759/Don't Say Goodbye, Say Good Journey

Don't Say Goodbye, Say Good Journey
Date of Scene:	14 November 2023
Location:	Korma Chameleon
Synopsis:	Chrono arrives on the rooftop of the Korma Chameleon to say goodbye to Rashmi. It's only going to be a week, but to teenagers in love, a week is *forever.* Rashmi makes sure he leaves with reminders, and they *finally* say the words to each other.
Cast of Characters:	Rashmi Terios, Chrono Harlaown

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Rashmi Terios has posed:
It's relatively late at night, but Rashmi has elected to take tonight off from patrol. After all, any moment may be the moment Chrono messages he's on his way to say goodbye, and preparations need to be made. A trio of cheap, stackable plastic stools are lugged into the greenhouse, along with a lantern, electric kettle, tea set, Storage Device, and Nicomachea.

Preparations made, she waits for the message, heating the kettle up *only* when she receives it.

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown was... not looking forward to this. Saying goodbye. He... he really liked Rashmi. A lot. And while he knew he'd see her again, soon even...

It didn't make it any easier. He knew it'd be a week until he likely saw her again. A part of him wanted to just go, not say goodbye. Another part of him wanted to stay, to not leave her. But... he had to. He couldn't...

If he lost his mother because of this, if he grew too... too lax? It would break him. In a way nothing else could. And he knew it. He'd shatter like glass. She wasn't... Rashmi didn't deserve that.

So the message came out, he was on his way to say goodbye. His plane left in about two hours, he had to check in an hour earlier and...

So it was, with a heavy heart, he landed on the roof. "Rashmi?" he called out. Fenyx on his shoulder.

And oh my gosh she was the size of a baby bird, not normal bird. And she was sleeping, curled up against his neck, between the little collar of his barrier jacket.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
A light flickers alight in the greenhouse, and the door opens quietly, Rashmi sticking her head out and gesturing for him to come inside; which was something new! Rashmi had always ever treated the greenhouse like her mother's sacred ground to Chrono's knowledge, yet here she is treating more like... a clubhouse.

When Chrono enters, he's assailed by fragrances. Herbs, spices, a trellis of roses high on the far wall... All of it smells *living,* in a way the kitchen never does, and a wonderful backdrop against the faintly humid warmth. And Rashmi sits on one of the stools, the tea set between her and the lone empty stool.

"I know you don't have much time," she says, smiling gently, "but... You've always done amazing things to help me feel special. I just want to return the favor, Chrono."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown looked slightly bewildered, but headed into the greenhouse. He hadn't really ever been inside it, though it seemed nice enough. He didn't imagine why they'd go in there... until they did.

It smelled marvelous. And she... well. She looked breathtaking. As always. He walked over, sitting across from her and giving a small smile to her. Not his business smile... a genuine smile. Born of his affection for her.

"Rashmi, every day I'm with you you make me feel special. You're far more amazing than you'd ever give yourself credit for. I know... it seems hard for you to see that somedays. But I'm not kidding that, in midchildia? A story about us would have people envying me for finding you, not the other way around." After all, she was the exotic, smart, fun, cute, talented alien from another world...

Rashmi Terios has posed:
And, predictably, Rashmi ducks her head, flushing in pleasure at the still-unexpected compliments. "I mean... maybe," she says, clearing her throat. "But just... I *appreciate* you, Chrono. And not just because you're a wonderful mage or even a great kisser. You *do things* to make me feel like no one else ever has. And I won't ever take that for granted. So... I want to give you a couple things before you go."

The first is the tea that she pours out; dark, with no hint of sugar or honey; only a redoubling of the warm spices that perfume the entire greenhouse. Under the lantern-light, it could look like mulled wine, and it tastes like sitting next to a fire in deep winter, warming and soothing and relaxing.

Then, the little cube of the Storage Device. "I put a couple movies on it for you. Ones Setsuna-chan didn't mention, but she'd probably approve of. They're older than Papi even, but he always liked watching them."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown gently took the tea, giving it a light sniff before bringing it to his lips. His cheeks were burning, though. He took his time, letting the scent, the taste, everything about it waft over him. Because there was something in particular on his mind.

