( 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

[rextenebrae]

... I know.

[ By now, Knoll has strolled into the gardens out of pure habit. He's standing nearby the water fountain, and raises a hand to lightly rest upon the top. ]

But, maybe it is better this way. I haven't a lot to say beyond "good bye". It wouldn't make much of a difference.

[lohengrins]

It does make a difference.

[ the words come out forcefully and with conviction — they're accompanied with a hard expression. ]

What harm will come from bidding them goodbye? Speak from your heart, Knoll. This may be the last time you can.

[rextenebrae]

I...

[ There is no harm. What is he afraid of? He's really a terrible friend, isn't he?

Knoll can only sigh. ]

I just need some time--I don't know...I suppose I'm simply not good at doing something that should be so simple. It hasn't been the first time I've decided not to.

[ He's thinking about reconsidering his decision, however. ]

[lohengrins]

Then don't make it your second.

[ stated bluntly, but with good intentions. ]

There won't be a farewell for most of us. I know in my heart that we'll see some of the others again...that's what I've chosen to believe. But that will require time — a great deal of it.

And if you aren't true to your heart now, when will you start?

[rextenebrae]

...Would that I know how.

[ Had he been wrong, after all? His gaze is directed towards the ground. It was the same, it didn't matter, and maybe he should've given his decision more thought -- but wait.

Percival wasn't Prince Lyon, L'arachel wasn't Lute, Yukina wasn't Natasha, and Velvet wasn't General Duessel. The people he had spoken to back home...hardly had the chance to know him--even Prince Lyon hadn't really known him. He couldn't just slip away unnoticed, into the darkness--especially with the decision he just made.

The people he had a chance to know...they were important to him. How could he begin to act otherwise?

He takes a shuddering breath. ]

No...you're right. I'm sorry.

I suppose the only difference back then was that I didn't have someone to tell me how much of a fool I was acting.