I embrace my desire to feel the rhythm, feel connected

[oracleofseasons]

Characters: One Oracle of Seasons and YOU!
Setting: Around the Tower on March 10th - specifically floor 25 (the meadow) in the morning, floor 75 (the tower within the Tower) in the early afternoon, and floor 80 (the circus) in the late afternoon.
Format: Starting with brackets, but I don't mind switching to prose if you want.
Summary: Din's had a little time to settle in, and has decided that now's a good a time as any to explore the Tower in earnest.
Warnings: Possibility of injury/death depending on where you tag in - since monsters lurk on floor 75 and, well, floor 80 has those clowns. Floor 80's probably the most likely to get bad fast, especially if the characters linger there until nightfall.

[Morning - the meadow.]
[Now, this brought back memories.

When was the last time she'd danced in a meadow? Right before getting kidnapped by General Onox - right before her Link's journey had begun. The other members of her performing troupe weren't here and there was no music, but this floor - such a contrast to the rest of the Tower, really, with its fresh springtime weather and blooming flowers - is such a potent reminder of better times that Din really can't help herself.

Three quick steps, and then a graceful leap. She lands, pivots, turns at the waist and brings her hands up towards the sky, tilting her chin up and allowing her eyes to slide shut. Her dance begins, and she's not at all inclined to stop it.

Anyone happening to pass by this floor that morning will see the Oracle of Seasons, caught up in a dance; she'll see them, too, as she opens her eyes, and a mischievous smirk will come over her face as she extends a hand to them, regardless of who they are or how outwardly threatening they might seem.]

Come, dance with me!

Early afternoon - the tower within the Tower.]
Heh.

[There's really no disguising the amusement Din feels when she sees the tower. So there's two towers here - one that they're trapped within, and one that they can enter and exit at will. Idly, she wonders if perhaps the floors within the second tower are also themed, and then not-so-idly she walks to the entrance. There was, after all, only one way to find out.

She pushes open the bottom door and peeks inside. Oh, it's dark... well, she can fix that. She holds out her left hand and murmurs an invocation to the Spirits of Summer under her breath, and a moment later a flame sparks into life in the palm of her hand. She brings it up, a little closer to her mouth, and breathes out gently; the flame flickers, then grows bigger until there's a little more light to see by. Good.

With that, Din steps into the tower and looks around curiously.]

Hello? [The place seems to be empty - her call echoes faintly, and she stops to listen. She can hear something moving, though it's entirely possible that it's one of the monsters that enjoys the darkness within this tower.] Is anyone here?

[Late afternoon - the circus.]
[Anyone going up or coming down the staircase might notice something a little different as they pass the eightieth floor.

Specifically, they might notice a violet-collared girl in the place of one of the tightrope walkers. There's no net below her, but that doesn't seem to bother her one iota, and she's not just sticking to a simple walk, either - Din's always been a bit of a thrillseeker and this is no different. She seems to be taking the tightrope backwards, one foot moving behind the other, until she bends her knees and leaps up, arching her body expertly so that she flips backwards before landing nimbly on the rope again.

She raises her arms and turns, lifting one leg as she does so in order to move into a bow that is coupled by a flourish, her golden bracelets clinking together. When she straightens up again, she finally puts her other foot firmly back on the rope.

It seems she's wandered a little too close and has been drawn into the performance, but at least the clowns haven't tried to make jump ropes of her intestines yet, and at least she seems to be enjoying herself, if the smirk on her face is any indication.]

Come one, come all, to the greatest performance you've ever seen!

Comments

Floor 25

[tohko_amano]

[After finishing up her library duties, Tohko sometimes gave herself a breather and relaxed in the meadow floor with a good book. However, today, instead of reading, she couldn't help but watch a woman as she danced. She was quite good-much better than Tohko.

However, when the hand was extended, Tohko waved her hands in a feeble protest, her book still in one of them.]

Oh, I would..but I'm a horrible dancer! I really am!

[oracleofseasons]

Nonsense!

[Din takes a few quick steps towards Tohko, this time reaching to try and take the hand that's not holding the book - provided, of course, that Tohko doesn't pull her hand back.]

There's no such thing as a bad dancer, only an untrained one. And that can be fixed with practice.

[tohko_amano]

[And Tohko would let the woman take her hand and sigh..but she would nod at that.]

Well..alright then. I suppose a bit of practice might help the both of us then, even though you are really good already!

[oracleofseasons]

[Din tugged Tohko forward, grinning, and then finally released her hand once Tohko had agreed to dance.]

It's very easy. You just need to find a rhythm and follow it.

[Though that was much easier to do when there was music - but it's easy enough to make your own rhythm, too. Din taps her foot twice, then claps her hands together and takes a step back.]

If it helps, you can follow my lead.

[A step forward, then, and a pivot to turn, with another clap as she does so. Din keeps an eye on Tohko to see how she does.]

