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]

...Staying with you.

[She says, trying to ignore the color creeping into her face.]

God, that was sappy. I can't believe I actually just said that.

[marmoron]

[There's a moment where his expression is pure incredulity, but then he has to fight to keep a laugh in check. It's not funny, it's just...feels like another out of body experience. But it's a pleasant one.]

You can take it back if you want.

[robitussin]

...No. I think I'll stick with it.

[And as if to cement that point - she moves forward slightly to kiss him.]

[marmoron]

[It takes him a second to respond to this. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that the printer's right there, still whirring along and slowly spitting out humanoid shapes that has him a little surprised by the "where" of all this, but... it's only a second and then he kisses back.

Maybe there's no real need to overthink and make things complicated because they can just figure this out together.]

[quickpersuader]

[Is that a golf clap from somewhere to the side?

That is a golf clap.]

[robitussin]

[Well, that was nice for about five seconds. Now she's pretty hurriedly pushing herself away from him immediately, going red.]

—Shut up!

[Natalie, she didn't say anything??]

[marmoron]

[Cue acting like he just touched a fucking electric fence.]

Have you just been watching this entire time?!

[quickpersuader]

[Now Kino's just

laughing at the both of them. It's a sound of delight, the kinds you hear when she's petting Cosmo.]

Long enough. Congratulations, you two.

[marmoron]

[Kino. Kino please. Please stop being delighted. This is weird.]

There's nothing to be congratulating alright.

[linearcrash]

[ From some where in the background... ]

Huh? So they are sleeping together like that.

[relieable]

[elbows Nine]

[linearcrash]

[ He was expecting an elbow, but not from Oso. Hi Oso Mats. ]

Huh? What's up?

[relieable]

[he's just here, eavesdropping, of course. Nacchan and Keet are important to him!]

...I don't think they're sleeping together like that. Yet, at least. [they should not be discussing this]

[robitussin]

[screams internally]

No we're not!

[linearcrash]

[ Man Keet keeps sharing a bed with all of these chicks... ]

Does he play hard to get too? You know, you could just sneak up on him in the shower.

[marmoron]

[Holy shit, holy fucking shit??????]

Can you just shut the fuck up?! We're not-- it's not like that!

[carbide]

Not yet.

[I GUESS OLYMPIA IS PAYING ATTENTION TOO???]

[tuffguy]

[ loudly calls out ]

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOH.

[marmoron]

[Bolin. Bolin.]

It's not....

[Not WHAT. Who knows.]

[tuffguy]

Can't complete that, Keith?

[robitussin]

[Drags her hands down her face!!]

Why? Just answer that for me. Why?

[tuffguy]

It felt fitting.

But congrats are still in order.

[robitussin]

[Whispering his way while everything happens so much:]

Let's leave.

[marmoron]

[Natalie, why did you pick this spot for this.... He's so red he's matching the armor right now.]

Yeah. About time.

[robitussin]

Sorry, I didn't think... Actually, I have no idea why I didn't assume this would happen.

[But either way, she takes his hand to lead him outside and away from the peanut gallery.]