It's the end. The problems have been resolved. The situation has been handled. More than anything else... everything is over. The Flamines are gone, leaving nothing but rubble and odd, lifeless masks in their wakes, with a contract stating they will never return. The Tellus spirits have accepted a new Bridge, and seem pleased. CERES has gone eerily quiet, most likely giving up on Cerealia as a business investment once and for all. Mosley stands near the Research Tower, adjusting his tie one last time.
Tellus has been saved. Your world has been saved.
It's time to go home, isn't it?
Time to go home after a few goodbyes, anyway.  This is Mosley.
So, you're leaving, are you? And who's going to clean up this mess? Me? Do you picture me with, what, a broom in my hand and an apron around my waist? Well, I'll have all of you know that that's just not how it works here. I'm Public Relations, not housekeeping and the fact that none of you have ever really seemed to grasp that... well! It's a good thing I'm unemployed now, isn't it? Jerks.
Oh well, guess it's time to brush up my resume. What do you think of "freelance anarchist"? ... No? I suppose I was never very anarchic. Ah, that's the way the pastry dissolves as they say. I'll figure something out. As for you? Go home already. Get out of here. I never want to see your faces again. Shoo.
|
PHASE I [ 08 30 ] Mosley does have a point though. With the Flamines gone, well... everything is kind of a mess. Buildings are on fire. Structures are crumbling. Debris litters the streets. Really, it's all a disaster. Do you really want to leave this like that? (Yeah, maybe you do.)
Either way, seems you've got some time before Occidi does her thing and saves your world. If you want to visit some old Cerealian haunts, or gather your belongings, or even try to put out some fires, now's the time.
Just watch out for some falling rubble.
It would really suck to die now, of all times. Pathetic, even. People will laugh.
PHASE II [ 1200 ] But hey, all of that aside -- this is it! It's the end, and you made it! Clearly, that means it's time for a party. And Cerealia is always down for parties. It doesn't take long for the remaining functioning bots, now turned back on by your neighborhood friendly Mosley, to get to work and set up a party amidst the rubble and wreckage. There's streamers and a few blow horns, a very soggy cake that might actually have been a stolen wedding cake from one of the closed down bakeries. There's also pizza, since the robots appear to be under the impression that "pizza parties" are a very important Cerealian tradition. It's the only fresh and hot thing around though, so might as well eat up.
So it's not really that party-like, if we're honest. There's not even any music! But they at least scrounged up a small disco light at least, and hey, someone found some booze!
It won't even have any weird affects, aside from, you know, making you drunk like normal alcohol does.
That's gotta be a Cerealia first.
PHASE III [ 1430 ] Want to say good-bye to Cerealia properly? Well... ViViD seems to be back up to snuff and functioning again. There isn't the wide variety of levels there once was, but the levels that do exist seem to be safe. Fight together with your friends, take on some quests, play a few more final rounds -- you won't even feel tired afterwards.
Looks like all of those questionable business practices that ViViD was being used for have disappeared just like CERES. Now you can just play and have fun, without fear of ulterior, sinister motives. It might be a good way to pass the time! Or at least feel a little nostalgic for a while.
(Though there are still some unfortunate glitches around, like accidentally getting put in that skimpy bikini armor, or ending up in the Wrong Level. Some things never change. Even the robots seem pretty amused every time it happens.)
PHASE IV [ 1600 ] And then, just like that... it's all over. Occidi appears, lifting one branch-y arm, and there's a feeling in everyone's hearts, like something clicking properly back into place.
And their worlds are healed and whole. Occidi fades back then, allowing them their goodbyes and farewells, but the portal won't remain there forever. It doesn't look much more than a ripple in air, wide enough to allow a good handful of people to go at once, and Occidi tells them --
It will remain open for half an hour, and no more. They will have to leave by then. They can leave together, to make certain they end up in the same place, and have to simply think of home. Those who would like to go home with others -- well, make sure you're holding hands, or something like that.
And if ever they want to come back, or go to another world, well... all they'll have to do is return to Tellus. It's doable, if they try, really, really hard.
The clock's ticking. Time to finally say goodbye.
BONUS [ why o'clock ] Well.
With the return of the other robots, it seems a few others have been turned right back on again. Namely the ones wearing dinosaur suits who want nothing more than to hug you.
The hug bots are back, and they're here to make everyone feel better, since everyone seems so very, very sad! They'll even drag more than one person into a group hug if it seems like that's what they need. Go on, it's your last chance to get manhandled by a robot. Why don't you just let them do it.
