caughtinanetwork

[When the SFC turns on, it's pointed towards the ocean, and it stays there for a few moments, just recording the waves rolling in and out, the soft sounds of the water, the occasional cry of a seabird. Then someone clears their throat, and starts speaking quietly. Those who have heard him speak before will recognize Sufferer's voice.]

I've been thinking about time lately, and how its path is not linear and seems to follow no set pattern. Sometimes, when there's a moment you want to cling to with everything you have, it flickers past, here and then gone; and then when there's something you want to rush through, it lingers, and minutes become hours, and hours days, days weeks, and so on.

The only thing consistent about time is that it passes.

Until it doesn't.

[There's a sigh, and the SFC turns so it's pointing towards Sufferer's face. He looks tired, like he does most of the time now, the bags under his eyes staining his skin like bruises. The flesh on his face hangs off the bones, deep lines that were never there before framing either side of his mouth.]

[He still has the orange stitches on his cloak, though.]

I've died, twice. Once here, where I revived five days later, and once in my own world, where I woke up here. In one instance, the time between passed quickly, full of light and love and beauty, and in the other, it lasted for lifetimes, lifetimes in the darkness, in the spaces between the stars.

[He shrugs.]

So tell me, Vatheon... which one was the true death? Which one showed me the truth about time, and which was the lie?

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[There's a little sigh from the SFC, miserable and defeated-sounding.]

[Link is usually okay. He's normally not this... despondent. But his death is something he'll have to come to terms with himself, and for now he's stuck in this odd sort of in-between stage - wanting to reach out to someone about it, hating talking about it.]

I wish people didn't have to die.

[Sufferer wishes he could reach through the SFC and hug Link, for whatever it's worth.]

Me too, little one. Me too.

Have you tried talking to another about it? Perhaps someone who might have shared your experiences?

[Like your replica-brother?]

[Hugs would be appreciated, honestly.]

[He winces a little at that, though.] ...Not really. I - well, I don't want to make anyone worry. [And talking to Sola would have the extra awkwardness in that Link was the one who killed him...]

Mmmmm... well, I suppose you're talking to me about it, aren't you?

[Sufferer's voice is gentle and soft.]

I just wish I had better things to tell you, or at least things I understood better myself.

I guess there aren't any easy answers. [There's a little sigh, and Link finally picks up the SFC.] You're Signless, right? Sola's Dad.

Yes. Although I prefer to be called Sufferer now.

[Sufferer looks placidly back into the SFC.] And you must be Link. Sola's brother.

[What a cheerful name. Link blinks a little, then nods, forcing a smile.]

Uh huh. Thanks for talking to me - I don't really think I can talk to Sola about this, and it makes Zelda sad.

I wish I could have been more helpful. If you want to talk, though, I am willing to listen, even if I don't have all the answers.

It's okay. It's hard having answers to just a few things, too.

[He has so many questions that just can't be answered. What will happen to him if he goes back to Hyrule? How can he make sure he doesn't? Why does Zelda remember one thing and he remembers another? It's too many questions, not enough people who can answer them.]

Thanks, though.

You're welcome. If you ever want to talk, you can contact me.

[He just smiles at that, weak but grateful.] I will. Um, I hope you find some of your answers.

You too, Link. You too.

[He just raises a hand to wave briefly, smiling a little helplessly, and the line cuts.]

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