Supply Run

[animusmods]

Characters: open to all characters running supplies for Aria
Setting: 22nd, all day
Format: any
Summary: Supplies have to be run up to the 101st floor from the infirmary. With the retrieval units pinned down where they are, it's up to the characters to do the heavy lifting.
Warnings: standard event warnings

[The eerie darkness of the Tower reflects oddly against the snow and metal. Still, maybe the darkness is good for this sort of task, considering all the plague doctors lurking in the halls and around corners to be avoided. The supply station on the 101st floor is easy enough to spot, ringed with a strange, glittering blue barrier, but the plague doctors don't seem to notice the area at all. The supply station and the infirmary are safe--it's moving between the two that's the difficult part.

Good luck.]

Comments

[sageprincess]

[... Why does she have an absolutely terrible feeling this child is going to ask if he can help. She pauses in her packing to look down at Quark, not bothering to hide the seriousness from her expression.]

I am, yes.

[averytinyparticle]

[Likely because this is exactly what's about to happen. Maybe not with that exact wording, mind you.]

Could I come with you then, Miss?

[Before waiting for an answer, he jumps to explain himself, as if afraid she'll shoot him down.]

I-I know that it's dangerous, and I can't carry a whole lot, but I have an orange collar and I'm really good at hiding, so I can probably avoid those monster things out there!

[sageprincess]

[And the look on her face says she certainly wants to shoot him down, but... he has a point about the orange collar. The plague doctors have never gone after them, for one reason or another... And Aria's people need all the help they can get.

Her lips firmly pursed and her brows furrowed, it's obvious she doesn't want him to go out there, but the frustrated sigh she gives implies she's relenting.]

... On one condition. You promise me you will do exactly as I say until we reach the top. If I say to run, you will run without protest. Understood?

[averytinyparticle]

[For an instant, Quark's expression brightens. He wipes his own smile off, knowing that the situation isn't one meant for smiles, and instead gives a solemn, determined nod.]

Yeah, I can do that. I promise!

[He looks at the supplies, then.]

What should I carry?

[sageprincess]

[There's another exhale at the boy's vow, this one a bit more relaxing than the last. At least he seems genuine about listening. She gestures to the large stack of nutrition bars she has been picking apart for her own pack.]

As much food as you feel comfortable carrying. Remember, it is a long way up and we will need to move quietly, so make certain you do not overburden yourself.

[averytinyparticle]

Right.

[Quark immediately gets to work, putting a few nutrition bars in his coat pockets but being sure, as she said, not to make himself too heavy so he wouldn't slow the two of them down. When he's satisfied there, he pulls his hat off of his head, opens the boxlike compartments, and begins to fill those as well.

There were still a few stored inside, but what with the recent events, Quark hadn't been keeping himself as properly stocked as he normally tried to. He makes quick work of it though, securing the compartment lids once more and placing it gingerly upon his head. Once he's satisfied that it isn't too heavy, he turns to Zelda once again.]

Okay. I think I'm ready.

[And he still had his scalpel tucked safely away in one of his pockets. He didn't want to fight--he didn't really know how, so orange collar or not he couldn't really do much--but if worse came to worse at least he wasn't totally unarmed.]

[sageprincess]

[Meanwhile, Zelda's pack is much more... rustic in nature. Nutrition bars are gathered up on a yard of fabric nicked from the workshop, which is then tied around her shoulders by the corners. It's not the more secure form of supply transport, but it's not like her Sheikah garb has much room to store them. At the sound of the boy's affirmation, she looks him over before nodding.]

All right. It is going to be cold and dark out there, so stay close to me and stay low to the ground. So long as we stay quiet, the darkness shall be our ally.

[There's... an odd familiarity to what she's saying, a certain nostalgia creeping along the edges of her mind. After all, wasn't this the sort of thing Impa would drill into her when she was a child?

But this is no time to dwell on the past, and after a moment the Princess speaks up again.]

Are you absolutely certain you wish to do this?

[averytinyparticle]

[Quark stares up at Zelda attentively as she gives her instructions, wrapping the cloak Enoch had given him more tightly around his shoulders at the mention of the cold.]

Yeah.

[He wasn't going to lie and say he wasn't scared, but he did want to do it. He didn't like sitting around--he never had. And maybe this was something he really truly could help with.]

I'm sure.

[Quark can feel his heart beating as he already moves close to Zelda's side in preparation and swallows down a knot forming in his throat.]

[sageprincess]

[Restraining herself from another resigned sigh, Zelda nods. She will just have to do her best to keep him safe.]

Very well, then. Let us go.

[She pulls her cowl over her nose and mouth as she leads them through to the entrance of the infirmary. And for a moment, it seems like the stern woman will be content with not saying another word until they're outside. But just as they start nearing the entrance, and the chill starts overcoming the body heat of the crowd of people in the infirmary, she makes one last comment.]

My name is Zelda, by the way.

[No need to worry the boy with titles when they both have enough on their plates as is.]

[averytinyparticle]

Oh! My name's Quark!

[He can't stop himself from smiling up at her this time, even if only for just a second, when she introduces herself. Zelda was a really pretty name; maybe when things weren't so important and scary he'd tell her that.]

It's really nice to meet you, Miss Zelda.

[Because there was never any excuse to be impolite, even when going out into the freezing, monster-infested staircase. That thought alone, of course, is enough to hold his tongue from any further pleasantries. He stays close and quiet by Zelda's side as they begin their hurried ascent, hoping that somewhere he'd be making his Grandpa proud.]

[sageprincess]

[The politeness does get a ghost of a smile in her eyes just before they head out, and she bows her head slightly in response.

But then it's back to business the moment they step outside. The good thing about spiral staircases is that the 'internal' and 'external' sides remain constant, meaning Zelda puts herself between Quark and the rest of the Tower in almost every direction as they climb. By the way she moves, staying far and away from what little light there is and only stopping to rest in the darkest shadows, it definitely seems like she's done this sort of thing before.

Quark's a good kid, the least she can do is make certain he reaches the top safely.]