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[umbralant]

EPILOGUE

As the world they've been living in so long quickly dissolves around them, the oppressive air from the Gate fades away from their senses and their vision turns turns completely white. It only takes an instant for their sight to return, but when it does, they'll find themselves in the same dim, dank chamber that they were in a moment before albeit with several main differences: the Gate and the machines that were clustered near it are now gone.

However, you'll only be able to take in this sight for a few seconds before the scenery blurs and suddenly there's the scent of the cool December air brushing past your face, blinding sunlight assaulting the eyes.

It's been six weeks since you've seen anything but the night, so it may take a bit of adjustment before realizing that there's a number of very, very familiar faces before you, as well as one who might not be so recognizable. Either way, one thing is for sure: that long, long Night is over, and it's the start of another Day.

Witamy w Krakowie.

[[Everyone will find themselves in the Main Square. Furthermore, those who had body horror will find that all traces of it are gone!]]

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[drydrown]

[So Cumore is not going to be terribly difficult to find, seeing as he's just going to need to take several minutes to regroup himself, which really just means that he's finding the nearest bench in the square for the sake of sitting down, burying his face in his hands and fucking shrieking into them.

...People were somehow surprised that he has Sonui.

Once he's done...that, however, he looks decidedly less like he's going to stab someone, cry, or stab someone while crying. He's still not together but he's getting there, even if everything is kind of a tremendous "what now" and he doesn't know what to say to any of these people.

The sun is nice, though. He's not going to complain about the sun. Even if it's illuminating the architecture, which he still kind of hates.]

[inordertobelieve]

[ Once he's gotten even slightly used to the sunlight, Mikami is going to rush to find Cumore. This was... this was a mess and he's got so much to make up for. Even if technically he never betrayed their promises, even if technically he only played with the thought--- and it was a righteous thought, mind you! Even then.

Once he arrives at the bench, there's only going to be a deep bow. He's not getting on his knees on the dirty floor, but he's bowing as deep as his body will let him. ]

I apologize. I apologize for what I considered. I'm still yours to decide over - whether you keep me or not is your decision and I will accept any judgment. But for what it's worth, I am sorry.

[drydrown]

[For a moment he's quiet; he looks away somewhere in the middle of that, glaring off at something in the distance and bracing his hands hard against the bench, gripping the edge tightly.]

Are you only apologizing to me now because you can't have it?

[The words are tight. Cold.]

[inordertobelieve]

[ He's not looking up. This bow will be held until the conversation is over, because it is all he can do to show his deference. ]

I'd have taken it in a heartbeat if it weren't for you, to begin with.

[ His soul is such a small price to pay for righting every wrong in the world. All unrighteous, simply destroyed under his heels... Even Mikami can't quite fathom that he didn't take the deal. ]

But in the end what was on my mind the most was the terror I felt when he was threatening to kill all of us - kill you. I couldn't let him believe I'd never take it because... he might have made good on it.

[drydrown]

[Again, for a moment he's quiet, just...trying to make himself breathe. He wants to yell at him, to hit him or do something to get all of this out of his system- ]

What do you want, Teru Mikami?

[It's what he's been asking this whole time, really. He's not going to stop now.]

I know the details of our agreement. Regarding judgement, regarding what should be done. But I want to hear what you want, first.

[inordertobelieve]

I want to be with you.

[ And this time, there is absolutely no hesitation in the answer. He's thought about this while they were in the trenches, while Cumore wasn't looking at him at all. He's decided this, once and for all, when Cumore didn't kill Erik despite how much he'd wanted to.

There is a world Mikami wants to save, there are threads left loose that he wants to pick up, badly-- but there's also Cumore, who's looked at all that Mikami is and always made his doubts go quiet. There is Cumore, who's death was the most terrifying and empty prospect of all. ]

It doesn't matter where you go. I want to be yours.

[ And that's all it is, in the end. He wants to give up the reins just a little bit, not to a concept but to a person. Surely, 'I am in love with you' would also be appropriate words here, but they don't fit either them nor this. ]

[drydrown]

[...Oh.

Well... At the very least, it gets him to stop glaring at nothing, though he still seems more than a bit unsteady just in general.]

...You're going to have to get used to a fair amount, Teru Mikami. Terca Lumireis isn't like this place at all.

[inordertobelieve]

I know.

[ He's still bowing, this is just how this conversation is going. ]

It was never going to be easy. I might hate much of it. I'll miss washing machines, I'll miss disinfectants, and coffee machines, Earth laws and many many other things.

