[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

[innerdemon]

H...hey, come in.

[psychopompous]

. . .

[steps inside, carefully shutting the door behind him. and just leaning up against it, looking at them]

[innerdemon]

[choked up] I'm so sorry.

[psychopompous]

I—I feel like I'm the one that should be saying that?

[innerdemon]

No, I put you in that position... [pats the bed next to them] I didn't think. I didn't think.

[psychopompous]

Didn't think what . . .?

[sinking down]

[innerdemon]

I didn't think that this would put you in danger. My... thing about my brother. I know he's already dead, just...

[psychopompous]

Of course, Elli. It's not right to leave him there.

. . . and I—willingly put myself in this position. So please don't hold yourself responsible.

[innerdemon]

[scrubs at her eyes] Sorry. I don't mean to be like this, you've been through so much, you don't need to take care of me on top of it...

[psychopompous]

. . .

I realize my general behavior makes it difficult to tell. But I genuinely . . . want to take care of you. And—don't mind . . . being taken care of in return.

[innerdemon]

[looks up at him, uncertain and needy]

[psychopompous]

[. . .]

[just stares back at her]

[innerdemon]

I don't... know what to do. If it's a trick and I don't get him back, or if I do. I've been trying to do this for nine years now but the last time I saw him was at a court in hell. He was called to be a witness and he was... he was out of his mind. Furious and ranting and he hated me. I believe the sword, that demon, did it to him. Luka agrees. Because it's sort of what happened to Sebastien Mayfair too, Bastien also went out of his mind, but my brother was just a child. We weren't even teenagers—of course I think, like, maybe it's me, maybe he feels that way.

I, I don't know what to do with a ghost. Even if we prepare a space in Luka's room, I don't know what to do to make him better! I just... I just know he can't stay there, he doesn't deserve to be there, and I'm scared...

[her own hand shoots to her cheek and pets here there]

Shh shh. It's okay. Shh.

[psychopompous]

[. . . listening carefully. then, slowly:]

I can—help him move on. To ease his suffering, first, and bring him back to himself before ushering him to his next life, or his rest, as he so chooses.

[innerdemon]

[stares at him] Can you? I...

[psychopompous]

. . .


I am a psychopomp.

[innerdemon]

[stares at him like, she's, totally, forgotten that? And everything that means?]

[then bursts into tears, flinging her arms around him and pretty much bowling him over into Kano's bed]

[psychopompous]

[HELP]

[just flattened, lying there like barely breathing for a moment, before his arms come up to wrap around her]

[innerdemon]

[just sort of sobs on him for a moment like, maybe, this has been something she has? hated herself over? for years? You know that whole thing where she feels like she doesn't deserve to be a person instead of a goal?]

[psychopompous]

[slowly, hesitantly starting to make soothing noises, stroking her hair and back]

[innerdemon]

[cries for another few long moments before it trails off]

Th...thank you.

[psychopompous]

[staring up at the ceiling, still holding her like she's incredibly fragile. voice a little hoarse]

. . . it's fine.

[innerdemon]

I'm so sorry, you've had the worst day ever and here I am just, crying on, you like...

[psychopompous]

It was not a good day.

It is . . . looking up, though.

[innerdemon]

Yeah?