AYTO | Happily Ever After

[igiko]

You are cordially invited to
HAPPILY EVER AFTER
for an interdimensional reunion.

The scene is a sprawling garden in an undisclosed dimension. Peach- and white-colored decorations dot the grounds from the outdoor furnishing to decorative balloons that highlight the block letters spelling out HAPPILY EVER AFTER in the center. Music plays in the background, gently in volume so as not to disrupt socialization, while strings of light hang from the arbors, trees, and tents that glow warmly once the sun dips into evening.

Surely you'll be wanting to meet all the former contestants present, whether they came alone or as half (or third) of a pair. Low tables with heart-shaped cushions have been arranged at the heart of the garden for socializing with a small twist: seats have been assigned via name cards, and each table houses at least one former contestant from each round to encourage mingling between seasons. Once you settle down, you'll notice another card on the center of the table that reads: INTRODUCE YOUR CASTMATE (OR YOURSELF IN THE ABSENCE OF ONE). How's that for an icebreaker? Overseers, in their infinite power, have the privilege of sitting anywhere. Make friends and merry as you partake of the catered food and drinks, of which alcoholic beverages will be served only to those of age.

Once the introductory meal has concluded, former contestants are herded over to tents with cozy furnishing in which to lay and spend time with loved ones and old friends. That's right—the tents are designated by seasons for some catching up between castmates. There's another card here that encourages everyone to SHARE ONE THING THAT'S CHANGED SINCE YOUR APPEARANCE ON THE SHOW. After this, you're free to visit other tents and mingle to your heart's content.

A stack of cards atop a garden stool on a modest stage contains the names of every perfect match to date. For what? Why, to play charades! You must play out the perfect match listed on the card you draw with your match while the rest of the former contestants take a guess. If half of a match declines to participate or isn't in attendance, another former contestant or an Overseer is welcome to fill in. What if you didn't watch the other rounds? Well, then it's time to make educated guesses, isn't it? (Cards are drawn at random in character, but can be decided between players or via wheel).

Dinner ushers in an evening of romance. Bistro lights illuminate the garden, and the stage is cleared for dancing the night away. Of course, you're free to do whatsoever your heart desires if you've something else in mind. This particular corner of the world is, at least for today, your very own oyster.

( ooc: This is a reunion log for all game rounds of AYTO to date. All characters, including Overseers, are welcome to participate. As the passage of time can vary between dimensions, the answer to the question of "how long after X round is this reunion?" also depends on the characters. I'm watching you, Minato and Kotone. Feel free to handwave seating assignments and add in whatever you fancy to the setting, and do check back periodically as there is no all-inclusive channel to post new top-levels. Last but not least, have fun! )

INTRODUCTIONS | REUNIONS: AYTO, HOLIDATE, PUPPYCRUSH | CHARADES

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INTRODUCTIONS

[igiko]

Mingle between seasons here at the breakfast table! Remember to INTRODUCE YOUR CASTMATE or YOURSELF if you happen to be the sole representative of your season.

DIAMOND & JOHNNY, ZAPPER, SATSUKI & IFRIT

[igiko]

[lightguns]

I go by Zapper, after the grandaddy of all lightguns from the original NES - if you don't know what that means, I'm a pro gamer and it's one of the tools of the trade as it were, that's all ya need to know. It's nerd shit. I was in the Christmas round as a token Modern Technology Wrangler and Person Who Knows What Christmas Is. So who are you fine folks? Y'all like to party?

[By her first glance assessment, two of these people look like they could party and the other two are just intense.]

[comelately]

... A pro what?

[ did she say gamer?? Implying she plays games as a profession? Johnny's imagining her sitting around playing solitaire while people watch... ]

[comelately]

[ it's Johnny!! He's walking a little better than before - and, perhaps more noticeably, he's a little less sullen, too. Emphasis on "a little." Judging by his expression, he's less than thrilled to be back on this program. ]

Hey. Name's Johnny.

[ ... that's it. ]

[sleepingthorny]

[Kizuna came all the way over to this table to see him, mostly because she did feel drawn to a fellow survivor of a spinal cord injury, but this total lack of enthusiasm does make her wonder (in her own type of not-entirely-mitigated sullen tendency) if she wouldn't just be a bother. Well, Diamond seemed to be suggesting that he's just reticent by nature, so Kizuna will try her best...]

