08 - epilogue

[afflictionmods]

EPILOGUE

So.

Juniper is dead. Lorelei and Florence are alive. And the rest of you, thankfully, are also alive and kicking.

The building is kind of a mess right now, and a lot of the citizens are in kind of disarray, confused and uncertain of what exactly is going on in the Camellia tower. Things are a bit of a mess right now, but what matters is that you’ve stopped things. The cycle of these experiments, suppression – it’s over.

Your markings are still here, however. You are free to try and figure that out, too (though the answer is, indeed, quite simple with the "B" toggle, and may be hand waved). Other than that, though, everything seems to be...stabilized. As good as they can be, anyway. Lorelei and Florence are around, for any last conversations. When you emerge, the sun is out, perhaps brighter than usual – though whether that’s because of joy from the citizens or confusion is anyone’s guess – and some of you are covered in blood, but you are here.

And you are ready to finally, finally return home.

---

(OOC: For anyone who's willing, Lorelei will be able to configure tablets to synch up with the portal here at Estelline. From there, they will be able to world hop to someone else's world; so the Estelline portal is now a hub, of sorts. It's not a direct world hop and it's a bit inconvenient, but it is a way for you guys to see each other again.

She will also ensure that those who are currently sleeping will be sent home in one piece.

All of this can be handwaved, or threaded out in the Lorelei thread.

Happy Good Ending, everyone!)

FULL NAV

(CODE)

Comments

[selfconcept]

[ If Hien was the type to cry, he would right now. Unfortunately, he isn't, but the way he relaxes in the hug is evident, especially after Phantom pats his head. ]

For many things, huh? I have a lot of things to be thankful for too, you know.

[exofractured]

[Lucky for Phantom that Hien's not, because that would absolutely set him off. But the fact that Hien seems happy about the hug is, itself, a Lot for Phantom to wrangle.]

Is that right? ...Good. You deserve to be happy.

[selfconcept]

... Thanks.

[ He's heard that before, but hearing it like this makes it feel like it has more meaning. It makes him smile. ]

I'm really glad you're my friend. Also, thanks... for trying to help me, in my memory. It might not have been much to you, but it meant a lot to me.

[exofractured]

[Phantom's getting only marginally better at this through repetition, but that smile helps. It's good to see Hien look like that.]

You're the first friend "I"'ve ever made. I wanted to do something. Even if it's foolish to try to change what's already past. ...Will you be alright now?

[At least he has Fai. Phantom can probably count on him to keep Hien from extremes.]

[selfconcept]

Yeah. I've had time to think. It's a little strange that I remember alternative versions of that memory, but I feel... a little relieved.

What about you? I think you have things to do with Marcus, don't you?

[exofractured]

[Phantom gives a little nod. For the relieved part, not the second. Why everyone thinks he's going with Marcus...]

He'll be going back to Phil. That's where he belongs. For myself, I haven't decided yet.

[selfconcept]

[ He didn't say he'd be with Marcus—despite everything, he's not even sure if that would work out well. If not their circumstances, then definitely their personalities. ]

Didn't you just say you were gonna go travel? I thought you were just gonna talk it over with Marcus before doing that. Not that you need his permission, but still.

[exofractured]

I didn't think he would care where I went, as long as it was 'away.' But it's... I intend to tell him, at least. Properly.

[Very sorry to Hien for catching Phantom in this particular embarrassing indecision loop. He fidgets a little, looking away briefly.]

When I told you before what my wish was, to create a mirrite - that reflection of my heart. That's what Marcus is. I can't make another because he's also mine. You might be the only person who could understand when I say it's... strange, to think of leaving a piece of myself behind.

[selfconcept]

... Yeah.

[ He's fucked over several versions of himself too, as he told Phantom. It's fine!! If anything, he feels something similar as a mirrite, but in the worst way possible. ]

I get that, but you're still yourself. Don't worry... unless you think you'll be lonely?

[exofractured]

I'm an adult. I hardly need a babysitter to keep me company, like Phil does.

