audio → text | headless ragdoll

[matermali]

[ Her voice is a low rasp with her murmured poem—melancholy. ]

"Though fate ordains we now must part
Companions true a little while
I grasp with firm and grateful heart
The gift of friendship's gentle smile

Shared roads together we have walked
O'er hill and dale, mist dark and light
Enriching bonds between us talked
Dispelling shadows with delight

With backward glances fondly cast,
Cherished mem'ries I'll keep secure.
Though winds of change now blow by fast,
Affection's ties shall yet endure."

[ Onward to text. ]

My dear allies and friends,

You are, all of you, stunning fighters — in violence, yes, but also in wit and heart. It has been a strange blessing for me to have known and fought among you all. I am glad for it, and I thank you for the company shared in these arduous trials. I have never known anything quite like it, and it has allowed me a modicum of peace — or something like it — in our final days together. Something I did not think possible for any world that had me.

This war has been won, but the city still recovers. I will remain to help where I can, and keep watch over the beacons.

Should anyone else have nowhere to return, then you are welcome company.

For all who return home, however we have known one another... I shall miss you, and will not forget you, and I may selfishly hope that you will remember our time together.

Sincerely,
Vanessa Ives

Comments

video; un: toucan play that game

[revengeisalie]

That was a beautiful poem.

I have to go home, but it was an honor to fight alongside you. Please be well.

audio only;

[matermali]

You are as kind as you are resourceful. Thank you.

I have something for you, before you go. To hopefully ease your journey once you are returned home.

audio only;

[revengeisalie]

You do? Ah, that's too kind! What is it?

[matermali]

Come and see me before you depart. It is only a small thing, but no doubt useful for whatever you may require.

[ She doesn't like being too public even over small gifts. Embarrassing! ]

How must you be feeling, now that you are to resume your journey? Are you to keep these memories?

[revengeisalie]

Alright, I will see you soon.

I haven't been here long, and it has been a confusing and sometimes upsetting time. Still, I would like to keep my memories. I met some good people here.

I'll remember you fondly, Vanessa.

[matermali]

[ Oh, that will choke her up a bit. Rin probably doesn't know what a statement like that means to someone like Vanessa. ]

And I you, Rin.

[downswing]

We may prove companions, a few seasons longer.

[matermali]

[ Don't get her hope up! ]

How so?

[downswing]

We may linger. A few seasons.

[matermali]

You are not so eager to be free from the sight of this realm's chaos?

[downswing]

My soulmate will benefit of the respite here. A delay.

[matermali]

I can't say that I am sorry for the companionship.

It would be curious to see the state of this world now that it is not quite so lost to darker chaos.

[downswing]

Lands too long wintered.

Let there be sun.

[matermali]

[ Oh that simple statement could make her cry. She hopes her own world also new the sun again. ]

If you could know a city here once more, to experience it in this new dawn, where would you choose?

You have seen more than I in this realm.

text; un: hopscotch

[clavesregni]

You're not going to go home?

[matermali]

Even if there is a home to return to, as I dearly hope, my time there has passed. For awhile, yet.

[clavesregni]

May I see you? To say a proper goodbye?

[matermali]

I do hope so.

I will remain near the beacon until your departure.

[ It's a nice view up there, after all. ]

un: ut malum pluvia

[somebadnews]

[ His feelings about Vanessa, like his entire journey here, are confusing and largely contradictory. He was here longer than the time he was in the Commission, up until the short month he spent with all of his siblings. Nothing went as planned, but she was undoubtably a part of a life he hasn't shared with many. ]

Your plan is to rebuild?

[matermali]

[ It's called 'friendship', or their version of it.

She isn't extremely practiced at it, either. ]

I suppose that must seem hypocritical.

[ Only for those in the know. A small number. ]

[somebadnews]

Unexpected. [ Not that he's doubting her sincerity. If nothing else, it is a nice change from the resignation she had before. Time will tell if his mercy towards her was an oversight he'll regret, but maybe he can stand to be optimistic for once. If the apocalypse is destined to happen no matter what, what's he harm? ]

Where do you even start?

[matermali]

[ That's borderline sentimental. ]

A mystery to me, in every honesty. I have never before had the opportunity for reparations.

Have you?

[somebadnews]

Opportunity or time? [ What a strange assumption that he has things to atone for. Everything was justified, except for all the times it wasn't. ]

I guess I never prioritized that. If I did, I'd have to believe it was really over.

[bhaalyn]

You put my work to shame, dear lady.

[matermali]

Hardly so.

I shall miss your music.