lostcarnival | ⇨ EPILOGUE

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"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.

"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?"

"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!"

"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."

"Hah! Provided you intend to bring input where it is necessary Yuuya," he warns jokingly. But then he pauses. "Auh...."

Moving out. It isn't as though it's...never come up. It's more... "Mnh... ...I, the man Gongenzaka, had wondered...I knew your own family, they did not stay with your own grandparents, so..."

He knows there's a suite for them on the family grounds- if they take it. If, he has been told, a knowing look in his mother's eye when mentioned. (His father, naturally, has simply assumed)

But he also doesn't want to press.

Yuya nods. "I was just thinking, if you wanted... it'd be nice to have a place alone together."

Some privacy, a space that they can make theirs like his parents did. It sounds nice to Yuya, but the hesitation is clear on Gongenzaka's face. He was expecting it, but still...

"Ah..." It's strange to think about. A place alone...technically they have one already, in the Court. For the same here...

"...Did...you have a place in mind, Yuuya..?" He's nervous- but he also doesn't want to immediately shoot down what Yuuya is going for.

"Ah, well--" Yuya ducks his head, absently twirling his bangs around his finger. "I thought we could start with just a small apartment, maybe? Since it's still another year or two before we'll get married..."

"Ahhh..." It's not something he's sure about. That much is obvious.

But it's also not something he wants to simply reject- rejection is... ...Well, he can't say it's fair to reject it without even considering it. Or trying. Or...

"Did you then...have an apartment in mind perhaps? ...To look at..?"

Yuya shrugs a shoulder, a little self conscious how much he's thought about it when Gongenzaka hasn't at all.

"... Sort of." He brings his gaze down to the table, finding it easier to look at. "It's more like some neighborhoods that looked nice. Between both our parent's houses, and one of them wouldn't be far from the stadium."

....

The nervousness hasn't gone away.

He doesn't like that. "...I..."

"I, the man Gongenzaka...could look at them with you, then. ...It is...something you have been looking forward to, yes?"

Yuya doesn't answer at first. The silence lingers before he peeks up at Gongenzaka through his bangs. "You don't want to?"

He's not oblivious to all his hesitation.

Gongenzaka swallows. And breathes.

"...I, the man Gongenzaka...had assumed we would use the honeymoon suite in my family's home, yes....but..."

He reaches for the other, taking their hand firmly in his own. "...I, the man Gongenzaka...would be happy to at least try."

Yuya chokes when he calls it the honeymoon suite, because that's exactly why Yuya doesn't want to just room on the same property as Gongenzaka's parents. They're... intense. And his dad doesn't always knock.

Yuya threads his fingers with Gongenzaka's, holding on tightly as he rests his other hand over the back of Gon's and rubs circles with his thumb. "Next weekend, let's look at them. We can decide properly then, but..."

But he smiles tentatively, eager to try. A place they can make their own, together, even just for a while.

Hey. He could totally make it so that the door just can't be broken down! Easy!

So what if it defeats the point-

But...Gongenzaka nods, even as nervous as he is. He'll try. ...They'll both try.

⇨ EPILOGUE

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