On leaving his game after two years. [Canon is Black Jack]

[the_suicide_king]

So you've decided to drop by the end of this month. Don't be upset. Anyone would run out of energy after two years.

It's been a fantastic run. I've overcome my past, fell in love with an unforgettable woman, discarded an old crutch... retired my trade. Perhaps even made friends. We've achieved all we wanted to do. Now is the time to take a well-deserved break and focus on other things.

Goodbyes aren't for forever. There's no reason to be sad. It isn't as though I will be alone, either.

We will meet again.

Comments

Blast from the past.

[searchnrescueh2]

I'm impressed, Kiriko.

Re: Blast from the past.

[the_suicide_king]

...Ratchet. Long time no see.

[A small pause.]

Thank you.

[searchnrescueh2]

Likewise.

[an echoing nod]

You're very welcome.

[the_suicide_king]

Well, how have things been going for you, old friend? You've missed much.

[searchnrescueh2]

I returned home to war. But the war is over, and the rebuilding has started. What did I miss on the ship, I wonder?

And another one~

[cyprian_swan]

Polly is a lovely woman. I hope you treated her better than the last time I was on the ship, dearheart.

Re: And another one~

[the_suicide_king]

That she is.

Of course I did. Perhaps not quite as good as she deserved, but we did our best. I'm thankful her mun is allowing us to leave together. If I was forced to return alone... Well, I cannot imagine. She is a part of me.

[cyprian_swan]

I'm glad. I wondered how she was getting on.

[the_suicide_king]

Well, for the most part... She had another "episode," if you remember. At least when she leaves, she'll be safe from incidents like those. I only hope she will not go 'still.'

...I never properly thanked you for bringing us together, did I? This is as good a time as any, I suppose.

[cyprian_swan]

Oh, I hope she does not as well. I think of her as very nearly like my own daughter.

[a regal nod]

You're quite welcome, love.

[pinokosthewife]

... "goodbye" is shuch a sad word.

Dr. Kiwiko fell in love?

[the_suicide_king]

It certainly can be... [It's something he's said many times in his life, and none of them were fond farewells.]

I did. Completely. [It's odd to admit that to someone.]

[pinokosthewife]

[She was somewhat more fortunate in that her farewells were rarely final.]

Will you be able to shee her again?

[the_suicide_king]

...Likely. I wish to go with her.

But that requires a sacrifice. If I leave with her, I... if she goes home, it is a place out of time. I will never see Yuri again, or even you and Black Jack. It is likely I will age and die there.

But nothing is for certain, yet.

[1/2]

[pinokosthewife]

[She bites her lip, fingers curling into fists, not out of anger, but simply because she's having very conflicting feelings and she can't easily mask how upset they make her feel.]

How does she make you feel, when you're with her? If she completesh you, she'd be worth a shacrifiche.

Pinoko... Pinoko would give up the whole world and everything in it to be with her darling. But, Pinoko has no family, sho she's got it easy.

... if Pinoko had a family that cared for her...

[Pinoko hesitates, because she cares for Yuri and the poor woman lost her father not too long ago! Isn't her brother all she has left? But, tearing up lovers is such a dreadfully cruel thing.]

[2/2]

[pinokosthewife]

Does Yuri-shan know?

[If he decides to stay instead of leaving to be with his lover, Yuri will blame herself, won't she? What a dilemma.]

Re: [2/2]

[the_suicide_king]

I couldn't begin to describe. ...She is worth it. I am sure.

[If it means dying for her, so be it.]

She and Yuri have met. My sister put it better than anyone else: I don't deserve to be with a person like Polly. [He laughs.] I think she would be happy to know I chose to go to her world. She'll probably even be relieved I will not be able to kill, there.

[A sad smile.] You're more mature than I gave you credit for. I apologize.

[pinokosthewife]

Then... [Her gaze falls to the ground and her tone is very much resigned, but she stops herself from telling him to simply "go" because it's not her decision to make.]

You know her besht, sho if you really think sho...

[She blinks, looking surprised for a moment after he acknowledges her maturity and looks up to blink again when he apologizes.] And you're not at all like thoshe awful and shcary hitmen, even if you did kill and wear a piratey eyepatch. [She smiles a bit playfully in return.]

[ineuphony]

I know we haven't really spoke, but... it's always a little sad seeing someone from the ship go.

[the_suicide_king]

I'm sorry. Right when we had just been introduced. I had been.. looking forward to it.

[ineuphony]

But it's like you said, good-byes aren't forever. I'm sure we'll see each other again.

[the_suicide_king]

I hope so. Even some other time and place. These past two years have been a pleasure.

[ineuphony]

Yeah, I know exactly how you feel.

[aceofknaves]

You? Tired of peddling death? I thought I'd never see the day.

[the_suicide_king]

I never said "tired," did I? [He'll leave it at that. That argument has bored him.] It's true I've made sacrifices.

But it turned out in the end. And in a few days' time, I will cease to exist in our universe. [A bit of sarcasm.] I suppose that would please you.

[aceofknaves]

Even I wouldn't be that insensitive. So, why the change of heart?

[the_suicide_king]

If I told you "it was for a woman," you would mock me, wouldn't you? But that isn't the whole truth. It was also for myself.

My convictions aren't any less. I needed to focus on making myself happy before I could think about doing the same for others as a Doctor. All these years I had thought myself a sacrifice in my own life - it never needed to be that way.

[aceofknaves]

Heh heh. Well, you won't hear me complain. One less rival to worry about.

[the_suicide_king]

Of course.

But tell me, Black Jack. Do you consider yourself happy, I wonder?

[aceofknaves]

Oh? Suddenly it's concern?

Happiness is relative. But as long as I have patients willing to pay my fees, I can't complain.

[be_my_servant]

It's true. There is no reason to be sad.

[the_suicide_king]

Yes. Easier said than done, unfortunately.

[And regarding Remilia..] It's been fun. At least, for my mun. Not sure if I can say the same for myself...

[be_my_servant]

[She is so glad to see him gone. That will never change.]

Is it? I'd never miss the accursed place.

Some parts more than others, certainly.

[foolish_seal]

...Take care out there, Kiriko. You'll be missed.

[the_suicide_king]

I'm relieved to hear that.

You know, Arisato, I once believed making friends was useless, a waste of energy... You helped to show me I was wrong.

[foolish_seal]

I'm just doing what I can. Humans weren't meant to go through life alone.

[umbrelladouche]

Guess I'll have to find someone else to bug the crap out of!

[the_suicide_king]

Hm. Sorry, Kamui. I half expected I'd see you die of some bloody brawl long before I left...

[umbrelladouche]

Still don't have much faith in me, doc? That hurts~