Minuet ♪ Moving

[sageprincess]

Characters: Zelda and you!
Setting: Floor 3 or 19, Floor 25, Floor 14, and Floor 32
Format: Starting with action - I'll follow you!
Summary: The Princess of Hyrule going about her days while trying not to freeze to death.
Warning: Sexual confusion? None yet.


Floor 3 or 19
[The libraries might as well have become a second home for Zelda with all the time she has spent there recently. Ever since Ruana (and to a lesser extent, Dax) took to the network, she has been pouring over book after book, network post after network post, trying to make sense of the things she said. Of course, any success is limited at best, and for the most part, the only fruit of her labor thus far has been a stack of notes with more questions than answers contained within.

Still, the search gives her focus and drive - things she had been terribly lacking in since... the end of June, really. And perhaps that's the most valuable thing Ruana gave her that day - not information, but a will to do more than merely endure.

In any case, if you're looking for one long-eared princess, you are most likely to find her here, surrounded by her books and notes.]

Floor 25 (For bow_of_the_galadhrim and maybe friends?)
[Of course, that is not to say she does nothing else with her time. Sometime before the chaos of October and everything else, Legolas said the elven swords he was having crafted for her were ready, and they could begin training. Sure, it's cold now and getting colder, but it's peaceful for the moment (well, for some definition of peaceful), and she needs to learn eventually.

So, looking more like a pirate than a princess in Tetra's mother's (her descendant's?) long coat and her hair tied up in a ribbon, she waits on the meadow floor for the Prince of Mirkwood. At least there's no snow on this floor.]

Floor 14
[And sometimes even she needs a break, though loathe she is to admit it. She doesn't frequent the media floor often - even after nearly a year's time in the Tower, most of the technology there is beyond her. But she does know how one piece of electronic machinery works (though don't ask her what it's called), thanks to a girl who's long since vanished from the tower walls. And it's that piece of machinery that's currently serenading her with the sounds of a certain British classic rock band as she curls up on a couch nearby, wrapped in the fluffy comforter she got as a "prize" for participating in Halloween's "game".

Pass by at just the right moment, and she might even appear to be asleep. Even back in Hyrule, music was always there to provide a temporary escape from life's hardships, and it's so easy to get lost in it...]

Floor 32
[And sometimes, given the high levels of stress inherent to the situation, it is necessary to take "taking a break" a little further.

Look up into the trees on the forest floor, and you might see a blur of blue and grey hopping from branch to branch, disturbing and sprinkling the snow that's accumulated there in its wake.

Investigate?]

(Responses for the last prompt will mostly come from sagesurvivor.)

Comments

[faithstaynight]

[Ah, yes... she's heard of Ruana. Not much, of course - she only knows that she is the one of highest authority within the tower - but still... it's a little frustrating, that she missed something so important, but there's no use getting upset over it now.]

The way you say such things... I'm unable to determine whether that is good or bad. Which is it?

[sageprincess]

That... I cannot truly decide.

[The purse of her lips becomes a frown, because as much as she likes having something to focus on, it's still frustrating to come face to face with the fact that there is only so much she can do with the information she's given.]

She told us quite a bit about herself, considering we knew little to nothing about her before, and she spoke a bit about the Tower's history. But... there were certain key things that she adamantly refused to answer, things I think would help explain why this place is the way it is.

I suppose, as it stands, it is good in that it is more information than we had before, but bad in that I have yet to find any practical use for said information.

[Huff.]

[faithstaynight]

The best way to use information you gain isn't always immediately obvious. For now, simply filing it away is the best thing to do, I think.

She frowns a bit, staring at the pile of notes.] I hate to say it, but... it will likely quite some time until we can put whatever it was that you and the others learned to good use. If the information was vital at all, the other administrators are likely going to be watching us - and the network - much more carefully from now on.

[sageprincess]

That is the thing, though; I do not think the other administrators know of what happened to Ruana at all. They might very well be as much in the dark regarding her as the rest of us.

[Filing the information away for later might be best, but it gives her something else to think about aside from the tragedy of their situation. She flips through a few pages of her notes, finger tracing a few lines.]

Both Ruana and Dax said that she is much older than the other administrators, and Dax told me he could not explain why... well, why she is the way she is. Childlike, yet sadistic. [Ah, found the line.] She even said once that, "They do not know a lot of the things I know. Do not be too mad at them."

... You are right, I know it, but... [She wants to understand.]

[faithstaynight]

Even if they are in the dark... that's all the more reason for them to keep a closer eye on what's being over the network now. They know now that the captives here will do what they can to get into contact with Ruana again, to try and get a better explanation for whatever it was she said... and if we found out something they do not know, it would give us an incredible advantage.

[And she can't stop the grin from crossing her face at that. She may not be well versed in the more subtle arts of fighting with information, but she knows an advantage when she can see one.] So it's hard to be too frustrated with this situation, don't you think? Knowing that we have something, no matter how vague, that they do not.

[sageprincess]

[She listens to Jeanne's words carefully, and in the end, she can't help a small, admitting smile herself. Leave it to Jeanne to make her see the silver lining of things.]

I suppose. I am simply not so easily satisfied, it would seem. But indeed, something is better than nothing.

[faithstaynight]

Much, much better.

[That grin softens back into a warm smile. Jeanne is happy to see Zelda smiling like that - it seems like the other girl has just been too stressed lately, and that worried her. Seeing that expression put her mind at ease, at least a little.]

