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]

[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.]

[faithstaynight]

[Offend?

Offend?

If she had been anyone else, she would have laughed. Would have yelled at him right then and there. Offended her... he had no idea. Many centuries had passed, but she could still recall her memories of her first life as if they had just happened. The fear whenever the English soldiers would attack Domrémy. The despair, when the people knew that even their rightful King was giving up hope. All the battles, the bloodshed...

It was personal, as well. She could still remember being captured at Compiègne, then being sold like a mere slave. She could remember her time in prison, the days when the guards would steal her clothes and force her to don men's attire again, or else she would be brought before the male prisoners in that state. And, of course, she could still remember the flames of the pyre, white-hot as they climbed higher and higher, engulfing her as she fought so valiantly to hold back tears and screams of fear...

All of this, caused by his people. He was his people, in some way she didn't understand, so...]

My very deepest apologies, Princess, but I need to go.

[Her voice was shaking. Her hands were balled into fists so tight that her nails were cutting into her palms. She's not completely lost to her (irrational?) anger, though, and can tell that Zelda is upset. She needs to get out of here, now, at least for her friend's sake. She doesn't want to upset her even more...]

But before I do. [It takes a lot of self-control, but she manages to keep her voice even as she locks eyes with England. Calm, despite her tense appearance.] You wish to know what you have done to offend me, monsieur. I will not say such things here, so I will merely tell you my true name, and hope that it still means something in this era.

[She stands, drawing herself up with as much dignity as she can.] It is Jeanne. Jeanne d'Arc.

[And then, after flashing a pained, apologetic look in Zelda's direction, she turned on her heel and very quickly made her way to the stairs.]

[keepscalm]

[That's all she needs to say.

His heart clenches tightly and quickly thereafter drops into his stomach with the weight of his dread. His hands curl into fists at his sides and he feels the chill that wracks his spine through his whole body.

Jeanne d'Arc.

Joan of Arc.

He just asked what he'd done to offend Joan of fucking Arc.

Yeah, no kidding she's pissed that he's English.

He doesn't say a word as she leaves, too shocked to recall how to properly string together a sentence. Not that he would even if he could. Because, really, what can he even say for himself? Not a whole hell of a lot. Nothing that would really mean anything now.

England continues to stare on towards the stairs once she departs, eyes wide and mouth only slightly ajar with his horror. He looks like he's just been slapped.

He'd probably feel better if he had been.]

[sageprincess]

What...

[... is happening? She's never seen the other girl so upset. Ruler has always been kind and understanding and strong, but Ruler is Jeanne and Jeanne means something to Arthur? Something upsetting?

She doesn't understand.

What she does understand, however, is that her friend is leaving. Her friend is leaving and she doesn't know if she'll be able to speak to her again because Ruler is Jeanne and Jeanne means something to Arthur. That's enough to make her forget her own limitations, however briefly.]

R... Ruler!

[The Princess all but throws herself out of her bed and nearly collapses from the start for her efforts. But she pushes onward, because maybe, maybe if she can just catch her, she can fix things, if she can catch her, things will be alright...

... She barely makes it to the foot of her bed before falling to her knees in pain.]

Ruler...

[She's always... so powerless, when it really matters.]

[keepscalm]

[England distantly registers the sound of Zelda's cries, but they're far away -- he's somewhere a couple centuries back with the acrid smell of smoke in his nostrils and spite boiling in his blood.

It's only once Zelda falls that England returns to the present and realises that he has royally fucked up in a way that he could never have hoped to prevent or fix. He rushes to Zelda's side, falling to one knee and offering his arms with a hurried:] Your highness--

[Jeanne is one thing, but he won't let Zelda get hurt over this. The worry on his face is open now as he fusses over the fallen princess.] Please, she-- I'll explain. You have nothing to fear.

[If Jeanne is truly a saint, he doesn't think she'll want Zelda to suffer for this either.]

[sageprincess]

[Perhaps if she were younger, if she hadn't been through what she has, she would have sobbed. She would have asked questions. She would have thrown herself into the closest comforting thing and not let go.

But, no. The princess is remarkably sober as Arthur rushes to her side, silent as she takes the offered aid. Dimmed eyes and a small, somber frown are the only visual evidence of how what just transpired is affecting her.

Only when she is off the ground does she speak again, quietly.]

... If two people I care for deeply are in opposition, is that not reason to be afraid?

[Please, she... can't stand to lose anyone else.]

[keepscalm]

[He supports Zelda easily, and he's careful to avoid doing any further damage as he helps her back to the bed. His chest still feels uncomfortably tight, and the young leader's words just exacerbate the terrible pinching sensation. Suddenly, he thinks he understands a little of what must be going through her mind.

He can't stand the thought of losing people either.

But he doesn't really know what to say. He would love to tell her that he wouldn't let something like this come between them -- but wouldn't he? Should Jeanne decide that she never wants Zelda to see his face again, wouldn't he do what was best to calm the situation and distance himself accordingly? He would probably deserve it. It was only a matter of time before his history came back to bite him.

He only attempts to voice his reassurance once they're safely at the bed.] ...If she is who she says she is, I do not think she will act knowing it would cause you harm. I also have no intentions of doing so.

[Though his words are reasonable, his tone is still a little shaken. Eventually, he appends a small:] ...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you.

[sageprincess]

... You did not upset me.

[Her voice is still quiet and small as she reluctantly makes herself comfortable once more in the prison that is her bed.

Goddesses above she hates being stuck here.

Her brows furrow as she looks down, obviously trying to make sense of things. But, of course, she is unable to.]

I just... do not understand. I have never seen Ruler like that - not even when monsters were swarming.