⇨ EPILOGUE

[ringleaders]

Who: Anyone who's ever been in the game before!
When: Day 143 and for the rest of time.
Where: The Ringmaster's Realm.
What: It's a time of reunions and also a time for goodbyes - for now, but probably not forever. This is the final official log for Lost Carnival, and it's potentially open to anybody who's played in the game. Thanks for everything!
Warnings: Is it safe? It's probably safe.

THE EVER AFTER↴ It's done. The Huntsman is gone and the Winter Queen has been cured of her self-inflicted condition. It will take time, but if things proceed well, it seems like they could end up with a sympathetic party in the Winter Throne. At the very least, guilt is a hell of a drug when it comes to getting someone's ear on important matters. The damage that has been done is not something that can easily be fixed. Lives have been ruined or lost completely, and emotional wounds can last a lifetime. Yet, for the first time in eons there is a bold hope for the future - a hope for change in ways the Courts never knew they could. There is so much to do in the aftermath that it will be years before any of it has been truly seen through. In the immediate hours and days following, however, the Ringmaster will be focused on seeing to the needs of her carnival. Or, at least, what was her carnival. She isn't sure what it is now. She'll probably always think of them as her family, even if they don't return the sentiment. Things are different now, are they not? They are no longer her followers, but the friends and peers she had always wished for in her previous life. After they have finished their business in the Winter Court, she will bring them all back to the remains of her realm. They need time to rest, and time to think. As she begins the reconstruction of her world, she has a few announcements to make. Firstly - all lingering contracts for those present are now considered paid. She will fulfill their wishes to the best of her ability regardless of how many days would have been left. Of course, it will take her a bit of time since they are all happening at once, but she'll be going down the list! All other contracts will be fulfilled or cancelled depending on individual situations, and whether or a person's connection to the carnival was still active. Otherwise they've probably been reset and their contract cancelled anyway. Secondarily - she is unsure of the future of the carnival itself. With how much there is to do, she doesn't feel that she can simply run away again, no matter how easy that would be in comparison. Being one of the Miracles puts her in a unique position of power, and this time, she wants to do right by it. Her and Ignatius have some ideas, but it will probably be a while before they come to fruition. However, she will rebuilding her realm in a new shape, and everyone is welcome to stay there as long as they want. Alternatively, she will help them travel to wherever in the multiverse they'd like to go instead, and they will retain easy passage back to her realm whenever they wish to travel there. In the future they can probably even learn to world travel on their own! Thirdly - she is going to be inviting back people who still had open contracts so that everyone can catch up and make decisions about going home. Not all of them will show up in this time, but she wanted to give them the opportunity. So, if friends or family went home but haven't been reset, they may possibly be arriving at the new Ringmaster realm to catch up. Otherwise, their contracts will be considered paid and they can stay at home. This mean, previously dropped characters can reappear in the realm to visit and get some closure. As a final helpful gift, those who became Miracles will be able to edit the reality of the realm to their liking while she works on it. So, if you want to hang out and build some things, you are free to design and magically construct your own spaces like high-res Minecraft. And that's only the beginning.

Comments

[hippocarnival]

"It was the set they recommended." Rich flavors, ornate designs suitable for a nice date. A date Yuya is treating very casually.

He watches Gongenzaka peruse the confections, almost intensely. When he starts to reach for one, Yuya suddenly snatches for it first and holds it to his side of the table.

Slowly, a smarmy smile spreads across his face.

[betheman]

"I see...."

And then, of course, Yuuya has snatched his. "AUH-"

Gongenzaka's face is Only one of betrayed protest.

[hippocarnival]

"Oh... did you want this one?" Yuya knows he wanted that one.

He sets on on the table and cups his hands over it, shielding from Gongenzaka. "I guess you'll have to take it from me."

He sounds daring. Gongenzaka knows this game. It isn't unlike their dueling, a back and forth where Yuya tries to disable all of Gongenzaka's defenses before Gon can swiftly put him in his place.

[betheman]

"Auhhh...is that so..." Gongenzaka begins, staring first at Yuuya, and then at the covered sweet. Also not unlike a duel, Gongenzaka is left to more or less size the other up as he considers his options. Could he technically get that candy easy? Yes.

Would that be mean? Also yes. There are better ways- the true skill lies in finding it, clearly.

"And just what makes you feel that I, the man Gongenzaka, shall not succeed then..?

[hippocarnival]

"Well, I'm not going to make it easy." He crosses his ankles under the table, still smiling boldly even as he feels Gongenzaka sizing him up. Gongenzaka could throw him across the room, but he won't, so he doesn't show any signs of fear.

He's also not about to show his hand.

[betheman]

First attempt-

"Hmn, then I, the man Gongenzaka, shall perhaps need to settle for tea, auuh?"

Redirection-

If he can just get Yuuya to falter, he can get that treat.

[hippocarnival]

"You could," Yuya leans forward a little. "But that's only half the experience, isn't it? You're supposed to pair them together to appreciate it properly."

Which he knows Gongenzaka knows, so he's not concerned about him abandoning the treat to Yuya.

