[log] things fall apart [closed]

[devoutish]

Characters: Alfie Solomons, Emily Kaldwin, Royce Melborn, Tifa Lockhart
Location: building 92 and the surrounding area
Date: night of 213 to morning of 214
Summary: another one bites the dust bum tish
Warnings: character death

CATCH-ALL FOR TRAUMA

Comments

[devoutish]

[He should tell her not to count on home, because he isn't sure he really believes anyone goes back. But he can't tell a dying girl that.]

We'll do our trade business. I need you for that; you're fucking invaluable, you are.

[empireofrats]

Yes. We'll do that. [Alfie, you said a bad word!!] And... we'll trade a lot. With everyone... And they'll have things.

And then we'll get out... and go home. [Even if she's still smiling somewhat, her voice lowers.] Is it bad... if Empresses are scared? I'm... a little scared.

[devoutish]

No, it's not bad. It's all right. But we'll keep it a secret if you like, eh? Just between the four of us.

[He pushes back the thought that it'll soon just be the two of them, and smoothes a thumb lightly across her cheek.]

I was scared too, when I died.

[empireofrats]

[This makes her smile just a tad, glad she isn't the only one.] It's okay, though. You and Royce are here. And then I will see you when I wake up again.

You have to promise me you will be okay. That you and Royce will protect each other. Until we wake back up.

[devoutish]

I promise you. We'll keep each other in line.

[Oh hell, there's another one of his tears landing on her face again. He wipes it away for her.]

[empireofrats]

Okay. Good. Because Royce can be silly sometimes. Like when he climbed the wall. [Oh NO. STOP CRYING ON HER, ALFIE.] You're raining on me.

[Pulling her hand away, she reaches up toward his face, but, of course, can't reach.] It'll be okay, Mister Alfie. If I don't come back, it'll be okay. I know you can do it. You're really smart.

Thank you for being nice to me.

[devoutish]

[He leans down to help her short little arms with that, half-reclining next to him on the floor. It's murder on his back, but he doesn't care a bit right now.]

You don't worry about me, all right? Tell me what you want instead. Anything you need.

[empireofrats]

[Better. Now she can touch his scruffy face gently, though he fingers are chilly.] I want... you to be safe with Royce. And... I want... you to go back home to your family. And for Royce to go back home... to Miss Gwen and Mister Hadrian. Because... he's a king now.

[Her hand rests on his face, and she's quiet for a little bit, maybe worrisomely, but he can still hear her slightly ragged breaths.] If... I don't wake up... I love you, Mister Alfie... and I will miss you.

[devoutish]

[You are breaking his dark little gangster heart into a million pieces, Emily.]

I know you do, sweet girl. I love you too, very much.

[He covers her hand with his, wanting to warm it up even just a little.]

What do you need, right now?

[empireofrats]

A nap. I think... Just a little one.

[devoutish]

Here. Take another pillow.

[He carefully slides one under her neck.]

Would you like a story from one of your books?

[empireofrats]

[The pillow is nice, she thinks. But she can't exactly tell if it's any better. She can't exactly tell anything much anymore. Her feet are icy and numb. Her hand doesn't leave Alfie's face.] No...

I want... a story from you... Okay?

A story about you traveling... Tell me an interesting story... about when you traveled.

[devoutish]

I haven't traveled very much.

[He hasn't felt a great desire to, and it's harder, more expensive thing to do in his time than it would be for someone from Watson's time.]

I've told you about the seaside in England, haven't I? The rollercoaster at the pleasure park that sounded so dull to you? I first went to the sea when I was a lad - younger than you, aged five or six. It was to be my first proper adventure, and I was going to make a raft to sail along the shoreline. Fucking hell, I was excited. But when we got there and I finally saw the water, do you know what I did?

[empireofrats]

[Ah yes. Alfie and his rafts. Emily smiles. She knows the sea. Dunwall is a port city, sitting right on the edge of the island, a sea capital. The sea is all around her, and thinking of the sea makes her think of home.] You... decided to hunt sea monsters instead....

What did you do, Mister Alfie?

[devoutish]

I went and hid behind me mum, that's what I did. It was so much bigger than I was expecting, right, and the waves were much louder. Not like the light sound of water lapping against the docks, no, these waves crashed.

[empireofrats]

[The laugh she gives is almost not a laugh at all, airy, brows drawn into a wince even if she's still smiling.] You're silly...

Everyone says... the sea is scary, but... I want to sail on it anyway... I want to see... the giant whales and... the things Mister Samuel told me... he saw when he was a sailor...

Our Tower... at home... is on a cliff at the sea... I think the sea... should be respected. It can be scary... like when there is a storm... The wind is strong and loud... and the water gets dark and angry... but sometimes when it's warm... I like to open the window when I sleep, so... I can hear the sea outside.

[devoutish]

Yeah. It's nice when you get used to it, isn't it.

[He strokes her hand, strokes her face, strokes her hair.]

You'll sail on the sea, Emily. You'll save all your whales. Pass laws to protect them, and to say that the Empress can sail off on adventures whenever she likes.

[empireofrats]

Yes. I will.

[Slowly, her eyes move to the side opposite Alfie. Not at Royce directly beside, but in front of her. Like a cat looking at things unseen, she watches the delipidated wall for a few moments.

Her eyes fill with tears, but she smiles wider.] He came... to rescue me again... [When she closes her eyes, it pushes the bit of tears down her face.] So it's okay... Mister Alfie. I'll be okay.

I'll come back... and rescue you, too.

[She doesn't respond to anything after, though her breathing doesn't halt completely for a few more minutes. Her hand stays on his face where she left it, holding on.]

[devoutish]

[It has to be Corvo she's seeing, and there's no chance that he's going to tell her it's just an illusion. He doesn't try to snap her out of it, or bring her back to him. He lets her go.

And when she stops breathing, he breaks.