it's just another war

[sageprincess]

Characters: Zelda and the poor unfortunate souls that have to deal with her.
Setting: Dorm Floor 1, around the Tower, ending with Floor 25; backdated to October 1st
Format: Starting in action, will match.
Summary: Someone very important to the Princess has left the Tower. She tries to keep herself from swan diving off the handle with moderate success.
Warnings: Fighting monsters in the last prompt, general character instability and depression

Morning; outside Room 1-01

[The warm bath was all well and good, but after a week of being locked out of her dorm, what Zelda truly needed was sleep. And sleep she most definitely gets, even staying in a bit longer than usual in order to recuperate from the fatigue one is treated to when they fail to rest in their own bed for several days in a row. It's late morning by the time she emerges from her room to see if she can't catch the last few servings of breakfast.

That's when she notices a change in the nameplate of a familiar room.

1-01 Xion Sola-ui Nuadha-re Sophia-ri EMPTY EMPTY

She's been here long enough. She doesn't need to see the gravestone that has inevitably appeared on the forty-eighth floor to know what that means.

Her Hero is gone once more.

Time passes, and she seems to be unaware of it as she stands there, silent, a grim expression on her pale face, her hands clenched into white-knuckled, trembling fists. She stares at the nameplate for far longer than is necessary, seemingly lost to the world and anyone who might pass by.]

Throughout the day; various

[After recovering from the initial shock, the Princess slips back into the routine she had before the explosions with all the ease of someone who has been within these walls for far too long.

She can be found in the cafeteria at lunch (and, later, dinner), having been too late to catch breakfast. Distantly, she recognizes she should probably be more upset about having nothing but pumpkin to eat for the month again, but she cannot find the will for it, and so eats quietly and without complaint. Afterwards, she heads to the workshop where the green collar fluid research team has set up, once again helping with organization and data compilation, as is her role. When she has done as much as she is needed for (or is able to), she moves to the library to spend the rest of the day with a book she has likely read once or twice before.

No matter where she is, however, she is quieter than usual, and easily drifts off into her own little world. Her movements also reflect (or perhaps betray) how she is not all there today, seeming more like she's just going through the motions rather than with her usual focus and poise.]

Nightfall; Floor 25

[As evening approaches, she does not return to her room as she usually does, however. Instead, she retreats to the meadow just as its more sensible occupants are likely filing out, and waits, alone with her thoughts.

A dangerous thing, that.

She could have gone to the ninety-sixth floor, and wiped herself clean, letting blissful ignorance take the place of the loneliness she has come to despise so much. But she is Wisdom's child - such things are not fit for her - and she has been on the other side of that kind of amnesia, besides. She could have gone to the eighty-seventh floor, and let peaceful unconsciousness consume her. But such things are temporary, here, and she would only be back where she started, with an hour of sleep paralysis to do nothing but scream inside her own head and think about that which she does not want to. She could have gone to the forty-eighth floor, and quietly mourned over an empty grave. But what right does she have to such a thing when surrounded by the dozens, hundreds of names representing the souls she has damned?

What in Nayru's name has she been fighting for, anyway? She has seen the past and the future thanks to this wretched Tower. She has seen that even if by some miracle they restore the worlds, her country is still doomed and her soul is destined only to repeat this endless cycle of tragedy until the end of time.

"I will find you again. And again. Over and over, if I must, when the time is right. I will make sure things are set right. You are my friend, after all. I will not let you be alone any longer."

Has she been a fool all this time, to think that promise could be kept? To think that all the pain could be worth it, in the end? To think that maybe, just maybe, they could be more than what destiny had demanded of them?

The glamour sun sets, and she trembles with grief and anger begging to be released. Thankfully, in this instance, the Tower provides. The first wave of miniblins is quickly destroyed before they can even draw close in a wide arc of sacred flame, stronger than is necessary for such a weak mob and more encompassing than its wielder's precise style would typically demand. She flexes fingers that sparkle with magic, entire body faintly aglow with a divine aura as she, for once, allows the restraints on her emotions to fall.

