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

[robitussin]

[After she wakes up, she just stays there, looking at the ceiling for a few moments. It's gradually that she sits up, moving off the ground. She looks at her hands, looks at everyone around her... And smiles, despite everything that's happened. There's a mix of surprise, uncertainty, and relief in her voice as she speaks.]

It worked. Is... everyone okay?

[kingbomber]

...Yeah.

[ Hi Natalie, it's been awhile, hasn't it? ]

You guys actually fucking didn't screw everything up. Good job.

[ That deserves to be said, even by him, because now there's a whole new road in front of them. One he's still figuring out, but still one nonetheless due to what the others have done. ]

[robitussin]

Wow. Your faith in us is stunning.

[But from the way the smile stays on her face, it doesn't seem she minds too much.]

I'm... glad you're back.

[kingbomber]

Your fucking welcome.

[ That does get him to smirk in his usual assholish way, yep.

But despite everything he's still kind of awkward about you know, not being emotionally constipated about things so there's a pause of sorts. ]

I guess it's not too much of a pain in the ass seeing you idiots again.

[ There we go. ]

[robitussin]

We better watch out, or you might start getting sappy on us.

[Her smile grows an inch, though.]

[kingbomber]

Like I would! You all can go ahead and just die for all I care.

[ And there we go, but it's probably just easy to tell that it's really bravado at this point. ]

[goturshit]

Well, I have all my limbs, so. That's a pretty good start.

[robitussin]

That's a pretty low bar to clear, you know.

[She moves on quickly, though, to say something else.]

...Thanks for trying to get the hostages out.

[goturshit]

[ she shrugs ]

I'm not the best at it all the time, but I am technically a superhero! And I got to build a flaming dildo launcher.

[ ...she's really obviously just trying to Downplay Things ]

[amburere]

[ Surprisingly or not, it's a while before Dabi approaches Natalie. His posture is casual and familiar, both hands in his pockets, but there's something rigid about how he's holding himself. ]

Guess I should say nice to meet you again.

[robitussin]

[In contrast to that tension, she looks nothing but relieved to see him, taking a breath in.]

You guess you should say it, or you are saying it?

[amburere]

...both. [ He notices of course, and he's not sure how to deal with it. He hasn't been sure of how to deal with her since their talk in jail and everything that followed after.

He'll let a few moments pass in silence, but he'll speak up if she doesn't offer a more suitable conversation started. Hell, he might just come out with it anyway even if she does. ]

[robitussin]

[She expects him to continue, and when he doesn’t, the silence quickly grows too uncomfortable for her.]

What is it?

[amburere]

I heard all of that. Between you and Hawks.

[robitussin]

...Right. You were in a nearby cell.

[She assumes that's not all he wants to say about it, so she falls silent while she waits for him to continue.]

[amburere]

[ There's a lot of ways he could ask this, but in the end he opts for a simpler clarification. ]

Regret any of it?

[robitussin]

[A moment passes, because she has to consider that, but...]

No. Not really. I'm not as pissed as him now that everything's over, but... I don't regret it.

[amburere]

You really are like Fuyumi. [ Dabi spreads his arms out to each side, effortlessly conjuring a circular wall of fire into being around them. With his quirk fully restored, he's capable of a lot more than just fireballs. ]

So what, you think he's the reason I killed Dazai? Guess I can't say you're really wrong, but he's the reason I never moved earlier.