Party Rock Anthem only it's played on kazoos

[sacrificialpawn]

[Oscar is a practiced master at Coping (tm) in the face of things he would prefer not to address in any sort of healthy or rational manner. After the events of yesterday, he's somehow getting the feeling that he isn't the only one, which means that in his mind there is only one thing to do: this translates to yet another Walmart booze heist (even larger than the original), a few side trips to amass snacks because RIP his kitchen, and some haphazardly erected decorations in one of the spare rooms to try to at least give off something of a celebratory atmosphere... but let's be real here, this is just Misery x CPR x Reese's Puffs + alcohol.

Sunday morning will find handwritten notes tucked under everyone's doors inviting them to a party that evening, snacks and drinks (that particular word underlined a couple of times, just in case people didn't pick up on the meaning of "party") provided gratis.

There's alcohol, there's soda for the minors, there's plenty of junk food to eat, and there are a whole bunch of other people who are also Going Through It. What better recipe for a party could you ask for?

... don't answer that.]

Comments

[crosswired]

...There is nothing to feel sorry for, my friend.

It was not a role I asked for, true. Far from it. But it is one I have come to accept as best I can, in time.

I am glad you consider it a striking change, at least. I will try to enjoy it, while it lasts.

[tworo]

[Turo's visibly taken off-guard for a moment. Are they friends?]

Oh - oh, so it can be reversed?

[crosswired]

[He shakes his head.]

No.

[A beat, and he downs more of his drink.]

Once a Matoran changes, they cannot go back. And once a Toa's destiny has finished or their power is lost, they will change again - into a Turaga, which they will stay for the rest of their days.

[Another exhale, and he just. Finishes off the glass. Might as well.]

That is likely to happen to me as soon as I return home.

[tworo]

...what does that mean?

[He doesn't know any of those words! It doesn't sound entirely unlike evolution: a one-way transformation, with clear steps and an end point. But evolution doesn't happen by the will of some spirit. Pokemon cannot evolve at all unless they're willing. At least, not by any ethical means - the last people he knows of who tried caused a massive Gyarados rampage.]

[crosswired]

Mm... [He has to think about it. The alcohol has him both open and getting slightly broody, so pardon if he looks a little forlorn as he continues.]

I was turned into this form - into a Toa - to fulfill a role beyond myself.

That role was always to rescue my people. Which we have done - myself, and my team - at great cost. Our city has been completely destroyed and our entire population rendered comatose. Their memories will wipe as soon as they wake. We have evacuated all of them, but we cannot force their reawakening without risking their lives.

The only way to free them safely is at the sacrifice of the power we have been given. And that is what we will do, when I am reunited with them.

I will trade my role of a hero for that of an elder, of a Turaga. I will lose all power I have, and will try to rebuild what we have left from scratch, so that our people continue to have a future.

[tworo]

...I see.

[He thinks he does, more or less. Strange that the final stage should be a loss of power.]

But...this isn't how your people usually grow and age? It's just something that was forced onto you?

[crosswired]

[A nod, as he reaches for whatever whiskey supply is floating around here to top off his glass.]

It is a matter of destiny, not of age.

Most of our kind will stay Matoran forever.

[tworo]

...oh.

[What...is he supposed to say? What do people say to things like that?]

I am sorry. That...does not seem right.

[crosswired]

There is no need for that.

Many Toa before me have been lost before they could have this chance, and Toa after me may face the same decision. Some will get thousands of years to spend as a hero. Some, only a few.

[He lifts his glass towards Turo as in a toast, a little shakily.]

I will have to find my peace with it.

For now, I am what I am. I am here to don my Toa armor for those in need. It will be as good a send off as anything.

[tworo]

[.....oh. Turo doesn't have a drink of his own, naturally. He looks at the glass and just sort of...nods awkwardly.]

Of course. Very well, then.

[It seems sad, but he guesses there's no point in saying anything further.]

[reallyfishy]

[He doesn’t want to interrupt Vakama’s conversation with Turo, but Raven is definitely hearing all of this.

It truly seems like Vakama’s going to have big responsibilities no matter what, huh…]

[crosswired]

[Destiny sure makes interesting plans to change one's life for the rest of eternity.

The least he can do now is approach his last moments as a Toa with his head held high.]