towerofanimus | Every day's great at your... Animus?

Entry tags:

Every day's great at your... Animus?

Characters: Yosuke Hanamura and YOU! Yes, YOU!
Setting: Room 2-14 and Floor 14
Format: Action is vastly preferred, but I'll prose if you want. Just be warned - prose tags take me a lot longer.
Summary: Yosuke arrives! Derping ensues.
Warnings: Swearing!

Room 2-14

[Yosuke's never been quick to wake up - unless it's someone waking him up in the middle of class. Laying in bed an extra few minutes is normal. What's not normal is the bed, the room, or anything about this place. And then panic ensues! What we end up with is one Yosuke trying his best to keep calm as he takes in these strange surroundings in a slight panic]

What the hell?! Who's idea of a joke is this!

Floor 14

[Yosuke - now dressed in his usual threads, headphones around his neck, has found his way to the entertainment room. He doesn't feel particularly jolly though, and rather than enjoy the entertainment he's sprawled on a couch, looking up and contemplating the last few hours of his life]

[Approach?]

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[i dunno lol]

[There is one obvious question nagging at the teen, so why not start there? It's a good a place as any]

I know you're Link, Hero of Time! But what does it mean to be the Hero of Time?

[ BREATHING IN. Okay this won't sound weird, she can hope. She removes the Ocarina of Time from her pouch--it's obviously a VERY special instrument, blue with gold triangles and silver, along with an odd little crest on it. Looks to be a flute of some sort. ]

... This may sound a bit more spectacular than it is, but... this is a complicated question to answer. I would have to start at the beginning to explain how the end result occurred. But in short... thanks to this instrument...

[ She holds up the Ocarina of Time. Then, putting it down, she unsheathes the Master Sword from it's rather ornate gold and royal blue scabbard. ]

... And this sword, I am able to travel between the present and the future. Though, in reality, it's more that I was sealed for seven years when I drew this blade. If I replace it... the effect is reversed.

[ CONFUSED YET? ]

[He's not exactly expecting a simple explanation - if this day has shown him anything, it's to try and drop all expectations because nothing ever seems to meet them. He hasn't quite learned that lesson yet, but he's trying!]

[So, there's an ocarina and a sword that let him travel through time. Except it's not quite movie time travel - he can only jump between two specific points? Granted it's 100% more time travel than Yosuke can do, but it seems horribly inconvenient for anything, much less heroics]

So you use the two jump between times to fight evil now and exactly seven years from now? That's... pretty oddly specific evil.

[ She feels kind of bad ouch ahsdf haha, this topic. ]

... That would be because in the present, the Princess Zelda and myself, who saw Ganondorf for what he really was... we were foolish enough to open the gate to what he'd wanted all along. We thought we could take the Triforce and protect it, but instead, he ended up seizing it and becoming an evil King, using it to spread terror.

[ It's... kind of something she feels immense guilt over, s-sob. ]

During that time... although I had no control over it, nearly everything changed. There was nothing I could do because the Goddesses decided that I was too young to be their Hero proper, so I was put into a sleep for seven years. When I awoke, I found myself in a completely different time. I was... fortunate enough in that I could reverse it to some extent.

But I suppose that is why they call me what they do.

[Yosuke is trying to be a good listener and not stop Link every five seconds to ask what things are. For better or worse, this is leading to a whole lot of assumptions. Princess Zelda means there's a princess involved, so Link is from some sort of medieval type kingdom (which would explain the sword and bow and all). There's an evil guy named Ganondorf - and with a name like that he HAS to have some sort of twirly mustache - trying to take over the kingdom.]

[He took over the kingdom with something called a Triforce - a magic... triangle? No, that's silly. A magic triangle? As if. What else starts with tri? Tri...certaops? Probably not, as awesome as a magic dinosaur would be. Tri... dent? Well, it makes more sense than a magic triangle]

[So, evil Lord Ganondorf (or maybe Wizard Ganondorf, he can't be sure) stole a magic trident to become king and start a reign of terror. And whatever goddess has a thing against the underage, so Link was forced to sit still for seven years of evil because fuck kids. Wow]

Okay, I'm not a goddess or anything? But letting evil run wild for seven years doesn't really seem like the best plan ever. I mean, it's great that you can fix things still! Just... that still seems like a terrible plan.

