scene 60: curtain call

[charmedillusion]

{ Voice Post }

[ There’s a slight pause, as though she’s collecting her thoughts, before she rushes ahead breathlessly ]I don’t know how long it’s been here - since last night, maybe? Would I have noticed if it had been? I’m not sure. Do you leave the City when you feel you’re ready, or when the City feels you’re ready? I don’t know how long

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[Poundpoundpound]

[playstheblues]

Sarah!

Sarah, open this door!

[Poundpoundpound]

[charmedillusion]

[And there's a wide-eyed, worried Sarah opening the door. She opens her mouth as if she's about to ask something, but she doesn't.]

[Poundpoundpound]

[playstheblues]

You can't leave.

[He wraps his arm around her shoulders]

You can't.

[Poundpoundpound]

[charmedillusion]

[She still doesn't say anything - she doesn't quite trust her voice, not yet - but she leans into the hug gratefully, hugging him back fiercely]

[Poundpoundpound]

[playstheblues]

[He's quiet for a very long time.

And then he manages to speak again]

You. You can't forget me, okay? You're supposed to, because you're a mundy and you're not allowed to know, but please, please...

[Poundpoundpound]

[charmedillusion]

Forget you?

[She pulls back just enough to look at him; her eyes moist]

I will never forget you. Blue. I believed in you before I even met you, and now that I have?

I'll always be your Sarah. No matter what.

[Poundpoundpound]

[playstheblues]

[He nods]

All right.

All right.

Don't do anything...dangerous...stay safe.

[Poundpoundpound]

[charmedillusion]

[She nods, too, as if trying to convince herself]

I know everything has a reason. I just don't know why the reasons have to hurt so much.

[She looks up, worried]

Don't - don't leave, okay? I have to get something. For you.

[Poundpoundpound]

[playstheblues]

I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere until...until you're ready.

[Poundpoundpound]

[charmedillusion]

[She disappears in the direction of her bedroom, then returns with something which remains hidden in her hand until she deposits it in his]

Here.

[It's an antique, silver locket; there are blue forget me nots etched on it. It's ridiculously feminine, but she doesn't intend for him to wear it]

So you won't forget me, either. I've been waiting for the right time to give it to you. I think it's now.

[She looks up with a small - but very warm - smile]

It was my mother's.

[Poundpoundpound]

[playstheblues]

[He puts it into his pocket and pats it to make sure it's safe]

I'll keep it safe. I promise.

[He gives her a kiss to the cheek]

I love you, Sarah. Unconditionally.

[Poundpoundpound]

[charmedillusion]

[She's losing the battle against her tears rapidly, and she hugs him again, whispering]

I don't know how to do this. I've never been good at saying goodbye.

So I won't say goodbye. Because it's not - it isn't ever final. Everything you've done for me, everything you've taught me...those things I'll always keep. So you'll always be with me, too.

[Poundpoundpound]

[playstheblues]

Don't cry, Sarah.

Crying is my job, remember? It's even in my rhyme.

[He's using his fingers to move the tears away]

[Poundpoundpound]

[charmedillusion]

[She laughs at that, lightly]

I thought that was your mother's sense of humor?

[Poundpoundpound]

[playstheblues]

Well...yeah. It was.

[Poundpoundpound]

[charmedillusion]

[But he has done his job, because she's smiling already. Smiling and crying and not wanting to leave but knowing she has to...all at the same time.]

No matter what happens, don't ever doubt that back in the mundy world there's a girl whose whole life was changed because of you.