FINAL TRIAL

[petoskeymods]

FINAL TRIAL

And now, you know the truth. Who's behind everything, and why.

And the question that hangs in the air now is - what's next?

It's noon when you all go down to the firepit, the sun hanging bright in the air. Red is there, seated calmly, watching all of you - and Archer is standing up, looking imposing.

It's time to talk.

CAMPERS REMAINING: 7

((REMEMBER: every living camper needs 15 comments minimum in this post to qualify for 'good end'!))

Comments

[particlebarrier]

[He's quiet for a long moment, frozen in vague disbelief. Sure this is what they've all been working towards, but there's something about this being a physically tangible reality that threatens to be overwhelming in scope. Being able to move and control a body at will, knowing that he's here and not experiencing things through his zombie.....

Then he bolts upright because he has to make sure everyone made it out okay.]

Floe? Boa? Ta--What the heck, did you guys seriously bring us back naked????

[kitchen_witch]

Someone else has noticed!

[Seriously guys]

[particlebarrier]

It's kinda hard not to notice, don't you think?

[PERVS, all of them. Lance scrambles to cover himself up properly and get some real decency going before continuing this conversation!!]

...it's good to see you again, Lil.

[kitchen_witch]

[She smiles slightly - the dress she found was way too big for her, but it'll do for now]

Yes... it's too good to be back, the sun feels so good right now.

[particlebarrier]

It does.

[And he's actually... beaming for once. It's been a while since he's actually smiled like he doesn't really have a care in the world.]

It feels great and you look great, and... man I'm glad we were able to get everyone out. I- I'm just... so relieved.

[homeecspacecop]

You didn't have to go into that body! [Chuuta shoots back, but he's grinning.]

[particlebarrier]

I didn't exactly pick which body to go into, okay?

[So he threw on some clothes and is not totally exposed anymore, but this is weird and embarrassing.]

Seriously, none of you guys thought "oh hey, I've got a smart idea. Let's put some clothes on the gigai" ?

[Yes, he's grump-flailing, but it's at least good natured.]

[homeecspacecop]

No way! What if you got stuck trying to wear Boa's clothes?

[particlebarrier]

At least that'd be some cover?

[And then he pauses -- like he's just remembered something.]

You just wanted to see Floe naked, didn't you?

[finalguard]

[ After the initial confusion clears a little, Boa's gonna make his way over to Lance. ]

I missed having to breathe. Weird as it sounds.

[particlebarrier]

[After the initial confusion clears AND they're both dressed, Lance is just going to give Boa a massive hug.]

I know. I- [oh god.] I can't believe we made it. We're back. We're really back...

[finalguard]

[ That hug is returned. It's probably odd for anyone who only knew them when alive to see how close and natural they are acting with each other, but sometimes being dead just does things to you. ]

I'm so glad... I'm so glad... Hey, Lance? Thanks for everything on the other end.

[ Boa has to get all his niceties out as long as he is still on this emotional high or else it'll all be so much harder to say. ]

[particlebarrier]

....You're actually thanking me, huh?

[...God, he's so happy right now. He's give Boa's hair some friendly ruffles again because happiness is not meant to be contained or subdued.]

Feels like a dream.

[soylentprotag]

Ah. We got distracted by the souls, and everything. And I don't think Ichigo noticed.

[Ichigo was the one who started it??

And then everyone just sort of followed his lead, but at least Mitsuru (small) had the foresight to dump part of the Stan pile of fashion on top of them all. Lenka's going to come over with clothes if they're still needed, or even if they're not needed, since he's probably walking around with a small pile on hand by now while he's talking to people. Just in case.

There's a small grin there, though, equal parts happy and amused.]

Lance. We did it.

[particlebarrier]

[God, Lenka. Lance actually stares at him for a long moment, suspended in momentary disbelief over this because it's just been so long since they've been able to have a proper conversation. There aren't any words right away, instead he's getting this odd look, like he can't decide if he wants to laugh or cry and then Lenka's just getting pulled into a hug. At least it's not a naked hug??]

About time, slackers.

[And then much softer.]

....thanks.

