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]

[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...!

[silvertongueheir]

[After a moment of hesitation, Franciscus pulls Osomatsu closer, tucking the other man's head against his neck. He doesn't even mind that his suit is probably going to get tearstains on it-it already has some of his own, anyways. A few of his own tears are probably going to get in Oso's hair as well, anyways. The thought of the world he remembers going on without him is upsetting as well, honestly, despite all his jokes about seducing his original.]

Whether you were or weren't supposed to exist doesn't matter. You exist now, and that's what matters. We exist now. There's still a world we can live in.

[relieable]

[it's comforting, really comforting, to be able to cry like this, to not be judged or laughed at. someone's holding him, and maybe that's what Osomatsu needs the most right now. he already talked to Keith about what would happen if he tried to go back home. all jokes aside, he doesn't think it's possible.

and Osomatsu had been so quick to throw this existence away. but maybe... he doesn't need to. maybe Franciscus is right. he sniffs, taking in his words]

...Yeah. [his voice sounds so small right now, muffled against Franciscus' neck. as much bravado and self-confidence as Osomatsu puts forth, he's still got quite a bit of growing up to do. he's a big baby sometimes]

[silvertongueheir]

Good. [Franciscus smiles through his own tears, feeling a little relieved to hear that.] And...I'll be here for you. For...for as long as you want.

[relieable]

[one gigantic loud SNIFF in response. good, he is glad for that, glad for Franciscus. after lingering for a few moments, he pulls away, wiping at his eyes. then Osomatsu smiles, warm and tearful, but he looks happy, at least]

...Guess you’re stuck with me forever, then. [Franciscus had been a comfort after trials, and... he still is, it seems]

[silvertongueheir]

See, now that's a better way of propositioning someone than calling them your "sugar daddy." [He almost chokes again when saying that phrase. But despite the kind of playful tone, he doesn't sound 100% like he's joking?]

[relieable]

[that makes him laugh. not hard, like before. but it's a good chuckle. he sniffs again, flicking away a stray tear]

I think we're gonna make a good team.

[silvertongueheir]

And I agree. [Franciscus leans in, slightly, to touch their foreheads together.]