caughtinanetwork | accidental broadcast

[There's been a break in the rain up on the island, and the SFC broadcasts a stretch of beach, the sand damp and the sky cloudy and dark. That doesn't seem to bother the beach's two inhabitants, a pair of trolls near the water, one with nubby horns and a dark cloak that billows and ripples behind him in the breeze, and another all in yellow, lying down, his head resting against the other's thigh.]

It's hard. I know it is.

[Signless' voice is soft and reassuring. He obviously doesn't realize the device is recording, let alone broadcasting.]

If it wasn't hard, it wouldn't mean anything. Part of the sacrifice is giving up the emotions that are easier, the ones that come more naturally, and letting yourself breathe free again.

[Psii makes a soft noise that the SFC barely picks up and shifts, the bones of his shoulders pinching together on his back, clearly visible under his shirt, and moves a little closer to Signless.]

Being like this, though, you're giving the other person so much power over yourself, letting this desire occupy such large parts of your day, and if you aren't careful, it's going to consume you entirely. Do you remember the fires in the plains on Alternia? When the grass would get so dry, and then there would be a single spark, and the entire prairie would be ablaze? Hatred is like the sun that dries the grass out, and revenge is the spark that starts the conflagration.

[Signless pauses, looking out at the water for awhile before continuing.]

I've struggled with this too, you know. It's very hard for me to think about... about the Empress and what she'll do--what she did, and not want to hate her. But then, that's giving her too much credit. That's giving her more power over my life than she needs. That's what she would want, for me to spend all my time thinking of ways to try and get revenge. [his voice hardens, becomes steely] Not that she doesn't deserve it.

[It evens out again, becoming soft and gentle once more.]

I choose not to live that way, though. I choose to not give her that satisfaction, to not give her what she wants. I choose to forgive, and breathe free and easy.

You want to choose that too.

[OOC: answers can come from Signless or Psii or both!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

What if...

[Sola caught the broadcast on accident. He'd just been browsing the network, tired from the day... no that's not quite right. Tired from the last couple weeks, really. He's heard them mention the Empress before, sometimes with fear, sometimes loathing, never pleasant. He gets the same vibe from it as his personal feelings about Ganondorf, really. Something Bad, with a capital B. So maybe...]

What if the person really does have power over you? Like, by magic. He said he wouldn't use it but he still made me that way, so...

[This may be news to either Troll. He's been fairly tight lipped since Ganondorf showed up in the bubble.]

Has someone been bothering you, Sola?

[This is definitely news to Signless, and his brow knits down with concern. Protective Trolldad mode, activate!]

No! Not him.

[Someone else, but he'd rather not talk about that...]

He just... um... My master from Hyrule kind of...

[Sola finds the desk his SFC is laying on very interesting suddenly.]

He showed up here. He and Zelda and Link all said they'd work together to get out and that Master Ganondorf wouldn't tell me to do anything but he still can and I don't know if he was lying so I've been trying to avoid him but we're all stuck in the bubble and I don't know if I can forever.

[He picks at a bit of varnish on the desk top.]

He made me, so...

[Signless listens patiently, taking it all in. This is definitely all news to him, and he's quiet for a moment after Sola finishes.]

So you're afraid that he could decide to make you do something, and you'd be unable to resist.

[Oh Sola, you poor sweet child, you are more like your yellowblooded trolldad than you know.]

[Still averting his eyes from the camera save for a swift glance here and there, Sola nods silently.]

He... he does bad things. He seems more tired now, but before he used to kidnap and kill people and make monsters like-

[Like me. But he's not a monster, no. He's not supposed to think like that anymore.]

I don't want to do anything bad but when he tells me to do things, I can't say no.

[He raises his eyes to the screen then, giving Signless a helpless look.]

What do I do?

[Things Signless didn't anticipate on dealing with today: this.]

Can you tell me who he is, Sola? This master of yours? I want to talk to him.

His name is Ganondorf but be really careful, he's really scary and only Link can beat him because he has the Triforce so you have to be really really careful. He does seem kind of tired though. I don't know... maybe he's not lying and he really will leave me alone...

[He shifts uncomfortably, full of doubt.]

Can you tell if he's lying?

I'll be very careful. I won't let him hurt me, and more importantly, I won't let him hurt you.

[Signless promises this with all due solemnity.]

And no, I can't tell for certain if someone is lying, but my instincts usually aren't wrong.

Okay, but... Do I still have to forgive him, like you said? I mean, I'm kind of mad but more scared but... I feel like I shouldn't be mad because he's like my father, isn't he? Since he made me? But I don't want him to be, I want you and Psii to be that. You're nicer and you taught me more than he ever did, but... he still made me, so... I don't know.

[Gosh this is confusing!]

Whether you forgive him or not is something you have to choose for yourself, Sola. That's not a decision I or Psii or anyone else can make for you.

Just because someone made you is no reason to give them a pass for bad behavior, either. You have a right to be angry with him, and to not want him in your life as a father figure. That is something you can choose, and it's just as valid a choice as deciding to have him in your life.

I don't... I don't think I can forgive him. I mean, I died the first time because of him, but.. I'm also alive because of him, and I know if he told me to do something I'd have to, but...

...no, he's not.. really my father even if he made me, I guess. And I can keep avoiding him, or at least try.

Your father can be whoever you choose it to be, Sola. It's not always a title shared by those with similar blood.

[He's pretty sure, anyway. He doesn't know exactly how humans do it.]

If you want to avoid him for now, that is probably for the best. This isn't something that needs to be sorted out right away.

Well if I get to choose, then can both you and Psii be my fathers? I mean, I know I'm not a Troll but you said the blood's not always similar, so...

[Okay, he's at least a little aware that this is something kind of big and blushes a bit at asking, but he still has to ask. He's been doing a lot of thinking about fathers and creators and a whole mess of things lately and this is what he's decided he wants.]

Can I call you both dad?

[Signless smiles, his face more gentle than usual. He's been expecting this for awhile, actually.]

I can't speak for Psii, of course, but I would be honored if you wanted to call me dad.

[The worried pallor carried through the entire conversation lifts at Signless' consent. It doesn't exactly fix his problem - in fact it's hardly even related - but to know he has a father figure does wonders for his disposition. Well, really, Signless has been pretty much acting like his father figure from day one but to make it official like that has a great deal of meaning.

A broad smile crosses Sola's face.]

I will then, Dad.

[Ahh, the word even sits well on his tongue.]

accidental broadcast

Either/or <3

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject