xistentia | FINAL EVENT: FAREWELL

Entry tags:

FINAL EVENT: FAREWELL

Characters: Ensemble cast!
Summary: The final event in Xistentia is necessarily one of farewells. Characters will be given a forum to decide where they go and with whom, or if they want to be part of the skeleton crew that stays. There is also a lantern festival, mingling Tanabata and the Chinese lantern festival.
Date(s): Month of July
Warnings/Notes: Feels, possibly sexual content, please warn in subject headers!

Farewell

a million billion trillion stars

The Battle Won

Late Sunday evening, a notice goes out across all the daemons. With critical blows struck against D.E.S.T.I.N.Y. during the prison world missions, F.A.T.E.S. is prepared to go into maintenance mode. That means only a skeleton crew of one hundred citizens needs to reside in Xistentia at any given time. The rest of the populace is free to return home. Or...

Destination Forum

Perhaps it's not your own home that you want to go back to.

Hence: the forums.

Public meetings take place at the Citadel, where larger groups and individuals can offer safe harbor for those looking for a fresh start and a new change. F.A.T.E.S. will offer each individual a change of powerset if they so wish to blend better into their new world. Though most of these decisions will be voluntary, a vote of all travelers following majority rules will determine significant changes likely to affect others, such as the nerfing of god-like individuals or weapons, or whether compulsively malicious individuals may be allowed into other worlds at all.

To enforce transparency in a discussion, a truth zone encompasses the gleaming tower, preventing anyone from telling a lie.

However, characters also have the option for private meetings— in which groups of travelers smaller than 5 individuals may be able to negotiate the terms of going to worlds outside the Citadel. This, you may do in whatever informal circumstances you like— from the privacy of a home to the local knockoff British pub. And if you aren't taking your friends home with you, perhaps too, it's time for your own personal good-byes.

D.E.S.T.I.N.Y. Lurks

As for D.E.S.T.I.N.Y., they seem to be gone. There's been radio silence ever since F.A.T.E.S. made their announcement. Any attempt by their Agents to contact them results in static - but not, strangely, in disconnection. It seems they aren't so much defeated as licking their wounds. Make no mistake, D.E.S.T.I.N.Y. will be back. Agents, be ready; this isn't the last you'll hear from them.

Festival of Lights

Such occasion asks for more than logistics; we also have reason to celebrate.

In true Xistentia spirit, the festival that ensues is a mix of traditions from around the multiverse. It all kicks off with a spectacular fireworks show over the city, amid raucous sharing of alcoholic beverages and food aplenty.

From Japan, we have Tanabata, where characters are encouraged to write down their dearest wishes for the future on tags of colorful paper and then tie them to the forest trees. With a little luck, your character will get their heart's desire.

From Thailand, we have Yi Peng, where your characters will send ill feelings, grudges, regrets, and old mistakes up into the air in the form of paper lanterns. It is the tradition of letting go and welcoming in the new. Don't worry about the fire hazard— F.A.T.E.S. has you covered.

And Diwali from India signifies the coming of a new time, a transition. Candles lit and traditions such as decor and sweets represent the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair.

The Marriage of Vanyel Greyborn & Hanako "Rosie" Nurumi

It's probably a little more slapdash than most weddings people are used to. When the bride had never anticipated getting married and the groom is from a place and time before most wedding customs people are familiar with, maybe it's to be expected. But, just like them, it all seems to come together despite everything. It makes for a beautifully unique ceremony.

The flowers are a mix of Rosa rugosas and Dragon's Tongue. A pink and gold motif that's warm but elegant. It's set at night so that everyone they both care to be there can attend. While not a full moon, Rose's ears are out anyway beneath a veil of matching white lace. It was important to both of them that they marry each other true; that they loved every part of each other and symbolized it in some way on this day.

The vows they exchange are simple but heartfelt. They agree to be bound together, in love, now and forever. Rings are exchanged. It all goes according to plan, which is probably the multiverse giving this particular couple a break after everything else. And while the ceremony is all well and good, it's the reception that most people are likely looking forward to. Everyone is invited to attend this part of the two's union.

