[o4] ‸^‸ Fourth Song.

[ocariness]

Characters: AU!OoT Link (ocariness) and whomever finds her.
Setting: Floor 11 (Daytime). Set immediately after this, which is the day after the events of Hitori Kakurenbo.
Format: Action probably I'm terrible with prose lately?
Summary: Link now thinks that her ancestor hates her. Tired and emotionally past breaking point, she found somewhere (or so she thought) to be alone and sob. She really needs a hug.
Warnings: TOWER OF SADIMUS/ANIMANGST and tl;dr. But uh, other than that? None yet!

[ Everything around her was ripped away in a whirlwind of green light and the wooshing sound of air as Link returned to the warp point she'd set on the meadow floor.

It's hard, but she manages to pick herself up and not break down there, as luckily the warp point was next to the exit, as always. She gets up, numb, expression pained, and begins slowly making her way back to her room. By the time she returns to the meadow floor, she has since fixed her clothing, rebound herself, and gotten a shower.

... There was no evidence the person sitting next to the lakeside is a girl at all. Link had seen to that not being noticed.

She might be hard to spot, wearing a blue tunic instead of her usual green one and not bothering with having her hat on, but you'll spot her sitting on a bank, head pulled to her knees. There's the sounds of quiet sobbing every so often.

She shouldn't be allowed to carry the Master Sword, the name of Link, or anything else. She simply didn't deserve any of it; she had been forced to age and she never wanted it. She'd experienced loss, and the Tower was pushing her past even her limits of bottling things inside.

Something had to give. Perhaps it was her. Perhaps her ancestor deserved this sword more than she. Or the small Hero of Winds. Why was it that he, younger than when she'd started, was not forced to age like she had been? Was she never worthy to begin with? Did they simply "make do" with her? Was she a replacement "Hero"? Link didn't know.

What she did know was that she wished she could go home. Zelda deserved better than her. ]

Comments

Sounds like the Psycho theme

[sageprincess]

[Yes. That's something. Okay. She hesitates a bit, but looks back to the Hero of Time.]

... And will you listen?

sobs deeply

[theherourherocouldbelike]

[He looks over at the other Link again, with an almost pleading look in his eyes.]

I take my sad threads v seriously okay

[ocariness]

[ ...

No don't give her that look nooo. Augh. She gurgles a little before realizing OH SHE'S UNDERWATER talking doesn't work very well underwater, does it.

Kind of slowly staring at him and raising her head enough to, at least, give him a soaked stare, before a hesitant nod. ]

Obviously.

[sageprincess]

[Okay. Getting somewhere. She releases a heavy sigh before, again, turning to the ancestor.

... This will either go fairly well or really poorly.]

Well. Go on.

ilu guys never stop

[theherourherocouldbelike]

[He smiles a little and nods. Then he turns his full attention to Link.]

I have come to apologize. I should have explained myself clearly, but I have a hard time with finding the right words.

You see, where I come from, the Goddess is revered greatly, she is an idol for my people. There are knights at my academy who are female as well, and not to mention my best friend is a woman and she is very strong and respectable.

[There is a small pause as he thinks over how to word this correctly.]

I am not offended in the least that you are biologically a female, or that you are hiding this fact. You have your reasons to be hiding it and I respect that. I am merely upset that you would think that I would reject or hate you for being who you are, I am sorry I have led you to believe otherwise.

You are very strong, and I have a lot of respect for you.

[He then unwraps the Sailcloth from his waist and folds it neatly. Then, he shifts onto one knee, bows his head, and holds it out to the other.]

I do not expect you to forgive me, but I would like you to have this.

[ocariness]

[ She remains silent for the length of all of this, not really coming up for air, either, because bah who needs air.

Except... except when she hears him say that, she breaks down all over again and all but throws herself at him, sobbing. And also getting him soaked, but oh well.

She's... when it comes down to it? She's still just a girl. A girl who doesn't even really know what she's doing and is trying to pretend she DOES. One who was EXTREMELY sheltered and lost her family not once, but twice. One who keeps losing people important to her. Places important to her. There's only so much loss a ten year old can stand, and it doesn't matter how much they've been forced to grow up or endure.

She sobs. And continues sobbing, because if anything frightened her more in the world, it was the fact that others may hate her. So many had been wary of her when she had been open about her gender that she could no longer bring herself to even like it--like it was some sort of terrible disease and surely she couldn't be the Hero of Time, right?

These are all things she wants to say, but she's a little too wrapped up in crying right now to properly articulate them. ]

[sageprincess]

[Zelda holds her breath. Watching, waiting, praying...

... And then, it's released, and every muscle in her body relaxes.

Thank the Goddesses.

She remains quiet, allowing ancestor and descendant to have their moment, quietly wiping a few stray tears from her eyes.]

[theherourherocouldbelike]

[He was scared of her being afraid of him. He was scared she would never forgive him. He was scared of his own family hating him.

So when the other threw herself at him sobbing, he found himself crying as well.

He wraps his arms around her and holds her close, not caring about the fact that she's soaking wet.]

[ocariness]

[ Yeah okay this is definitely a major relief.

She really can't find words at the moment. She has never had family, and even then, she has been alone for a very long time. The Hero's job is one that happens alone with occasional aid, after all.

... Eventually she manages to quiet down, though it. Does take a few minutes, oops.

Don't mind her. She's just... really, really emotionally drained.

Too much to speak, just yet. Give her some time, though. She'll probably come around. ]

[sageprincess]

[And Zelda just sits here on the shore nearby, waiting patiently.

She should... really apologize for overreacting, but she also shouldn't ruin this moment, yeah?]

[theherourherocouldbelike]

[He keeps a hold onto the other, stroking her hair slightly. He had stopped crying himself but his eyes were still a bit red and watery. He didn't know just how badly he had hurt the other, he felt absolutely terrible.

He had also decided, that from this point on, he was going to protect and take care of the other Link. He would make sure no one else hurt her like he had himself, because she's family and he does not want to see her upset or harmed.]

[ocariness]

[ It takes her a bit to get a hold of her faculties and finally calm down, but when she does, she just--wipes her eyes and looks completely thoroughly embarrassed. ]

Both of you... are soaked. ... Sorry.

[ ... Oh god that is so embarrassing kdfhg supposed to be an adult, but... you know. ]

[sageprincess]

[A-ahaha, yeaaah, she'll be attempting to straighten her diadem and ring out her hair now.]

Clothes will dry. I am simply glad things have worked out.

[And then, very, very awkwardly, she turns to the older Link.]

... And... I am sorry as well. For overreacting. I was... irrational, and by behavior was unbecoming. My apologies.

[theherourherocouldbelike]

[He ruffles the others hair.]

I do not mind getting my clothes wet, they'll dry.

[He then smiles at Zelda.]

It's alright, it's just a bruise.

[ocariness]

[ ... W-well, okay then. ;; Topic at hand, they guess-- ]

A-ah... I'm sure it will heal?

[ Hopefully. ]

... I... I caused you a lot of trouble. Both of you. I apologize.

[sageprincess]

All the same... if there is any way I may make it up to you, I will gladly do so.

[Fixing pauldrons GODDESSES WHY ARE HER CLOTHES SO COMPLICATED.]

Not at all. Do not apologize.

[Yep, throwing your words from earlier back at you, Link.]

[theherourherocouldbelike]

[He shakes his head.]

I do not need anything to be made up to me, I am just happy that I was able to make amends with the both of you. I would not want our relationships to change, you are both very dear friends.

[He then smiles at Link.]

Families get in fights sometimes, but they will always make up. Just know that you can trust me with anything and I will always be here for you.

[ocariness]

[ ... You're going to make her cry again, Sky.

Sob. ]

...

[ Muted noted. She's... kind of too emotional for words at the moment. Pausing. ]

That... harp, though... it looks like...

[ --It's so familiar. Where has she seen it? ]

[sageprincess]

[Don't mind her, she's just... d'aww-ing internally.]

Hm? Harp...?

[She follows Link's gaze, having not noticed any harp while oh-so gracefully taking an unplanned swim, and... what.]

... Where did you get that?

[By the looks of it, she's definitely seen it before.]

[theherourherocouldbelike]

[He tilts his head and picks it up.]

It was given to me in a desperate time by my Zelda. I don't know much about it, only that it is a divine instrument that can be used to open spiritual gates and it was once Goddess Hylia's, long ago.

[ocariness]

[ ... She exchanges an attempted furtive glance with Zelda, one that says everything.

Family heirloom, perhaps?

She knows a Sheikah who played a harp just like this quite often, after all. ]

[sageprincess]

[The glance is returned, and the message comes through loud and clear. Slowly, she looks back to the ancient hero, a bit of a bemused expression upon her face.]

I... have one just like it.

[theherourherocouldbelike]

[He stares at it for a moment.]

...I do not think it is a coincidence that you do.

[ocariness]

[ Glance.

From Zelda, to the other Link.

Then back again. ]

... Families that were close, perhaps?

[ SWING AND A MISS. Still, despite the previous atmosphere, Link is upbeat. ]

Perhaps that might mean that our families know one another? Or... knew one another.

[sageprincess]

[... oh gosh why so cute.

Ahaha, somehow, she doesn't think that's quite it, but like hell is she doing anything that could possibly ruin Link's recovered mood. She gives her an awkward sort of smile.]

Perhaps. To be honest, I was never told where the harp had come from or what it was meant for. Only that it was a precious treasure of the Royal Family.