FINAL EVENT: FAREWELL

[spoofer]

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

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

Comments

no worries

[mordacita]

[ Rafa goes to sit on the bed. He knows Kavinsky well enough by now to not be troubled by his mood. Instead he pushes his legs to the side and settles there. ]

We could do all of that. [ Pause. ] Except perhaps mining Faerie. We are supposed to be at peace, after all, it would send the wrong message. But I will not complain if you wish to make me a flying car, or a Space Shuttle. I always did wonder how the sun would affect us if we were in space.

[ He's getting ahead of himself. And getting distracted. He leans forward, wrapping his arms around Kavinsky's leg and leaning his chin on his knee. ]

So, then, I suppose you had better say if you will come with me at all. It is best not to make plans that cannot be fulfilled.

[pillz]

[maybe kavinsky had known that rafaello would ask him. maybe it's stupid to pretend otherwise. after all, long before axel had told him off for keeping secret his incentive, long before delusions of marrying vex and all the rest, he had been 'joking around' with rafaello about going to the vampire's world. and it'd always been 'joking around' for exactly the same reason axel was angry with him, of course; he'd never thought it would really happen.

and core in the core of his reasons why he thought so, was he sort of thought rafa couldn't possibly mean it. not after everything he'd known, everything he'd found out about kavinsky. after tales of ronan, then grisly endings with vex, idiot mistake after mistake with-- aric, then kurt. when you're a king who's built piece from the ashes of thousands of years of interdimensional war, is that what you want in your life, really? a child fuckup. kavinsky knows that rafa could have any husband he wants ok!!!! (besides the various ones that he tragically can't.)

some sassy remark dies on his lips. something brilliant and sharp and sarcastic and stupid; some vulgar equivalent of yeah right.

instead, he stares down at rafaello's face, his own as blank as a board.]

Seriously?

[his voice is quieter than rafa's ever heard it, as if coming to the vampire from over a long distance and a strange land.]

[mordacita]

[ The change in Kavinsky's mood is evidence enough that he's surprised to be asked. Rafa really thinks that he shouldn't be; why would he expect anything else after all this time, particularly when Rafa had mentioned it before. Would all their closeness, all their friendship, come to nothing? Not if Rafa had anything to say about it. For him it's a simple issue, and there was never any doubt. ]

Of course. You are family, and I do not leave family behind.

[ That's not true, not really. There are plenty of people he's had to leave behind, including almost everyone else in Xistentia. But to Rafa's way of thinking, that's not his fault. That's not him leaving them; that's them choosing to leave him, and if that's their choice he'll deal with it. For his own part, he doesn't like to leave anyone – especially not those he's turned, those he's come to care for.

He lets go of Kavinsky's leg and slides up the bed to sit closer to him. He puts his hand on his arm. ]

If you…wished to stay with Kurt. I would understand, and will not be angry with you. But if you would come, then I would take you to my Prague and you would always have a home with me. I do not want this to be our end, I do not want to say goodbye to you.

[pillz]

[it is like he's sitting on the bed, talking about the future, to his real dad. a real dad. it's a scene out of context, or in strange context; a house that's as far as you can imagine from the one he grew up with, a parent who never knew him as an infant, a relationship fraught with odd wars and weird sex.]

I ain't talked to Kurt about jack shit, [is his smooth response to all that, even as his eyes dart away, and he drops his spiky head onto the vampire's shoulder, like he's trying to hide his face in the nook of rafa's neck, embarrassed twice over. if it is, he'll never admit it.] What year is Prague? You fuckers invented flushing toilets and true love yet? You know I'm a fan of one, but not the other.

[his tattooed fingers ring around rafa's wrist, greedy for affection even as he avoids looking at it too directly. rafa wouldn't be wrong to be a little offended, that his fledgling still plays little games of hard-to-get, convince-me-you-want-me, sarcasm, the lot. but he probably isn't surprised.]

Which house am I gonna live in?

[mordacita]

[ Rafa easily puts his arm around him. His hand comes up to scrub through his short hair. He leans his cheek against his forehead. ]

It is 2016. And you will live in the castle, my castle, where I can keep an eye on you.

[ He says that dryly, but he's also serious. He has no intention of setting this young vampire free on his world without his own supervision. He knows Kavinsky's history, and while he knows how much he's changed, he also knows that it's only happened while he had the support of others around him. If he's left to himself again, who knows what might happen? Rafa doesn't want to see a recurrence of the self-destructive behaviour he's seen in the past.

He pulls him closer. ]

You do not have to decide now, but I am afraid that you must decide soon. I cannot stay away much longer. I think that you should talk to Kurt. You should decide what you want, and whatever that is, I will support you. But I would like it, very much, if you would come with me.

[pillz]

[there was a time that kavinsky would have scrunched around in this embrace like an angry cat, or turned it into something disturbing, somehow. but here and now, he only rests his head on rafa's shoulder. just for an instant, but he does. it's nice. rafa's shoulder is tiny because he is himself, very tiny, but kavinsky is familiar enough with the shape of him, his fine limbs and rangy lines, cafe-au-lait complexion, stronger than you'd ever expect, to know how to make himself comfortable when he's mushing himself on his sire like furniture.]

Okay.

[the next minute, he pops his head up again. rafa messed up his hair but it's ok.] A'ight. I'mma ask Kurt and get you your answer ASAP. Text you when I hear. [he sits straight again, but not before blowing an exuberant raspberry into rafaello's cheek.]

[mordacita]

[ Somehow, Rafa had not expected it to be so easy. He is in fact used to nothing with Kavinsky ever being easy.

He's glad, though. He smiles and sits up, and then spontaneously, he puts his arms around his fledlging to hug him tight. He pushes a kiss into his neck, and then with a grin, he stands up. ]

All right. Good, thank you.

[ He's evidently pleased. He touches Kavinsky's shoulder and makes to turn away. Then he turns back, briefly, and reaches for his hand. ]

Speak to him soon, yes? I cannot delay for long.

fading out 100 years later <3

[pillz]

[rafa's hand finds one in answer. same temperature, same distinct lack of hot blood and moving pulse. kavinsky's fingers tighten on his for a moment. he looks at him, two little fangs showing when he smiles, suddenly, brightly, and without irony.

he's already thinking of it. he's making a plan. he'll ask kurt to meet him— not knowing, of course, that kurt already has his own plans. it means more than he'll ever know how to say, that people have plans for him now; that he's built himself a present that leads to a future, instead of a sudden and ugly stop.

he ducks forward and kisses rafa again, on his cheek. he lets go of his sire's hand.]

Come on, babe. I've never let you down.

[it's not true. but this time, he means it.]