❧ 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

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?

[fortune_sought]

[she's having none of it] Good-bye, for a start!

[collector]

Goodbye, then, Ms Hatter.

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?

[collector]

[Oh, Heavens. It's very difficult to be distant and cold to someone like Xion.] I didn't think it necessary.

now look what you did, Brax

[irreversibly.livejournal.com]

[Xion seems to wilt.] ... oh...

oh rassilon's beard

[collector]

[And Brax, of course, falters.] I . . . dislike saying it. I've said it too often before. My apologies.

[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.

[collector]

[exasperated] Oh, really. [He ignores the hand and pulls the Doctor into the type of embrace he learned from Ice Warriors] There is always a way to cheat the future. I intend on finding one for our kind.

[bit_impossible]

[and he returns the embrace, holding Brax a little tighter than he means to. he'd never admit it's clinging. he wants to believe that Brax will. he desperately wants to--but that doesn't change his many years of loneliness. still though...] If there is anyone who could, it'd be you.

(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.

[collector]

[He takes it all in quietly, distancing himself to make the departure easier.] It was my pleasure to help you. You were invaluable.

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

[She blushes at the compliment.]

That is very kind of you.

I... won't keep you longer. But if you ever happen by Tokyo in 1994, or later, please do look me up?
[She offers with a mischievous grin, wondering even as she says it if it would mess with his 'temporal prime directive' rules to do so. Perhaps even knowing that he is a time traveler -for real!- is bad enough?]

[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.