altimit | POST-GAME IRL PARTY LOG

POST-GAME IRL PARTY LOG

Who: All the living players
What: Reunion party
When: Post-game
Where: ?
Warnings: none for now

[ It has been several months since the incident. Recovering from your body being in disuse for around two months must have been hefty, as well as your other commitments as well. Hopefully, everyone has recovered to an extent, because no matter where you are, the living players will receive the following in their mailbox: an invitation to a reunion party at a location near the beach between the ex-beta testers of Fragment, a bank card, and a 4-digit pin to said card from "Oriade". The invitation card will mention the following:

- A very convenient location nearby you with access to a small, private plane. For security purposes, you'll be told to list your in-game name, real name, and class before boarding.

- The bank card contains $10,000 as some sort of "compensation" for everything that happened because of the Fragment incident. He knows it can't replace everything (like lost lives), but he hopes this will help some people (because some people live paycheck to paycheck and he understands that). Access will be revoked in a month, so you better withdraw it all while you still can. Any unused funds will be returned. The bank will not question you withdrawing all the money from that account nor exchanging it all with foreign currency. (But-- no buts)

- The servers have been located and he knows how much you guys want to destroy these, so the server bash (literally) will happen some time during the party.

Being rich has its benefits, surely. When the plane lands with their luggage and all (if you brought any. please bring some), they'll be taken to a house that doesn't seem like much, but once they walk inside, it is actually very big! There are numerous rooms inside the house. The kitchen is stocked with everything you can think of with some dude(?) preparing all the food (he's the chef. don't worry about him). There is sure to be loads of different kinds of food that can cater to everyone's tastes. Yes, there is alcohol. Get some free rich ass liquor. No, you cannot smuggle any. That dude(?) will be keeping tabs. Sometimes there's a maid or two(? or is that the same one) running around and cleaning up after everyone. If you want something, go get it yourself. Self-service only.

There's a walkway in the backyard that's also wheelchair-accessible that leads to the beach! Enjoy that too.

But for the main attraction, the server burning. ]

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[ Ganymede decides slappings or whatnot are for everyone else to do instead. His hands are delicate and for better usages, so he simply fold his arms at the other. ]

I don't know why you're apologizing me...

[ If he looks angry enough he won't do something stupid and look relieved. Tsundere going to tsun. ]

...Anyway, you look like you shrunk in certain ways. I assume you'll be able to be in better shape eventually?

[ ...It's a funny, and a cute look. Mehmet can't help but chuckle at that.

But that's quickly cut short when his general size comes up. His lips fold into a pout—he tries not to let it show that this is a sensitive subject for him at the moment. ]

I want to be. It's...going to be a while, I think. [ He pauses for a second, but decides he considers Ganymede close enough to continue. ] I had to learn how to walk again.

[ Ganymede blinks a bit, watching Mehmet's expression change.

He is pleasantly surprised when the other man doesn't brush him off, so that is just another reason why he takes his response seriously. ]

...I believe you'll get there in that 'while'. But, I'll picture you sooner than later.

[ As if he can willpower it faster, even just by a teensy bit. His next question is perhaps presuming Mehmet still is able to, despite his condition, but he'll ask: ]

Did you get a chance to take out some of the server just yet?

[ A small, but genuine smile crosses Mehmet's face at that. It's nice, hearing that someone has faith in him. He's been determined to get better, at least a fraction of how fit he used to be, but the outside encouragement most certainly helps. Maybe...running from these people wasn't the right answer after all. ]

Not yet. I just got here. Give me a chance. [ Classic Ganymede, straight for the violence. ] Was that the first thing you did?

[ Some things don't change, right? Ganymede will happily choose violence more these days. Or rather, he's just embraced the spirit of it all even more. ]

Well, alright, I can do that.

[ He hums a little, as if it isn't exactly the first thing he did when he arrived (he is planning on coming back to server burning for seconds.) ]

It was, yeah. It felt really good too...I think I underestimated the satisfaction behind whacking a machine apart. Though, I'd say the best part is knowing that the old bastard's reaping the consequences of it all. We all went through a lot—so it's like, retribution?

