week 5; he hates this the most

[elemancy]

[he upset.

he's the most upset he's been in the entire time since they showed up in this hellhole—and even though he's furious with her, furious with the sheriff, and furious about everything...

he's sad, too. he's sad, because this is incredibly senseless in every way. sara didn't deserve any of this. not being a bandit, not being threatened, not having to kill anyone and not sending herself to death by breaking the rules. it should've been him, instead, he thinks.

she's so much more important right now. in every way, sara's place in this game is so much more than his own, and he would have laid his life down for it because he knows the stakes are that high. of course, it's too late for that, and he knows now more than ever he has to keep living—because living and being able to help the rest of the game is the only way to save her, too.

so when he finally shuffles to her jail cell—it's pretty late. he waits until he knows it's quiet, when nobody is going to interrupt and when he's cooled his head at least a little.

(though not very much, and it's obvious he's been crying at least a bit.)

but he'll just plop on the ground in front of her cell, and unlike at the trial, he's looking her right in the eyes. he has things to say, things to ask, but all he starts with is:]

I wish I'd known sooner.

Comments

[elemancy]

[most of it probably isn't all that important for sara to totally understand, anyway. it's more about letting her know of where he came from, of his intentions and wants—and why he's so determined to do right by everyone in this city too.]

I'm... probably not like most princes, I guess. [he knows that he's not exactly uptight and proper like most royalty is known to be. he's not the type to think of himself as above others, nor is he very refined.]

It's been tough, but... that's the way it goes, right? I just... have to keep going.

[somehow. it's hard and he's not really sure how he'll do it, or carry on.

but he's trying, and she's one of the people he doesn't want to let down.]

[alcobrawlic]

Neither is the prince I know. [ Honestly, for the most part, Noct is probably more like a prince than Olivert, except when Olivert gets serious. But Sara nods, mustering a smile. ]

But you'll keep going, for sure. You'll get through this, Noct.

[ Even if she won't be there. ]

[elemancy]

Not like I have much of a choice. I'm not gonna just sit back and let things happen without at least trying.

[it would be better if she was going to be there, though. it's going to be so much tougher without her in so, so many ways.]

[alcobrawlic]

That much was a given! I didn't think you'd just let things pass you by, anyway.

[elemancy]

Nah. Not really my style to just ignore something like that.

[alcobrawlic]

So your style's black and do-gooder.

[ Okay, Batman. ]

... Oh right, one more thing.

[elemancy]

[well, he does have to deal with jason and damian a bunch. it's close enough.]

One... more thing? [and that would be?]

[alcobrawlic]

Rean Schwarzer. Alisa Reinford. Elliot Craig. Gaius Worzel. Fie Claussell. Jusis Albarea. Machias Regnitz. Emma Millstein. Laura S. Arseid. Millium Orion. Crow Armbrust.

[ There's a pause, and then Sara closes her eyes and leans back against the wall. ]

I don't think it'll make much of a difference, but...

A teacher should talk about her students at least once before she dies, right?

[elemancy]

[he listens to each name carefully—and when he gets back to his room, it's likey he'll write them so the names aren't forgotten.]

Yeah. I think so... they're important to you, right? [isn't that how most teachers feel about their students?]

[alcobrawlic]

... Yeah. They've been through a lot and they're still growing, but... they're great kids.

[elemancy]

That's what makes them students.

[that they're still learning and growing.]

Do... you want to say anything else about them? [he'll listen if she does, otherwise, he'll make sure the names aren't forgotten.]

[alcobrawlic]

[ She thinks about it, she really does. But she thinks if she starts talking now, about how Jusis and Machias can finally declare themselves as worthy rivals, and how Laura and Fie are like a storm together, and how Rean's finally accepted himself and Emma can trust those around her without fear of hatred and contempt and Fie finally knows what it's like to have a family that will also help her stand on her own two feet and just how much-- Crow--

She'll cry, and she's not ready for that. So, after a minute, Sara shakes her head and speaks somewhat thickly. ]

No... I think that's enough from me.

[elemancy]

[he can understand that tone well enough, enough to know not to press that at all.]

All right.

[he shifts slightly.]

So... I guess that's it, then.

[alcobrawlic]

... Yeah. [ Honestly, Sara feels more tired now than she's ever felt before. ]

Thanks, Noct. You should really get some rest.

[elemancy]

...You should too.

[he moves to stand, slowly—though he doesn't entirely want to leave. but both of them sitting in silence would definitely be too much, and he still needs to go check on barnham, too.

but what comes next is quiet, a bit heavier.]

Take care... Sara. [with wherever she goes from here, with whatever that other side holds.

he still wants things to be better for her than they have been.]