cartesianism | Epilogue

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Millium.

[ oda walks up to her tentatively, knowing how their relationship had turned bumpy after his death. but with this new life, he wants to try and mend some of the things he fucked up. most importantly, her. ]

Things turned out pretty well, huh?

Ehe. Yeah, they sure did. Still don't really know how, but we're all here and back t'normal, so I guess I shouldn't ask too many questions.

[She's smiling as she says that, but then goes quiet. Her smile fades, and she regards him a little more seriously now.]

So, hey. This new chance we've got. You're not gonna go and throw it away, are you?

I won’t.

[ oda says this with a serious look in his eyes. ]

I... was an idiot.

[...]

Then, that's that.

[And she nods to herself, very seriously...]

[...before promptly launching herself at Oda and clinging to him, smiling brightly as ever.]

[ oda freezes when she hugs him so suddenly, but just for a second. when he realizes that she’s actually hugging him, he smiles, overwhelmed with emotion.

gently, he hugs her back. ]

Thank you, Millium.

[Millium shakes her head "no," which mostly just means she's nuzzling Oda.]

You can thank me once you get things settled out with Dazai.

And after that, you prolly oughta find Cian n' I again, 'cause I dunno what either of us are doin' from here. But it's a big new world, yeah? And we've got big new lives to live.

I think I'd kinda like to spend it with you guys, if you'll have me.

[ oda laughs a breathy laugh when she mentions cian and dazai—things sure are strange in that area.

but it’s when she asks if she can stay with them that he feels a little relieved. it’s a selfish feeling, but— ]

I’m... a little glad you decided that, actually. I think I was hoping for that.

Ehe. I've had a while to think about it, what would happen if we ever really did get out.

And I've known since before I wound up on the other side that I wasn't gonna go back to Erebonia even if I could. That kinda life, it's just not me anymore.

But s'not like I really know what to do after, y'know? So, I figure... you guys here are about the closest thing to family I'm gonna find. May as well stick around.

Mm, I... get the feeling.

[ he pats her head, thinking about how he had always considered himself a terrible person. a murderer. an assassin. someone who deserved to be six feet under.

but now, with this third chance and in a world that has nothing to do with his own... perhaps he can really begin again. no mafia, no killing—just a normal life. ]

I wonder if I can do that... live a normal life...

If it makes you feel any better... I dunno what a "normal" life is, either. So this is brand new to me, too.

And who knows. Maybe we're never gonna manage other people's normal. But living and bein' happy and bein' together, I think maybe that's enough.

Epilogue

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