They had headed to just outside of the resort, and Virgil circled around just above to give everyone some space. Helia had already thrown together the few things she had brought in a large makeshift bindle, and she carried the cloth sack easily over her shoulder. She hesitated with the showcase costume, pondering whether or not she was supposed to keep it, before donning the corset and flowing blue tunic with certainty.
She wasn't supposed to be sad right now. Well, bittersweet maybe, but she was supposed to be celebrating these last few moments with her friends. Heart rising a bit from the pit of her stomach, she let the tears bead up in her eyes as she looked over everyone one more time.
"Honolulu, like you said, it was short, but it was fantastic being your roommate. You and your pals were always there in times of trouble, and sometimes even helped to stew up even more. Give a them some solid goodbyes for me in my place, you hear? Vio, Icarus, Syvery, and double-trouble, you've got your work cut out for you together, but in your heart of hearts, you'll always be a family. Icarus, good luck being a dad, not that you're gonna need it. Vio, take a load off every now and again, you deserve one. Syv, it's too bad I didn't get to know you better. Good luck surviving these guys and their shenanigans, still looking to see that VR video someday. And finally, you two." She hesitantly patted Goldie and Freddy on the head. Chuckling despite the lack of humor. "You've got quite the shoes to fill with parents like these, but truth be told, you're already halfway there. I'm not sure if there's some kinda etiquette for someone giving goodbyes for someone else who's already gone, but if you could, tell Naya that she's letting guilt weigh her down, and that she's the last person who deserves to feel guilty for anything. Oh, and I was loving the flower crown." She joked. "And the Servine sisters, make sure they know that they really spiced things up, in a good way, and thanks for the costume, assuming I'm supposed to keep it, which I am."
She went in for a final hug with everyone who would allow her, and unwrapped her purple bandanna from her head as an offering. "I don't really know how or who to give this to. Maybe you guys could divvy it up or something, just as something to remember me by? Tell Missy that her bodyguard's due for retirement, but not to worry. Maybe, just maybe, one day good ol' Helia will be looking out for her from the skies." She thumped her hand against her chest proudly, hefting the bindle in her left, and raising her right up above her, looking up at Virgil expectantly. "Literally." She smirked, and the sizable Pidgeotto neared the ground in a dive.
"Tally-ho, gang! Here's to a not-so final goodbye!"
And with that, he swooped down and whisked her right off of the ground. Holding tight to his talons, she waved enthusiastically with a free hand. Inspired by the dramatic moment, she let instinct take over, as she shot a blast of frost and fire together, side by side. The opposites swirled around one another, sending small amounts of steam to fill the air, until the ice and flame triggered one another in an explosion of sparkles. They were blown wildly about by the beats of Virgil's wings as the two flew away, leaving swirling trails of icy blue and flaming orange to set the sky ablaze. Helia had forgotten that she even had the thing on, and hoped to Arceus that they had another one, because there was no stopping Virgil now.
Finally, the intensity of the sparkles had faded, leaving the faint glow of purple that remained to settle on the ground, and on one final, absolutely final note, she shouted over the wisp of the wind as they approached the horizon.
"And don't forget! This isn't goodbye!"
And though tears fell freely from her eyes as she called out, she couldn't help but crack the biggest smile yet.
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