By Vanyel and Rose's standards, it's probably pretty tame. They host a giant feast in which most food was provided by the groom himself. The meat of choice is mutton, which just so happens to be the bride's favorite. It was also a show of being able to provide for their future life together. Meanwhile, the alcohol was supplied by the bride so everyone knows its quality. If it's enough to get a demon drunk, it's likely enough to get just about anyone drunk. Non-alcoholic and vampire friendly drinks are provided as well since they want to make sure everyone is accommodated and having a good time.

The reception lasts well into the night and rays of early morning light are creeping up on the horizon by the time its time to wrap things up. All in all, they'd call it a successful event and a high note to end hopefully many people's time in Xistentia on.

Footnotes

Please ensure that threads are marked with appropriate content warnings!
The original announcement with some other details is here.
You are loved. Farewell!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Back when he'd first proposed, he never expected this day to be quite so... bittersweet. On the one hand, it's the happiest day of his life. On the other... it comes on the eve of a parting after spend damn near every day if not physically together than at least never more than a phone call away for the past two years.

He never expected to have to let her go, and he doesn't want to now - especially knowing what she's going home to. He will, because he knows he must, but... that doesn't make it ache any less.

His grip on her shifts when she asks that, one arm wrapping around her just as tight as she's holding him as the other can cups the back of her neck, fingers twining into currently-white curls.]

I suppose it is, [he admits, no happier about it than she is.] But it won't be forever, I promise you that. [And he seals that promise with a kiss to her forehead.]

[ Her wolf-ish ears flatten back at the touch to her neck, at the arm wound tightly around her. She almost wishes he wouldn't. It makes it harder knowing what she's going to be missing. ]

It won't, [ she says. While she'd actually not been sure before, she seems resolute now. ] We'll... figure out something. We have to.

[ Up until now, she'd done so well to keep her composure.
Her eyes gain a misty sheen to them, salty runoff threatening to spill over and she drops her gaze. She doesn't want to cry tonight, she doesn't want one of the last memories of her to be this but- It's so difficult.

It's so unfair. The woman takes a deep breath, steeling herself against the tears threatening to fall. ]

I love you. That has to count for something, in the grand scheme of things. [ She can't believe it doesn't anymore. ]

[It's going to make it more difficult for him to let her go when the time comes, as well - yet how can he not, when it might be years before he has her in his arms again?

(He refuses to think it might be the last time.)]

We will. [He agrees. Between the bead from Eudio, what he managed to pick up of dimensional magic from Farraige, and what resources they can bring to bear in their own worlds... they'll meet again, he's sure of it.

The hand on her neck slides around and up, cupping her cheek, and he leans down to rest his forehead against hers.] I love you, too. [He murmurs.] And I believe it does.

[Which is easy for him to say, considering his world has not one but two love goddesses present and quite invested in the state of his world.]

[ It helps her to hear, honestly. Falling in love was such an unfathomable concept almost two years ago; yet, here she is. Here they are. Despite everything, she loves him more than she can eve properly express.

If that doesn't count for something then she's not sure what else would. ]

Who's getting the dogs? The cat's going with you, there's no question on that.

[ It's an attempt at a joke. A poor one, but at least she's trying. ]

[His lips twitch up into a brief smile, if a slightly sad one. But he's trying to, and he wants this moment to be more sweet than bitter overall.]

I don't know that anything could pry Robin and Maurice from your sides, or Apollo for that matter. The others, though... well, I think I've mentioned before that Lucia and Alesan would be thrilled to have them.

Though I can't promise they won't have named the huskies by the time you see them next. [He attempts a joke in turn.

[His next try at a smile is brighter, more genuine, as his thumb strokes over the curve of her cheek.]

Edited (deleting an extra small tag) 2018-08-12 15:10 (UTC)

It would be about time.

[ That was a holdover from Caleb, she knows. Maybe her way of being sentimental. Sometimes, she still misses the boy with the strange magnetism. She misses a lot of people. But for all that have come and gone, Vanyel's been a constant that she couldn't be more grateful for.

It's so surreal to have that change but... They'll find a way. She knows it. She has to believe in it, really, because the alternative is too crushing. ]

I'll look forward to learning their new names. And seeing everything in your world you'll have to show me.

