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

[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.

[messianic]

[... a slow breath in... and then he nods quietly against her cheek.]

... Yeah. Everyone's safe now. It's... all over.

You too...?

[alternativity]

Mm-hm. In just a few more weeks, it'll be time for graduation.

[ Months. A date that they weren't sure would come--that wouldn't have come, if they'd lost. Kotone is grateful for it every day, even if she seems to be one of the only people who remembers.

She'd relieved, that Minato remembers too. ]

[messianic]

[... He rests his chin on her shoulder with a light sigh.]

... They'll remember. They will. We all promised, so... we have to believe in them.

[... right?]

[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?

[warredrobe]

[Good, is it...?

There's certainly a more mature type of reservation to his tone and movement, even mixed with the lethargy of his sleepiness.

The floor's an unorthodox place to be taking a nap, but the plethora of low-to-the-ground seating here means they have an easy alternative. Once Minato's pushed himself up, she finds a place to sit beside him, sensing that he might not be ready to be up on his feet yet. At least they're in arms' reach, now.]

That's well said, Minato. I'm proud: You achieved something so important for the world so close to your heart. [She can feel how relieved he is, and she understands intimately his love for the world he needed to protect and save.] However... as you yourself are an important part of that world, it would be a problem if you weren't taking care of yourself.

[messianic]

[Trust Satsuki to be so very perceptive. She's gentle, about it, though, and that helps. He's not sure he's ready to spill what happened, and what's going to happen--not in the least because that means spilling Kotone's secret, too.

With Satsuki this close, he tilts until he's leaning against her as much as possible when she's sitting like a normal human being and he's on the floor.]

Mm... I'm trying my best. I'm feeling okay... just sleepy.

[More or less... anyway. Now that his role's done, it's just... that he's so, so tired.]

Oh... I do feel a lot better being back and seeing everyone, though.

[warredrobe]

[Sitting like a normal human being gives Satsuki the leverage to pull him closer to her, at least, drawing Minato up to her side where he can lean against her shoulder and she can kiss his temple. It's chaste but inviting, testing the waters now that they're reunited after however long away from each other. She's glad to see him, but happier still to not overwhelm him while he remains so tired.]

Have you seen everyone you were hoping to see?

[messianic]

[He leans into the affection contentedly, expression gently pleased. It's comfortable here, leaning against Satsuki's shoulder. She truly is just a pillar of strength, isn't she?]

Yes... I have. I'm extra happy to see you, honestly.

[He turns his head to return the affection, leaning over to press his lips to her temple in return.]

How have you been? What have you been up to?

[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.

[marmoris]

[ Not too sentimental at all. Even if they have their phones to stay connected, it would be an understatement to say they've been busy, and it's another thing entirely to be together in person once more, after how close they'd grown in a relatively short amount of time. ]

Good. Wonderful.

[ He and Juniper had been able to complete the mission that they left together to finish in her world, and after this, they're off to Teyvat. And he lived through meeting her parents... ]

...I really missed you, too. Sometime, we'll have to take you to the Witchlight Carnival together. I think you'd really like it.

And you? How have you been?

[messianic]

[The most impressive thing is that he survived Juni's parents, honestly.

That makes Minato smile in return, though, contentedly leaning in to press their noses together gently, because he can.

He's, uh... aware of how little time he has left, so he's going to push the affection... just a little. Selfishly.]

I've been... good. Yeah--really good. Things... worked out at home, so I'm happy.

... I'd like to go, I think. It sounds like it was a lot of fun.