killerwaves | .GRAVEYARD

.GRAVEYARD

GARDEN OF AVALON

[🎵]

There is a moment of silence. That is all there is, following the end one meets, but it is wrong to say that nothing else proceeds afterward. Indeed, upon the deceased opening their eyes, there's a feeling like settling into a body that has not yet crossed over, and an undeniable bright scene in front of them.

Is it heaven? Is it purgatory? These are the questions that may unfurl when faced with a bright, vibrant sky with pleasant colors, and soft clouds. Alongside this pleasing sight are picturesque rivers, running around fields of flowers mixed with lively greenery that seems to extend to distances behind one's comprehension. But, make no mistake—there are large trees dotted here or there, where someone might feel compelled to lie under given how welcoming they look.

Perhaps most striking, however, is the floating tower, that seems currently unreachable no matter how close anyone nears it. Does it need to be blocked off with an invisible shield? Honestly, no. But nobody knows that, and maybe no one will figure it out either, despite how many times they will ask who frequents it...who so happens to be standing outside of it, but also nearby. Huh.

Who's that? Well, that's—

Merlin, Mage of Flowers
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What a shock, isn't it? To see someone like Merlin so soon. Yet, he hardly seems perturbed, as he says, "Oh, so you've come! What a terrible fate you've been met with. But, don't worry, there's plenty of things to keep you occupied with.

What do I mean by that, you ask? I mean yourselves, of course! And, yes, by the way, you're still dead. So sorry about that. If you need anything, though, just call my name and I'll be there."

Beat. "Probably."

Then he disappears helpfully in a flurry of petals, not even saying where this is. Wow, helpful, isn't he? But, you have more than enough time to explore, at least. And hey, where did that random shack come from far off in the distance? If one goes in, they'll find a random bookcase inside, filled to the brim with fairytales that automatically replenishes if all books have been read with new ones. In addition, there's a random 'fan magazine' of the super popular idol Magi☆Mari; a beautiful white-haired young woman with purple eyes. Huh, why does she look familiar?

...Anyway, at least this will all keep one occupied.

As a side note, off to the distance are a a massive gathering of trees, but whenever one tries to approach them they can't seem to actually get close. How obnoxious! Looks like you'll have to just continue to admire your surroundings of pink flowers, one or two solitary trees, rivers, and other flora for miles on end.

As of 'Week 3', there is now an additional, cutesy shed in the Garden of Avalon that can be accessed for arts and crafts materials. Sewing kits, canvasses, painting materials, paper, you name it! There also is a shelf full of lube as well, for your needs. They will have a hint of a flower scent.

As of 'Week 4', the forest is glowing and can at some point be entered for funtimes.

By 'Final Week', there is a small little cottage of some sort that has appeared, which is ridiculously more spacious once walked into. It appears to be like a little free-for-all clothing store, except everything is free of charge. The styles range from cutesy pink, stylish, fancy, and to even towards the gothic side of things...but also there is a spot filled with make-up and the like! Do you want to look pretty in death? No worries, you too can shine here as well with beauty products found along the shelves, and of course mirrors alongside changing rooms for your convenience.

There are also knitting tools, for those wanting to really step up their skills.

Additionally, in this large 'cottage', there are private changing rooms with mirrors and a plush long seat to sit down if you want to for whatever reason. The doors lock once someone is inside and the door is closed.

Lastly, for those feeling 'adventurous', they would also happen to find costumes. Sexy ones, likes nurses, maids, and the like, but also silly 'scary' ones like a t-rex and a sheet ghost.

The forest has also stopped glowing, and upon entering it give you view to a beautiful lake surrounded by trees (sans mist.) The sky is still a fantastical color, and taking a soak at any time is possible.

However, on the other side of the forest, is a field of beautiful blue flowers, and a perpetually midnight sky.

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[He wakes up to beauty, and it feels like his heart has fallen to the depths of the dark ocean.]

[Vergilius dimly stares ahead as he sits here in the midst of flowers, staring at nothing, everything. He doesn't know what to feel.]

[....Well, maybe the thought of "I don't deserve this" comes to mind.]

[So he sits, like the old husk he is.]

[ How strange it is to see a man all decked in black and appearing so gloomy in a place like this...or perhaps, it adds color to it?

It is hard to tell, but given the small number of people, he appears out of nowhere again. ]

Hmmm, death really isn't easy on anyone, is it?

[ Tilting his head at gloom and doom as he sits there. ]

Was this what you were expecting?

No.

[His scarred, veined hands reach up, finding his face, before sliding back into his hair. It's a slow, but fretful gesture, something a little lost in his eyes.]

I was expecting something cold.

Well, fortunately, or unfortunately for you, I'm not very fond of the cold!

[ Merlin is very interested to see what the others who "show up" here deal with their current situation in the next weeks.

Like this, he has settled back into a sort of more observatory role. ]

You won't find anything along those lines either. But, you'll have enough time to think about it. If you're an avid reader, you probably won't mind things much either.

[ And he is sure Verg will have his hands full with Lobelia. Despite what he witnessed in the trial and his thoughts, he can't help but think in the end that kind of (twisted) devotion is something worth watching. ]

...

[He finally looks up at Merlin with dull eyes, something unreadable in his expression.]

You...made this? How? You died.

You're right in that I died.

Which means, I came back here.

[ 'Here' being the Garden of Avalon, is the implication. ]

Even before I arrived, it was like this. But because I have been here for so long, you can say I can do a lot with this kind of place with my magic~

Huh.

[Huh.]

.........Why are we here, then? So you can play with us in your garden?

I mean, I could let you play in my garden for ages on end, but that's kind of boring.

[ But, to kind of work towards answering the question in the slightly roundabout way Merlin is (in)famous for, he continues along, actually kind of getting a bit to the point... ]

Think of it as a temporary stopgap. Instead of being furthered along to oblivion and your bodies as well as yours souls being harvested by those so-called hosts for whatever they want, I made a temporary spell to funnel you guys to here.

It was hard work to do much of anything, with that odd 'interference' they had around those islands. I'm sure you've seen it, right? That distortion.

[...Huh. Harvesting. Something passes in his eyes, like a shadow. The sight of gems seems to be out of the corner of his vision. He blinks. It goes away.]

So...you're saving us from that. Dying is "good"?

Mhm, definitely a matter of saving here. Better this than that!

[ ...After what happened to him, what qualms is he to have? It's a simple choice, really. ]

As for whether dying is good or not...I think that depends. Whether or not it is something bad or good. Whether it's something you hate or love...that, ultimately, is something an answer you will find. Maybe even while you're here.

But, I don't think you've reached an ending just yet. So, consider it as something to mull over on your own time.

If you do reach an answer, by the end of this, I'd like to hear it. Maybe you'll even surprise yourself!

[He aims a scathing look at the man.]

If this isn't an end, I'm not staying here. [Charon...Garnet............he finds that stirring conviction Lobelia had once complimented him on - it's always been here.] I have to move on. I'm not participating in your foolish thought experiment.

[ At that, he just ends up laughing. It's light, like the usual ones that he has. ]

I won't stop you from doing that, of course!

But, for now...you're just going to have to wait a bit on that. When it's time for everyone to move on, you'll be able to choose that in your own way.

[ It's always interesting, seeing the reactions of the people he's met here indeed. ]

Ergh.

[A groan, a sigh. He casts his fraying stare out in this almost vapidly beautiful place of flowers.]

What do you even mean by that? Don't go dangling carrots in front of sticks, here.

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cw gore...........

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