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

[silvertongueheir]

[Ah. Franciscus lets the charisma simmer down a bit after seeing proof that it's working again.] To some extent. I suppose it would have been more entertaining if we could actually have seen Keith's reaction to the statue. But I get the feeling we had much less to deal with than you did, in the end. [After what happened with the graveyard and Hawks then doing a murder...]

[relieable]

[oh, yeah. that Hawks and Dabi surprise was pretty intense]

...Why'd you guys make a statue of Keith anyway?

[silvertongueheir]

I believe it started when we realized that anyone who died on that other side came back to life in their own rooms, but detached limbs such as Olympia's didn't. It was Millium who decided that she wanted to make a fort out of them. And after that, we learned that Eric was practiced in sculpting, and managed to convince him to help with that as well.

...I also believe that at some point before we arrived a tradition of targeting Keith, specifically, started in the graveyard. [Probably why his room got so many messages...]

[relieable]

But you guys were just teasing him, right? I was trying to explain to him that it was... Uh. Good teasing. Like, not bullying. Because everyone liked him.

[silvertongueheir]

He's not used to such gestures, then, is he? But it was indeed influenced by fondness towards him. [A pause] The damaged nose was unintentional.

[relieable]

[a shake of his head]

As far as I can tell, he wasn’t used to it at all. He was really surprised! It was kinda funny.

[silvertongueheir]

[Francsicus chuckles.] I'm glad to hear it entertained some of you on that side. And that he did have someone to explain things to him. [Making Keith have a complete emotional breakdown would probably have been a little too mean.]

[relieable]

[probably]

So... How are you doing, otherwise?

[silvertongueheir]

[A pause as he considers how honest to be.] Still thinking about things, I suppose. Our side learned about what we were earlier this week, but I suppose there was still some hope of returning to our worlds and having things be like before. [A sigh.] No wonder there were no rescue operations. No one would have noticed anything wrong, after all.

[relieable]

[hm... sad]

I dunno what to think about it, you know? Being a copy, I mean. I guess there's a bit of comfort in knowing there's another Osomatsu out there, in some world, who was never kidnapped an' forced to go through this. [he leans against the wall, hands behind his back] Mom an' dad, too, wouldn't have to worry.

[silvertongueheir]

[A slow nod.] There is some comfort in knowing that our operations weren't disrupted. But at the same time, I find myself feeling jealous of that other Franciscus and the people he has with him. I still have my own memories of them, after all. Those feelings won't simply vanish.

[relieable]

[Osomatsu looks down after a moment]

...Yeah. I thought about that, too, you know. This world... maybe I'll have my brothers. [at least three of them. he doesn't know about the other two that he didn't see] But my parents won't be here, or Totoko-chan and Chibita. They're off with the real Osomatsu, in another universe.

[he quickly wipes at a tear that is threatening to collect in his eyes. gotta get rid of it before anyone sees it!]

[silvertongueheir]

[...ah, awkward. What do you do in moments like this? Is a hug appropriate? Is it even appropriate to mention the tear?]

You'll all be together, at least. We found all five of them on the list of inactive minds. [At least he can offer that as a reassurance.]

[relieable]

[it's not awkward! it was one single measly tear that he got rid of. don't worry. Osomatsu's not going to cry in front of Franciscus... at least not now]

Eheh... [he looks up, a sad smile on his face] We'll just have to learn how to make it on our own now. Gosh, it's gonna be a disaster.

[silvertongueheir]

[Good, because that just might end up setting Franciscus off as well. They can have a breakdown later in private or something.]

You mentioned you recently got jobs back home, didn't you? [A pause as he considers.] Though I suppose none of us have identification for this world with us. I suppose that might be an obstacle. [No one regained a wallet, did they?]

[relieable]

Oh, yeah. Didn't even think about that. [a pause] I wonder if the people of this Cartesio are as welcoming as the last. Well, when they were welcoming at first.

[silvertongueheir]

In my experience, small towns are either the most welcoming or most suspicious of strangers. [A pause as he glances around at the group.] Though I suppose we'll know their opinions on strangeness quite fast the instant we meet any of them. [Half this group is visibly abnormal, after all. Also there's more than one person just flying through the air now.]

[relieable]

Guess so. [he links his fingers behind his head] Maybe I'll stick around here for a while, work a bit, establish myself. ...That's what adults do, right?

[silvertongueheir]

[Franciscus nods, looking thoughtful himself. He doesn't have his family's support here, either.] I might need to do that myself, whether here or at some other nearby town. I do still have my ability to create gold, but I can only do that a limited number of times a day. And that would raise suspicion and draw unwarranted attention. [Not in Pokemon-world, where everyone just sees those as something Meowth, at least, can do naturally.]

I've never had to forge identification cards that would hold up to regular scrutiny, but I suppose I might have to try. [With whatever resources they have here, anyways.]

[relieable]

[ah... Osomatsu lowers his arms, giving Franciscus a sly grin]

We may need to stick together, then. I'm gonna need money and an ID for the casino.

[silvertongueheir]

[Ha. He manages a slight grin back.] Well, I suppose depending on how things go, I could spare you some allowance. [Heck, maybe the gold coins will end up worth more here.]

[relieable]

[sounds good to him, sticking with the man who can make gold. at least until Osomatsu has his own money]

Hehe! You're a real pal.

[silvertongueheir]

[A slight chuckle from him as well.] I funded a few things not strictly related to our mission back home, too. I see no reason why I can't do that here as well. [Especially now that he doesn't have a mission.]

[relieable]

We'll just have to see if the people take gold coins. Can't imagine they wouldn't, unless gold isn't a currency in this world.

[silvertongueheir]

Well, it would have to be exceedingly common for that to be the case. And from what I've seen of this town so far, none of the houses have excessive gold decoration.