[The smile is a nice surprise, and it does take the sting out of this a little bit. ]
You've not had the chance to check it out, and it's a whole ass big world out there. Now's the time to do it, right?
[She's earned that much. And she can give herself closure at the same time.]
You better! I need to know all the tea. Also that you're- not dead.
[Seriously Zero, why do you have to put it like that? He considers for a moment, before opening his arms- he's going to give her an option instead of just going for it, because he knows she's not the touchiest person alive.]
[She nods.] I find myself looking forward to it. That is... a strange feeling to have... but I do not dislike it.
[She looks at his open arms for a second, confused. Then he follows it up with a request for a hug. She knows what one is in theory, and steps closer, but with her arms held out unsteadily.]
I will try, but I do not remember such affections... I may be bad at it.
[ZULIUS SHE'S NEVER BEEN HUGGED THIS IS AN EMERGENCY]
Makes sense! You get to do something you've never had the chance before. Like, you can go out there and make a mark on the world that's ALL yours.
[And he's glad for that! He'll miss her, but she's well overdue in finding her own place in the world. He does have to laugh at her attempts to engage with this hug. Oh, honey. ]
Well, lucky for you, I'm not bad at this. I'm a pro. It's easy.
[He'll step forward to put his arms around her, pulling her into a hug. He gives her a gentle squeeze.]
[She is stiff in the hug at first, which is to be expected. But the longer she dwells in it, the nicer it feels. She wraps her arms around him, too, but not too tight.]
It's warm...
[She blinks rapidly as she realizes her eyes are starting to feel funny.]
My eyes are... stinging... Is this...?
[She can't remember the last time she cried. When she speaks again, her voice is rough at the edges, even a little wobbly.]
How is it that I don't want to leave when I know I must?
[Aww, he'll just keep her hug going as she goes through a whole new life experience. He's glad he could give this to her before she went on her world tour of revenge and destruction. Though the fact she's getting emotional means he hasn't got a single hope. ]
Awww, no. Don't you start crying, because then I'm gonna start crying.
[Tears are definitely prickling his eyes, it would be on a day he didn't wear waterproof eyeliner too. He'll give her another little squeeze. ]
Yeah, Honey, that's what happens when you're leaving people behind. But I get it, and hey, I'll still be here once you're all done, okay? Promise. I won't be going anywhere.
I am sorry. [It's genuine, if not awkward... Everything about her is awkward. She wants to get out of the hug but she isn't sure if she should squirm or not. What if he gets mad? Aaaahhhh she sucks at this.]
Good... I would not know where to find you in another city. I know this one well.
[She wipes at the corners of her eyes and looks at her fingertips. Yep, that's tears.]
I will tell you all about what I have seen when I return.
[At least Zulius understand she's an awkward duck, so he does eventually let her go, patting her arm gently.]
Zero, Sweetie, you've got nothing to be sorry for. And right? Luckily I've made my MARK here. Nowhere else is fabulous enough for me.
[Nowhere!!!]
I'm looking forward to it!! [Genuinely. He wants to know how she did, out there in the big wide world. Finally finding herself now that she's got a 'herself' to find. He offers her a smile, not as big and obnoxious as usual. A little more gentle, genuine. ] Literally anytime. You go out there and have ALL the adventures. I'm rooting for you.
[She's grateful at being released, and surreptitiously rubs her face on her sleeve. Definitely not tearing up, not at all.]
I should go. [She starts toward the door, hesitates, and adds:] This place... and the people in it... are precious. I will not forget what you have done for me.
Farewell for now, Zulius.
[She smiles at him, a more tangible and soft thing, and then tucks her hat as goodbye.
Things will certainly be interesting in Europe the next few months.]
no subject
You've not had the chance to check it out, and it's a whole ass big world out there. Now's the time to do it, right?
[She's earned that much. And she can give herself closure at the same time.]
You better! I need to know all the tea. Also that you're- not dead.
[Seriously Zero, why do you have to put it like that? He considers for a moment, before opening his arms- he's going to give her an option instead of just going for it, because he knows she's not the touchiest person alive.]
Can I get a goodbye hug?
no subject
[She looks at his open arms for a second, confused. Then he follows it up with a request for a hug. She knows what one is in theory, and steps closer, but with her arms held out unsteadily.]
I will try, but I do not remember such affections... I may be bad at it.
[ZULIUS SHE'S NEVER BEEN HUGGED THIS IS AN EMERGENCY]
no subject
[And he's glad for that! He'll miss her, but she's well overdue in finding her own place in the world. He does have to laugh at her attempts to engage with this hug. Oh, honey. ]
Well, lucky for you, I'm not bad at this. I'm a pro. It's easy.
[He'll step forward to put his arms around her, pulling her into a hug. He gives her a gentle squeeze.]
See? Like this.
no subject
It's warm...
[She blinks rapidly as she realizes her eyes are starting to feel funny.]
My eyes are... stinging... Is this...?
[She can't remember the last time she cried. When she speaks again, her voice is rough at the edges, even a little wobbly.]
How is it that I don't want to leave when I know I must?
no subject
Awww, no. Don't you start crying, because then I'm gonna start crying.
[Tears are definitely prickling his eyes, it would be on a day he didn't wear waterproof eyeliner too. He'll give her another little squeeze. ]
Yeah, Honey, that's what happens when you're leaving people behind. But I get it, and hey, I'll still be here once you're all done, okay? Promise. I won't be going anywhere.
no subject
Good... I would not know where to find you in another city. I know this one well.
[She wipes at the corners of her eyes and looks at her fingertips. Yep, that's tears.]
I will tell you all about what I have seen when I return.
... Thank you again for everything.
no subject
Zero, Sweetie, you've got nothing to be sorry for. And right? Luckily I've made my MARK here. Nowhere else is fabulous enough for me.
[Nowhere!!!]
I'm looking forward to it!! [Genuinely. He wants to know how she did, out there in the big wide world. Finally finding herself now that she's got a 'herself' to find. He offers her a smile, not as big and obnoxious as usual. A little more gentle, genuine. ] Literally anytime. You go out there and have ALL the adventures. I'm rooting for you.
no subject
I should go. [She starts toward the door, hesitates, and adds:] This place... and the people in it... are precious. I will not forget what you have done for me.
Farewell for now, Zulius.
[She smiles at him, a more tangible and soft thing, and then tucks her hat as goodbye.
Things will certainly be interesting in Europe the next few months.]