For old time's sake.
[ Remember to apply proper warnings on threads with sensitive or inappropriate material and do let a mod know if your thread careens off into maiming or canoodling so we can lock the log. ] |
Welcome to Cerealia's Endgame log! Please visit the OOC information here, and should you have any questions, feel free to ask them here! You can also check the FAQ for more general inquiries. This event is the last one, so there aren't any start or end dates! Huzzah! Should this event log hit Captcha, there is an all-purpose overflow here. Thank you for everything, Cerealia! |
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[he's not denying that. of course he's going to do that, because he has no other choice.] I promised... I promised you that I would.
[he won't break a promise to leon. he always said he would go back home, no matter how much it hurt him to do so, even if it meant being separated from leon. his grip tightens as he chokes back a sob.
stahn knows now more than any time before why this hurts so much. it's not just that leon is his best friend, it's not just his guilt for not being able to save leon on more than one occasion. it's that leon is just the person he would try to move the entire earth for. his eyes sting, his chest hurts, his heart is racing... and all stahn can do his choke back a sob and cling to leon for as long as he can.
there's a lot he wishes he would have realizes sooner, but now all stahn can do is be himself without regret, even if it means being too open, too honest, too earnest... and far more idealistic than leon ever appreciated.]
But I'm not giving up on you either! I'm not... I won't leave you behind again, even if you can't come back. [it's so hard to say. it's so hard for him to admit how much that will always weigh on him.]
...You...
You believe in me, don't you? [that stahn can be trusted. that he doesn't say things he doesn't mean. that if it's possible for him to do something, he will. there's not a snowball's chance in hell that stahn will go the rest of his life not seeing leon again when knows there are ways to make it happen.
he's resolved in that much, even if it's hard for him to sound like it through his overwhelming emotions.]
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... Of course he does. How could he ever not believe in Stahn? Stahn's always been so honest and sincere. Leon's seen it for himself, time and time again--Stahn is what's good in people. If Stahn is promising him something, it's because he sincerely believes it's something he's going to do.
And in that case... can Leon really argue it?
Does he even want to?
He doesn't think so. Here and now, he thinks...it might just be okay to just accept it.]
It... is not as though I should have to acknowledge something like that. [When really...he's always believed in Stahn.]
I do not intend to change my mind on this.
[Of course he believes in Stahn.]
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leon trusts him. and in turn, stahn's trust remains as unwavering as ever.
he lets out a shaky breath; hearing leon confirm that much gives stahn just a little but more resolve. because for what feels almost like the first time, leon isn't just saying that there's trust, it means that he's trusting stahn will keep to his word. not just about going home, but that stahn isn't giving up on him.
(but has he ever once given up on leon about anything?)
still, he isn't pulling away.]
Go with Otome. [he says it quietly, and it's obvious that it still hurts him to say it—but he knows it's what best.] Stay with her, and... after we stop Hugo, when everyone is safe...
I'll go there. [not forever, of course. he can't just leave their world behind. but often. enough so they can see each other, enough so that he has things to look forward to even if the darkest hours, and so he doesn't have to live with any guilty or despair about losing leon.]
I promise. Becuase Leon, you're...
[his best friend. someone who can never be replaced. someone who makes his heart soar in ways that he still finds really hard to grasp. but he doesn't know how to say that, so his head dips and he just keeps the embrace very close. it's all he can do, because it's all he really knows how to do.]
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For now, though...
For now, he's getting the guarantee from Stahn that this isn't the end. That someday they'll see each other again, and... that he'll stop Hugo. They've already saved Marian, so really, Leon can't ask for anything more than that.
Stahn was always going to save the world. It's just how Stahn is.]
... I will live, then. I will go with Otome, and continue to live. [A beat, and his lips quirk wryly.] Perhaps not as Leon Magnus, as I am not entirely certain that is who I will end up being there.
[Who knows? It's a different world completely.]
But... I will continue to live.
[After so long of struggling with it, after arguing with Stahn so many times about whether or not he should be alive...that's the answer he's come to. He'll try it--he'll try living again, fully and to the best of his abilities. Just...somewhere else.]
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stahn tried so hard, for so long to make him see that his life was worth living—that he couldn't throw away this second chance. now that it's being embraced.. stahn can't help but to let go of a sob he's been choking back.
funny how that works, because he's crying of sadness and happiness in equal measure. there's a lot stahn wishes he could have done differently, and a lot of things he wishes he could have understood before... well, this week.]
