week four | endgame

[marriagebroker]

After one last night at the estate, everyone is set to big farewell on Sunday morning or afternoon or evening, however long they want to linger until they say their goodbyes.

There will be transportation to send them out of the estate and back to wherever they came from! They will leave just the way they arrived, of course. Taken all the way back home to their respective worlds.

But before that! Everyone is given one smartphone which they will be told can communicate with everyone else, including Wei Wuxian. If they want to call or text or whatever they want. There's already a group chat set up where Wei Wuxian has posted:

Safe travels, friends!

And Wei Wuxian will also share that they are able to travel to each other's worlds. They just need to return to the estate and from the estate, they can leave back to someone else's world. The estate will function as a "hub" of sorts for these travels.

So, farewell, friends! Here's to your perfect match!

Boom Boom Room | Talking Heads | Honeymoon Suite
Love Meme | tl;cr Meme

Comments

the obligatory yy didn't die goodbye post

[embellwish]

[ Here's where she might have been saying an elegant goodbye from atop her wisteria tree... but that's actually not the case. Instead, in front of the wisteria — in its charred, decrepit state, devoid of blooms — kneels a woman in dirty, lavender robes.

Because preserved in the trunk, now unfurled, was the human Yingying. Her wish turned back time, reversing the worst effects of her contamination — now, her body is still whole, and not forcibly merged with the wood. Instead, there are simply dark, violet stains marking her body, some patches nearly black from exposure to mania. Her form is less ethereal than what's graced the estate these last four weeks; her robes tattered and singed from the fires the star had brought, her hair tangled and dusted with ash in places, all remnants of the disaster that happened over a hundred years ago. But still, unmistakably, it's Yingying.

Her body is still weak — she can either be found dozing in the gardens near her tree, or slowly making her way through the estate, trying to hunt down any belongings she might have collected over her time here, like trinkets from dates. Maybe you're even helping her limp around?????? Or find a change of clothes???? im flexible... ]

Oh, don't knit your brow so much, [ she hums, when she notices someone's gaze lingering on her a little over long. ] I'm not going anywhere just yet...~

[researcherstory]

[ Not dead, but certainly worse for wear... Odile finds her as she's hunt for collectables, since she's got a few she needs to ensure come with her too, and the assurance does nothing to smooth the crease in her brow. She simply hums softly, hand raising to touch by -- not directly on, but by -- her dark spots. ]

Nor should you. My clothes may ill-suit you in design and size, but would you like something to wear?

[ Something far more familiar than what others might be able to offer, after all. ]

[embellwish]

[ She'll find her body feels like any other human's would — she's warm, for one, different than the typical coolness her skin gave off over the last four weeks. Thanks to dwrp game godmodding, Odile's not in danger of getting infected by her mania by touching or staying too close to her. ]

If you have something spare... [ A small laugh. Her feelings are mixed, still having this robe. It's nice to have something that, like her, survived the fall of the Perishing Star. At the same time, the smell of the ash isn't bringing back any fond memories. ] Or, perhaps you should get used to sharing clothes with me? Hehe...

[ They're going to be sharing a last name!! That makes them family. ]

[researcherstory]

I certainly should. We're sisters now, aren't we?

[ Haha... Hm.

... Mm. She'll take Yingying by the wrist to lead her. No, the shoulder if she needs. ]

I know someone who's good with a needle, if you'd like to keep this as well. He'll be able to fix it easily with a little instruction. And... you may call me Sachiko as well. That is my given name.

[ Still ill-suited for her, save for what meaning there is when "wisdom" is in play. Fortune? Happiness? Please. She is no smiling child. ]

[irreversal]

[ Shoko is similarly making rounds to make sure she hasn't left anything behind when she catches sight of Yingying— but not the ethereal illusion they've all seen the last few weeks, but—

Her. It's really her.

Shoko's heels clack against the floors of the manor's interior as she approaches with the same sweater she'd lent Yingying before, on their first date. ]

Hah. Is that what it looks like? No, I'm... I'm really glad to see you like this, Yingying. Your wish came true.

[embellwish]

[ It's the clack of Shoko's heels that catches her attention first, and then, of course, Shoko's soothing voice. She smiles faintly, then wider at the sweater in Shoko's hands, tugging up one of her burnt sleeves. ]

Mm... it seems to have helped a lot.

[ Her contamination must have been much worse than this, prior to the wish, though she's not sure by how much. The discoloration and weakness, for now, are more manageable than what she's been imagining.