[ Hungry for violence as always. Mehmet chuckles a bit. Fragment did come with good memories, of course, and somewhere in the back of his mind, he thinks it a pity that all the things they worked so hard for (like his house) were gone, just like that. But the pain is a little too fresh for him to be sentimental about this. So ultimately, he agrees. ]

Well, when you go back for seconds, can you make sure to hit him extra hard for me? [ There's a little twinkle in his eye, too. ] And make sure you tell him who sent you.

[ Their houses, McMansions...gone with the wind.

That said, it is probably unsurprising that when the other delivers the comment just like that, Ganymede brightens. ]

I will. I'll even shout just like this:

Hey, old man, look out, I'm going to trash you real hard (again), and Mehmet himself sent me over! Which, also has proven that your comments before were false, because you suck, and also all your scientific stuff was wrong!

See, what people don't get is sometimes there is such a thing as too much logic.

[ A patented line from Ganymede himself. And, well, figures he should be using 'Mehmet' instead of 'Hector' now that they're on this side. ]

[ Mehmet can't help but laugh louder when Ganymede begins his mock speech. That'll do it. Maybe he'll hear through the layers of plastic and metal and little components or whatever. He hopes sand gets into Harald's digital space.

One thing, though— When his laughter dies down, his curiosity gets the best of him, and he can't help but ask: ]

What...did he say, anyway?

[ Does he want to know? ]

[ There is a momentary flicker of residual anger, hatred, and frustration as he recounts the feelings he felt when Harald opened his mouth, which basically indicated he was not worthy to speak with any of them. ]

Harald said a lot of things. Comments that showed his lacking faith in humanity, and a lot of pessimistic thoughts on them. He cried a lot about a woman who didn't want anything to do with him [ This is presumptuous since he doesn't know re: Emma but this is Gany's thoughts now. ] and he called those who were once possessed by Phases failures. On top of that there was a lot of self-serving, trite, and words filled with trash...especially since...

[ No one can know what's lying in the shadows of someone else's heart. For a moment, he pauses. ]

He spoke about you too. He basically acted like you wouldn't want another result...other than the one that happened to you. In the end, it was clear he knew nothing about us.

Edited 2023-12-07 17:33 (UTC)

[ Everything he hears is awful. Awful, awful, awful. Mehmet momentarily tenses when he hears that bit about phases—they are not failures. They were manipulated, used, torn apart from the people that loved them and forced to use violence against them. He doesn't notice the way his knuckles whiten on his cane as his grip tightens, a lot of the anger and rage he felt all that time ago, bubbling to the surface—

But all that bursts when he hears about himself. His gaze drops to the ground, and a faint, contemplative look crosses his face. It's...complicated. Maybe a little more than Ganymede realizes, and he wonders if this is the time and place to talk about it, but... ]

...Maybe at some point in the past, that would've been true. [ He says this quietly, because it's an admission he's never really made to anyone else. It was really, really hard to look into the future when it felt like most of him had been left in the past.

He lifts his gaze to Ganymede again. ] But I learned hope from all of you guys. I wanted to get out and get on with my life as much as the rest of you. So yeah, [ he chuckles weakly. ] he was wrong.

Edited 2023-12-07 23:43 (UTC)

[ Ganymede can see that, and he figures he instantly knows the source of that anger—that's where part of his own comes from too. He remembers barely holding himself back when literally those exact words came out of Harald himself.

Though, he isn't anticipating the other to look...thoughtful, suddenly? He waits, a bit more, to see what Mehmet has to say first. When he does, Ganymede is — well, he's surprised. Then, even more furious for a second. Not at the other man, but at Harald for his actions. For Harald preying on that, even if he is glad — relieved, and thankful, Mehmet indicated what he has. ]

...I know full well that hope's a hard thing to gain, when you barely know what it even is anymore. So, I'm happy to know that you did learn it from all of us too. And I'm looking also forward to getting to know you a little better, as the Mehmet that's become who he is in the present.

