EPILOGUE

[faentasy]

Epilogue

After all is said and done, in the wake of the void and sprinting through one final door.

You come out into light. Sunlight actually, a backyard in what appears to be a typical suburban town, if you're familiar with those. The sun shines cheerfully overheard, blissfully unaware of what everyone has went through. And this is everyone, as faces you haven't seen in weeks tumble out in one pile from a basement door.

Happy Saturday, everyone.

There's plenty of reunions and catching up to do, but you've utterly left Aira Niluc behind you after seven long weeks. And through the window of the house which looks like it has seen a better seen better days is one wall mural that reads "And they all lived Happily Ever After".

[[ Happy Golden End everyone, you've earned it! There's still the matter of sorting out where to next, but everyone is whole and alive and without button eyes. Using the knowledge from the object Phil had and the beldam's magic, they can also now world hop only one side effect...the portal that opens to everyone else's worlds here? Is made entirely of pixie dust. Everyone's powers will also restore fully over the course of the next few hours. ]]

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[scythegun]

[Yeager might have caught that gesture, but he certainly isn't going to say anything about it; instead he's here with a different purpose. He's going to flop down in the grass beside Raven before holding out one very familiar bow.]

I didn't need it in the end, but I made sure to maintain it.

[It's newly-sharpened, so he clearly did plan to use it in the final battle. The arrows are all here in the quiver as well, you can have that too.]

So how are you feeling? I hope you didn't have to work too hard over there~

[That isn't really the question he wants to ask, but he's just going to leave it at that for now.]

[reallyfishy]

[Raven tips his head to look at the bow before taking it with a grin.]

Thanks, pal. I'm glad ya held onto it. I'm sure it woulda served ya well if things came down ta it.

[He gently sets it down on the other side of him before turning his attention back to Yeager. A familiar look of exaggerated exhaustion follows.]

Would ya believe me if I told ya we had ta fight a huge, ugly monster callin' itself a fairy? Turns out the fairy mediatin' between the livin' and dead was a piece of work. [He waves a hand before letting it flop back down on his chest.] Tired as I am, I still wouldn't wanna deal with what you guys did, powers or not!

[He might have seen it go down!]

[scythegun]

[He makes a face at that, but then laughs.]

Oh, that one that led Tenn on this whole time? I'm glad you all took care of her. But I'm more inclined to believe that we had more fun, actually - I really missed my artes.

[...But...]

Did you enjoy the show? If I'd known we had an audience, I would have tried harder!

[thank god he didn't, you guys didn't have to deal with caress of death!!]

[reallyfishy]

Sure looked like a whole lotta work ta me! But if ya had fun, then who am I ta not support ya?

[For how good Raven is in a fight, he's definitely nowhere near as battle-happy as his buddy Yeager here.

He laughs when asked about the group's performance.]

Well, once I got past the existential dread of seein' everything fall apart 'round you guys, I'd say y'all put on a good show. There's something cathartic about seein' the being that put ya through hell get such a beatin'.

[scythegun]

[Sometimes it be like that, Raven.]

Oh, it certainly was. I needed that.

[Maybe even more than the fires he set!! Maybe.]

I imagine it was a bit worrying to watch, but we did do what we could to prepare for that battle. I'm quite impressed with our little group - we worked better together than I was expecting.

But enough about that! What exactly happened on your end?

[reallyfishy]

Ya really did! It sure was interestin', seein' yer and Alexei's artes workin' together with everyone else's fightin' styles.

[--oh, guess we're moving onto the next topic already... It's at this moment that Raven has to take a moment to laugh again.]

All this before ya give yer friend a proper "Hey, Raven! Nice ta see ya again! I missed ya so much!"? Though I guess there ain't an easy way ta approach it given our circumstances, huh?

[The fact that Raven has been brought back from the dead a second time, that is.]

[scythegun]

[That gets him to pause for a moment or two longer than usual, like he has to stop and think about it instead of immediately resuming his usual routine as if nothing had happened. It's easier to pretend like it didn't, because how do they even go about addressing it?]

I did miss you. Quite a lot, actually.

