trustfell | Initiative.

Initiative.

Rachel looks a bit conflicted about what should happen from here; Lisbeth is still on the floor, but she's told her what she should do, and so... Well, she's never really been good at saying no, though she does walk up and reach out to pet Lisbeth's hair gingerly for a moment before turning to everyone else.

"We should leave."

And with that, the courtroom changes, all at once; it was one thing, and then quite simply it isn't, and the podium circle has been replaced with a round spread of consoles wrapping around a center spire. The room is no longer concrete and steel, but rather stark white, all done up in glossy tile that looks like it'd crack if you hit it hard enough with something – that said, it's not recommended to try, given that it's just as indestructible as everything else in the building.

Rachel approaches the consoles, reaching out to touch them, fingers tapping gently against several of the unmarked buttons; it's probably not precisely necessary for her to do so, given the state of things, but she seems to like doing it, so do it she shall. There are a pair of slots that look like keycards are required; she glances at them for a second before manipulating more buttons, causing a small panel to open up in front of her – it looks like an authorization mechanism of some sort, the kind that you press your hand against to get it to recognize you.

"It's going to be a bit jarring when you wake up; sorry about that, but you've been asleep for a really long time. I'd suggest giving it a moment."

She pauses, though, once that's out there, glancing back at everyone.

"I'll be on the other side with you, but not like this. We can still talk, though, if you like."

And with that she just turns and presses her hand against the panel without waiting for an answer; the next thing you're aware of is the flash.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Estelle nods at that before everything finally hits her.

Somehow she evaded another death. Somehow everything is okay. Granted the death she experienced here was very real as well as the fear she felt.

So yeah... give her a moment before tears well up in her eyes at this, yet another, second chance she was given and she moves in to give Luca a tight and warm embrace.

He's been adopted as a big brother now.]

[Luca does not object to having little sisters. It's better than the family he has at home, at the very least.

He smiles as he returns the hug, holding onto Estelle for as long as she needs. She's been a good friend, and he wants to be there for her.]

[She'll hold on to him for a bit before she lets go. At this point she seems to have calmed down quite a bit and letting him go.]

So, what are your plans from now on? I heard from Aligula that you plan on making things right.

[He nods in response.]

I won't be going home. If I never return, then that world can assume that I am dead, and my wife can become a widow. As a widow with an heir already born, she will be able to keep her business and still find someone to be with that she actually likes.

[It's the least he can do for her, at least, after everything that he's done.]

And then you can find someone for yourself to be happy with.

[Listen, she's still rooting for Luca. As a dear friend of hers... she wants him to be happy. He deserves it.]

...perhaps.

[That's still tough for him to talk about.]

I'm not...well. Love, marriage, a family, I don't know if that is for me. Perhaps it would be best for me to stay single and have short trysts every now and then.

[It does sound nice, especially after the way he got hit hard with Feelings in the last few weeks, but it's still new to him and new is scary.]

Trysts?

[She... honestly doesn't know what that means, but by her context she thinks:]

So being with someone for a short time and then breaking up? That sounds really sad, if you ask me.

[Haha, well, let her stay innocent. Also, she still doesn't know that she was found in the incinerator. Burned up. Yeah.]

...ah.

[Right, she's the innocent one.]

Well, it's more like...actually you have it right, but the 'breaking up' doesn't necessarily end on a sad note.

And who knows, maybe in a decade or two I'll be ready to settle down.

I suppose if you say so.

[She still doesn't get it, but she'll just kind of smile and nod if it means--]

As long as you can be happy.

I think I will be, eventually.

I hope you can find happiness too, Estelle. You definitely deserve it.

[Estelle smiles softly.]

Back home, I have wonderful friends who care about me. I'm able to now make my own choices and I don't have to worry about becoming Empress. I'm... free to live as I choose, and I couldn't be happier.

That's good. I was about to warn you against going ahead with that arranged marriage you mentioned, but if you're not going to be the empress anymore then you probably don't have to worry about that either. Marrying someone because your family told you to is probably one of the biggest mistakes I ever made in my life, and I would hate to see you make that same mistake.

If it were something that would benefit my Empire, I may consider it, however the one marriage I think they would attempt for that reason I can't really say I would mind.

[Flynn, she's talking about Flynn. But no one knows about her crush on him because she talks about her unknown crush on Rita all the time.]

That would probably be the best marriage honestly: one that helps, but is also one you find agreeable.

...thank you, by the way. For your words in that letter. It took me a while to understand them, but I get them now.

Ah, I'm really happy my letter reached you!

[She sways back and forth a bit, a wide smile on her face as her hands go behind her back.]

You always took care of me and encouraged me so I figured I would try to do something for you as well.

[She's still upset her OTP didn't happen, but it sounds like that may be for the better. And she's glad he didn't get hurt too badly, but in the end... none of them truly got physically hurt, did they?]

[Nope! Well, beyond Estelle getting her neck broke and then getting burnt up in the incinerator. That definitely happened.]

It was definitely encouraging, and I will be sure to remember it in my travels.

...

You will remember me too, yes?

[She moves in to grab his hand if he'll allow for it.]

How could I ever forget you? After all, you've been a dear friend to me here and that is something I'll never forget.

[Yes he will definitely allow it. If nothing else, Luca has grown to like physical contact like this.]

That's good, I just...worry, I suppose. My title was very accurate to my life back home, and it meant going unnoticed most of the time. I am pretty sure nobody I worked with has even noticed my absence yet.

[He has a thing about being forgotten, alright?]

[Good, she just firmly holds his hand within hers.]

Sometimes geniuses are just left alone. To be honest, you sound a lot like Rita, though she was rather notorious and people were glad to get her out of her house and city due to the notoriety she brought. [Estelle giggles.]

It's a shame you two can't meet. I feel like you would get along as scientists and technicians.

It is. Though I suppose if I do end up in your world somehow, I will be sure to drop in and you can introduce us.

[He and Yuri are discussing that right now, so we'll see how that goes.]

If that happens, I would be more than happy to!

[Rita and Luca can discuss the people they like not noticing them. ...well at least Luca was brave and confessed. Rita... not so much.]

[Rita might need a nudge in the right direction if that's the case. Maybe Luca can encourage her.]

I hope it comes to pass, then. It would be quite distressing, if this is to be our last time speaking.

[He probably could.]

I must agree. I... would like to continue speaking with you as well as see to your happiness.

[She's invested in your romantic life, Luca... I'm so sorry.]

See to my-

[He looks a little flustered at that.]

Estelle, I promise you, I will be fine on that front. I'm not going to rush into another loveless marriage anytime soon.

[YOU FELL FLAT ON YOUR FACE HERE, LUCA...]

I know, but I also don't want to see you rushing for something just to be turned down again.

[Yeah, so she... sort of knows a lot of things. Thanks Aligula.]

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