PC: Rupert

[mustbepurged]

Comments

[agleam]

Do you remember anything after that? I mean - were you able to resist it?

[but, also...]

I'm really glad you had friends like that.

[mustbepurged]

So am I...

[A soft smile, despite it all.]

Thanks to Yuri, I was able to come to my senses. And then Rita used her magic knowledge to counter the system that was controlling me...

Just when I thought all hope was lost, they came through for me. It was like a miracle.

[agleam]

Thank goodness...

[that relief is sincere.]

I'm really happy you all worked together to make sure you were alright, and everyone else, too.

[mustbepurged]

[She nods.]

After that, Rita worked tirelessly to find a way to make it so my power wouldn't hurt anyone anymore. So I could live freely...

[agleam]

[ah... that makes him smile.]

I'm really happy for you, Estelle. You deserve it.

[mustbepurged]

Thank you, Rupert...

This time, I'll have to do my best for her. I want to try to be someone that people can rely on... like my friends were for me.

[agleam]

I feel like you're already that kind of person. I—

[whatever he's going to say is left behind as the stardust settles around them again, and she'll experience a memory of some incredibly wholesome wedding planning.]

[mustbepurged]

[...!

The memory gives her a start, as they tend to do. But then...]

Was that Amir...!?

[agleam]

[there's something so fond and warm about his expression, though that softness masks another emotion.]

Yeah, that's him.

[mustbepurged]

You two look so happy together!

But... wow, was the wedding really so soon!?

[agleam]

Mm... It was supposed to be, yeah.

[...]

Things back home are - a little bit complicated right now, so we're kind of putting it on hold for the time being, but we'll see how things go. I'm sure we'll figure it out.

[mustbepurged]

It's delayed, then? I'm sorry.

[worried.] I-I'm sure you will!

[agleam]

[he shakes his head, clarifying quickly.]

There's nothing to be sorry for. It's not your fault or anything.

[mustbepurged]

I know, but you were looking forward to it so much!

I really hope that when the day comes, it will be everything you dreamed of.

[agleam]

...Yeah. Me too.

[his voice sounds a little more strained as he says that, and after a second:]

I'm sorry, can we talk about something else?

[mustbepurged]

Y... yes, of course.

[...]

Oh, right, I was going to ask if there was any place you wanted to revisit, now that we're at the school?

[agleam]

Oh - sure! We can never really predict where we're going to end up when we walk out the door, but we can keep trying until we get somewhere that I liked. Sound good?

[mustbepurged]

[She nods.] Let's try it!

[agleam]

[off they go!

they end up in the farm / orchard area because rng is very funny, and he just kind of stiffens immediately as they show up before taking a deep breath to try and release some of that tension.]

...You want to stay here and look around?

[mustbepurged]

Wow... they even had spaces like this at the school?

[But it kind of looked like he tensed up for a moment there?]

-- Um, you don't mind?

[agleam]

—No, it's okay. I'll be fine, promise.

[taking a few steps in, beckoning her to follow.]

[mustbepurged]

[She follows him, staring at the scenery all the while.]

Oh, right, there was something I wanted to see! I heard they had some strange-looking animals here...

[agleam]

[he tilts his head.]

Strange looking animals? Do you remember what they're called?

[mustbepurged]

I heard there are horses here, but that they don't look anything like the ones in my world.

[Tales horses are weird, it turns out.]

I was meaning to take a look when I was exploring earlier, but Bradley didn't want to go, so we visited the dorms instead.

[agleam]

...Oh!

[a sufficiently awkward pause ensues as he screams internally while trying to keep any trace of that sudden uncomfortableness off his face.]

Uh, yeah, totally. We can definitely go there. [...] Did he say anything to you about why he didn't want to go see the horses? Just, that's a weird thing to say, so just checking.

[child.......]