piratejournal | Δ voice + action Δ

Entry tags:

Δ voice + action Δ

[This just hasn't been their week, has it? Link the Elder addresses the network with a heaviness in his throat once again.

But that distinction in his title doesn't actually mean anything anymore, does it?]

I regret to report that as of...

[He has to double check the date.]

today, August sixth, it is confirmed that Link the Younger is no longer with us. As for his fate, I cannot be certain. He just... isn't here.

[Something Link is sure most of the other 'visitors' to this world are well familiar with, by now.]

I wish him the best.

[action]
[Link can be found in the Younger's room, sitting quietly on his hammock with his legs on the floor. He holds the sheathed Master Sword with his hands rested on its pommel, tip supporting it upright against the floor. His head is bowed, almost in prayer.

But Link never prays.

On the floor is a pouch made from a Dondongo's stomach containing five bombs. The Ocarina of Time rests on the desk. This is what's been left behind.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The boy who had become a man. Who he hadn't faced for some time.]

I'm sorry.

[His voice is quiet, almost careful.]

I am not certain if thanks are in order, but... Thank you.

[For his concern, at least.]

You're welcome. It's... all I have to offer, sadly.

[Because there's nothing to be done when someone vanishes.]

Worry not, there is... nothing to be done, really.

I understand. Unfortunately.

He was a good kid. [Even Dog seemed to likr Young Link but Harlock suspected the old pirate had a spof spot for children]

Yes, he is.

[Present tense, because Papa refuses to talk in the past.]

-He wasn't in there alone for very long. In spite of having a living body, her footfalls were still quiet and reserved, the walk of a noble daughter... But there was no form or training in her pose as she sat next to him. She slumped, and sat there in silence. Her eyes... had been closed the entire time.

As if looking at the empty room, as if talking about it... would break the desperate illusion she was clinging to that it just wasn't true. That this was just a nightmare... that things hadn't really gotten worse.-

[Link shifted slightly when Tojiko ghosted into the room. He opened his eyes, lips turned down in a miserable frown as she sat next to him. He knew the value of not speaking, right now.

Tentatively, Link lifted a hand and rested it lightly on her shoulder, a silent offer for simple comfort.]

-The eyes, already closed, pinched. Her shoulders began to shake. No. She didn't want that touch. She didn't want to be reminded it was real. What was intended as comfort felt more like the weight of reality, crushing her. Link, a boy she'd come to be so close to she nearly thought to adopt him as her son, was gone. Futo, her compatriot and beloved companion, was half her self and damaged and lost. Their captain was gone. And home, her prince, her life before all of this, seemed so much further away than it ever had before. There was no hope in her frame as it swelled, only despair...

And she wept. She wept and wept, tears running freely and sobs echoing in the small room. She couldn't handle it anymore. She couldn't be strong...

... And with Link there, she didn't have to be. That's why she felt the liberty to let it all loose. All the frustration and anxiety. All of her longing and sadness. A deep pain that would settle among the others in her long life... and the reality that she no longer could cope with their situation. Not like this.-

[He got the message. Link took his hand back, settling it on the sword's cross-guard. A heavy pain settled in his chest when she began to cry. There were few things he despised in himself more than absolute helplessness.

But what in the world was he supposed to do?

So he sat in silence beside her, barely warding off his own tears for now. No, not while she was here, like this, trusting him with this moment of weakness. Gods knew she desperately needed it.]

-It took her some time to finally calm down, her throat tight and painful, her chest sore. Her eyes felt swollen... but it had passed. The emotions were not gone, but at least she had regained some composure. Enough to thank Link for his patience with a simple gesture... the taking of his hand, and lacing her fingers with his.-

[He was glad, in some sad way, when she reached for his hand. His fingers closed gently around hers. He let the sword rest against his leg to rest his other hand over hers. The Goddess was long gone, and now the boy, but at least he was still here.

Tojiko had endured much, in her life. Link couldn't have known the extent of her sorrow, but he was certain of this much.

He couldn't find any fitting words, right now. So he was silent.]

-What words could be said? It would all feel hollow. Just meaningless platitudes exchanged between them. What spoke far more... was just how comforting it was to be near him at that time. To borrow some of his strength, if only for a small while. To share that profound sadness between them.-

[Itachi is slow to find the right doorway, but he finds it. When he can sense it's occupied, he stands in the doorway so that Link can acknowledge him in his own time.