Reaching out as Shoko approaches, she places a hand on her forearm, giving her a gentle caress with her - now warm, instead of cool - hand. ]

Seems like I won't need Shoko's wish after all...~

[ Another wish might fix some od her symptoms, but... as far as she's concerned, she doesn't need it, not the way she needed her own. ]

[irreversal]

[ Her gaze flits down to where Yingying's hand rests on her forearm. Her touch had felt real enough for the last few weeks, albeit cold, but ultimately incomparable to the warmth that now emanates from the other woman. Gently, pulls her arm away if only so she can drape the sweater over Yingying's shoulders. ]

Maybe not, but it looks like you still need Shoko's sweater.~

[ A beat, before her attention roams studiously over Yingying's body, at the streaks of violet over her skin. ]

And maybe Shoko's healing. Shall I give it a try?

[ordimame]

[it probably comes as no surprise that he is looking for her before he leaves. . . and where else would he look except near her tree in the courtyard?]

[he stops in his tracks the moment he sees a figure knelt in front of the tree, before rushing forward, eyes wide]

Yingying--?

[skidding to a halt next to her, hands extended, but not quite touching]

Yingying? Are you okay?

[embellwish]

[ She perks up when he zooms on in, suddenly and abruptly, startled awake. Her wish went through, her body is whole again... but she's also really tired. Her contamination is lessened, yes, but still has a significant physical effect. ]

Edamura? You surprised me.

[ Yingying blinks a bunch of times in a row, reaching up to sleepily rub at one of her eyes. There — he'll see her fingertips are stained, almost as if by ink, dyed varying hues of purple and black. ]

Don't get worried — I'm alright. [ She reaches out a hand to touch his shoulder, half for stability and half to reassure him — and her hand feels warm for once, more solid and real than before. ] I'm not used to my body just yet...

[ordimame]

[her body.]

[. . . so this is her body, right? the one slumbering within the wisteria tree? not the illusion that had graced their presence for four weeks. it's her. which means. . . her wish. . .]

[with a deep inhale, he reaches out to lay a hand against the one on his shoulder, his concern melting into a bright, earnest smile]

So this-- this was it? Your wish?

and yingying, who did NOT die

[gamboler]

[ He may not be knitting his brow, but his gaze is lingering, because...yes, it's really her, in a true, physical form. Not only to their wishes truly work, but it's offered Yingying something that a few scant weeks ago, she wouldn't even entertain for herself. At last, she has the chance to live for herself, in her own skin and bone, and in the end...that's all he ever wanted for her. For them both, really.

With a breathless sort of chuckle, his smile irrepressible: ]

Well, that's a relief! Because I have something for you, you know, since you've manifested the impossible for yourself.

[ From behind his back, he's pulling out the stuffed rabbit that Yingying had made during their visit to Build-a-Bear that he had picked up while likewise traipsing around the house looking for mementos he wanted to be sure not to leave behind. ]

You can take her with you now, yes?

[embellwish]

[ Her expression lights up upon seeing the toy, reaching out her hands to accept it from him. That's right... she thought she'd never see it again. ]

Yes, you're right. [ She hugs the bunny close, tucking it under an arm. ] I couldn't leave Peachy behind.

[ Who is all dressed up in a cute frilly dress that Yingying had picked out during their date. Her dear friend, a sister, someone she had loved with all her heart... a tough girl with a love for cute clothes. The perfect person for a stuffed animal to emulate.

Quietly, almost like a confession: ]

...Thank you, for holding on to her. You haven't forgotten your lucky cat, have you?

[gamboler]

[ At the time when they made their cute little companions, he couldn't have fully understood just what significance her being able to take Peachy with her would hold. Even if Yingying hadn't been able to keep the stuffed animal, he would have, on her behalf. Maybe that's a tad too sentimental of him, but —

Actually, no, he'll accept that overly-sentimental part of himself without critique this time. ]

Not at all. He's safely packed away in my luggage, ready to see the world. And what about you, Miss Yingying? Where will you and Miss Peachy go next, corporeal as you are now?

[ There must be so much that she wants to do and see, denied for so long, but freed at last. That...makes two of them, really. ]

[poans]

[On a summer morning, he meets her for a second time by the wisteria. Beautiful and free . . . Yingying.

Kneeling beside her, he doffs his coat and lays it over her shoulders before reaching out to gently dust off a lock of hair and tuck it behind an ear. There's so much to see, to have the whole image of her seared into his retina, but his gaze lingers on her eyes, his expression one of quietly unfettered joy.]

No . . . but now your feet can take you anywhere you wish. And I shall be there.

[embellwish]

[ Before, it had felt nice to be touched and touch others — but now? The weight of his coat around her shoulders, the gentle brush of his hand in her hair... it all feels that much more tender, that much more real. It's like the first time all over again. ]

Yi Sang...

[ She calls his name quietly, reaching up to tug his coat more securely around her, comforted not only by the warmth, but by the lingering scent, too. She... needed this, needed him at her side, as she came into this world anew, feeling and sensing things she hasn't in a century.