[tohko_amano]

[Tohko had to force herself to not trip when Din tugged her forward, and quickly put her book down when Din let go of her hand. It seemed that she wasn't going to get any reading in today.

At Din's advice, Tohko nodded her head, burning the information and Din's dance onto her brain.]

Alright then! Let's see..

[Tohko tapped her foot on the ground three times, took a small step forward, and had a wobbly pivot before clapping her hands twice.]

[oracleofseasons]

You're doing good!

[Din smiles approvingly - perhaps Tohko doesn't have the finesse of a professional, but that's not what matters. What matters is that she's moving, that she's trying. Being willing to step out of her comfort zone was a sign of strength and that was definitely something Din could admire.

Giggling, she spins, bringing her arms above her head and then taking two steps backward before dipping back as far as she could without toppling over. When she straightens, she sinks down onto one knee and bows her head at Tohko, spreading her arms wide.]

Now you try! Find your own rhythm, your own steps. Do what comes to you naturally.

Floor 25

[sageprincess]

... What?

[Sorry, Din, did you say something? This princess seems to have gotten lost in thought (or memories?) watching you dance. After all, she once knew someone here that had a similar style as well as a similar urge to move and flow with whatever music played in her head.

Zelda might miss her, just a bit.]

[oracleofseasons]

[Din smiles. She doesn't mind repeating herself.]

I said, dance with me!

[Then she steps closer to Zelda, looking her over carefully. She is similar, though clearly not identical, to the princess from her time - the one that had arranged for Impa to try to bring her out of Holodrum, though that plan had, ultimately, failed. So she's like the Link she met in the cafeteria - a Zelda, but not her Zelda. Still...

Din sinks onto one knee and into a low bow, her arm extended out to her.]

...that is, if it pleases you, Princess Zelda.

[sageprincess]

Ah...

[The Princess, on the other hand, looks surprised at the display of respect, not expecting it. While knowledge of her station does seem to garner a certain amount of formality from her acquaintances, very few have gone so far as to bow to her.

She recovers quickly, however, not wanting to appear rude, but she still has to shake her head.]

I am afraid I am not much of a dancer - definitely not one able to keep up with someone so talented. I could offer you music, if that would suffice.

[And she's now rather curious about this dancing girl who knows of the Royal Family.]

[oracleofseasons]

There are no bad dancers, Princess. Only untrained ones. And that can be fixed with practice.

[She nods, though, and withdraws her hand as she gets back up to her feet. It rarely surprises her when someone talks their dancing skills down; so often, they're just being humble, and in most cases she would try to draw the other person into a dance anyway.

But this is Princess Zelda, and though this Zelda is from before her own time, though there are few to whom Din really defers, there is something about the princess that almost demands her respect.]

I'd love to dance to your music, though. This wide open area is almost perfect for dancing, but music is the one thing it really lacks.

Floor 25

[alephbet]

[Aleph often dances on the meadow floor as well - dancing is an excellent way to keep in shape, and, well - he's just a fantastic dancer. Possibly a better dancer than he is a warrior, if there were any way to convert between the two scales.]

I'd love to. You're an amazing dancer.

[Aleph comes closer, enough to join in with her when she starts to move again.]

[oracleofseasons]

Why, thank you!

[Din laughs as he comes closer to join her, clearly pleased with the compliment and at his willingness to dance. There was really nothing better than getting to share something that she liked best of all with someone.

Particularly, she noted as the both of them began to move, when that someone was also a skilled dancer. She could tell just by his movements that he was no amateur.]

You're not too bad yourself.

[alephbet]

Thank you; I try to keep in practice.

[If there was music to dance to it'd be perfect, but even without it, Aleph's just happy to dance and show off his skills.]

[oracleofseasons]

Your efforts haven't gone to waste in the slightest!

[Music is always wonderful to have, but in its absence Din simply follows her own inner rhythm. Granted, its a bit of an odd one and it tends to send her into leaps and twirls, but - there you have it.]

[alephbet]

[Whatever her rhythm is like, as long as it's hers and she's following it, her dancing will be superb in Aleph's eyes.

He lets conversation fall by the wayside for now, choosing to focus on the dance.]

[oracleofseasons]

[Finally, when they've danced long enough, Din's steps slow until she comes to a stop. With a small smile on her face, she bows towards Aleph.]

Thank you for the dance. It was fun! Now... what should I call you?

Morning - The Meadow

[gomu_ningen]

[He'd been walking about, looking for the girl who called herself "Zelda". Fortunately though, a small diversion came his way. As the red-haired girl approached, Luffy's eyes widened with glee as he happily took her hand.]

"Oh wow! Yeah!! I haven't danced in forever!"

[His arms dangled like tentacles, stretching as he "busted loose" in every sense of the word. Kicking and flailing, the young pirate laughed and grinned all the while.]

"Wow oh wow! Thanks, lady! This is a lot of fun! Have you been here long?"

sorry for the late reply! OTL

[oracleofseasons]

[Din's lips curve up into a smile when Luffy takes her hand. Willing dance partners are definitely a mood-booster for her, and though she's not expecting what happens to his limbs, she simply laughs and rolls with it.

