action! [backdated 9/1] (this placeholder won't stop me from giving you a surprise tag)
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multidisciplinary
2022-09-13 03:42 pm (UTC)(link)
[ It's late in the morning on the first day of September when Zelda awakes in her bed, much later than she normally wakes up. She's usually the moment the sun hits her bedroom window. How did she manage to oversleep so long? Zelda grumbles under her breath as she gets out of bed and pulls on her housecoat. At this rate, she's probably missed breakfast too. Link's breakfasts are always so much better than anything Zelda can cook. Time to make sub-optimal eggs or something.
It's with this frustration that Zelda trudges downstairs to the kitchen, only thinking that she's overslept by a few hours—not by almost two weeks. ]
It's with this frustration that Zelda trudges downstairs to the kitchen, only thinking that she's overslept by a few hours—not by almost two weeks. ]
[Little has changed, Link has found, by the turn of a page on the calendar. August creeps into September quietly enough that, at first, he doesn't notice at all. The day dawns as any other: early, with the thin light of dawn trickling through the windows of the treehouse. Far too quiet, Link has found, even for him, while the Princess continues her mysterious sleep. He lingers for a moment outside of the Princess's door before going downstairs, listening for a hint of stirring...but he hears nothing, and determines to check on her later, just as he has every day since she first refused to wake.
Apparently this is normal, here. Or at least, it happens sometimes. Nothing about it feels normal at all.
He maintains a level of quiet anxiousness all this time, a pot of tomato stew warming on the hearth as he fusses with things in the treehouse: halfheartedly dusting stacks of books (he wouldn't dare think to move her books or research; he made that mistake only once, long ago, and thoroughly learned his lesson.) and cleaning dishes that only ever get half-dirty, when you're cooking only for yourself. He opens his journal, taps thoughtfully on a page, and closes it again. This continues throughout the morning almost as a ritual: a knight with no one to protect and no battles to fight, looking desperately for something to do within a home where everything is already done. Later in the day, he'll go out, run errands, maybe take on a few odd jobs or see people, but for now he's in the kitchen, organizing a few monster parts and miscellaneous ingredients he was thinking about trying to make elixirs from. Trying to find a space for them that's clearly separate from food storage, since those two don't mix--
This is when he registers footsteps, and a familiar presence, and nearly drops the jar of monster fangs he was holding, awkwardly catching and juggling it for a moment before placing it on the counter with a clatter.]
You're awake.
[He's stating the obvious, of course, but he looks startled as he does, as if he doesn't quite believe it.]
Apparently this is normal, here. Or at least, it happens sometimes. Nothing about it feels normal at all.
He maintains a level of quiet anxiousness all this time, a pot of tomato stew warming on the hearth as he fusses with things in the treehouse: halfheartedly dusting stacks of books (he wouldn't dare think to move her books or research; he made that mistake only once, long ago, and thoroughly learned his lesson.) and cleaning dishes that only ever get half-dirty, when you're cooking only for yourself. He opens his journal, taps thoughtfully on a page, and closes it again. This continues throughout the morning almost as a ritual: a knight with no one to protect and no battles to fight, looking desperately for something to do within a home where everything is already done. Later in the day, he'll go out, run errands, maybe take on a few odd jobs or see people, but for now he's in the kitchen, organizing a few monster parts and miscellaneous ingredients he was thinking about trying to make elixirs from. Trying to find a space for them that's clearly separate from food storage, since those two don't mix--
This is when he registers footsteps, and a familiar presence, and nearly drops the jar of monster fangs he was holding, awkwardly catching and juggling it for a moment before placing it on the counter with a clatter.]
You're awake.
[He's stating the obvious, of course, but he looks startled as he does, as if he doesn't quite believe it.]
[ Zelda is still foggy with sleep as she enters the kitchen. but the sudden clatter of jars on the countertop abruptly fixes that. She winces involuntarily. The sight that greets her in the kitchen feels akin to catching a cat in the middle of doing something they're not supposed to be doing—Link, with a collection of jars, staring agape at the princess as though he never would have expected to see her up and about in her own home.
All right then.
Zelda decides not to ask, instead moving to the hearth to start a kettle of water to boil. ]
I am. [ She grumbles. ] Rather later than I wanted to be. I had hoped to make an early start of my studies today, but apparently that was too much to ask.
[ How dare her body need a few hours of extra sleep, or so she thinks. ]
All right then.
