themainframe | Third Blade (Video)

*There's a loud clack as the D-Terminal starts recording. From its position on the floor, it obviously fell off of something and triggered something by accident. The center of the screen just shows Veemon snoozing on Jin's bed, but Jin is kneeling off to the side in front of three picture frames set on the floor in a row. Each is draped with black ribbon and contains a simple ink painting of a different person, each of which is labelled in an alien language. But even without being able to read it, it's evident that all three bear the same last nams. An incense holder sits in front of them with a stick already lit and the recording has started in the middle of a sentence.*

-for how long it's been. I know this shrine is a little crude compared to my usual one, but I wasn't able to get your photos before I was brought here. Come to think of it, I'm not even certain you'll be able to hear me from this world. Not that I expect you listened much anyway, not after the ways I disappointed you. I'd be especially surprised if you didn't tune me out regularly, Shion.

*He reaches out to briefly touch the first of the pictures, fondly but hesitantly. It's a gesture of both love and guilt.*

I can't blame you, since it was my negligence that...never mind. Regardless of whether you can hear me and whether or not you bother to listen and regardless of the fact that we never saw eye to eye, it still brings me comfort to talk to you. I know it's a little bit pathetic, but I have so little that's familiar here. To be honest, it's a little unsettling. It's funny...all these years since Miltia, and it's only now that I truly feel homesick. Maybe it's because I no longer have Pellegri to keep my company and my work to distract me. Or perhaps it's because the Fleet was my home no matter where we were and now I fear I may be separated from them for a very long time. I know you don't have very high opinions of those things, father, but I hope you understand why they would keep the loss of our birthplace from weighing on me as much as they could.

Or perhaps I ask too much. You owe me no solace...but be that as it may, your memory remains close to my heart. As always, I wish you happiness in the next life and pray that the fates are kinder to you than they were in this one. Goodnight, mother, father, Shion.

*He stands up and turns around and only then does he notice the D-Terminal sitting open on the floor.*

Now, what are you doing down there? And...recording? Well...this is a little bit embarrassing. I'm sorry all of you had to hear my glorified complaints.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

H-hey dude it's cool. Everyone has ways to deal. No shame in it.

I suppose. It's just a little sentimental for a commander in public view, don't you think?

Nahhh, people like knowing that you older tougher guys have a soft side. Lets us relate to you.

I'd say it's a safe bet we've all lost people we cared about. Either by coming here or back at home.

Heh, you may have a point. And with family...it's only natural to miss them, even if you didn't really get along.

No kidding. I may not have always...ever gotten along with Mento. But he's always been like a father to me and I'd love to hear his voice even if he was just barking orders again.

And while father and I always disagreed on our political views, I would give anything to be able to argue with him about the Immigrant Fleet and the Federation again.

See, so you're not alone. It's totally understandable.

I guess I've just spent so much time surrounded by hostilities that I've forgotten how to relate to people who don't have that on their minds.

Yeesh. The more I hear about your world the more I'm thinking you're better off here dude.

If we could get your family and friends here too then you'd be set.

I'll admit, I have enjoyed my time here in a way. But my people need me back home. Remaining here after I'm needed would mean abandoning my duty and the men and women who believe in me as their leader.

Well it's not like you can help that dude. You didn't bail on them, you were dude-napped.

And if I had the opportunity to return home but chose to remain here because it was easier? While it is true that it wasn't my choice to come here in the first place, remaining when I have the option to leave would be irresponsible. My organization has already lost one commander in a time of crisis. I won't put them through that again, even if it does mean sacrificing my own chance at peace.

You've got a point...

...but it's not like you really have a choice right now. So it's not worth worrying about right?

I'm not worried now...at least not since I've been assured that time has likely all but frozen in my own world relative to this one.

Of course, that doesn't change the fact that I miss Pellegri and the rest of the Fleet.

Wait, time froze? Who said that?!

One of the more experienced Chosen. She claimed that the last time she returned to her own world from here, it was as if no time had passed there. I suspect that, as this world is entirely digital, it runs at a much faster speed compared to what we're used to.

Really? DUDE! That's great!

I was all worried about going home and everyone being ticked that I'd gone missing but...

...oh hey wait. If time is frozen there but our time is moving ahead, what happens if we get home like, YEARS older?

I...Jin, are you--

[Marley's been listening the entire time, her thoughts immediately turning to home. She clears her throat, trying to hide the waver in her voice before she speaks again.]

I-I'm sorry...for your loss...

Thank you. Do you understand now why I said I wouldn't want to forget?

[Marley nods slowly as she falls silent for a short moment.]

I understand, yeah. If it were my mom...I'd be like you. I wouldn't want to forget either.

Even our bad memories have significance...in truth, though I often wish I could forget about him, even that man played a large role in making me who I am today. Fate works in strange ways like that.

I wish I could forget how things were at my old high school. Before I started going to McKinley. It...It wasn't a pleasant experience for me.

Yet would you be who you are now if not for those events? At the very least, I expect they made you appreciate the better situation more than you would have otherwise.

...I didn't have any friends there. At McKinley, it's different. I actually have friends, and a-a boyfriend. [She blushes a faint pink.]

Then take comfort in the fact that what you went through was temporary and you understand the true value of what you have now.

[She can only nod before looking away.]

Okay.

I know it can be difficult keeping the past in mind without dwelling on it, but remember that's all it is. It's over and though you can't change it, it can only hurt you as much as you allow it to.

*Something he has to remind himself every day to keep his guilt over his parents and sister's deaths from overwhelming him.*

...Thank you, Jin. I...I needed to hear that...

Third Blade (Video)

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