It's good to see that this has brought some of your drive back, princess.

[sageprincess]

[And that smile turns a bit sheepish at that. Is is really so obvious?]

Honestly... I am as well. For so long it seemed as though there was nothing we could do, that any attempts would be put down or die out before they were ever given a chance. But now there is a hint of an answer, though it is a small one.

And... it might lead nowhere, but for now, I am willing to run with it.

[faithstaynight]

You must remain optimistic, princess! Do not think of it as a false lead... you must reassure yourself that this is indeed one lead we have been waiting for.

[If it's one thing Jeanne is good at, it's morale boosting. She ain't gunna let anyone get negative now!] And if you are going to run with it, then I will be there wherever you need me. I'm not the most competent soldier when it comes to a war of information, but my sword will always be ready.

[sageprincess]

[And she appreciates it, truly, but she can't help something like amusement entering her grin.]

You are like an endless fount of hopefulness. Do you ever run out, I wonder?

[That's what she likes about Jeanne, though, so after that slightly teasing comment, her smile grows warmer.]

Thank you, though. Your words mean a great deal to me, truly.

[And she should know that Zelda isn't lying when she says that - not after that Shadow incident.]

[faithstaynight]

During my time as a soldier, I made it my duty to inspire those around me and try to raise the morale of an army that was very near defeat. [And she did it, too, but she won't brag about her accomplishments.] It is very, very hard to rid me of my faith.

[Stubborn and optimistic... a frightening combination.]

You're quite welcome, princess. I'm... quite glad I was able to help in some way.

[sageprincess]

Faith is a very powerful thing, and those that fervently adhere to it should be considered nightmares for those that would seek to keep them down.

[She doesn't necessarily need to hear about her friend's accomplishments - she's seen her optimism first hand more than a few times first hand, after all. And this conversation... brings about a weird sense of deja vu...]

Someday I hope to return the favor. You always seem to be encouraging me, yet I feel I have done nothing in return.

[faithstaynight]

[Jeanne shakes her head, still smiling.] I do not need anything in return. I wish to aid others simply because I wish to do so, that's all. I never expect any sort of favor or repayment for a good deed.

[sageprincess]

Perhaps not repayment, but... you are my friend. And as far as I am aware, friendship is supposed to work in both directions.

[She cants her head to the side slightly, smile soft, but warm.]

I suppose what I mean to say is if you ever have a problem with something, I will always have an open ear for you.

[faithstaynight]

I will be sure to keep that in mind... [Right, right... forgive her, Zelda. It's been a while. She's had very few friends in the army, even after her successful campaigns.] Thank you. Truly. It's been quite some time since I've had someone I can rely on like this.

[sageprincess]

[It's okay. She was much the same, once, before this place. Which makes the friendships she does have all the more valuable.]

All the more reason to make certain I am clear. p[A slight sigh.] Going on alone may seem noble, but it is incredibly hard.

[Something she's learned quite well.]

[faithstaynight]

... Indeed it is.

[She really does hope Zelda can take her own advice.] Especially in a place such as this, where the danger does not just come from those who keep us captive. [The administrators, the monsters, others in the tower...]

There is always much more strength in numbers.

[sageprincess]

[She's... trying, at least. Old habits die hard, but...]

Strength, and sanity. Reminders that despite how terrible the situation is, there is still good in the world.

[Closing her eyes, she exhales quietly.]

... I know I would have been broken long ago had I not some kind of light to cling to.

[faithstaynight]

[... It's a sad thought, learning that such a dear friend had nearly lost herself to despair. But that just makes Jeanne even more determined to help her out, however she can!]

... Your inner strength is quite admirable, princess. Has anyone told you that before?

[sageprincess]

[... O-oh, now she's blushing a bit.]

No... Not that I can recall, in any case.

[faithstaynight]

[Jeanne can't help but chuckle a little as Zelda blushes.]

Well, it deserves to be said. Even with all the time I've spent here in this tower, you remain one of the strongest people I know.

[sageprincess]

[... No way.]

I am just... experienced with hostile conditions. I know how to endure such things, that is all.

[And at least here, unlike in Hyrule, she cannot hold herself to blame for the suffering inflicted upon those she cares about. The administrators have made it very clear they are the ones to be held responsible.]

[faithstaynight]

[Hostile conditions... it's then that Jeanne remembers, what seemed like so long ago, the strange dreams she had - as a spirit which couldn't dream under normal circumstances, it was quite easy to recall exactly what that mysterious boy had told her. And that causes the smile to fade from her face.]

... Did I bring up something unpleasant? I apologize... I did not mean to.

[sageprincess]

No, no, do not apologize. It is all right.

[She shakes her head, as though to try and free herself from the gloomy atmosphere that she tends to gather at times.]

... My country had just come out of a seven year long war when I was brought here. I am simply noting that, compared to those here who have not seen battle at all, of course I would appear strong.

[... Still. There's a certain amount of formal distance as she speaks. It's easier to talk about if she tries to separate herself from the event.]

[faithstaynight]

But I have seen battle. [She's... still not sure what Zelda might know about her. If she had asked people about her true name after the confrontation with England a while back. But just the fact that Zelda now knows her true name is reason enough not to hide anything.] My country was on the verge of losing a very long, very bloody war. I joined with the military when I was just sixteen, and served for three years. [Would've been longer if the English hadn't captured and killed her.]

While my conflict did not last as long as yours, princess, I do know strength when I see it. And my comment still stands.