[ Voice ]

[There's a moment of silence when the transmission starts; a slight tremor to Neil's first words. There are some things you can never quite be ready to say, no matter how long you prepare.

Goodbye, he thinks, is the worst.]

If we shadows--

[And he draws a sharp, unsteady breath.]

No, that's not it. I thought that was the right way to go, but. It's an ending-- a good ending, a hopeful ending, but I don't want to think of this like that. I still remember when I came here, the first people I spoke with, the first things I said, and maybe that's a better note to leave on.

[There's an awkwardly long pause, a rustle of paper (an old and familiar and well-loved book, the book in whose pages he first read these words), and then (in a clear voice, steady now and sure and impassioned:)]

Come, my friends,
'T is not too late to seek a newer world.
Push off, and sitting well in order smite
The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds
To sail beyond the sunset.

[Another pause, and a deep, even breath, hitting his stride.]

Tho' much is taken, much abides; and tho'
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

[Another pause, and the gentle, dusty thump of a well-worn book being shut.]

I won't forget any of this. Five years I couldn't have imagined, and-- [His breath catches.]

I'm not sure where I'm going, but I'll miss it. All of you.

Thank you, City, for all of it.

[And so goodnight unto you all.]

---

[ooc; Neil and Todd will be in the Square today; they won't be going through a door until the absolute last moment this evening, in case anyone would rather do goodbyes in person. Feel free to threadjack as needed. Just wanted to get this up ;; It's been an honor and a pleasure.]

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