She could have done many other things, but she is a princess, so if she must go down, she will at least go down fighting, even if she no longer knows why she is doing so.]

Comments

outside room 1-01

[stop_calling_me_zelda]

[ She wasn't exactly quiet while walking down the hallway, blowing at the Spirit Flute she'd gotten (and doing very badly with it because what is musical ability) but, with how Zelda was reacting to the missing nameplate, she probably doesn't notice.

Tetra notices though. Zelda's family and they've spent enough time together, including the nights Tetra would have bad dreams. Enough time that Tetra notices the change in her ancestor, the clenching of her fists and the younger princess makes her way over, carefully reaching and wrapping her hand around Zelda's fist.

It's okay. The gesture says. We'll make it okay.]

[sageprincess]

[There's a sharp intake of air (as though she had been drowning, which is perhaps an all too apt comparison) when Tetra's touch snaps her back into reality. Her breathing remains shaky, uneven as she looks down to her descendant, hand still trembling in her grasp.]

T... Tetra...

[She has to be strong, for her if no one else, but she feels like she's falling and she can't find which way is up...]

[stop_calling_me_zelda]

[Nobody could be strong all of the time. Even Tetra knows that, young as she is. A lesson learned the hard way when she was younger and just starting to make a name for herself on the Great Sea. Nobody could be strong all the time but that's why you surround yourself with people who could help you be strong most of the time, and be strong for you when you can't be.]

You gonna be okay?

Workshop

[no_longer_a_king]

[Once Arturia had come back to herself, she had begun taking her duties to the research team more seriously. Every day she was here with them, watching for anyone approaching, easily helping to move their work should they need to relocate in a hurry.

Right now, they're alone. Zelda is transcribing the notes she took in a more easily read manner and Arturia is putting things away. Throughout their work today Arturia had noticed how distant Zelda seemed. Almost mechanic. It has her worried. She's seen others here like that, but there's been no one else she's been inclined to truly ask about it.

So she approaches her friend, letting her concern show on her face.]

Zelda.... are you all right?

[sageprincess]

... Hm?

[Her reaction is delayed, to say the least. She blinks slowly at Arturia, needing a moment to pull herself out of her daze to understand what's being asked of her, but when she finally does, she simply looks back to her notes. Arturia will call her out on it if she lies, so she doesn't, but her tone is unnaturally even when she speaks, matching her carefully neutral (if a bit melancholy) expression.]

A friend is gone. I will be fine.

[She doesn't know that, not for sure, but she has to say it. Her position doesn't allow otherwise.]

[no_longer_a_king]

[She will be fine.

In the long run, Zelda might be. About as fine as Arturia is or anyone else who has lost someone here, knowing the danger those left on their worlds are now in. Arturia rounds the table to stand closer to Zelda.

It's..... awkward. Being like this, wanting to reach out. It's been so long since she tried to help someone like this that Arturia isn't quite sure how she'll manage it.

She remembers the look Zelda had when her mind had gone, when she had questioned if she had only just awoken in the Tower. The shock, the pain, followed by the shutdown and then the sheer relief when Arturia--then, Arthur--had explained her situation.]

....Would you like me to stay here with you a while?

Meadow

[midgarhorizon]

[It had gotten later than he anticipated, so it is with no small rush that he is attempting to get to the closest elevator floor and return to the dorms, when passing a certain floor he pauses, hearing the sound of monsters and battle.

If someone needed help, it was the least he could do. Unless it was Ganondorf, then he'd just turn right back around and leave.

But it isn't... in fact, it's someone he oesn't expect to see at all on this floor, at this time of the day.

The way she moves, the way the magic strikes out at the miniblins is not consistent with what he knows of the girl, making him briefly wonder what had happened. He lifts up the visor of his Raven uniform, so she could see him better.]