[ ... That is... so many levels of wrong Yosuke she'll try to explain properly later-- ]

... I wasn't fit to wield this blade as a child, I suppose, was their thinking. And... it is true that in the state I was in, there was no way I would have been able to defeat him, even before he had obtained the power of the Triforce. The tree golden objects themselves were sealed away, but it was my folly that all but handed them to him...

Even so, he did not count on others rising against him, I think.

[ There's a sheepish look here, Link rubbing the back of her neck. ] But it's... a little bit more complicated than that. It's a very long story, as I said--there is no short or easy explanation. What being their Hero means is that it's up to me to find and awaken the Sages scattered across the land, so that I can purify their lands. Cleanse them of his evil. ... And so that I can defeat him, because without them, there is no way that I will be able to do so.

Being who I am means that I... am the only one able to do this.

[So much for a magic trident - so the triforce is just three gold... things? They could be anything! For all he knows, they're golden salad forks. But salad forks or triumph forks or whatever the hell they are aren't important right now]

[What's important are the other aspects of Link's story. Like the implied guilt he feels at accidentally screwing over the world. Or the fact that since he's the only one who can go between times, he's literally the only person who can walk his road. It's not possible for anyone to lend him a hand down what sounds like a pretty rough path]

[So, in summary, he has to travel between seven different places, single-handedly fight off evil forces, free trapped sages, and then go and confront an evil king with magic golden forks all by his lonesome]

[Holy shit]

[Way to put every single problem he's ever had to face into perspective, Link. Yosuke doesn't even know where to start with this. So he blurts out the first thing that comes to mind]

Damn... you're one strong person, to be able to handle all of that.

[ Well, you know, those Triumph Forks are serious business, Yosuke. Just ask some fish!

But no seriously, way to figure that out quickly. Link's expression is quite solemn. ]

... Strength... that is relative. But I must be their strength... even if I do not want to be. The other timeline's people are desperately in need of help. Truthfully... I'm the last person who should be attempting to tell others what to do or not do; I am not particularly good at it, and I have never been great around people I do not know... and even those I do. My friend was far better at speaking and I always opted for silence in her presence...

[ Sheepish. But she'll bravely press on...! There's a long pause here, an intake of breath. This is difficult for her, saying all this, you know? It's obvious. Heck, Link is naturally quiet but Animus is slowly, but surely, drawing her to speak more frequently. ]

While it is difficult, I must remain there unless necessary. I have no other alternatives, yes, but... my land's people, every single race--they need a hero... they need hope, a reason to live their lives and fight. To believe that the King of Evil will not win. To know that evil never prospers. That is what true courage is about, moving forward even through despair and pain... even when all seems lost.

... For all that I try to be, I am not as strong as you seem to think...

[ With her mini speech concluded, Link's expression is a sad, sad smile. It's one of loss and knowing that those she loves may not come back. ]

[Yosuke's quiet as he speaks, and even for a few moments after. One thing is painfully obvious after a conversation this long - public speaking really is not Link's forte. But that thought gets lost behind another one as something the hylian says catches his attention]

["I must be their strength... even if I do not want to be."]

[It makes him think, back to the start of his own journey into heroism. How excited he was at the chance to do something no one else could, how eager he was to jump into the chance to be a Big Damn Hero... how much it hurt to have to face his selfish reasons for getting involved. But through everything, one fact remained - getting involved was always his idea. It was his choice]

[What does it feel like then, to be in Link's shoes? To not have a choice? It's far too personal a question to ask someone he's just met like this... but Yosuke finds himself asking anyway]

Link?

If it were up to you - if you could make someone else the hero and just go back to living a normal life... would you do it? If they gave you the choice of saying no, would you have?

