Epilogue

[lesmodsalouette]

EPILOGUE

Your stopped time has restarted. Whether you were in the grassy field or fighting for your life on the castle grounds, you'll suddenly find yourself in an untouched area of the gardens. Ish is back, and so are the items, and the dead.

You return to Chateau Ambregris with the certain knowledge that come Monday, you will greet a new week, in a home of your own choosing. No longer will the chime of the clocks hunt you down, no longer will the oppressive scent of roses haunt your senses, no longer will you be forced to watch the death of those you've come to love and hate.

Parting is such a bittersweet sorrow, isn't it?

Make merry one last time, in this castle of illusions. Ironically, your memories of this stolen time that never existed are the one thing that will truly remain to you.

END NOTES

🔮 All dead are revived as tsukumogami! Congrats on your immortality(?)
🔮 Any other contracts made with Ish will be honored
🔮 Characters may choose to leave for any world they desire.
🔮 Time has not passed while you were stuck in this loop!
🔮 There will be no cross-dimensional world travel, except for on Samhain (Witches New Year October 31st/November 1st). On these dates, Ish will enable everyone to visit each other's world freely.
🔮 Universal Communication will be possible, courtesy of Manba and Ish. Everyone who wants one will be given a small fox that can communicate with other foxes through voice and video; the foxes can talk and are fairly simple creatures, enjoy them and give them fried tofu once in a while.
🔮 Powers are on for the finale, but Ish will step in and yeet anyone who gets too out of hand back to their homeworld, so play nice! (or relatively nice. )

[OOC: Welcome to your epilogue! The timeloop is ended, the evil has been defeated, and you have some time to catch your breath in the castle before the rest of your life begins! ]

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[allrounder]

[ It's a comfort, hearing someone else acknowledge his own thoughts aloud. It truly is a drain to remain unchanging while everything around him is everchanging. ]

And my own is conditional.

[ He at least has that, something with which Blade does not.

The thought of Blade getting forced into hobbies is amusing, though, and he smiles. ]

Siffrin promised I wouldn't be bored. I fully expect that he will force me into a hobby or two as well.

[baebladie]

[ The struggles Blade has as a girl dad is immense!! Truly, he suffers each and every day whenever he has to put up with Silver Wolf's shenanigans. Even if it's been awhile.

...Really, though, the Stellaron Hunters ended up being good for him in certain ways even if the beginning he hadn't foreseen getting along in some ways with them.

Much like the same as to how he met the people here, and all. ]

...Since he's creative, it'd be within expectations.

[ A double meaning that ultimately means he agrees on both accounts - that he doubts Siffrin would allow G'raha to be bored, and seems the type to rope him into stuff... ]

[allrounder]

[ Being a girl dad is a struggle..... he understands, except it's girl grandpa. ]

It certainly would be. Do you think I should try my hand at carving?

[ At least thoughts of what he can do with his time make him feel less daunted by it all, and it's evident in the ease of his smile that that's the case. ]

[baebladie]

[ Girl Grandpa 🤝 Girl Dad struggles. ]

Don't think it will hurt.

Are there some things you're thinking of making?

[ Blade also imagines even if there isn't, the learning process can probably facilitate ideas, and all that. It's something he has kind of learned himself, actually (or re-learned because he was a craftsman in his past life, so...it probably was a skill he forgot he had.) ]

[allrounder]

A carbuncle, perhaps. They are creatures summoned forth through aether. I did not mind when that creature took to following me around a couple of weeks ago.

[ And he kind of misses it too, so he would like to have a little keepsake of that. ]

[baebladie]

...That thing.

[ Very inelegant description, but Blade remembers seeing the strange creature briefly hanging around G'raha at some point in that week since they probably crossed paths, and all that. Much like how his wolf was hanging around him, but definitely not of original magical revelance. ]

A supernatural companion creature from your world, unless it does other things, normally. [ ... ] Could be good to have as a reminder.

[ As a good memory? ]

[allrounder]

[ Incredibly eloquent of Blade. ]

'Tis used as a conduit for summoning through arcane magicks.

[ But he's not going to explain the mechanisms of the Summoner job or how it relates to the Allagans (his favorite subject) because they'll be here forever. ]

That is my thought as well, however. A reminder of my time here... of some of the less irksome moments.

[baebladie]

[ Please do grant him a round of applause. He would be the greatest person to have made the most grandest of speeches (no)

But he does nod at the simple explanation - that gets to the point. ]

It'd also be simpler to carve than some other animals...or items.

[ Blade thinks the learning curve would be far less harsher to deal with, as a bonus. He had the great idea of aiming for a flower first, originally, when he began his lessons. ]

[allrounder]

You have an item in mind already, friend?

