❧ 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

[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.

[collector]

[he allows it, for now] I'm sure we're all just avoiding you.

[bit_impossible]

[he makes a face and pulls away enough to show how much he disapproves from that joke] That's not funny.

[collector]

[smiling in reply] I can't say it was meant to be a joke.

[bit_impossible]

Didn't think it was. [he sighs and goes in for a final hug before breaking away] Will you tell them all hello for me?

[collector]

Of course. And . . . see if you can look up Bernice for me.

[bit_impossible]

[he smiles wistfully] I will. [he just can't tell him that he already has...]