January (Lasra) Final Event Log / World Status

[hugtopiamods]

❥ State of Havenwell & Aellyn

• Lasra (January) brings with it the lightest winter yet; the temperate is mild, the snowfall light and fluffy, and the wind does not blow quite as hard as one might expect considering the time of year. This weather is consistent throughout the city limits, with the exception of one area: the central plaza, where the egg's nest is laid. That area is actually quite pleasant, heated by the cooperative effort of the residents who opted to cuddle with the egg and each other, creating something of a bubble, almost like an incubator. If the slight chill of the still-mild winter has you shivering, swing by the center of town to warm up.
  
  
• Speaking of the egg, it has been a long time coming, but in early Lasra, cracks begin to appear across the surface! Days pass with little change, whatever is within the shell chipping slowly against its confines. It draws in an eager, anxious audience of locals, keeping a respectful distance but ever-hopeful that whatever hatches will bring good tidings. Eventually, though, the shell at last breaks apart, and what emerges is a pony-sized griffon, golden coloured and iridescent, wings damp and wilted, chirping curiously as he witnesses the world for the first time. Despite being newly born, the reincarnated Winged Lord carries within him a surprisingly wise look to his eyes, and as its body dries in the light of the sun, it begins to radiate a gentle glow, demonstrating to any detractors that this is, in fact, the final lost god. He remains in the center of town for a few days, meeting the people of Havenwell, accepting gifts and prayers and simple greetings, happy to experience both the world and the company of the people who helped bring it back from the dark. After some time he will venture underground to the tunnel from which his egg was originally rescued. Should anyone worry for him, his answer will be simple, calm, and to the point: "Don't worry, I am going to visit my friend. We have a lot to talk about." There is a subtle joy in his tone as he speaks. Once he enters the tunnel, he will vanish from the city and no longer be found, but the air continues to feel brighter, the city abuzz with warm energy. The world has changed for the better, and everyone can feel it.
  
  
• By mid-month, the priests of all four temples have come forward to begin separating and reverently dismantling the nest in the center of town. What once were pillows, blankets, bits of string, and fluff are now fragments of the Winged Lord, blessed by his light, and they intend to save every piece. There are exceptions, however. To each and every offworlder, the priests send a message: come to the temple, we have a gift for you.
  
  Should you go to the temple of your associated god, a priest will present to you a small, strange charm. It is a fragment of the Winged Lord's egg, bound and fastened with a string pulled from his nest. It looks fragile, but is astonishingly strong, seemingly unbreakable. Take care of it and do not lose it, you are told by the priests, for this is your way home.
  
  
• After the eggshell charms have been distributed, news travels quickly that the underground tunnel has changed yet again. The Crawling One has devoured the earth surrounding the original gateway to its realm, and has encircled it tightly multiple times to create a new doorway, just as nebulous and wispy as before, but without the poisonous atmosphere of the prior portal. Its gate is lined with glimmering golden feathers, and it glows with a warm, inviting light. Should you venture close to it, you will be overwhelmed with the nostalgic feeling of familiar. It smells like your favourite recipe, it feels like an old blanket from your childhood bed. It gives you the distinct and unmistakable feeling of home, and very gently, it calls to you. You need only walk through.
  
  1) Should you wish to forget Havenwell, Aellyn, and your time in this world, crush the eggshell after you cross the threshold of the Crawling One's doorway. This will send you back to your world as you were when you left, and everything will be as if it were a dream: fading into nothingness when you wake up. (Only within the doorway will the shell be fragile enough to break.)
  2) Should you wish to remember, hold the eggshell charm gently, and carry it with you into your world. As long as it remains unbroken through the doorway, you will remember.
  3) Should you wish to journey with someone else and reach the same destination, hold your eggshells together, hands entwined, as you cross through the doorway. Whoever's world is the intended destination MUST lead the way, taking the first step. This choice comes with a warning: you will be lost from your world, and might not be able to return. Choose this option carefully, as the consequences are your own. Those who arrive in that world may find themselves separated, in different locations, but the charm will help to guide you, magically drawn to others who carry a fragment.
  4) Should you wish to stay in Aellyn, you need only refrain from crossing through the doorway. Your presence will be welcome wherever you go; the world still has a good deal of recovering to do, and many hands make light the work.
  You will not be judged, for whatever option you take. The door will remain open until every offworlder has made their choice.