You're still going to be you. [stahn will assure him of that. even if he changes his name, leon will always be leon. the person beneath that all—that person will always be there.
that's the person that matters, so as long as he lives being true to that... it's fine.
he pulls back just a little in order to look at leon—and of course, stahn is a mess. there are tears everywhere, his eyes are puffy, his nose is red... it's probably expected from stahn at this point. but even still, he finds room to have a weak smile on his lips, because even if so much about this makes him really, really sad—
leon will live.]
Thanks... [for agreeing to live. for trusting him. for just about everything, even if there are tears in his eyes. there are no regrets to be found here at all.]
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It may very well be his last chance, after all.
There are a lot of things that can go wrong. The portals may close. They may not be able to find them in their own worlds. There may simply be no way back.
Leon won't look at this as temporary, because he's always been one to consider the worst case scenario.]
There is no need to thank me for that. If... nothing else, I should be thanking you.
[That is just the honest truth. For always standing by him, for trying so hard to get him to realize he still had things to live for... for always having faith in him...
Leon's never deserved it, but Stahn has always freely given it.
He sighs, head dipping slightly.]
...So... thank you. For all you have done for me here, and...before. [For standing by him, for saving Marian, for saving the world... for trying to save him, too.]
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[he's never once looked for leon's thanks. not once. and now that he has it in such clear terms, it really says a lot about them. even stahn can't ignore that leon offering gratitude for so much in such forward ways isn't something he would do for just anyone.
hell, until now, leon wouldn't even do this for stahn. but if nothing else, it grants stahn a second to draw in a shaky breath; composing himself is really hard right now when he knows these moments are the last he's going to see leon for a long time.
(hopefully not too long, but he knows that there's still a lot of uncertainty about what will happen after they get through belcrant to hugo.)
but there's still so much to say, so much he's not sure he'll ever be able to when they meet again.]
I would do it again, every time. [every last thing. every moment that he believed in leon, every word spoken, every fight they had to try and get on the same page.
...he doesn't regret it at all. if it was able to help leon at all, then that's what matters most to him. all he's ever wanted to do was make sure leon could be happy, somehow, some way.]
You're... my best friend. [and yet, saying that right now feels so, so much heavier. his head dips a little, and he sniffles. it's still sad. it's still really sad.] So I'm happy that you have somewhere to go. I'm... really happy, Leon.
[he's not lying, even if he's sad. it's important to him. even if he selfishly wanted leon to come back with him. even if he wanted to pursue understanding why leon would actually hold his hand when he was at his worst. even if there are so many unanswered questions and things he feels.]
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But it's undeniably a lot to accept as well.
Stahn has always tried so hard for him and so many other people, and now... who is trying hard for Stahn? Who is going to keep Stahn standing, after all of this?
Is it going to be fair to Rutee, to have to support Stahn after he's changed, and been through so much?]
Stahn. Look at me.
[Leon's voice is relatively level, his expression stern.]
What you have done for me is not something that should be disregarded--nor will it. I will remember, and I will be grateful whether you wish for my gratitude or not.
[SO DEAL WITH IT]
And so... [...Ah, he loses steam, growing a little more awkward.]
...Do not forget that. Regardless of what comes... [Stahn has made an irrevocable change in Leon's life.] ...What has happened here is possible because of you.
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but at the very least, he makes eye contact with leon on request. it's just like him to stay so level, and for him to make that face—
leon's words ae so atypical. leon expressing his gratitude so sincerely, demanding that stahn acknowledge that he's the reason for so many things. of course, that doesn't do much to help stahn maintain any sense of composure. he's changed leon's life, and he's being thanked and appreciated for that much. his vision is getting blurry from the wetness in his eyes, and his lips are quivering; stahn doesn't want to sob, but how can he hold back what he's feeling? he's so overwhelmed by this that it's hard to help.
to stahn, leon is still such an important and precious person. going back to living without him around, without just going to the kitchen and smelling leon's omurice, or being scolded for wandering around the apartment without a shirt—it's hard. ordering in food, watching movies for leon to promptly complain about, or being woken up by leon fussing because he fell asleep on the sofa. is it even possible to get used to not having those things?
he's not sure, but he nods his head. more tears spill, and stahn knows it's childish and embarrassing, but a part of his world his crumbling away for a second time and he's still not really equipped to deal with more loss, however temporary.]