[He thinks he'd be very lonely but he'd rather die than say that. But he nods a little for Hien's reassurance.]

You're right. I'll be fine.

[selfconcept]

You don't need a babysitter, but I thought... hm. Anyway, what's your favorite animal?

[ At the blink of an eye, there's a hoodless cloak draped over Hien. It ends at midthigh, so it's not very long, but it makes him look like a dark teru teru bouzu. ]

[exofractured]

[Phantom blinks and startles just a little. It's going to take longer to get used to powers being back.]

I've never given it much thought. A dog, I suppose?

[selfconcept]

[ He reaches inside his cloak and takes out a little booklet. It has all sorts of pictures, namely most dog breeds. It has all the known earth ones and some are a little weird, like catdog or a certain three-headed one. ]

Pick one.

[exofractured]

What is this for?

[The question, the book of dogs? All of it? Phantom laughs a little and flips the pages. What does he even know about dogs? He stops on a big fluffy one decisively.]

This. It looks friendly.

[selfconcept]

A big, fluffy one...

[ He looks at the one Phantom decides on and nods. He reaches into his cloak again. It takes a while, but when he finally brings his hands out, his cloak suddenly seems... stuffy. The reason is that Hien has a big, fluffy dog and it now stands on the ground with its four legs, wagging its tail. ]

It's a medical dog. Magical abilities that can heal you, but only if the dog wishes to. I figure you'd get lonely traveling all by yourself, so why not have a loving companion?

[ He pets the dog. The only thing that seems weird about it is that the dog has completely black eyes, even the scelera. It behaves like a normal dog though. ]

It doesn't need to eat or drink, but it would love to.

[ Just like him! Wow. ]

[exofractured]

[Phantom watches with some fascination, because Hien's magic is strange and interesting, parkour memories notwithstanding. But when Hien materializes the dog he laughs a bit in surprised disbelief.

This is much too much. Phantom glances between the dog and Hien, his eyes a little too bright.]

And does it have a name?

[He leans down to pat the dog, just a little tentative but obviously delighted.]

[selfconcept]

[ The love the dog shows is very blatant—it licks Phantom's hand and nuzzles against it. The tail could turn into a helicopter propeller with how fast it's wagging. ]

No. That's up to you, Phantom. It's yours now.

[exofractured]

[This is the best dog. Hien is the best friend. Phantom scrubs a sleeve quickly over his eyes and clears his throat.]

Then I'll give it careful thought.

[And he straightens up to give Hien another hug as tightly as his noodly mage arms will allow.]

Thank you, Hien. ...You're right. I'd rather travel with a friend like this.

[selfconcept]

[ He returns the hug, giving Phantom a light squeeze. ]

I'm glad. Besides, with a companion, it could be more fun and invite less brooding.

[exofractured]

[He kind of wishes he could say he's not prone to brooding, but that would be a pretty transparent lie. He gives a little huff, though.]

Better company to talk to than myself, in any case. Do you know where you're heading first?

[selfconcept]

I thought I had an idea, but we might have to make a detour to take care of some stuff first.

[ aka he's not at the liberty to tell Phantom. He might get the feeling it has to do with Fai though. ]

[exofractured]

[Well, Phantom has a little inkling of Fai having some situations. He won't pry, so he just nods.]

Don't do anything too thoughtless. Fai told me a little about his curse. I'm going to see if I can't find a more permanent solution than the chips, but I don't know yet how our magic systems will mesh.

[Or maybe this is about the other situations and whatever the reason was that Fai was in danger of dying. ...Phantom has a lot of reasons to worry about both of them, actually.]

[selfconcept]

Oh, he told you about it?

[ If that's the case— ]

If it happens the moment we step out of this world, then that's gonna hurt, huh? I'll come back in a minute though.

[exofractured]

I really don't think that's the only problem.

[Poor Fai... Phantom sighs a little at that.]

[selfconcept]

[ He knows that sigh!! Hien squints at Phantom. ]

Are you talking about emotional damage from doing that? There really isn't a choice here, is there?