her, but waves her hand upon the request to go home.] Just hang on. I've got one last thing I need to do.

[So she'll be awkwardly lingering around the door to Lab #3... almost as if she knows someone's going to come there pretty quickly.]

[grimmjerk.livejournal.com]

[Grimmjow's striding through the door not long after - the only stop he'd made was to get his clothing back.

he's not too surprised when he sees the girl. humans are sentimental like that, aren't they?

he stops just inside, looking at her] You're not hesitating, are you?

[about going back, he means]

[alwaysanarcher.livejournal.com]

[she shakes her head] No, I definitely want to leave.

I just... wanted to say good-bye to everyone first. [doesn't hesitate to squeeze his hand, either.]

[grimmjerk.livejournal.com]

[his eyes flick down to her hand, something incomprehensible in them] Why'd you do that?

[he's got a guess - he hasn't been dead so long he doesn't know - but he'll hear it from her mouth]

[alwaysanarcher.livejournal.com]

... Because I sorta-kinda like you?

Ready to go home!

[collector]

[The truth is, he can't force himself through the goodbyes. So he leaves as he arrived - alone and finishing up a glass of wine.]

I do hope you understand how this machine works.

[fortune_sought]

[hurrying up to him from behind, she shouts sharply:] Mr Braxiatel! I do hope you weren't planning to leave already.

[collector]

[He turns around, deciding not to look apologetic.] I hadn't intended on staying around.

[fortune_sought]

[stares at him] You could at least do us the favour of saying something first!

[collector]

[in that calm, quiet way] I thought all my accounts here were already settled. What is there to say?

Not before he gets a sappy good-bye from Xion, he doesn't

[irreversibly.livejournal.com]

Mr. Braxiatel!

AHHH SERIOUS EMOTIONAL SITUATIONS, NO!

[collector]

[He looks at her, a little surprised by getting caught out, and chooses to pretend at being totally oblivious.] Xion, it's good to see you.

This is what you get for randomly checking up on her

[irreversibly.livejournal.com]

You... You were going to leave without saying good-bye?

[bit_impossible]

[he's been expecting this hasty retreat, and any other time, he would have let Brax disappear off into the sunset, so to speak. but...well, he could never leave well enough alone, could he?]

So, back to the Collection. And Benny, Jason, Peter--all them. Are you ready?

[collector]

[with a slight sigh] Yes, Thete. I have been since I arrived. [He holds up his pen] The sooner the better, as this is my ship's Time Vector Generator, and she has already been having problems.

[bit_impossible]

No, I meant--[he stops himself, shaking his head] Never mind.

[he steps forward, holding his hand out, his expression bordering neutral and serious] Good luck. With everything.

(This onslaught is what you get for trying to sneak away ;p)

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

[ooc: So humour me and at least let her say goodbye over the CAT before you turn it in? XD]

[Fuu calls up Mister Braxiatel's CAT to invite him to one last meeting before they part ways. She is very surprised to see him in Lab 3 already! ...Well, perhaps not very surprised. It does seem to fit with his personality somehow.]

Mister Braxiatel... A word before you leave, if I may? I promise to not delay you long.

He will learn his lesson from this.

[collector]

[He stares at the message for a moment, allows himself a sigh at being totally denied any stealthy exits, and then opens the communicator with one of his practised half-smile.] Of course, Fuu. Whatever you need.

(hah. I wonder if that's a good thing.)

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

[Fuu smiles in relief when she receives his reply.]

Thank you. I had hoped to speak with you again for longer, but... [But she can appreciate how difficult good-byes can be, particularly across worlds.]

I needed to say thank you once again. For saving me many times over. For always helping me out. For protecting me -- all of us, actually. In that offer you made to the Mayor.

[She bows deeply, and holds her posture for a long moment.] Thank you.

[luministimods]

Mister Braxiatel, you don't need to worry about my operational skills with this machine. [he pats the silver chamber] It's perfectly safe.

[collector]

As this is meant to take us home, and as you did not until lately realize where our homes are, do forgive my wariness.

Ready to go home!

[fortune_sought]

[having said her good-byes, Sophie approaches the Mayor, a bag in her hand and her expression betraying her nerves. perhaps her temper is, as well] Sorry is most certainly not enough!

But... [shifts her gaze, a bit embarrassed] I am glad that you've come to your senses. [looks back up at him] Now, what do I have to do to go back home?

Ready to go home!

[desertdaggers]

[Hawk makes one last check of his gear before heading in, giving Audrey a smile on the way.] You take care of yourself, too, Audrey.

[a little uneasy on his feet in front of the Mayor, but most of that's anticipation- he's not sure what he's going back to, but he expects running and fighting] It's hard losing people close to you. I hope things work out from here.

[looks at the chamber] So what do I do?

Ready to go home!

[finalwished]

[approaches the mayor, her expression calm]

Sometimes, the worst decisions are the ones that change us for the best. You didn't know what the consequences of your actions would be, but what you did once you found out--that was what was most important.

[examines the chamber] Do I just step inside, and then I'll be sent back where I came from?

Ready to go home!

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

[Entering the chamber Fuu is in awe of the intimidating structure. It's nice to see Miss Verita's friendly face there.]

[She sighs in relief when she hears the Mayor's contrite apology. There is still much wrong with what happened, and many questions left unanswered, but she is glad that everyone is safe. In the end, that is most important.]

I am glad to be returning to where I belong. However, it has been a pleasure meeting everyone here. Truly.

[So with a smile and a nod she indicates her readiness, and offers one last prayer that she might be returned to the instant in time that she left.]


[ooc: And sorry, I never got around to asking if Fuu might get one last word in with the Doctor! It feels a bit late to be asking... ^.^o]