And just like that, it was over. Two down in less than a quarter sweep. At least this time you got to say good-bye. You didn't even get that much before. It won't go down in history as the most eloquent of moments, but it wasn't bad either. It seemed fitting, almost reflective of the quadrant itself. You'd thought this one was supposed to be the most raucous, but it somehow managed to carry itself with a an almost quiet dignity compared to the others. You wonder if it has something to do with the extended times apart and what you went through to even hold onto it.
It's hard for you now to tell why you were so completely devoted to him, but it had always felt right, from the moment of the very first conversation you'd ever had with him. There was never a moment of doubt that it all was worth it, every moment of uncertainty, even right down to the end you knew was inevitable.
You'd started feeling it the last few days. That's probably part of the reason you'd been so cranky, why you'd had so much pent up energy. Loli benefited from some of it, and when Dove became a person of interest you'd had to rescue from himself, well that had been an interesting part of the conversation you ended up having while he was making up bailing his ass out of trouble to you. And make it up he certainly did. That's something you'll carry with you at the top of the list of favorite Dove moments.
But then he said good bye. You knew, even before he said it that this was it this time. It's your job to know these things. That's what happens when you're a god of doom. There would be no coming back from this one. No spectacular group effort rescues. No pancakes at Denny's. No more sexy sylph pants. No more photos. No more word games. No more stupid song lyrics. When he left your hive, it would be the last time you ever see or even speak to him.
You also knew it was the way it had to be. Your eyes shone and you sniffled a little, but you held it together well until he was gone. Some fates are inescapable. This was his. You didn't know what yours was yet, but you doubted it would be any better. The only thing you figured is that it would be less noble.
After that, you fell apart. You threw a tantrum and cried. You sent a message to Loli and Jonnah warning them not to need you for a while. There's a little regret about the snapping, but everyone will get over it. Snapping at people is pretty much what you do.
It's one of the reasons you just want to be alone right now. You let Menchi and a surprisingly docile Bristol keep you company, but that's it. You'll get around to explaining things to the rest of your friends when you're done having your alone time to mourn. This is worse than last time here, because you don't have anything to take your mind off it, but that seems fitting too. Dwell on it all at once and shove it away into the recesses of your mind. You'll sever the quadrant, but you'll never forget the quadmate you fought so hard for, the doomed little one armed human who was more heroic and noble than he believed and who made a deeper impression than your miniscule time together should have. He was far from perfect, but so were you, and it was just what you'd needed.
Good luck, Dove. And farewell one last time. (You're) the one that's going down. Just make it count.
