linkingup | THE END 2.0: THE AFTERPARTY

[It's hard to imagine that their time in Sunset City is almost at a close. Sayaka never expected that her life would end up like this in the slightest, but as Sayaka wakes up on the second to last day here...well, one might find her in her room with the door opened, talking to herself a bit.]

How did I end up with this many of you...? Ahhh, you're all so cute...how am I gonna decide how many of you to keep?

[Sayaka's bottom bunk is. Filled with Raisinomorolls. A few of them have cute little outfits, but they're mostly just the same lil Raisinomorolls that you get from the claw machines. Nothing but Raisonomorolls. There is at least 30 of these guys. Help. Sayaka's prepping a suitcase or two and she has just realized how many stuffed animals and outfits and makeups she's gonna have to try and get rid of...

Of course, a little later on in the afternoon, you can actually find Sayaka at Cafe au Lait! Not working behind the counter, of course; she turned in her notice weeks ago, but she animatedly chats with the barista on duty and the manager of the place, and the vibes are absolutely cozy. And perhaps moreover, Sayaka can absolutely get you a discount on some lunch here--they seem to be talking about everything that happened a bit, and it's clear that they're quite thankful for the assistance. Both of Sayaka working there, and of the fact that they can feel again.

Of course, Sayaka will probably be mingling at any group mingles that happen, but by the time the late evening comes around, Sayaka's over at the Docks, sitting at her favorite bench with some kind of warm drink and just. Cozily vibing. One of the Raisinomorolls has joined Sayaka on her lap for this adventure, and if anyone happens to come by looking for her, she'll perk and wave them over.]

Hey, come on. Join me for a bit, if you want. This is probably one of the coziest places to be this late at night, heehee.

[Feel free to come and vibe with her, she's enjoying her last day relaxing like she never thought she'd be able to.]

[ Argenti himself has been wandering on the outskirts of the city, so it's probably not a surprise that he will eventually find himself elsewhere.

As in here. ]

Has this always been your favorite place?

[ He'll go ahead and seat himself down next to Sayaka after asking as much, happy to join! ]

[Sayaka beams brightly when she sees Argenti, and she'll gladly make room for him while she adjusts herself--the Raisinomoroll in her lap getting adjusted too as she puts her drink to the side for a moment.]

Heehee. Honestly, it really is. The sound of the waves has always been really nice, especially at night...it's like the entire rest of the world ceases to be for a little bit. It's really soothing if you're having a bad night.

[And Sayaka has spent many bad nights here.]

I've always found a little bit of peace here, even when things were bad in the city. I'm gonna have to find another place like it once we get home...

[ He'll take a look at the Raisinomoroll briefly with a little smile on his face, before folding his hands politely in his lap. ]

I can understand that. There is a Beauty behind such peaceful quiet; a soothing quality that has no visible aspect to appreciate, but its unseen influence is doubtlessly effective on the heart.

[ Argenti has not spent much time in the docks, but he's taken some night walks out near the farm area in particular. Though, once Sayaka says "home", his expression softens. Eorzea will be "home" now, won't it? For the first time in so many years, he'll have a place to call home... ]

...Yes, that would make sense. Though, Fray has told me quite a bit about Eorzea. It seems like quite the diverse world, so do trust me when I say that I firmly believe that you shall find somewhere that will bring a splendid peace to your soul.

Isn't it just? It's not something I had a lot of access to, but this is just pure beauty if I've ever seen it...

[Seriously. Sayaka wonders if she should invest in a white noise generator at this point, she never considered it but this is actually really nice and relaxing. More than the classical music they used to play before interviews, anyway.

But Sayaka listens to Argenti while he talks, smiling a bit at what Fray's told him of Eorzea; it's not unlike what she's been told, and the idea that she can find another place like this absolutely makes her heart swell with pride.]

I'm excited to do so. Honestly, even with my group, we traveled to a lot of different places to perform, but...I've never really had a chance to really look for myself, you know? I'm getting excited just thinking about the future. It's...honestly, something I never really thought I'd have the opportunity for.

[Sayaka winds up hugging the Raisinomoroll a bit, but she looks to Argenti after.]

...Are you nervous about it at all?

[ ...She hasn't? Argenti then gives the comment even more thought, recalling with distinct and clear clarity the experiences Sayaka has had before coming here. ]

I'm happy you have had more of an opportunity now to indulge in being able to appreciate such Beauty more often.

