YVES & LAURENCE VS. THE WORLD

[noirges]

Comments

[outdistanced]

[ yves!!!! ]

Well... good. [ maybe thinking about this will help his face cool down a bit. ] We only have a week left, though.

[noirges]

[ he smiles at him ]

A week can still be plenty. It's more time than I had any other point, you know?

[outdistanced]

...Yeah. I guess so.

[ he kind of hates that way of looking at it, though. ]

Everyone keeps saying things about making it count.

[noirges]

[ looks thoughtful... ]

... I mean... I do think there's wisdom to that.

Even if I also think it's a little sad no matter what you do.

[outdistanced]

It was always going to be sad. I'll have to live alone again, after this... and you will, too, right? If you go back.

[noirges]

[ looks thoughtful ]

... well, I'm not going back. Not to my original set of circumstances anyway.

[ tilts head ]

Adolphe and I still need to talk it over together, but... [ yeah. he just shakes his head, this isn't about him ] I think goodbyes are always going to be difficult, especially the more you've come to love.

Even if I don't think it should deter anyone from feeling that love at all.

[outdistanced]

[ oh. ]

You decided...? [ why is he surprised, at this point. ] Then where are you going?

[noirges]

No clue.

But we do have a week to figure that out.

[outdistanced]

[ ...snorts a laugh. ]

So you didn't decide at all. Well... maybe nothing too crazy will happen so you can really think about it? Aside from everywhere looking insane now.

[noirges]

I did start making a list last week.... mostly I just need to find a place where we can easily get a farm for Adolphe...

[ it's

the stupidest prerequisite in the world but it's the one yves is stubborn about ]

[outdistanced]

What, so he can have those horses you were going on about? Can't you get that just about anywhere?

[noirges]

[ smiles ]

Some places are less peaceful than others. I do wish it could be that easy.

But Adolphe's a little bit of a recluse compared to me. He just likes his privacy, a chance to do some gardening, and animals.

[ he's sooooo cute ]

[outdistanced]

I know about that.

[ his own world is kind of garbage, or so it sounds? ]

But most worlds have someplace like that, I think. It won't be that hard for you to find it.

[noirges]

That’s my hope.

[ smiles ]

But just looking at options.

[outdistanced]

You'll find one. [ sighs. ] I know there are places like that in my world, but it's probably more trouble than it's worth.

[noirges]

[ ruffles his hair ]

Since things are so hard outside the tower?

[outdistanced]

[ why do you do this ]

Supposedly, yeah. Maybe it'd be easier for you guys since you're not demiflora, but I don't know what it's really like. I've only been outside a handful of times.

[noirges]

Ah... but you have to go back to find Iris?

[ if laurence's mission is still the same ]

[outdistanced]

[ he nods. ]

But if it weren't for that, I might think about going somewhere else, too. Somewhere safer.

[noirges]

[ his expression does soften at this ]

... that's good. I really am glad to hear that.

[outdistanced]

Why? Everyone wants to live somewhere safe.

[noirges]

They do.

But... it felt like when we talked, the tower was the primary option. Even though I do remember the secret you shared.

[ that he was jealous of iris for leaving, back the first time that he used the whistle ]

So... I'm excited for a future where you get to choose something else. If Adolphe and I do find a farm somewhere, and we can be in touch and people can find each other again... you're always welcome where I am.

You're part of my home, Laurence.

[outdistanced]

...It's still the Tower, for now. I can't leave for real until I figure out how to help Iris, or at least where to find him. After that... I'm not sure.

[ it's scary. the fear of that moment has never gone away, and all the trouble here in heaven have only made it worse. now that he knows what loss is like, he's even more afraid of experiencing it again, in a place where he won't have the chance to reunite later.

but it's given him the chance to meet people he never knew how much he'd come to care about, either. someone told him here that knowing those people and having those connections was always worth it, even with the inevitable loss hanging over their heads. maybe laurence can finally believe that, just a little. ]

...Thanks, Yves. I... I'll think about it, if we really can do that. It'd be a lot easier, that way.

[ you're part of mine, too. ]

[noirges]

Mm.... I understand. There's some people you just can't leave alone, right?

[ after how much people lectured yves that he couldn't just try to immediately follow adolphe after he died, and how he still thought about it anyway.... he gets it ]

It'd be nice, but... I'm afraid until then, I'll agree with everyone else. I'd like to make the most of our time together.

[outdistanced]

Yeah. I just need to know he's okay, and then... whatever else.

[ yves that is a little insane but you're allowed. i guess. ]

Everything is all messed up now, though.