EIGHTY THREE ✖ VIDEO

[wedonot]

[Private Individually to Alex, Jean, Morgana, Anya, Rogue, and Babs]

There's something I'd like to discuss with you, and I think it might be better to do in person, if you're not too busy.

[And he knows that sounds... not great, and people will probably know what he means, but. He'd still really rather do this in person.]

[Private to Zane]

[He's leaving a copy of this recording with Morgana, just in case, and there's a part of him that's beyond guilty about not being able to wait until Zane's awake to hear this himself, but. It's time. And it's not like it's the last time they'll ever see each other, if Zane doesn't want it to be.]

I'm sorry to do this while you're not awake, but I think I've realized I've put this off for too long already. I'm going to be heading home.

I know you've had a difficult few months, but I know you're capable of finding what you need and making it work. You're an exceptional individual, and I'm very honored to have had the opportunity to help you on your journey.

I also want to make it very clear that this is only goodbye if you want it to be. There will always be a place for you with us if you need it, permanently or just for a day or two. Maybe some of our future students could stand to learn a thing from you. [And even though it sounds like he's joking, and his expression's a little teasing, he means it. He absolutely means it.]

I'm also leaving Anya with a key to the greenhouses and garden for you if you want them. I know I found working there a great comfort when I felt I wasn't doing much good here, and I promise that you are. Have some faith in yourself. God knows I do, and I know I'm not the only one.

[His smiles gets a little bit wobbly for a few seconds. Goodbyes are hard.]

Take care.

[Public]

[Charles is in his room, which looks much the same as ever - the comfortable, organized clutter of academia everywhere, along with a couple notable artifacts scattered here and there, like the model prehistoric sea creatures Anya had gotten him for Christmas sitting on his desk - and he looks... good. More or less the same brand of content he's been since he got back from his trip home, although there's a sort of unnatural formality to the way he's sitting and addressing the camera.]

It's been two years and three months since I first made my deal with the Admiral. When I did, I had just suffered a variety of great personal loss. I was depressed, desperately hurt, and incredibly frightened of what the future had to offer for both me, personally, and for my friends and family, and I'll be the first to admit that the Barge wasn't entirely helpful in alleviating those worries.

But I'll also be the first to admit that I wouldn't have what I do now without it, and I know I'm not the only one who can say that. I also know that to some of you, I'm likely sounding like a broken record, but as this is the last time I'm going to have opportunity to say something like this for the time being, [And his smile falters a bit at that, because he's said it, he's leaving, he has to go home.] I just want to tell you that what you're feeling right now - the fear and the anger and the sadness - is all legitimate. You are allowed to feel upset, you're allowed to feel defeated and trapped, but it will get better. You will get past it. You will walk away from this and have a future you deserve. And at the end, this is worth it.

[He means it. He's been tortured, hurt, killed, watched friends die, lived a dozen different lives, been blamed for the actions of other counterparts, and a hundred other things, and he has a future to return home to.

That's made it - all of it - more than worth it.]

I'll be leaving tomorrow morning, if anyone's got any last minute business they'd like to address. It's time. [And he feels badly about that, because he'd wanted to stay longer, but he knows he'll always find a reason to stay, and... he really can't. He misses Erik, he misses Raven and the others, and he wants to get the school up and running. Do some real good in his world. He can't do that here.]

And if anyone's got anything to pass along to Tony, Erik or Raven, I'd be more than happy to drop it off.

[Private to River]

I hope you take up Jean and Rogue's offer to learn more about your gifts. If you're ever in need of a place to stay after your time here has come to an end, we'd be happy to have you.

[Private to Crichton]

I know you're probably tired of me meddling in your business, [It's mostly a joke!] But I know Jean would be more than happy to be a resource you can turn to in dealing with Harvey. I'm sorry I couldn't do more while I was here.

Comments

private

[tolaywaste]

[He's pretty sure he knows what this is about. That doesn't mean he's thrilled about it. It doesn't mean he's anything about it. He doesn't know what he is.]

Sure.

private -> spam

[wedonot]

[That makes two of us, Alex. Charles doesn't bother responding over the network and instead tracks Alex down to his room and knocks on the door.

This sort of doesn't feel like it should be a difficult goodbye. Alex, at least, is going to come home at some point (hopefully? of course he is), this isn't going to be the last time he ever sees him.

It's still hard, though.]

spam

[tolaywaste]

[He opens up and lets Charles in, his expression unreadable.]

You're going, huh?

[hearrrtofgold]

Thank you, Dr. Xavier. Both for being here and for saying that.

Good luck at home. Be careful, all right?

[Private]
Thank you especially for talking to River. You let her know she wasn't alone.