[ ... She doesn't answer. At least, not with words, though the Hylian's blue eyes look elsewhere.

Because, painfully, the answer... at first, she is sure it might be "yes". She thinks of all the people who died for her (or was it that they had ascended to being Sages? Was it the same thing? Saria and Darunia, surely--), how leaving put her friends in peril...

Surely, if the task were on the shoulders of another, she would have been better off, herself. Perhaps not as judged, perhaps she would have gotten to stay a child and never worry about much else? Aging worked different in the forest.

But regardless, the Deku Tree would have died. His test on her did not save him, and the forest remained unprotected. And lives would still have been lost...

No. Perhaps, even if it was an attractive option... she just shakes her head "no". Because as painful as this had to be, she had been chosen for a reason. It was her destiny, and an honor. Right?

She promised herself she wouldn't ever cry again (no not after that first time), that she would do whatever it took to complete this long, arduous, dangerous journey that could only lead her to further battle and bloodshed. But she could, at least, restore things and care for those... left. And in silence hope at least SOMEONE remembered her, perhaps.

Hope that Zelda was out there, somewhere, alive and okay. ]

[The silence sits for a while, with Yosuke quietly reflecting on himself and everything Link's told him. To be able to make that choice, to still want to do it for the right reasons - hell, for Link to have told Yosuke so much after the two had just met, when Yosuke had no right to ask and Link had no obligation to tell...]

[Some combination of respect, trust, and an odd closeness to the hylian compels Yosuke to speak]

... I can't believe I'm saying this, but I envy you. Not all the shit that you have to go through, but...

[He's trying, but the right words just aren't coming easy]

You're doing what you have to do for the right reasons. That... that wasn't me. Not at the start.

[ ... She isn't honestly sure why she even said what she did. Perhaps because it wasn't in her nature to withhold the truth? Or maybe it was because when asked, she would try to answer?

Admittedly, Yosuke seemed like a nice guy, so perhaps that was it. It surprises her to hear him say that, to be honest. But...

She's also someone that believes anyone can be strong. For now, she feels like she ought to ask a simple question, because she honestly can't view herself as enviable, at any point, but she won't say that (heroes never complain!) ]

... Why is that?

[He can't believe he's about to admit this to anyone, but then... maybe it's time. He's seen everyone else's secrets. Just this one, he can let his own come to the surface]

... my whole path started when a girl I cared about was murdered.

I told myself I was getting into things to get justice for her. To search for the truth.

[... even now, a year later, it's still hard to talk about. He swallows hard and takes a minute to compose himself, since Link is only the third ever person (beside himself) to know this. Why the hell is he trusting this stranger? Is he nuts?]

The truth is, I was doing it for myself. I was bored, and I wanted a chance to do something. A chance to be a hero and feel special. I didn't want to admit it to anyone, even myself - but... I was forced to face it. And accept it. You're not like that though. That's why I envy you.

[ She's taken aback. Link is normally not the most graceful, or best with words, but... her title was a heavy burden to bear.

It's funny, really. The more she thought of it, the more she realized... perhaps it was normal. Normal, to want what you don't have. To have an easier life.

Instead of saying anything, she just... looks him dead in the eyes. ]

... Is that what you think? That I am so selfless that I'd not make the very same mistakes as you? Well, you're wrong, then. I've lost, too. I've lied; I've done things for no one but myself. I've even cheated. I've given in to things and taken the less painful route because I was tired of hurting.

[ Oh, it hurts to admit it, but she has. She has, and in so, so very many ways. Discarding her gender? That was one way she'd lied. Lied oh so very many times. ]

We all lie to ourselves, distract ourselves from what we do wrong. Tell ourselves what we're doing will be all right, that it's for a "good" reason. Especially when we lose someone, we're not thinking very well.

[ She looks away. She knows loss, all too well. Saria. Her "father". Her real parents. Ruto, all the friends she had made... almost all of them.