[He could say much the same of her, especially since their arrival in Xistentia; if not for her, he might have sunk into despair and madness over the loss so many who were so precious to him. Now those he lost in the portal have been restored... but he has to part ways with her.

It isn't fair, a small part of him rails. But he's long since learned that life rarely is.

They'll find their way back together. He refuses to accept the alternative.] That's quite a list already, and likely to get longer. [He hums in thought.] Might be an idea for a second honeymoon, actually...

A second honeymoon?

[ No. Life is rarely fair. That was a lesson that Rose had learned early on. One wouldn't think it from the way she demanded so much - whether it be attention, time, or anything else - but she was well aware. Honestly, part of her isn't surprised even for the ache that this is the way things were meant to go.

She had often thought it was too good to be true. Maybe it was. At least, temporarily. She has every intention to return to this and to him someday.

Someday just seems so far away. ]

I didn't even realize that was a thing! But since it is, absolutely.

It isn't in Tamriel, but... I might have done some research of my own into your world's wedding customs.

[There's no might about it, of course. He rests his forehead against hers, and his smile is a little more genuine this time.

While he still doesn't like having to part ways with her even temporarily, making plans for once they're together again helps him focus more on that eventual reunion than the parting itself.] Then it's a date. [And he steals a quick kiss to seal the deal.]

In the meantime... there's something I want to give you. Wedding presents.

[ It's so touching, honestly, that he's been looking into wedding customs for her. While she imagines that her people's are actually vastly different, well- He knows she's never felt like one of them anyway. She's always been stuck in this nebulous in-between and displaced in just about every way.

But he's made that easier. He's given her a home in his heart and for that she'll never know how to thank him enough. ]

Wedding presents! [ That's a much happier thought and she lights up at the prospect. ] You do know how I love presents. [ She has ones of her own for him too, of course, but- In due time. Rose can't deny that she likes being spoiled and coming first. In all ways. ]

[He knows; it's why most of his research has focused on modern Western wedding practices, as opposed to traditional Japanese ones. And so long as their wedding is everything she wanted it to be, it doesn't much matter whose traditions they're following.

Watching her light up, he can't help but smile. It's been hard to stop smiling in general today, even knowing how it has to end.]

I know. [He replies, and steals one more kiss before leading her over to where he's stashed those gifts, taking a seat and then drawing her down into his lap.]

[ They could be making their own and she'd still be delighted, really. Just as long as it was with him. For all the lovers she has and will share her bed with, he's clearly first in her heart and she plans to keep it that way.

She's led easily and plants herself firmly in his lap with an almost excited wriggle. ] So, what did you get me?

[An arm loops around her automatically once she's seated, and with his free hand he reaches for a decorative box a little way down the table.] Most of them are in here, and you can store other keepsakes in it as well. [He sets it in front of her, flicking the catch and lifting the lid so she can inspect the contents.

In a little pouch inside the lid, there's stashed a picture of them on a date to the Citadel, snapped by one of their daemons, the two of them leaning close to each other from either side of the bar. With the photo are two dried flowers, one Rosa rugosa and one Dragon's Tongue, the stems braided together and tied with ribbon.

Down in the box proper there are three more items: a perfume bottle (the perfume within smells like bergamot and jasmine with just a hint of lemon), the LINKS bracelet from Eudio reworked into a charm bracelet (alongside the Tamriel bead, there are a musical note, a rose, a dog or wolf head and the Imperial dragon, all imbued with protective enchantments. There's also plenty of room for more LINKS beads, should she want to add them.

The last item in the box is a simple dog tag, silver and circular, engraved with a single word: Rose's.] That [he tells her, pointing to it] I thought you might like to add to my collar. [Which, conveniently, he's wearing with his suit.]

[ It's ornate, extra, and absolutely beautiful. She loves it. Can she keep the box? She'll find another use for it- Maybe jewlery or make-up or something. That's a gift in and of itself but she knows there's more treasures inside.

She takes the picture in her fingers; she's delicate with it like she's afraid of damaging it when it's something that should be treated preciously. The flowers are beautiful and the symbolism doesn't escape her. Their two worlds, intertwined. How had he even gotten these blossoms? It doesn't matter, she guesses- He had. For her.

