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Entry tags:
WELCOME
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!]]
no subject
I certainly wouldn't want to leave them here if I am able. I don't intend to do anything with them now, but...a reminder of the past that I've overcome might be nice.
[A memento of sorts.
...Or maybe he'll end up disposing of them himself one day. A decision for another time.]
Perhaps we can investigate our former rooms before we go.
no subject
Of course. I'd like that. There is something I promised I'd show you.
[But for now... For now his grip tightens again and he runs his fingers gently through Saphir's hair.]
I did warn you that I wouldn't want to let go. Allow me just this one moment of weakness for a bit longer.
[It's not quite teasing, but it's certainly not serious at all.]
no subject
Of course. How could I forget? We were in the middle of something, weren't we? Everything else can wait.
[With a light laugh, he leans back in for another kiss.]
no subject
But of course, he wouldn't want anything else. He has suffered this past week without his Saphir and he is never letting go again. Everyone else is just gonna have to deal with them being Like This. We're probably going to be here for awhile...
So anyway, after they've got that out of their systems......]
Come, let's see if there's anything left behind on this side.
[...he is absolutely not letting go of Saphir's hand, though. We're holding hands the whole way back and there's nothing you can do about it!!!]
no subject
Eventually, they're back at clergy housing. It's so surreal to be here with Iago again. Soon enough, they're walking down the familiar hallway toward Saphir's room.]
Did you stash them in my room?
[Where would they even be safely hidden in Cumore's.]
no subject
Of course. I kept most of my things in your room even after I moved to Cumore's. His was crowded enough as it was.
[there were so many plants, saphir. so many.
Anyway, here we are! On opening the door, it's apparent that a lot of stuff is gone and Iago frowns.]
Well, it seems most of my belongings didn't make it.
[...are his clothes still here???? Gods, what if he lost his outfit and cape????
Anyway, feel free to check the desk if you want while he raids the closet - your notes are definitely there, though it seems like only a few things got brought over... At least Iago's Freeze staff is still propped up against the desk! Now he's not totally defenseless once his magic returns to him.]
no subject
...unless they raid the boutique for a second time before leaving.
Anyway, Saphir goes through the desk and manages to find the notes tucked away in there. That's really about it, though. His toy-sized version of Kaiser Dist RX is gone, along with the other trinkets he acquired.
When he's done raiding, Iago will find Saphir quietly going through the notes. He's looking at them with a somber and contemplative expression. It's...odd seeing them now, after everything he went through and the decision he ended up making.]
no subject
He sets those on the desk before moving to join Saphir, guiding him toward the bed to sit. In some ways, it feels like nothing has changed from the last time Saphir did this for him.]
Tell me what's on your mind.
[He's sitting close, of course, though he's not trying to read the notes any. He already went through them all anyway, but that's not the point.]
no subject
He lets Iago guide him easily, and nestles up close to him when they're on the bed.]
Ah, it's just...I haven't seen these notes in well over a decade. I had been working hard to get them back for quite some time, and had just about given up ever getting my hands on them. I find some kind of irony in the fact that they showed up here.
[Who knows what his reaction would have been if they showed up sooner? Probably a lot different, at any rate.]
But now they are a reminder of my past that I moved on from, and nothing more.
no subject
I can understand. There's something almost surreal about having something from home. While I would have liked to receive some of my tomes, I imagine it would have gone very poorly had I gotten them back earlier.
[You know, during that week with the powers motive. He was already hanging on by a thread at that point; a reminder of what he lost would have pushed him over the edge.]
But this is very different. It's going to continue to be difficult, but I will be here for you every step of the way. I do think it's good that you want to move forward instead of looking back. I can't promise you that our future together will be everything you ever wanted, but it will be ours; a future we build together.
no subject
After listening to Iago's words, Saphir's smile returns, albeit a soft one. He sets the notes aside and leans into his partner.]
It may not be the future that I envisioned before arriving here, but it is the only one I desire now. Just being with you is everything that I want. Sorting out the rest will come easily enough.
[They'll adapt to their new world. Their determination will get them through, as it always does.]
Thank you, Iago. For everything. I cannot wait to forge our new path together.
no subject
[Every time he's said that before there's always been some lingering doubt in his mind. After Saphir's death, nothing felt certain anymore. He continued to act like he was confident and sure, but in reality, he really only had two people he was clinging to for dear life, and if anything happened to either of them, it was over. He's never been as strong as he likes to pretend he is.
But now, after all of this, facing a future in a brand new world with all sorts of things he'll have to learn and struggle with doesn't seem so difficult. He's faced worse and lived. Nothing is topping seeing Rembrandt's true form, after all.]
Terca Lumireis will certainly pose some challenges, but we will adapt and overcome. We've been through the worst already. There isn't anything that world can throw at us that will be anywhere near as difficult.
[One of his hands slides up to thread back through Saphir's hair again, gentle as always.]
I will never leave you alone; I will always be here by your side.
[...probably not literally, but we are going to have some real fun times late at night. He's still got some lingering issues, okay!!]
no subject
[Even though most of the Krakow experience was awful, he genuinely did enjoy the challenge of learning to work on machines with this world's technology. Learning to work with blastia is going to be an absolute delight, even if learning an entirely new language and world history is going to be...daunting in comparison.
