❧ Two Roads Diverged in a Yellow Wood

[luministimods]

[Nothing much has changed in the interior of Dr. Caligin's office since Nathan gave everyone leave to make their decisions. Nathan is still there waiting by Lab #3. If they are returning from doing whatever around the spacestation, they'll notice that all of the photos on the wall have been removed and stacked neatly on the desk, along with all of Caligin's possessions that had been shoved into a desk drawer. (Of course, if one had never left the office, one would have seen him pulling all of the photos down.)]

If you have made your decision, please let me know now. And, uh, if you haven't for some reason and want to ask me something, I guess you can do that too.

So what have you decided?

[ooc: When your character is ready to leave, please write "Going home!" in the subject line of your comment and that will be your exit from the game for the season! And if your character is staying, please write "Staying in this universe!" in the subject line of your comment once you are done with your conversation with Nathan. (This will also be your "exit" from the game, but just in a different sense.)]

Comments

[grandbellknight]

[Croix doesn't head back for town - really, he has no need. He needs to return to Metafalss. To protect Luca and Lady Cloche. To find the Goddess and demand answers. To save the world, really.

But Nathan needs help too, and he still remembers what the others said about time not passing back home...]

You said that you need someone to stay behind and help. What for?

[luministimods]

[sticks a hand casually into his pocket] Well, not just someone. I didn't want to say this before because I know people want to go home, but the more people I can get, the more eyes and ears I have out there searching for him.

He's far more important than you realize. If we don't find him, someone else will and that will be that. We'll have to wait until he finds another human helper and start things all over again with you and your friends.

[grandbellknight]

How important? Wait. ... Another human helper?

[luministimods]

Very, very important. [looks at him quizzically] Yes, that's what I said.

[grandbellknight]

So what is he if he isn't human?

[luministimods]

Big trouble, that's what he is. But yes, he's not human. Only a fraction of living beings in this galaxy is.

[grandbellknight]

[He nods. Hey, it makes sense to him - half the females in his world aren't human either. And he still can't figure out what the hell Shun is...]

I meant specifically.

[luministimods]

There isn't a name for what he is--and don't ask me what his name is either. I can't give it to you. Literally, I can't. I'm duty-bound not to give it. Besides, the less you know, the safer you'll be.

[grandbellknight]

[He doubts that - the less he knows, the more powerless he feels. He sighs... but his decision doesn't change.]

Alright. Well, I'll stay. You said you would get me home eventually. I trust you. It sounds like you really need help anyway.

[luministimods]

I do, and I will get you home. I have someone who'll stay here and keep this place running. It'll be a base of operations for you and anyone else who chooses to stay.

[he smiles, holding his hand out] And thank you.

Staying in this universe~

[grandbellknight]

Understood. [He returns the smile, faintly, and shakes Nathan's hand.]