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

[quickpersuader]

[That gets a look of surprise for sure.]

...You mean like traveling together?

[Keith and Natalie sticking together was a given, but...]

[robitussin]

Unless you’re opposed for some reason.

[quickpersuader]

[There's a very, very long period of silence.]

Is this world... similar to yours?

[marmoron]

[Not sure he's liking this long period of silence, Kino, but...]

Similar, yeah. The tech's outdated.

[A lot outdated. What the fuck year is Voltron set anway.]

But if the simulation is anything like the world it was trying to emulate, it sure felt like home.

[quickpersuader]

[There's another pregnant pause as she considers this very seriously. But eventually, she seems to make up her mind.]

If you really don't mind traveling at my pace and helping me with the technology and things here...

We could... probably travel together.

[marmoron]

[Alright let's put it another way.]

Do you want to?

[quickpersuader]

...I've just never traveled with people outside of specific arrangements before.

[It's something that requires a lot of thought.]

I've been hired as a guard and things like that, but this is different.

[marmoron]

Traveling with friends isn't so bad.

[In his experience? Memory?]

Besides. Getting places is gonna be a lot easier if you can teleport.

[quickpersuader]

[Oooh.]

So then, Cosmo can...?

[marmoron]

Yeah. Cosm used to be a big help in recon and stealth missions back home with his ability.

[A beat.]

I think he might like traveling in a bigger group, too.

p[More people to receive ear skritches and affection from, clearly.]

[quickpersuader]

I will be sure to give him all the love and attention he deserves.

[Because Cosmo is a GOOD BOY.]

How far can he teleport, anyway?

[marmoron]

[Zero disagreements there. Cosomo is a Good and he's glad Kino thinks so as well.]

I'm not sure. It has to be within visible range for now, but who knows how much stronger his teleporting ability will get as he gets older.

[Or what other powers he might unlock! Keith is still holding out hope for Cosmo learning to talk, okay....]

[quickpersuader]

So he's still pretty young, huh?

[Hmmm... Thinking back:]

I have no idea how old Riku was. I wonder how long it takes for a dog to learn to speak?