Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end [Open]

[sugarforteatime]

Characters: Everyone on the Way, ever
Content: The Way is closing, one last call for alcohol
Setting: All over the Winding Way, anywhere you'd like. Way is still in Licere
Time: All day and night
Warnings: Sadtimes
Notes: This is the Winding Way's closing log. Feel free to post here all through the hiatus. L and Vash are leaving and the crew knows

Comments

[fatherofcute]

Hughes leaned back in his chair lost in thought as he watched the rest of the crew milling about. He'd come to love these people. He knew he wasn't supposed to become so attached, but he just wasn't the kind of guy that could remain completely...unattached. Some he was closer to than others, some he liked more than others or knew better, but...he really had come to love everyone in the crew. There were certainly a number of them he'd miss dearly.

And like everyone else this brought up questions of where he would go. Would he be heading back home? Would his employers find him another ship? He didn't know yet, but would soon find out.

For now though, he intended to spend his final hours saying his goodbyes...after he finished this drink...unless someone approached him before that.

[fire_water_wood]

A gentle tug on his pantleg would bring his attention down to the puppet silently climbing up into his lap.

Harlequin didn't say a word, just pulled himself up and settled himself curled up against the man's stomach. He'd lost one family . . . and now he was losing another. At least they weren't dying this time.

At least he'd get to retain one of them this time.

[fatherofcute]

Hughes gave Quin a hand up, gently wrapping his arms around the little puppet. He hugged Quin to him, one large hand softly rubbing the puppet's small back. "It'll be okay, Quin..."

[fire_water_wood]

"I-I know," Quin murmured, pulling a breath and sighing it back out. "It's still sad, though." He looked up at the man who had adopted him like he was a real boy. "Where will we go?" It wasn't a despondent question - more of a practical one, really.

He perked at a thought. "Are you going to go home? The one where your wife and daughter live, I mean. Maybe I'll get to finally meet Elicia?" He'd really like that.

[fatherofcute]

"I'm thinking at least a visit is in order. As far as where we'll go after that, we'll just have to see. There's so much out there we might be able to do." And he still had no idea where orders might have him heading off to. "Besides, I'm sure you don't want to stay in one place for too long, right?"

[flailingbento]

It was just fact - Hughes was the father figure on the ship. And though Watanuki'd been independent for years now, though his own father was still a memory and a voice in his dreams, and though he knew well he'd never been good with goodbyes, at this last gathering he found himself gravitating toward Hughes. The one who'd always known what to do. The voice of calm and reason and good cheer. He smiled hesitantly as he approached Hughes, hands nervous and fidgeting without something to tend to. L had had the celebration catered; Watanuki didn't even have cooking or waiting on the crew to distract him.

"Uh, Mr. Hughes..." It occurred to him that he hadn't thought what he wanted to say. He'd had a vague idea of... maybe thanking him, but now, standing in front of him, it didn't feel like the right thing to do. He faltered, feeling foolish and lonely and wanting to say something but not quite knowing what to. He was too old to cry on a fatherly shoulder; but right now he wished he could.

[fatherofcute]

Hughes gave Watanuki a grin, at ease and friendly. He shifted the chair beside him out a bit, turning it for another to easily sit in. "Hey Watanuki. You're welcome to sit." Hughes could tell he was a bit nervous, or at least uncertain, and was hoping the grin and friendly gesture would help put him at ease a bit. "What can I do for you?"