I'm not. I won't... I did this for you. Even, even though I won't be there...
[he's losing it.]
I'm just happy I could save you this time....
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It's funny.
There's a lot you can learn about a person after having been with them for a year. There's a lot he learned about himself, too. There's so much... that he won't be able to take back.
But a constant has been Stahn's willingness to help him. And Leon knows...that no matter what happens from here, he'll remember that for the rest of his life.]
I am...satisfied. [He'll say that much, at least, even if he can't outright say that he's happy.] With what was done here, and what we accomplished.
[He's satisfied with that.
And with what he learned about Stahn.]
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and all the peaceful times where they could just be themselves...
there's nothing to regret.]
I... [there are still so many words caught in his throat, though. there's so much stahn wants to say before it's too late, but he just doesn't know how.
bad at words, and worse at them when he feels this way.] I'm going to miss you.
[he can admit it, quietly. of course he's going to miss leon. he missed leon so much the first time he'd been lost. why would it be any different now, when so much has changed? so he'll say it outright, because he knows leon won't.
but there's still so much he doesn't know how to say. so instead, stahn takes a step back—just a small one—and offers out his hand.
it's a gesture that nobody else would understand, but it's one that's so important to stahn, burned in his memories in ways that not even cerealia would ever know how to touch and manipulate. it's so much more than words could ever really say...
though all stahn can do is hope that leon will be able to understand it without words. because stahn doesn't have them; he doesn't know how to put his feeling into words. this is all he's got, but if he doesn't do this now, he knows he'll regret it when he gets home.]
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Even if it's true. He'll miss Stahn immensely, as the first person to properly try to be his friend, and the first person who ever succeeded. For now though... Stahn steps back, and Leon lifts his head to watch him, and then...he holds out his hand.
Naturally, Leon knows exactly what it means. It hasn't been so long that he's forgotten the way that Stahn offered him his hand when he'd betrayed them, the way that Stahn was so ready and prepared to forgive him and have him come with them because he was their friend.
It was ridiculous then. But Leon had wanted, so badly, to take that hand, before Hugo had ruined everything and Leon had realized he didn't deserve to. And now... does he deserve to now? He's still not entirely certain, honestly; does he deserve to take Stahn's hand when he hasn't done anything to really fix any of the mistakes he made? Probably not.
But... slowly, he lifts his hand anyway, and slowly, he reaches for Stahn's hand in turn, because even if he doesn't deserve this--well, he's just selfish enough to accept it anyway, if slowly, hardly daring to breathe. Finally, finally they're able to have this, after so long of it lingering, unfinished--
Leon's finally able to properly take Stahn's hand and accept that maybe, being Stahn's friend is enough reason to be saved.]
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not that it made things hurt any less as they happened, but there's something so important to him about the way they both managed to finally, properly finished what was started so long ago. there's closure, but at the same time...
stahn wonders if it means they've just opened up new doors as well? there's a certain brand of honesty to it, after all. one only they could share, because nobody else (save dymlos and chaltier, of course) could ever understand the significance of the gesture. it's not the end. it's not. it's... the beginning, in a sense. it's not all bad. it's sad, of course, because leon is his best friend, leon is precious and important, and he hates that they can't just continue on ss they have. but it's happy, because leon will be able to live, he'll be loved and taken care of, and they'll still have a means of seeing each other. stahn believes in that.
so after a moment, stahn squeezes leon's hand; rather than let it go, he lingers. he brings his other arm up to wipe away some of his tears (and the snot, honestly). though it's not really stopping anything, he can see a bit more clearly and...
well, he can offer leon an incredibly bright smile through it all. the tears betray it, as does his obvious sadness. but there's still something sincere about it—there are things he's happy about, there are things to smile for.
and he wants leon to remember him smiling and being happy-go-lucky, not the sad, confused boy he's been for so much of their time together. they've grown up a bit, but he want leon to know he has reasons to smile, and that he'll be okay eventually.
(though that probably doesn't explain why he uses that tightened grip to tug leon a little closer to him, but.
well, their time's not up yet. maybe he'll be able to express everything before they're through here.)]
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Stahn's grip is warm and firm, but it's still a little overwhelming. This is what he could have had, had he been able to really, properly reach for Stahn's hand in that cave. This is what he could have ended up with.
But it wasn't to be then. That it's happening here and now... it's a lot for Leon to process--but that smile is all he remembers of how Stahn's always been, and it settles him. In a way, it's a relief; while he knows that Stahn's still sad and will probably remain that way...
