Endgame: Part 2

[letsplayamod]

The week goes on. A small miracle, how quiet it is. With no motives or attacks to speak of, you can breathe a sigh of relief even when a tension gripes the air. So few of you now, what exactly would you do were Typhon to return and decide the game was over? Was Athena always going to be out of reach? And what exactly did she want you to find in the center of this mountain temple, anyway?

Questions abound, and no answers.

...Until this morning. The sky itself is clear with very few clouds, but something still falls into your home. Not "physically," though, it's more of a feeling. The sensation of some great power entering this space. Everyone will notice it, and the way it passes by, sinking beneath the floors - all the way to the bottom level.

And there it ends up, waiting for someone brave enough to investigate.

Comments

[stringup]

...Well, I believe I already know the answer but...

Promise me you won't do it alone?

[ It's less that she doesn't trust Aoi and more because she knows taking responsibility for someone else, let alone a diminished god, is still a lot for someone to shoulder. ]

[latinumsbetter]

I'll keep an eye on it.

[catsgothistongue]

We all will.

[Said firmly, crossing his arms.]

We're not gonna let Aoi play godsitter by herself.

[Cause if this backfires on them and Athena2 breaks free seeking vengeance, she's going to need someone who can punch really hard and fast.]

[latinumsbetter]

[he'll nod in agreement to that.]

[sweetsynergy]

[uuuuuuugh yeah, her too]

[raisethemoon]

Certainly not!

[ Aoi may be the reason we aren’t just killing her, but she shouldn't be punished for it! ]

[markofnobility]

[he winces, but nods. Taking on the weight of such a thing while thinking Only You can do it...]

Yes, I agree. I am alright with Aoi doing it but it is too much for any one person to handle alone. Though... I doubt Aoi would have any issue in finding people to stay with her.

[She is quite well loved, after all]

[latinumsbetter]

She's coming back to the station, so there'll be enough of us.

[markofnobility]

Indeed! And if nothing else I suspect your Federation friends have many ways to handle such a thing.

[he might have an exaggerated idea of what space tech can do]

[stringup]

That's why I said I'm pretty sure I already know the answer.

[ But she still had to voice it, to make it clear.

...Nonetheless, she's quietly reaching to take Ferdinand's hand, if he lets her. ]

[markofnobility]

[he does, squeezing it... then gasps]

I almost forgot!

[he reaches into his breast pocket and pulls out... her handkerchief! It is shockingly not blood stained but has been stitched up from where the Assal sliced it apart alongside his chest using Aglaea's familiar gold thread]

Your token, my lady.

[stringup]

Oh.

[ She quietly takes it from Ferdinand. Honestly, she'd practically forgotten that Ferdinand still had it. ]

...You kept it...

[markofnobility]

A gentleman always keeps a token. For luck, you see. It has made it's way back, so I think it has done it's duty well! Even... if it is a bit more battered for the trip.

[stringup]

You're the only one who'd treat it as a token, dear.

[ But before she tucks the handkerchief away back into her sleeve, she leans in to give Ferdinand a quick peck on the cheek. ]

[markofnobility]

[He grins, squeezing her hand in return. He knows if he starts kissing he won't stop, and now is a bit too Dire for that]

My dear, anything you give me is a token worth keeping.

[stringup]

[ Even Velvet knows that, she just couldn't help it after two weeks of Ferdinand's absence. ]

...You know, it was one of the things the Lover gifted me, back then.

[ Ferdinand can probably guess that deathknights receiving gifts from their lieges is normal. ]

I like it much better with Aglaea's work, though.

[markofnobility]

The gold certainly gives it a new charm, doesn't it?

[stringup]

A much more pleasant one, yes.

[tailoredfate]

[Both of you can absolutely FEEL that Mom Is Watching. And looking very pleased.]

[stringup]

[ It'll occur to her to be flustered later when she isn't caught up in the feeling of reunion. ]