Endgame: Gathered on This Beach of the Tumid River

[animusmods]

Characters: open
Setting: all around the Tower from the 25th of May to the 1st of June
Format: any
Summary: A general mingle for all characters throughout the Tower.
Warnings: Standard Animus warnings; please note anything specific in the subject headers of your threads

[The Tower is stagnant, the only signs of activity confined to the second block. There isn't much time left; it might be a good idea to rest and do whatever strikes your fancy before the timer hits zero.]

Comments

[oathshackledbird]

[As soon as he hears the shot, Diarmuid starts to tell Ken not to waste his energy, but before he can get the words out, the healing spell washes over him. It does help, so he really can't be upset at him.]

Thanks, Ken.

[He quickly finishes the wrapping just so the wounds have some protection. As he does, Mac an Chuill moves so that he can drop his head into Ken's lap, whining to be petted more.]

Where will I go? There is really is no question for me. I'm going with Waver back to his world. My world holds nothing for me even if it is restored. His holds everything.

[And if he can't go with Waver...he doesn't really know what he will do. Once Waver said he would rather stay here and die with Diarmuid than be parted from him again. He...really doesn't want to think about that becoming reality.]

Man...it would not be fun to have to go through puberty again, would it?

[That is something he's not really thought about before. What about those who have been here so long they have grown? What will happen to them?]

[miseris_socios]

[He obliges happily, giving the puppy pets. Who's a good puppy? You are! You are!]

No, it wouldn't. I don't think I'm done with it either.

[He leans in to give Mac an Chuill a hug.]

It'd be nice if we could visit each other, though. Or set up some kind of mail system.

[As long as they're dreaming, right?]

[oathshackledbird]

[Mac an Chuill woofs happily at the attention and tries to lick Ken when he is given the hug.]

That really would be nice, wouldn't it? I know most everyone needs to go back to their homes to do things, but I really would like to know how you all are doing.

[Not to mention, just because their worlds are restored, doesn't mean they will be restored to what they once were. The traumatic memories will still be there and if they try to talk to anyone who hasn't experienced it for themselves, people are going to think they are insane.]

No one will understand our pain except for those who lived through it with us.

[miseris_socios]

Yeah.

[Oh no! Puppy kisses!]

I mean... mm. I was told soon after I got here that even people who appear to be from the same world are from really similar versions of worlds. So my Jin and Chidori and Minato won't have been here, and their Kens won't have been here either. Unless we can sort of... squash those universes together, but I don't know if we can.

[oathshackledbird]

[Yes, puppy kisses! The real terror of the Tower!]

Sadly, I don't think squishing the worlds together would work. How would one world handle multiple copies of one person? Would the Chidori from here just end up replacing the one on your world and erasing her from existence? That's not really fair to her.

[Diarmuid sighs.]

Honestly, the only way something like that might work is if we all went to one world and started our lives over there, but that doesn't allow those like you who want to go home and finish things to do that. It would mean abandoning those things completely.

[miseris_socios]

... Yeah. All we can do is hope for the best, right? And work towards achieving it, too.

[oathshackledbird]

As long as don't give up, we will find a way.

[Diarmuid nods in agreement.]

There is a plus to having a lot of people to help us. Even if we can't come up with a solution, that doesn't mean someone else won't.

[miseris_socios]

Exactly. I'm not the best at plans but I can fight pretty well. ... I'll get better at other things when I have time for them.

[And after a nap. He leans against the puppy, nuzzling him a bit.]

Right now we need to rest and wait until something else happens.

[oathshackledbird]

Mac an Chuill could probably use some rest too.

[A knowing smile crosses Diarmuid's face.]

Why don't you take him and get some?

[And Diarmuid will keep an eye on them both, he just won't say that straight out to Ken since he doesn't want the boy to feel like he's babying him.]

[miseris_socios]

Yeah, but you should sleep, too.

[He gives him a pointed look.]

[oathshackledbird]

Hey, you don't have to give me that look.

[Diarmuid holds up his hand defensively.]

I promise, I will get some rest. Just humor me and go rest yourself, okay? Mac an Chuill is a pretty good pillow...

[miseris_socios]

Fine.

[Ken leans over to rest against Diarmuid's shoulder. Diarmuid makes a pretty good pillow, too.]

[oathshackledbird]

Ah...

[Well, that isn't quite what Diarmuid was expecting, but he can't say that he minds that much. In fact, he's smiling. He moves his arm to drop it around Ken's shoulders so that the boy can get more comfortable if he wants. Mac an Chuill barks happily and curls up at their feet.]

Rest well, Ken.

[miseris_socios]

[Ken nudges him a little, smiling, and closes his eyes.]

Thanks... you too...

[oathshackledbird]

I will...

[Diarmuid had intended to stay awake to keep an eye on Ken, but he knows that with the boy snuggled up next to him like that and with Mac an Chuill so happy at their feet there is no way he will be able to stay awake.

Somehow, he can't bring himself to mind.]