[soylentprotag]

[There's enough staring and odd looks that Lenka's smile goes a little crooked and concerned in response, even if it can't quite go away at this point, but then there are hugs and all is right again. It's funny -- but there's just lots of hugging going on right now and it feels perfectly natural somehow, and not at all like having a coral corpse back you into a corner.

It takes him a brief moment, still, to figure out the hugging back thing, but he does -- slowly puts more strength into it with the general realization that there is someone living there to be held on to. It's an ongoing realization, with these reunions.]

It really felt like a long time. Even though everyone was here. Almost here.

[It's a funny feeling, when you're surrounded by people but not people. It's a feeling that's evaporating the more everyone comes back to themselves, a rising wave of warmth and chatter and life. It's been so, so quiet these last couple of weeks.]

Thank you, too. We couldn't have done it without you. Not like this.

[The dead, he means, but also Lance and everything he'd given them.]

[particlebarrier]

[The hug is tighter than it ought to be. Under different circumstances, had he not been dead for a month and watching the world through a body that he couldn't control anymore, this could've easily just been a light hearted, casual moment. But the affirmation of being real is too reassuring and too needed to let go of Lenka right away.

There's no "bro" posturing or any of the expected kidding around. The last time he could really speak to Lenka was the day of his trial. There's no pressure like that hanging over his head today or tomorrow or... who knows. Perhaps optimism is stil a sentiment that feels too dangerous, but for the moment Lance is still too relieved to care.

He lets go and steps back with a smile.]

Hey, it was a team effort. I won't say that I knew we could do it, but... man, we did it. We really pulled all of that off.

[He laughs, shakily at first.]

How am I ever supposed to get you a birthday present that's matches this one, huh? Like what could I possibly get you that doesn't suck compared to "brought you back to life" in comparison.

[seekingsunrise]

[Eventually extracting himself from the boy pile now equipped with roughly a dozen knives.

Still. Not. Enough.]

Hey... [This... abruptly feels so much more awkward than it did when they were dead.]

You sure you're okay with this?

[particlebarrier]

Hey, Tal.

[Awkward or not, Tal's getting a tight hug because this is what they've been telling each other for weeks would happen and it finally has become a reality, even if it's an oddly bittersweet one.]

I still have time to decide. Red's giving us an hour and half to pick if we want to stay or go back.

[seekingsunrise]

[Lance hugs him and Tal just... melts into it, wrapping his arms around him in return and holding on for all he's worth. A real body, real and solid and impossible and Tal might just tear up a little, sniffle once into Lance's shoulder and squeeze a little harder, loathe to let go.]

No one would blame you... going home, I mean.

[particlebarrier]

[The hug is mutually tight; there's a lot of uncertainty left hanging in the air, not just between them, but for all of them. Where they're headed, what they'll do.]

I know that. I know people would understand whatever choice I make.

[He breathes out.]

But Red doesn't even know that we'll go home for certain. It'd be different if she knew for sure and had clearer answers for me about whether I'd even remember this place. Remember you guys. But as it is... as long as I keep my soul from getting eaten or damaged while I'm here, even if I died later.. I should theoretically be able to go back then. So....

[love_seriously]

[ Hi Lance, have a lapful of Floe. Who is fortunately(???) fully dressed by now. And still laughcrying a bit. ]

[particlebarrier]

[HI FLOE. They're both dressed by now and that's probably for the best?? He just puts his arms around her, hugging her super tightly and putting his head on her shoulder.]

Hey.... feels good to be back, huh?

[love_seriously]

Really good. The best!

[ Hugging him back just as tight, nuzzling into the crook of his neck, absorbing everything about this moment- the warmth of it, the feel of his skin and clothes and hair, all so real, somehow completely unlike how they had felt in the world of the dead. Good to be back, indeed. ]

[particlebarrier]

[He does the same back to Floe, just breathing her in and just enjoying the fact that they're both alive and out of that perpetually foggy ghost camp. No more zombies, no more despairing about how on earth they're escaping literal death, just... this.

And though this has its own issues, for the time being none of them really seem all that insurmountable. They made it through hell, they can make it through anything. Lance is starting to genuinely believe that again.

He kisses her cheek.]

You're the best. I really don't know where I'd be without you.