[ He certainly means it. Though, his expression softens as he considers her words - both about never being able to look for herself. Rather, the implications - and his knowledge - of certain experiences are clear. So that when she talks about being excited for the future...it makes him happy too. ]

I am. I have never been to Eorzea before in my life, and as excited as I am, I am settling into a universe completely different from my own.

But, it's only human to be at least somewhat nervous about the idea. Though, let it be known that I have no regrets or second thoughts about it. It does also help that I am used to traveling to new worlds and all.

As a Knight of Beauty, it was commonplace. In the end, I believe one of the more...novel aspects about it all, even beyond going to a place with two people I care about dearly, is the fact I shall have a place to call home.

It's been years since I had. Perhaps that may be surprising to hear. But, there's a lot of 'new' for all of us. [ A light-hearted tone enters into his voice as he knowing asks: ] For example, I imagine you've never traveled world to world before all of this, right?

[It's nice to listen to Argenti talk like this, Sayaka finds--it makes her feel more confident, really, in her own decisions. She's never really had chances to rest, to relax, to do anything that doesn't involve getting recognized but...]

...It really is nice, I gotta admit.

[But then she hears the rest, and honestly, hearing that Argenti is used to this makes her feel a little at ease--knowing he's nervous despite it, that helps as well.]

You're used to this kind of travel...honestly, I'm glad one of us is. It makes it at least a little easier to try and understand it, I think. I'll definitely have to ask you if you've got some stories of your old travels sometime, if you're okay with sharing.

[But of course, Sayaka shakes her head.]

Not at all. Even where I come from, we've only begun trying to like...fly off to different planets pretty recently, and even then, it's only for a short amount of time! The idea of other worlds that are actually livable is definitely beyond us...

...But I'm really glad that you're going to finally have a place you can call home. Everyone deserves that, I think.

[ It's an easy admission for Argenti - he has always been the type of person who has worn his emotions on his sleeve, and he has never thought to so much as hide them no matter what kind they are. Even when he has had times where he has been not forthcoming - when it comes to private matters, that is - this has remained true.

Even now this has not changed, and if it can help Sayaka, he is all the more glad for it. ]

I will be more than happy to share with you tales of my time as a Knight of Beauty who traveled throughout the universe.

[ He still is one, though there are obvious differences now! ]

...It seems it is indeed rare for people to have had such advanced technology, but that is just as well, knowing where we're headed to will be lacking in some to a point.

But, yes, I believe the same. Before, I used to hardly think much about it. Yet, I believe it was simply a matter of...not realizing what I had lost until I potentially regained it. [ Then, more gently, but no less fondly: ] I felt much the same, actually, when you called me your brother too.

[ hi i'm here to get a final dose of sayaka cr ]

How'd you end up with so many of these guys?

[ he's picking up one raisinomoroll in a cute sailor outfit ]

Hey, isn't this one limited?

[opens my arms wholeheartedly--

Sayaka starts a bit when she sees Joshua, though she ends up laughing a little bit and rubbing the back of her head.]

...Have you ever heard of the phrase 'a fool and her money are soon parted'? When I was working on commissions and at the cafe, I'd go to the arcade sometimes when I got paid and I'd play these claw machines. I, um...may have gone a little overboard?

[...A LITTLE IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT, GIRL. But Sayaka's eyes light up when Joshua brings up the little guy with the sailor outfit--he definitely looks like new, just from observation.]

Ohhh! That was from, um, one of the limited claw machines around the start of September! Isn't he cute?! His outfit's a collaboration with Cookies for Mice, too, if I remember right...

They only had a few of these in the machine per day, and I wound up finally getting one on the last day they had stock. Isn't he just precious?

[ Yo, Sayaka. He won't say no - he'd like to spend the last few hours here with his newfound friends. ]

Thanks. I've never been here, but the breeze is pretty nice. Do you have a place like this, where you're going?

[Sayaka beams brightly, scooching over a little bit to make room for Yoon on the bench--putting her drink down for a second and adjusting the little Raisinomoroll on her lap.]

Isn't it just? I like coming here whenever I need to think about stuff. The waves and the general calm around here...it's super soothing.

[Sayaka shakes her head at the question, but...]

I'm not entirely sure. I imagine there must be! We've talked a little about Eorzea, Fray and I, but I never really did have a chance to ask him about specific places...