[ What have you been carving, Blade? He'd very much like to know (and would assume it was for Dan Heng). ]

[baebladie]

...Already made it.

This is the second time. But, I wanted it to be permanent.

[ He says with a sense of triumph in that tone, somewheres. Also, G'raha's assumptions are correct! ]

It's a dragon. For Dan Heng. No matter how far apart we are, he'll always have it. A gift and a reminder.

[ Sure, there's whatever murkey history there is with the bracer, but this one is different; and he remembers how impressed he looked before... ]

[allrounder]

[ Ah, right. It would be permanent if he made it now, and while it won't be quite the same as the first, the sentiment of making it anew is one that G'raha would enjoy himself. So surely, Dan Heng will too. ]

You are rather sentimental when it comes down to it. [ But this is a good thing. ] I am certain he will gaze upon it and think of you often.

[baebladie]

Maybe.

[ Blade knows he's soft by now but can't admit it completely, while hoping Dan Heng will cherish it a second time - even if the secondary rendition isn't the same as the first. There will be details changed. ]

...I'm thinking that's the case. I've gotten better.

I remember...when I presented it the first time, and his reaction - it was memorable.

[ ...before he gets too mushy here, he adds swiftly: ]

I recommend making or gifting something to your partner at some point. It's always worth it.

[allrounder]

[ He almost laughs at that maybe, only because it's probably as close to admitting it as Blade will ever get. ]

Memorable, you say.

[ Again, there's amusement underlying his words. ]

I would indeed like to craft something for him, 'tis only a matter of what. Admittedly, I am tempted by those model sailboats within glass bottles. A touch trite, perhaps, but I do know sailing holds meaning.

[baebladie]

[ Blade is going to fold his arms into next century. He can hear that amusement!! ]

...Yes.

[ He recalls Dan Heng's reaction at the time, and it's been seared into his shoddy memory. Blade wonders if it's revenge for when he gave congratulations and his own amusement was evident... ]

If it holds meaning, to the both of you - or even one - it tends to be enough. Even if you might have to explain it. Or, maybe words won't be necessary. All he needs to do is look upon what you've done.

[allrounder]

[ Hah! Finally he has a one-up on Blade. It feels good to be the winner of one of their back-and-forths for once.

Dan Heng's reaction must have been sweet. ]

It does hold meaning for them, of that I am certain, and you know well that I would have no trouble explaining it should I need to.

[ He'll gladly explain every little detail and reasoning behind all of his choices for that gift's design. ]

I should have time to perfect the technique between bouts of research.

[ It's something G'raha will toil away at for long hours, but that's simply how he is. ]

[baebladie]

[ G'raha finally managing to get a true win in one of those - it's about time, really, especially since Blade is Blade.

And what better time than for it to be when it's something regarding his special someone. Blade will take it in stride, at the least. ]

...No.

You're the type who takes to explaining like most do with the ease of breathing air.

[ It's not something Blade considers himself good at. But, he's certain G'raha won't leave any gaps in what he has to tell.

Though, that being said, he isn't surprised G'raha's going to research it pretty hard. He's a guy who fits the type to ensure he has the full knowledge behind the subject he's devoting his time to. Blade can't say he doesn't understand that, because of how much time he devoted to learning how to carve, and then build on the technique. It's just...different and doesn't require him reading books. ]

...Making sure there's no room for error. Sounds just like you.

[allrounder]

[ Is Blade calling him long-winded?! He's not wrong, honestly, so it's not like G'raha can really argue against that. Not without painfully losing the argument, at least.

But the compliment makes him laugh sheepishly. ]

I assure you, Blade, I have made many errors in my time. I never told you, but I did teleport more than one individual across the rift, which caused a myriad of problems all on its own.

[ A story he can save for when Blade and Dan Heng stop by Sharlayan, however. ]

That said, I do my best now to tie up all loose ends.

[baebladie]

[ Blade is calling out G'raha on his yapping tendencies on main. Not that he thinks he's terrible at it, so there's that. Though, as for the other matter... ]

Not sure if I should be surprised you're quick in saying something like that. [ ... ] Was the incident really that bad?

[ Blade does have to wonder. While not entirely doubting it, he has to be sure it isn't G'raha judging himself too harshly. Even if with long-lived species, it isn't surprising to rack up mistakes, as it were, it can't hurt to question it a little bit. He isn't asking for the full tale just yet...he is just curious to know the scale, here. ]

...I doubt what I said is inaccurate, given what you've just said. This doesn't seem like something you'd easily make an error in, with your efforts.

[ It doesn't involve difficult magic...he presumes. He actually has no idea how G'raha plans to go about creating this thing, actually. But, he assumed it would be by him. ]

[allrounder]

Bringing individuals across the rift is an incredibly difficult and complex matter, one I studied for one hundred years to accomplish. Even so, I miscalculated someone and brought the Warrior of Light's friends to the First before I managed to grab the man himself.

