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

[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?

[halbird]

[ oh—

let him sort through the feelings he has regarding that, starting with the way kotone holds his hand, through her situation (which he startles at, somewhat, though in a muted way given his respect for her fatigue), and then settling on her visiting him. it's not shame for his situation that makes old beats of hesitation float up — no, that passed — rather... should she be exposed to that?

still. that's kotone's choice, so... ]

If you're okay with that, I— you're always welcome.

[ quietly. and just like it's kotone's choice, it's emil's choice to focus less on that and more on the other things she's said. all are equally important, of course, but. ]

... You did it.

[ there's that he has to say, with a sense around the edges of the words that he always knew she could. they could. as immense a task as that had seemed at the time— ]

[alternativity]

... Yeah. [ quietly, a little sentimentally. It was a rough battle, to say the very least. That they'd walked away from it, even though Kotone was the only one who'd carried those memories with her (and Aigis, she suspects)... she can be proud of that. Even with what comes next. ]

We did it. Now, I don't have any real plans until our senpai graduate.