Zelda decides not to ask, instead moving to the hearth to start a kettle of water to boil. ]
I am. [ She grumbles. ] Rather later than I wanted to be. I had hoped to make an early start of my studies today, but apparently that was too much to ask.
[ How dare her body need a few hours of extra sleep, or so she thinks. ]
[Rather later indeed. Link is quiet, unsure how to respond. Where to begin. She speaks as if hardly any time has passed at all...doesn't she know?
Then he realizes -- no. She probably doesn't.
The first thing he does is tuck the materials back into the corner of the counter where they've been taking up space. He can deal with them properly later. Then he puts the pot of tomato stew back on the hearth, grateful to finally not worry about the leftovers again. Now he can begin to approach the topic.]
It's been longer than you know. [Out comes a bowl and spoon. He cracks an egg into the pot.] Two weeks, at least.
[Now that he says it, it doesn't feel as long. Not with the strange things that happened while she slept.]
Then he realizes -- no. She probably doesn't.
The first thing he does is tuck the materials back into the corner of the counter where they've been taking up space. He can deal with them properly later. Then he puts the pot of tomato stew back on the hearth, grateful to finally not worry about the leftovers again. Now he can begin to approach the topic.]
It's been longer than you know. [Out comes a bowl and spoon. He cracks an egg into the pot.] Two weeks, at least.
[Now that he says it, it doesn't feel as long. Not with the strange things that happened while she slept.]
[ No, she has no idea...
Zelda slides into one of the chairs at the kitchen table, rubbing the back of her neck with one hand as she listens to Link. She has a crick in her neck. Must have been from sleeping-- ]
T-two weeks?!
[ She whips around in the chair to face him, all thought to her sore neck vanishing. Now it's Zelda's turn to gape in disbelief. ]
B-but that's---!
[ Impossible? Not really. Such happenings are fairly common in Songerein. Well, perhaps not common, but not unusual. ]
Zelda slides into one of the chairs at the kitchen table, rubbing the back of her neck with one hand as she listens to Link. She has a crick in her neck. Must have been from sleeping-- ]
T-two weeks?!
[ She whips around in the chair to face him, all thought to her sore neck vanishing. Now it's Zelda's turn to gape in disbelief. ]
B-but that's---!
[ Impossible? Not really. Such happenings are fairly common in Songerein. Well, perhaps not common, but not unusual. ]
[But that's--! He tilts his head a bit, watching her with eyebrows raised. Impossible? Really? After she spent the last month fretting over her friend in the same condition? Surely she can't believe that. He doesn't say as much, but his expression does.
A few moments later, a bowl of poached eggs and tomato sauce appears before her on the table, accompanied by a few slices of bread. It was clearly toasted earlier, probably when he had his breakfast, but it's still fairly fresh. Link sits opposite her at the table, watching the kettle as it continues to warm.]
You must have been tired.
[The levity in his voice is quite subtle. In truth, he's relieved to see her up, finally, but...he doesn't want her to feel bad about something over which she had no control.]
A few moments later, a bowl of poached eggs and tomato sauce appears before her on the table, accompanied by a few slices of bread. It was clearly toasted earlier, probably when he had his breakfast, but it's still fairly fresh. Link sits opposite her at the table, watching the kettle as it continues to warm.]
You must have been tired.
[The levity in his voice is quite subtle. In truth, he's relieved to see her up, finally, but...he doesn't want her to feel bad about something over which she had no control.]
[ Yeah, yeah, don't give her that look. She knew how silly she sounded the moment the words left her mouth. She's not even going to try to justify herself.
Instead, she turns back around in her chair as Link sets an incredible breakfast in front of her. ]
So it seems. [ She replies sarcastically. ] Although two weeks is just excessive. A few extra hours would have been ample.
[ Zelda starts in on the eggs. The smell is so heavenly it manages to push away her frustrations. ] How were things in my absence?
Instead, she turns back around in her chair as Link sets an incredible breakfast in front of her. ]
So it seems. [ She replies sarcastically. ] Although two weeks is just excessive. A few extra hours would have been ample.
[ Zelda starts in on the eggs. The smell is so heavenly it manages to push away her frustrations. ] How were things in my absence?
[As he rests his chin on his palm he does, in fact, stop giving her that look. In part, he has to hold his tongue, biting back some kind of remark about how she doesn't do things by half-measures, even if it's just sleep. In her current mood, he has a feeling she might not fully appreciate it.
