Stark Industries [all day]

[momslilassassin]

Ben was back for his last shift at his job and was making the most of his time (and his last paycheck) by putting together a small mountain pile of electronics that he was going to take with him when he left

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[life_inshadow]

Tara was still sleepy from having stayed out a little too late the night before, but it wasn't going to deter her from checking in with Ben before they both left the island.

The kumquat shower, however, almost did.

"Hi," she said, brushing fruit out of her hair. "Uh .... does it rain fruit in here a lot?"

[momslilassassin]

"Weirdly, yeah," Ben admitted, tossing her an umbrella. He was wearing a very stylish (yeah, not really) bicycle helmet. "Come on in!"

[life_inshadow]

Tara twirled the umbrella, then propped it over one shoulder with a little laugh. "I just wanted to say hi before we both leave," she said. "And see how you were. I didn't know to expect random kumquats."

[momslilassassin]

"Just one of the perks of working in a shop on this island," Ben said with a wry smile. "When do you take off? Ender and I leave Thursday."

[life_inshadow]

"Monday," Tara said, and that kept feeling way too soon. "Seemed ... better not to draw it out."

She raised her eyebrows. "Does the ship leave Thursday, or do you get time off first?"

[momslilassassin]

"I think the ship leaves Friday," Ben admitted. "It'll be a quick transition but I think we're both ready for it."

[life_inshadow]

Tara nodded. Quick transitions were usually easier.

"And then you're out of touch for a couple months after it leaves, right?" she asked, trying to remember. "From Ender it sounded like the ... time jump, or whatever -- you can't exactly text people during it."

[momslilassassin]

Ben nodded. "At least that," he said, looking regretful. "No one's ever traveled like this in Ender's dimension before. We don't know how our time will line up with Fandom's, or anyone else's."

[life_inshadow]

"Oh," Tara said, some real concern crossing her face. "Well -- safe travels, and ... I don't even know what to say. Different dimensions suck this way."

[momslilassassin]

Ben nodded. "I don't want to lose track of people, even if it seems kind of inevitable? I'm not great with goodbyes."

[life_inshadow]

"I'm in favor of not saying goodbye," Tara declared. "First, because I'll see you again, and second, because there are way too many goodbyes going around anyhow, right?"

And third, because Ben was giving up a lot lately, but it felt weird to point that out.

[momslilassassin]

"Goodbyes are for next week," Ben declared. "It's weird that this is my last shift here. I feel like I grew up in this shop."

[life_inshadow]

"I was the same way at Magic Box," Tara nodded. "I got hired ... pretty much the month I came here? It's as much home as my dorm room is."

[momslilassassin]

"I've spent more time here than I have in common rooms," Ben admitted.

[life_inshadow]

"I've definitely had more important conversations in the shop than in common rooms," Tara decided.

[momslilassassin]

Ben's smile turned a little wistful. "Definitely. Here, more than anywhere, was where Ender and I became friends."