[He was going for joking, but it really doesn't hit that at all and his immediate thought is to try to downplay it, to deflect and turn it into a joke, but... It's the truth. It's really, painfully true. There wasn't a single day that passed without thinking about Raven and what happened to him, and so much of what he's done going forward has been because of that.

So he lets that hang there for a moment before sighing and lifting his shoulders a bit.]

You have my apologies for being rude, then. I... Well, I assumed you wouldn't want to address it at all. Or... maybe that's what I wanted. I'm not really sure at this point.

[Truthfully, he's still figuring out how he feels about all of this. It's gotten a bit easier to address parts of it, but even so it's a slow-going and painful process. If anyone can understand, it's Raven.]

[reallyfishy]

[Raven's own joking demeanor fades in an instant when he realizes he's struck a nerve with Yeager that he didn't intend to. His eyes widen slightly, and quickly fill with guilt. He has to look away for a moment to take all of that in.

Yeager really missed him that much, huh... But the more he considers it, the more evident it is that yes, of course Yeager missed him that much. He's just...not used to the notion of being missed by anyone.

By the time he looks back, a gentle smile has replaced the dismay. He places a hand on Yeager's shoulder and shakes his head.]

I was the one bein' rude, not you, so I hope ya can forgive me fer it. I missed ya too, of course, but I had the luxury of checkin' in on ya.

[He really did get the opportunity to watch over the living, if only for a short time.]

We can drop this subject if ya want to, but I just wanna let ya know that I'm at peace with bein' back. It's...actually what I wanted, this time around.

[Which might be difficult for Yeager to process, and he completely gets it. But after everything that happened back in Aira Niluc, he...didn't want that to be the true end of him.]

[scythegun]

[He shifts a bit like he's going to do or say something in that momentary pause before Raven's hand finds his shoulder, but ultimately he waits for Raven to look back at him. Yeager isn't usually one to hesitate - but he's not usually one to take things seriously either.]

I'm not angry or upset with you. Not for any part of that.

[He's spent enough time angry about what led up to the murders and Raven's death afterwards. If he doesn't let it go, he never will. That doesn't mean it's been easy, but they've reached the end and holding on to anger and hatred for Hamelin or the Beldam is completely pointless now.]

I know it's what you wanted. Alexei told me so himself. I gave him my word I wouldn't interfere.

[His gaze darts for a moment before he corrects it.]

I must admit, I'm quite terrible at this... I don't... entirely hate this topic of conversation, and I do think it is something we should discuss. I just... don't really know how to go about doing it, I suppose?

[Genuine feelings are a goddamn struggle, Raven. Please tell him you get that because this is So Much!!!]

I just want to know that it was... fine coming back this time. Not anywhere near as upsetting, at least.

[It's an entirely different situation, and Raven was actively around in some form elsewhere during it. That's how he's been justifying it to himself, but that doesn't change that he really doesn't know what it was like for Raven to return again.]

[reallyfishy]

[Well, he's glad not to have angered Yeager, but he still can't shake the lingering guilt for dredging this topic up so quickly after they've just reunited. He really does have it easy, having been the one to leave and then come back so soon, and he internally reminds himself of such.]

Heh. So he told ya, huh? [...] I'm glad ya let things happen as they did.

[He quietly and patiently lets Yeager continue, though, and nods in agreement with him. Of course he gets it! But like he said, he's just had a little more time to get better at them than Yeager. It's part of the reason why he's handling this a little bit better.]

Fer what it's worth, I dunno if there's really a right or easy way of doin' it. Death and comin' back from it is never an easy topic, 'specially fer us. But it really was fine this time. It wasn't sudden, or unexpected. When everything was said an' done, all of us dead went through a portal together, and ended up here with the rest of ya.

[And most importantly of all...he raises his free hand up to his chest, where the blastia is.]

Dunno how it worked out in the end, but my blastia's just fine too. Good as new, even. [He uses that same hand to reach out toward Yeager.] You're welcome ta touch it, if ya want. Just so ya know fer sure.

[He doesn't know how helpful that would be for Yeager, but he figured he'd offer. Yeager was the one who dealt the blow that shattered it, so maybe he would find comfort in the gesture.]

