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

[honoring]

Then why don't you rest a little while longer?

[He pats his lap, offering to let her rest her head while they talk.]

Sorry-- I wish I'd been there to wake you up. But it seems like everyone else had it under control.

[420blazeit]

[ coils her tail around him and chooses to rest her head on his shoulder instead. ]

I'd rather you didn't see that farce of a world, and you're here now, where I'd much rather have you besides.

[honoring]

[He chuckles softly and leans his head against hers.]

I don't know-- I think I would have liked to see the world you dreamed of. Even knowing I'd have to ruin it to steal you back.

[420blazeit]

[ she closes her eyes. ]

You would have finally gotten the chance to bully me with feelings at least. [ pokes his side. ] But... I was lying to myself about what I wanted...

Here, where I've got you and a bunch of other people, this is much closer to what I want. [ he's getting a kiss on the cheek. ]

[honoring]

That's something I can do any time, so at least I didn't miss too much.

[He curls his arm around her, giving her a gentle squeeze.]

I think I can relate a little. [...] It's easy to get caught up in the feeling of wanting something. But it's hard to really know what you want until you've experienced life without it.

[420blazeit]

[ chuckles. ] Is that so~ I'm looking forward to it then.

[ she keeps herself pressed closely. ] ...mm, there's this thing I've been wanting to do since the beginning. Or, like, I guess it's just something I felt I had to do at this point. I never really thought about the consequences or how it could go sour and just be... terrible. I knew and I didn't know, I guess. But now... now I'm not so sure. I'd never want to give up some of the stuff that I have... like this, and you. [ shuts her eyes again. ]

[honoring]

[He hums thoughtfully, listening carefully.]

I don't think there's anything wrong with feeling like there's something you want to accomplish. But I think it's important to remember why they were important to you in the first place.

There are... a lot of things I've been meant to accomplish, ideals I chased after, dreams that I held very closely to my heart.

However... I've been re-examining those things a great deal since I started to remember them. There are still times I do feel the desire for those things. But in the end-- the things "Lancelot" has accomplished... small as they are... they're more about me than any of the aspirations I left behind.

[420blazeit]

I'm going to kill Lily. I'm not ever going to not want this, but... I think I thought I should take over for her, because, like, someone had to, right, but... maybe not. A couple of people have told me that I probably wouldn't be happy doing her thing and... maybe they were right. I don't want to be stuck in Hell doing something I hate. And if it means giving up the people I love... [ she shakes her head. ]

[ she smiles at that. ] I... I think I know what you mean. Like, I know we're all technically the same people we don't remember, but I also like to think we're kind of... not. [ she shifts, turning toward him. ] I'm definitely glad for Lancelot. You've already been there for me so many times and it means more than I could put to words. Part of what I want is to be there for you, and to make you happy, because you absolutely deserve that and so much more.

[honoring]

If that's what you want, then I'll do my best to support you. However-- I do think you should take yourself into consideration a little more. There's not just one solution... and you aren't alone.

[Lancelot nods and turns a bit, leaning his forehead against hers.]

Not many people know my real name. Because admittedly I've considered my past and future very different. In the past-- my life was decided for me the moment I was born. But I never questioned it. I wanted to live up to those expectations. And yet I was in so many ways lacking.

It's funny. My life here is a much happier one in many regards. I have been able to live for myself... in ways that make me happy. With people who make me happy. [He tilts his head to kiss her.] I'm not certain that I could have said the same as Kurt Vander.

[420blazeit]

[ smiles at that. she's glad she's got a lot of supporters. ] It is. I just need to figure out the after bit, but... I think I have some time on that. [ manages a half hearted laugh. ] And I'm going to do better with that.

...sometimes it's hard to question things when they're laid out for you, and following a set path just comes natural. I'm glad you've had the chance to piece together your own path though, and I'd like to be there with you for as much of it as you'll let me. [ she returns the kiss. ] I'm doubly glad for Lancelot then.