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

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]

[ ... Ah.

There's a short pause, and then she's crouching down to gently shake his shoulder, quietly. ]

Minato.

[messianic]

[He's slow to stir, but as he blinks the sleep from his eyes... he realizes just who it is.

And he's immediately sitting bolt upright and tugging her into a hug.

KOTONE!!!]

[alternativity]

[ There's a bit of a shaky laugh that's muffled in his shoulder but she's hugging him tightly in response. Hi, twin. ]

We didn't forget this time.

[messianic]

No... we promised we wouldn't, right? Neither of us... we'd never break such an important promise.

[His voice is just as shaky as her laugh, but he's not going to acknowledge that.]

[alternativity]

[ if neither of them acknowledge it, so much the better. ]

... You... finished it, right? What came next.

[halbird]

[ oh...

on one hand, sleep good. on the other hand, floor cold. it takes a little bit, but— don't mind the gentle tap on the shoulders, minato. ]

Minato...? There's a couch right there.

[ this is probably not enough ]

[messianic]

[This is absolutely not enough

Minato is still sleeping.


zzzzzzzzzzz.

He mumbles something about five more minutes.]

[warredrobe]

Sleeping again?

[Satsuki is far from clingy, but she is observant to a fault. It's all but a requirement in organizing a rebellion, let along this sort of complex transdimensional kind of relationship. The otherwise unexplainable gaps in their text messages and his tendency to be napping at the most unexpected times leads her to believe his tendency to fall asleep in their weirdest places is persistent.

It isn't all scolding, though. Because she's here to wake him, he does get treated to the "waking up with a tall pretty girl standing over me" experience, as she hasn't yet kneeled down to help him and is standing at her full height.]

[messianic]

[Satsuki is, as per usual, completely right.

He blinks blearily at the wake up call, peering up at her. Oh... Oh!! Oh.

This....

Minato yawns a bit, and because he's still a little groggy, he has zero brain-to-mouth filter, so:]

This is a really nice view.

[Satsuki standing tall and commanding over him...]

[warredrobe]

[Unbelievable. No one could expect him to regain full awareness immediately, but it's still the sort of statement that she isn't prepared for from him. She scoffs a little, to hide any cracks in her composure.]

Enjoy it while it lasts. Any repercussions I could inflict on you would be something you'd enjoy.

[Once he's fully aware of himself, Minato will probably be a little horrified. Therefore, she doesn't have to do anything at all - save remind him that she's fully aware he'd probably have no qualms with being stepped on.]

Are you well, Minato? [It's asked with the same phrasing and intonation as a normal greeting in person after a period of not seeing one another, but another layer of concern simmers underneath.]

[messianic]

[Minato will absolutely be a little embarrassed that his preferences were on full display like that... but he's had a few months since the season they were on and has done a lot of growing up in that time.

Some of that probably shows in the way that his lips curve into a smile that's equal parts fond and wistful.]

I'm... good, yeah.

[He sits up properly, stretching a little, and then pushes himself up a bit.]

A lot's happened, but... the world's gonna keep going on. How could I be anything but good, with that in mind?

[marmoris]

[ Leave it to Childe to just. Not let Minato rest in peace at all, instead tearing towards him as soon as he's spotted, sinking onto his knees, and gathering him up into a hug. GOOD MORNING. ]

Come on, Minato! Now is no time for sleep!

[ Sorry, he was just excited and could not even conceive slowing his roll... ]

[messianic]

[Oh my god what a way to wake up. Suddenly Minato's tugged up into Childe's arms, and he blinks bleary and confused eyes open, looking around in clear befuddlement.]

Huh? Wha--

[... Oh he knows that hair.

And. Those abs.]

--Childe?

[marmoris]

[ gimli voice, AND THESE ABS-- ]

That's right, sleepyhead! Sorry, you probably need your rest if you were dozing off here, but it's just -

[ A warm chuckle, as the hug does not yet relent. ]

It's good to see you.

[messianic]

[He doesn't want the hug to relent, honestly, it's fine.

Minato, now that he's waking up, gladly lifts his arms to wrap them around Childe in return.]

... It's good to see you too.

[Softly, but very warmly.]

How have you been? I've-- [Is this too sentimental? No... it's probably fine.] --I've really missed you.

[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. ]

[halbird]

[ and emil's coming over to meet her, taking a seat beside kotone with a small smile. this isn't the first time they're meeting again, of course, but... you know, he's still always happy to see her.

now, with a mild note of curiosity mixed with concern: ]

... Are you okay? If you want to nap some more, I can wake you up in a little bit.

[ power naps! so she doesn't miss out on too much. ]

[alternativity]

[ She's instantly leaning against him, comfortably. ]

Thanks, but I'm okay... I slept a ton last night.

[ AND YET. ]

Let me get in on my Emil time while I can?

[halbird]

[ AND YET.

but he's leaning back, his head resting against hers, memories of the school playing in the background.

surely she feels him nod— ]

It means Kotone time for me.

[ haha. these losers. ]

How is it at home? I know you'll say I don't need to be, but I'm still sorry I couldn't stay the last time I dropped by...

[alternativity]

[ There's a little huff (because he knew that and said it anyway) and she reaches for his hand, squeezing it firmly. ]

It's been a little longer since then, anyway. The thing that would have brought death to the entire world... was sealed away, so things have really gone back to normal. Most people don't even remember what happened, which is probably for the best.

So maybe next time, I can be the one visiting you instead?

[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!?

[marmoris]

[ Helpfully, chiming in: ]

I received several death threats!

[ Said with an air of "isn't that great?" For his part, Childe looks pretty much the same, although there is something that seems...lighter about him. It would seem spending some time away from Teyvat has been good for him, in more ways than one. ]

[feyfound]

[ She is nodding sagely. ]

You took them so well, too!

[ Almost like he has received many threats upon his life already before! Wow! ]