Princess?

[It's unusual for him to call her by her title. The only people he spoke to with respect were the ones that were never here, that had come and gone and left their own shallow grave behind; reminding him every time he passed by that each one represented another universe of his friends, dead and gone. No, he usually calls her by "babe" or "Zelda."

The look on her face as he gets closer is unmistakable. He has that look all too often now; something they had in common. Well, whatever it is, he probably wasn't the person she wanted to talk to, but he isn't going to just leave her, either.]

Been thinking much?

[Asking if something was wrong is a moot point; considering it was the Tower, there was always something wrong. It was just varying degrees of different.]

[sageprincess]

[The first look Reno will get as she reacts to hearing her title is one of fury, righteous and uncontrolled as a wildfire. Breath heavy and body shaking, it seems to take her a moment to recognize that the voice belongs to a friend, not a foe. But when she does, it becomes clear her anger is not with him, as she quickly does what she can to reign herself in, straightening, evening her breathing, carefully molding her expression into one of vague disdain rather than the open seething she had displayed moments before.

The fact her body is still alight with barely contained magic betrays the fact this is all an act, perhaps. Her response is terse.]

Too much.

[midgarhorizon]

Know the feeling.

[Oh boy, does he ever, and he isn't even over it yet. Seeing someone else go through this, someone he had pictured as always in control no matter the circumstances- shock wouldn't really be the real word, because he isn't shocked. It's more like, this isn't the way he pictured her. ]

Suppose it had to happen to ya sometime.

[Losing control is easy, getting it back is hard, but not impossible. Still, he feels there were things she needs to express, so doesn't move to stop her, or tell her not to.]

I'm pretty tough, if ya need to beat up on someone.

[He gives her a faint grin.]

Won't tell either.

[Floor 25]

[faithstaynight]

[Zelda may wish to avoid most of the other residents in the tower right now, but there are some people that are nearly impossible to avoid. Her faithful Servant, for example. Their bond was a strong one, so Ruler had been feeling... off for some time. There was a nagging feeling at the back of her neck, and she had a good guess as to what might be the cause.

It takes some time, but eventually she finds her Master - her friend - during a lull in the monster attacks, and she can't keep the look of worry off her face as she approaches.]

... Zelda? What's wrong?

[sageprincess]

[Though she does not realize it on a conscious level, she begins to switch from bolts of fire to beams of light as Ruler draws closer to her location, the sense of their connection just barely breaking through her overwhelming emotions in her rampage.

She's breathing heavily by the time Ruler reaches her, though whether its out of exertion or just a side-effect of letting herself go like this is anyone's guess. Ruler's presence is something of a calming one, at least, and her expression is more distraught than anything by the time she wills herself to face her.]

She's gone. Link is gone.

[Maybe Ruler never met her while she was in the Tower, but it's not unlikely she would have seen the green-clad Hero of Hyrule in Zelda's memories while she slept, just as she may have seen Ruler's family or compatriots in her own dreams. Either way, it's clear Zelda cared very deeply for this person, and is very upset with their disappearance.]

Meadow

[notachickenhawk]

[There's someone else who needs to work off tension, and Tobias leaps into battle, a mass of blades and horns. He spots the fire though and ducks away, tossing a Miniblin some distance.]

<Sorry! Uh. I look really weird right now - please don't roast the giant monster with lots of blades. I'd rather not get burnt.>

[Better to get that explained first rather than die.]

[sageprincess]

[Zelda's hand raises defensively as the lizard creature falls into her line of sight, the entire thing ablaze up to the wrist. Though it's a desperate sort of feeling, anger is plain on her face, her eyes narrowing when she hears the vaguely familiar voice in her head.]

It is unwise to jump into another's battle without warning.

[Her voice is low, in definite contrast to the encouraging tone she used while handing out water to rubble-movers. But at least she's not attacking?]

floor 25

[keepscalm]

[She's not in her room when he goes to check on her. Something that's fair enough; Zelda has a fairly busy life here, and she's a capable fighter, so if there's something that must be done during the night, England has faith that Zelda can handle it.

