[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]

[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?

[psychopompous]

[no, that was it, that was my Maximum]

Ah—sure.

[innerdemon]

[sniffs and sits up] Sorry for ... climbing on you. [shuffles back] Are you okay from earlier? Is there anything you need?

[psychopompous]

[oh]

[. . . he just lies there for a moment, then pushes himself up on his elbows, glancing over at her]

It's fine. I'm feeling better now that we're out of there.

[innerdemon]

It was pretty nasty.

[psychopompous]

[blinks at Luka a few times]

Thank you . . . for your help.

[innerdemon]

Oh. It's fine.

[psychopompous]

. . . it didn't—feel so bad.

[innerdemon]

Oh. I thought it might be gross? I guess, comparatively. That's good.

[psychopompous]

. . .

[lifts a hand , holding it out to them]

[innerdemon]

[...takes it?]

[psychopompous]

. . .

[just threads their fingers together]

[innerdemon]

[oh. Looks between that and Sariel]

[it must have been a REALLY bad day for you...]

[psychopompous]

[seems to lose his nerve after a moment, starting to draw back]

I—

[innerdemon]

[holds on tighter for a moment] Sorry, he just, is bad with faces?

[psychopompous]

W-what??

[innerdemon]

He wasn't trying to stare you down or anything.