the final afterparty

[incompletely]

[

That sure happened, but everyone, by some miracle, made it out alive. No one else died, nothing blew up, no arson was committed, we're all still here. And being here, being present despite everything that just happened, is really important. This is for everyone, McGillis and Yuri included (and Jack, if he wants to party from the dungeon), because they all need it. Even with the new revelations, nobody should be left behind.

The party takes place in the bar again, and it probably looks a little...odd? Because there's all the alcohol in the back, and then...there's a bunch of donuts on one of the tables. Two whole baskets of donuts from the bakery, provided by Tenn. Next to the baskets is tea provided by Koto. Have at it, everyone. ]

Comments

[biqe]

[ He'll take the drink with a forced half-smile and have a sip or two, though he's not sure it's really something he wants right now. He's done it a few times here already, but he really doesn't want to get into the habit of drinking away unhappiness when it's practically his default state of being.

With that, though, he'll fold the letter back up and slip it into the envelope. ]

I... felt like I needed to remind myself.

[mirrite]

[It's not a habit Marcus really wants to get into either (nor one he can afford back at home where the Salvation Front relies on him), but here... other than sparring with Yeager, he doesn't know what to do to cope. And he supposes that's his failing, but that is a matter for another time and another place where the situation isn't what it currently is.

He takes another sip of his own drink before he responds.]

About which part?

[There are... a whole lot of things in that letter, as well he knows.]

[biqe]

That he thought I had the strength to change things if I wanted to. I'm sure he'd be rightfully disappointed in some of the things I've done, no matter how overly forgiving he always was... but this time, I want to be sure I live up to what he thought I was.

[ For a moment, he takes off his monocle to wipe it clean on his sleeve and rub his blurry eye... and then puts it back on. ]

And for now, that means putting forth my best efforts to save everyone here, and doing whatever it takes to get us both back to Tir Na Nog.

[ He sounds exhausted and a little unsure of himself... but he still means it. ]

[mirrite]

You do.

[For all of the uncertainty Marcus had shown not that long ago, there is absolute conviction behind those words. And it's not just the parts of him based on First Ix that are speaking, either, but rather the Marcus who has been by Phil's side for twenty years, has seen everything he's done for the sake of others-- for the world itself.

These are his own feelings, not Ix's, and he's sure of that much now.]

You've always had that strength. The only one who couldn't see that was you.

[Filters? What filters? The alcohol has done a very good job breaking those down, it seems.]

Besides, no matter what happens from here on out, you aren't gonna be alone. And I'm not just talking about myself.

[They have everyone else here too, people who have come to mean more to Marcus than he had ever expected. Funny how that works, really...]