[voice]
[His body feels cold when he wakes. Cold and sluggish but warming, and breaths are easier than they were the last time he was conscious. Layers of filth coats his skin and clothes, thick, dried blood flaking off as he moves. He can feel it crusted at the corners of his mouth and taste it on his tongue, a strong copper flavor along with ash and smoke. Tears run down tracks already on the young man's dirty face before heavy eyelids are even lifted and he can't stop them, doesn't think to even try it yet. He had been crying when he was with his brother and his eyes had closed; they're only continuing where they left off. Getting his hands under himself, Ace pushes himself up onto his knees, feeling more dead than alive.
Alive. He is alive. It's a strange thought, one that he has to say aloud to even begin to process.]
I'm--
[Both hands fall into his lap, knocking on the netvice that has mysteriously returned to his wrist.]
--alive. I'm.... alive. [He can't believe it, can't figure it out, and the sound of his confusion filters through in his voice, tired and strained but with strength that he knew he shouldn't have. There's no time to question any of this because Ace is abruptly hauled off by members of SERO, his NV bumped back offline during the unexpected surprise. It's some time later before the pirate's voice returns to the network, steadier but more tired than before.]
Siren's Port... It's been a long time.. I didn't expect to wake up. [He pauses as he looks around but all he sees are the faces of his crew, his friends, his family dying around him, the battlefield he left still burning in his mind.]
Anyone remember me..? Name's Ace.
Alive. He is alive. It's a strange thought, one that he has to say aloud to even begin to process.]
I'm--
[Both hands fall into his lap, knocking on the netvice that has mysteriously returned to his wrist.]
--alive. I'm.... alive. [He can't believe it, can't figure it out, and the sound of his confusion filters through in his voice, tired and strained but with strength that he knew he shouldn't have. There's no time to question any of this because Ace is abruptly hauled off by members of SERO, his NV bumped back offline during the unexpected surprise. It's some time later before the pirate's voice returns to the network, steadier but more tired than before.]
Siren's Port... It's been a long time.. I didn't expect to wake up. [He pauses as he looks around but all he sees are the faces of his crew, his friends, his family dying around him, the battlefield he left still burning in his mind.]
Anyone remember me..? Name's Ace.