[scythegun]

[It isn't easy, but Raven makes it easier. He's made all of this easier, whether he knows it or not - whether it was intentional or not. Every step of the way he feels like Raven's been there to guide him through it, and he's really not sure when he started to rely on that.]

I'm glad. I can see it was very different this time.

[It's good to know that he was correct in thinking of it as something other than death - it isn't exactly the same finality they experienced ten years ago, after all. It's still difficult, but less so now that he knows Raven's truly fine with what happened.

That offer gets a soft laugh from him and his gaze darts again. This time he doesn't correct it right away.]

Am I so obvious?

[Of course he can trust Raven's word. He doesn't need to see it to know that Raven's telling the truth. But that doesn't change the concern that Raven's still hiding something, that maybe it isn't functioning as it should, that maybe the damage he did was irreparable. It's a silly worry at this point, and yet Raven humors him anyway.

When did Yeager get to be this predictable around him?]

If you're unopposed. I would like to make sure. Just to be certain, ja?

[reallyfishy]

[Raven returns that laugh and shakes his head.]

You're givin' me too much credit. I just have a little intuition on this kinda thing, ya see.

[He knows if their positions were swapped, he'd want to check in on Yeager's blastia too. Just to be certain.

As for why he wants to have Yeager touch it when simply looking at it would be more than enough? ...That he can't explain so easily. Even though everyone else has already seen his blastia, he still isn't that keen on showing it off for the world to see again. This will be for Yeager only.]

I wouldn't be offerin' if I was opposed.

[He pulls back for a moment to undo a few buttons on his shirt, then reaches back for one of Yeager's hands. After guiding it along to his chest, he'll let Yeager take it from there.]

Go ahead.

[scythegun]

[Yeager allows Raven to guide his hand to the blastia, gloved fingers brushing over the core hesitantly, like he's not entirely sure this is fine - at least until Raven speaks again. He releases a breath he didn't realize he was holding and nods.

Raven's blastia is vastly different in design - it's still so surreal to see another one and even though it's obvious that it is repaired and seems to be functioning just fine, he can't bring himself to draw away. The point was simply to see that it's intact and working, but perhaps Raven will forgive him for being curious. There's only one other example of this in all of Terca Lumireis, after all, and it is so drastically different from Yeager's own.

His fingers trail over the core for a moment longer - searching for any cracks or faults, certainly for no other reason - before he branches off, following the outline of the casing. It's like a sun, a design that is somehow almost pretty. Yeager's silent as he traces it, expression serious for once; it really is fascinating to see it up close like this.

It finally occurs to him after quite some time of studying Raven's blastia that this is probably a bit uncomfortable for Raven. He glances up and pulls back, though his gaze darts immediately afterwards.]

My apologies. I didn't see anything off with it - it's just as you said, it's been fully restored.

[reallyfishy]

[To Yeager's credit, Raven is surprisingly fine with all of this. It's certainly strange—there's no getting around that, given only one other person aside from Yeager has touched this blastia—but there's something about the way Yeager handles his investigation that puts Raven at ease.

That gentle touch moving away from the core and along the casing is a surprise, but not an unwelcome one. There's a slight hitch in Raven's breathing when it happens, but he's able to shake that off quickly and give an encouraging nod so Yeager can continue.

Though he starts out by watching Yeager's hand explore the blastia, he's watching Yeager's expression by the end of it. There's an indescribable look in his eyes when Yeager looks up for that brief moment, but it's certainly not one of discomfort.]

What're ya apologizin' for? Ya handled it with the care I expected ya to.

[scythegun]

[The laugh that gets from him is more surprised than anything and he shakes his head.]

I'm... glad it isn't damaged.

[It's a complicated and difficult thought to express, but in the end that's what it comes down to. He's glad that Raven won't be suffering through it giving him problems anymore. He's glad Raven's still here.]

Thank you.

[And maybe that's not just for letting him examine it closely. Making eye contact is suddenly far more difficult than he's ever found it in the past, but this is... comfortable, somehow.]