The kettle begins to boil just after she asks the question, and Link's expression changes a bit as he goes to take it from the hearth. How were things, indeed? How to explain it?]
Interesting. [As if that explains anything. He returns to the table a few moments later with two cups of tea.] The town turned into some kind of storybook.
[... He says this fairly casually, like he's just talking about a normal everyday outing.]
The kettle begins to boil just after she asks the question, and Link's expression changes a bit as he goes to take it from the hearth. How were things, indeed? How to explain it?]
Interesting. [As if that explains anything. He returns to the table a few moments later with two cups of tea.] The town turned into some kind of storybook.
[... He says this fairly casually, like he's just talking about a normal everyday outing.]
Edited 2022-09-22 21:10 (UTC)
[ Link's instincts are correct, even without the memories to back them up; Zelda is definitely in a Mood this morning.
Zelda listens as she eats. (Was Link always this good of a cook?) When he brings up what happened to the town, she coughs mid-bite. ]
The entire town? [ She covers her mouth with her hand. ] Well that's unusual. Or maybe not unusual, but unprecedented. There have been the odd occasion of dreamwalkers being pulled into books, but not a transformation of the entire town into a book.
Zelda listens as she eats. (Was Link always this good of a cook?) When he brings up what happened to the town, she coughs mid-bite. ]
The entire town? [ She covers her mouth with her hand. ] Well that's unusual. Or maybe not unusual, but unprecedented. There have been the odd occasion of dreamwalkers being pulled into books, but not a transformation of the entire town into a book.
[For a moment, he glances at her curiously, and then nods.] It may have been more like that. [This is what I get for reading the event wrong orz] It happened quite fast.
[Overall, it doesn't seem like the event took a terrible toll on him. One might expect that means he wasn't affected very much, but that's just sort of how Link is. He goes with the flow, even if "the flow" means "turning into a scarecrow and also somehow porcelain, among other things." Thoughtfully, he cups his hands around his teacup. If this isn't entirely unfamiliar for her, he'd better be prepared for it to happen again, he supposes.]
Does it happen often? Being pulled into books.
[Overall, it doesn't seem like the event took a terrible toll on him. One might expect that means he wasn't affected very much, but that's just sort of how Link is. He goes with the flow, even if "the flow" means "turning into a scarecrow and also somehow porcelain, among other things." Thoughtfully, he cups his hands around his teacup. If this isn't entirely unfamiliar for her, he'd better be prepared for it to happen again, he supposes.]
Does it happen often? Being pulled into books.
[ Link's and Kri's confusion is understandable—dreamshifts tend to happen very quickly and each is never quite the same as the last. At least they are (more or less) expected now. The first time a dreamshift took hold of the entire town, the tapirs were worked up in a panicked tizzy trying to figure out what had happened.
Link seems as unfazed by the dreamshift as any veteran dreamwalker, despite the fact that this was most likely his first. Just what Zelda would expect from Link, though it does make her wonder if there might be more to it. ]
I wouldn't say "often," but it has happened. Not to me, unfortunately. [ She continues eating. Of course a dreamshift into a book would happen the first time Zelda falls into a sleeping coma! ] That phenomenon is called a "dreamshift," an instance when all of Reverein 'shifts' into a different dream world. They are semiregular occurrences.
Link seems as unfazed by the dreamshift as any veteran dreamwalker, despite the fact that this was most likely his first. Just what Zelda would expect from Link, though it does make her wonder if there might be more to it. ]
I wouldn't say "often," but it has happened. Not to me, unfortunately. [ She continues eating. Of course a dreamshift into a book would happen the first time Zelda falls into a sleeping coma! ] That phenomenon is called a "dreamshift," an instance when all of Reverein 'shifts' into a different dream world. They are semiregular occurrences.
["Unfortunately." He doesn't miss that wording. It makes sense, all said, for a person who loves reading as much as she does.
Link tries to commit the word to memory. Dreamshift.]
So there's a good chance that there will be a next time.
[Not that it was exactly a fun experience, but in the end, it wasn't harmful. A strange little adventure, you might say. It does sound like the kind of thing she would enjoy, mostly.]
Link tries to commit the word to memory. Dreamshift.]
So there's a good chance that there will be a next time.
[Not that it was exactly a fun experience, but in the end, it wasn't harmful. A strange little adventure, you might say. It does sound like the kind of thing she would enjoy, mostly.]
[ Maybe if she spends more time in the archives, one of the books will eventually suck her in.
