❧ 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

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

[For all that a part of her would like to stay and help... she has to return home.

Fuu returns to her room to dress as she was when she came here, in her Kyūdō (http://faculty.washington.edu/kendo/025.jpg) uniform. She then distractedly tidies up her rooms, her mind on other things. Mostly on the questions still remaining, but in the end, she trusted Nathan and whomever else was staying to solve it. They are all excellent people.

She then thinks on what she should do before leaving. Certainly she wants to say goodbye to everyone. It would perhaps be useful to transpose some of the information from the notebook in the office into her own book. Because.... with so many things left undone, perhaps Luministi was not finished with her yet. She hoped it was, but... even if it ends up being a wasted couple hours in the end, she will still do it.

On her way back to Lab #3 she considers just how little she knows of what is happening behind the scenes- literally. Like when she had been speaking with Filippo Resarci... she feels like there is a whole tangle of things just beyond the threads she holds.
It is a feeling that she would dearly like to never have again. Cephiro had suffered for their not knowing. This world should not bear the same.

...

So after doing all she needed to do before leaving, Fuu comes up to Nathan, log bow in hand, small bag over her shoulder, and a light smile on her face. She bows deeply.]

I have decided to return home. Thank you for all your help, Nathan. You have been invaluable. But, if I may ask something before I go?

[luministimods]

[he's unsure what to do for a moment and bows awkwardly before straightening] Sure, what'd you want to?

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

I was wondering, how did you come to be caught up in all of this?
[She makes a broad gesture to indicate the Lab, the office with the strange pictures- all of Luministi, really.]

[luministimods]

[he blinks, surprised she didn't ask him something different] Well that's easy. I was assigned.

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

[Why, whatever did you think I was going to ask?]

Oh? I'm sorry- it seems that you have gone through a lot of risk. Thank you for your dedication. If I may, who assigned you to us?

[luministimods]

That's the nature of the my job--and because of that, I can't disclose that piece of information. I'm duty-bound not to give certain details about things until a certain time--and that time isn't now. I can't take any more risks of him finding me out.

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

No- of course not. [Everyone involved with this seems to have their secrets.]

I'm glad that there is someone watching out for us, and not just watching us.

[luministimods]

Well, I'm only sorry we couldn't have stopped this sooner. But it will be stopped. You can trust me on that.

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I wish you the best of luck so that you can stop them before we get drawn back here again.

[luministimods]

[he nods. he truly hopes they can, but...] Thanks. We'll need it.

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

You're welcome.

[She then takes a deep breath, stretching her arms out, as if to dispel the gloom that hung about such a serious conversation.
Ahh-! There are so many things she would like to ask and talk to him about, but... well. Clearly all the most interesting things were also potentially dangerous secrets. So she would let it go. But~]

One favour then, if I may? If things get all resolved and you can talk about all those details, could you please come tell me how it worked out? I'd love to know.

[luministimods]

If I can once the situation enables me to, then yes. I'll be able to explain some things. But I promise I'll honor that favor.

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

Thank you! And you will be able to find me? I'm afraid I'm not certain how valuable my street address will be, given how we've all come from different times and places.

[fortune_sought]

Are you leaving, Fuu?

[Sophie has not been able to change back into what she was wearing, as it wouldn't fit her now. but she's still carrying a small parcel of things, ready to return to her own world]

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

Miss Sophie!

Yes, I'm afraid so. Even though the cause here is good, I must return home...

[And please forgive her as her eyes linger curiously on the bulge where there is a baby growing, oh my~!]

And you must too, right! [She bows deeply] Forgive me for not properly congratulating you sooner!

[fortune_sought]

[Sophie's surprised by that reaction. did Fuu not know?] Oh! Thank you. [she smiles warmly--the proud, happy smile of an excited mother-to-be] Yes, I'm going home. Howl would be very cross with me if I didn't go back and tell him in time.

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes! You must certainly do that! I'm sure the machine will return us safely just like last time!

Oh- one small thing before you go. It's not much, but perhaps you will find use for it. [She passes Sophie a nicely wrapped package. Inside the wrapping is a simple wooden box, holding a small sewing kit.
As she passes over the package she bows.]

Thank you for all your help this time again, Miss Sophie.

[fortune_sought]

[Sophie smiles. after last time, she thought Fuu might have a gift for her. she unwraps it carefully. even though she was expecting a gift, she still gives a small gasp of surprise when she sees what it contains] Why, this is lovely! I most certainly will have use for it, thank you.

And you as well, Fuu. [Sophie reaches into her own parcel, removing a small a hair comb that she found in one of the shops. it has a green hummingbird on it] Here. This will be simpler to wear than a dress for protection. I spoke to it quite firmly, so the charm should work the same.

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

Ohh-! It's beautiful! And charmed...

[She reverently takes it in both hands and bows deeply, then threads it through her hair to try and get it to stay on the side of her head.]

Ah, I wish I had a mirror. Thank you so much! Does it look all right?

[fortune_sought]

[still smiling] I think it looks quite fine on you! I'm glad you like it.

Fuu... I realize this is a bit late to ask, but...what will you be returning to, at home?

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

Mmm, not late at all.
I'll be going back to my family, friends, school... my nearly-ordinary life. [She grins - Cephiro is certainly not ordinary after all.]

[fortune_sought]

[Sophie smiles] That sounds lovely. I'm sure everyone will be very glad to see you.

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I look forward to seeing them very much as well.

And I'm certain that you have lots of people eager to see you too! The father of your baby especially!

[fortune_sought]

[Sophie nods, looking--perhaps surprisingly--nervous] Howl doesn't even know. It will be quite the surprise, I'm sure. [she smiles wryly] I'll never hear the end of it.

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

Oh, Miss Sophie! That really will be a surprise! I- I hope he's understanding about the whole being kidnapped and all.