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

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?

[unrecompensed]

Yoosung...!

[She immediately opens her arms out for a hug. Hug!! Hug please, normie pal!]

... I mean, to be honest, not a lot... but I've been learning a little bit of light and healing magic to help support Cyrus!

[starswink]

[He comes running!! But no worries he's not actually going to tackle glomp her, it is a normal hug. Yay pal hug. After he lets go, he listens to her being humble about her minor cantrips.]

But those are really practical though! Even if you can't do much, you can use them always. You'll never have to use your cellphone to find your keys buried to the bottom of your purse... for you are a mage!

[he can be dramatic at times]

[unrecompensed]

[He can, but it's cute. She just huffs, reaching out to ruffle his hair.]

If there's a spell for that, then I sure haven't learned it.

I'm doing my best, though. But how about you?

[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!

[unrecompensed]

[Makeup is good, and it fools Aoko briefly--until she comes closer for the hug!

... Then she pauses.]

... Hey, ask me again in a minute, okay?

Are you okay? Have you been getting enough sleep? Do I have to get mad at someone?

[saucerous]

Huh? [An almost sleepy confusion crosses her face. Is Aoko...worried about her?

Marcille raises her hands in slight protest.] Uh, no, not at all! Actually, you might even say I'm a lot closer to my goal than I've ever been before. No getting mad required. [She hopes that applies to herself, too.]

Adventuring is a pretty taxing activity, after all...

[unrecompensed]

[Aoko is so worried! She... does simmer down a bit at Marcille's words, tilting her head a little instead.]

Mm... okay. If you're sure...

[... She reaches for Marcille's hands then, tugging her towards one of the couches.]

Let's sit then! You need some rest, and I want to hear all about this goal of yours that you've almost reached!

[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...

[unrecompensed]

[Bless this gentle rock hug, it's a sensation that Aoko could never forget.]

Dia!

[She hugs back, of course. She reaches up to pet (???) their hair despite it being rock.]

W-well... I can talk about it, but I wanna hear all about you, too!

[reappraise]

[ oh, aoko pets... how they've missed these!! ]

Then, I'll do my best to answer your questions.

[ Their smile is serene, as they pull back from her. ]

But first, I'd like to know about this 'magic.' Cyrus is teaching you?

[unrecompensed]

He is.

[Aoko's smile is bashful, but content. Seems spending all of this time with Cyrus since their season has gone a long way to removing that awkward shyness she'd felt before.]

He's a really great teacher, you know? And I wanted to learn something useful for when we're traveling.

I'm not great at it yet, but I've been learning some healing and light magic.

[reappraise]

Oh! Light magic. Ash knew a bit about that.

[ Their thick eyebrows raise in delight, inwardly pleased to see the extent to which Aoko seems more comfortable talking about Cyrus. She's changed so much, in such a short time... ]

I'm sure you remember, but my kind get our energy from light. It feels lovely to take in the rays... couldn't you show me a little?

[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. ]

[unrecompensed]

I know, I was surprised too.

[She just rubs the back of her neck.]

But in Cyrus's world, it seems like it... and he's a good teacher, so...

I've been starting to get it! A little!

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.

[starswink]

[Yoosung is grateful for the comfort, and is even comfortable enough around Cyrus that he doesn't force himself to smile after that]

Yes... it wasn't an easy thing to learn, but at least I don't have to keep agonizing over the blatant secrecy. And the RFA are supporting me now that they know everything too. So at least I don't feel as alone.

[aldaft]

[Cyrus prefers it this way. To smile is an expression of etiquette; however, it shouldn't have to become a mask one dons for the sake of donning it.

In his case, the faint curvature of his mouth is sincere—proud—in its quiet celebration of Yoosung's growth.]

A splendid answer. More hands lessen the load. The more peers we have at our sides, the more effective we become at the task at hand.

And so, what do you intend to do now that you know of the truth?

[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! ]

[starswink]

[He sure was right that the Truth is awful. But Yoosung still thinks he did the right thing. He shudders to think about living his whole life in the dark.

Now he is screaming internally because Ash cleans up really well in a suit, he looks so fucking cute!! It's all good though he is slapped out of it.]

Y-yeah! That's exactly what I mean. [He sighs a bit then.] I have to re-evaluate my entire tastes.... but!! I like to think I'm growing up more now.

[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. ]