( DEPARTURE )

[abhoth]

SURVIVORS: 42 At 6:00 PM on the dot, everyone who has died during the ritual will awaken in their respective beds. Whole and unscathed, it would be far too easy to say that everything has been nothing but a fever dream. But the truth, as always, is far different from what the heart yearns for. For the first time in five weeks, night falls over the City of Yuggoth. The sun no longer hangs over your heads, its presence dark and oppressing. Instead, a soft, blue light shines down from the sky. It's not quite the moon, no. The Unclean's avatar is still visible in the sky, after all. But it's comforting. It's the promise of new beginnings, of newly forged bonds, and pacts that neither heaven nor hell are capable of tearing down. Does this singular moment in time make everything they've been through worth it? No, probably not. But this is the end. Their journey is over. Now it's time for forty-one (41) individuals to choose their destination, while one (1) is left behind. The unmarked room between the Kitchen (still wrecked — thanks, Tsurugi) and Laundry room is now open. Faceless men will be giving away baseball caps, pens, keychains and all the splendor of Yuggoth, as well as glossy photos taken throughout the ritual... for most, it will be a photo of their dead body and the manner in which they died. Yikes. A toy machine has also been left here, with a sign that reads TELEGRAM FUND: DEPOSIT YOUR CLUE TOKENS SO EVERYONE CAN CONTACT THEIR FRIENDS. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE ANDERSEN, SO DON'T ASK. - ABIGAIL. Manning the Curio Shop won't be the only duties the faceless men have been relegated to, however. They'll be hunting down everyone but the new facilitator in order to give them a bus ticket. The destination and time of departure will be blank upon initially receiving it, but as soon as one thinks of where they want to go? Both fields will be filled in, and will be adjusted accordingly if anyone has a last minute change of heart. It seems like, in the end, it's up to the residents to decide whether to return home or to catch a ride with one of their new friends. Starting from 6:00 AM on Tuesday morning (a fact only discernible thanks to the Grandfather clocks, as the sun refuses to rise again), double decker buses will roll by the motel to pick residents up. There will be several buses, each one remaining at the entrance for fifteen minutes and the next one arriving after an hour long interval. Bus tickets will refuse to change after the first bus has arrived, so try not to be too indecisive lest you wish to remain in this realm or strike a deal with the Unclean. On the bright side, there are at least two to four days before everyone has returned home. May as well get those final goodbyes over with, right? It's a wrap, everyone! Thank you for the wild ride, and don't forget to check out the Love Meme and TL;CR Meme. You can use this post to thread out those last goodbyes. ( quick navigation ) ic rulebook | locations | statuses | room assignments private conversations | ic profiles | graveyard | full navigation

Comments

[breaksouls]

It's not the sort of thing that's very exact... You can follow any recipe pretty easily, but getting it just right requires something else.

[For the most part, she had gotten used to cooking without taste, but it does help a lot honestly.]

And I guess you could call them that. You'd probably get along with some of them, honestly.

[crushcard]

[ She gets a sharp intake of breath, and then, a sardonic, self-depreciating smile. ]

I actually hope that he turns out nothing like me.

[ Because Kaiba knows that he has the capacity to be a terrible person. Has been a terrible person, once. ]

You're both kind. And Mokuba... he's good with people, like you are. I have no doubts that if he had been in your position, he would have wanted to save everyone, too.

If I'd killed Girge, or if you'd asked me to help the Hunters kill anyone - keeping him safe would have been my incentive.

[forlease]

[ I mean, he probably did, but why keep a reminder of your death around? Ryou's not about that life. Or unlife, as the case may be. ]

Ah... you're still using -san? [ He's teasing! But that in an of itself indicates his good mood. Jokes aside, he goes for her hand pretty much right away - it's a habit, at this point. ]

Thank you for coming to see me, though. I wouldn't be surprised if they made us fall asleep on the bus once it leaves...

[ Then he couldn't even wave at her :( ]

[crushcard]

[ He nods. He understands completely.

Knoll has put it... actually, more eloquently than he himself would have done it, which is actually rather surprising. For once, Kaiba finds that he doesn't really have anything to add to that. ]

The most merciful thing in the world is the inability of the human mind to correlate all its contents. Perhaps some things are meant to be beyond human comprehension, for the better.

[ He's quoting Lovecraft. Dare u 2 stop him, Craftly. Also, hell if he ever understands what the hell the Unclean wants besides fucking entertainment. ]

Will you be returning home, after this?

[crushcard]

[ casual shrug. he figured. ]

I see. No wonder Yukina could only meet us after.

[thawedheart]

[Yukina's known a fair handful of terrible people in her time. She's come to like them, too. If he'd given his reasoning, she would tell him so - but since he doesn't, she keeps quiet as she listens to him.

...by the time he finishes, she's still smiling.]

That's exactly why I hope what I do, Kaiba-san. Family is important... Maybe the most important thing of all.

[It sounds like truth, because to her, it is.]

