[Game 21] Epilogue

[arsgoetia]

So, you get your Philly cheesesteak, and you head back on another train, returning to New York at fuck o'clock in the morning. Maybe you get a nap on the train, or maybe you're full of yawns and misery as you head back to Sariel's house at the crack of dawn. Paz went on her merry way with wonderful promises for the future, but Hale is with you, seeming remarkably energetic.

Madison is just barely held back by Kieran, it seems, from just sprinting out the door as soon as you get anywhere near the yard. As it stands, as soon as you all make your way past the gate, there's a redhead barreling down to greet you.

Comments

[ancestuous]

I've accepted it, more or less. But thank you.

[monere]

It's a great way to make yourself feel really awkward super quickly!

[beginningofwisdom]

You seem to have quite a bit of experience with these matters.

[rollwillpowercheck]

I mean, I was thinking about the Ancient Egyptian artifact housing a vengeful spirit, but.

[liarliarliar]

How do you even find an artifact like that in Japan...

[rollwillpowercheck]

I think it's more of a Venn Diagram than a spectrum, really.

[rollwillpowercheck]

[that actually seems to catch him off guard.]

Oh, um, no, it's just... I guess I do, since I've been summoned here a bunch of times? And in really specific terms, games and puzzles that are also deathtraps, um, used to be a thing that happened a lot back home, though not anymore. "Experience" makes it sound like I know what I'm doing, but I just know information. Usually it's not that practical.

[rollwillpowercheck]

I didn't. My father deals in antiquities, and he used to take me along on his trips when I was little. My... memory's pretty hazy on the details, but I think he found it in a tomb while we were in Egypt.

[liarliarliar]

That's...

I'd say it seems crazy but considering.

[gestures to just. Everything]

[rollwillpowercheck]

Nothing much seems crazy anymore, huh? Ah, but you know, that's why I was really surprised the first time I met Elli and Luka. It was nostalgic. Not so much for me, because I never had a very good relationship with the spirit, but one of my friends was in a similar situation.

[liarliarliar]

It's starting to sound weirdly common....

Did your friend break up with their carryon?

[beginningofwisdom]

[nods]

I can understand the disconnect; the difference between practical application and theory. The latter has its place, but the former I've always found to be much more valuable.

In the spirit of practicality, then...may I ask you to show me what you've taught yourself of magic? We may not have time to make a comprehensive study, and the function of our worlds' magic may not be entirely compatible, but I expect I can at least provide some advice and direction.

[bowtiedbones]

Either way, it works.

[troublebrewing]

[makes a "so-so" hand gesture]

[troublebrewing]

Yes. I'm certain we wouldn't consider Paz an ally under normal circumstances... but, I don't really know what those kind of circumstances would be.

[dammitmaonmaon]

Aye, a'm only half. It only bothers me a wee bit when tis all around.

[turnonmycharm]

No, I realize it's a priority.

[boatsights]

[he laughs]

None of that, thank you.

[turnonmycharm]

Ooh, damning with faint praise.

[psychopompous]

I am fine . . .

[accepting it]

[aethericbody]

That hellish scape did quite a number on you. Not surprisingly, from my understanding, but it's good to know you're well.

[it's really good coffee]

[bowtiedbones]

But not um, a total loss, right?

[defendless]

Then it's good that it isn't as big a problem as it could be...

[troublebrewing]

No, it wasn't. We learned some very important things and a lot of significant events took place there, and in the aftermath... but it was terrible. Just terrible.

[bowtiedbones]

Any visit to hell um, sounds like it would be baseline terrible.