♥ back to top

❥ Current God Status & Effects

• The final god power balance, from strongest to weakest, is:
  1. Rawna
  2. Diacht
  3. Ainea
  4. Ohma
  
  Thanks to the awakening and reformation of the Crawling One and the revival of the Winged Lord, the gods have regained their ability to balance their own power. There still remains a long road towards true collaboration, but thanks to the hard work of everyone involved, they are well on their way to resolving their own issues. Collectively, Hugtopia netted a total of over 29,000 hugpoints! Well done, and thank you everyone!
  
  
• And Thanks For All The Fish
  
  In celebration of the rebirth of their god and revitalization, while the priests are carefully dismantling the nest the rest of the city's natives are hurriedly working to express their gratitude. By the time the offworlders receive their eggshell charms, there are eager residents wishing to see them off with charms and trinkets; some made with Havenwell's trademark fabrics and ribbons, some with seashells traded from Shoremere, and many with a mixture of both as a tangible mark of all that the world's visitors have aided in accomplishing. While they of course ask for nothing in return, if one should ask then the native residents can only think of one form of payment:
  
  Leave nothing unsaid or unspoken. Share your secrets, confess your uncertainties, speak your thoughts and have them be heard by more than just yourself. Should you do so, in addition to a lovely charm and heartfelt well-wishes you may just feel a little warmth in your chest helping you onward in whatever decisions you should choose to make.
  
  This prompt was suggested by Carrie (connectsthedots)!
  

♥ back to top

❥ A Final Message from the Mod Team

• This is the final event log of the game, a farewell finale where characters can say their goodbyes and go on their way, or decide to stay if they wish. No further updates will be made, but the community is yours to do with as you please. All that said, if you have any comments or final questions (related to either this event or anything that came before!), things left unanswered, please use the mod comment below and we'll do our best to satisfy. Otherwise, our job is done.
  
  Thank you so, so much for playing with us. It's been a joy. Thank you for sticking with us through ups and downs, through the slow periods and the fast-paced shenanigans. Many of you have stuck with us since the very beginning, and we know how rare that is! It's been an amazing journey. Wherever we end up going forward, may your stories always be joyful to tell.
  
  Goodbye, and have one last hug for the road!
  
  -Akai, Jade, Kaze, Nao

Comments

Final Questions / Comments

[hugtopiamods]

For all your mod-messaging needs! <3

[scourgingstars]

[In the end, there was far more to think about than Ardyn would have liked.]

[It was impossible to know what could or could not be changed--what might be damaged in the process, what could be repaired and what could not, a hundred thousand possibilities forming and vanishing in his head. If anything was to take a better route, it would have to be his responsibility to set that in motion. But even if he did, what would that mean for those who had come here from a future he could never have imagined? Would their timelines be their own to alter, or would there be repercussions felt beyond time itself?

[Part of him desperately wanted to run away. Coward that he had been (still was), it was a dangerous line of thought to travel. To stay here, to go elsewhere...tempting though it was, he couldn't. Running and hiding had been what started this whole mess, alongside the refusal to confront what he had known was a problem--out of fear, out of reluctance, out of a dozen what-ifs that had been easier to hide from right up until they weren't.]

[His mistakes had to be answered for. His brother's mistakes had to be corrected while time still remained to try correcting them. Forgetting was unthinkable, knowing the horrors that forgetting would unleash. Knowing what he would become and understanding that 'Ardyn' would disappear under the crushing darkness of something else entirely.]

[Turning the eggshell charm over in his hand, Ardyn sat in the shade of a tree fully lost in thought.]

[There was only one choice to be made. The difficult part would be all that came after that.]

ONCE MORE INTO THE BREACH MY FRIEND

[carbungle]

[It goes without saying that they should probably talk, which is why Noctis is seeking him out shortly after the charms are distributed and the message is shared that they have options, when it comes to going home. There are a lot of questions that these options could pose, for all of them. Will they go to the same world? Different universes, split off from each other because of the potential for change? Could it make the world better, or worse? (Hard to imagine it getting worse. It doesn't get much worse than where it ended up.)

He tells himself one thing before he approaches Ardyn: each and every one of them has a choice. He's made his, had done so last month when he asked Pyra to share her life with him. It isn't his place to judge whatever decision Ardyn makes, here.

