[Both of them hear Riley and Lex's approach at a considerable distance, of course: it wasn't like either of them were trying to hide it. As such, Barbie's settling down on one of the nearby benches, and Raura is leaving her with a squeeze to her shoulder and a kiss to her cheek.
Who would have ever thought that there'd be a day, a time, for the both of them? Then again, war tends to change things.
Either way, by the time Riley comes around, he'll find his girl seated, prim and proper, and looking really, really happy to see him.]
You know how it is, [ a smile -- one that is just for her in a particular kind of way -- before he says his thanks to Lex and they are finally left alone. ] Indulge in a nap for a handful of decades, come back to find everyone fussy.
[ Lifting a hand to her cheek then, eyes growing soft. He has missed this one. Seeing her earlier had been a highlight for him. ]
Beautiful as the day I first met you. [ Softer then: ] I failed to offer my congratulations. My darling girl, all grown up with her hand in politics.
Please do tell me that it isn't too much of a trial.
[ He's teasing. He saw your potential. You would not have become his Golden Hand otherwise. ]
[Barbie, on the other hand, is immediately shifting as close to Riley as she can, close enough to eventually lean her head against his shoulder. She can't stop smiling, and she really doesn't want to bother trying to.]
Oh, it's definitely not as fun as going out on the field and just getting medieval on well-deserving idiots, but it does have it's moments.
Honestly? I've been good, and I'm much better now that you're up. I mean, I know that you shouldn't be, but I also know that it's hard for you to leave us all behind.
[Looking up at Riley, wide-eyed and earnest and finally looking her physical (and permanent) age.]
I don't care what other people say. It's good to have you around.
[ You were always -- and continue to be -- such a darling child, Barbara.
This is Riley then, leaning in to press a gentle kiss against your forehead, and then to follow that up by lifting your and so that he can press a second one there.
He's smiling, and there might be a little bit of a crease at the edges of his eyes. It has been so long. ]
And I plan to continue to be around for as long as possible.
[ Because he will eventually have to sleep again. But that's not happening any time soon. Not if he can help it. ]
[She's so happy that words can't begin to express it. This is why she's resorting to staying as close as possible, and buying into your easy affection.
She's missed this. That can't be said or felt nearly enough.]
[ He's going to breathe out a contented sigh at that and rest his cheek in your hair. There is much to be done and much for him to catch up on -- but there is time. He might not like feeling this tired or the fact that it will be a while before he is on his feet again, but there is time.
Eventually though: ] Tell me more of what I have missed?
[ He's not talking about the Vigil this time. He's talking about what he's missed out with you. ]
[ He's actually in the middle of appreciating that eyeroll when you drop that little fact-bit his way.
He's curling his fingers around your hand at that. ]
You have my deepest condolences. [ He is well-versed in the story of your family. He is sorry he was not around to see them go. ] Did they go peacefully, love?
[Coupling that soft noise with a bob of her head and a small, sad smile.]
It's okay, though. I mean, it was a long time coming?
[Her mom had gotten sick sometime after the Daywalker had fallen asleep, and she had battled with the disease in her for years before finally succumbing to it. Her dad had not been same afterward, and it was almost poetic how had ended up with the cancer in him as well. Perhaps he had wanted to follow her.]
I got to say my goodbyes, and keep them safe during the entirety of the Darkest Vigil. That's all that matters.
Then I am content with the knowledge that you had them for as long as you did. And that they are now at peace.
[ Softly, he does ask: ] Perhaps if I can wrangle permission from the Kaiser, would you be willing to accompany me to where they are now so that I may properly offer my respects?
Oh, of course! I have some kwento for them, na rin.
[She slips back into speaking just like that when she's excited. She's kind of really happy at the thought of bringing you over there to see them. Back when you were still awake and they were still alive, one of the things she had looked forward to the most were those regular family dinners.]
[ He's visibly relaxing as you ease back into that particular kind of speech. Others will say what they choose, but you've always been so charming when you slips back into old habits. ]
Perhaps we should make a picnic of it. I'll bring the candles, we can ask Lex for fine wine and it will be just like old times.
[ If he can give you this, then he will. Just because they're no longer with you physically doesn't mean that little indulgences like those dinners have to stop. Things change, the wise learn to adjust accordingly. ]
Nope, he's going to pretend that he doesn't know that that one was here. With you.
He'll trust that you'll tell him when you're ready. And if you don't, well... he has ways. ]
That would be lovely. [ Come to think of it, he will need to see Marrigan. Perhaps when he is stronger, or if the opportunity arises. ] It will be good to see you all in one place.
Yeah! They've all got stories of their own to tell you, I'm sure.
