Yes, I'll meet you coming back when the universe has expanded

[azumods]

[Mars' chains had faded away as soon as the chains on Palkia had shattered, that unnatural red glow leaving her eyes; she doesn't stumble, to her credit, and seems to be trying to resist the urge to flinch or anything, but she's...not precisely looking too hot, either. Not like she's going to faint or anything, just like she's been through A Lot.

Jupiter is staying near her for the time being; ultimately, she's the one that addresses you.]

You guys can stay here if you want. Or don't, I don't care enough to insist. But we've got food and beds that probably beat the Center's, at least.

We'll be around, either way. Since I doubt you guys are just going to leave us alone after all that. Do what you want.


[OOC: Consider this a log to cover both any afterparty whatnot you want to get up to, as well as something to carry over into Sunday! Both Jupiter and Mars will be available for NPC threads on this particular log, should they be desired.]

Comments

[anythingforyou]

[...Gods, there's something to be said for just how much these encounters take out of her; first there was everything that the cave decided to be, and then there was Mars, and Ignis, and everything was just. Stressful as hell. And Camilla's used to stress. That's not even touching upon the fact she'd tried to show some actual decency towards an enemy for once, and she's...really not sure if she's cut out for it. She really can't help but feel like she's gone back on everything she knows, and it's...a mess.

...It's at least good that they all survived, if nothing else.

She's actually going to be spending a lot of time in the Kitchen, having taken over for Ignis for a while he's conked out; she's making just about anything she can, honestly, so if you got a specific request, she'll hear it. Even if she seems honestly really out of it; she'll be better when she's addressed, but one may probably see her just kind of staring deeply into whatever she's cutting up, or into space while she stirs some stuff. Either way, it's. A mess, but she's got work to do. It's something.

Camilla does wind up bringing meals to Jupiter and Mars, as well, should they need anything to eat. It's only fair, after all, and she can't really say she minds either of them too much. Though she suspects the feeling is likely not mutual.

It's later in the night that Camilla can be found on Route 205, with most of her Pokemon out with her on that bridge. It's definitely a somber mood tonight, and Camilla is absolutely just holding Altena and Haar very closely while they cuddle on up to her. It's...honestly, just really nice out tonight, and the air is good for all of them. Even the ones who are playing on the bridge, chasing one another around.]

...We really do have such hideous amounts of determination, don't we. [It isn't stated to anyone in particular, though if anyone's nearby, they might hear her.] We cut it so close, each and every time. It's worrying, isn't it.

[There's a lot on her mind, to say the least.

She'll probably be in the kitchen again come Sunday, as well, just kind of keeping a general rhythm of cooking for everyone. She'll be a little more mentally there, then, at least.]

Route 205

[takestheblame]

It's fitting, in some strange manner.

[Because hey, it's like a strange, heroic tale]

[anythingforyou]

[Oh, hey Kiryu. Camilla looks up at him a bit.]

...I suppose it does, if we're attempting to be heroes or something similar. But... [...] Sometimes, I do wonder if it will be enough. Mars did have a point when she said that much. If determination is all we have against him...

[They really do need more than that, don't they?]

Do you think it'll work, Kiryu?

[takestheblame]

We have to make it work. There's no alternative.

[Kiryu has gone against his clan and against particularly corrupt people with nothing more than a lot of determination ans his fists. He's sure they do have the possibility to make this work, even if Cyrus is a bigger opponent than everything he's used to until now]

[azumods]

[Jupiter is...currently leaving Mars alone for the time being, seeing as she's got a lot to think about and she wants to consider exactly none of it, so here we are; she usually at least tries to act like someone who has her shit together, but she doesn't exactly have her shit together right now so she's just...off in one of the side rooms, sitting on the floor near the wall with her legs drawn up and her arms folded on top of her knees, head down. She does seem to hear Camilla coming, though she doesn't jump up or try to act dignified, she just kind of looks up and uncurls herself a bit because might as well, honestly.]

Oh, come on, you didn't have to go and do that.

[The...cooking and stuff. Either way, it doesn't sound truly agitated; half-joking, maybe, but there's a definite undercurrent of "why" to the words as well.]

