Epilogue

[cartesio]

Welcome to Cartesio!

You open your eyes and see the ceiling of the lodge. There is no real sensation of having slept, but you're still feeling rested. Sitting up, you can see that the building around you is in ruins. Dust and dirt dominate your environment. Around you, there are familiar people - some of them you've been with up until now, some of them you have been brutally forced to part with weeks ago. They all look alright, a little confusion aside.

From a corner of the room, you can hear the soft whirring of a machine. Upon examination, you can see that it's 3D-printing more gelatinous bodies like you've seen earlier today. Every body that is dispensed from the machine is a safe haven for another mind from the simulation, another mind to join your ranks as real people.

After you've adjusted to the new situation and left the lodge, you find yourself greeted with perfect sunshine. There's a town welcoming you, friendly and peaceful. Though it is more modern than what you are used to, there is no mistaking it.

Cartesio, Nevada, welcomes you.

You're new people, in a new world. Every chance it has to offer is open for you.

Comments

[quickpersuader]

[Awakening]

[Kino's a little distracted because she now has little wing thingies, excuse her while she focuses on those.

But if she sees the others, she'll probably look up with a bit of a wry grin.]

Looks like we made it.

[Much later]

[Eventually, Kino can be found accompanied by a motorcycle. Oddly, there's a voice other than Kino's to be heard, and she... is definitely chatting with it as she wheels it around.]

Huuuuuuuuh?! I mean... we've gotten into some pretty crazy situations before, but this is a new level!

[It sounds almost like a young boy. The intonation is correct, but there's an almost bored quality to it, like a child reading off lines without much heart. Kino, however, seems used to it.]

Yeah. As a matter of fact, I even managed to get wings. That means I don't even need to ride you from country to country anymore, Hermes.

And so Kino achieves her dreams! ...But still, it's not very nice to leave me behind like that. Who's going to ride me instead?

That's a good question... [Kino hums thoughtfully.] I suppose I could still take you places, since flying for too long might be troublesome. But that means getting up early...

No can do! I guess I'll have to find a new rider.

[And so on.]

later

[robitussin]

[She watches the exchange go on for a while before saying anything, eyes widened.]

...I didn't think you were lying, but - wow.

[quickpersuader]

Oh- hi Natalie.

Hello! Are you a friend of Kino's?

A friend... mm, something like that.

Nice to meet you!

[robitussin]

Nice to meet you, too. Um, what do you want me to call you...?

[Her eyes drift from Kino to the vehicle and back.]

[quickpersuader]

Just Hermes is fine!

Don't be fooled. He's never this polite with me.

That's because we're blossom buddies!

[A beat.]

You mean bosom...? And I don't think so.

[One might get the sense that Kino often has to correct him like this.]

[odasaku]

A talking motorcycle.

[ oda’s impressed, even if he doesn’t show it. ]

[quickpersuader]

That's motorrad!

[Indignant! But Kino just smiles.]

His name is Hermes. He's my traveling partner.

[odasaku]

That’s amazing. He must be a great partner.

[ he nods, totally accepting the fact that this is a talking motorrad/kino’s partner. ]

I’m guessing you’re gonna continue traveling, then?

[quickpersuader]

That's the plan. We have a whole new world to explore now.

I'm fine as long as I get to run. Kino, just because you have wings now doesn't mean you get to abandon me!

I won't, I won't... for now.

A monster. She's a monster.