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oraclequill · 5 months ago

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Spotpass - Gen, Modern AU. Priam

Not on AO3, but check out my other writings on AO3 at -> OracleEther. An unedited, bit of a personal piece this time for 2/9. Just as a means to try and heal. My best friend died in 2024 and the wound is closed, but fuck if it doesn't still hurt. Warning for healing grief/pet death. If you've been there, you've been there.

Had it truly come to end like this? So sudden and unexpected, despite his instincts warning him–screaming even–that the time was near. If only he’d known how near, he’d have made sure to have put more time aside to spend with his dog. Even in the dog’s senior years, the shepherd-mix held the worn leash between its teeth. Her tail idly thumping in expectation of their shared running routine. But now, the leash was simply a strip of leather, the worn metal buckle and pin. Unable to be looped around the neck of the canine who it’d belonged to, once upon a time. An ongoing story with a page torn from the spine of the book. Priam felt not quite hollow, but as though some piece of him was still missing. It was not violently ripped away and neither quiet in its vanishing.

It was merely just…gone.

— Priam wasn’t sure why he carried the leash in hand on his morning runs. The clink of metal and cord gave him a sense of ease, that he wasn’t alone on a jog, but the lack of strength pulling at his hand made him long for the days he couldn’t get back.

Someone patted at his back with their hand–it was Robin, who ran in place to keep her breathing pace as Stahl jogged in after her, taking a drink from his water bottle–“Hey, Priam. Mind if we join you?” “Sure,” Priam gave a small smile, one that seemed easier to show despite all that’d happened. “I guess I could use the company… ”

Robin gave him her own smile, her eyes understanding as she took place beside him. The passing conversations had been simple and with some laughs and friendly banter. Priam felt his heart sting less at the company of those two. Store windows showed the interiors. Robin paused to glance at a set of novels she’d been thinking of picking up. Already, Stahl carried two books under his arm, one about cooking and the other about medical practice under his arm. Priam glanced at some of the war related novels and almanacs before returning them to where he got them; in comparison to Stahl and Robin–he wasn’t as dedicated of a reader.

Priam gave Stahl a friendly bump to the shoulder with his fist, nodding that he was going to wait outside. The leash was still carried in his hand. The metal clinked in rhythm as he walked out the bell-equipped door which jingled shut behind him. Taking a deep breath, Priam listened to the sound of the city traffic, the beginning beat of soft late night jazz…and the sound of animals from the building next door.

His legs carried him over there before he could second guess himself. Another bell-equipped door chimed when he walked through. Fish tanks lined the walls, glowing with lights, accented pieces and different scenery backdrops. Colorful birds chirped and twittered as he passed those, too. Hamsters rolled in their wheels and orbs, often losing their footing and rotating comically to the top, where they now were upside-down.

Priam approached the cornered off play-pit, his blue eyes passing over the puppies inside. They bumbled over each other, play-snarling and yapping in excitement. Their whole bodies wagged along with their tails at the sight of him. Priam lowered his hand into the pit, clicking his fingers and tongue to his teeth. Some sniffed at his hand, others nipped him in affection or demand for food.

He thumbed a pink patched nosed puppy before it hurried off to play with its littermate. A cold dark nose bumped under Priam’s palm, catching him by surprise. Golden ears that were tipped a darker brown made him frown. The puppy bounced its own head under his hand, panting happily with her tail wagging in place as she sat on the floor. Taking his hand away, Priam blinked at the puppy’s dark furred face, her brown eyes large and warm as her head tilted in wonder at him.

Priam felt his heart warm and he gave the dog one final pet on her head. She licked his fingers and stood up on her back legs, wanting to be closer to him. The door jingled and Stahl’s voice called his name–“Priam, are you in here?”–which Priam answered, “Yeah, I’m at the back.”

Robin’s footsteps approached after a few minutes of Priam’s playing with the puppy. In her own arms was a black kitten that purred and pawed at the tassel Robin waved in front of it.

“You trust that you’re ready for it?” Robin said, her free hand sweeping over Priam’s back.

With a nod, Priam leaned forward, scooping the pup in his palm. The puppy’s tail wagged faster and Priam held her safely in his arms.

—

Some short time later, with “see you laters” given to Stahl and Robin, with his wallet lighter and his left hand carrying a bag of assorted toys, treats and bedding for the puppy, along with the licensed form of ownership and collar, Priam walked home to his apartment. The puppy turned her head every which way, barking or growling at new sights. She settled down in silence when Priam gently tapped her nose with a soft, but firm, “No. Good girl.”

Dropping the bag in front of his apartment door, Priam fumbled the keys to unlock it before doing so. He placed the bag inside and set the puppy down to lock the door and catch his breath. The puppy’s pawsteps pit-pattered throughout the apartment’s wood floor. Priam stooped down to start unloading the bag and put away everything he’d bought today.

The bag tipped over from the weight of things inside it. At that moment, the puppy came barreling in. She rolled past the rubber toys, the tug-o-war rope and chewable rawhide for pups her age. She grabbed the aged leash in her small jaw, dropping it quickly and she stepped on it, beginning to whine.

Priam watched the spectacle, wide-eyed, but in silence before he reached for the leash. The puppy bumped her head against his scarred fingers, her nose was cold as she licked at his hand with her tail quickly wagging.

Priam smiled, having to clear his throat and brush the tears that came to his eyes. He realized then that not everything had fallen out of the bag. Diving his hand into it, Priam fished out the small collar, enclosing it comfortably around the puppy’s neck and the nameplate shined under the apartment lights.

“Welcome home.”

#Fire Emblem #Fire Emblem Awakening #Priam #Ylisse #Radiant Hero Priam #OracleQuill's Writing

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oraclequill · 6 months ago

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Playing with Light - Chapter 1/2(?) - Rated E

Or read it on AO3 - A kudos is appreciated! Character(s) - Link, Rauru (Background/Implied Zelink Pairings - Background/implied ZeLink Alternate Universe/Canon Divergence, General vague Spoilers for the plot Tears of the Kingdom for those that know. Closing Notes: I might just break this up into short idea drabbles from all my written concept notes so far if I can't commit to full chapters.

The marbled slabs were heavy against his hands as he pushed at them. A ghostly light began filling the lettered scales of the twin dragons that were on the door. The disturbed dust shook from the ceiling, spilling down onto the shaking temple floor. The wind seeped past Link as he stepped forward with the open gate. A long, open-walled hall led to an altar stretched before him. His chest heaving, Link worked to gather his breath. A sharp sting came through the limb given to him by the stranger that named himself “Rauru.” Link winced, holding at the limb as light threads of red smoke seemed to bleed from it. A green gleam, like the one from the dragon-marked door, brightened the arm. “Ah, good. I see you have managed to open the door.” Rauru’s projected spirit now stood before Link. “You haven’t fully recovered yet,” He nodded to Link, who gazed again at the dark smoking limb and the wisps that trailed into nothing. “but that is to be expected–you were almost beyond saving…”

A light wind pulled through the open temple space. “Though our time together has been brief, I am so happy that we finally met…” Link watched as Rauru turned ahead, looking into the distant, open sky. “You are exactly as Zelda said. I’ve done everything I can for her.” His head lowered in a respected nod. “Now it is up to you.”

“Wait, Rauru.” Link spoke up, his voice calm.

“Link?”

The blond Hylian looked from the glowing arm, which he grasped it with his own wrist before looking up to him, to Rauru; “Come with me.”

Rauru let his mouth come open, letting his eyes become wide. He closed his ghostly fist, unable to feel his missing arm and his great ears tucked low.

“You would ask me to join you?” Rauru could almost taste the bitterness on his own tongue. “Me? A mere spirit of what he once was? One who failed his assigned duty?”

Link gave a slight start at that before nodding firmly, “I don’t know your story or things you’ve been through, but,” His voice trailed. “I have once failed too…”

It was now Rauru's turn for a taken pause, making him stare at Link and further see the burdened look that showed in the young Hylian’s eyes. Link then lifted his head higher to now fully meet Rauru’s gaze.

“Together, maybe we can find those answers,” Link now looked over his shoulder at the collapsed temple bridge.

Rauru sighed, but he smiled, despite believing he'd been ready to pass on and grant his soul rest. What was some weeks more, given he'd already survived the long centuries? Imprisoned in that endless abyss of darkness. To see what Hyrule had become in the present day?

“Alright, Link,” Rauru nodded to him. “I will be with you for your journey.”

Link gave a loud cheer, his fist thumping at the air and Rauru could not help but laugh at Link's child-like joy. The Hylian took off to the spirit's surprise, running the length of the broken temple path. Rauru then flew behind him, following and ascending alongside Link when he warped through to the higher levitating platform.

Floating just above the small stone altar was a small shimmering mass of light. Link slowed before it, hesitating as he approached it. Rauru floated beside the hero, curiosity and pause mingling as he, too, stared at the source of power. What resonated inside seemed familiar somehow, but before he could speak this to Link, a careful chime made Rauru glance to the Hylian's back.

“Link, your sword...” Rauru remarked quietly.

Lifting his arm to his shoulder, Link let his fingers wrap around the decayed Master Sword's grip. The tattered cloth knot that tied it to his back slipped loose with ease as he bought it forward. A blue light pulsed in ringing rhythm when held before the altar. Rauru let his ears quirk in wonder at the heard whisper of a woman's voice.

“What should I do?” Link spoke more to the sword than to Rauru, staring at the wounded blade. The weapon gave another gleam of light at Link's question. “Alright. I trust you.”

Rauru watched the scene unfold in silence. Link raised the sword up, letting it sink and be steeped in the glowing, golden light. The energy seemed to grasp and gently touch at Link's own wrist before releasing him. He, too, let go of the Master Sword, watching as it hovered in the air while contained in the golden light.

The energy swelled and blazed, glowing around the broken sword. Zelda's reflected golden-made image had now come to stand across the altar from Link. It were as if she were somehow there and equally elsewhere in the world. Her hands raised to catch the broken Master Sword. Zelda looked curiously at the blade, with her hand around its grip. She closed her eyes, as if in prayer before turning away from Link's own gaze. And in a mere blink, with the bell of the temple sounding into the air, the light closed and Zelda and the Master Sword were both gone...

The temple grounds and even the skies themselves had begun to shake. Link staggered but kept his footing as he hurried to the platform edge. The long body of a bright dragon lifted through the dense clouds, pushing the whole of them back with its ascension higher into the skies of Hyrule. Link pushed his palms over his pointed ears at the dragon’s roar shook the empty world around it. It was as if someone was screaming his name. The shout rattled to the very insides of his bones. Even Rauru had vanished at the noise of painful call. Only when the silence settled did the Source of the Right Arm appear once more.

A warm wind flowed from the inside of the temple, careful in the way Link thought it seemed to push at his very back. Urged forward, Link peered past the temple edge, seeing Hyrule Field expand out far below. He gave a calm breath, running a small pace back before he sprinted to the platform's rim. Rauru swooped in front of him, his arms open as though he could interact with the beings of the physical world.

“WHAT are you doing?!”

“I...” Link gave a shy grin, running his clawed hand through the back of his long hair. “I was going to jump off the platform?”

“TO YOUR DEATH,” Rauru bought his palm over his eyes. “Link, please. You still have much to recover from, and as I clearly need remind you,” He looked over the stone's edge, able to see a large pond down below. “Solid water is greater in density than the bones of a Hylian when the surface is slammed into at high speeds. Even when those bones belong to a Hero.”

“How did you know--”

“As I said when we met; I heard a great deal about you from Zelda,” Rauru now smiled, seeing that Link's face had become pink. “It is not the likes of I that that girl gained her food palette from.” Rauru gave his own grimace, his shoulders shuddering. “Frogs... That is a tale I will share for another time.” He then pointed behind Link, (who seemed to be laughing behind his fingers) toward the platform floor. “This should make your descent easier, despite the fabric's age.”

Link turned to where Rauru acknowledge. Seeing that tied to a small dragon statue on the altar, with its ribbon strands fluttering in the wind, was an abandoned paraglider. Searching the green pocket in the sleeve of his tunic, Link withdrew the sharp blade horn he had picked up from the pieces of lone Construct guard who had protected the temple.

“Give me a moment?”

Link had already cut the frame of the paraglider loose, grasping the frame of it in hand as he readied to dive smoothly from the temple. He then hesitated, seeing how Rauru looked on at the silent Temple of Time. The quiet hum of Rauru's soul was the only noise with the two of them standing in the marbled building's shadow that cast onto them from the early morning light.

“Let us be off.” Rauru said, his smile sad but assuring.

“We can linger a bit longer if--” Link began to say, but Rauru shook his head to him.

“I am grateful, Link,” Rauru motioned with his transparent arm at a sweep to Link's shoulder, unable to truly reach out and touch him. “but even in my time? Hyrule's lands were, by no means, small. When one spends his years in darkness, silence and loneliness?” His face became grim before he managed another fatherly smile at the sight of Link's own worried gaze. “The light of day and familiar faces in treasured company is good for one's soul. Even the soul of a dead man.”

Rauru faded from sight and Link watched as his arm glowed before becoming dark once more. He hopped from the temple, holding onto the frame of the paraglider. The sharp winds flowed around him, catching in his sleeve to float lopsidedly on their current. Closer to the unobscured grounds, Link then opened the paraglider to safely sail the rest of the way.

“I know I have lots of questions for you and a duty to now find Zelda and the Master Sword,” Link called to Rauru, who now reappeared to join him on the flight.

Rauru nodded, “I will answer them in due time over the course of our journey. You have my word.”

“I heard her voice! Zelda's,” Link clarified at Rauru's look of wonder. “She called out, 'Link... You must find me.' I have to know who that corpse was beneath the castle. I have to check in with the people of Hyrule--and with my friends most of all. I hope everyone is alright.”

Rauru's great ears gave a slight twitch and his brow came closer together. “Where do I even begin with all of this...”

Link's feet had touched to the ground, splashing into the water and sending pebbles skittering under his sandals that he clearly had not heard Rauru's own mumble.

“Rauru?” Link folded the frame of the paraglider neatly and he placed it into the pocket sleeve of his tunic. (It was almost as if the available space inside it was near endless!) He looked to the tall spirit, who had his fingers against his own chin, appearing deep in thought.

“It's nothing, Link,” Rauru said, now following along at Link's side. “Perhaps we should explore central Hyrule Field? That great tower has piqued my interest...”

#Legend of Zelda #Tears of the Kingdom #TotK Fic #TotK Rauru #Link (Hero of the Wild)#Oraclequill's Writing

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