[h1][b][i][color=MediumSpringGreen][center]James Kingston[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h1]
[center][img]https://i.postimg.cc/MKVmbk8X/image.png[/img][/center]
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[center][color=MediumSpringGreen][b]Location[/b][/color]: The Stage
[color=MediumSpringGreen][b]Skills[/b][/color]: N/A[/center]

James stared at the empty space that was once the strange amalgamation they’d become. There was a profound sense of emptiness in the aftermath of what they’d become. In the short instance they’d been one, James found his abilities amplified a million times over, felt the very pulse of existence itself. Everyone and everything connected in a single underlying principle with no regard for creed nor race nor philosophy. In that moment, nothing mattered but life and its expression, its beauty in the struggle against the harsh reality of mortality, and its continued illumination against the backdrop of darkness death strove to weave. James couldn’t face that, couldn’t have experienced first hand the world in a way mortals never truly could, and walk away the same. It was too much to handle at once, especially now as they stood amongst the crumbled aftermath of a place that had once seemed isolated from the problems of the world. But he knew now that their struggle, had they emerged victorious or not, had meaning. That they lived here once mattered. And where they would go next all had meaning in the fundamental expression of life.

The bitter-sweet nostalgia of the Underground long gone didn’t hurt quite so much now.

James didn’t have room for much more emotion than what swept through him in the aftermath of their connection. What little was left may have been given over to embarrassment if not for the sweeping relief of Casper’s return, held at bay in the face of annihilation. The tears rolled down his face as he crushed Casper in a hug, murmuring quiet apologies as he shook with the weight of guilt and relief. It took him several long minutes before he could bring himself to pull away from Casper. He sniffled, wiped away his tears, and turned to look back at the group as they started planning as the shock faded away. 

He felt a twinge of sadness when he realized his journey was over but, there was joy there as well. He’d help with the evacuation but after that, Casper and James made a plan. It felt like ages ago. The Underground he knew would exist anymore but he’d keep a spot at his table for any of them if they ever needed it. 

[color=mediumspringgreen]“I have a promise to keep. Didn’t think I have a chance honestly.”[/color] James let out a relieved laugh, [color=mediumspringgreen]“Guess New Orleans is happening after all, babes.”[/color]