The End.

[awashmods]

If wishes were horses, beggars would ride. If turnips were watches, I'd wear one by my side. If "if's" and "and's" were pots and pans, There'd be no work for tinkers' hands.

nce upon a time... There was a Town. And in this Town, there were many brave people who worked together to return color to its walls, its trees, its life. For many, many months they toiled, and in the end, they were able to avoid the pitfalls of those who had come before, and save not only themselves, but a Town that had originally borne no connection to them. And in the end, they were given the opportunity to write out the ending to their own tale. Two wrote into existence doors, leading back to the homes of these brave people. One wrote keys, another the way to find them. Another purified and protected the fairy tale, keeping it safe from evil. One found herself holding a multitude of pastries, and was delighted. Two worked together to find a way to access another, blue dimension that had always been a part of their lives, and two more focused on making certain that memories could be retained or forgotten by the wishes of the townsfolk -- in the form of red and blue pills. Yet another wrote to give courage to everyone who remained. Others thought more personally. Two chose to make certain that they could follow their loves home. One chose to remember all he had learned in the Town, to carry those lessons back home. And the Town itself was not forgotten. One chose to keep supplies generating in the Town, and another to keep a cafe there running for those who remained after. Another wrote to make certain that any that came after would remember the sacrifices, heroism and efforts of everyone in the Town. Another summoned a grandiose place that would remain no matter what, a place of refuge for any who might wander into the Town. And so the end came, and with keys in hand, the doors to their homes opened, and those who were in the Town were granted the choice -- to return home, or remain. They looked deep inside of themselves, knowing that such a decision could come only from the heart, and one by one, made their choices. The Town was left as it was, colorful and bright and vibrant, but empty of all but those who chose to stay. And the others...? They returned home, standing tall, new hardships conquered, and ready to face their own struggles in their own worlds. THE END Thank you for sticking with us to the end, everyone! We hope you've had a good time -- and that you're satisfied with the outcome of this story. If there are any questions, please ask them here. A final, proper farewell from the mods can be found here. Thank you!

Comments

[espritdecorpse]

Hmmm...

[ He taps his chin. He's got to meet up with Lan Zhan first, and then there's that business with the cursed arm, which might take a little while to sort out. ]

Three months! Three months sounds about right. I know you'll be missing me after three days, but try to hang on, hahahaha!

[wooden_one]

Three months, then. If something comes up and I cannot make it, I will leave a message for you here.

[As for missing him in three days....as if! And even if it did happen he wouldn't admit it!]

[espritdecorpse]

If something comes up! If you cannot make it?!

[ He reaches up, to pinch Chu Wanning's cheek. ]

You're already dreaming up excuses!

[wooden_one]

[Normally, he'd scowl from getting his cheek pinched because how dare!

But while that's how he'd normally feel about this, the words bring about an entirely different reaction.

Instead if being mad, he almost looks..frantic.]

That's not it. I just...there's a lot going on right now.

[espritdecorpse]

[ He grins, finally letting his hand drop. Being able to pinch the man's cheek, being allowed to do it is already something. His itchy fingers had wanted to pinch the man's childish form, so he's delighted to be able to do it now. ]

A lot going on. Yeah.

[ He rubs at the back of his head. ]

I forgot all about everything back home, when I got here. It was so easy. But I suppose we all have other lives to get back to.

[wooden_one]

[It would have been less embarrassing if he'd just done it when he was a child, really.

He frowned.]

...just because we have to get back to it doesn't mean we can't meet again. I-- [And this part was the hard part, but...at least he knows the feelings are mutual.] I'm glad I met you. I want to meet you again. Even if I can't make it in three months time I will definitely return. I swear it.

[espritdecorpse]

[ When Chu Wanning says, "I'm glad I met you," his impish grin transforms into a smile that shines like sunshine, lighting up his whole face. And then, because he's really drunk, enormous tears well up in his eyes and stream down. It's a sunshower. ]

I'm so glad I met you! I swear we'll meet again, I swear it tooooo!

[ You're getting a big, sloppy hug from this drunkard, you prickly little guy. ]

[wooden_one]

[The smile makes his heart stutter. The tears make him panic because WHY ARE YOU CRYING!?

And then he's getting hugged and he stiffens.]

You--! What do you think you're doing!? [He flails a little because what...is he supposed to do? Push him away? H-hug him back?]