Memory Cave

[voidtreckermods]

After the passengers see a glimpse of a life that is not their own they appear in a cave. It is light, a strange moss glowing on the walls and ceiling illuminates the cave nicely and it is large enough for them to pace around in without trouble.

They are not alone. In the cave with them is another voidtrecker. Maybe someone they know well, maybe someone they have only seen in the aisles of the train. But they are together in this cave together.

The cave has no exit, at least not yet. They know that it will, eventually. When the time is right.

But for that time to come, they first must talk...

(OOC: For reference: memories!)

Comments

[sos_pilot]

[ There's no fighting the tears on Della's side this time. Maybe it's because she's a mom, or just general empathy, but - children shouldn't have to suffer like that.

Nor should they have to think like that. Children should be allowed to cry, to mourn, they don't need to toughen up! Not at that age!

Before anything can be said between them, Della grabs Kaiba by the arm, and yanks him into a hug. ]

[blue_ice]

[ The memory hits him even harder this time, now that he's been apart from Mokuba for all this time. All he wants is to see him again, to reach out to him...and try to make up for lost time.

Then they're in the cave, and he's still swept up in that wave when Della tugs him down For once he's too stunned to resist when she hugs him. They're alone, and having walked in her shoes...is it so bad? He very hesitantly returns the gesture, and something deep inside him seems to ease when he does. ]

Your construction work on that leg was incredible.

[ Probably silly, but they're the first words that come to mind. His expression is oddly bashful when he manages to look her in the eye. ]

[sos_pilot]

[ Better enjoy the hug, Kaiba, because judging by her grip, she's not letting go anytime soon. ]

Incredible? You kids... taking care of him ever since you were that young... that's incredible! I just... it still wasn't fair. Kids shouldn't have to through like that.

I'm just... I'm so sorry.

[blue_ice]

...mm. So you saw my life in reverse order, essentially.

[ Deep breath. He shakes a little, voice tight when he finally answers. ]

I don't remember much about my birth parents. My mother died giving birth to Mokuba, and my father didn't last long after that. His heart died with her...so we were passed around to relatives, who spent all our inheritance and dropped us there.

I earned our ticket out, I set us free...but at the time, I didn't realize how much I was giving up by closing myself off. I could've been more like you, and he'd be happy---he said that to me, once.

[sos_pilot]

[ How could any adult treat a child like a meal ticket? If Della ever saw those relatives, they'd have a hard time avoiding a beat-down. ]

... You did what you thought would protect yourself and your little brother. That isn't your fault. The people around you... they should have protected you. They should have allowed you to be an actual kid.

[ She looks up at him with a sad smile. ]

No matter what you tell yourself... you did a good job. You raised your brother right. Yeah, you might've made mistakes... we all do. But learning from them is the important part. You were put in a position you shouldn't have been in... so managing to come so far is incredible too.

[blue_ice]

The man who finally adopted us...the one who molded me into his heir, before I overthrew him. He told me not to trust anyone, not even him. That's how cutthroat the business world is.

[ He sighs, pulling back a little, but still right in front of her. ]

I shielded Mokuba from the worst of it, but when I see him...I'm going to give him everything I couldn't before.

[ He swiped a hand over his eyes and nodded. ]

How did you bond with your kids that quickly after all that time apart?

[sos_pilot]

[ She eases her grip on him so he can back up all he wants... for the most part. ]

...As nice as that reunion you saw was... It wasn't all smiles and happy tears. Of course we were happy to be together... but soon we realized, essentially, we were all complete strangers to each other. The kids almost saw me as some kind of... infallible fairy tale hero. And I'd envisioned them as toddlers fresh out of their eggs, when they were already grown kids. So... we had to learn all about each other. And that wasn't easy. I screwed up a lot.

I was so desperate to get them to like me, I accidentally put them in danger. And then I was so lax about disciplining them, one of them did the same thing. There are still so many bumps in the road ahead... but still... I wouldn't give it up for anything.

[blue_ice]

[ He stays near, his hand remaining on her arm. Still seeking connection. ]

Kids are usually smarter than their caretakers give them credit for. I've had to watch out for that.

[ He exhales. ]

It's not easy. I'm the last person you should ask about how to form emotional bonds. But if there's one thing I wish I'd done better, just...be there for them, really listen, and give them what they need. And what they want, if it won't conflict with the former and it's within reason.

[sos_pilot]

... Sounds like you know plenty. I bet there's still a thing or two we could learn from each other.

... Some vacation this island turned out to be, huh?

[blue_ice]

Hmm. Well if the subject ever comes up here, you can try me.

[ He sighs. ]

It wasn't their right to expose our pasts like this, no. But other than that...the springs were as nice as advertised.

[sos_pilot]

Hey, if there's anybody's tail that can be kicked for this, I'll make sure you're first in line.

[blue_ice]

It's appreciated.

[ And even for as bad as this is...he finally relaxes. This whole incident could have been much worse.

Just as he thinks this, a single door appears in front of them. He turns hie head looking for the other one, but...no, there's only one. ]

...is it only letting one of us out?

[sos_pilot]

Or maybe we're supposed to leave together.

[ With that in mind, she offers her hand. ]

[blue_ice]

...worth a shot.

[ And he takes her hand, squeezes once, and departs through the doorway...

...only to come back to his body, now leaning on her. What a strange trip. ]

[sos_pilot]

[ She rapidly blinks, equally surprised. ]

... Uh. Hey there.

[blue_ice]

...hm?

[ Right. Tall human, small duck. Oof. He jumps to his feet, startled, but thankfully he doesn't faceplant in the syrup. Once he's stable, he reaches to make sure she's all right. ]

Glad that's over.

[sos_pilot]

Yeah, yeah.

... Look, if you ever need to talk, or anything...

[blue_ice]

I'll come find you.

And I'm already on duty for passengers, so my door's open too.

[ something strange passed between them. He feels a weird pulse connecting them once more, and then it's lighter...faint...they're free.

He retreats to his bench, but his gaze drifts back to her every now and then. ]