Oh! One more thing, that I'd think you'd like to hear, even if it wasn't from Harald.

[ Ganymede reiterates, word for word, the final fuck you. ]

[ As forgiving Mehmet is, in general, he finds it pretty hard to find it in his heart to forgive the man who looked at him, decided he was better of dead and, for all intents and purposes, killed him. He's just lucky he's alive to hold this grudge, forever. Fuck you, Harald Hoerwick. Rot in hell.

Though Ganymede's memorization skills are impressive. Mehmet listens patiently, and he finds himself nodding along. All of this, he agrees with. Through gritted teeth, he gives his thoughts voice. ]

Despite my mixed feelings on both Cubia and Zelkova, neither of them deserved to be thrown away by their creators. [ Cubia was malicious, and Zelkova was bordering on useless, but he saw the spark of humanity in Zelkova. He saw how much the Phases cared for Cubia. Isn't that worth something?

But he takes a breath, calming himself. ]

Enough of that, though. I don't want to spend this whole party angry. [ He reaches to lightly bump Ganymede's arm. ] I'm looking forward to getting to know you, too, Ganymede. I think it's safe to say this is where our friendship starts.

[ Part of it does happen to be due to the simple fact that his boyfriend spoke those words, though certainly the weight of them are also no less having been committed to memory as well.

For a moment, he is simply silent as Mehmet gives his own words, his judgments, and Ganymede, having made his own known, sees no reason to add anymore fuel to the fire either. It's like he said, with not wanting to spend the whole party angry...though, he blinks, feeling the bump against his arm. Then, well, he smiles a little, returning a little finger poke of his own against Mehmet's. A show of comradery, and with a nod.

Then, he's playfully placing his hands behind his back. ]

...Yeah, for real. I can really do with another person like you as a friend.

Also, continuing off of that. I think we should trade a little additional gossip. Do you remember when we were on the beach, and I said basically you should find someone too? [ Or someones, hehe. Okay, he phrased it a little rudely but that was his still pre-character development era. Ish. ] I've been kind of getting the feeling that you did. Am I right?

[ A finger poke in return? They're getting there, at least. It's cute enough that Mehmet smiles at last—maybe he should teach Ganymede how to affectionately bump arms. Maybe this is his first mission as his real friend.

Funnily enough, his memories of Fragment are still rather vivid, and he remembers the beach. However, while Ganymede is a fantastic dancer in real life, Mehmet's dancing skills only come to light when he's avoiding things. ]

Oh, yeah. I remember. [ He brightens, his gaze roaming the space, looking for someone. ] You still dating that Winter guy? Is he here?

[ Totally avoiding the question... ]

[ Mehmet please do teach him how to. Either way, Ganymede sees the way his gaze brightens, he thinks...he's searching for who he has fallen in love with, right? He's covering it up with his question towards Michel because he's shy. ]

It's okay that you're shy. I can tell with the way you're looking around where your thoughts lie. What's important is that we've all found happiness, right?

[ Hecking crying ]

We're still dating, of course. I love him very much, and I'm very proud of the fact we're going to be together forever.

[ Ganymede evades saying Michel is here, because he knows his boyfriend doesn't want to run into a lot of people. If Mehmet really wants to find out, he can search for the man himself, though. It isn't like the guy will be too hard to find around... interaction is going to be another story, however. ]

Wh—

[ He's not being shy!! He's just avoiding the subject entirely!! There's a difference!

But it's fun watching Ganymede gush like that. Mehmet chuckles, expression still twisted over being called shy. ]

Forever, huh? You'd better invite me to the wedding.

[ That's a threat! The starfruits better have their own table. ]

I'm not shy.

[ He's not shy! ]

[ Womp womp womp!! Ganymede is a lot of things, but he instantly notices when people evade answering questions he has asked of them. So naturally, he has to fill in the blanks, and Mehmet gets teased instead. ]

Is that a threat?

[ He tries very hard not to smile. But, he thinks he'd like the other to come along—he's a familiar enough face, after all.