I suppose if you ever have reason to be concerned about mine, I wouldn't be opposed to returning the favor.

[It's such an awkward thing to suggest like that, but it's out there anyway while he keeps his gaze on anything that isn't Raven.]

[reallyfishy]

I am too. Can ya imagine how much of a hard time the Don would give me if I actually started actin' as old as I complain about bein'?

[It's a light joke to lessen the impact of what he's saying, but he knows Yeager can read between the lines. It was only for a short time, but when his blastia was damaged, he was well and truly crippled by it. His breathing was erratic and painful, and he could barely sustain himself for very long without tiring out. If that damage had remained, he'd...be in a pretty bad spot.

Thankfully, as Yeager has witnessed for himself, it's completely fine. Raven never thought he'd see something like that a blessing, but he really does now.

He's about to say it's no problem, but then Yeager throws that offer out there and it completely catches him off guard. He's well aware that Yeager is even more protective of his blastia than he is, so that's... He really has no idea what to do with that for a moment. His own gaze drifts downward as the buttons on his shirt suddenly become fascinating to fiddle with.]

W-What's all this about now? I shouldn't have a reason ta worry about yer own blastia...right?

[That's not saying he wouldn't want to, but like... Listen, Yeager's throwing him for a loop here.]

[scythegun]

[That first part gets a laugh, but... Well, here we are. Unsurprisingly, Yeager made it awkward!!]

No, no, of course not! I'm always quite careful with it, so you have no reason to worry about that!

[Why did he think it was a good idea to bring that up!! What a stupid thing to suggest, now he's going to die of embarrassment after everything he just went through?? Humiliating. This is probably exactly what he deserves.]

Just forget I mentioned it~

[........he is trying so hard to play it off and he is failing so spectacularly.]

[reallyfishy]

[Yeager is failing so spectacularly it's almost impressive. Raven watches this display with complete bewilderment until something clicks in his head and then he's really thrown for a loop. He's been with enough partners to recognize this level of flustered backpedaling. Is Yeager seriously...?

Okay, okay. He needs to put Yeager at ease as gently as he can. Smooth mode: activated.]

Yeager, I'm not tryin' ta downplay the gesture. I recognize how much courage it musta took ta even put that out there. Ya just caught me off guard, is all.

[Should Yeager find it in him to actually look at Raven again, he'll find that signature wink of his.]

If ya really want me ta touch it, we don't need ta disguise it as an inspection.

[scythegun]

[...............

In the quietest voice imaginable:] I am never living this down, am I.

[It's exactly what he deserves for doing nothing but dragging Raven throughout the course of their stay here and he knows it, but that doesn't make it any less embarrassing!! Yeager isn't supposed to make mistakes like this. But then again, Yeager was never supposed to get close to anyone else again.

He finally sighs and inclines his head a bit, managing to meet Raven's gaze with a wry smile.]

You'll have to forgive me for being terrible at this. I'm still trying to remember how to open up again. It's been dreadful.

[But one of his hands rises to the cravat anyway, because despite all of that, he wouldn't have offered if he wasn't sure.]

Let's just keep this our little secret though, ja?

[reallyfishy]

[Sorry Yeager, that's just going to get Raven's smile to widen into a small grin.]

Ta be fair, there's openin' up and then there's this level of openin' up. But comin' from someone with more experience, you're not doin' half bad.

[He is potentially getting a little bit of enjoyment out of this, yes. Sweet, sweet revenge.

Anyway, as he waits for Yeager to undo his cravat, he mimics a zipper across his lips.]

My lips are sealed.

[scythegun]

[He scoffs at that and rolls his eyes; come on, Raven, he's doing terribly and this is embarrassing, we both know it.

But anyway, Yeager gets the cravat off and his shirt unbuttoned. It's easier now, after revealing the blastia twice. Raven's already seen it once before, after all, so the hesitance and uncertainty is gone now. Stupidly enough, turning it into a joke has made it so much easier, though that was definitely not intentional.

The blastia is just the same as it was when he revealed it during that trial; it doesn't look any worse for the wear despite the recent battle. He exhales once it's exposed, then laughs.]

