onceuponacomm | FINAL CHAPTER

Final Chapter

Like the secrets that spilled out into the open, the night sky above Aira Niluc also seems to be running free; whatever part of the land you find yourself in at night, you'll find that the night sky has been painted with shooting stars. Watching them brings a certain comfort, the feeling of chicken soup on a cold winter day, the nostalgia of meeting an old friend again, a warm fuzzy feeling from your core.

A boost to your spirits is likely welcome at this point, and it seems be the only thing Aira Niluc has to offer you at this as no new locations open up to you this week. There's a certain energy in the air, but not all of that can be blamed on the shooting stars, given the explosion that happened this weekend. For now the chasm in what was once the fountain remains impassable, but who knows when that will change?

[[Welcome to Week 6! Feel free to make top levels at your discretion, and remember to note it in your header if you plan on investigating any locations. However, please try to keep investigations to Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday! You can also privately contact Hamelin at your leisure through Wednesday of this week.

Also, please note the shop's discount on magnifying glasses! ]]

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I guess so...

[ ...so it's all coming to an end, isn't it? He hasn't touched his tea at all when he joins McGillis as his eyebrows are furrowed a little; there's a lot to think about before things hit the following day. ]

...We've no idea what will happen tomorrow. But, we should at least have faith we'll be able to see it through. Still, we should be prepared for anything, right?

[ Huaisang pauses and reaches into his sleeves before pulling out something, which looks to be a folded piece of paper, and he'll hold it out to him. ]

[ It's strange to think they've already arrived at their deadline. The week passed very quickly, filled to the brim with the most saccharine flirting both of them could manage... and now the next day might, in the worst case, end with both of their souls devoured and irrevocably destroyed. In the best case, they will part ways and never meet again. It's exactly by design, but it still feels troubling.

Accordingly, McGillis' smile is a little muted here. ]

We should. It's going to be goodbye either way, but we should earn at least a hopeful one.

[ He'll take the paper with a curious look and unfold it though! ]

[ He doesn't know why he's been so stupid about this, he can deal with it, he's made peace with it, it's fine...it's...he's not going to cry. They're not even leaving for their worlds yet, so technically it's not even over yet!

...Wait. ]

Ah, w-wait! Please don't read all of that just yet...

[ The paper has poems elegantly composed, most of them relatively short. One is at least a rather symbolic goodybe to a lover, another is meant to inspire the spirit, littered with terms of affection, and two others. Also there's a small doodle of them together. ]

I forgot to tell you to wait a little. That's meant for ... later. I guess also if you're feeling at a loss, too, which I doubt, but...

[ It takes McGillis a moment to do the polite thing and fold the paper back up. He's not even reading, not really, he's just taking in the amount of thought put into the whole presentation. When he does fold it, it's very carefully. ]

... you do know how to impress a man.

[ He'll put the goodbyes between he pages of 'Agnika Kaieru' for safekeeping because there truly is no safer place than that in McGillis Fareed's possessions. ]

Should I write you something as well or is that just going to cause you tears?

[ ...ah. Before he came here impressing anyone seriously seemed like an impossibility, and it wasn't in his best interest to anyway. But it's a bittersweet feeling all the same, considering why he has.

He watches as the blond places the paper where it is and his expression falls into something pensive and appropriately a little sad. He sees no reason to hide that (not that he feels he could.) ]

I'd like that. Besides...it's not always a bad thing if I'm brought to tears.

[ He's sure it's a given he will again at some point. ]

... you think so?

[ It could pass as a rhetorical question with ease but there is an edge of sincerity to it that seems misplaced coming from a worldly adult man.

McGillis moves on quickly though. ]

In that case I'll make sure you have words of mine to take home with you and remember me by.

Parting still doesn't feel quite real as a thought, though it's just returning to how I always was.

[ Solitary to the last, the only life that has ever truly suited him. ]

[ He certainly catches the hint of sincerity there, though he'll leave the question as it is all the same.

He's not going to forget a moment where McGillis was being vaguely sweet, though. ♡ ]

It really doesn't.

[ ... ]

...How long? How long have you been...well, really without anyone?

[ Without someone really beside him that he can trust with anything, he means. Without someone to be vulnerable with, even. Alone.

Huaisang remembers him speaking of his friends, but he's always wondered even before last week if there was a chance for them or anyone to be there for him. ]

My whole life.

[ An answer without hesitation, confirming Huaisang's suspicions instantly. ]

Even with people beside me, I am ultimately solitary. Gaelio... he followed me like a duckling and he was truly a good friend, but in the end the reality of myself is not one he would have been able to handle.

[ And thus he had to die before McGillis got complacent living this comfortable lie in which friendship is meaningful and those quiet hours after work were so alluring. ]

[ ...He remembers what he's spoken of in regards to Gaelio, from a few weeks back.

He can truly see that, in all honesty. The way he had described that friend of his would likely not have liked any of this. Then again, he supposes he cannot honestly be certain for sure, but...he's going to trust in the blond's judgment on the matter. ]

McGillis...do you see yourself continuing to be that way, until the very end? And if you do, is that what you would want?

[ It's only occurred to him to ask now. But he supposes it's better late than never. ]

[ McGillis is quiet for just a moment, his hand tracing the cover of 'Agnika Kaieru' as he often does when the book is in reach and he is experiencing something that seems to stir emotions. ]

I don't think there is any other way for me to be, truthfully. This was a nice story, a taste of something unknown, but ultimately I'll be who I always was - and only in that I can find the power I need to push forward towards the brighter future.

[ And that's why Huaisang can only ever become a bittersweet memory to him. ]

...I see. Well, I can't imagine you would lack in having initiative in doing so, at any rate.

[ He considers the answer some more, keeping in mind the little actions as well.

It's about what he expected, especially with what the other man is looking to accomplish - and with what he assumed he may. It was insightful in the way he answers it too. Though, to be quite honest, with what was revealed in the meeting he has some concerns about that too...but, well, one thing at a time.

However, he considers maybe this is how things will be for McGillis, even long after they part. Or maybe, hopefully someday after all of this, that will change. He really doesn't know...he shouldn't dwell on this, it's out of his hands. ]

[ McGillis waits for a moment after Huaisang has said this, as if there is something more he thinks will follow and it just... doesn't. Because Huaisang accepts him, accepts the deadline that comes with their relation, and isn't seeking to change McGillis Fareed into something he is not.

It is a strange, strange feeling. ]

I will think of you, still. I promise that, regardless.

[ Because merely thinking back to an unreachable past is safe, a gentle self-inflicted sorrow. ]

What are your goals, after all this?

FINAL CHAPTER

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