[Link smiles up at Akira, who's looking as massive as ever. Link looks the same as ever, with no indication that he spent a month turned to stone, except for maybe the tired, depressed edge to his smile.
As they walk towards the bath house, Link doesn't offer much conversation, choosing instead to listen to politely to whatever Akira wanted to talk about. It's not until they're undressing and getting ready to get into the onsen that he hesitantly broaches a heavier topic than food or the weather.]
Hey, so... [he folds his tunic neatly and sets it next to his equipment.] Have you been on your console today? Did you see the new quests?
Yeah... I wonder why they're so strange this time. And with those dragons last month, maybe they just want us to suffer all of a sudden.
[Forgoing a towel, Link walks barefoot to the bath and steps inside. The water is wonderfully hot on his skin. He doesn't feel dirty, but he technically hasn't bathed in a month.
As he slides in up to his collarbones, he sighs and rests his head back on the bath's edge. It's the kind of deep, heavy sigh that someone makes unconsciously when swarmed with stress and sadness.]
That, and the forest must be angry. One of the guardians was killed.
[And Akira doesn't regret it, whether it incurred the wrath of the forest or not. They can deal with it.
He joins Link after him, leaving the towel by the water's edge and sliding in, letting out a groan of relief. The onsen is so instantly relaxing, though Link still seems more than a little stressed.]
[He opens his eyes to smile at Akira apologetically. As he speaks, he reaches back to let his hair down.]
I don't know. Maybe not. I... I guess I'm a little shaken up by being turned to stone. I don't know why they bothered turning me back. This place kept going, even without me here.
[Link can hear the concern in his voice. He wonders if he should get into this with Akira. He doesn't want to complain, or even demand his ear, if he doesn't want to lend it. And he knows he ought to be stronger than this, but right now... he just doesn't feel that way.]
No, no... not that.
[He pauses, staring into the clear, hot water in front of him.]
I don't... serve any purpose here. Zelda is gone, and I'm away from home. I don't know what I'm expected to do in a place like this. And I wasn't even needed to fight back a threat on the town, so...
[A lot of people feel the same way he does. Cut adrift from their friends and family, as well as their purpose. But he doubts telling Link as much, that everyone is in the same boat, will help him feel any better.]
All any of us can really do is help each other, and work on quests and solving the mysteries of the town to help us get home. So if there's anything I can do to help you out, just say the word.
[Link shakes his head and sighs. At the moment, he doesn't know what to ask Akira to do for him - or, whether to ask.]
I don't think there's anything that can be done. Before I came here, I lived to free Zelda... then I came here, and she was here, and at least then I could keep protect her. But now she's gone and she's safe. So, I don't... I don't know what to do.
[hesitates, and then:] It's like I have nothing to live for. How do other people go on without any sense of purpose? I'm jealous. Was there ever a time I was like that?
[He knows he's starting to ramble, and Link isn't one to pour out his emotions to another person, but between the bath and his long time away and Akira's gentle tone of voice, it's spilling out of him now.]
Maybe in my old life, before I died, but... I'm not really that person anymore either, so...
[Akira sits up, finding the relaxing soak in the onsen to be not as relaxing as he'd hoped. He can tell just how lost Link is, and he's not sure what he can say or do that will help. There's a lot he doesn't know, and asking too many questions might make things more painful. Questions about Zelda, or how he died, or his purpose back home.
Then he thinks back to what Link mentioned before, about the quests...]
One of the quests involves giving away something important, right? I can't give you back your purpose, but maybe I can take away something important to you that will help.
[Blinking, he looks up at Akira. The quest... he takes a moment, trying to remember its exact words. Then, he stops himself, suddenly aware that he's even considering Akira's proposal.]
Wouldn't that... be cowardly...?
[His brow furrows, but this time, he doesn't look away from his friend. It's not right for him to turn his back on the way he's feeling right now, is it? And yet, the idea of being free from all his sorrow is still so enticing.]
I can't ask you to do that...
[But even as he says that, it feels more like an obligatory platitude. He can't "ask" him, but he'd accept that kind of help if Akira is offering it.]