Go ahead. You don't need me to guide you, ja?

[And despite how difficult it's been getting to this point, the words are relaxed and his smile is genuine.]

[reallyfishy]

[He finds it endearing and therefore it's not half bad!!

It's only when Yeager speaks up that Raven realizes he's been watching this whole process very closely, and staring at the blastia a little too intensely despite this not even being his first time seeing it. He blinks back to reality and makes a face at Yeager.]

Hey now, guidin' ya was a deliberate thing. I knew ya didn't need my help ta find it.

[Forced defensiveness aside, he relaxes himself and reaches out to gently place his hand against Yeager's blastia. He's overly ginger with it at first—it's such a strange feeling, touching a blastia that isn't his own—but it doesn't take very long for his curiosity to take hold. He smooths over the red core with his thumb, taking in the difference in size and shape, before spreading his fingers out to explore the casing.]

I still can't get over how different they look, despite servin' the same purpose.

[He murmurs as he traces the arches in the casing, internally likening them to wings of some kind. He can see why the size and placement would be an even bigger hassle to pick out clothing for proper covering, but he still can't help but be a little mesmerized by it. Funny how that works...after going through so much in Aira Niluc, he's come to appreciate these cursed things a little.

As he lingers back on the core, his fingertips lightly brush against the scarring underneath, and he finds himself thinking about what must have happened to Yeager to have caused it. He was probably run through too, huh... It brings back some terrible memories of that day, but in this moment, he's able to cope with a light exhale.]

Sorry, that wasn't...

[Intentional, is what he meant to finish that sentence with before losing track of himself again. It wasn't intentional, but for whatever reason, he feels closer to Yeager than ever for it.]

[scythegun]

[It's true, the designs are certainly vastly different... Though Yeager's placement was probably at least partially necessary due to the wounds that killed him. He can't keep his gaze on Raven, but he doesn't mind the contact or the words - at least until Raven's fingers brush over the scarring.

He inhales sharply and freezes for a moment, but as Raven apologizes he exhales and shakes his head. He knows it wasn't intentional, and while it was a bit surprising, it isn't as though it's bad. His gaze remains focused elsewhere as he speaks, and there's a slight shift in his tone to something a little quieter, a little less aggressively flippant.]

The last thing I remember is being impaled - the pain didn't last long. I was... terrified.

[Maybe it isn't right to refer to that person as himself, but at this point, what does it matter? Like it or not, that person and Yeager have a connection and he hasn't been able to rid himself of it in the past ten years.]

But I was certain that it would be worth it. If I could buy the others some time, then it was worth it. I died without regrets.

[Then he looks back at Raven, smiling.]

I don't mind, you know. You've been handling it with the care I was expecting you to.

[reallyfishy]

[The noise that escapes Raven when Yeager speaks about his death unprompted is...one of understanding.]

I had a feelin' ya might've gone out the same way as me. That damn black monster got me from behind, right after it had gotten Casey. [Yeager speaking up helps him reveal the rest of his and Casey's story at the shore in turn. But he doesn't linger on it too long.] It really was worth it, Yeager, I promise ya that. If you and the others hadn't held 'em off, Casey and I never woulda made it as far as we did.

[Hearing about it though, and how Yeager had no regrets going out, helps him understand why he took coming back so much more severely than Raven had. He was at peace, his story was over, and yet...

And yet, selfishly, Raven is glad he's here.

Thus, Yeager's smile is met with one of Raven's own.]

Ya really don't mind, huh...? [He closes his eyes for a moment and lets out a proud hum.] You've come a long way. I'm really happy ta have gotten the chance ta see it.

[scythegun]

I'm glad.

[And really, he is. Because even if they only lasted a little longer, his death wasn't completely pointless. It hasn't been easy acknowledging that this second chance at life means just as much, even though it wasn't at all what he wanted back then.]

Oh stop, you'll embarrass me.

[Not nearly as much as he's already embarrassed himself and once that's out there he winks.]

I may have had quite a few struggles along the way, but I've made it this far and I don't intend to stop now. Still, I doubt I would be here were it not for your assistance. Thank you, Raven. For everything.