sageprincess: (Dutiful atonement)
Zelda ([personal profile] sageprincess) wrote in [community profile] towerofanimus2013-10-03 04:54 pm

it's just another war

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.]
stop_calling_me_zelda: (Pout)

outside room 1-01

[personal profile] stop_calling_me_zelda 2013-10-03 09:41 pm (UTC)(link)
[ 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.]

Workshop

[personal profile] no_longer_a_king 2013-10-04 02:23 am (UTC)(link)
[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?
midgarhorizon: ((Fight Scene) What am I saying!?)

Meadow

[personal profile] midgarhorizon 2013-10-04 02:55 am (UTC)(link)
[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.]
Edited (nitypickiness) 2013-10-04 02:58 (UTC)
stop_calling_me_zelda: (Zelda ▲ Okay)

[personal profile] stop_calling_me_zelda 2013-10-04 03:27 am (UTC)(link)
[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?
midgarhorizon: ((BC) Cliffs)

[personal profile] midgarhorizon 2013-10-04 05:53 am (UTC)(link)
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.
midgarhorizon: ((BC) AVALANCHE disguised)

[personal profile] midgarhorizon 2013-10-04 07:36 pm (UTC)(link)
[While she blasted the fresh batch of monsters, Reno remains immobile. The spark didn't spook him, and the resulting blast just as a matter of fact.

The smile fades, however, turning to see the destruction she caused.]

Zelda, I can hold my own.

[But then, he drops the suggestion, turning back around to face her. If she wasn't interested, that was her prerogative.]

And Xion follows my orders, not me hers.

[Though he really does wonder sometimes if she would really follow through on an order, only to do something else. There had been that time with the feud between the administrators...

Shifting his weight, he places a hand on one hip.]

If you're not up to it, fine. But are ya really just going to stand there blastin' away until you're exhausted, and they swarm you? I've already seen people do that. Shion and Xion had to tackle me down to prevent something just as stupid; afraid I might have to here.

[A long rush of air follows that. He hadn't meant to tell her of his own problems- even to let on that he had problems.]

You let all that out, much as ya need. I'm just saying there's better ways.
midgarhorizon: ((Fanart) Professional)

[personal profile] midgarhorizon 2013-10-04 10:02 pm (UTC)(link)

[Reno is quiet after she finishes. Almost too quiet. His eyes miss hardly anything, though, staring at her in his calculating way.

Then...]

Who told you that you're the one condemning them?

[His voice is almost as quiet as her whisper.

It was a simple question, but one that could have a thousand answers or reasons. He isn't even sure if she's talking about the Tower anymore, or something that had happened on Hyrule- granted, he only had fuzzy impressions of those vestiges of Ganondorf's memories from that godawful bodyswap they went through to go by, but he discounted those as hardly accurate.]

I've been gone six months... not that long if ya think about it. I came back to everything changed. The entire fuckin' Tower's changed. The game's different now. There's other players startin' to make moves. But for the first time since I came here, I'm seeing chances, making plans. I got some hope for the first time in longer than I can remember.

[A heartbeat passes.]

I hear it was because of you. You go on ahead and mourn if you want to.
stop_calling_me_zelda: (Pout)

[personal profile] stop_calling_me_zelda 2013-10-04 11:33 pm (UTC)(link)
[She lets go of Zelda's hand, watching her and listening as she speaks. And then Tetra wraps her arms around Zelda in a fierce hug, squeezing her and trying to make her feel all the love and support that Tetra can offer. There's really nothing she can say so action will have to speak for her.]
faithstaynight: (pic#4112561)

[Floor 25]

[personal profile] faithstaynight 2013-10-05 12:55 am (UTC)(link)
[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?

[personal profile] no_longer_a_king 2013-10-05 03:00 am (UTC)(link)
[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?
notachickenhawk: (morph)

Meadow

[personal profile] notachickenhawk 2013-10-05 03:37 am (UTC)(link)
[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.]
keepscalm: (Default)

floor 25

[personal profile] keepscalm 2013-10-05 03:46 am (UTC)(link)
[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.]
Edited 2013-10-05 04:42 (UTC)
stop_calling_me_zelda: (Pout)

[personal profile] stop_calling_me_zelda 2013-10-05 04:12 am (UTC)(link)
It's okay, we still have each other. And we can still save Link. Even hero's need to be rescued sometimes. And then we can be a family.

[Tetra would know. She and Link both needed rescuing once back in Forsaken Fortress. Then again, she's needed rescuing more often than he has but that is entirely beside the point.]
midgarhorizon: ((CC) Black and White)

[personal profile] midgarhorizon 2013-10-05 08:13 am (UTC)(link)
So... that's why you're upset.

[Walking forward through the grass, it makes soft 'ping' noises against his metal ankle guards. He's closer now, lifting the visor off so she could see all of his face.

His face is hard- no, stern would be more like it.]

I just spent six months in purgatory. Do you think I'd be here if she was doing that right now? We still got time. The only time you should start beating yourself up, is if we fail. Don't know about you, but I don't plan to give up.
crouching_sin: (mmm... tasty)

Library

[personal profile] crouching_sin 2013-10-05 07:34 pm (UTC)(link)
[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?

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