If I'm like him, as you say... Then I can say with certainty that he'll be overjoyed to see you again. [They're going to separate places now. She knows that - but she also knows that, if they did by some chance meet again, she would be thrilled.] But... I'm sure you don't need anyone else to tell you that.

[crushcard]

The ideal of achievement can change the world through sheer dedication.

[ It's a philosophy that he's always subscribed to, throughout his life. Most people weren't as brilliant as he was, weren't as competent as he was, and only a mere handful were as driven as he could be. ]

Perhaps. I've always preferred reaching out with my own two hands and pulling myself into the future.

[ none of this fate and destiny bullshit thing. ]

[crushcard]

Probably. [ THAT'S AN UNDERSTATEMENT but mokuba's probably gonna yell at him when he gets back, so he's. not too excited by that thought, oops.

Also, that's followed up by what would probably be a casual shrug. ]

Kaito's asked if I could refine the dimension portal system - without having to rely on the Quantum Cube.

[ He's smiling. I mean, get him to talk about his projects, that's always a thing to get him excited, probably. ]

Something about an interdimensional bus system, although I wouldn't use such a crude term.

[thawedheart]

...you don't want me to...?

[Does... He want her to start calling him Bakura-san again? Misunderstanding until the end... But when he reaches for her hand, she instinctively shifts hers so that she can lace their fingers together.

It's probably not that he thinks she's been too forward. Otherwise, he wouldn't be reaching for her.]

Of course I came to see you. You're... [Important enough to her that, for a time, the destinations on their tickets had been identical. Hers has changed, though; as torn as she is, she can't leave her world behind any more than he can.

She can't ask him to leave his, either.] ...you're important to me.

[disinterested]

[There he is, indeed.

He turns to look at her, acknowledging her presence, but waits for her to speak again.]

[disinterested]

[Yeah, um.

Girge just gives him a look that says, why are you telling me, your murderer, this.]

[restlessgods]

And the future will move with your will.

[ Satisfied, she folds her hands together. ]

[abhoth]

[ There's a courtesy and respectable nod. ]

Mmm. No. Babysitting the lot of you still has fried my brain. It's quite alright, don't sully your precious pages with names not even time will remember.

[abhoth]

I would not say that. You all are able to return, live your lives and remember there will be an end. Your choices are your own, not by the Unclean's hungry scheme.

[ He smiles vaguely, his hands resting against his suit buttons once more. ]

We all have things we must see through. Whether it is another millennia or tomorrow, your role in my story is over. As the pages continue, I will be happy to know this chapter is closed and you're free from its grasp.

[abhoth]

Thank you, mister. [ He'll ensure the bell will be properly safe. ] I do what I must to ensure things run smoothly and in the best case scenario, my guests are able to return home no worse for the wear.

You will leave this place promptly and return to your life. Perhaps changed or perhaps leaving more than a bell here in this city. Regardless, your freedom is truly a blessing. Please ensure you value it.

[abhoth]

Perhaps a parting gift? Something to remember me by. [ SARCASM. ] I do hope you return to do great things.

[godly]

[Craftly, that's kind of sad.

But Light just chuckles at it, finding something amusing about the admission.]

I guess we were a handful, weren't we?

But you shouldn't say such a thing. Those pages were meant to be sullied by names that aren't worth remembering. You'd be the only one that stands out from the rest -- someone worth respect, for your tireless efforts.

[abhoth]

[ And he's hugged. There was a tension at first, but he will return it honestly. ]

There is no need for thanks, Miss Yukina. Please. It was my duty to ensure things ran smoothly. My guest's comfort was the most important part of this ritual.

[ LIES, HE WANTED TO DIE. ]

[abhoth]

It's an honor, given your motivations, to be considered as such. Perhaps when I tire of playing this role, I'll send you a telegram. Time is fickle, so it may show up on your grave marker instead... hm.

[ I live for the sad. ]

[crushcard]

[ His grin is sharklike. ]

Your fiancee gave me back my original cards, but I'll keep them for nostalgia's sake.

[ along with the tentacle beast plushie. ]

I'd rather keep the cards than return to this realm again, actually.

[godly]

[Or maybe he'll see it whenever he becomes a shinigami after he dies? Who even understands this canon anymore.]

I don't intend to be requiring a grave marker anytime soon. I've had my fill of dying to last a lifetime.

What will you do after this? The same thing again, over and over? For another unfortunate set of individuals?

[ninjay]

[ he snorts at the face she makes. yes, cutting off body parts is indeed fairly low on the list of things he will miss about this place. admittedly, that list is made up of entirely of people. ]

I had no idea what to think about the two of you when we were first put into this room together.

[ninjay]

A mystery you never thought needed to be solved has been solved.

[ he leans back in the chair. ]

... Which happened a lot here, now that I think about it.

[disinterested]

...

[Girge just stares, a little bewildered. While Kaito's not wrong, in that part of Girge agreed with the Hunters' goal, and Girge knew that Kaito probably cared to some degree if he kept bothering with board games...

It's still bizarre, to hear it explicitly.]