Still unable to see properly, the ninja keeps his eyes closed and rests a hand on each side of the door frame to help with his sense of space.]

Edited 2014-08-08 06:50 (UTC)

[It isn't long before Link looks up, but when he does, it's with a deep breath to steady himself. There's a small quiver, in his voice.]

Itachi, how goes your recovery?

Slow.

[Aside from his eyes, he's physically fine. That's a fairly big 'aside from' though.

He takes a step in.]

I'm more concerned about you.

[Link's expression softens. It speaks highly of Itachi's character, that he would go out of his way for him now. These past several days have been even harder on him.]

I have lost many to far crueler fates. I will be fine, after a night's mourning. But I thank you deeply for your concern, Itachi.

[His tone is almost painfully sincere.]

Will it be better for him in the world he was returned to?

[A positive thought, if it is.

The ninja takes another couple steps in, ascertains that the floor is clear enough, then takes a seat on his knees.]

I can only hope so. It is where he belongs.

[Though the implications that he was carrying the Master Sword upon his initial return are disconcerting.]

I wish I knew that he could be returned to his original state, though. I... still do not know what happened to his body.

... He is in good health, even so. [That's some small consolation, right?]

We could not affect his future even if we wanted to, I don't think. He's free of anything that could control or affect him here, and that has to be for the best.

Yes, as long as he is free from the grasp of Jones, he is better off.

[Link speaks with a tiny nod. In all of the uncertainty, he at least can believe that.]

He is like you, isn't he? He's a strong boy.

[And determined. He wants to believe he'll be fine as well.]

He is like me in more ways than I think either of us could fully understand.

[That comes out with a small sigh.]

When he appeared to us as a man, he was carrying this.

[Link lifts the Master Sword properly into his hands. It's still in its scabbard.]

I wielded this sword in an era long before his. It has survived all of this time... And simply that he would appear, someone so similar to myself in nature and in appearance... I wish I understood.

[Itachi can't see the sword, and he tilts his head as he hears it hefted. He did see the other Link with it before he vanished, and the elder Link's words soon make questions unnecessary.]

With all the people from various worlds... Is it a possibility that there could be more than one similar to your own, with someone who might have been you under different circumstances?

I know it's strange to think about.

Strange, but not entirely out of the question...

[He frowns, his eyes downcast to the violet hilt.]

Perhaps I am only being selfish, looking for a connection. The boy's very life, should he actually be from the same world, is proof that my death was not in vain. That my people, the Goddess' people, could return to the Surface in a future age.

... Then you should look to it as a positive thing.

If my brother were to return... Well, while it's been pleasant, being able to talk to him here, he has important things to accomplish back in our world. I would like for him to be able to do those things.

[Even if here they can actually be brothers again. If Itachi were to be sent back, he'd have to face years where this wasn't the case.]

Assuming that he indeed has been returned to his proper state, then yes. I definitely see this as a good thing.

[He falls quiet when Itachi mentions his brother.]

This place truly does spoil us, in a way. Giving us our loved ones and some semblance of relative peace when we only know what obligations await us.

Despite everything else this place throws at us. Yes.

[Such as having his mind controlled. Perhaps he's had to deal with that more than some others. It doesn't sit well with him at all, but he's not sure he'd give it up if it meant giving up certain other things as well.]

Hm.

[The ghost of a smile crosses Link's face.]

I have spoken with others who come from much happier places than my own. To them, this might be something approaching hell.

[He eyes the heavy scars surrounding his wrists. Remnants of his years in shackles that have yet to fade.]

That has become my drive, since arriving here. To ensure that they can get home.

I feel much the same. You can count on me to help you with that goal.

[He knows he probably needs to get back in order to set things in motion for his brother's future, but at the same time he feels that Sasuke getting back is more important.]

Thank you, Itachi.

[Link offers a more genuine smile. He may have lost his last living connection to the land he holds most dear, but that doesn't change his goals here.]

...Did you need anything further?

[He's guessing Itachi came in here to make sure he's all right, but he isn't going to assume.]

I didn't need anything to begin with.

[He shakes his head.]

Just wanted to check up on you.

Thank you, then.

[Link stands. After a moment, he rests the scabbard of the sword over his shoulder. He'll be using it, now. He's decided that.]

Care for a drink?

[The ninja nods, standing as well.

It'd be rude to turn the offer down when they're still honoring the memory of another.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Δ voice + action Δ

voice:

voice:

voice:

voice:

voice:

Voice

Voice

[action]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

[action]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject