The Deck, Wednesday Morning

[living_endless]

It was a nice morning, with the first hint of fall in the still-warm air. Didi carried a mug of tea onto the deck to enjoy it, feeling philosophical. If she counted the time in New York with Sexton, her first anniversary as a human would be Friday. She wondered if she should throw herself a party to mark the milestone -- if she was still around at all. The feeling she wouldn't be kept tugging at her. Mortal life felt like a dress she had almost outgrown, a sentimental favorite she'd need to give up on soon enough.

She tried to shake it off as she sipped her drink. Going or staying -- whichever was going to happen, would happen without her worrying about it. For now, there was slightly spicy tea to drink and a blue sky to watch.

[OOC: Last public post as Didi.]

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[living_endless]

"No," Didi said, because nothing was wrong. "But ... watch him if I go away. That's all."

She didn't think he'd let Raven take away his pain, but having someone to talk to would help. She ignored the pang of jealousy.

[trigons_child]

"If you go away?" Raven repeated, puzzled. "You are not leaving Fandom, are you? You have not graduated yet." Because clearly no one could leave unless they finished school.

She felt the pang but was not sure what to make of it, and said nothing. Didi was always hard for her to read by the very nature of what she was, and she was never certain if she was sensing her feelings accurately.

[living_endless]

"Not yet," Didi agreed. "I have another year. But ... I think my warranty as a human might be about up." She shrugged. "I already got 360-odd days more than I was supposed to."

[trigons_child]

Raven had to pause a moment to let that sink in. "No," she said, shaking her head. "That cannot be true -- you cannot be forced to leave."

[living_endless]

"There's only one way to stop living a human life," Didi answered. "And I don't get a choice about that, any more than anybody else."

She knew this was not strictly true, but that was okay. It was the spirit of the point she was going for.

[trigons_child]

"If you are injured, I will heal you," Raven protested, still trying to deny it. "We will not let you go so easily." Even as she said it, she knew it wasn't true. But though he couldn't heal death, she could fight it.

[living_endless]

"You'd risk the universe to keep one girl around a little longer?" Didi asked, looking alarmed. "Raven, I'm flattered, but let it go. Please."

[trigons_child]

"I cannot simply watch you die," Raven said, blinking back tears. "Jono -- all your friends -- will be devastated. We care for you so much."

[living_endless]

Didi's answer, when it came, was small and very young. "Please don't make this harder than it has to be."

[trigons_child]

"I am sorry," Raven said, wiping a hand across her eyes. "I just do not wish to see you go. You are my friend."

[living_endless]

"We'll see each other again," Didi said. "The universe isn't that big, and you're my friend, too. I promise."

[trigons_child]

"Good," Raven murmured. She took a moment to collect her feelings, not wanting her own distress to sadden Didi, but she had to ask, "Does Jono know?"

[living_endless]

"I haven't seen him today," Didi admitted. "I ... would you want to hear it, if you were him? I'm not going to just vanish, but I wonder if there's another way."

[trigons_child]

"I think I would want to know," Raven said quietly, though not with much certainty. She tried to remember what it had been like when Azar died, and how she had not been allowed to grieve for her. "I would wish to say goodbye."

[living_endless]

"He deserves that much," Didi had to admit, biting her lip. "Thanks, Raven."

[trigons_child]

"And I promise I will do all I can to make certain he does not despair," Raven said. "It will be difficult for him most of all, but he has friends here who will care for him."

[living_endless]

"He does," Didi agreed. "And he's strong, even if he won't admit it. If he gets through the first few weeks ...."

She let out a low breath. "Thank you, though. I trust you with him."

[trigons_child]

"That means a great deal to me to hear you say that," Raven said. She still struggled with guilt about failing to heal him, even though that had been beyond her power, and for accidentally misusing her gifts to make him fall in love with her.