[anythingforyou]

[...Somehow, she feels like she should have expected that--it's still a real goddamn experience, trying to actually be halfway decent to someone she doesn't. Necessarily agree with, but lord knows she's trying. And if nothing else, she doesn't appear to be too daunted, despite everything that's just happened.]

I wanted to, you know. It'd be incredibly rude if I just made something for the others and for neither of you, wouldn't it? It's basic decency, really.

[She almost huffs a bit, but it's not serious either. She'll pass down the plate to her--she's not exactly sure what Jupiter likes, really, but she decided to go with something she was confident in. Hope you like sweets, Jupiter, because it's a tart.]

[azumods]

[Huh.]

Oh, wow. It's actually been a while since I actually had anything like this? I can't bake to save my life, and we're usually pretty big on the health stuff around here. I'm not about all the weird vegan shit Saturn's doing, but you get the idea.

[Like, they have the stuff to make it and all, but she usually doesn't? That said, she doesn't seem to be complaining at all, either, given how easily she accepts it.]

Thanks, though.

Route 205

[bloodspent]

[Hey, Camilla.

Jake's got Albert out with him tonight, just because it seemed like a good night for it now that he's not going to be terrified by the...world, let's be real, he hadn't been taking the spatial distortions too well - anyway, he'll join her pretty easily if he's allowed, seeming a lot less worked up than he usually is after these things.]

You know, I'm not going to say we aren't dumb as hell, but sometimes all you've got to do is refuse to die when everyone really wants you to.

[anythingforyou]

[Like she'd ever try to tell him he couldn't join her, good god.

Camilla actually perks up a bit when she sees Jake and Albert, smiling at both of them; Haar and Altena look at them to, both at least acknowledging them before going back to focusing on cuddling the shit out of Camilla.]

...You know, that is a rather excellent point. Despite everything that's happened, we're all still standing...

[She eases a little bit, when she says that much; it's kind of a reminder, if anything.]

We've got that much down to a fine art, at this point. Perhaps it really is that refusal that'll continue to see us through.

[bloodspent]

We're pretty good at being stubborn, if nothing else.

[He'll sit down, then, and then there's seventy-five pounds of vines crawling into his lap because this is just kind of what Albert does with himself.]

You doing okay after all that? It was kind of a lot.

[azumods]

[Like Jupiter, Mars has retreated to a smaller room with a window overlooking the city. She's staring rather intently out said window, her chin propped on her hand. She's apparently had time to fix her hair and otherwise she's looking a lot calmer than she was earlier. Still wound-up, sure, but not like she's going to start shrieking again.

She'll look up when she hears you at the door.]

Oh, hi. You didn't make that for me, did you?

[She tips her head a bit to indicate the food.]

[anythingforyou]

[...Okay, Camilla chuckles at that.]

What did you think I was going to do, eat this in front of you? [It's clearly joking, the tart staying steady on the plate as she keeps walking and offers it out.] This is for you, yes. I figured you might need something to eat, after all of that. If you'd like, of course.

[azumods]

At this point, I wouldn't be surprised.

[It's clearly joking though, and Mars will take the plate when it's offered to her. The tart is the first thing she's eating because that looks delicious.]

Thanks. I figured I'd get something when everyone was out of the kitchen. You didn't have to go to all this trouble for me.

[She looks sort of pleased though. Hey look, she actually can smile without baring her teeth!]

kitchen

[fatalstrikes]

[Usually Yuri vanishes after all the stress of these big meetings and deity-encounters. Today's a little different though, because he noticed that Ignis fell asleep, so... Well. Here he is in the kitchen, looking like he totally belongs here. He's even got his hair tied up! He is ready to help.]

Figured you could use an extra hand if you're going to cook for everyone.

[You've probably seen him in the kitchen before, he doesn't usually prepare meals for everyone, but if someone's around while he's cooking, he'll always offer to make them something. He's pretty good at it! He doesn't mind this sort of thing, and really, it looks like Camilla could use some assistance since she seems a little out of it.]

