36 metals ; homeward

[godsays]

[ private to marsh ]

Do you think your god - the new god - could use someone like me?

[ spam, cassel ]

[ He seeks Cassel out, after the conversation with Marsh, knocks at his door. Cassel is family; family is the first he's going to tell.

He won't be gone forever. Just for a little while. Just enough to get his bearings again. ]

[ spam, emperor ]

[ Lying idly in the Emperor's garden, brushing a soft leaf between his fingertips. ]

I'm going to go home.

[ This is stated somewhat tentatively. Not because he isn't mostly sure about the decision, but because he isn't sure how it will be taken. ]

[ video, locked to close cr; includes Cassel, Barbara, Iris, Bush, Chris, Anya, Charles, Morgana, Kelsier, Marsh, Vin, Emperor, possibly others I have missed, ask if confused ]

I'm going - home. To Scadrial. The planet where I was born. Years after I died, and I hear it's a little different now, but I'm going.

I'm don't think I'm ready for this - being a warden - yet. That's all.

I'll be back. This is more home to me than anywhere else has been.

[ locked to mistcast ]

If there's anything you want me to find, or find out, tell me now.

[ video ; open ]

I'll be leaving, temporarily. If you have business with me, we should conclude it now.

Comments

[private]

[myironeyes]

He doesn't. Use people in the way we understand it. But he would find places for you to help, if that's what you want.

[private]

[godsays]

That wasn't what I meant.

Give me a purpose, maybe. I don't think I should be here right now.

[private]

[myironeyes]

He's finicky about it.

But there's plenty of work to be done.

[Marsh misses it, in twisted ways. He's here because Sazed didn't think he should be there, right now.]

I think you'd do well there.

[heisrisen]

[He glances over, swift-sharp, and for a moment his face is naked pain. His eyes flutter closed and his jaw stays tense and he debates letting the grey wind carry it away but he doesn't, not yet, not yet, not yet. He opens his eyes and he looks calm. Perhaps it's better this way. He has everything he needs now, after all. He's been stalling.]

When?

[godsays]

[ He shifts over, and lays his head in Aslan's lap. His spine arches a little to prevent the spike from pressing into the ground. ]

It was something Iris said.

That living here, having this home, is on the condition of taking the job. A warden. I don't think I want that right now. I don't think I'm ready.

I can be back only a little while after I leave, though. That's how things work here.

[ A pause. ]

Soon.

[heisrisen]

[Relief is better than numbness. But there's a hard edge in him now that doesn't evaporate with the clarification, buried too deep for any external sign. He's been selfish, letting love sway him as much as he has. He needs to go home. The only question is: while Zane is gone, or after he's back. He strokes Zane's hair, and decides he can be a little bit selfish. Time is strange, after all.]

We'll miss you terribly. But you should go, if that's what you need. It's a very brave thing.

[video]

[onlysurvivor]

We'll try to keep the boat in one piece for you. No promises.

[video]

[godsays]

You want me to look for your crew?

[video]

[onlysurvivor]

No. I'm not ready to know. When I am, I'll return and find out.

Private

[shakenandlimp]

You'll be careful, now.

[Partings happen-- here voluntarily, in his life by the whim of the their lordships: old friends parted by the arrival of a dispatch or the order of some admiral. But what rotten luck.]

Private

[godsays]

I'll have a god looking over me.

[private]

[routemistress]

[It hurts; she can't help it hurting, and yet she can see clearly that it's right.]

Oh Zane. Oh, I wish I could come with. You'll be careful, won't you?

[And then she laughs ruefully and drops her gaze.]

'Cause you totally can't look after yourself, right? Still. Indulge me. Let me come and hug you and make sure your coat buttons are done up and your face is clean. Let me worry about you.

[private]

[godsays]

You can't. But someday, I'll show you.

[ This is a quiet promise. He'll come back, he'll be all right. ]

Come here, then.

[private]

[fridgetothefire]

...good for you.

[private]

[godsays]

You mean that.

spam

[patheticvillain]

[Cassel opens his door right away. He hasn't been particularly social or asocial lately; he's just been thinking. Worrying. Watching people.]

[He smiles at Zane. Ilia twines balefully around his ankles.]

Hey. What's up?

spam

[godsays]

I have something - important.

[ He is serious, not joking. ]

I don't know how you'll react. [ Sometimes, Cassel is absolutely unpredictable - in wonderful, beautiful ways, he defeats Zane's expectations. ]

private/video

[indispensible]

[More emotion shows in her eyes in this moment than she almost ever shows in public. She's proud, but she's angry and frustrated and terrified, too. Only one of these is really for Zane.]

Do you remember Spook?

private/video

[godsays]

The name isn't familiar.

[Private]

[forsaken_queen]

How long is temporarily?

[Her tone is business like. She needs to know how long the Emperor will be without him.]

[Private]

[godsays]

I don't know how long it will be there. But I doubt it will be more than a week or two here. That's how it works, isn't it?

[Private]

[wedonot]

Good luck.

[Private]

[godsays]

Thank you.

...do you think this is right?

[bodilesswarrior]

[She could argue, but it would be selfish, mostly. So she nods, solemn and sincere.]

Good luck. We - I wish I could promise we'd all be here. [But the Barge doesn't work like that.] But we'll miss you.

private

[godsays]

Take care of him.

And of Iris.