Then, he decides to bluntly point out, because Ganymede is incapable of being anything else: ]

If you're not shy, you should be able to answer the question I gave to you earlier, right? So, what do you have to say to that?

[ A little pout crosses Mehmet's face. He doesn't answer right away.

Okay. Maybe he is shy. Maybe he's nervous because he didn't really reach out to one of them. Maybe he's hesitant because he doesn't really count it as love, because he doesn't know if his feelings are that strong (yet). Maybe he's embarrassed because right now all he wants to see is that threesome coming to fruition.

Also, maybe he's touchy because he still vividly remembers how everyone teased him for his taste.

Feelings are complicated. ]

...Amon. [ He looks away, anywhere beside Ganymede. ] And Owen.

[ Aw, the little pout reminds him of himself, actually, when Ganymede finally confessed his own leanings.

Though, Ganymede does in fact patiently wait for the other man's answer, blinking a little as he looked up at him. Amon...and Owen.

For both, it's actually easy to connect faces with the identities. He isn't really all that close to them, even if he can't say he never spoke with Amon back in FRAGMENT, and it isn't like he doesn't know who they are. That said, he has nothing rude to say about it. He never got along with Yael and still gave congrats to Yuui. Therefore... ]

So, you have two boyfriends? [ Dramatic pause. But then his expression softens for his new friend. ] Congratulations to you too.

Have you had the chance to meet with them again?

[ They were both Phases too, so. Wow. Hey, did they know they have this in common?

Anyway.

Mehmet seems visibly shaken by the word boyfriend, and he seems to panic for a second, trying to backpedal and reload from an earlier point in this conversation— Not the dreaded b-word! No!!! ]

Well, I wouldn't call them—

[ Typical for him. Ganymede will argue, Mehmet will argue back, they'll be standing here yelling at each other for the whole party. Not how he wants to spend his time.

He lets his tension go. ]

No, not yet. But I figure I'll find them sooner or later. If they don't find me first.

[ There should be an unspoken club:

'My Boyfriend(s) Was/Were a Phase(s)/Member(s) of Cubia's Picnic Times In A Game And Now It's Time for our Honeymoon Era'

Ganymede just quietly watches Mehmet have a meltdown, and he is a little bit concerned for a moment. Earnestly so. Sometimes, the gay panic/budding relationship panic is real, folks. Though he pauses even further, wondering if he was going to say they weren't boyfriends? He does remember the reactions to his death, in one case for sure because Amon was loud about it. ]

Well, good. You guys probably have a lot to catch up on.

Even with my fiancé, there were things we had to get squared away once we came back to reality. So, whoever approaches the other first between all three of you...I believe that things will work out okay.

We got this far, after all.

[ New hit light novel series?!

Ganymede goes on with heartfelt words, but there's one word that Mehmet can't get past. ]

Wait.

[ Ganymede!! You can't just—!! ]

You guys are getting married?

[ First Fai and Yael, and now Ganymede and Winter (sorry he still doesn't know his real name)?! ]

[ Hecking crying ]

That's right!

[ Oh, and he blinks, before smiling again. ]

Just remember, you said something about wanting to come to the wedding, which is actually happening. The date hasn't been set yet, but it's a sure thing!

[ Ganymede is definitely serious about Michel, yep. ]

I mean, it was kind of tongue-in-cheek when I said it, but I didn't actually think—

[ Damn. Adversity really brings people together, huh?

Mehmet cuts his own thought process off as he reaches to pull Ganymede in a friendly, but tight hug. ]

Congrats, Ganymede. I'm super happy for you.

You didn't?

[ He says lightly, amused. Ganymede is about to say something else, for certain, and then he's brought into a hug.

...There's a surprised noise from him, but he does actually return the hug; something he thinks he wouldn't have done before, actually. ]

Thanks, that means a lot. Sometimes, it's a little hard to believe it's real...but, every day I'm reminded of how much it is. For that, I know I'll always be grateful for.

[ When he pulls back, looking up, there's even a little smile on his face. ]

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cw passive death...ideation...???

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