When she turns to meet his eyes, her brows knit upon seeing that unmistakable joy there — and can't help her own tearing up. It's just — overwhelming. The burst of emotion in her chest, and finally feeling the touch of another person again. With a bit of a laugh, giving a valiant effort not to cry: ]

You swear to the moon and stars, right?

[ That he'll be there, just like this. ]

[poans]

[Yi Sang cups her face, recalling her fear of abandonment behind playful remarks and gestures. He remembers the sounds of a crack and broken laughter, and the damning silence on his end. Those are sounds that can't be undone, forever leaving a mark.

His eyes trace the violet stains on her face before flitting back up to hers, glistening with unshed tears. This time, the laughter is one of joy. Hers are the marks of a survivor, who continues to struggle for more. Still, he neither remains quiet nor turns away.]

To the moon and stars . . . and your mothers, who wished above all for your happiness.

[For he is hers—a sentiment he delivers by leaning in and pressing his lips to hers for a slow, lingering kiss now that they've reclaimed their time.]

[phenomerom]

[ He runs into her as she's making her way through the estate slowly gathering her things -- and or a moment, Rom's obviously surprised, visible eye wide as he blinks. He even bothers to voice a soft -- ]

Ah.

[ But okay, that's about all the honest reaction he's permitting himself. Rom resumes his look of placid calm immediately afterward as he ambles a little closer. ]

Miss Yingying. I'd wondered, when I saw the tree in that state ... how are you feeling?

[embellwish]

[ Still getting her bearings, it takes her a moment to lift her head to look at Rom directly, the breeze helping keep her hair out of her face. She catches the faint surprise that he quickly chases away, and her smile turns wry. ]

Eager to interrogate me again?

[ A tease offered with no malice — he's some kind of investigator of the supernatural, right? And the scene before him is anything but normal. It takes some effort, but she shuffles herself back to lean against the — now furled open — trunk. ]

I'm just fine. The Bureau told me being in the wisteria had slowed down time — [ Had prevented her from aging a lot, or more importantly, dying. ] — But I think our wish slowed it down even more. Everything is the same as it was that day.

[ The stain of mania, the ash in her hair, the burns on her clothes, the cracked nails from trying to lift up debris... just as she wished, she has her body back at its earliest point of contamination. ]

[fireball]

[ Poppy, with little sense of personal boundaries or survival instinct when it comes to people she already knows and likes (loves?), just goes straight for a hug. Never mind how different she looks now, more human than ever — it's Yingying. ]

Well, good, because neither am I! We still have so much to talk about. How are you liking the new phone?

[ To her, it's like nothing's changed since she decided to stop being so skittish around her. She still has to get her set up on the internet! Or something. ]

[embellwish]

[ Perhaps uncharacteristically, she stumbles when Poppy barrels into her for a hug, losing some of her usual grace and elegance. Not for a lack of want — as she's quick to wrap her arms back around her companion gently, returning the gesture. It's just the frailty of her body, weak after such a long time in stasis. Perhaps more noticeable to Poppy, though, is the distinct warmth and solidness her body has now, different than the cold, illusory form she'd had previously. ]

Oh, that device? I haven't figured it out yet. [ it just looks like a rectangle to her.... help ] It's for "calling" people, right?

[fireball]

[ Heh, Yingying got nerfed. Not that Poppy minds, because the warmth to her is way better, way more relatable. She'll pull back a little so they can actually look at one another, but she isn't letting go. ]

Yup! You can use it to talk to people in real time, with or without video. Or you can just write messages to people! Like, if you wanted to wish me a good morning but didn't know if I was up yet, you could just write that to me, and then I'd see it when I woke up. It's the perfect way to keep in touch!

[ Yingying please don't be a boomer, just text, ]

[scooptimistic]

Oh, geez--

[ Help, she's hurrying forward to look her over. ]

Is any of this... like, healable? Can I heal you?? I can heal!

[embellwish]

[ Sweet Maya..... Yingying waves a hand as she approaches, her laugh exasperated and weak. ]

They're not quite injuries. [ She holds out a robed arm to her, so Maya can check the state of her hand for herself, if she so wishes. Upon inspection, they don't seem like burns or even bruies — rather, the dark marks seem to have colored the very flesh, like tattoos. The only "injuries" there are to speak of are some of her nails being cracked, holdovers from her efforts to save others when the star had fallen. ] Don't fret — though it may not look it, I'm stable, for now.

[beatmatching]

[ she's one of the few people luka will seek out, even if he's still a ball of nerves at his core. when he spots her his eyes narrow, but her words smooth over his concern. ]

Do you want to fix your hair?

[embellwish]

[ She smiles fondly at him when he catches her eyes, laughing quietly and mostly to herself. ]

Mm... do you have a comb?

[ Very valiantly, she tries to brush her fingers through the strands to get some of the dust and bark out of it, tangles abound. It's so unlike how silky and effortlessly perfect her hair had seemed before, kept glossy and sleek from her illusion. ]