Ideal World Endgame

[idolpro]

Who: Beautiful dreamers
Where: The Game Tower
When: Day 271, morning

[When you wake, the folding chairs and divans from before have all been cleared away. You're lying asleep on the floor, healed of all injury.]

[You remember the events of the worlds you've visited as though visions seen in a dream -- though for those of you torn from your perfect existence, there is an ache inside you which will not fade for some days... the pain of something precious that has been lost.]

[Out beyond the windows of the tower, the sky is no longer a perfect blue; the vegetation is no longer as lush and inviting.]

[The view is of Tokyo-F, exactly as it's always been.]

[Near the far wall, there is an open book on a pedestal. The pages are empty. It is titled GUEST BOOK, and a pen waits nearby.]

GUEST BOOK | SOUVENIRS | WINNERS

Comments

[puzzlekeeper]

Intensity--

[ . . . flower crown . . .

Don't laugh ]

. . . That looks good on you.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[Oh good. One of the people he was looking for.]

What are you even---

[ . . . Insert one thoughtful pause]

Actually, I don't care.

[And grabs King's arm to reel him in]

[puzzlekeeper]

[ Allowing himself to be reeled in. He looks unhurt, just tired. ]

I take it yours went well?

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Well as in we had to smack everyone awake kicking and screaming, yes.

[But then suddenly very serious]

I haven't stripped you of your title yet, right?

[puzzlekeeper]

[ ????? ]

What?

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Just what I said. I haven't beaten you in a proper tournament since---

[Well.

Ever.

(But let's gloss over that part.)]

[puzzlekeeper]

No . . . ?

[ ????? intensifies ]

Why?

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[Just laughs to himself, endlessly amused]

Seems some people's defense mechanism was to try to give other people what they wanted. So that they wouldn't interfere with their perfect worlds.

Good.

That's not how I wanted my victory anyway.

[puzzlekeeper]

Wasn't realistic enough, huh? I'm curious what left you dissatisfied.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

You were way too much of a graceful loser.

[That is a lie, but. You know]

[puzzlekeeper]

You seem to have gotten me confused with you.

Odd mistake to make.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Is that so? Well, I'll have to make sure you're sufficiently indignant the next time I win to prove my point.

How's that?

[puzzlekeeper]

Promise?

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Promise.

[And he brushes his hand against King's]

I assume you'll be needed at Heart tonight.

[puzzlekeeper]

. . . Yes. I should keep an eye on things.

I'm worried about Hiryuu and D.Va.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

I would have never guessed.

[And while it's not meant to be teasing, this is also Intensity so.]

Let me know when your worries have been assured. I have continuations to the conversations we had in both worlds.

[puzzlekeeper]

. . . ? Which conversations?

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

I'm not talking about either of them in a crowded Game Tower.

[puzzlekeeper]

. . . Alright.

Well -- you know I'll always make time. Name a time and place.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Let me know when you have, say, 15 minutes.

And leave your window open.

[puzzlekeeper]

[ Lifts an eyebrow ]

Only fifteen minutes, huh?

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Low-balling. If we consider the absolutely necessary things to discuss.

But.

If you give me longer, I'll selfishly take all of it.

Your choice.

[puzzlekeeper]

Then await my message and we'll see how generous I'm feeling.