The charm she jingles with a smile. Tears brim on her waterline at the implications of it. He wants her to come to his world, he doesn't want things to end here, he wants her in ways she can still barely fathom.

And he wants to be hers in ways she never fathomed anyone would, handsomly collared and no doubt to whom he belongs. ] Of course, [ she says, inhaling deeply to try and stop herself from crying. A hand comes up and brushes at her eyes just in case any stray tears slipped away. ]

Let me see... [ The tag is easily hooked on and she turns it over in her grasp lightly. ] I- It's perfect.

[Since he won't be with her to tell her these things, he decided the best gits he could give her were reminders that he wanted her, loved her. That he had no intention of letting this be goodbye forever.

That he was hers in turn, claimed in a way he wouldn't have allowed anyone else.

While he sees those tears brimming, he doesn't raise his own hands until the tag is safely affixed to his collar so as not to get in her way. Once that's done, though, he cups her face in his hands and leans down to rest his forehead against hers.]

I'm glad. [He replies, one thumb tracing the curve of her cheek.] I'd like you to take Dragonbane with you as well, but it didn't seem... entirely appropriate, to bring that here.

[That, of course, being a katana specially enchanted for dragon-slaying. The Blades likely won't be happy with him for it, but her safety matters far more to him than their opinion ever has.]

[ Part of her still wonders what on this earth or the next she did to deserve such a love. Nothing, really, so she thinks. In fact, if asked she'd probably say she doesn't... Or, at least, she would have before. Despite all the things about herself she dislikes and knows needs to improve, well- She has started to see the good reflected in his eyes. He's helped her make some incredible strides with that. For all the ways that she'll still backslide and struggle, it gets easier by the day to think maybe she is someone worth the love that he's giving.

Maybe she is someone worth something after all.

As their foreheads touch and he says that, she can't help but give a little laugh. Of course, it's followed by a sniffle as she still fights back the urge to cry. They're good tears, of course, but still. ]

Not quite, [ she agrees but smiles all the same as she says it. ] But I appreciate it. It should come in handy for what's to come. [ And while she doesn't really want to dwell on that inevitability, well... It's still a very real and present thought that they're both being faced with. They may be separated but hopefully it won't be permanent. With the means to see each other again, with all the magic and knowledge between their universes-

They'll find a way after all. They have to. ]

But hopefully I can deal with all that sooner rather than later and you won't be in too much trouble for letting me borrow it.

[She's come so, so far, and he's so glad for it. Glad that she let him in, let him help; glad that he was able in the first place. He can only hope the gifts, the reminders, will keep helping in his absence. Give her a tangible reminder of his love until they meet again.

His smile widens as she laughs; mission accomplished, then. And if his eyes are just as suspiciously bright as hers... well, that's not so surprising.]

You need it more than I do. [He, after all, has other tools for slaying dragons now, in the form of two very handy Shouts. And if he could teach her those as well, he would have done.] So frankly, I could not care less if the Blades take issue it.

[Thanks to the drift, she got to see firsthand how fraught his interactions with the surviving Blades have been. Rose's safety will always, always trump their petty concerns.]

[ I mean, she wasn't about to tell the Blades they could shove it herself but... They kind of could? So, it's fine. ]

I'll definitely have to do some explaining when I get home, I guess. [ A lot. Still, hopefully someday Vanyel will be able to visit her world himself and help fill in the pieces she can't. Someday, they'll be able to see each other's respective homes and their lives will become even more intertwined in ways she hadn't ever fathomed.

When Rose started life in Eudio, she had imagined that there was no place for her in the multiverse. At one point, she'd even wanted to erase herself from it. But then she met Vanyel. Magnus. Alec. Rafaello. Vex. Caleb. Kavinsky. So many people who made her realize that she was worth a place in this grand scheme, that she was worth something.

She doesn't even know how she'll be able to convey how much it's meant to her, knowing them all. How they'd changed her life in no shortage of ways for the better and how difficult it is to say good-bye to it all. ] Thank you, [ she says. For everything, she means. ] No matter what happens, know I love you. I always will.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

FINAL EVENT: FAREWELL

closed prompt!

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what the fuck gmail thanks for losing this

i can't even blame gmail, i've just been failing at tags >.>

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&wrapped?! finally?! oh my god