No, it is not Zelda's absence from her dormitory that alerts England to something off with the whole thing. Rather, it is another that is missing from England's nightly roster. He wouldn't think much of it on a normal day — Link is one more that England is sure can handle herself — but there's something different this time. When he double-checks the nameplate as he always does to ensure that he has the right room...

Link's name isn't there.

He remembers over a year ago, now, talking to Link and Zelda over the network as the bears hunted them down, and listening to them die together as their shared hiding spot was found. He remembers that April day in the faerie meadow, and being thrown to the ground in the crossfire of Link's joy to reunite with Zelda. He remembers Link threatening him over Zelda's well-being, and though it had been the Tower's doing, it was clear by then that the two cared for each other deeply.

So England takes up his crossbow and sets out into the darkness of the Tower to find Zelda.

And find her he does, eventually. He waits on the staircase for a moment when he sees that there are monsters occupying the floor, and watches as Zelda makes quick work of them. Though he's come to know her fairly well since they met, England isn't really certain how to approach her about something like this. This is more than what has transpired in the Tower; this is an emptiness in Zelda that surely stretches back deeply into her history, far beyond Ruana and glamour failures and friendships forged across universes.

He doesn't announce his presence verbally, but he makes quick work of an imp approaching from Zelda's rear with a well-aimed arrow, fired from his perch on the stair leading onto the floor proper.]

[sageprincess]

[She hears an arrow's whistle, and knowing who couldn't have fired it makes her heartache swell anew. Zelda whirls to face the intruder, hands blazing and aura shining, the picture of a wrathful goddess ready to smite whoever would dare to remind her of who she's lost.

Of course, that all changes when she sees who has found her in this state. Her fury is quickly replaced by surprise, eyes wide and shoulders dropping. Even the glow around her seems to dampen somewhat.

He knows, doesn't he.

Surprise, in turn, turns to pain, for even if he doesn't know how to approach her, he understands her perfectly. There's a void in her heart that threatens to make her collapse in on herself, and the only things that have kept her upright thus far have been numbness and rage, however ill-fitting for her they may be. She turns away from him - not completely, but enough so that she may have a chance at hiding her face - visibly trying to clamp down on the emotional firestorm raging within her.]

You should not be here.

[It's a pathetic argument, one easily refuted by the fact she's down here herself, but it's not as though she's up for clever debate right now.]

Library

[crouching_sin]

[It's not unusual to find Naoya here after working - but he spots Zelda and walks over to her. Her posture is... odd. Something's wrong. Naoya sits near her, before gently clearing his throat to alert her of his presence.]

... What happened?

[sageprincess]

[She glances up when Naoya speaks (and, perhaps notably, not before), though it's a slow thing, lacking in her normal alertness. Her expression is neutral, her voice even, but there's a distinct melancholy air about her today.]

... I awoke to find a long-time friend gone this morning. I... apologize if I seem off today.

outside 1-01

[humility]

[Aqua was actually on her way back from breakfast - coming back up to her dorm to retrieve the rest of her clothing accessories before going about her day. she passes the stranger, nodding in greeting, and as she keeps walking it registers that the lady did not respond. when she reaches her own room, Aqua looks back - the lady hasn't moved at all. Aqua frowns, concerned.

after getting her things and putting them on, she exits - she's still there. unable to ignore it, Aqua walks down the hallway and approaches quietly.]

Excuse me... Is something wrong?

[sageprincess]

[There's a sharp inhale as Aqua's voice brings the woman back to reality, though she remains staring at Room 1-01's nameplate for a moment longer as if what she's actually saying isn't quite registering. That moment passes, and she turns her head to look at Aqua, an expression somewhere between horrified and lost open upon her face.]

She... [She stops. Swallows. Tries again.] She's gone. My friend...