With a deep breath and some steel to her eyes, Link looks back to Yosuke. She's bad at this and it shows--she's very obviously not even sure of what she's saying, of if it helps or hurts. She doesn't know. But she's trying. ]

You don't give yourself very much credit. ... You have courage. Because courage is not about being fearless, Yosuke Hanamura. Courage is about facing the things we hate most, even about ourselves, and having the strength to work through them. To get past them. To own up to them and to realize we are flawed, and to make that our strength.

... That is why you were chosen, I believe. You may call it a test, if you like, but living itself is like that. ... Not everyone has the strength of heart to decide to move forward after facing something like that. I know I almost didn't, myself.

[ Too many times, she had cried. Too many times, she'd screamed and wanted to give up or throw herself into the enemy's forces and let the pain be over. She KNOWS. Somehow, you can tell. There's sincerity there. ]

[It's his turn to be taken aback - by several things]

[For a second there? He'd swear he's talking to Souji]

[There's something about not just the words, but the delivery - the sincerity he's only heard from a handful of people. Like Souji. The way where he's feeling not judged, but accepted for who he is, the good and the bad. Whatever possessed him to talk about his shadow, Yosuke at least picked the right person to talk to. His heart skips a beat, and he doesn't have a clue what to say. What can he even say? Hell, he 'thanked' Souji for everything with a brawl, and somehow that doesn't feel too terribly appropriate here]

[Somewhere in his hesitation and indecision? All he can do is laugh]

Sorry, I-

You just- you sort of sound like my best friend, back home. He's the one that got me through all that to begin with - facing my shadow and everything.

[He pats Link on the back, blushing and smiling]

Thanks. I really needed to hear that, Link. I owe you one.

[ ... She looks relieved. W-way too much for her, she's not used to this. You know, she's just gonna flop down next to you, Brosuke. That couch looks inviting, anyway. ]

... I fought my own reflection once. It was--strange.

[ Heh. She just--removes her hat, messing with her blonde hair a bit. She really does hate these collars, they're so... restricting. She feels uncomfortable, and admittedly it's just odd not to have Navi resting on top of her head or something, so she's doing it for... something to do. ]

Did something like that... happen to you?

[He casts an eye over at Link's equally impressive mess of hair with the hat off - blond huh? The messy style's a good look on him]

Kind of sort of not really?

When I said I was forced to face myself, I mean it in the most literal way you can think of. There was a copy of myself - voice, clothes, looks, everything. Except he started saying my deepest secrets, the things I didn't even want to admit to myself. Every horrible thing I tried to keep hidden.

If you can accept your other self as part of you? You can draw out it's power in really cool ways. And if you can't, it turns into a giant monster and tries to kill everyone around.

[ Pausing to consider this vaguely. Imagining it is... bad enough. She can't particularly help but wonder if she could ever face something like that. ]

... You know, you're braver than you say. I honestly don't think I could face something like that.

[ The image to her is an ironic one, to be sure. Big courageous hero, afraid of people finding out one small little detail? Afraid of being alone or bullied or being left behind?

... Well, she'd said it herself. She's not enviable, not really. There were ways she was imperfect, too. ]

[Yes you could, Link. You so could. You remind him so much of Souji in some ways it's frightening. He doesn't say that though, and instead only gives a sigh]

It was the worst experience of my life. Well, top three at least. But getting through that's one of the things that made me who I am today - and I kinda like who I am.

... plus, the extra power doesn't hurt.

[ A small laugh escapes her. ]

... I'm sorry. I...

[ She shakes her head. ]

I am not normally very... good, with people. But it makes me happy to hear someone happy with themselves.

[ Maybe she's a little odd? But it's nice. ]

[Not good with people? It's his turn to laugh and shake his head]

You're kidding, right?

Look, as much as I hate being stuck in this weird place, it might not be too terrible if I can keep meeting people like you. And to make me think that, you've got to be at least a little good with people.

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Every day's great at your... Animus?

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...... oops I guess Yosuke is just special to her. /tl;drs

this thread. it's too amazing.

IT'S ADORABLE IS WHAT IT IS.

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