Thus his posture is relaxed as he reaches the tree, hands in his pockets, his voice relatively calm.]

Hey.

[shroudedsecrets]

[ In the end it once more comes down to a decision; the choice one already long made and in fact made once before, despite the diversion here. The reminder that even then they would have to trust much of what was beyond their control, be prepared to act if fate dared yet try to deal them another turn.

It pained to be skeptical of what might go wrong even now, even if this all had been a journey to prove that not all was as bleak as it might seem on paper.

Honerva finds him here, this man she had spent so many of her days with in this place, with the familiarity in their pasts and the pains of the futures they so wished to deter, while having had the present to learn how just to be.

She stands there, watching him for a few moments, seeing just how lost in thought he was. ]

... I don't suppose you would be convinced to come along with us instead.

[ She knows where his mind is truly at, they've been through this before--still, with such a choice hanging before him, it feels wrong to not at least say the words.

Or at least make sure they have an unforgettable good experience for memory before any true partings are had. ]

[pinkmin]

[A long time ago, almost two years to the day, Vianca had wondered out loud to the Great Emissary Magolor I would like to know what comes after. As far as she knew, he had never gotten a conclusive answer before he spirited away on his own.

Now, the key was sitting in the palm of her hand.

She was easy enough to find if anyone was looking for her. Whether she was at Petals & Pages, at home at Noctis' house, or sitting at Ohma's Temple, she was engaged in a lot of the same: staring wistfully at the charm in her hand.

... or running up to you for a hug. That was pretty likely too.]

[carbungle]

[The door of her room gets a knock at some point during her ponderings, and after a pause it opens to reveal Noctis, smiling faintly.]

Hey. Thinking some deep thoughts over there?

[21kingpuddings]

Hello, Petals & Pages, it probably hasn't been all that long since Tamaki's visited, but it's important that the store gets one more visit before he leaves. Or, more importantly, he wants to make sure he sees the shopkeep herself one more time before everyone makes their calls on whether to leave or stay.

"Vicchan?" Hopefully he's caught her before she's left, if that's her plan.

[daikonrose]

For a moment after Kyoko saw the lights still on at Petals & Pages, she was flushed with relief--ah, thank goodness, she hadn't missed her!--but quickly that was replaced with the swirl of more complicated feelings she'd been swept up in for the past few days. Pulling in a steadying breath, she pushed the door open to call out into the shop.

"Vianca-chan? Do you have a little time?"

[hedgehogsdilemma]

So, this is it. This world that had extended an unspeakably kind hand to Shinji by offering reprieve from the turbulent state of his own, giving him space to catch his breath, letting him meet people to hold dear... had it truly reached a state where its own healing could continue on without the offworlders? Perhaps they'd be allowed to stay, welcomed to this new home they may have carved out for themselves, but no longer strictly needed.

Having been given the opportunity and means to leave, Shinji... has to sit on it for a bit. He knows exactly what's going to become of this choice, there's someone here with much stronger convictions than his own leading that charge after all, but it doesn't really make the finality of it any easier to accept. But that's... strange. The last time he was made to up and leave somewhere he lived with only so much notice, it wasn't such a hard reality to face. There are things here in Havenwell that are going to hurt to leave behind, and he can't remember the last time he had to contend with a truth like that.

He can't leave right away, there are preparations to make regardless, so give him at least a day to go visit anything he's found significance in. Rawna's temple, once it seems like most of it's adherents have come for their charms, the public garden space in the Marshes, as bare as they may be in the winter months. The zoo has the Sinory Lizard, Gojira, that he and Kai helped raise, he has to visit him one last time, too. What's most important, though, is his garden, even if the mild chill hanging in the air is enough to keep it from currently flourishing. Who could have known that leaving behind a place where you've planted your roots would be so difficult? He'll follow his heart wherever it wants him to go, the people he loves are the most important thing, he'll follow them anywhere, but before that, he just needs this time to say goodbye.

[whenyouneedme]

It was strange, wasn't it? Growing roots and having a place you'd sorely miss. For all its strange twists and turns, Havenwell had become that sort of place. It wouldn't have been so bad to stay, if they'd wanted to. If things had turned out differently, it would have even been nice. It felt like a home, which was a feeling that Kaito had never dreamed he'd ever know. It was the best thing that anyone could have ever handed someone like him.

