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

[doublelammy]

[Yes, actually? She only has like a 75% functional set of feelings herself.]

Everyone on the other side!

[But... ah? She blinks up at him with big wide eyes.]

We were honorin' your glory n' achievements. Duh.

1/2

[marmoron]

[Okay everyone on the other side, sure. He has no idea why, considering he doesn't think he's really made a fuckton of friends here, but forget that part for now.]

My glo --[Nope can't even repeat that, it's too ridiculous.] It was a statue of me in a loincloth!!

[marmoron]

[...And then once he realizes he may have just literally yelled that for everyone to freaking hear, he crumples, covering his eyes with his hand. He stays like this for a good few seconds in complete silence.

Eventually....]

Tell me why I missed you even a little bit again?

[doublelammy]

It was a toga! Y'know, like the old gods used t'wear!

[HUFF. Differences, Keet!!

But to that second question, she just beams up at him.]

Because I'm the best and you love me? It's okay to admit it, Keet~

[marmoron]

[GOD. Grumping. So much grumping.]

Damn it, Millium, it's Keith.

[But he will finally actually bother to hug her back. It's not at all contrary and it's not at all like it's great to be able to tell you off in person.

This hug maybe also has the added benefit of making it so that the tiny smile on his face is obscured from her view.]

[doublelammy]

Sure! But Keet makes you mad, and you're cute when you're mad, so it's Keet forever now~!

[It's okay. She's... well, she's aware of her other self's memories of Jusis, so this is fine. She can work with tsundere.]

[marmoron]

H[.....]

How the hell is it cute....

[God it's like he has no credibility as a person... clone thing. The question tapers off into a sigh, but he hasn't stopped hugging her yet. He'll do that in just another second, y'know. Just taking his time...]

I'm glad you're okay. [...] ...And thanks for trying to tell me you were, while you were on the other side. The thing on the ceiling... that was you, right?

[doublelammy]

'Cause it is!

[#helpful

But to the other part:]

Ehehe, yeah. I tried to leave messages for a handful o' people, but Nine n' Nagisa told me it wasn't gonna transfer unless I did somethin' big. And I figured your ceiling seemed plenty big t'me!

[marmoron]

[....Okay, he will let go now, but only after giving her hair a good playful ruffling.]

It was a lot more pleasant to wake up to than that blood I'm assuming Clarisse left.

[Which he never cleaned off. For the record. His tone softens a bit with the next question.]

Do you know what you're doing now?

[Now that she doesn't have to go back and be an Ironblood and doesn't have to have conflicted feelings about having feelings about people anymore that is...]

[doublelammy]

Ehe. I don't actually know, but I'm cool with blaming Clarisse!

[#HELPFUL]

Not really, not yet. Step one is gettin' outta this lodge and goin' to stretch my legs for a bit, but after that... I think I'm prolly just gonna ask around. See what other people are doin', and figure out where I can tag along.

You?