[ Imagine his surprise when Thancred showed up naked in his entrance hall. ]

Now, the spell worked well for the Warrior of Light and he has no trouble traveling between the shards, but 'twas a different matter with his friends. A matter we eventually resolved, mind, but a predicament nevertheless.

Generally speaking, I do my best not to allow room for errors. The more complex a spell happens to be, however, the more room there is.

[ That's the way of it, and inter-dimensional travel is especially difficult, at least in his world. ]

That said, you needn't worry about what I have planned for you, Blade. 'Tis not the same as something we have accomplished on my star, but similar enough that I have confidence in the method.

[baebladie]

[ ...Blade manages to give out something like a light huff, hearing this - not because he is aggrieved to hear this, but something caught between amusement and actual approval. He hadn't even anticipated anything other than a yes or no even if it doesn't go into all of the minute the details.

He even simplified the question.

He finds himself smiling a little, regardless. ]

...I never said I worried.

[ He will state at first, but this is definitely helpful to know, that's for sure. ]

I'm prepared for anything. I have no fear. Nothing can kill me in any way that matters.

[ The dead have no fear.

...Well, Blade never said such a badass boast here, and honestly what he said sounds pretty damned arrogant, but also, it's the truth. He's immortal in every sense of the word. Though, he does actually have something like faith here. ]

You also don't make meaningless boasts. Your humility would bury you before that.

[allrounder]

[ And yet here G'raha is, overcomplicating it anyway because that's just the way he is. He'll always offer a long-winded explanation, even if it's not necessary.

He returns the smile, briefly, if only because Blade's words are a reminder of the stakes at hand. Even if Blade won't permanently die, it would still be an action G'raha would rather not take.

But... he has a promise to uphold, and if temporarily killing him is what he must do for the chance at improving his friend's life, then he will. It's a matter of duty. ]

Well... you are correct when it comes to that. Though I have my doubts, I will take your word for it nevertheless.

[ He can't handle the embarrassment if Blade were to fight him on it. ]

I suppose you and Dan Heng will be accompanying me home? I can guide you around Sharlayan and leave the two of you to your own devices while I consult the forum for ample space and funding. I have good reason to believe they would find your situation of great interest, particularly in finding more advanced treatment for the tempered.

[baebladie]

[ Blade thinks it isn't a bad thing for G'raha to be like that - even if he has said the words that he wasn't worried, it kind of soothed things a little. Maybe it is just because G'raha's protagonist spirit.

But, really, maybe it is just because of the type of person that he is.

Though there might be a flicker of amusement when G'raha mentions his doubts in that, while also stating he's correct. A little huff escapes him.

...At the least he too has no doubts that G'raha won't hesitate to strike him down. ]

We will. I'll explain the details to Dan Heng.

[ There's a lengthy pause as he can imagines what kind of devices they may get up to in a foreign world, and maybe how nerdy the other man will geek out about things there. But there is also another one for an entirely different reason. ]

Sounds like you will have success.

[ ... ]

...And if the results can be of use to you and others, then even better. I already owe you a good debt for this consideration.

[allrounder]

[ Yeah, that lengthy pause has him wondering what Blade is thinking, and he makes a mental note to ensure that he and Dan Heng have a place to stay that's... secluded. ]

Do not consider yourself indebted to me. 'Tis the last thing I want. I know of a potential solution that could ease your suffering and I intend to give my best effort to make such an attempt at easing it.

[ Besides, it benefits him anyway, allowing the people of his world to find treatment for other ailments or lead to a breakthrough in particularly bad cases of tempering. ]

This is an expression of care towards someone I consider a dear friend.

[baebladie]

[ HELP...listen, that is definitely for the best.

Anyway, Blade's looking to the side because he does consider it something like a 'debt' of some sort, but he should have known that G'raha wouldn't have. So, maybe...he shouldn't, either. The offer did come freely. ]

Hm.

I should have known...that you would say that.

[ But, he doesn't sound annoyed. Nor too bothered, even if a part of him feels that at the least he should make it clear he is appreciative (even if he has.) When the time comes, maybe a toast upon success will be enough. He will tuck away the idea for later. ]

[allrounder]

You should have, friend!

[ He grins, hitting his fist against his open palm as his ears twitch in amusement. It feels a little bit like he's got one over on Blade here and he can't help but relish in it... just for a moment.

Hehehe. ]

I only offer to do what I want to do. Consider it... a benefit of falling into my favor!

[ Heh. A bit of a cheesy, hotheaded thing to say, but he's in a good mood!! ]