It's your choice, Link. But I don't think there's anything cowardly about asking for help.
[Akira sits back again, closing his eyes. He's so used to carrying around the sadness of others, what's the harm in taking on a little more, if it will make things easier for someone else? That's how he looks at it.]
[There isn't anything cowardly about asking for help. How many times had he reassured Princess Zelda with precisely the same sentiment?
Link stares into the steaming water. He's going to ask Akira for help. It makes him feel guilty and he's already mourning the downsides, but... he does feel like he could use some help right now.
When he speaks again, his eyes look misty.]
When I first arrived and went to see Zelda, she hugged me. When she did that, I felt... I felt so happy. She was so warm. I still feel a little happy now, too, when I think about it, but...
[But now it's mostly just sadness. This place would be a lot more tolerable if Zelda were still here, still willing to have a real relationship with him for the first time, still anchoring him to his past.]
The quest said someone could take memories, right? I don't know how it works, but it's the only thing that might help me.
[Akira can feel a lump in his throat. He can feel himself getting upset already for Link's sake, and they haven't even followed through on the idea. Still, he nods.]
If taking away some of your memories of her would help, I can do it. [How, on the other hand, is a separate issue.] Maybe just... touch me and focus on the ones you want to give away?
[It can't be too hard to figure out. If the town really wants them to do the quest, it should easily be possible.]
[It's worth a try, at least. He doesn't know how else to get it to work.
He pushes himself through the water to close the space between them. Not wanting to invade his personal space any more than he has to, he lifts his hand out of the water for him to take, instead of attempting to feel around beneath the water.]
Alright. I'll try.
[He closes his eyes and tries to do as Akira suggested. Zelda. Zelda, here in this strange place, for months before Link ever arrived. The way she cried and smiled and hugged him when she saw him for the first time here, the meals together, the awkward looks of longing they'd aim at each other when the other didn't see to be looking, their New Year's wishes.
Getting rid of these memories is so cowardly and he knows it. They're precious memories, even if they're sad. But this allows him to convince himself that he has to get back to Hyrule for Zelda's sake, he'll have a goal again. There will be some purpose to all this borrowed time that he never deserved.]
[Akira takes his hand as Link offers his, and he closes his eyes. Perhaps it's the magic of the town, but almost instantly, Akira is flooded with those memories from Link. Though he did not know Zelda well himself, he knew she was influential in the defence force, and a leader of sorts for the townpeople to look up to, as Guren had been.
But this perspective -- Link's perspective -- it's entirely different. Their bond is so precious, he can see how it's been hurting Link ever since she left. He squeezes his hand, and when he opens his eyes, there are silent tears rolling down his face.
[ as many times as people have told her to not go into the forest alone, Mami doesn't have much of a choice. she can't reasonably ask people to risk their lives for her sake - while she wants to protect people by eradicating as much danger from the area as possible as it begins to enclose on the town, she also needs the grief seeds they drop to replenish her magic. to ask for assistance from someone that isn't a magical girl themselves is getting outsiders needlessly involved. she's fought alone before, and will simply continue to do so.
even if she's been feeling weaker these past few days, even if it feels like all of this is futile... it needs to be done. it's her duty.
today, however, it doesn't seem like she's alone among the trees. she initially believes it to be a prowling monster that she hears, but upon getting closer she sees that it's a young man. she stays hidden among the branches to silently observe, waiting to see what he's doing. ]
yes hello! lets hella boomerang this tonight if ur down
[Link is aware of the change he's undergone in the past few days, but that doesn't mean he fully appreciates it. And how could he? When you become emotionally numb and flat, it's hard to be upset about it.
The only thing he can feel anymore is sadness. This he's certain of, because he's hit with a bout of it suddenly in the forest. Furrowing his brow, he looks up at the tree beside him and sees the only possible culprit: a bell, hanging from one branch.
He has no recollection of his bell. He gave his memories of Zelda to Akira a few weeks ago. But right now, something about the bell is making him feel sad, right on the edges of his subconscious.
With a sigh, he starts to build a fire. Maybe he'll roast something to eat. As he lights a pile of sticks, he has no idea he's being watched.]
yes i am one of 5 people in the world that isn't watching game of thrones
[ Mami is much the same - she's well aware that her hope is dwindling, and it scares her. hope is what has driven her until now. it's kept her alive, and without it... is there even a reason for living?
it's what she's pondering in the far reaches of her mind as she began her hunt, but now she continues to watch. he looks sad - sadder than she is, with a wistfulness that she can't quite place. as she looks on between him and the early licks of flame in his fire, she starts to feel the same way.
as she adjusts her footing, the way her boot scrapes against the tree bark ends up being louder than she intends. ]
[The noise makes him lift his head and peer into the woods. It might look like alarm, or even fear, but the movement is caused by his instincts kicking in.
With his small fire smoldering, he stands up and draws his sword.]
[ the fact that she had made a noise at all is unlike her - Mami is many things, but sloppy is not one of them. it's proof of how much this hopelessness is affecting her, and her confidence is starting to take a hit as a result.
knowing she can't hide forever, she drops down from the tree with her hands raised in front of her to show no harm. ]
You can sheathe your sword. I was only passing by.
[ she looks around at his makeshift camping site. ]
It's dangerous to be camping in a place like this. Are you lost?
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for akira
As they walk towards the bath house, Link doesn't offer much conversation, choosing instead to listen to politely to whatever Akira wanted to talk about. It's not until they're undressing and getting ready to get into the onsen that he hesitantly broaches a heavier topic than food or the weather.]
Hey, so... [he folds his tunic neatly and sets it next to his equipment.] Have you been on your console today? Did you see the new quests?
no subject
Yeah, I saw them. They all seem kind of negative this month, though, so I don't know if I'll try any...
no subject
[Forgoing a towel, Link walks barefoot to the bath and steps inside. The water is wonderfully hot on his skin. He doesn't feel dirty, but he technically hasn't bathed in a month.
As he slides in up to his collarbones, he sighs and rests his head back on the bath's edge. It's the kind of deep, heavy sigh that someone makes unconsciously when swarmed with stress and sadness.]
no subject
[And Akira doesn't regret it, whether it incurred the wrath of the forest or not. They can deal with it.
He joins Link after him, leaving the towel by the water's edge and sliding in, letting out a groan of relief. The onsen is so instantly relaxing, though Link still seems more than a little stressed.]
You okay?
no subject
I don't know. Maybe not. I... I guess I'm a little shaken up by being turned to stone. I don't know why they bothered turning me back. This place kept going, even without me here.
no subject
[He looks at him in concern. That's a sad thing to say, if he didn't want to come back at all.]
no subject
No, no... not that.
[He pauses, staring into the clear, hot water in front of him.]
I don't... serve any purpose here. Zelda is gone, and I'm away from home. I don't know what I'm expected to do in a place like this. And I wasn't even needed to fight back a threat on the town, so...
no subject
[A lot of people feel the same way he does. Cut adrift from their friends and family, as well as their purpose. But he doubts telling Link as much, that everyone is in the same boat, will help him feel any better.]
All any of us can really do is help each other, and work on quests and solving the mysteries of the town to help us get home. So if there's anything I can do to help you out, just say the word.
no subject
I don't think there's anything that can be done. Before I came here, I lived to free Zelda... then I came here, and she was here, and at least then I could keep protect her. But now she's gone and she's safe. So, I don't... I don't know what to do.
[hesitates, and then:] It's like I have nothing to live for. How do other people go on without any sense of purpose? I'm jealous. Was there ever a time I was like that?
[He knows he's starting to ramble, and Link isn't one to pour out his emotions to another person, but between the bath and his long time away and Akira's gentle tone of voice, it's spilling out of him now.]
Maybe in my old life, before I died, but... I'm not really that person anymore either, so...
no subject
Then he thinks back to what Link mentioned before, about the quests...]
One of the quests involves giving away something important, right? I can't give you back your purpose, but maybe I can take away something important to you that will help.
no subject
Wouldn't that... be cowardly...?
