linkingup | THE END 2.0: THE AFTERPARTY

[ on Friday, you will be greeted by a familiar face! ]

[Also a less familiar face.

Held in place by Mina.

Sulking and looking about 12.]

[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 is making preparations to leave, of course, after the battle itself has ended up pretty much finished.

So he can be found at stores, buying stuff. It looks like instant cameras? Huh.

Other than that, he can be found riding around on his motorcycle if people want to catch him with that. He will raise a hand in greeting and even stop if it looks like somebody wants to talk. Or, he'll suggest: ]

Were you interested in a race or perhaps a ride?

[ Towards the end of the day, outside of potential group mingling (because maybe those are happening) Argenti can also be found on the outskirts of the city itself, near the farmlands. Here his hair's pinned up a ponytail and he's out of his armor, looking at the afternoon sun, looking wistful.

He's thinking about someone. But, even if its a remembrance of a time long ago, it isn't with sadness.

...He's come so far.

Yet...Argenti will scatter some petals to the wind. He hopes his dear friend will be looking down upon this, at peace, wherever his soul rests.

Then, he turns to face whoever has come to approach and waves with a little happy smile. ]

It seems our departure shall soon be upon us. Have you finished making preparations?

[ Well, maybe not everyone is leaving, but Argenti sure is assuming so. ]

Edited 2024-11-01 16:24 (UTC)

[ 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! ]

[ 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?

[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...

[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?

[ 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.

...Lady Mina.

I see that you are well.

[ This familiar face is one he'll gladly greet. ]

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?

[ ....... what's this creature. ]

They really made her do it, huh? How do you feel?

[ You know, Yoon and Argenti haven't spoken before, but he's not afraid to answer the man's question when he's addressed. He came out here to say goodbye to the city, wasn't expecting to see anyone else here, but this may be nice. ]

Ah, I think so. I'm hoping to take some of the medicine here back for my friends, for starters - other than that, there's not much I'm bringing home.

You?

[ 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?

[ At the end of it all, there is a day like every other.

Waking in the dorms, in a room that is half his own and half mausoleum to a man he barely knew but had a hand in killing. Grabbing a quick breakfast in the communal kitchen, long before most of the others are awake. Making his way to work... It's a day like every other, except for where it's not.

Last night, McGillis called his troupe leader at Sunset Theater to announce his sudden retirement. Today, he's coming in to pass some last advice to his understudy. By the time he gets out of the theater, it's past noon and he has a giant bouquet of flowers in his arms. There's a card attached, dangling by a ribbon, and any onlooker can see a wealth of signatures and well-wishes. For his part, McGillis looks a little baffled by his gift.... Is he supposed to take this to Chaldea with him?!

Later in the afternoon, McGillis joins the group of people doing packing and cleaning at the dorms. Safe for the aforementioned giant bouquet placed in a vase on his desk, McGillis' room already looks completely cleared out. There's a packed suitcase in a corner. McGillis isn't done here though - through the open door, you might be able to see him taking the mattress out of the bed to air it out, or dusting the wardrobe, or similar activities. He's leaving this place spotless.... his half of it, anyway.

He can also be found... at the hunting store, buying more ammo for his gun. After the battle is before the battle - he knows he's not going to a peaceful world, and he might as well spend his remaining money to be prepared. You might also catch him browsing bulletproof vests... ]

[After some rest, Aubrey gets herself some luggage so she can pack up all the clothes she's been able to purchase what with the consistent pay for helping and all.

Once she's packed up everything else, she can be found in her room, looking after her white bunny. She has a new travel carrier set up next to him, ready for the transfer of bun once the time comes.

Come say hi? Come pet the bun? Both?? Up to you!]

Mina!

[ Guess who's getting a big hug, picked up by said hug, whirled around? That's right. It's Mina. ]

You're real again!

[ Motorcycle?! ]

Fuck yeah, I want a ride! Wouldn't that be a given?!

[ McGillis will feel a little bump from something soft against the back of his head while he's in the middle of dusting the wardrobe off. Eli's chosen to creep up on him while his back is turned to the door and should McGillis turn to face him, he'll see what was being held against his hair, too.

It's a cute little sloth plushie from the claw games at the arcade. Eli managed to win two. The second one, for whatever reason, he has decided is going with McGillis here. ]

You really going all out in cleaning, huh?

Hi Argenti! It's good to see you again! ...Even if I did technically see you just recently.

[But it's nice to meet him as Mina.]

[Okay, that gets a laugh from her.]

I am! And I'm a liiiiiiiiiittle bit stronger this time - just to make sure Kenny doesn't get up to any trouble. I'm still mostly just human!

Fuck off!!

[That's it that's his answer apparently. Rude.]

THE END 2.0: THE AFTERPARTY

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docks;

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my one thread with argenti - outskirts

docks

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