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]

Yeah, pretty much. She's pretty okay with lots o' things.

[relieable]

[hehe]

She's a weird one... Though I hope you weren't goin' around killin' each other over and over again.

[doublelammy]

Eh, nah. Mostly just her for spare parts.

Can't make any promises about Bakky n' Clarisse, but I tried to keep 'em from blowing anything else up, at least.

[relieable]

Well, I'm glad you were able t'keep busy, at least. You guys also did whatever you could to communicate with us, so... that was helpful, especially near the end.

[doublelammy]

Yeah. It basically wasn't like what you'd think of when you'd think of bein' dead at all, but it wasn't bad!

But I'm glad we could help you out at least a little. It was pretty exciting tryin' t'send messages back n' forth! Like a big puzzle, ehehe.

[relieable]

It was like a puzzle... Awful lot of puzzle shenanigans goin' on, though. I think I overworked my brain!

[doublelammy]

Ehe, nooo~! You were just makin' it bigger n' stronger.

[relieable]

Maybe you're right. I do feel a little smarter than before. [but also... more suspicious of things] At least, I think I do. [haha]

[doublelammy]

Yeah! It's like workin' a muscle, right? Just... brain muscles. Yeah!

['Cause that's totally how bodies work. Well, at least one of them is smarter...]

[relieable]

[who knows if Osomatsu is smarter. he laughs, though, then sits back, resting his hands behind him]

So... what are you gonna do now?

[doublelammy]

I'm not really sure yet. I mean... I figured back in there that if I made it outta this, I wasn't gonna go back to what I was even if I could, but I never thought I'd have so many choices.

It's a whole new world out there. It's kinda exciting, isn't it?

[relieable]

[oh. this is very good to hear, that Millium wants to do her own thing]

You're tellin' me! I'm a little scared, I guess. But I also think it'll be fun. The world is our oyster.

[doublelammy]

Yeah, it's a little scary, but it's... I dunno. Liberating, too. I think that's the word I want.

[Local thirteen year old ex-spy is smarter than she lets on, news at 11.]

Yeah! So... I think I'm gonna ask around. Figure out what everyone else is doin'.

So. What're your plans?

[relieable]

[liberating is a good word!]

I dunno. I'll probably stick around here for a while, make some money, hang out with everyone else who wants to stay. I'd like to see this world's Japan, someday, but I probably will need cash to travel.

[doublelammy]

Hehe. Sounds like a pretty solid plan to me!

I don't think this world is gonna have much of anything like what I remember. But that just makes it all that much more mysterious! So maybe one day, I'll go see this Japan, too! Sounds like a fun time to me.

[relieable]

Oh, Japan is a fun time! Well, at least it was, back in my world. There's all kinds of things to do there. Shop, sight-see, play games... It's an island country, an' you've got places that are super bustling cities, and towns that are just as sleepy as this one. It's rich in culture and history.

[doublelammy]

Ah! That does sound fun!

Hey, hey. If you ever put enough together to go, maybe I can go with you! And you can show me all the coolest stuff!

[relieable]

[an enthusiastic nod]

Sure! I would be the best tour guide. [wouldn't that be nice, too? showing Millium his home. Osomatsu feels a pang of homesickness, but also pride] Let's plan on it.

[doublelammy]

Yeah! It's a deal, then!

[And she will seal that deal with one more hug around the waist.]

[relieable]

[oh, fantastic! he loves this, loves that he’s getting hugs from people. he hugs Millium back, a nice big squeeze]

Great! I guess I better start saving up!