[anythingforyou]

[Camilla looks over to Yuri when he comes in, clearly not having expected him--but boy, does she seem very pleased to hear those words, her expression brightening in an instant.]

Oh, Yuri, thank you. You're an absolute godsend.

[She hasn't actually gotten started on anything in particular yet, though it does look like she's got some vegetables out and a couple pots and the like--if Yuri wants to get started on something, he's absolutely free to.]

Poor Ignis was so tired out after today's events, so I thought to take the mantle all upon myself...but truly, thank you. I'm sure that they'll all love what you can make!

[fatalstrikes]

Hey, no problem. I figure you guys had a pretty tough time, looks like you all went through hell.

[...]

Literal hell, with all the ashes and... I'm not trying to say you guys look bad or anything.

[oh my god yuri just stop before you hurt yourself]

Uh. Anyway, yeah, it's no problem; I've always liked cooking, but you guys usually handle things just fine without any help.

[He'll go ahead and get started on whatever you need him to do, lead the way, boss!]

Kitchen

[eudaimonikos]

Oh, holy shit.

[Michael's voice is hushed, and he's stepping carefully as he creeps over to look at the sleeping Ignis.]

I almost feel obligated to draw on his face or something. Probably get my wrist broken.

[anythingforyou]

[--Goddammit Michael, she actually chuckles a bit at that.]

You absolutely would if you tried. I'm pretty sure the man has a sixth sense about him, and you'd wind up going through a wall in the process.

[Okay maybe he wouldn't be that extreme about it but this is Ignis we're talking about here.]

[eudaimonikos]

Apparently he can't hear cat footsteps!

[CAT JANET SECRET MISSION GO?]

route 205

[thunderwolf]

[Eustace is out with Pup and Bolt to get some fresh air and decompress. It's a lot nicer out here without the distortions, that's for sure.

They come across Camilla on their walk, and Eustace decides to stop and talk if Camilla's up for it.]

A victory is a victory. [...he exhales sharply, because though that may be, he'd be lying if he said he wasn't exhausted by it anyway.] It'd be nice to not have to claw our way through every encounter...but I'm not sure I'd call it worrying. We've been up against a lot of powerful primal beasts unarmed, and we're still alive somehow.

[He means the Legendary Pokemon, but he can't help but call them primal beasts. It's exactly what they'd be in his world.]

[anythingforyou]

[Eustace's response manages to surprise Camilla a bit, out of her own head. It actually does make her look to him and smile a bit at that. He does have a point, after all; they've made it through some of the weirdest fucking shit this world has to offer.

Either way, he's free to join her if he wants; she's not opposed.]

I'm pretty sure that's solely due to moxie, at this point. But that doesn't mean that it shouldn't go uncredited; we keep clawing our way back up, slow but sure, and it is incredible that we've managed this much.

[...]

I suppose it simply worries me, now that the real last thing we have standing before us is...

[Well, Cyrus.]

[thunderwolf]

[He'll go ahead and lean against whatever's nearest, then. Bolt and Pup stay nearby, but they're entertaining themselves by watching Camilla's Pokemon run around.]

...Yeah.

[That's true. He can't fault her for worrying a bit when it comes to Cyrus. After all, the one remaining Legendary at his call is the most important one. The Creator...and the cause of the resets.]

No doubt that talking to him is going to be the most difficult part...but I have to think he's not going to be able to pull off what he did before as easily this time. We have a lot more allies this time.

[Talking to and freeing all of these deities had to count for something. It all has to have been worth it.]

So...I think we'll have more time, at least.

Route 205

[enjoymyatelier]

[...you know, he needs some fresh air after all of that, and... um...]

I do have to say that at this point, it almost feels like we're either going to get through this whole thing without a scratch or we're going to trip at the finish line.

[anythingforyou]

[...Kayneth, you fucking get her.]

We do tend to be exceedingly high rollers like that, don't we? Really, I'd hardly call the reset we had to make our way through not a scratch, but...we have come out of this pretty well. It really is going to be all or nothing.

[enjoymyatelier]

Well, I'm sure we all received a lot of mental scars from that, but physically we were unharmed when we were supposed to be completely erased from existence. That's... something.