[Apologies for being rather short and vague, Aqua. Shock isn't exactly conducive to eloquence.]

library

[terra_nullius]

[Books are a companion where little else will do, and thus often when his days grow tedious he heads there to attempt to relax with such a companion. Sometimes there are others there, reading quietly, other times it is late enough that there is no one.

He's not surprised to see someone else there, but the way that she's sitting, the listless turning of pages and the slow crawl of eyes along lines indicates that while she may be reading her mind is not taking in the words at all... as though she's mentally far away.

He balances approaching her and leaving her to her own devices, but his curiosity wins out in the end and he approaches, clearing his throat to give her a moment to compose herself in whatever fashion she desires for the approach of another.]

Good evening, miss. Books are a good companion for the troubled mind, are they not? They give without needing compensation.

[sageprincess]

[She does straighten in her seat somewhat, glancing up from her book as the man makes his presence known. Despite the shift in demeanor, however, a certain tiredness remains in her eyes, further suggesting she's not at her most mentally alert at the moment.]

They are constant as well, despite this chaotic world we find ourselves in. [And perhaps that means more to her right now.] Is my "trouble" so obvious?

[ok then floor 25 wow way tardy]

[bloodyashes]

[More sensible people indeed - Asch probably doesn't qualify. He's here taking care of a few things that he's been neglecting the last week of being trapped - mostly the patch of gailardias near the back - and then the sun is setting.

He's not particularly concerned; it's not far to the restaurant's elevator even if the place is closed, and he's good enough to take care of most of the monsters in this place. And then there's a line of fire lighting up the night, and he recognizes the woman in the center.

Well, forget the stairs for now. He has a duty as her sword first, and that involves watching her back, even if it looks like she can take care of herself. The sword in question is loosened and swung, probably the first Zelda will see of him as it slices through an enemy.]

Need a hand?

[It's not really a question - short of an order, he's not leaving.]

[sageprincess]

[Admittedly, she hadn't exactly been paying attention to anyone else who might have been on this floor, too lost in her own troubles to notice. So the fearsome look she had been giving the monster in question is quickly replaced by one of surprise when Asch makes his presence known.

Damn. He shouldn't see her like this.]

Does it truly matter if I do or not?

[He's the stubborn type, so she doesn't bother arguing directly. However, she does turn away, hiding her face (and, in turn, her rampaging emotions) from him. There's something wrong, though, clearly, as she blasts yet another enemy with far more force than necessary. It's not like her to be so wasteful of her energy.]

let's not talk about how late i am NIGHTFALL FLOOR 25

[lookmanostrings]

[Fado had and always would staunchly remain a pacifist; he had been giving the tools to learn more, but any attempts he made on his own would only ever make him feel anxious and guilty. Even in the defense of himself or others.

He had survived this long by being agile and sneaky-- even on this floor, which, even though it was mostly flat, easily allowed someone his small size to hide in the grass if he stayed close to the ground, which was exactly as he had done now, when the miniblins appeared. He had not meant to be caught out unawares when the night fell, but a child of the forest would always be more drawn to vegetation than he was to the cold rooms upstairs.

He had every intention of making himself scarce, but the spark of fire intrigues him; not simply because (he realizes) that it is born from the Princess. He stares for a moment in awe, at the magic emanating, and it's only after a few moments that he thinks to call out to her.]

--Princess?

SO LATE

[sageprincess]

[Funnily enough, Fado is one of the few that should recognize the expression of intensity she wears tonight; she's worn it once before over a year ago, when Jason first revealed how despicable he could be with that labyrinth of his. Perhaps it's fortunate she's not using her anger to dive into the administrative levels once again this time.

When she hears the familiar voice, however, alarm makes its way into her eyes.]

Fado...?! [There's an effort to keep the torrent of her grief under control, but the way the golden aura surrounding her simmers on despite betrays it's all an act.] What... What are you doing out here?