Day 71: Sun Room

[lighthearted]

For the first time in a long time, Sora woke up in a comfortable bed outfitted with sheets and pillows. It wasn't like the Landel's standard beds were even that nice, but after sleeping in various places in Farwell (generally not in anything bed-like), it was definitely a change.

Sora's eyes opened slowly -- blinking once, twice, and then taking in the white ceiling above him. Of course, he'd expected this. He'd asked for it, even. Now that he was back in the institute, though, he had to admit that he felt his stomach churn with the knowledge that he'd been caught once again, even if it was by choice.

That feeling was what got him up out of bed, but as he stood up he heard something fall to the ground. Right, it was that bone bracelet that the skeleton had given them! He'd said that it would take them right back to that underground lake area, which meant that Sora would be able to return to Farwell pretty easily. The question was, would he be able to take someone with him?

For now, though, he was really only focused on one thing, and that was getting back to his friends. Speaking of which, one such friend was laying in the bed opposite his. "Link," Sora said quietly, but he knew that he probably wouldn't be able to wake up his roommate. He'd just have to catch him later on in the day.

Instead, Sora quickly hid the bracelet, making a face as he was reminded of where the materials for it had probably come from. There wasn't much he could do about that, though.

A nurse stepped into the room and sent him a bright smile. "Matthew!" she greeted, as if he had never been gone. "Where would you like to go this morning, the chapel or the Sun Room?"

Sora needed to get to the bulletin board first and foremost, so the answer to that question was easy. The trip from his room to the Sun Room was one that he still remembered in perfect detail, but it was weird having to fall right back into this routine when he'd had a break from it for a few days.

Once there, Sora moved over to the bulletin, grabbing for a pen as he started to draft up a note. He was really looking forward to seeing all of his friends again, so it was too bad that none of them were here yet...

[For Tsurugi.]

Comments

[kings_thief]

Locke had been staring off into nothing when he noticed someone new come into the room. Someone with blond hair and blue eyes. Locke's face lit up and he stood, everything he'd been thinking he was going to say to the young king momentarily forgotten with just how happy Locke was to see him again.

The treasure hunter closed the distance between them and pulled the taller man into a tight hug. He wanted to say something, anything, even 'hi,' but his vocal chords wouldn't cooperate and he had to settle for just the physical contact.

He could only imagine what Tolten must be thinking, especially if he still thought Locke was dead, he could only hope he didn't think this was some really elaborate illusion. If he did, hopefully it wouldn't be too hard to convince him, there was so much Locke had to tell him and he knew the nurses waiting around for them weren't going to give them all the time they might want.

[age_of_kings]

Tolten remained frozen, stricken. It was impossible! Wasn't it? He had seen people he assumed were dead come back, but never someone he'd watched actually die...

But it wasn't some madness of the institute. It was real and solid and no one was giving him odd looks.

"What...but...no..." He couldn't manage words. He could barely manage thoughts!

[kings_thief]

Locke almost would have laughed at the reaction if he could have. Honestly, he hadn't really been expecting much more but it was just good to see Tolten again. He pulled back from the hug and smiled at the blond before returning to where he'd been sitting to retrieve his journal.

He turned to a new page and scribbled a quick 'Hi. Sorry, can't explain it, but I promise it's really me. I've been in a town outside of this place and only just managed to get back last night.' before offering the book to his friend.

[age_of_kings]

"I...I don't understand..." Tolten looked from the writing to Locke, his expression a mask of confusion and disbelief. He sank down into the other chair, his legs weak. It didn't make any sense, not really. And while he was growing used to that, there were things that defied even his now flexible idea of what was logical and possible.

It was like some cruel trick, and it made his heart unhappy.

"I don't understand," he repeated.

[kings_thief]

Locke shook his head. He wished he could offer something more, something that made sense but he didn't even know why he was back, just that he was and the price had been his voice.

He sat nearby and let Tolten have a moment as he tried to think of something else to write. Did he try to offer words of comfort even though he couldn't think of any right at the moment or did he just get straight to what he needed to tell his friend? Locke didn't want to overload him with too much information at once, but he needed to tell Tolten about the caves and the passage to Farwell.

He sighed and, after a moment, wrote a new message to hand to the king. 'I'm sorry.'

[age_of_kings]

Tolten looked from the note to Locke, perplexed.

"What happened to your voice?" Why wasn't he speaking? Gods, this was all so confusing! He could accept that this place had power over life and death, he supposed, but...

It wasn't right. It wasn't natural... oh, he certainly didn't protest the fact that Locke lived, he never would! But the idea of it in general, of simply reversing the will of god and nature...

It didn't sit well with the young king at all.

[kings_thief]

Locke shook his head, pen idling over the paper as he thought. 'I don't know. We all lost something when we woke up in Farwell, mine was my voice. It's a fair enough trade, I'd say.'

He started to hand the book over but then paused and brought it back to himself to add something a couple lines lower. 'I know it's a lot to take in, but it's Farwell I need to talk to you about. I want to take you there, you'll be free of this place.'