At least he can smile like this now.
He'll be okay, even without Leon in his life.]
You...I believe that you--
[He's not exactly prepared for Stahn to tug him a little bit closer, though, and Leon stumbles--right into Stahn. Alrighty then. Right into Stahn's chest he goes with a muffled startled noise, thanks, Stahn. They were having a heartfelt moment, he wasn't prepared for Stahn to pull on him.]
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oops.
he probably should pull away and apologize, but he takes it as an opportunity instead, using his other arm to hug leon while still keeping his hand clasped.]
...Sorry.
[it's all he manages. sorry for interrupting. sorry for the second hug?
he's not even really sure what he's apologizing for, he just doesn't want to be too far from leon right now. leon isn't the only one who is overwhelmed by things, after all; stahn's still trying to figure out how to express himself properly and get across everything he wants to before they part ways.]
What... were you going to say? [he'll ask, but he's mostly expecting leon to push him away incredulously and balk about everything that's happening.
it's not like stahn has much of a good explanation for his reasons, after all.]
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[Of course that's what Leon says, now that he was flustered out of the moment. Leon sucks. Though at least he's so focused on that that he doesn't actually pull away at first.
So he's... actually going to linger in that hug for a moment.
And then he catches himself, clearing his throat and tugging (albeit gently) away.]
It...was nothing.
[...Back to the stalemate, why is Leon the worst at this with Stahn.]
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but stahn doesn't move. his arms just drop to his sides, and with brows knit, he shakes his head a little.]
Leon... whatever it is...
[it's not nothing. stahn knows it isn't nothing.]
...We should say everything now. Before... before it's too late. [they'll see each other again, but he still feels like he'll have regrets if he doesn't express everything before this day is through, and he's sure leon will feel the same... even if he's not keen to admit it.] It can't really be nothing. Not now.
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[He gets what Stahn's saying, he does. This might very well be their last chance to say anything, and yet... Leon's not sure if Stahn would really rather hear everything as opposed to having a few regrets.
It's really hard to say, because Leon himself isn't sure he's prepared to hear everything from Stahn.
But... he owes him this much, doesn't he? If Stahn's asking for that...
He snorts softly, more wry than anything.]
Are you certain that you are prepared to hear everything?
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I'm not.
[he admits it, because there's no point in lying when he knows leon will be able to see right through him.]
...I'm not sure I'm ready to say everything, either.
[something else he can admit, because there are still so many things he doesn't have the words for at all. and yet... they need to be said, or expressed, don't they?]
But Leon.... I don't want to go home with regrets. I don't want to leave this place—or leave you with any like I did before. So... even if it hurts a lot.... I want to hear it all.
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And yet, they only have half an hour; less now. The time's ticking down, and Leon... isn't prepared to leave without having said anything, either.
He hesitates a moment longer...and then he crosses his arms, looking away, face heating up slightly. These words haven't gotten any easier for him to say, despite everything he's seen and experienced and encountered in Cerealia over the past year or so.]
You--
[...]
I suppose that... knowing you has not been so terrible. [Stahn, too, is his best friend.] And though this time in Cerealia was unnecessary, I... would also not take it back.
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right to the end, leon isn't able to say those words directly, but stahn understands. it's oddly relieving, even if stahn's believed this all to be true for so much longer than leon could ever even begin to admit. knowing that leon feels the same with at least that much is important enough to tug a small, thankful smile to his lips.]
...We're always going to be best friends. I'll say it when you can't. [because he knows it's hard for leon. but for stahn, it's a naturally admission.
(much more natural than anything else he has to say right now, at least.)]
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I did not say anything of the sort.
[Yes, Leon, we know you're incapable of it.]
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[he'll sideline what he has to say to get this point across first. because if he can't get leon to at least admit that to some capacity...
can he say the rest without it going up in smoke?]
After everything... home, and here... that's what it is, isn't it?
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[God, Stahn!!
He ducks his head a little, expression souring.]
Do not... put words in my mouth.
[He can't say he's wrong, because...well, Stahn's not wrong at all. He's his best friend.]
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[ugh.
of course leon would fuss about this. he's not even surprised by it, but it's making things harder on stahn. he doesn't want them to part on sour terms, or angry with one another.]
I want us to be on the same page. It's... where we went wrong before, Leon. So this time... I want to understand you.
And I want you to understand me, too.
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