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

[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. ]

[duskspear]

[They are all beautiful. Milla in particular is lovely.]

Be that as it may, did all of us not walk away with more than with which we came?

[They may be a bunch of weirdos, but they're a happy bunch of weirdos.]

[souperb]

[ rutile is right there?

and unlike rutile, the optimism bounces off of milla even as she notes that, yes, he's right. of course he is. ]

Hm. I can't disagree.

[ hello? character development? ]

Considering none of us messed up — which is a miracle, by the way...

[ val screeching in the bg ]

We all got a wish in the end. Isn't it the point that we come out of it better than we were?

[ ... yeah. there's no deeper meaning to this at all. it's just the wish! ]

[duskspear]

[Okae, Milla. And it has already been established that Rutile is the loveliest.]

My wish was to make a connection.

[The reward of a wish still sits in the globe back home, untouched despite wretched temptations of days past. His true wish was granted as early as the first week of the show, and so he doesn't necessarily view Milla's answer as superficial as she intends it to be.]

Would you say that yours came true as well?

[souperb]

[ hm. it's not a comment she returns, nor a question she answers right away. she's just looking him over for a moment, a tilt of the head with an expression that's not exactly sizing him up. it's- something.

the smile she offers him isn't warm, but it is amused. there. she's not sure if he's seen her like she's seen him. she's not about to ask. ]

I wonder. You picked the wrong season to be embarrassed on if you wanted to know about me.

[ embarrassed.... ]

[duskspear]

[Embarrassed . . .

Is this a good time to bring up the fact that he watched a rerun? Granted, he knows better than anyone how the show splices reality to its choosing. He's seen how dry, how joyful Milla can be—but watching isn't the same as knowing. What glimpses he caught of her through the screen are nothing to her in the flesh.

Still, knowing what little he does, the smile she gives him feels precious.]

It seems I have. Then I am even more grateful for the opportunity to do so now.

[souperb]

[ ... ah.

maybe earlier on, that kind of forward statement would have been met with some defensive lashing out, foreign as it would've been. though it's less novel now, there's still some part of her that feels a bit of indignation at something so direct.

she looks away, the smile disappearing. ]

... Seriously?

[ ROLAND SURE IS ROLAND..... ]

We're not working for connections and wishes anymore, so you can drop those kind of lines.

[duskspear]

[Seriously. Her reaction doesn't deter Roland in the slightest, though he does measure his words.]

Indeed, the time for seeking matches is now behind us. However, I believe there is a reason this reunion is comprised of all seasons and not merely our own.

[The last thing he wants is to pressure Milla. But he thinks the time is ripe for making new connections without wishes attached—only good will. He imagines not many receive this sort of interdimensional opportunity in their lifetimes.]