A/N: FINE YOU GOT ME. Well, no, but Thought Thinker and Nostalgia's MBF, your comments touched my heart, and I will write this FOR YOU. Just for you. Everyone else may view, but this finale is dedicated to those two people. And guys, I'm sorry about how OOC they've all been, but I haven't read the series in two years, so don't go hating.

Farewell

The day is beautiful, the leaves on the trees a brilliant emerald, the sky a magnificent azure. You're amazed picturesque scenes like this actually happen, that they're not just in paintings. Nothing's different to the residents of this property, though, because they've seen views like this every day. You stand from the stone bench, stepping across the lawn carefully, as if taking too heavy a step will become a flaw in the landscape. Looking around, you wonder where everyone is, and how they'll react to what you have to say.

Ah, there. Warren and Vanessa, holding hands, slide into your line of sight from around the house, and you choose to wait. As soon as the couple is in front of you, you catch Warren's shoulder. He and his love turn, blinking, curious as to what you have to say.

"I'm leaving," you announce, pushing back your shoulders.

"That's just fine. It was great to have you." Vanessa smiles, placing a hand on your arm. "We'll miss you, I hope you know."

You nod. Of course they will. And you'll miss them.

The two give you a hug and then retreat, continuing their peaceful walk. You stare at the forest again, then decide to find Kendra and Bracken, as well as Seth and the satyrs. Setting your pace at a brisk jog, you maneuver through the brush, marveling at the sights, until you reach the pond. Slipping through the arch, the first thing you see makes you smile sadly. Kendra is running across the lawn from Bracken, who quickly catches up and scoops her into his arms. She lets out a scream that sounds more like a laugh before the two kiss happily. This is the sort of thing you'll miss the most, you realize, as you make your way over to them. Bracken notices you first, setting Kendra down gently on the grass, and she turns to see you. She races up and throws her arms around your shoulders.

"We've known you were going to leave for a while, ever since you stopped visiting," she admits cheerlessly, but with a slight smile that says things much too wise for her age.

"You won't leave our hearts," Bracken says, grinning. He claps you on the back and you hold back a wince. Gosh, he's strong. You move away, casting them one last glance as you disappear through the opening in the hedge. You don't have to turn your path much to get to the tennis courts, and soon you hear the shouts of foul play again. Again picking up your pace to that jog, you move toward the yells, until finally, you slide through the bushes and into the court.

Seth reclines on an expensive-looking lawn chair, though something tells you someone just beat up an old one so the brownies could 'fix it up a bit.' The satyrs, Newel and Doren, are standing face-to-face, each on one side of the net, and they're both screaming. Looking back at Seth, you see the amusement in his gaze, until it moves to meet yours. He looks surprised, for an instant, before beaming at you and gesturing that you cross the court to talk. You do, tensing as you trot up behind Doren, then relaxing as you come within speaking distance of Seth. The smile is still there.

"Hey! How's it going?" he asks, sitting up. You bite your lip.

"Ah, well, I, um…" It's harder for you to say the words to Seth, probably because he's the one you've really gotten to know. Finally, you swallow and breathe out, "I have to leave."

He blinks. His smile falters. "Sure. When will you be back?"

Squeezing your eyes shut, you curse. This is a lot harder than you thought it'd be. "That's the thing, Seth, I won't be coming back. I'm leaving forever."

His smile altogether vanishes, his eyes read out how distraught he really is. "Oh… but, forever is a long time…"

"A long time, yes, but I won't be coming back. I'm sorry," you add, hearing the satyrs calls fade as they listen in. You urge yourself to continue. "I just… I'm not really happy here anymore. No, that's not it, I'm just not… I can't live here anymore. Not just reside, actually live. You know?"

He pauses, not meeting your eyes. "Yeah. I get it." Then he smiles again, but the absence of the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes tells you he's faking. "Well, I'll miss you. And I won't forget you, not for a moment."

The satyrs join in. "It was great having you here!" Newel shouts. You grin at the pair, then make your way back to the house. You stand there, in front of the huge building, for what seems like ages. You see Stan and Ruth, and you wave. They've known from the start you were going to need to leave. And then, after all the goodbyes are over and done with, you spin on your heel and walk down the driveway. Dale is there, at the gate, waiting, and he pushes it open for you. He sweeps a hand out in an after you, gesture, and you shake his hand before withdrawing, promenading down the long driveway as he closes the huge gate behind you.

You don't look back.