It is nice to meet you, Johnny. You may call me Kizuna. I had not realized that my season of the show was not the first. It is a relief all three rounds have ended in victory.

[reappraise]

What a cute way to introduce each other. [ clapping their hands together once with an unnatural sounding clunk!! ] Johnny is from my season. He has a lovely horse, Slow Dancer, who I am sure he would be happy to talk about. They became so close in just a year... isn't that remarkable?

He's a bit shy, so be gentle with him.

[ said with just a Hint of mischief. ]

As for me... my name is Diamond. I guess you could say I'm something of an adventurer now. But I've been looking forward to meeting each of you, all this time since my journey here. Your seasons were so heart racing...

THEY WERE SO NICE AND INTRODUCED HIM AND HE GAVE THEM NOTHING IM SO SORRY DIACHAN........

[comelately]

Wait a second. Who're you calling shy? I'm not shy.

[ he looks a little defensive, which translates to being pouty, unfortunately for him and his baby face. ]

I just don't have much to say.

[lightguns]

[The clunk is so weirdly satisfying.]

Oh yeah, Diamond! I totally recognize you from the couple rerun eps I caught.

[They are so shiny, they definitely stand out. Then again, Johnny does too, in a 'why do you look kind of familiar?' way.]

How's the adventuring? That sounds potentially awesome.

[sleepingthorny]

Oh...

[Kizuna has been fascinated by Diamond's appearance as soon as she could even see this table in the distance, because no flatscreen or surround sound really captures their otherworldly attributes. Particularly because they changed into a "perfect diamond" right at the end anyway. But now right when it's almost her turn to speak again, Kizuna is even more flustered hearing her season referenced in this cloying voice!! Keep it together, Kizuna!!]

I was nervous about how my... missteps... [URGH, awkward word] might be seen, but if a future friend was truly interested, then I suppose that is no harm...

[warredrobe]

Listen well, since it won't be myself I'm introducing, and Ifrit is deserving of your fullest attention.

[Her tone is polite, as befits meeting people at a nice party, but it's also virtually impossible to remove the commanding presence from her voice.]

She is an appreciator of fine sweets and ardent defender of her friends. Her passionate mastery of fighting games is surpassed only by her own fiery will. Among us, she was the first to find her True Match, acting as our guiding light. Her aim with projectiles is unrivaled.

There's none who knows Ifrit's heart so well as herself, so ensure you truly get to know her yourselves.

MILLA & ASH, ROLAND, JUNIPER & STEVE

[igiko]

[duskspear]

[His gaze lingers on each and every person before he raises an upturned palm to address the table at large.]

It appears I'm the only one from the cabin, in which case I shall introduce myself.

Greetings, fair guests. I am Roland Glenbrook. My season was the second.

[souperb]

[ "greetings, fair guests........."

maybe that's true for the teenager side of the table. the season one side has such questionable vibes, help. exhibit a: ]

Don't make it sound so formal. We're just a bunch of weirdos whose drama got aired on multidimensional television for fun.

[ milla doesn't actually sound bitter about this for once, but also that is a line. ]

[feyfound]

Hail and well met!

[ Waving enthusiastically! Also she hasn't seen any of the other seasons, so: ]

What was the second season like? Did you guys have to do kiss bingo, too?

[souperb]

[ not them forcing milla to say things about other people? she couldn't even cobble together a nice introduction for herself?

which is why after such an awkward pause where she tries not to make extended eye contact with people, she's looking away and raising a hand to gesture at ash with a casual: ]

... Hey. This is Ash. He likes money, and you couldn't kill him if you tried.

[ (fond)? nailed it. ]

[feyfound]

[ Juniper is practically sparkling at everyone here. They all look so experienced and wise and cool...!! Her rabbit ears are twitching attentively! ]

Hail and well met!

[ With a grand sweep of her arm to gesture at one Steve Harrington, she clears her throat dramatically: ]

Introducing... The esteemed King Steve, kind and benevolent former ruler of Hawking [ Hawkins? ] High, and purveyor of Napoleon [ Neapolitan??? ] ice cream and illusory stories, including that of Starface!

[ Scarface... Anyway these introductions are going well! ]

We were in the round in the house with the really nice furniture and Pocky and a swimming pool!