But home was anywhere Shinji was. If that was elsewhere, it was elsewhere. As long as he could still slip his hand around the other boy's just like this, it didn't matter where they were.

"Hey," he greeted softly as he gave Shinji's hand a squeeze. "There you are."

[daikonrose]

For all that Kyoko has openly longed to go home from the moment she arrived in Havenwell with little to make her waver, it isn't lost on her that the place has been a reprieve for some of the people she holds most dear. The fact is that Shinji and Kaito probably could continue to be very happy here without her. It's not like she doesn't know she's asking them to do something extraordinary, something just for her own selfish little sake.

For the most part she's been trying to give Shinji some space as they all make their arrangements and say their goodbyes, but when she sees him out her window in the bareness of his winter garden, she finally can't take it any more. In the end, this isn't the kind of thing she can leave alone.

Opening her window, cool air spills into her room as she leans out over the sill. "... Did anything come up yet?"

[carbungle]

[The final days, huh. Noctis remains in the temple for a while after he'd been given the charm, looking up at the statue of Rawna as if it would answer his unspoken question. It's a kindness he's not used to receiving from gods. A chance to go home, to bring with him those he loves, to have a chance to live, and... to remember. As someone who was all but abandoned by his own gods, the gift is something he wants to acknowledge. Finally he gives the statue a small Crownsguard salute, fist to his chest, and heads out. He can respect it, even after several years of being played with. After everything he's gained here, he can acknowledge that it was worthwhile.

From there, he has several places to visit, several people to see. Either you're one of them, or your paths cross on the street- either way, it's time to say goodbye.]

[iustaegis]

[ Clutching the small eggshell charm in her hand, she leaves the temple, smiling calmly as she walks down the steps, feeling lighter than when she had entered. Pyra's made her decision months ago, after all, and she's prepared to go through with it. Yet along with the excitement comes a bit of worry, doubt-- the usual things, what if it doesn't work, or what if our plan is not enough?. But those, too, are overshadowed by the fluttering excitement of the day, the promise of peace, as well as the hope they both had cultivated for years before now.

They have the opportunity. They have their power, shared. They have this shell, brittle but brilliant in their hands. They need only take it. It's taken all this time, but Pyra has become far stronger than her doubts-- and that's all in thanks to everyone she has met here. ]

Noct.

[ She finds him near their home, and like all other times before this one, she seeks his hand. ]

[kingkingcxiii]

[Regis had always known this day would come. A day when he would leave this place for good; a day when he would have a final parting from everyone he had grown to care for and love in this place. What he hadn't planned on was having choice over that parting. Sure he had, in his deepest heart, wished to return with the memories of what he'd learned, but the realist in him had come to accept that perhaps, if he was lucky, this time would leave some mark on his soul he would recall in his unconscious, but never his conscious, mind. Wasn't that how it was suppose to go? He'd never remembered his time in Havenwell when he went back before. There was no reason to think that final journey home would be any different.

Except now it was. All of their efforts had rewarded them with a chance to bring a real change to this place; it had also given them the chance to change their own worlds with the memory of things they had learned here. Change. It was something he'd given up on when he returned here so fresh off almost losing his son, not once, but twice. Now he had a chance to actually do it. He had the tools too. No longer would he be searching blindly in the dark. He knew the name of the man who would rip his kingdom apart from the inside. He knew of the ancestor whose fate had twisted him and turned him into the darkness that would eat Eos whole. Indeed, he also knew more of the mind of the man responsible for the development of the Empire's magitek weapons than he ever could have back home. He'd fought with him, planned with him ways to see that both their countries might find another route to survive the war besides mutual destruction, but only he was going home with his memories. Verstael hadn't made it to the end of this 'experiment,' yet some part of Regis couldn't help but want to make things better for his sake too. The Emperor that the scientist worshiped so much had once been known as a wise man, after all. He had not always been a mad tyrant.

Before Regis can go back and face all of that, though, he has things he has to take care of here. Fortunately, a little searching leads him to the couple of natives that Era had loved so much--Tim and Sudryl--and once he finds them, he asks them if they will take care of his shop and home once he has departed. As much as he will miss both Faustus and Will's pokemon, a war is no place for a scarf cat and he can't let go of the idea that taking Will's pokemon from here will be taking away their last chance at possibly being reunited with their trainer again. He has no idea if anyone will ever be brought back here, but they have been before and may be once again. Besides, he still remembers far too well how fascinated Verstael was with them. He can't risk the wrong people getting their hands on the friends who have taken such good care of him.

