Graduation

[strivinghigher]

Well... that's that. I guess I'm no longer a student at Al-Revis. I feel a little wistful, although I also feel so happy about so many things that I can't be too sad. The whole point of being a student here was to become what I am now... Even my school pride just points to this as a culmination, even if I'm not part of the school any longer

Comments

[thewishfire]

...I like that you allowed yourself to cry, too. It was honest.

Confront.... It's an interesting choice of word, and I think I like it. We come to somewhere like Al-Revis, where the truth is stripped so bare before our eyes, and it... it can be painful, like when I had to face what I had done in ignorance, when sensei had to face that there were things greater than what she had allowed her philosophy to become, when you had to face that pride was holding you back, when we all had to face the ordeal that threatened to pull us apart. The truth can hurt, and often, in that instant, we wish to shrink away from it, to retreat back into the shadows, because it's too bright. But here... here has been a place where, time and again, you're encouraged to look back at that thing you most fear, and realise that the light isn't blinding and painful, it's angelic.

We may not be students any more. But we are something even more than that, now, and all because we ever were.

[strivinghigher]

In all schools, no matter what kind, you have to work hard and make sacrifices to learn things. But that's usually just in the form of disciplining yourself, giving up your time, doing the work... not anything this personal. Al-Revis asks for a lot more of people. But it gives a lot more, too.

We're more than students... we're alchemists. Certifiable ones. Even if the mainland would probably think we were certifiable in more than one sense, hahaha...

[thewishfire]

It asks for nothing less than your self, doesn't it? And at the end of that time, you understand why you're perfectly willing to surrender....

I... know what it's like to be hated and feared by those on the mainland, too. But you'll be protected, wherever you go. Even if we're far apart physically, remember I'm your Mana. You can always call me to your side.

[strivinghigher]

Yes... To want to surrender your identity, to pull yourself apart and be remade the way you should be. People are so afraid of it, until it's time when they have to go...

[exceedinglife]

Yeah... it's really kind of like, whew, all the breath just rushes out of you. Realising this is really it, that it's really over now, that we've become that point in the distance we were staring at so long that we never really noticed when we got there... that now it's finally time to go apply all the stuff we've learned.

And I kind of figure that if you're still afraid to cry at the ceremony, they might not let you graduate after all. ;) There wasn't a person there who didn't know what it was to love that deeply, to be that grateful. It was normal. It was expected.

...I guess this might very well be the last time I'll see you in person. I promise I'll keep in touch, though. And Nikki... well, Nikki will let you know, if anything happens. Stay well, and look after Vayne for me, won't you?

[strivinghigher]

I really am going to miss you. I can't be too sad, not in a depressing way, because I'm so happy for you. But it's a bit of a shame I didn't have more time like I am now to appreciate you-- and the others who won't be around as often-- instead of picking on everyone's flaws all the time. Still, there'll always be a memory of you, just like you are right now, in my heart.

[exceedinglife]

Mm. You can always think of me. And I'll always think of you, too.

I'll miss you as well... it's really all kind of sudden, isn't it? That we really have to go....

[strivinghigher]

Very sudden. It felt like we'd be here together forever... Though, maybe in a way, we will.

[justicewearsred]

You did well, Roxis. I'm sure we'll see you back here soon enough. Hey, with your new attitude and those pretty-boy looks, probably your biggest challenge'll be beating off those wide-eyed freshmen left, right and centre. Don't hesitate to call on the Flay if you ever need a hand.

Something about your words... has me imagining us as simple lights, preparing to ascend above this place. People who've left behind everything that wasn't important, and are just lights, now, the colour of our souls.

...Of course, I'm still red.

Fare ye well, and don't worry about Vayne. I'll make sure he doesn't get into trouble while you're gone.

[strivinghigher]

Don't worry, if I have any justice that needs to be defended, you'll be on call.

I'm sure I'll see you again soon. Don't do anything I wouldn't grudgingly approve of.

[justicewearsred]

Hey, I defend honour, too! And I'm also good if you have any cats up trees!

Haha... grudgingly gives me a lot of leeway. But seriously, take care of yourself.

[kowai_yo_ne]

You will always be part of the school. The halls will remember you, even when nobody else does.

I'll try and remember, too. Though you know I'm not very good at that.

[strivinghigher]

It's okay, Pamela. I'm sure you'll remember anything that's important enough.

[tailconcerto]

Yeah... this is really the last time we'll see you, isn't it. At least for a while... I guess I can always come up and visit you guys sometime, and you can always come down and check in on me. It's been a blast, and it'd be sad if we all lost touch, so don't be strangers, yeah?

At the same time, I dunno, though.... I was never a predictologist, but it's getting harder and harder to see the future. I dunno, do you feel it? I try and imagine my old dreams, of what's ahead, and somehow, it's all misty. Things don't feel the same. I keep imagining my future, and... don't take this the wrong way or anything, I don't mean it like that, but it's like my mind just keeps coming back to Vayne. He can do so much, now, and I can't help thinking... I dunno. I don't know if I can capture it, just writing like this. It's like there's something tickling in the back of my mind... maybe I'll write a song, or something.

Anyway... take care, Roxis. Hope to hear from you when you get back!

[strivinghigher]

I do know what you mean. I thought maybe it was because it's easy to imagine a future that's far away, but when you're immediately confronted with a clear and present drastic change, it's a lot harder to imagine getting up in the morning and not being here. But you do have a point about Vayne. He can do so much now. If he can do this to me... What else can he do?