act37side

Alright then. Columbia, eh...?

I still remember saying that if I get the chance, I'd love to see the place you keep talking about.

How far are we from Columbia, Eliseo?

Well, still very far away. Let me get out my map—

Will I be able to make it there in my condition? Walking the whole way?

...I see. Could you promise me one thing, Eliseo?

I know what you're going to ask, Diane.

When the day comes, I'll bring you home. I'll bring you back to Londinium.

I'm rather curious myself as to how much the city would have changed by the time we return.

<i>The day we went back to the gym and got drunk, I had a dream.</i>

<i>In that dream, there was a tomb, all dressed up to the nines. Our names were carved onto the plaques inside it—</i>

<i>'Morgan', Kate Morrigan... 'Indra', Hannah Jackson</i>

<i>'Dagda', Isabelle Montague... 'Baird', Brigit Lucan</i>

<i>Outside the tomb, there was a blazing carriage, and atop it sat a golden lion. He was calling my name.</i>

<i>Vina Victoria.</i>

Mmfh... Vina...

...A blanket? Who put this blanket on me?

Urgh, my head hurts real bad. What time is it—

Morgan, didn't I tell you not to drink like a sodding wino all the time?

Hah, considering how wild Hannah and the rest can get, shouldn't you be looking after them?

Eh...? Vina? Vina!

Morgan nimbly launches herself out of the sofa, leaping over the short table to throw herself at Vina.

Vina, you came over!

I thought... I thought...

You thought what?

Why didn't you wake me, Hannah?!

Weren't you yapping and yowling yesterday about how she definitely wasn't coming?

Look at you. You turned out the most excited out of all of us.

No I'm not!

Stubborn prick.

Quiet down, Morgan. Dagda's still asleep.

(Mmph...)

The one resting her head atop Indra's lap twitches her ears, still lost within a lovely drunken dream.

Seems like Dagda drank the most out of you lot. I tidied up a lot of empty bottles.

She must've been in a real rotten mood, Vina.

Sorry.

I just hope I'm not too late.

Well of course you're not!

Wasn't what you said yesterday, Morgan.

(Shut it, Hannah!)

Welcome home, Vina!

I was really hoping to pop in earlier, but there's simply far too much to handle over at Parliament.

Then... How'd you...

I'm afraid I've given Horn another headache to deal with.

I suspect she'll only just have discovered I slipped away—

Then does that mean you need to head back?

I can't run away from my responsibilities.

But I owe you all an apology.

Vina, you don't need to—

Eh? Siege? Vina!

How long've I been asleep?!

Relax, Vina's only just arrived back.

That knife hanging on the wall—

It's hers. Cador brought it back.

Cador?!

<i>Vina never brought up having to head back the whole day, but we all knew—</i>

<i>That the Siege Vina, the boss of the Glasgow Gang, the ever-victorious king of the 'Slobberknocker', and (one of) my best friend(s) could leave us at any moment.</i>

<i>So I was loathe to lose a single moment where I could tell Vina about all the changes in Norport that she hadn't had the chance to see yet...</i>

<i>Cador, Mr. Lane, the video shop...</i>

<i>The reworked port, the rebuilt stores, a handful of old friends who rushed home after hearing the news...</i>

<i>Of course, who could forget the inexperienced little buggers who wanted to 'take over our gym'. After Vina beat them all to kingdom come with a smile on her face, they apologized by way of a few cartons of beer, and said they wanted to join us—</i>

<i>Seems like Norport's forgotten about us, but I don't think that's such a bad thing.</i>

<i>The war really was over.</i>

Do you still remember this place?

Why don't we get back to our little games, see who's fastest this time around?

Before Vina has even finished speaking, Indra has already begun to set off.

Hannah, you lousy cheat!

She didn't say nothing about a countdown. I'm still the champ here!

Hmph.

You've gotten slower ever since your injury, Hannah.

Say that after you've caught up.

Eh? Wha—?

What's going on? Wait for me!

Don't fall behind, Delphine! Follow me!

Hear that, Del? You're a real slowpoke!

Several figures speed through the streets, and a few workers heading home after work give an inquisitive glance at the brash crew.

They can't quite seem to remember who this gang is—

'Must be another bunch of outsiders just arrived at Norport. Maybe.'

High above the gaps between the factories, the Glasgow Gang return to a favorite spot of theirs.

Here, they can look down upon the squatting factories, and look out at the Shard's pointed peak over at Central.

It was here that they started, and it was here that they left home. After a long period of wandering about, they have finally returned to this familiar place.

But—

I left a glass for Baird.

Sure you don't want a tipple, Dagda?

No thank you. I'm not going to embarrass myself in front of Vina again.

I'll give your share to her, then.

Just fruit juice for you, Del?

Don't call me that. I'm still not too used to alcohol.

Suit yourself. I'll keep watch over you all.

Hell yeah! Finally, the part where we can start bloody drinking!

To Baird! To the Glasgow Gang!

To Baird! To the Glasgow Gang!

To Rhodes Island! To the Exemplars!

To everyone who fought in the war!

And, and, to all those who risked their lives coming home!

To all those who live, and who left... To all those still by our side...

To all those who shed blood and tears, to all those who struggle in darkness and in pain...

...To Victoria.

To Victoria!

There is no need for sorrow. The living engrave the moment in their memories, while those who left leave behind their hopes and dreams.