Lullaby ♩ Rest

[sageprincess]

Characters: Princess Zelda and you!
Setting: Infirmary; Day
Format: Starting in action, will switch to prose if you'd like!
Summary: After getting beaten up by Ghoul Powder'd Momotaros and subsequently rescued by SS!Link, Zelda's stuck in recovery. She's not exactly thrilled about it.
Warnings: Vague mentions of injuries, nothing too gruesome.


[Well, she supposes only being incapacitated once without actually dying in the process is a pretty good track record for someone who's been in this accursed place over eight months now.

Wander into one of the few non-ruined floors - the infirmary - and you'll find one Princess of Hyrule laid up in bed. She isn't as bad off as she could be (healing magic is something she definitely needs to learn more about), but there are still bandages peeking out under her clothing here and there, bruises where the wrappings don't cover, and even the stubborn Princess herself recognizes that she should probably stay put for a while.

Still, that doesn't mean it isn't horrifically boring. There's a notepad of Fellowship related things at her bedside table - an attempt to get something done when she can't do much else, but even that grows dull and stagnant after a while.

Someone please save the princess from her own boredom.]

_{[ooc; Feel free to comment to that journal post to help me update it!]}

Comments

[sageprincess]

That would be an understatement.

[Really. There's the incident itself, of course, but then she has no idea who else might have been affected by the sudden madness, or who the perpetrator is or if they'll do it again. And all she can do about it is lay here! Troublesome indeed.]

Honestly I would prefer it if you would simply keep me company for a while. It is horrendously dull here, I would have you know.

[faithstaynight]

Most infirmaries are. I never did like being stuck in a bed while others were out fighting or being more productive, so I understand your frustration.

[She looks around, spotting a chair and bringing it over to Zelda's bedside.] Company is a great way to stop yourself from going out of your mind with boredom, so I will stay here for as long as you'll allow it.

[sageprincess]

[And Zelda perks up a bit in response. She's had enough of being alone, to be honest.]

I am grateful. And please, stay as long as you would like. I have attempted to keep myself occupied-- [A small nod to the notebook on her table.] --but working on delegation is only effective for so long before it too seems like a slow form of torture.

[faithstaynight]

I've never had to do work such as that before. I was unaware it was that bad. [She eyes the notebook curiously.] Is that for the groups you are putting together?

[sageprincess]

Yes. It is... bureaucratic, and I can only do so much without speaking with those involved. [Which is obviously an issue in her current state. She sighs.] In truth, I have little idea what I am doing, let alone if it will actually work in the end.

[But she's trying, at least?]

[faithstaynight]

[Trying is good. Very good! Anyone can admire that.]

W-Well, as I said, I've never done such work before... but if you need any assistance, I will do what I can to help. Perhaps I could fetch the others for you, if you need to speak with them?

[sageprincess]

That would ease my frustration a bit, but... at the same time, I wonder if I should let many of the others see me in such a state.

It... would not be good for morale, or so I have heard. [At least, that's what Gandalf insisted during the whale attack.] And all the same, the one who would be able to advise me the most may very well come of his own accord at some point.

[Well, she hopes that he will, anyway.]

[faithstaynight]

On the contrary, I think seeing that you're not willing to let this misfortune stop you in what you're trying to do would be the exact opposite of a blow to morale.

It's... troubling, yes, to see a friend and ally in such a state. But it is also inspiring to see that you are not letting this get the better of you.

[keepscalm]

[Having a nation body has its perks. He's almost completely healed up from the attack on the Tower -- he's just here to clean up what little is left. England is there for a little while before he hears the familiar voices.

He disposes of the cotton and gauze he used to clean his wounds before seeking out the set of voices. His heart drops into his stomach when he sees who it is that's bedridden. The other woman he faintly recognises as one who responded to his call for charity back in July.

He doesn't intend to interrupt, but--]

Zelda?

[--his concern gets the better of him.]

[sageprincess]

Hm, that is one way of looking at it, I suppose. Though truly, I simply despise feeling as though I am unable to do anything of worth.

[She's spent too long merely waiting for someone else to fix her mistakes - allowing herself to do nothing now is simply unthinkable.

She opens her mouth to speak again, but the voice she hears is not her own, though it is familiar nonetheless. She smiles slightly, calmly - a reflex to hopefully quell any panic before it starts.]

Hello, Arthur.

[faithstaynight]

[Ah.

Something barely noticeable changes in Jeanne's expression; her smile fading a bit, her eyes narrowing just a fraction. She tries not to come off as too uneasy, as the Princess seems happy to see this man. But still...

She was still a bit uncertain about how this whole. Country spirit thing worked. But she knows who he is, what he represents... and that alone is enough to sour the Servant's mood a bit.]

A friend of yours? [Her voice seems casual enough as she turns to glance at the man.]

[keepscalm]

[Zelda seems happy enough to see him, despite her state. Still, his expression is one that is evidently troubled, if not openly concerned (that is something reserved for when he's alone with someone, and they're not alone).]

Ah-- apologies for the interruption. Ruler, isn't it?

[sageprincess]

[Meanwhile, the Princess here can only wonder what suddenly seems off about her friend's disposition. It earns a brief, curious glance, but she nods.]

Yes, Arthur has aided me quite a bit during my time here.

[An understatement, really, but it's enough to get the point across.]

[faithstaynight]

[Talk about conflicting. If there was someone who was a good friend and ally of Zelda's... well. Jeanne wants to be nice. "A friend of yours is a friend of mine" and all. But... after everything that had happened in her first life, she can't help but feel bitter towards the person who represented her enemy, her captors, her executors...]

Yes, that is correct. It is... nice to meet you in person, monsieur, especially knowing you are a friend of the Princess's.

[The word "nice" seems a tad forced. As much as she's hoping to sound sincere, that likely hasn't gone unnoticed.]

[keepscalm]

[England's eyebrows furrow somewhat as Ruler gives her introduction. She...doesn't seem as pleased to be meeting him as she says she is.

Maybe it's because he's English. The rivalry runs deep.]

It's nice to meet you, as well. I wasn't aware the two of you were acquainted.

[That said, he glances back towards Zelda, frowning.] I'm sure you're weary of telling the story by now, so-- is there anything I can do to help?

[sageprincess]

[Yeaaah, there's... something wrong with Ruler now that she just can't place. The girl is normally so much more open and friendly, and always seems to have a kind word for her. So why do her words seem forced now?

Her own smile falters a bit, perhaps a bit concerned.]

Yes... I encountered Ruler shortly after she awoke here some weeks ago. She was quite eager when I mentioned organizing an effort to escape this place, and we have been acquaintances ever since.

[And that should be that, right?]

As for myself, personally, I am fine for the moment, though I must say that anything that would hasten my leaving of this place would be wonderful.

[faithstaynight]

Perhaps you could talk to someone who knows healing magic, if you are so eager to leave. [Yes, let's. Try to ignore the elephant in the room that Zelda isn't able to see. Jeanne's not doing a very good job of it though, and still sounds a bit off.]

I do not know much about such things, but there should certainly be ways to bring your health back to top shape.

[keepscalm]

[For all his magical sight, England is having trouble seeing it too. He knows he interrupted, but surely she can't be that upset over it...]

Healing magic does sound like the best way to hurry your recovery. Though I'm afraid I can't name anyone well-versed in it off the top of my head.

[He knows plenty of magic-users (he's one of them), but he can't really remember any of them being healers...]

[sageprincess]

Alas, it seems I am stuck with more mundane options for the time being.

[Since she can't really... go out and ask herself. That said, this is all brushed off remarkably easily, considering her complaints earlier.

There's something else on her mind now.]

... Pardon me if I am overstepping any boundaries, but... is there something wrong, Ruler?

[faithstaynight]

Wrong? [Damn, is she that obvious?] No, nothing is wrong. What makes you say that?

[Look she's not just stubborn on the battlefield, okay. She doesn't want to upset Zelda, so she's trying to hold off saying something she may regret.]

[keepscalm]

[Oh Zelda. He is not sure if that made things better or worse. But, since she brought it up and all...]

If it's that I've interrupted something important, I can take my leave. It's no trouble. [He can just visit Zelda later...]

[sageprincess]

[She's not a mind reader, alright? And if something's wrong, she wants to help.]

Perhaps I am mistaken, but you seem... on-edge, to me.

[That said, though she can understand the offer, she... doesn't really want Arthur to leave, either.]

[faithstaynight]

I am not on-edge. [Wow that came off as way more defensive than she meant for it to sound.] And no, you were not interrupting anything important. If you wish to stay, then stay.

[keepscalm]

[She sure sounds on-edge. He gives Ruler a bit of a look, somewhat wary in both expression and words.]

I'm sorry if I've done something to offend you... [Though the way he says it, it's almost more like an inquiry than an apology. It comes off as a formality (which it is, really -- how can he apologise if he doesn't know what he's done?)]

[sageprincess]

[Where Arthur is wary, Zelda... seems more someone who's been scolded, a small frown tugging at the corners of her lips.]

I merely wish to help if something is wrong - my apologies.

[And she's fairly certain something is wrong now, but at the same time, she doesn't want to upset her further.]