I. (video) A homecoming

[eulogium]

[ Before he opens his eyes, before he realizes where he is, and before the world once again comes crashing down upon him as he experiences the wonder of life again, he's sure of one thing: Ryoji Mochizuki is dead. Somewhere, far away, he had died. That is the only thing he's sure of. As his eyes flicker open, he can feel the tiny tips of the

Comments

[ audio ]

[tapferkeit]

No, there are a few people here.

Are you all right?

(audio)

[eulogium]

[ There's the sound of the boy fumbling the communicator again, but he regains his composure after a long breath. He tells himself he'll get used to it soon. Maybe. ]

Ah! Hello. Um ... I think I'm okay. I'm still in one piece, that has to count for something, don't you think?

I'm Ryoji Mochizuki, and I'm not quite sure how I got here. Someone said I was abducted.

Re: (audio)

[tapferkeit]

[His smile is audible as he answers the first part.]

Well, if you've got yourself, that's always a good start.

[And now it sobers.]

Yeah, you have been. Sorry, Mr Ryoji.

I'm Link - I've been here a while. Do you need any help? Is anyone coming to get you? This place can be a bit dangerous.

(audio)

[eulogium]

[ There's a shuffle a he moves to sit on the stairs. ]

Just Ryoji is fine. It feels kind of strange having someone call you "mister."

I've spoken with a few people, but no one's who's offered, yet. Um ... if it's dangerous, I, well ... it wouldn't be too much trouble if you could come get me, would it, Link-san?

(audio)

[tapferkeit]

[With a grin.]

Just "Link" is fine.

I'm on my way. You're still by the Temple?

(audio)

[eulogium]

I haven't moved that far.

Thanks ... Link. I really appreciate it.

(audio-->action)

[tapferkeit]

Don't worry about it. I'll bring you some iron, too, okay?

[Link doesn't think to explain that bit, but he keeps the communicator on as he makes his way up the path. When he's past the mansion, he talks again.]

I'll be coming soon. I'm wearing a green hat.

[And he has pointy ears and there's a little glowing snake floating in the air behind him, but nevermind all of that. The green hat is what you must recognise!

It doesn't take long for him to come into view.]

Hey.

(action)

[eulogium]

[ Hello, pointy ears. Well, he had already met someone with pointy ears on video, so he wasn't nearly as surprised as he could have been. In fact, there was only a little bit of gawking before he managed to compose himself. (There were stranger things in the world.) Ryoji's eyes go to the green hat and he looks a little relieved. ]

You're ... Link, right?

[ A boy with a yellow scarf patters ungracefully toward him from his spot on the stairs. ]

It's nice to meet you.

Re: (action)

[tapferkeit]

Yeah, that's me.

[He held up a hand and waggled his fingers in a small wave. Tael, the mana wyrmling, wriggled under the hat and out of sight, evidently shy.]

Good to meet you too. Sorry about... [He shrugs. The situation. Kidnapping. Stuff like that.

He reached into one of his pouches and pulled out a small link of iron.]

You should keep a hold of this. The things that are here - most of them don't like it, and it's the only thing that'll really scare them off.

(action)

[eulogium]

It's not your fault ... ah!

This will?

[ Ryoji reaches for the offering, fiddling with it between his fingers. His focus moves from Link and to the piece of iron that he now finds in his possession. He seems rather careless, not hesitating once against the boy in the green suit. ]

Thank you. I'll keep it with me.

[ The link slips into his pocket. ]

I read the link that Souji sent me. I guess I should start getting acquainted with this place.

[ For everything that's happened, he doesn't seem too perturbed by the unusual circumstances. ]

(action)

[tapferkeit]

[Link picks up on that, and his grin broadens.]

It's nice to see you so calm. A lot of people get really freaked out when they arrive here.

[Which is understandable, but he doesn't tag that part on. Tael peeps out from under his hat for a moment, before wriggling back in.]

If you want, I'll walk you to the village. Sometimes some of the faeries show up on this path.

(action)

[eulogium]

[ Ryoji looks a little relieved. The people here certainly were nice-that was comforting. He glances up at the snake as it wiggles before he looks back at Link. There's a brief nod of his head. ]

I guess you can say that stranger things have happened-but I didn't expect this.

[ He confesses earnestly. ]

That would be nice, I think someone is going to be waiting for me there. This is really kind of you.

Re: (action)

[tapferkeit]

[Link laughs softly. "Stranger things have happened" - oh, they definitely had, and he wasn't selfish enough to think he was the only person who had a weird and... 'wonderful' adventure in the past.]

Let's get going then, huh?

[He gestures down the path, half turning his body as he does so.]

(action)

[eulogium]

[ Ryoji follows Link down the path, distracted by the flowers and the trees, and the dim colors of autumn. He hadn't expected this, no. Actually, he was quite surprised that he had retained this body. Somewhere inside, he was overflowing with joy, even in such a dangerous place. He was alive. He was still alive.

Maybe, he thought, this was how SEES must have felt. ]

How long have you been here?

(action)

[tapferkeit]

Hmm. [Link tilts his head to the side, looking off as he thinks. After a short while he holds up all ten fingers over his shoulders, then closes them and holds up one.]

Eleven months.

(action)

[eulogium]

Almost a year ...

[ Ryoji follows the path, not for once does it cross his mind that Link could lead him somewhere that would be detrimental to his safety. He seems idyllically trusting. ]

That's a pretty long time. What's this place like?