105,43 - The End of an Era

[ichoosefight]

[ Video ]

[ Steph smiles a touch sadly at the camera, though there's a great amount of relief in her face for those who care to look for it. She's been here for a long time, made a lot of friends, and supposedly helped a lot of people, but it's worn on her something awful. ]

So, Kon and I have talked it over [ she should really start calling him Caleb, but she's so good with secret IDs she isn't really worried ] and I'm headed home. In about... two hours. It wouldn't be fair to stay, anyway. I couldn't promise my next inmate I'd be there until they graduated.

[ She shrugs, like this isn't something she had worried over for months. ]

I can't really say it's been fun, but I've met a lot of great people here and seen a lot of not-so-great people make incredible changes in their lives. I wish you all the best of luck.

I've got some... letters for a few of you. And if anyone gets home to find a wedding invitation in their mailbox, don't be too surprised. We'll find a way to get you there. I'll be in touch.

[ooc | Warden friends of Steph's and Kon's will get a hand-made invitation suggesting they ask the Admiral to let them attend the wedding while also assuring them that the couple understands if they feel that they can't. Inmate friends may find invitations back home. The following people get invitations as well as a drawing of Steph and the recipient hanging out or doing something silly: Lua, Doyle, Selina, Aya, Babs, Cass, Claire, Chris, Megamind, and Dean. This exchange can be played out or she can slip it under their doors. ]

Comments

[routemistress]

Volunteerin' meself as a wedding ferry service for anyone without interdimensional transport of their own, ma'am.

...oh Steph. I'm not supposed to be sad. You're going to go and 'ave a brilliant life.

[ichoosefight]

Oh, that would be great! Half the work for us.

[ Steph chuckles sadly. YEAH SHE KNOWS, IT'S SAD. ]

Hey now, I said I'd stay in touch. And I can always visit.

[routemistress]

Ooh, not a problem, I love weddings! And you'd better visit, sweetheart. I'd like to visit you and all. 'Ere, let me give you me number.

[She clicks the feed to private and texts Steph her London phone number, the one that goes to her office in 1973.]

That'll always reach me from anywhere, any time. You call if you ever need owt, all right?

And thank you. You've 'elped Wade a lot, for one thing.

[spam]

[megamind]

[ When Steph arrives for drop off, he's there by himself, having just got back from the engine room. He saw her post and maybe his heart stuck in his slender blue throat for a while, but-- he understood. ]

[ She's done her time, sprung her inmate, and was going home. Just like Kay. And he'd miss her, just like Kay. ]

H--hey. Doing your rounds before you leave?

[spam]

[ichoosefight]

[ Steph is doing a pretty good job of not crying through any of this, though she's tempted. When she starts to get choked up she reminds herself that Kon's deal is for an interdimensional traveling device. She really can stay in touch. ]

Hiya. Yeah, just making sure I don't miss anybody. [ She holds out her envelope, which has his name on it and contains both the drawing and the wedding invitation. ]

I got you a going away present.

[spam]

[megamind]

[ He gesture for her to come inside, so they can have a minute; the lair's not quite - the thrum of machines and music are all but omnipresent, but it's not as busy as it could be. ]

[ Edward's projects share space with Megamind's on his workbench, and brainbots nestle where they can. The dogs are getting up to investigate the new person at the door -- Angus with enthusiasm and Digby with more caution. ]

Thanks. I guess this is where I tell you to go be happy and don't look back, right?

Spam.

[an_abomination]

[Steph has been such a major part of his life that the idea of her not being around for awhile is going to take sometime for him to get used to. The good news is this is not a "goodbye", this is a "see you later". Hopefully in a few months or so, he'll be packing his bags and heading back home. Then the two of them can start their new lives together.

Squeezes her hand tightly, chewing on his lower lip.]

Is there anything else you need to do? Any other loose ends to tie up?

Spam.

[ichoosefight]

[ It aches to think about going home without him, but he was right that she needed to. Staying here just wasn't practical, not in any sense. She raised his hand to her lips and kissed each of his knuckles in turn. ]

All the invitations are delivered, I've said my goodbyes to everyone who's around to hear them. No loose ends.

[ She's both nervous and incredibly excited to be leaving at last. ]

Don't make me come back for you, okay?

[patheticvillain]

Thanks for getting Doyle out of here.

[ichoosefight]

Of course. He did most of the work, though. Will you take care of Kon for me?

[patheticvillain]

'Course. What do you take me for?

[video (->spam?)]

[deadliestviper]

I'm coming up to say goodbye. [By which Beatrix means she's going to give you a hug before you leave, Steph.]

[video->spam?]

[ichoosefight]

I'll leave the door open.

[ And so she does, leaving off her deliveries until everyone who wants to come to the room is finished. She does pull out Bea's invitation though. ]

[spam]

[deadliestviper]

[Door open or not, Bea raps her knuckles against the frame before entering. She's spent very little time here but like Steph, it always seemed such a constant – and it had been Kon's place too. Imagining it empty is difficult and she doesn't want to do it.

Steph gets a sad smile first and a hug second; it's gentle and brief, but heartfelt.]

Going to be all right out there?

[fearthepackingchips]

A WEDDING?! Oh man I love weddings.

Okay so I don't have the best track record with 'em, but who doesn't love a wedding?

[ichoosefight]

Oh, you didn't know? We were planning on having a party or something, but then Kon was in a coma and then Doyle graduated... [ she trails off as though to suggest there are more reasons. ]

Anyway if you're able to come, you're totally invited. Don't bring your guns though. Superman hates that.

[fearthepackingchips]

Superman's a buzzkill. And he wears his underwear on the outside of his tights.

Yeah, uh. I mean I'd probably have to ask permission from the big guy and you KNOW how much a fan of fun he is but. I'll try?

[surfaceshine]

[It's not that this one doesn't hurt; it's that he knows it really is for the best and that she's headed for something undeniably good.

And besides, they don't acknowledge the negative when they talk, do they? No. So that's why he's grinning.]

Thank god, now I don't have to wear purple.

[ichoosefight]

[ She gives him her best faux hurt look. ]

You mean you're not coming?

[surfaceshine]

I'm pretty sure you guys have enough friends back home to fill the roster.

[mistconduct]

....You're leaving too, huh.

Fuck it, fine. Go.

[ichoosefight]

Don't be like that, Chris. I said I'd be in touch, and I meant it.

[mistconduct]

You're cutting out, I get it. Fucking go already.


I trust Steph to look after Cassel, yeah right.

[surrenders]

[She doesn't see this until after she gets the invite and that adorable picture she's keeping forever.]

Congratulations. Bet you're ready.

[ichoosefight]

[ Oh good, she was hoping she would get a chance to actually say goodbye to Lua. ]

Thanks. I can't believe I'm really finally leaving.