He took the cube, staring at it for a moment. "It sounds wonderful," he said. Before finally, he looked up. Just a hint of embarrassment when he spoke up and he'd know exactly what it was he'd been thinking since she said it.

"You uhhh... think... I'm a good kisser?"

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"I mean, *yeah,*" Rashmi says, without hesitation. "Why d'you think I go for a smooch so often?" With a grin, she reaches under her stool, and pulls out her final gift; a scarf. An *incredibly huge* scarf, twice as long and half again as thick as it needs to be, knit from green wool with little white starbursts, and her own cheeks flare up as she hands it over. "So uh... I found this when I was thrift shopping. I figured it was big enough, we could both wrap up in it sometime to watch movies. But since you have to go... Here."

And when she hands it over, it's pretty clear that the scarf has been given a good spritz with the perfume she wore to the masquerade ball. "...So... y'know... you never have to miss me *too* badly. I'll be right with you."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown couldn't help but give a light, chuckling sound. He giggled. He did, in fact, giggle a little bit. Just a tiny bit. He took the scarf and... And he slowly wrapped it around his neck. Holding up one end and staring at it... then sniffing it.

"... I think... not missing you too badly is going to be an impossible objective, Rashmi," he admitted. "I haven't even left yet and I already miss you. I... don't understand the idea behind... tying our necks together but... I... think I wouldn't mind sharing this tradition with you."

He stared up at her, struggling to remain seated. If he got up... if he kissed her... he might never be able to leave. "You... you understand why this is important, right?"

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"Not... *completely,*" Rashmi says, sipping from her tea. "I understand that your crew's important to you, and that makes sense. I want to make sure they're all okay too. But... Chrono this feels like... more. And it's okay if you don't tell me why, I don't *need* to know why, to tell you you should do this."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown nodded. "I... will admit, there is a bit more to it than just the crew. But it's something that's a secondary goal in this situation. If... if I'm correct? I'll possibly be able to track where the others are. Where..."

He then sighed. "There's... something I've been... keeping quiet. A few know... well. Only Hannah knows, I suppose. But..." Deep breath. "There's a reason... Lindy... Harlaown... the admiral of the ship I was stationed on. Us sharing last names isn't... just coincidence. We're related."

Deep breath.

"She's my mother. I've... in general... tried to keep myself from worrying about her. We were both in the line of duty when this happened. We both knew we'd likely die but..."

"... I've lost my father to a lost logia going out of control. I don't want to lose my mother as well. I know... it's likely I will. But... I have to try all I can to save her and the rest of the crew. But... I'd be lying if I didn't admit that sometimes I am... torn... by this. By my duty. To keep... myself... unbiased in this regard."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
Rashmi sets her tea down, while digesting this. Then, she gets up, crossing the improvised table to tug on Chrono's sleeve. "C'mere, Chrono," she says, and if he does get up, she enfolds him in a tight, long hug. "I understand," she says, her voice crushingly sincere. "And I'll help any way I can. Especially if that means getting you out of this door in time for your flight."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown nodded, slowly getting to his feet. The tea was only half gone but... it was... "I know... how it looks. Sometimes. An enforcer on the same ship as his mother," he said, letting her hold him. Slowly holding her back.

"But no. Enforcers rotate. The only reason I was with her on this mission was because of the danger involved. I... requested it. Because I knew we'd be coming close to this dimension. I was..." Slow, deep breath. "I was planning to keep her safe. To ensure she... didn't... get hurt. But... I couldn't protect her. Sometimes I don't know what's worse. Knowing I might find her dead one day... or knowing I may never find her at all." He was shaking slightly when he held her, his head resting on her... actually it wasn't important where his head was resting because he was seeking comfort, nothing else.