[And she'd like to hear some of them. The lot of them were not nearly in as regular contact with each other as they would have liked to be, during the Darkest Vigil.]
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Who would have ever thought that there'd be a day, a time, for the both of them? Then again, war tends to change things.
Either way, by the time Riley comes around, he'll find his girl seated, prim and proper, and looking really, really happy to see him.]
Busy day, huh?
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[ Lifting a hand to her cheek then, eyes growing soft. He has missed this one. Seeing her earlier had been a highlight for him. ]
Beautiful as the day I first met you. [ Softer then: ] I failed to offer my congratulations. My darling girl, all grown up with her hand in politics.
Please do tell me that it isn't too much of a trial.
[ He's teasing. He saw your potential. You would not have become his Golden Hand otherwise. ]
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Oh, it's definitely not as fun as going out on the field and just getting medieval on well-deserving idiots, but it does have it's moments.
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Tell me more of how you have been?
[ They had been pressed for time earlier on. Now, at least, they would be able to speak at their leisure. ]
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[Looking up at Riley, wide-eyed and earnest and finally looking her physical (and permanent) age.]
I don't care what other people say. It's good to have you around.
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This is Riley then, leaning in to press a gentle kiss against your forehead, and then to follow that up by lifting your and so that he can press a second one there.
He's smiling, and there might be a little bit of a crease at the edges of his eyes. It has been so long. ]
And I plan to continue to be around for as long as possible.
[ Because he will eventually have to sleep again. But that's not happening any time soon. Not if he can help it. ]
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[She's so happy that words can't begin to express it. This is why she's resorting to staying as close as possible, and buying into your easy affection.
She's missed this. That can't be said or felt nearly enough.]
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Eventually though: ] Tell me more of what I have missed?
[ He's not talking about the Vigil this time. He's talking about what he's missed out with you. ]
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[All of the boring stuff is on the records, and she is pretty sure that Riley's read through that and heard stuff. So.]
Well, I think I've successfully managed to convince everyone in Ordo Daywalker than I'm not useless?
[Ehehe.]
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Oh, do you mean they had to take that long to figure that out for themselves?
[ A wry look your way now. ] I could have told them that back in 2012.
[ Questioning you is like questioning him. ]
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[Cue major eyeroll right here. Sigh, vampires.]
Um. Beyond that, I did have to say goodbye to my mortal parents about two years ago.
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He's curling his fingers around your hand at that. ]
You have my deepest condolences. [ He is well-versed in the story of your family. He is sorry he was not around to see them go. ] Did they go peacefully, love?
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[Coupling that soft noise with a bob of her head and a small, sad smile.]
It's okay, though. I mean, it was a long time coming?
[Her mom had gotten sick sometime after the Daywalker had fallen asleep, and she had battled with the disease in her for years before finally succumbing to it. Her dad had not been same afterward, and it was almost poetic how had ended up with the cancer in him as well. Perhaps he had wanted to follow her.]
I got to say my goodbyes, and keep them safe during the entirety of the Darkest Vigil. That's all that matters.
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Then I am content with the knowledge that you had them for as long as you did. And that they are now at peace.
[ Softly, he does ask: ] Perhaps if I can wrangle permission from the Kaiser, would you be willing to accompany me to where they are now so that I may properly offer my respects?
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[She slips back into speaking just like that when she's excited. She's kind of really happy at the thought of bringing you over there to see them. Back when you were still awake and they were still alive, one of the things she had looked forward to the most were those regular family dinners.]
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Perhaps we should make a picnic of it. I'll bring the candles, we can ask Lex for fine wine and it will be just like old times.
[ If he can give you this, then he will. Just because they're no longer with you physically doesn't mean that little indulgences like those dinners have to stop. Things change, the wise learn to adjust accordingly. ]
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[She has to remember to call him that for now, around you. Ahahaha.]
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Nope, he's going to pretend that he doesn't know that that one was here. With you.
He'll trust that you'll tell him when you're ready. And if you don't, well... he has ways. ]
That would be lovely. [ Come to think of it, he will need to see Marrigan. Perhaps when he is stronger, or if the opportunity arises. ] It will be good to see you all in one place.
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[And she'd like to hear some of them. The lot of them were not nearly in as regular contact with each other as they would have liked to be, during the Darkest Vigil.]
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Then it shall be, as you children often said, "a date".
[ There is a lot he needs to catch up on. Might as well do it in company that he has missed. ]
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[She misses having people to pamper herself with so much. ;w;]
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Where it concerns Marrigan, love, that might have to be during a trip to Shin Yamatai.
[ He doubts you'll mind. ]
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[Hee.]