But...I'll be honest, I'm kind of excited to blindly go in for once in my life. Is that strange? There's so much new to experience soon...it's almost kind of overwhelming...

You're going back with Fray, then? That's...a relief, actually.

[ He was in Kirumi's palace. He knows what her world was like at a surface level, and that alone was bad enough. ]

I don't think it's weird. Actually, I would be excited, too. I love traveling and seeing new places, so I'd feel the same way as you.

I'm...glad you're moving on to better things.

Fray and Argenti, yep!

[Sayaka can't help but beam at that a bit--sure, she feels a little bad for leaving her world behind, but there was nothing left for her anyway. Whether she went back or not, she'd be dead, and she didn't even know for certain if any of her life before was real.

She doesn't have to consider that now. Her new life will be the one that takes center stage now.]

...I really am glad you understand, Yoon, and--thank you. You've always been really kind to me, even at the worst of times, and I appreciate it. I'm excited to follow the path of my brothers, and see where it takes me now. That's what I've decided for myself.

What about you, though? I imagine you're going back home to help your friends, right, or is someone taking you with them elsewhere?

[He'll wait for her to finish her chatting before going over to talk to her.]

Saying your goodbyes?

[Sayaka perks a bit after her coworker goes to serve another customer, and Sayaka beams brightly when she sees Shin.]

Yep! I figured that I may as well pay them one last visit before I go elsewhere. It was really nice working for them for so long, and they've always been pretty kind to me. They really gave me a sense of structure that I sorely needed when I first got here...

But oh, enough about me! Do you wanna join me for a bit? My treat, if you want anything.

Sure, let's grab something to eat.

[He has a few things he wants to discuss with her too. As one dead person to another.]

Feel free to pick out whatever you like! Cafe au Lait's got a really good menu, and--

[As if on cue, one of the cute baristas slides on over to take their order! Sayaka chuckles a bit; Ayanami-san, as she's named, will gladly take their order. It's mostly dessert and coffee focused but they do boast a pretty good sandwich menu too!

Sayaka, for her part, is ordering cakepops. She is a simple girl, really. Once Ayanami-san is off to get that under way...]

So, how are you holding up?

[He orders a coffee loaded with sugar and mocha, plus a pastry. The coffee is sweeter than the pastry.]

I'm alright. Glad for everything to be over, but apprehensive at the same time.

[Now that's Sayaka's kind of coffee, honestly--]

I don't blame you. I kind of feel the same, if I'm gonna be honest, but...I guess I'm kinda lucky that I've had a somewhat set path that I've only gotten more firm in over time...

[sometimes you latch really hard onto people who treat you with even a modicum of humanity--]

Are you worried about the future? Do you...need anywhere to go?

I'm still considering. I know I'm not going home, but beyond that...

[...]

Do you...ever feel weird, about dying and being alive again? Like this life we have now could be ripped away at any moment?

I won't deny it...I do. I've felt like this for a while, honestly, and I hate to say it...I've spent this entire time waiting for the other shoe to drop, for something to happen to make things...right, I guess. Not that I was really sure what form that would take.

[Sayaka pauses, after that.]

...Are you nervous about that, Shin-kun?

[...It occurs to Sayaka that she should probably say something, given that some people still call her by a surname that's no longer valid to her, and before she leaves--]

Hi everyone! ヾ(≧▽≦*)o

I haven't really said anything about this because I wasn't sure if I should, but I just wanted to let you all know that you can call me Sayaka now! I know I've insisted on politeness, and it's...mostly just because I'm so used to fans who have never really respected that with me.

But I guess more to the point, my last name isn't Maizono anymore. It's Myste, heehee...but each and every one of you, you're all very precious to me in one form or another, so I just wanted to let you all know.

I hope we all see each other again sometime!

Sayaka Myste has a nice ring to it.

[ Even if Fray stole that last name off some random third party guy. RIP to that guy. ]

A good clean cut from your old life as well.

I'm definitely glad to hear that! o(〃＾▽＾〃)o

[she is a simple person, if she is getting praised then she enjoys it--]

That's what I think, too. It's a piece of the old me I was more than happy to hack off, to make way for something better to grow in it's place. And it really makes me happy to know that even others think the change fits, too. (●ˇ∀ˇ●)

It's something that I'm choosing for myself, and I can't wait to see what the future brings and what new sort of story I can tell...

THE END 2.0: THE AFTERPARTY

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docks;

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docks

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Cafe au lait

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late network addendum

un: monday

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