[His brow furrows, but this time, he doesn't look away from his friend. It's not right for him to turn his back on the way he's feeling right now, is it? And yet, the idea of being free from all his sorrow is still so enticing.]
I can't ask you to do that...
[But even as he says that, it feels more like an obligatory platitude. He can't "ask" him, but he'd accept that kind of help if Akira is offering it.]
no subject
[Akira sits back again, closing his eyes. He's so used to carrying around the sadness of others, what's the harm in taking on a little more, if it will make things easier for someone else? That's how he looks at it.]
Take time to think it over if you need to.
no subject
Link stares into the steaming water. He's going to ask Akira for help. It makes him feel guilty and he's already mourning the downsides, but... he does feel like he could use some help right now.
When he speaks again, his eyes look misty.]
When I first arrived and went to see Zelda, she hugged me. When she did that, I felt... I felt so happy. She was so warm. I still feel a little happy now, too, when I think about it, but...
[But now it's mostly just sadness. This place would be a lot more tolerable if Zelda were still here, still willing to have a real relationship with him for the first time, still anchoring him to his past.]
The quest said someone could take memories, right? I don't know how it works, but it's the only thing that might help me.
no subject
If taking away some of your memories of her would help, I can do it. [How, on the other hand, is a separate issue.] Maybe just... touch me and focus on the ones you want to give away?
[It can't be too hard to figure out. If the town really wants them to do the quest, it should easily be possible.]
no subject
He pushes himself through the water to close the space between them. Not wanting to invade his personal space any more than he has to, he lifts his hand out of the water for him to take, instead of attempting to feel around beneath the water.]
Alright. I'll try.
[He closes his eyes and tries to do as Akira suggested. Zelda. Zelda, here in this strange place, for months before Link ever arrived. The way she cried and smiled and hugged him when she saw him for the first time here, the meals together, the awkward looks of longing they'd aim at each other when the other didn't see to be looking, their New Year's wishes.
Getting rid of these memories is so cowardly and he knows it. They're precious memories, even if they're sad. But this allows him to convince himself that he has to get back to Hyrule for Zelda's sake, he'll have a goal again. There will be some purpose to all this borrowed time that he never deserved.]
no subject
But this perspective -- Link's perspective -- it's entirely different. Their bond is so precious, he can see how it's been hurting Link ever since she left. He squeezes his hand, and when he opens his eyes, there are silent tears rolling down his face.
It worked.]
the latest, it's me
even if she's been feeling weaker these past few days, even if it feels like all of this is futile... it needs to be done. it's her duty.
today, however, it doesn't seem like she's alone among the trees. she initially believes it to be a prowling monster that she hears, but upon getting closer she sees that it's a young man. she stays hidden among the branches to silently observe, waiting to see what he's doing. ]
yes hello! lets hella boomerang this tonight if ur down
The only thing he can feel anymore is sadness. This he's certain of, because he's hit with a bout of it suddenly in the forest. Furrowing his brow, he looks up at the tree beside him and sees the only possible culprit: a bell, hanging from one branch.
He has no recollection of his bell. He gave his memories of Zelda to Akira a few weeks ago. But right now, something about the bell is making him feel sad, right on the edges of his subconscious.
With a sigh, he starts to build a fire. Maybe he'll roast something to eat. As he lights a pile of sticks, he has no idea he's being watched.]
yes i am one of 5 people in the world that isn't watching game of thrones
it's what she's pondering in the far reaches of her mind as she began her hunt, but now she continues to watch. he looks sad - sadder than she is, with a wistfulness that she can't quite place. as she looks on between him and the early licks of flame in his fire, she starts to feel the same way.
as she adjusts her footing, the way her boot scrapes against the tree bark ends up being louder than she intends. ]
no subject
With his small fire smoldering, he stands up and draws his sword.]
Is someone there?
no subject
knowing she can't hide forever, she drops down from the tree with her hands raised in front of her to show no harm. ]
You can sheathe your sword. I was only passing by.
[ she looks around at his makeshift camping site. ]
It's dangerous to be camping in a place like this. Are you lost?