Goodbye Log

[legionnpcs]

Who| Anyone that wants in
What| Goodbye log
Where| Legion's Briefing Hall
When| After an award's ceremony at the temporary UPgov building on Earth
Warnings/Notes| N/A

Legion World has been restored, thanks to the Miracle Machine. The Miracle Machine itself has popped off to a new dimension, possibly to the hands of a new Metron. Chronoblivion is dead and so are Its eyes and the remaining Heralds, who exploded to dust in prison once their master was gone.

The awards have been given by Madame President and yes there was a parade.

Time to go home. The Time Trapper left them all with a gift, however, that'll let them return. Strange glowing brands on their bodies that will let them access different dimensions, using T-gates in the Legion's universe as travel hubs, for those that want to want to keep in touch. For those that don't, like the ones that want to run off and make a new criminal life somewhere, they have a chance to grab a T-gate and split before anyone has a chance to stop them, but they'll have to make any goodbyes fast.

Once the Legionnaires walk through the gates to their home universes, their timelines will be locked to the time of the latest person from a particular world -- except for those that are from subtly alternate worlds from each other; they can go home and change the timeline without worrying about changing the past for others. Those walking home to certain death aren't out of luck, either, as the Legionnaires have their ways of faking a death - with fake hologram-disguised bodies, even.

Most of them have retained their powers, though that situation is finicky and strange. In some universes, they'll retain their Legion powers, in some they'll have no powers at all, and for those who had powers back home, they may find they're back to their full powers whenever they're in their home universe.

The native Legionnaires are grateful as anyone could be, especially those trapped for seemingly timeless months in the crystal dimension, who watched the displacees on its crystal walls and actually had hope because of everything they did.

All the displacees have been granted the statue of honorary Legionnaire, and any that feel like they'd like to stay on the team, well...it certainly wouldn't be unwelcome. The Legion needs to get on its feet and the crystal dimension Legionnaires are out of practice and need time to recover. Those that don't want to be Legionnaires but want to settle in the United Planets are welcome to stay as well, and the entire team is to be granted full UP citizenship so that they have dual citizenship with countries in their homeworlds.

Also, surprisingly, the last anon meme that some of them will see went up and instead of cattiness or people judging their coolness, it was filled with one very simple thing: close to thousands of pages of people saying "Thank you, Legionnaires," and giving their heartfelt goodbyes to those that don't intend to stay.

Shock. Awe.

It's the happiest ending they could've asked for. But it is an ending. And now it's time to say goodbye.

Comments

[orbislife]

[ Zenyatta is tired, weary in a way that a session of recharging and meditation will not fix, but his meditation session had brought forth a surprising feeling.

He wants to go home, not just back to his world but to the Shambali Monastery.

It seems so long ago when he recorded a message to himself, when he first joined the Legion. And now, he'll be doing what his younger self had suggested. Zenyatta plans to go back to Nepal to feel the warmth of the Iris at its strongest. He's not sure if he'll be welcomed back, but he wants to go. He needs the time reflect on everything that has happened. If there is a place on Earth Zenyatta feels like he could begin to fully process his time with the Legion, it's there.

But going home means goodbyes. Despite his longing to return, he waits quietly, patiently to say farewell. ]

[truefaceofthelaw]

[Rico advances from behind, the sound of boots on the ground heralding his approach. A little dinged and scratched up but otherwise vibrating with an energy. He's grinning, never mind the spark of anticipation thrumming under his skin.]

Zenyatta! We did it, good ol' buddy boy. The universe is saved, and all that. Tell me how you're feeling?

[He reaches out with a firm hand to guide him into a room that he knows has a blind spot in its security, and it's only the bare amount of consideration for him that it lilts into a question at the end instead of an order.]

[orbislife]

[ Rico easily leads Zenyatta out of the public eye. He has Zenyatta's complete trust, and Zenyatta appreciates the sentiment. He unfolds his legs and sits in the nearest chair. After using Transcendence to help carry the Miracle Machine, it provide hims a little relief on his systems. (Of course, he could rely on his Legionnaire ring instead of his omnic energy, but this works as well.) ]

I believe exhausted would be the best way to describe it. My body may not tire like a human's would, but my soul can. How are you?

[truefaceofthelaw]

[He'd say he's surprised at how easily Zenyatta goes along with him as he bundles him in, but he's too pleased by their discreet exit to think on it much. Closing the door behind them and locking it, Rico tilts his chin down graciously but chooses to stay standing. He understands the sentiment a little better than he'd perhaps expect. It isn't often he reaches the end of his physical endurance, after all. The exhaustion at the end of a shift is usually mental.]

Good. Perfectly good. [He smooths down the front of his uniform with the flat of his hand and a flick of a smile as he casually leans against the closed door.] As always. Nothing we couldn't handle.

[The smile turns victorious. What a way to talk about the potential end of the universe.]

[orbislife]

The parade was nice, though I feel I will be picking confetti out of my joints for a while.

[ He tries to joke, but it's not as bright and cheerful as his usual jests tend to be. ]

Did you enjoy the festivities after?

[truefaceofthelaw]

[Rico laughs loud enough at that for the both of them, and reaches out and plucks out a tiny sparkling confetti piece from where it was trapped in Zenyatta' shoulder joint.]

Missed one. [he says with a fond smile, flicking it to the ground.] And oh, absolutely. Actually, ah...

[He glances around them, though there's really no reason to do that, and pulls down his collar to the side, showing several lipstick marks on his collarbone. And in different shades at that.]

Don't tell anyone, but I sure did. The masses were practically lining up to express their gratitude. [He grins wide, then yanks it up again.] Wasn't gonna say no to that.

[orbislife]

[ Zenyatta thanks Rico for removing that piece of confetti. He suspects that whenever a joint moves in an unexpected fashion, he'll fault more wayward confetti.

The multitude of lipstick marks down Rico's neck does bring out a goodhearted laugh from Zenyatta, and his orbs jump with his laughter. ]

Oh my. You were popular. I hope you did not break too many hearts upon your departure.

[truefaceofthelaw]

[Well, at least Zenyatta laughed. Not like him to look so glum. Rico really played it up for them, spinning them the tale of how he saved the universe and they hung onto his every word. It's just a shame that he had to go so quickly. Zenyatta really can't tell anyone, but what the hell. He can brag about his exploits if he wants to. Let word get out. Not like it's going to matter in a minute. He grins, basking in the memory.]

They'll live with the disappointment, I'm sure. But speaking of my departure...

[Rico settles his collar around his neck with a clank of chains, and steps away from the locked door.]

Where are you headed now? [he asks, though it sounds like the prelude to something else entirely.] Headed home? I'm sure you must be missing the snowy mountains.

[orbislife]

[ The orbs still from their jumping and sink in their orbit around Zenyatta's neck. He knows that a parting must occur, but it is still a bittersweet moment. ]

I believe I will return to Nepal. I don't know if the Shambali will welcome me back into the monastery, but I could take residence in the nearby village. A younger me suggested that I spend time meditating in the Iris' warmth, and there is where I felt the Iris the strongest.

[ He's referencing the video he had to make when joining the Legion. Going "home" is a difficult affair, especially with one brother no longer there to welcome him. Mondatta's absence will be felt just as strongly as the Iris. Still, Zenyatta knows that meditation and feeling the Iris are the first steps to his return. ]

Where will you go? To Mega-City One?

[truefaceofthelaw]

If they don’t take you back, they’re ratfinks. [Rico says, bluntly.] I'll change their minds if it needs doing. Just say the word.

[He just frankly implied that he would physically threaten the Shambali monks into accepting Zenyatta back into the fold if he needed to with no iota of self-awareness. But after a second, he drops his arms and the attitude that he's been carrying around with him, looking a bit more like the young man he is.] That’s what I came to talk to you about, actually. I’m - going on a journey of self-discovery, [he says, vaguely.] I’m not going back to Mega-City One. For now, at any rate.

[There's a finality in his voice, though it's hardly heavy. More like excited. Some would call it desertion, abandoning his duty, punishable by twenty years in a Cursed Earth work camp. Judges don't just quit or take vacations, after all. But he’d call it something else. Zenyatta would probably be thrilled to hear “self-discovery" - which was why he’d said it - but... there’s a certain edge to his voice that belies his real motivations to running, even though he plasters over it with words he thinks he'd like to hear.]

[orbislife]

[ He doesn't comment on the potential threatening of the Shambali, though he does shake his head at the sentiment. The two have certainly developed the strangest relationship. Zenyatta wouldn't have it any other way.

Having their short-lived brothers with them would have been a welcome development, however. ]

Recent events does make one want to go on a journey of self-discovery.

[ He sighs, all too knowing. His hand rests on a small bundle containing Reggatta's orbs. Zenyatta hopes to place them at a shrine or near Mondatta's memorial within the monastery.

Rico's words run through Zenyatta's mind a second time, and this pass makes his lights shine brighter. Curious. Hopeful. ]

Are you looking for a place to start?

[truefaceofthelaw]

[This time, Zenyatta's words run through Rico's head a second time. He doesn't miss the way his lights... well, light up. And that brings a reflexive, mirthful laugh that could almost be called a giggle out of him.]

What? No, no. Hold that thought right there, [ he chuckles, putting up a hand. It's said a bit callously, dismissive without thought.] I know you've offered to teach me meditation, but can you imagine me in robes, meditating and living the monastary life with "Iris" this and "Iris" that? I'd just about drokkng die without action.

[Well. Action, and "action". Both he's fairly sure isn't going to find in a monastary, unless he really goes looking.] No, I've settled on a place. [He shakes his head, lowering his voice just a bit.] Rimbor, if you've heard of it.

[Which he well may have. It's notorious for crime and corruption, after all.]

[orbislife]

[ Rico has clearly never been in one of the Shambali snowball fights. Zenyatta is ruthless and is not above levitating a whole clip of snowballs at once.

But truthfully, Zenyatta didn't think that Rico would stay at the monastery forever. A short stop, perhaps, but nothing like becoming a monk. (Zenyatta is no longer of the order, after all.) Still... he cannot completely hide the notes of sadness in his tone. ]

Rimbor... is an interesting destination for your journey's beginning. Will you be safe there? I imagine communications would be difficult.

[ He doesn't specify from what Rico would need to be safe from, but he knows that laying low is probably one of the reasons why that location was picked. ]

[unrecovered]

[There is, quite suddenly, a gray kitten on Zenyatta's lap. It meows loudly and starts kneading at his pants, as kittens are wont to do.]

[Of course, DC is rarely anywhere without Wash being close behind. Zenyatta may not have visual facial expressions, but Wash is still fluent in body language, and Zenyatta does not look up to his usual standard.]

I don't have an orb I can stick on you to make you feel better, so. [He gestures at DC and shrugs. Kittens work, right?]

[orbislife]

[ Zenyatta's forehead array brighten at the tiny furry creature in his lap and gives a quick exclamation in surprise. He quickly responds to meowing with some gentle pets. ]

Do not underestimate the power of a kitten.

[ He would much rather focus on lavishing love and attention on DC than think about his own problems. ]

[unrecovered]

I never do.

[DC arches his back into Zenyatta's hand and purrs. Yep, this is the good life. Wash watches him for a few seconds before looking back up at Zenyatta.]

What's on your mind?

[orbislife]

[ He is silent, and it is a noticeable silence that draws on for far too long. Zenyatta is unsure how to voice his thoughts. A lot has happened in these recent months, and he has not let himself fully process those... events. ]

There is much on my mind. If I were to make an attempt to speak it, I would say I suffer from not being in the present.