CASSIUS & RUFUS, ERMES, KUROFUDE & ZUKO

[igiko]

CYRUS & YOOSUNG, KIZUNA, EMIL & ROXAS

[igiko]

[aldaft]

[An introduction for his fellow contestants? Say no more. Cyrus launches into his recollection of all things Yoosung without further ado.]

Kim Yoosung is an aspiring animal doctor from South Korea and the youngest member of Rika's Fundraising Association, as well as a former member of the coffee club. He is a compassionate soul who hosts various events in order to raise funds for greater causes such as children's welfare, one's own health, and women's activism. His other hobbies include cooking, gaming, and conversing with friends.

[starswink]

[Yoosung sits next to Cyrus, beaming as much as he can at the other three without having any idea of who they are - he has been going through a Lot the past year, forgive him for not watching the show. He's not really sure what to say at first. Because everything happens so much, time passed in a blink of an eye for him, so it's weird to think there are already two other seasons worth of guests. After a moment of staring into space sipping a colorful cocktail and trying to place himself back into his shoes at the end of his season, he clears his throat.]

It's nice to meet you all! Uh... hehe... this is Cyrus! He was like the wise older brother of our season, at least I think so.... Him and Aoko were the first match of our season and they always came to give advice about the matches. He's really smart and he's a professor! W-Was that good?

[He looks to him for reassurance, which is a way he has become used to looking to him during the game and over however much communication they would have had after.]

[sleepingthorny]

[Kizuna delicately lowers herself onto one of the cushions.

...her eyes look tired a lot of the time and a pinkness can't be entirely hidden now - it might be the alternative makeup that has a bit less of a shimmer, it might be the long trip out here during which Kizuna binged what she could of the shows. There were other??? Shows?????? Some with teenagers??? She quietly takes in this table where she's the only representative of her own season, and even though that's a perfectly natural result of having five at a table, it feels like a lot. Especially with just how detailed and lively some of these descriptions are.]

I am... Kizuna Chieda. I had the honor of knowing Kuruto Ryuki prior to our admission into the program. However, over the course of my time there... I formed a relationship with Ferdinand von Aegir, and it is in his world that I am exploring a new purpose. I am an advocate for children in need, with my main focus on accessibility in the new public schools. So it is a delight to meet such kind souls, as I am always happy to learn more from the gift that is life.

[Seriously! They put her at the "charity and college" table!]

JERITZA & MARCILLE, ROKA & RUTILE, TARTAGLIA

[igiko]

[equillibriums]

[ you really made the bad decision of making rutile have to introduce roka, rng? because of course he jumps on this, sparkling as he all but will smith poses in roka's direction.

but mostly it's a glance towards roka, and then a tiny smile to himself, as he begins with a clap: ]

Hello everyone! This is Roka, and I'm Rut— ah, that's not my task. Anyway, we're from season two, the Christmas special. Hohoho!

[ help ]

Let's see... What can I say about Roka? Lots of things! As you can see from just a quick glance, he's very beautiful! Look at the lovely shade of his hair, and his elegant, refined look that softens up very nicely when he gives you a smile... fufu, you'll really feel quite blessed if you see it, I guarantee it.

[ HELP ]

Beyond that, though... he's one of the kindest people you'll ever meet. He's lovely and strong, like a flower! Always very willing to help, but also to be there for you, no matter what happens. I— hmmm, I don't want to tell you too much about him, because I'd rather you find things out from talking to him yourself, but... I'm very lucky to have met him, and I'm sure you'll all feel the same after speaking with him. He's touched my heart in so many ways... Please get to know him during this reunion, so he can do the same to you.

[ HEEEELLLPPPPPP

the way rutile looks like he wants to keep this shameless babbling going but he'll stop there, with another glance and smile to roka. ]

[darkinstructor]

[ Jeritza is here!

Perhaps that in of itself is a surprise. All the same, he isn't exactly still the most greatest of social flowers. Yet, it appears there's an expectation for him to do an introduction for someone besides himself...? Can he just not, though. ]

...Jeritza. I'm from the initial season.

Marcille so happens to be in the same 'boat', in that regard. As for anything about her, you will find out better if you speak to her yourself. But, she is down-to-earth, and is friendly enough.

[ ...that's it.

He tried, and that's what matters. He is saying this in a tone that sounds like he'd rather be enjoying a parfait or a battle to the death—which is a bit of a joke because how is someone supposed to get that initially? ]