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15strangers2020-03-01 01:58 pm
strangerpeople) wrote in 15strangers2020-03-01 01:58 pm
Entry tags:
Isn't this where.....
[Living and dead have reunited. That is all well and good. However, all these trains and cars and starships mean nothing by themselves - many of you may be wondering precisely where they are headed, and the answer presents itself soon in the form of a yawning portal in the middle of space. Yawning, calm, so as not to be mistaken with the writhing and twitching of the wefts - it seems to belong, or at least to be accepted as a cosmic inevitability. And this is what all of the dubious spacecrafts sail into for now - it is just barely large enough for all of them to go in one at a time, and to come out on the other side of the wormhole.
That appears to be some kind of airspace. Those curious about the place they're going may want to open the stained glass windows of the trains to get a much better view of the scenery they're descending on. The landscapes are mostly gorgeous, looking from a distance as though they were painted with watercolors, although some may think it also looks a bit, well, haphazardly patched together. For the trains, there is a floating dock above the land that looks brand new, and an elevator to take down to the ground. All other ships can find an easy landing space in the meadow, like the weird UFOs they are. Nevertheless, there is a path to follow from there, leading to a castle in the distance. It is a path lined with wonderful flowers and trees... and also a chaotic smattering of other trees that don't look like they quite belong. Sheets of dry lasagna make up the bark of the spaghetti trees, their inexplicably cooked pasta hanging like a weeping willow as marinara drips from their meatball fruit. The smell is overpowering, but don't let that ruin the trip. "In fact, it would be better if you let it work up an appetite", the cheerful voice of 707 suggests as he leads the pack up the trail like a hyperactive boy scout leader.
Finally, the doors of the castle open up. The halls are full of doors, each glowing from within - some of you may recognize the names of your homes, and others may not. But going past them, there is an enormous arch that is named The Hall of the Beginning as indicated by the carvings on it. Inside is a table that will be familiar to one of the strangers. It is the table that the original 15 Titled met at the beginning of Nirn, and it's overflowing with a feast even more grandiose than the last time. All of the drinks and cuisine you've been missing for so long is here - from sugar-spiced coffee and bubble tea, delicious scones as good as an aunt's, ridiculously spicy takeout wok, popcorn, philly cheesesteaks and the most perfect star shaped peanut-butter-jelly sandwiches known to man, a big toblerone on a long silver platter, three types of ramen, beer, so many grapes, melon bread, something labeled "dead chicken" that is obviously just a regular roast chicken.... it definitely seems like there were too many cooks here, but cooks with their heart in the right place. Some other favorites of the strangers will also be among the chaos if they look hard enough, but certainly, somewhere, it was deemed that they should have a celebration feast.
But then, you are not strangers any more, are you? Everyone here is a familiar face now, and there are even more familiar faces waiting around the table. The ones who wrote the letter, 707, Halley, Maka, Alexis, and Cardia are already there coming and going, but occasionally many others will stumble through one of the many doors. People from the games who had not fallen to IT. People from home, people you love. What we have here is a nexus and a party all in one. Here, there will be as much time for goodbyes as you like - or, as the hall suggests, new beginnings.]
no subject
Name literally any time you two disagreed and I'll tell you how you were right and she was wrong. [He raises a finger.] Asking her to kill you does not count!
[So he's settled on something pleasant. Hiyori puts his chin in his hand that's empty now, and with the other one finally reaches over for his spoon.]
Well, let's look at it this way. Everything I said to you when we were in the City? I was convinced that my leader's strength was insurmountable, and rescue operations would ultimately only get more people tortured or killed. So, either that was true, or I'm the real idiot for having the slightest pessimism, here.
[He eats a scoop of gummies and syrup and cream, heartily yet not chomping. The clean spoon veers thoughtfully in his hand afterwards.]
Maybe it's the second one. I mean, I even forgot these things were really delicious.
no subject
Hell, if that's all it takes to make you an idiot I'd win the grand prize. I couldn't even remember what milk tasted like, by the end of it....
[His voice is small by the time it trails away, all the bravado drained from it. He'd focused on surviving, on keeping Vita alive, and then on how to die without it hurting too much. There was no room for reverie, and then there was nothing at all.
He shuts his eyes, and sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose as if it could really stop the headache he knows is creeping up on him.]
Right. I won't talk about begging her to kill me if you won't talk like that thing could've stopped a competent rescue. Deal?
no subject
Deal!
[The rod that served as his primary weapon type was smooth; his hands have no calluses. He looks up, and adjusts his eyes to see Jonathan up there clearly through his glasses.]
We can talk about other things later, I hope.
no subject
[Jonathan had really, really hoped his voice wouldn't start cracking all over the place, but he's exhausted and Hiyori just took his hand, like a mermaid pulling some royal stranger away from a sinking ship as much as a too-clever gentleman sealing a bargain. To say he's overwhelmed would be an understatement.]
God, I don't know where to start... not sure I'm ready to hear what the last few weeks looked like from outside, y'know?
[He lets his head tilt to one side, but doesn't paste on a smile to make it seem disarming or nonchalant.]
no subject
[Is Jonathan disappointed, to not see the build-up go off all at once? Hiyori watches to see which direction he squirms.]
no subject
Well, then. Well. I guess... hell with it. What are some of those other things you want to talk about?
[The smile twists, becoming bitter, becoming a grimace, and finally vanishing.]
I don't want to think about where I've been, I want... to think there's a future. I'm a damned coward....
no subject
[A cough aborts the strained growl, "aaaaaaaack". Hiyori crushes his cheek with his supporting hand.]
Not the same when I can't do the thing, ahaha. [He clicks his tongue.] That's the thing about the future, though. You just have to wait and see whether you like it or not.
[Beat.]
If you bring up a Zemurian crystal ball or whatever, I swear to God.