chikaidestroyer | ∞ 88: Three years displaced [written/action]

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∞ 88: Three years displaced [written/action]

[written]

Professor Sage is missing -- has been missing since before the Halloween ball. Please keep an eye out for her, and others who went missing during the previous experiment, along with any possible New Feathers who may show up this month.

As a reminder, we have now entered the fourth cycle year as of October 26. Be sure to pick up a new calendar in the welcoming center or library.

Thank you.

[action]

[The sun is out, the effects are gone, and people are returning to their normal states. Despite all of that, Albert still finds himself somehow unsteady. Perhaps it has something to do with Rune being unable to find any of his brood. Perhaps it has something to do with the continued lack of presence from Epona's master. Perhaps...

He can be found between his house and community building 7, in the stables and corral he rebuilt with Link. Today he finds himself spending more time with Astrid and Epona, as if that will somehow make up for the fact that they had been left to fend for themselves in the fog. He even has his saddle if he feels like riding. ~~His~~ A tiny owl perches on a nearby fence post, outside for the first time in almost two weeks.

Like so many others, Albert is more than ready to put aside the stress caused by a handful of scientists. So instead, he reminisces over his three years in Luceti.]

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[It was the first time he'd even mentioned the mushi thing to him since it happened. The reaction doesn't surprise him, and yet the apparent disgust in Albert's voice is still enough to strike Caesar.]

Who says we'll even be here that long? [He sighs a little. It was okay to let Albert vent - he never talked about these things. But Caesar didn't like just hearing him talk like that.] Maybe you've changed, but there are some things that won't ever change.

...It's early to worry, true. [But how many had he seen leave? How many had returned without any memory of their last time in Luceti? Caesar was just one of many.]

Far too early. [Normally, when it came to these things, he wouldn't even try, but he had to say something. He had convinced Albert to speak up in the first place, after all.] I don't mean that you shouldn't worry or that you should just accept those changes, but will it really help to think of them like this?

I suppose it's even more stressful than thinking about the hallucinations from last week. [He's sounding fairly reasonable about all of this.]

I'd imagine so! Those were just some stupid visions, anyway. Haven't worse things actually happened to you?

[P-perhaps not very comforting but, um. It's true.]

Of course. But being so vividly reminded of them isn't appreciated.

I know. [Of course, he didn't actually know - he didn't even want to imagine the things that Albert had seen.] But it's over now, so you have no reason to think of them like this.

Shall I not think about it because it occurred in the past?

N-no, that's not it. [He frowns, shaking his head a little.] I just think that... maybe you should focus on the good things that have happened. The positive things. Your accomplishments. You must have done something here in all that time that you can be proud of, right?

...Do you see anything in this village worth being proud of, Caesar?

There must be something. [...hmm, does he really want to say it?] I can think of at least one thing for me.

I suppose I can be proud of the fact that I'm still sane. [So much sarcasm.]

[...sigh. Why do you do this.]

You said you've changed. Maybe that's true, but you're still you. That means you're still my brother, and-- [...oh man.] ...and that's something I can be proud of. S-sometimes. [That's better.]

[He sounds so nervous saying that. And maybe Albert could be more appreciative of Caesar's admissions, but ... he focuses more on the literal meaning than the emotional.] I am still related to you no matter what happens here, Caesar.

[...did he just say that for nothing.]

I know that, Albert. That's what I meant about some things never changing. But you forget that I don't have to like it.

[Yes. Your brother is dense, Caesar.]

Of course I didn't forget that. You finally grew up a little bit.

You think so? [Caesar tilts his head a little. He didn't really think he'd changed. But if he had, and that was it... it was a good change, right?] Maybe that's something I can be proud of, too.

It was bound to happen sooner or later, regardless of where you were at the time. [It's a natural progression in life.]

Ah, I am pleased to hear that you have such faith in me, dear brother. [...he's really going to have to spell it out for him, isn't he?] Well, I'm still glad it happened. Because being related to you isn't such a bad thing.

[And he's proud of you. On occasion.]

[He's repeating himself, isn't he? Albert frowns at Caesar, as if trying to figure out some code from what he had just said.]

Are you just realizing this now?

[...He doesn't get it.]

N-no, you idiot. [How else can he even say this? You know, without actually saying it, that is.] I don't have a lot of things to be proud of, Albert, especially not here. But it's just like you said, nothing can change the fact that you're my brother, and... I'm glad for that. I would not want to be related to anyone else in this stupid village, not in a million years. Maybe it's silly, but the one thing I have that I can be proud of is... [Ahh. If he doesn't say it, Albert won't get it. He clears his throat.] You. Okay?

[...

...

...It finally dawns on him.]

You're right. That is silly, Caesar.

[...

Caesar would be more annoyed if he wasn't so glad you got it that time.]

Yeah. Right. It's silly. But the point is, I don't care what this place does to me or how long I'm stuck here, because I'll always have that. Make sense?

Yes, I suppose so. Good for you, Caesar. [It couldn't be anymore condescending if he reached out and patted Caesar on the head.]

[That tone is so frustrating. Even so, Caesar doesn't feel like giving up. And he can't figure out why.]

I know that doesn't make it any better. But stop thinking of it as time wasted and think about the few things you've accomplished. Maybe none of this should have happened, but as long as you're stuck thinking about it, try not to think of it so negatively. That's all I'm trying to say.