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

waking up

[robitussin]

[It's unexpected, the wave of emotion that hits her when she sees Millium again, alive and safe. It means that, despite her best efforts, her voice comes out a bit choked.]

...Yeah, I guess we did.

[doublelammy]

[Millium notices that slight choking, and her eyes are warm and gentle when she sets them on Natalie.]

Ehehe... missed me that much, didja~?

[She's teasing, but with how soft her voice is, it's pretty clear she doesn't mean much by it.

She pushes herself to standing, uneasy on her new legs, but nonetheless powers her way over to Natalie to wrap her arms around the other girl's middle.]

I missed you, too.

[robitussin]

[This time, contrary to the last, she doesn't freeze up for more than a second. She returns the embrace with one arm, because her other hand is busy wiping these sudden happy tears out of her eyes. Gross.]

I'm really glad that you're okay.

[doublelammy]

[LOOK AT THAT CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT.]

I'm really glad you are, too... [She nuzzles a little against her, thrilled to pieces to be getting a return hug.] And I'm really sorry I promised you I wouldn't do anything dumb and then left you guys like that.

[robitussin]

No, hey...

[She steps back, if only so she can make eye contact while she says this.]

It wasn't your fault. Seriously.

[doublelammy]

Well... yeah, it was kind of Olympia's. But when I showed up on the other side, all I could think of was you guys, so... even if you can't blame me for it, I'm still sorry you were sad.

And I'm not takin' that back, so there!

[robitussin]

...Okay. But that's the only sorry you get.

[And she might also be getting a hair ruffle.]

[doublelammy]

Ehehe. I think I can work with that!

[And she's clearly grateful for the hair ruffle, given the smile on her face.]