[wedonot]

You're welcome. And I'll do my absolute best.

[Private]

I'm sorry I couldn't do more to help while I was here, but you're a good man, Duke. She's lucky to have a warden like you.

[private]

[hearrrtofgold]

I'm pretty sure you did more than you think.

Thank you. [Audrey's said it, Nathan's said it, but being called a good man is still a small and satisfying surprise.] She deserves to be taken care of and encouraged. You helped with that.

[fireincarnate]

[She knows, really, what he's going to tell her. That's why she rummages around, a bit, before knocking at his door. There are pearls weaving in and out of her fingers.]

[wedonot]

[He knows who it is before he answers, obviously, and this is. Hard. Perhaps not as hard as it's going to be to say goodbye to someone like Morgana or Barbara in some ways, because there's a chance he'll never see them again and a fairly good chance he'll meet someone like Jean at some point in the near future, but... it's still not the same. This is the Jean he knows, and he's going to miss her like hell.

So she gets a smile out of him that's definitely a bit sad.]

Hello.

[fireincarnate]

[The pearls still as she smiles. There's an ache in it, of course there is, but she won't make him feel guilty for this.]

Hey.

[She closes her eyes, as she pulls him in for a hug.]

Video

[bodilesswarrior]

[Oh.

Her heart sinks, a little bit, but she doesn't let it show on her face.]

Come on over. I'll get the tea brewing.

Spam

[wedonot]

[There's a brief, grateful smile in response before he kills the feed and heads over to her room, knocking on the door for the sake of politeness instead of just barging in, even with an invitation.]

spamallama

[fridgetothefire]

[A knock, very soon after the messages. They are still nearly-neighbors.]

It's me.

spamallama

[wedonot]

[Nearly, and he'd be lying if he said he didn't desperately wish the space between their rooms was still filled with a familiar presence instead of gaping emptiness. It's good to know he'll be getting back to him and the others soon enough, and maybe a little embarrassing how much he misses him after they'd been apart for barely three months.

Anya is going to be a difficult goodbye, if not necessarily a permanent one. He'd meant what he'd said when he'd first returned home, and he hopes she'll continue to keep the option in mind, even if part of him understands why she wouldn't want to stay forever. Children are supposed to leave their families, it's biology. There's no use fighting that instinct to make your own way.

He opens the door and smiles, stepping aside to let her in, and it's sad, but it's okay. This - hopefully - isn't goodbye forever.]

Hello.

[Private]

[neverfeltbetter]

I've had meddlers around longer than you; we ain't even tipped the iceberg yet. [He sounds and looks sorry for that both.]

I'll keep your advice in mind. I should thank you again for opening my mind to that...option. [He's still a little iffy on it, but it's a good first step.]

You did plenty. You've been here a long time. Trust me, I know how it is to need to go home. You're gonna do a lot of good there, I know you are.

[Private]

[wedonot]

Thank you. And I wish you all the best in sorting everything out. I really do have the utmost faith you'll be able to manage it.

[private]

[routemistress]

'Ey. We never quite got on, you and me, but we both know that weren't anyone's fault. We're all going to 'ave to step up our game to keep the barge quotient of brilliant and kind up without you.


I'm sending you my private contact number. You ever need an annoying time traveller, you give us a buzz, eh?

[private]

[wedonot]

I'll be sure to. Thank you.

I would say stay out of trouble, but I don't think that's necessary, is it?

[Public]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

It was a pleasure to speak with you, Professor.

Best of luck in your future.

[Public]

[wedonot]

Likewise. I'm sorry I won't - barring some massive change in circumstances, anyway - be around for future discussions.

[Private]

[youwillgotohell]

[It sounds like good bye, and she tries not to consider that too hard. It takes a moment for her to reply - she waits until her jaw unlocks. Tris, sensing that tenseness, inches closer, nearly curling up in her lap.]

Are you in your room? [It's not a necessary question, really - just a way of saying she doesn't want to do this in her room.]

[Private]

[wedonot]

[It is, and she's by far the one he feels guiltiest for leaving. Zane too, but at least he has the option of leaving if staying here becomes too much, however temporarily or permanently that might mean. It's a luxury Morgana doesn't have, and likely won't for a long time.

He tries to keep it out of his voice and expression though. No need to start this off at the lowest possible point and watch how much farther it can spiral.]

Yes.

[strangehistorian]

Good luck!

[wedonot]

Thank you. Good luck to you too, Chromie.

[Private] Sorry for late tag-in!

[la_belle_rogue]

Never too busy for ya, sugah.

[Spam] no worries!

[wedonot]

[Charles smiles and then kills the feed, making his way over to Rogue's room quickly and knocking on the door.]