"I can't... I can't fail here."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
And it doesn't matter to Rashmi either, because this is not the time for that. It's a time for comfort, and understanding, and height differences are a distant fifth in priority. "We'll never stop looking," she says softly. "*We* will never stop. While you out, I want you to give Nicomachea her dossier. If that has anything he can use to match signatures, you'll have twice the coverage. I'll keep looking here while you're gone, okay?"

Sighing heavily for his terror, she kisses the top of Chrono's head. "I'll never get between you and your duty, Chrono. I *promise.* Even if that means you have to go, someday."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown nodded, closing his eyes. Just... letting her hold him for a moment. Just a few small, tiny moments. But they were moments spent together.

"Thank you. I will. I... think you already have everything, but I'll double check just to be sure. Thank you."

Slow, steady breath. Then, grudgingly... he pulled away from her. He didn't say anything about 'staying on earth' or 'her being more important than his duties'. No.

... If it came to it, right now, if he could get everyone else home... he would. But if the time came where he had the choice... would he stay? Right now, yes. But tomorrow? Who knew? And he... would always do his duty. No matter how much it hurt him. He would do what he felt he had to. Even if it broke his head. And she... She understood that.

He took her hands in his and looked up to her... before pushing up and kissing her. Yes, he had to fly a bit to do it, but you know what? Magic ruled.

But then, it was time. He pulled away once more and smiled up at her. That smile she knew so well. The TSAB Enforcer smile. "I should go. I... I'll call you as often as I can, Rashmi. Thank you. For understanding..." A hand pulled free from hers, now gripping the scarf and lifting it to his cheek.

"I'll think of you every day I am away."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
Magic does indeed rule. And a good kiss, rules even more. The fact that her boyfriend can employ the former in service of the latter is part of why Rashmi is enthralled by the turn her life has taken.

"I'll think of you too, Chrono, and..." There's a thickness in her throat. Not that he won't come back, but that one day he might be forced to leave *something* behind. Be it her or his mother, he may have to let a piece of himself be lost, possibly forever. And the sheer *unfairness* of that choice, yet unmade, galls her to her core.

Swallowing around the lump, she answers his smile with hers. "We're not saying goodbye," she says, finally. "We're saying 'good journey.' And go with my love, Chrono... because you have it. *I love you.*"

Sometimes, some words don't need to be said.

Sometimes? THey *absolutely do.*

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown stared at her, trying to come up with an answer. "Rashmi... I... I care deeply for you. But... but we've only known each other for a short while. I mean, I-I know you mean a lot to me, but I'm not sure... love is... is a strong feeling and..."

There was a moment of quivering, of shyness... even of meekness. But...

"... But... I... think I love you too..." It was possibly not the reaction she expected. Or maybe it was. She knew how carefully he did everything. How much stock he put into the things he said. He wasn't the type to say he loved someone... unless he meant it. So she likely knew how hard it was for him to say... that.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
The fact that he could say it at all, Rashmi counts as a win. Having some of an idea *why* Chrono shies away from expressions of affection so often, she absolutely understands why he's so hesitant to say such a *big* thing. But, it comes a bit easier for Rashmi, who would rather be certain of a thing than accurate, when it comes to feelings, and she *is* certain of this feeling.

"That's good enough for now, then," she says gently. "We'll come back to that when you've processed it a bit longer. For now, though...?"

Rashmi sighs, squeezing Chrono's hand. "We've got to get you in the air, I think."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown was, frankly, in a world of confusion and bewilderment himself. He'd said it. And he... was... well. Oh gosh, if his mother knew, she'd never let him hear the end of it.

... And he did love her. He didn't know if he loved her the same way she loved him... but he did know he loved her. And, slowly, he nodded. "I... I think you're right." Slowly, he pulled back from her. "I think... it would be best if we part from here," he said gently. "It's... already going to be hard enough to leave as it is. I... thank... you. Rashmi. Just... just... thank you..." And then he turned and flew away.

... He fled from her. To do his duty. To do what had to be done. To do what was required to be done...

And prayed this would be the last time he had to leave her like that.