That his arms are so flexible makes it that much easier for her to twirl and leap while still keeping hold of his hand.]

I've only been here a few days, myself. And what about you?

No worries! XD I'm always patient!

[gomu_ningen]

[Luffy happily twirls her about, using his arm length as a maypole of sorts. Taking a deep breath, he caught up with the pace of his heart as he belted out a long, joy-filled laugh.]

"Wah~! The same! It's been a while since I've had so much fun! Where are you from, Miss Red?"

[Luffy wasn't the best with names, and his plesantries weren't the best either. He means well, but he didn't know what to call her by aside from the vibrant flame-color of her hair.]

Whew, that's a relief!

[oracleofseasons]

[She laughs - though whether it's simply an expression of how much fun she's having, or an expression of amusement at being called "Miss Red," is hard to tell. At the very least she doesn't seem offended or anything.]

I'm from a land called Holodrum. And what about yourself, Straw Hat?

[gomu_ningen]

"Me? I'm from a little town called Fushia Village on the East Blue ocean."

[Luffy wasn't one to presume his own reputation as a wanted "criminal", but being called "Straw Hat" by some one who wasn't Perona did makes his ears perk up.]

"I've never heard of Holodrum before. That isn't near Drum Island, is it? That island on the Grand Line with all the doctors."

Towerception

[great_king_of_evil]

[ Ever since the apparition of this "second tower" inside of The Tower, Ganondorf had used the building as a base of operation. Tall ominous towers filled with monsters were perfect for him. He did not spend all of his time in there of course, but when he was away the fear and the monsters were generally enough to drive people away. Sometimes poor fools adventured in anyway-- But it didn't matter much, his secrets and plans were not hid in this place.

However this time was different. The one who stepped within this tower had a very peculiar aura. One that was unmistakably from his world. One that obviously caught his senses and attention, drawing him back to this place. Interesting how that was the third time in a row he felt this since his last plot ended.

Ganondorf was not the thing moving in the darkness though. No, instead the king of evil would appear next to the tower entrance from where she came in, a dark and cold wind announcing his entrance. ]

It's dangerous to go alone in this tower.

[ The Gerudo looked with curiosity at her, something about her presence was unsettling and hateful by his standards, but he couldn't say what. Nearly felt like Zelda's presence, yet something different altogether. However he sounded polite and serious. ]

Many are the monsters and demons lurking here awaiting for a prey to venture their way.

...i'm gonna kill my computer, I could swear I replied to this earlier

[oracleofseasons]

[At his entrance, the flame in the palm of her hand flickered, but she focused hard and managed to keep it from going out. The cold wind reminded her of General Onox, in a way - and that nostalgia was the reason for the slightly guarded expression on her face as she turned towards Ganondorf.

Well, part of the reason, the other part being Ganondorf himself. She wasn't intimidated - no, Din would never admit to being intimidated by anyone, least of all Ganondorf - but there was something about him that made her a little wary. She met his gaze with an unabashed stare and a slight nod to acknowledge his presence.]

I'm hardly afraid of monsters... though I suppose I ought to thank you for the warning.

[A moment later, she raised an eyebrow.]

I see you've entered this tower on your own. Should I take that to mean that you have nothing to fear from these oh-so-numerous monsters and demons that you speak of?

And I'm forever sorry because this is the latest reply

[great_king_of_evil]

You are indeed correct. I can think of no creature here that would pose a threat to me, let alone be a challenge would they chose to fight me.

[ Thank to his powers, the king of evil could exert some sort of influences on the beasts and demons-- Rarely did they attack him as instead they generally just accomplished his bidding, but he didn't have to explain her that much now. At worse if the monsters were resistant to his dark aura, he tried to have them fight each other but that was another matter entirely.

However he nodded slowly at Din, taking note of the flame in the palm of her hand. ]

But I believe I am overdue for introductions-- [He very lightly bowed with a smile.] I am Ganondorf Dragmire, King of the Gerudo.

[ Not mentioning the "and of Evil" part just, though if she had heard of him she would probably know anyway He was as formal and respectful as could be expected from one pretending to be a King, however he was very curious to know who she herself was. ]

I'm late too! No worries!

[oracleofseasons]

[That name - simply hearing it makes her narrow her eyes and fix the man with a wary gaze. The Gerudo are not of Holodrum, that may be true, but she’s heard the name before. It was for the sake of a Ganondorf that the witch twins had manipulated General Onox into kidnapping her, manipulated the sorceress Veran into possessing Nayru…

But he’s smiling, so she returns his smile. She’s well practiced in masking her unease.]

Should I call you “Your Highness”? [At that, her smile becomes a little wry, and she keeps her eyes on him as she bows lightly to him.] You may call me Din. I have no title.

[No title she feels comfortable sharing with the King of Evil, anyway.]