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

Comments

REUNIONS

[igiko]

Catch up with castmates here at the tent! Don't forget to SHARE ONE THING THAT'S CHANGED SINCE YOUR APPEARANCE ON THE SHOW.

AYTO

[igiko]

[unrecompensed]

[Hi Aoko is also here, looking bashful but quite happy as she looks around at everyone.]

Um, well... what's changed since the first season? So much has changed... Oh, but...! I've been learning magic, a little!

[starswink]

Aoko, Aoko!

[Yoosung is very happy to see her again too. As much as he wanted to keep up with her on socials.... yeah he was going through it. He's genuinely happy to see his fellow normie thriving on some fantasy bullshit though. Good for her, good for her.]

That's so coooool! What can you do?

[saucerous]

Aoko!

[Marcille has the raccoon-eyed look of someone who's getting far too much of the wrong kind of sleep or not nearly enough of any kind of it, but it's mostly tempered with nice reunion makeup. Win! Regardless, she brightens right up when she sees her. Her encouragement is equally hasty.]

You have? I want to see it! You should demonstrate for me right away!

[reappraise]

[ are you ready to be encased in a (gentle) (VERY GENTLE) rock hug aoko

well it's happening, and they've snuck up on her from behind so they can nuzzle their face into her shoulder. ]

Mm, and I wonder what other kinds of things have changed... aha...

[comelately]

You can just learn that?

[ somewhat bewildered. then again, he just learned the Spin, so why not? That's pretty close to magic already. ]

mystic messenger spoilers

[starswink]

I learned the truth, just like I wished for.



[Announcing this is the main reason Yoosung came to the reunion - he wants his friends to see him grow, and he is willing to be surrounded by happy couples in order to do so, no matter how much that pains him as a highly jealous individual.]


Rika wasn't dead, and she's not the person I thought she was. I won't stand in her shadow anymore.

[aldaft]

[Now this is an unexpected turn. Cyrus shakes his head.]

To think her death was fabricated . . .

[It must have been grossly shocking for Yoosung, who so deeply loves the person he had thought she was. Cyrus reaches out to rest a hand on his shoulder.]

The future is bright when we unravel the secrets that elude us and arrive at our own answers. Still, I hope this truth has brought you even a small measure of peace.

[gilden]

[ What did he tell you about the Truth, Yoosung!!!! But it's fine, this is Ash and he's still very much about not addressing the complicated things if he doesn't have to. He looks exactly the same except he's in a nice suit! ]

Huh, really? [ Thinks about this for like, a full second which is testament to their relationship that he holds the thought this long. ]

That sucks, but you're better off without her anyway. And now you won't keep idealizing her as your beau, right?

[ The blithe optimism. Slaps Yoosung on the back cheerfully! ]

[darkinstructor]

[ Well, a familiar face is a familiar face indeed. ]

It's good to hear your resolve...I wonder what other goals you have in your mind upon receiving this forbidden knowledge.

[ Someone hasn't changed, lmao. ]

[omnivoracious]

[ She's just. Openly weeping. To see everyone. It's fine. ]

HOLIDATE

[igiko]

[duskspear]

I'm happy to see that everyone is well.

[At a glance, anyway. He doesn't know what's been going on in their lives. In fact, he hasn't visited anyone or exchanged much in the way of messages. Seeing everyone here and now, though, he can smile brightly before old friends.]

Much has changed since our participation in the show. [He pauses, and this is where the obligatory warning for minor but late Triangle Strategy spoilers rears its head:] Most of all, I am no longer the second prince, but King of Glenbrook.

[dominooo]

Mon ami! My congratulations, your Majesty!!

[ SEIZES HIS HANDS. ]

[equillibriums]

[ hey i'm here for my rutile and roland making out in the corner


on a more serious note, of course rutile is here with roland! hearing the introduction isn't a surprise at all, but, you know. once it's done and he's caught up with everyone, rutile's coming over to take roland's hand. ]

It's nice to see everyone, isn't it?

[ EVERYONE IS RIGHT THERE ]

[lightguns]

Whoooahhh!!

[I mean how else is she supposed to react to that]

[chintamani]

Hmm, my hair is longer? [ That's true but it's also a simple thing, because he is still Roka (his hair isn't quite ridiculous memshare length but it's to his midback now). Also, time is fake for Gods? ]

Oh, and I now how to replenish my stones now.

[ Maybe he shouldn't have mentioned that one, but he is always here to follow expectations, even those of a simple card. ]

[duskspear]

That is good news!

[Roland sounds sincerely excited about this—enough so that he stands up for the exclamation before sitting back down.]

And the length suits you. Do you intend to grow it out even more?

[equillibriums]

[ love how the magic rock thing is an afterthought. but rutile looks pleased to hear it all, of course. ]

Did you...? That's wonderful, Roka. The ones you gave me are still sitting at the highest spot in my classroom; the children say good morning to you every day.

[ as rutile has no doubt told roka when he found a wonderful spot for them... he does take them home every night, of course, when school lets out for the day. he won't leave them alone. ]

And your hair looks so lovely... If it gets any longer, I can put it into the ponytail again!

[sleepingthorny]

Oh, how serendipitous that is!

[Kizuna is wearing a big pink synthetic kanzashi in her side braid because it's hanami season. She fishes something out of her bag. It's a pretty similar green kanzashi! She hands it to Roka!]

I had been shopping in advance of this event, and when I saw this, you came to mind!

PUPPYCRUSH

[igiko]

[messianic]

[wow jae, this call out

anyway Minato is here! He's here and he is


asleep on the floor of the tent.

Really living up to his whole "can sleep anywhere" moniker from the show, huh]

[alternativity]

[ Here's Kotone! For the most part, she looks her usual self!

Except she kind of looks like she's very, very tired? But also smiling if someone catches her eye, lifting a hand to wave.

... Also kind of slowly, like she just woke up. ]

[feyfound]

[ Juniper arrived here with Childe, after having spent redacted amount of time adventuring in the Feywild together. It's easy to tell what's changed, because she's definitely put on some more muscle and has a cool new scar on her face, but regardless she offers: ]

Ajax met all seven of my parents and he's still alive! Isn't that remarkable!?