I still want it.

[drydrown]

If it's any consolation, we have things that heal wounds instantaneously, among other things.

[Yeah. Anyway.]

...I appreciate the gesture perhaps more than the next person, but you can look at me, you know.

[psychophant]

[Move the fuck over, buddy, he's about two seconds from screaming with you. But instead, he's just going to sit down beside Cumore and wait out the shrieking. Are you okay with shoulder pats...?? He's still trying to work out physical affection, shut up.]

[drydrown]

[...oh god yes hello there

The presence of another person during the...that will at least get him to calm down a bit faster than he would have normally; he's not precisely sure what to do with the awkward patting but it's. Better than nothing?]

...I'm fine, Iago.

[psychophant]

I know.

[You aren't, and we both know it. But he can humor you anyway.]

I'm staying right here until you're ready to face everyone else. There's nothing you can say that will get me to leave.

[As always, it's easier to frame it like this.]

[drydrown]

...I don't recall asking you to leave.

[So at least there's that.]

[psychophant]

Good, because I'm not going to.

[So we're going to sit on this bench and pretend you're fine.]

...If you want me to stab Teru Mikami, I will.

[assuming he still has his dagger on him?? he'll totally stab a dude for you, cumore. it's what bffs do.]

[drydrown]

If anyone is going to stab Teru Mikami, it's going to be me. I told him I would pass judgement on him when we escaped the situation. He expects me to decide whether he lives or dies.

[...HE NEVER TOLD YOU THE EXTENT TO WHICH TERU MIKAMI IS WEIRD.]

[psychophant]

[gods never mind, it is his turn to bury his face in his hands.]

Why is Teru Mikami like this. Why is he so... so...

[vague handwave. why is he so teru mikami!!!!!!]

[drydrown]

I don't know.

[Ughhhh he hates him so much. Remind him why he cares again.]

Regardless, you don't have to stab him. Though I appreciate the offer.

[ortion]

[Later on, Dist—or, Saphir now—tracks down Cumore. He has so much to say to the man, he's not even sure where to begin. So...maybe he should just keep it simple to start.]

You have my absolute gratitude for taking care of Iago in my absence.

[He heard how everything went down after his death, so...yeah. That really means a lot to him. Cumore dealt with so much shit that weekend.]

[drydrown]

[...Oh, that's.]

Of course. He's important to me.

[It wasn't something he did on Saphir's behalf, to be blunt, but like hell if he's going to say that.]

[ortion]

[Honestly, it's entirely fair. The fact that Cumore cares about Iago is the important thing here anyway. He's so glad that Iago had someone to be with through all of...that...]

I know. I am glad that you two were able to see this through. Watching you team up against the Lady was incredible.

[He's just focusing on the highlights of that encounter, he swears.]

[drydrown]

...So you could see all of that.

[ABOUT 80% OF IT WAS NOT HIS FINEST HOUR AND HE SPENT MOST OF IT SCREAMING AT TERU MIKAMI BUT YOU KNOW WHAT he'll take it thank you for having tact.]

It was highly satisfying to finally make her quiet down after having to deal with her noise for so long.

[ortion]

[Listen, it was totally legit to be screaming at Mikami for all of that. But yeah, just focusing on the moment of badassery.]

Oh, I can imagine. The chaos that ensued after was certainly something.

[And to his credit he doesn't sound entirely judgmental. They pulled off some good shit with the fight distraction and the molotov team.]

You did well, setting it all in motion.

[drydrown]

Consider it appreciated.

[He's pleased, okay.]

I understand you're coming back with us...? I'm looking forward to showing you everything Terca Lumireis has to offer.

[ortion]

Yes! I cannot thank you enough for the invitation for Iago and I to come along. It truly does seem like the best course of action for us.

[As much as he wanted to show Iago his own world...well, he just couldn't see it being feasible with everything going on around the time he was taken to Krakow. Since they're both letting go of their prior aspirations that tied them to their worlds, starting over anew with friends is all the more appealing.]

I am very excited to see what you have to show me. And I am happy to assist you in whatever manner you may need with regard to your position in the military. Once I have gained my bearings, of course.

[Move over Alexei, a new blastia nerd is in the works.]

[drydrown]

This is why I like all of you.

[We're going to take over the world and it's going to be deeply stupid. He is living.]

I can already think of several places you'd like. Aspio in particular comes to mind - it's a city of mages and scholars, dedicated largely to research. It would likely suit you and Iago both quite well.