trustfell | 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

[That gets Rideaux to chuckle, but he nods in agreement. It does seem appropriate. They all worked well together, hadn't they? And for the two of them specifically, they had their bumpy moments (thanks to Rideaux), but Rideaux found Rin to be a competent partner in the investigations they worked together.

He sticks out a hand.]

It was a pleasure working with you, Rin.

[It's a surprisingly strong and business-like handshake Rin gives him in turn, when she takes that hand, but there's nothing impersonal about it. The smile on her face is warm.]

It might not have been the ideal outcome, but I'm satisfied with this outcome. What the eight of us did... It wasn't a flashy victory, but it was still amazing. [As she releases his hand, she looks him in the eye.] Whatever happens from here, I'm not going to forget that. Or you.

[Oh, wow. That is indeed an impressive handshake. Rideaux will return it firmly.]

From the options that we had, I'm not quite sure either could have been considered "ideal". Calling for some kind of victory fanfare would seem...inappropriate. [Seeing Lisbeth break down like that was actually kind of heavy. Heavier than he expected it to be, or feel about it. Still...] But after waking up here and seeing you all...I don't know. It feels good? So I can't say I have any regrets about our decision.

[He can't help but chuckle at the second bit, that trademark smirk of his appearing on his face. But it's a positive one.]

Likewise. I said it to Lisbeth myself- I don't want to, and now that I can help it I don't intend to. [...] Ugh, that makes me sound sentimental though, doesn't it?

[Her smile is smaller now. That... Yeah, Rin was affected too, seeing her break down.]

This is the sort of situation where that sentimentality is deserved, though, if not an order. We've been through a lot, and the reasons for it in the end were pretty heavy. You'd have to have a body made of granite for that not to pull at your heart strings a little bit.

...Yeah. [With a sigh,] I like to think I'm pretty resistant to being a bleeding heart, but it was pretty hard to hear about Lisbeth's relationship with the industry. I never would've imagined I would find something to relate with her about. Never.

[But, well. It sure happened.]

In that way, at least, you could speak to her on a personal level. It was a hard lesson for you to learn, and one she needed to hear. We needed that, desperately; people like you and Tarrlok and Elda, who could make those emotional connections.

[She thinks on that for a moment longer, then shakes her head with a smile.]

I hope both of you can break away from the kind of people you used to be. Though I confess, I'm more interested in hearing what you'll do, going forward.

[Rideaux makes an amused noise at that. It's the hollow sort of amusement, though.]

As much as she adamantly denounced such connections, yes. I still can't say for sure if she actually took any of it to heart, but if she did...well, good.

[Ultimately, Lisbeth went by the game rules when she could have just ended them like she had planned. So maybe in some vague way, she did. Maybe dredging up the harshness of reality for all to hear was worth it.

But...they can leave that topic to rest for now, yes.]

That is the plan. I'd like to have not lied in my closing statement. [He's got his usual tone, but there is sincerity in it too.] As for what I'm doing... I intend to start fresh. By that, I mean I am going to Yuri's world rather than returning to my own.

Initiative.

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