Regis is in the middle of laying out his raiment to make sure it is ready for his return home when there is a knock on the door, and he can't say he is surprised when opening the door reveals Noctis standing there. A smile tinged slightly with sadness crosses his face though he manages to keep the sadness out of his voice when he speaks.

Yeah, that's right, isn't it? He's going to have to get back to hiding that all behind a mask again. That's going to be hard after fighting so long to get himself to come out from behind that mask.]

Good afternoon, son. It's good to see you. Please, come in. We have a lot to talk about, don't we?

[ghoulserrand]

He doesn't know how much he can take credit for the final fate of the egg and this world. He could play little part in retrieving it, or in its care. Nevertheless, knowing that the god of life has returned and is happily off to see his friend, Death, well something about that warms his heart.

There are also the more obvious reasons to be happy. The world has restored itself enough that it has a future again, one with much more healing on the horizon. The people have hope of becoming mortal once more. Life is, at last, and once more, alive.

In the days following, he's also noticed more within himself. On top of being able to dreamwalk again, he's noticed himself feeling warmer than he did. Even more surprising, he's caught sight of his burn gradually receding in the mirror. It was enough to make him double-take and even linger on his reflection. He's not certain it's not a trick of the light. He doesn't know if it means anything. But it brings him hope.

He greets any who come to meet him an unmasked smile and, if needed, a warm goodbye. Knowing he's no longer infectious, hugs may very well be in order. He may or may not have wanted to do that for a long time.


However, not all departures are ones he's ready for. He gathers his things, of which there's little. Still just a burned book, some clothes, his bow and arrows, a small handful of trinkets from the natives... and his letter. It's folded up, but he knows what says. He can practically hear the words.

...Knowing you're out there, it means this all still counts. You're my-

"You're my miracle," Faust's voice finishes where his letter cuts off. It pierces his heart. He knew the moment the option was presented, Faust would be going home. There was no question of it. Faust had his students, his friends, and even though that world had betrayed him, Faust wouldn't let those people down. Despite everything, it was still Faust's world, still his home, in a way that Finland and even this place couldn't be. Faust would be going and so he has to weigh his options too.

He never thought he'd get a choice. He thought he'd be swept away in a night just like every time before. He'd written new letters and tucked them into the pages of his burnt book. He'd written about Faust, about their time together, when they met in Finland to now, so that he couldn't forget no matter what. So that he'd still have something of Faust when either one of them was gone. It wasn't supposed to be a choice.

Aellyn is nice. There's all the conveniences of the modern world and them some, with nature creeping back in too so he doesn't miss that so much. He can keep his hunger under control indefinitely. The people here would be kind to him as they've always been. But he can't stay.

He picks up the book with all his new notes, love letters that were never meant to be sent. He picks up the letter that never made it in his other hand. He goes to Faust and he sets them down before him, Faust most likely getting ready to leave too.

"I read... that letter... a thousand times... I'm supposed... to go find her... I'm supposed to be... whatever she... wants me to be... I told myself that... over... and over... and over..." He swallows hard before finally looking up to Faust himself. "But I... don't wanna go."

[relictus]

Somehow, this world seems like it's on track to a happy ending. However that goes for them, it also means his days of being dragged around to other worlds are over; it's time he get back to the fate assigned to him by his own world.

But there is one complication he needs to face first, even if he wished he could put it off or look the other way. But this isn't something he can hide from... a choice needs to be made.

He's sitting at his desk in his room, the heavy curtains drawn aside for once to allow the light of day to light the room. His egg shell is laid out on the desk along with what meager belongings he intends to take with him–at least, the ones he doesn't keep on hand via magic anyway. The "sailor's valentine" Teo made for him, dried flowers protected in a glass jar—another thing from Teo, previously woven into his hair... and his trusty candlestick, set on its side rather than sitting in its usual place on his desk. There's his jar of wizard's sugar, but he may just leave that behind; he can easily make more. He has little to remember this world by, and really, it's more to remember Teo by...