[betheman]

"And you know exactly which ones pair with yours then?" he tries, though that one was bound to be a bust. After all, everything on the plate was probably matched to the tea.

But hey.

[hippocarnival]

"I think they all are." Yuya gently laces his fingers together, still caging the wagashi. He looks down at it, stretching one hand before looking back up at Gongenzaka. "But this one looks pretty good on its own. I guess if you don't really want it that bad..."

He shifts, leaning back in his seat with the obvious implication: take it or he's eating it.

[betheman]

Fine. They're playing that way.

He frowns, and eventually studies Yuuya's hand for a moment...before rapidly poking One Spot.

Ever take a reflex test it's like that, but for your Fingers you drove him to this,

[hippocarnival]

"Ah!" Yuya's hands twitch, but the way they're tangled together means his little cage doesn't budge. He felt it, though.

He wiggles the tips of his fingers. "If you want my hands, you only have to ask."

[betheman]

"If I want your hands, then I, the man Gongenzaka, will ask..." he hums, leaning back briefly. For a moment, he almost sounded kind of suave there.

For a moment.

"...Unfortunately, I am after what you have hidden with them."

What was that saying about wanting things the more they're denied..?

[hippocarnival]

Yuya chews on his lip for a moment, glancing to the tea, then Gongenzaka again.

Slowly he separates his hands, picking the wagashi up delicately between two fingers and holding it out to Gongenzaka. "Okay, we don't have to play right now."

He wasn't really going to eat it, anyway.

[betheman]

Excellent- but is it really over just like that? Gongenzaka gently takes the wagashi- but as he does so, gently brings the fingers not taking the sweet across Yuuya's hand. Eventually, he brings it back with the snack of course.

But his eyes linger over Yuuya, even as he smiles.

[hippocarnival]

It's a faint touch that makes his skin tingle, and he offers a small smile back when he assumes the game is over even if it's cancelled instead of won. It's fine if he's not in the mood, and Yuya looks at the ring on his finger for a moment.

With his hands free he moves to pour the tea, starting with Gongenzaka's cup and then his own.

[betheman]

Cancelled? Or is it? While the snack has been secured (and eaten), Gongenzaka doesn't simply sit and watch the other pour. Rather-

"Shall I, the man Gongenzaka, help?" he asks calmly, moving to place one hand over the other at the pot.

[hippocarnival]

Yuya looks up, blinking as he quickly stills the pot before he spills it.

"Facing opposite of each other, won't that be a little hard?" Gongenzaka's big and strong enough he could manage, but there are definitely closer positions they could be in.

[betheman]

"I, the man Gongenzaka, am certain that it won't be too difficult," he answers confidently, the pot steady between them.

[hippocarnival]

"Not for you, I suppose." Yuya closes his eyes, his head tilted down as he just lets Gongenzaka guide the teapot. His hands are getting kind of hot between the pot and Gongenzaka's, but he doesn't say anything about it. Right now he lets Gongenzaka lead, and if it's a lead with distance...

His stomach knots a little with anxiety. He wants to ask, but it's caught in his throat. He opens his eyes, just a little to gaze down at the table as he loses himself in his thoughts.

Which means he's not remotely helpful in actually moving or holding up the teapot, so Gon is having to do all the work there.

[betheman]

Indeed he is, and he's not unaware of it. It doesn't help that while he's careful to keep the pot from risking a fall, he does try to get one hand between Yuuya's and the pot itself where he fears it could be getting warm. What else are two hands for, than to stabilize And comfort, right?

"...You thought this out well," he quietly compliments, for all his anxiety earlier on. "...I am glad you surprised me, Yuuya..." Perhaps that will be enough to bring him back?

[hippocarnival]

Yuya blinks rapidly, tipping his head up and laughing sheepishly. "Well, I really wanted a nice evening... kind of a celebration for. Taking another step to be closer?"

When Gongenzaka takes the pot Yuya carelessly draws his hands back, fidgeting with his ring slightly. A reminder that it's there, it's real, and his face heats up a little.

[betheman]

"It is worth celebration," he comments- and pauses, when Yuuya brings his hands back. "...Are you alright?" he asks, not quite sounding concerned so much as curious.

[hippocarnival]

"I'm okay!" He settles his hands in his lap, still smiling. "Just really thinking about us. What about you? Are things good how they are right now?"

[betheman]

"Mnh-" He blinks, momentarily thrown by the change of attitude. While Gongenzaka was finally getting into the mood...apparently, Yuuya just got out of it?

It sure feels that way. "I-" He hurriedly regains some composure. "...Of course," he carries on, setting the pot down once their cups are filled. "I, the man Gongenzaka, am actually looking forward to what we need to plan, for that matter. It is exciting, in a sense!"

[hippocarnival]

"So I can leave the less-fun parts of planning to you?" Yuya teases, resting his chin on his hand. He's going to come to realize how much actually goes into a wedding, especially when he starts wanting to invite basically everyone.

His other hand taps against the table, nervous. "You know, when we're married... we can't really keep living with our parents."