He manages a content sigh and enjoys the bout of quiet as Iago plays with his hair. For the time being, the notes and the memories associated with them are forgotten about.]
And I you, my dear Iago. Nothing will split us apart if either of us have any say in it.
[God, there are going to be so many nights of them holding each other close and soothing each other's nightmares.]
no subject
Of course not. I'll tear apart anyone who would even think of trying it.
[His fingers flex against Saphir's back for a moment and he smirks a bit as he settles.]
And speaking of that... I can already feel the flow of magic again. I'm not sure what that demon did, but I won't have to study for nearly as long to return to my full potential.
[He is going to have to rewrite his tomes from scratch and that's going to be a huge pain, but it's not like it'd be the first time.]
I want to show you all I can do. My displays here haven't been nearly as masterful as what I'm usually capable of.
no subject
Oho. Now that's going to get a smirk out of him.]
Truly? Oh, how wonderful! I am so happy for you.
[Elated, even. He knows how big of a deal this is for Iago. To have his incredible magic back just in time to head to another world...now he doesn't have to worry about finding a way to get it back. What an amazing turn of events!]
I look forward to seeing you at your best. You deserve no less, of course. [...] And if you so desire, we can continue our lessons if Terca Lumireis' technology allows for it.
[It might be similar enough that he can still build machines?? He'll figure it out, either way.]
no subject
I would like nothing more. I want to see you thriving in our new world as well. I will always study diligently for you, Saphir. I'm certain you'll enjoy blastia; Cumore doesn't have nearly as much knowledge as I'd like on them, so I'll be happy to study with you.
[Study dates...??? No, let's be honest, they'll both be too busy studying, there will be no dating involved there.]
I'm looking forward to it. You really have changed my life, Saphir.
no subject
[They might have their noses buried in books and tech the entire time, but that's totally the romantic part about it, right? Right.
The smirk softens immensely as he rests his head against Iago's shoulder.]
It means so much to me to hear that. And you know full well that I return the sentiment. I believe I would be in a much worse place if you had not come into my life.
no subject
As would I. Even if I had succeeded and taken the throne, I can't imagine it would have made me happy like this.
[It's strange to think about it now, after six weeks of hell. He broke entirely too many times and he's pretty damn sure whatever fix he's got is only temporary, but even after all this hardship it's been worth it. Every single damn moment has been worth it for this. Even that horrid trial, even losing Dist, because it means everything worked out to this. He can start over with Saphir, and while that idea may have been terrifying at the start of this, there's nothing he could want more now.
It only takes a moment for one of his hands to shift up and slip back into Saphir's hair, gentle and mindful of his nails as always.]
Thank you, Saphir. I don't know where I'd be if you hadn't been here to support me through my darkest hours. Even after seeing me at my worst - repeatedly - you've always been quick to help. I can never express how much that means to me.
no subject
And I would do it all again in a heartbeat. For you have helped me as much as I have helped you. You have given me so many things that I never had the pleasure of knowing back home, and for that I am ever-grateful.
[Tilting his head up to smile at Iago, he brushes a hand against his cheek.]
You are my biggest supporter, and I will always be yours in return.
no subject
[It's something he thought about when Cumore spoke to him of his desires - Cumore's had been for everyone to love him as a leader, while Iago had never once cared about that. Tyrant or beloved king, either would have worked just fine for him. It was always about power, control.
It's so strange that finding just a few people who want to support him can mean this much to him. It's not enough to change his mind or make him question his dreams, but it means more to him than he ever thought possible.
He leans into that hand easily, his visible eye closing as he does.]
No matter what we face next, we'll overcome it together. This experience has already proven that much, hasn't it? There is nothing in any world that could ever compare to this mess. We will be ready to face anything, and I have no doubts that we'll be unstoppable together.
[The last time they spoke of conquering together it was driven by mania and desire, a desperate need for things to go the way he wants. There's something more calm and subdued about it now; this is born of certainty and not desperate need.
After all, he always has been Saphir's biggest supporter, just as Saphir has been his.]
no subject
[It's all said in jest, of course. Iago's right- any challenges that they have to overcome in Terca Lumireis will be nothing in comparison to Krakow.]
I look forward to seeing you ascend to a position of power that you've always wanted. If my genius intellect can help you get there, than that is all the better.
[His own dream is behind him now, but that doesn't mean he can't forge a new one. Being part of one of Terca Lumireis' future power couples sounds pretty nice, honestly.]
no subject
With you by my side, we'll be unstoppable. Anything we want we'll have the power to obtain. I look forward to seeing just how far we go.
[It's true, he does have high expectations for the two of them. Cumore's told him quite a bit about Terca Lumireis, but there's still so much to learn. Exactly what they'll be able to accomplish is a bit up in the air at the moment, but he's confident that it'll be incredibly fun.
But for now...]
I certainly don't mind taking a break, however. I think we could both use a bit to unwind after all of this.
[That's the nice way of saying "we are going to be so fucked up for awhile".]