His door is ajar, something he's only started to do recently to allow Teo the freedom to join him when he's in the right mood for company. So Teo is free to come in, and he looks at the book with papers sticking out of it and the familiar bloodstained letter set down before him. He looks up at Teo as he confesses his own struggles over what choice to make.

He stands, pushing his chair in, but he just stays there with his hands on the back of the chair, looking down at the desk.

"...Even if there's any chance of you finding her, or her accepting you as you are now... that world will never be safe for you again." It's hardly safe for those who live there, but for Teo especially... "...I don't think you should return."

He knows it's not an easy thing to leave behind, questions unanswered. But he could hardly send Teo back there in good conscience... if anything, it's a relief he doesn't have to talk him down from the idea. But as for where he should be instead... he glances his way, hesitates, and looks back down at the collection on the desk.

"But this world... you could easily live a full and happy life here, if you chose to stay."

[honestgirl]

[ last minute proofreading. ]

[A bandolier of handmade masks rattles, even half-pinned under a backpack, as a woman lightly jogs through the streets, head moving to and fro. There was no time to be shy now -- there's too much to do!]

Excuse me! Hey! Yeah, you!

[So many people to meet.]

Where -- are you going?

[So many things to learn.

She's a little out of breath, and once it sinks in that she has really, truly initiated a conversation with an actual person, her shoulders draw higher with tension. Especially if it's someone she hasn't met, or properly introduced herself to, which would be...most people. For them, Ryder is quick to continue,]

Um, I -- oh. w-what's your name? That's, um, probably important.

[Only "probably".]

[ a bad epilogue. ]

[It's getting closer to becoming time to leave. She's sat herself on the ground, belongings few in number and at her side. With how much she's cried for her mom until making herself sick the past two months, Ryder didn't think she'd be this hesitant to get going...but her hands make quick work of the stim-popping bubble design on her backpack's face, and her nails and bottom lip have been chewed to hell and back. Well, she could only partially blame the idea of going home for that -- a lot of the damage had actually been done after watching the griffon wander off into the tunnel with an assuredness she can't even begin to feel. She knows he'll be okay, and everything is fine, and she helped, and it was necessary, and inevitable, and over, and

she had felt what nothing is.

'Don't you fucking cry now, Ry! Dumbass,' she warns herself, jagged nails biting into her palms.]

H-how... [Her voice cracks a little as she raises it, meek as ever, to whoever is passing by. She can't look up to see who it is she's trying to accost, vision too swimmy. But she has to...try and get an answer, right? She needs it, if she's going to think about being home. Being okay.] How can -- you tell anyone th-this? What w-will you s-sssay? Heh, not -- can't fucking. Not to a th-therapist, you know? Get shipped off to some -- hospital.

[ wildcard. ]

[For any other needs.]

[this_loser]

[It's been a long time, but he can finally go home.

He should be happier about this. He is happy about this! But there's a feeling of dread as well. A feeling that he's been away too long, changed too much. That he won't fit in, though he never really felt like he fit in in the first place. Despite that, he doesn't want to forget this place or the one that came before, and all the people and experiences he's gathered over the years.

A part of him is afraid that he'll wind up somewhere else instead of Home. But he knows he'll try anyway.

So he'll tuck the eggshell away and spend some time filling his camera with some final memories before putting himself in Fate's hands.]

[carbungle]

[Prompto's on the shortlist for people he wants to speak with before they go, so seeing him out and about, taking the last few photos, Noctis considers his options for a heartbeat then warps himself in front of whatever his best friend is photographing in the moment, taking on one of the dramatic "model" poses Prompto had urged him to use in their past sessions.]

One more for the road? Before this face gets old forever.

[He so often hates photos of himself, but this is like... archival work, or something. ...Okay, or he's just being shallow. But if leaving means these are the last days he gets to enjoy recognizing his own face, he can at least memorialize it and have a bit of fun first.]

[shroudedsecrets]

[ It's funny, how things turn out. Because of him, she learned the value of taking photos for precious keepsakes. She has a little robot that floats around doing most of the work, of course.

She also knows that feeling of dread, that something might go awry in plans and ending up somewhere else not intended.

