A̷F̴T̵E̶R̴M̴A̷T̶H̷

[champion_link]

[It's Link who's in the dining room this time, the wall leading to it perfectly clear so he can be seen. He's sitting with a large plate of sandwiches, though the triangles are perfectly cut with no crust and with no dripping peanut butter or jelly.]

[In contrast to his usual pleasant look, he looks... somber. His shoulders are hunched and his hair is starting to pull out of its neat ponytail. He's breathing slowly, and just gestures towards the sandwiches.]

Comments

[carryabigstick]

Yeah, yeah... we've been in trouble from day one, don't you get it?

Just being here is a death sentence. So... this is a gamble I'm willing to take.

[...]

Oh yeah. Pretty sure someone mentioned this sword might be yours.

[She pulls out the sword she got from her laser room run.]

I don't need it, so if you want it-- you'd best hold onto it this time.

[champion_link]

[He stares at it, and his eyes go wide - if they were normal his pupils would probably be huge right now. He holds a hand over his stomach like he's going to be sick, and stumbles backwards. His chair tips over and he starts shaking.]

wHy wOulD you thiNk I wAnteD thAt?

[His voice is disjointed, shaky, his pitch running up and down and breaking in odd places. He's gasping for air, swallowing hard.]

[carryabigstick]

[That. Sure is One Hell of a reaction. And that voice... yikes. She better make sure he’s okay though— it still is at least a little her fault.]

...beeeeecause it’s yours? Calm down— I didn’t do anything weird to it.

[.........]

Oh. Right. It’s not like I’m planning to stab you or anything either. I just wanted to give it back, honest.

[champion_link]

[He reaches towards it, and stops. No. No, he's going to get in trouble - but if it's his... but nothing is his, it's IT's.]

[He gets up and goes and grabs some serving towels, wrapping them around the sword so he's not touching it directly.]

Can't know... IT can't know... IT's going to find out...

[carryabigstick]

You want it though, right?

[She smiles, letting him take it, even if it’s with some towels.]

I won’t tell if you don’t.

[champion_link]

D... don't. I'll get what you're going to get but even worse.

[He looks down at the sword and takes a few deep breaths.]

D... don't forget who you are. Okay? D... don't.

[carryabigstick]

...I won’t. And... I’m going to find a way to take back what they stole from you too.

[If she has to fight, then— what else can she aim for but total victory? That’s just how she is.]

[champion_link]

... Don't know if that's possible, but... get yourself free first.

[carryabigstick]

We won’t know if we don’t try. Just leave it to us.

[She has seen glimpses of something still there inside of him. So she’s not giving up yet.]

Just make sure you’re ready. We’re gonna finish this.

[champion_link]

... I might get punished, too.

If I can't...

[He tightens his grip on the towels. There's something about it that makes him feel strong, that shoves away the red clouds, just for a moment.]

If we stop you from leaving... make it quick.

[carryabigstick]

Sorry. We probably made things harder for you too.

[It was their decision-- it's unfair that these guys have to pay for it too. But what is really fair about this situation anyway?]

But that's all the more reason for us to find a way to help. We owe you one. I'll do whatever it takes.

[champion_link]

Just don't sacrifice yourselves for us. ... That used to be my job.