[o10] ‸^‸ Tenth Song || To the tune of a rumor.

[ocariness]

Characters: Time!Link, Zelda, and the poor unfortunate souls dealing with them.
Setting: ALL OVER THE TOWER, like a boss!
Format: Action like an actiony movie!
Summary: A certain rumor is causing some very unwanted attention for a certain Princess, and her knight in not-so-shining tunic is becoming more of a stalker instead.
Warnings: LINK IS EXTREMELY LIKELY TO ATTACK PEOPLE HERE, especially those taking up too much of Zelda's time, or who seem to have potential to hurt her, or... anything to do with her, really. If not, you're fine. If so, be careful--particularly with that last option.

[Option 1 -Various Floors - Zelda and Link]

[ At first, seeing everything written all over the Tower had been odd, but Link didn't worry too much about it. They had other responsibilities and, honestly, now that they were both finally done for the day placing chips, Link was tired and happy to rest with a dear friend. Little did either of them know how quickly this was to change--Zelda would probably notice how often Link had been... hovering and worrying the last few days, but it was getting worse. In fact, Link wasn't even talking to anyone else at this point. How concerning.

You're likely to run across the pair of Hylians in quite a few places--perhaps the Arena for training, perhaps the workshop, where Link is going over some sewing work for Zelda, showing her something. You might also find the two of them exploring the Tower or the Pyramid, Link eagerly bugging Zelda about whether or not they can go deeper inside, because there HAD to be treasure, right? Or perhaps you're in one of the lounges, and you'll notice Link quietly discussing something with her there, all the while, Link is cleaning the Master Sword with a piece of scrap fabric. There'd been some more... dangerous floors they'd went through, today, after all, and it is best to keep one's blade clean. ]

[Option 2 - Floor 100 - Link]

[ Somehow, they'd gotten separated from Zelda--it was very concerning. Link's immediate thought is to go and find her again, of course, but... the Hylian is distracted by this floor. There's some silence, looking at the fake version of Kokiri Forest around them, but then they leave this floor and wander, continuing to search for the Princess. ]

[Option 3 - Various other safe floors - Link]

[ But by now Link is quite frantic, if in silence, to find the Princess. For many floors, Link DOESN'T locate Zelda, and during these, the Hero of Time can be heard calling her name: ]

Zelda? Zelda... Zelda... Zelda... where are you? Zelda...? Has anyone... seen the Princess?

[ It's normal for Link to worry, as anyone who knows "him" is no doubt aware, but there's something just so off about how they're speaking, the look in their eye, the tone of their voice... ]

[Option 4 - Various other safe floors - Link finds Zelda]

[ It takes a long time. ... And when they finally happen upon her, wherever she may be, whomever she is talking to, Link will simply stare, watching the two of them, eyes narrowing. Who is she talking to? Why? How? Link has to know more. So, if you can pick up someone watching you creepily, you will notice them there, just... staring. If you don't notice, however, Link will simply continue watching... for now. For now. But if this person continued to take up her time, they might compromise her, or cause her problems, and only LINK could properly protect her... everyone else was a liability... even the other heroes... ]

[ OOC: Potential replies may come from Link and Zelda, just Zelda (and later Link), or just Link, potentially together or separately depending on stuff. LINK CAN AND WILL POTENTIALLY HURT PEOPLE HERE. Also, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE specify which option you're picking up top, it helps us figure out who to throw at you. Thanks! ♥ ]

Comments

[sageprincess]

[Indeed, something is very off, and Zelda is silent for a moment, considering how best to respond. Eventually, she lifts her cup to her lips, but does not drink, instead using it as a cover for her lips.]

... A friend of mine is not in his right mind. He has been following me relentlessly, and does not take kindly to anyone but himself interacting with me for more than a few moments.

[Tilting her cup up, she sips her tea, and her eyes discreetly cut to where Link lurks.]

Please take care in how you speak to me. I do not want you two to come to blows.

[faithstaynight]

... I see.

[The worried look on her face doesn't leave, but her brows furrow a bit as she thinks.] Is there any way to help this friend of yours?

[sageprincess]

[She brings her cup down then, taking care to keep her expression at ease.]

If there is, I have not found it yet. It has been difficult to do much of... anything, really.

[faithstaynight]

[So the stalking is that bad, huh...

Ruler wasn't really one for subtly or any sort of serious planning. She was a girl of action, a charge forward fast and strong type of person. She can't think of anything that could help the princess without potentially coming to blows with this friend of hers, and this is quite frustrating! But even if she can't think of anything, it might not be completely hopeless...]

Is there anything I might be able to do to help you? You know you need only say the word and I will do whatever I can.

[sageprincess]

[Unfortunately, this is one instance where even the Chosen of Wisdom is at a loss for what to do. It has taken all of her energy just to keep Link from hurting too many people, and she hasn't had enough downtime to think of a plan.]

I do not know. Nothing comes to mind that does not likely end with a confrontation between you two. At least nothing that would directly help me.

[She could ask Ruler to watch over Tetra, to warn her friends, to look for clues regarding how to possibly reverse this, but such things will only put her mind at ease. They won't help with her current problem.

But speaking of putting her mind at ease...]

... When this is over, however, I would like to talk to you about what Arturia suggested.

[Hopefully that does not require elaboration.]

[faithstaynight]

[No, of course it doesn't. There haven't been any other times that the trio has spoken together, so there's only one thing that Zelda could be referring to...]

I... assume you have been thinking more on that subject?

[sageprincess]

Well, not at length until recently, to be honest. But before this--[Vague waving gesture in Link's general direction.]--happened, I saw something that made me think some of the points Arturia made could be valid.

[She won't let Ganondorf use her best friend. She won't.]

I do not know how much I should say here and now, and I have an idea of why the thought might make you hesitant, but... I would still like to talk about it again.

[faithstaynight]

[A curious look crosses Ruler's face at that.] You... saw something?

[Her eyes flicker briefly in the direction Zelda gestured, but her body doesn't move one inch.] Is the reason you wish to remain vague because of your friend, or is there some other reason behind that?

[sageprincess]

Mm. [She nods, but doesn't offer much explanation beyond that. At least, not here.]

This time, yes. I do not wish to agitate him. My apologies.

[But Ganondorf is about the last thing she should talk about in front of Link, especially when the topic is about Ruler possibly being forced to serve him. Link... wouldn't take that well, she can't help but think.]

[faithstaynight]

[She shakes her head.] No need to apologize. I understand. If you can get away from him for some time... or, perhaps, when this whole mess blows over... is there anywhere you'd prefer to discuss this?

[It's Ruler's turn to gesture around them.] If what you saw was truly upsetting, this floor may not be a suitable place to talk about such things.