Kova finds him first, and is ready to cat his way around Prompto's ankles by way of greeting. ]

[daikonrose]

[For Everybody]

Kyoko needed no time to mull over her own decision; the most basic part of it had been made on the day she arrived in Havenwell, and the other details had been hashed out a long time ago too. Of course she was going home. Of course she was going to bring Kaito and Shinji with her, as long as they were willing. Really, it was just surprising that the path had opened so suddenly and clearly after all this time.

But they weren't going to hightail it out of town right away. There was packing to be done, she had to formally resign from the roles she'd accepted, and it wouldn't be fair to yank the boys away from a home they'd loved before they were ready. And besides, Kyoko had her own goodbyes to say. She might not be able to catch everybody, but she would try her best, checking all the temples, the public parks and gardens, Affurgato--just about every popular haunt she could think of. If you'd ever spoken to her more than once or twice, she would wave wildly as soon as she saw you, already fishing in her purse for something as she ran over.

"Aaah, do you have a minute? Just one minute! This is for you!"

[Let's Go; closed to Kaito and Shinji]

Of course, she had something for the boys, too. Theirs were the most important, actually. She waited until everyone was well and truly ready to leave their house for the final time though, before pulling out the two little bands of brightly colored fabric meant for Shinji and Kaito.

"Just... just one more thing," she told them, stepping out in front to face them. "Hold out your hands?"

me running from the harder emotions for a little longer

[21kingpuddings]

Oh! Hello! Tamaki was absolutely hoping to see Kyoko before everyone took off, so when she flags him down, he goes ahead and meets her halfway as she runs on over. He's no too busy presently, and he's mostly waiting for Hummy to get all of her affairs in order before the two of them head off to the door, so a nice chat with a friend is very welcome.

"What's up, Yoko-san?" Something? For him? What could it be?

[WildCardin]

[whenyouneedme]

There was definitely a good chunk of things that needed doing, beyond the goodbyes. All sorts of lizards needed snacks, cats needed cupcakes delivered, Kai was figuring out what to do with his bike after that, and he was in the market for some good bags. There wasn't a whole ton that Kai needed to pack, but the things he did were important.

Having a little break was important too though. Here Kai was now, appearing so he could lean against Kyoko's doorway. "Hey," he greeted softly, holding one of the backpacks up to show her. "Think this is cute enough for me?"

[shroudedsecrets]

[ Saying Goodbye is Never an Easy Thing ]

[ There has been much to do. While her own plans have been set for quite a while--a new, better future that still waited, actually having reached this point (again, to think of it, for her), there's still something bittersweet about leaving a place that, while something of a side step to the original goal, with it's own share of issues when it came to pulling others away far too soon than could be abided, there was still something to reminise about, and to wonder that what might lay beyond the door wouldn't be some other trick or tug to a different dimension entirely. Tempered hopes, but hopes were ever needed.

Lup was already taking care of the finer details, seeing that Affurgato either went to new hands or that the cats that weren't already bound to them could find true forever homes. Honerva in truth was not pleased at their staying behind, but they couldn't be sure that they'd all arrive safely, either.

Still, this place had provided some well cherished memories and a further resolve to Do Better.

Like so many others, she's either lingering by Affurgato or visiting certain places, getting photographs of old haunts, companions, as many as her little robot can gather, give it a wave if you see it passing by. Always a good time for a last minute memory, especially with how priceless those were. ]

Héctor | Closed to Nekane

[unpocoloco]

There's something truly beautiful, even poetic, that the solution to Havenwell's problems would come from accepting death. It's a lesson he's known all his life but still had to learn. He's died a dozen deaths but accepting things, carrying on, that's still tricky. He knows he's hardly alone in that.

He turns the egg piece over in his hands. A gift from life. Still more journey ahead, despite it all. He doesn't know what's going to happen now but he knows what he has to do first.

"Nekane!" He calls out, joyously. He knows they're not far. At last, they can make a choice together. "Kané!"

[opheliaafterdeath]

Accepting death, moving on. It's a tricky subject and in a lot of ways, Nekane gets that it took a long time to come to the conclusion that Havenwell's situation. Their own world, for example, couldn't accept death. Resurrection was the reason why it decayed so badly. And...well, their own situation. But they digress.

Nekane has the egg raised in the air, looking at it as if they can see the sun reflecting through it. There's...a lot that can be done with this thing. But there's one important thing to do first. One really fucking important thing.

"Hey Héctor. What's up?"