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

[relieable]

[a potential vulnerability, huh? Osomatsu would be completely different, he thinks. if he was with someone, he'd want everyone to know about it. then again, he's not working in a dangerous field like Franciscus is..... was]

So it was a big deal.

[silvertongueheir]

[Well, Franciscus did praise Shaun's skills a lot, still. After all, he wanted everyone to know how cool his boyfriend was.]

To me, at least. [A pause] The Sergeant actually copied a series of texts between us, for the secret. [So, potentially embarrassment on top of the extra danger.]

[relieable]

Uh... That's a little creepy. Then again, this is Sarge, we're talkin' about...

[silvertongueheir]

It certainly is. I did confront him about it, too. Though I'll admit, there was a part of me that was glad to have them. [It was pretty much his only reminder of Shaun for a while, after all.]

[relieable]

[awkward]

I mean, at least it was kind of a nice secret? Mine wasn't nearly so kind.

[silvertongueheir]

I suppose... [He leans against Gerard's side a little, considering.] I won't pry, then. Though I admit I cannot see your secret being as bad as some of the ones that were mentioned. [So much death-related secrets...]

[relieable]

[he's silent for a moment, recalling the secret, wondering if he should tell it to Franciscus or not. little by little, Osomatsu's been revealing things about himself. he's mostly been open as far as feelings were concerned, but he did talk to Keith about... that one thing...]

I think, to me, it looked that bad. [he closes his eyes] My secret revealed that I was a selfish older brother who stole from my younger brothers. At the time, I didn't want anyone here to know that about me.

[silvertongueheir]

[Franciscus actually looks a little surprised at that.] I admit, I wouldn't have expected that. You do seem to care greatly for them, after all. [A bit of a teasing smile.] Besides, you have me to provide funds for you now.

[relieable]

[well, that does lighten the mood a bit. Osomatsu lets out a soft snort, shrugging his shoulders]

What, are you saying you're gonna be like my sugar daddy? [stop him]

[silvertongueheir]

[Franciscus kind of chokes on his next breath, coughing slightly as Gerard looks at him with worry. He buries his face in his hands, looking embarrassed.] I would...prefer you not refer to it like that. We're...friends, after all, not just in a transactional relationship.

[relieable]

[Franciscus' reaction is hilarious. exactly what Osomatsu needs. he laughs loudly and reaches over to clap the other man on the back]

Hey, come on! I was only joking! [still...]

[silvertongueheir]

[Man, that reminds him of Jimmy...] Well. I hope you know you're much more important to me than that term implies, either way.

[relieable]

[EH? that gets Osomatsu's laughter to stop abruptly. he looks at Franciscus with wide eyes, surprised by his words]

...

[then the shock fades, and he smiles a little sadly. don't make him cry, dude]

You, too.

[silvertongueheir]

[...is he blushing? He hopes he's not blushing. (He's probably blushing.) Still, after a bit, he reaches out to just...hold Oso's hand? Feelings are so damn complicated, and he has no idea what to say, so he'll just...express his gratitude for that through action.]

[relieable]

[again, Osomatsu is surprised. but... he loves physical affection, so he's not about to brush Franciscus off. they've been through a lot together, and Osomatsu still feels bad about how he handled things. but... maybe they can get past it. maybe they can move on together, and be good friends. after all, Osomatsu said it before, that the people he'd spent time with in Cartesio were like his second family... he still can't believe he said that to the Sergeant, of all people. what a mess that last trial was! he goes quiet, scooting closer to Franciscus and linking their fingers together]

[silvertongueheir]

[What's a little murder between friends, after all? Though speaking of the trial...Franciscus' expression gets a bit more serious as he leans slightly closer as well.]

When you told the Sergeant he could just destroy you and you wouldn't care...you were just bluffing, right?

[relieable]

[oh... Osomatsu blinks and looks over at him]

...You could... hear all that?

[silvertongueheir]

We could. On our side at least, there were screens in the lodge showing your investigations and that final confrontation.

[relieable]

[DUDE. that is scary. Osomatsu's silent for a long time, several seconds, and then he squeezes Franciscus' hand]

...I wasn't bluffing, no. [he looks down at the roof] I really thought that if I was gonna have to do his bidding, I'd be better off destroyed. After all, I'm just a copy. [then he looks back up at Franciscus again] Right?

[silvertongueheir]

Perhaps it is true that it would be better to perish than serve him, but "just a copy"? [Franciscus suddenly reaches out with his other hand, both of them now holding Osomatsu's hand tightly.] There's no "just" about it! Like, I said, you're important to me. This version of you, specifically!

[relieable]

[Osomatsu starts, jolting a bit when Franciscus moves closer. his insistence causes Osomatsu to go still again, as though any sudden movement may tear them apart. it's been a long time since he's heard someone say he was worth anything to them. sure, Karamatsu had said Osomatsu was important when he was kidnapped. but to hear those words, "you're important to me," from someone who was a stranger just a couple months ago? it's a lot to take in. Osomatsu's makes a soft noise, and tears collect in the corners of his eyes. no, dammit. don't cry...]

[silvertongueheir]

Are...are you alright? [Fuck. Now Franciscus is tearing up too. One of his hands lets go, lifting in an attempt to hide his own tears. It's not very effective, of course.]

[relieable]

I-I'm fine! [Osomatsu stammers, using his free hand to scrub at his own eyes. he hiccups, but manages to get a hold of his words] It's your fault!

[silvertongueheir]

I'm...sorry? [It comes out as partly a wail, as Franciscus slowly reaches out and wraps his free arm around Osomatsu's back.] I...I didn't mean to upset you...

[relieable]

[Osomatsu huffs but leans against Franciscus now that he's trying to hug him. he broke down in front of Sting that one time, and that was embarrassing. this is... slightly less embarrassing? but still pretty bad. once they're closer, Osomatsu grits his teeth. the tears won't stop. he's crying for a lot of reasons. this has been an emotional day. an emotional past couple of months. and it's all over now. or maybe it's just beginning? after all, he doesn't know what he's going to do with himself. he can't go home. thank goodness he has his brothers, but his parents, Totoko, Chibita, even Iyami... they're all gone. or, well, they're somewhere in another world, probably, with their own Osomatsu. and he is...] I'm not even supposed to exist. [it comes out as more of a sob than he wants it to. he wants to add more, but he doesn't trust himself. Franciscus said that Osomatsu, this Osomatsu, was important to him. and it's a lot to take in, because he doesn't feel important to anyone right now] I don't... I can't...!