Zelda nods. ] It is less a matter of "if" and more of "when." As with the awakening if new dreamwalkers, dreamshifts are a semi regular occurrence.
[ She looks at him. ] How did you fare? Was it dangerous?
Zelda nods. ] It is less a matter of "if" and more of "when." As with the awakening if new dreamwalkers, dreamshifts are a semi regular occurrence.
[ She looks at him. ] How did you fare? Was it dangerous?
[Ah-- that's right, another regular occurrence. He can't help but wonder at the pattern; it's almost as if something about the world is alive, actively making these choices...]
I see.
[It's something to remain aware of. At the question, he shrugs, thinking back. It certainly wasn't the safest adventure he'd ever had, but would he go so far as to call it dangerous?
...hm. Maybe the apples.]
A little. Nothing left lasting damage, though.
I see.
[It's something to remain aware of. At the question, he shrugs, thinking back. It certainly wasn't the safest adventure he'd ever had, but would he go so far as to call it dangerous?
...hm. Maybe the apples.]
A little. Nothing left lasting damage, though.
[ Zelda lets Link's statement hang in the air as she finishes eating, waiting to see if he'll elaborate.
When he doesn't, she frowns. ]
And?
[ Come on, Link. You can't go on adventures in a book and skimp on the details like that. ]
When he doesn't, she frowns. ]
And?
[ Come on, Link. You can't go on adventures in a book and skimp on the details like that. ]
[... Oh. Oh, she wants details. Now that she basically asks, he supposes it makes sense, especially when she missed out. He pauses, thinking about where to start.]
I turned into a scarecrow. There were poppies that put people to sleep.
[... Okay, when he puts it that way, it just sounds...weird. But what else can he say that doesn't make it sound weird? Getting pelted by apples, his hand turning into porcelain...none of that is exactly not-strange.
Ah, maybe she wants to know more about how it ended.]
They used some kind of device to project positive dreams and defeat an evil wizard.
I turned into a scarecrow. There were poppies that put people to sleep.
[... Okay, when he puts it that way, it just sounds...weird. But what else can he say that doesn't make it sound weird? Getting pelted by apples, his hand turning into porcelain...none of that is exactly not-strange.
Ah, maybe she wants to know more about how it ended.]
They used some kind of device to project positive dreams and defeat an evil wizard.
[ If she could, Zelda would wring every last minute detail out of Link. Not only is she disappointed that she missed out in an adventure inside a book, but the princess has always had a deep-seated need to know everything about everything. Unfortunately, getting a detailed explanation of the recent dreamshift out of Link will be like squeezing blood from a stone.
Not that the details he does provide make a lot of sense anyways. Individually, she understands what each of these statements mean, but put together, they make don't make the whole picture any clearer. ]
That sounds like a very strange dream. Which I suppose is appropriate of a dream world.
Well, in the event that another dreamshift occurs which I am unable to experience, please take the Sheikah Slate with you and document the event thoroughly.
Not that the details he does provide make a lot of sense anyways. Individually, she understands what each of these statements mean, but put together, they make don't make the whole picture any clearer. ]
That sounds like a very strange dream. Which I suppose is appropriate of a dream world.
Well, in the event that another dreamshift occurs which I am unable to experience, please take the Sheikah Slate with you and document the event thoroughly.
[It's unfortunate for the Princess that Link is a bit less science-minded and more...in-the-moment-minded; it's only in hindsight that he thinks about the fact that she might like to know more about how things happened in the dream-book-world.
His nod in agreement --yes, "strange" is the main word he would use to describe the experience-- comes with an internal pang of regret about that. Perhaps he should work more on observation. Even if she's somewhat...conscious, or aware, in the present in Hyrule, he's certain there are some things about his journey that she won't pick up on.
(He...hopes.)]
I will. [A pause.] Or I'll try harder to wake you.
[A faint flicker of smile; he's clearly joking, not only because it might have no effect but also because he doesn't exactly want a repeat of her mysterious slumber.]
His nod in agreement --yes, "strange" is the main word he would use to describe the experience-- comes with an internal pang of regret about that. Perhaps he should work more on observation. Even if she's somewhat...conscious, or aware, in the present in Hyrule, he's certain there are some things about his journey that she won't pick up on.
(He...hopes.)]
I will. [A pause.] Or I'll try harder to wake you.
[A faint flicker of smile; he's clearly joking, not only because it might have no effect but also because he doesn't exactly want a repeat of her mysterious slumber.]
[ Little does Link realize that the Zelda in the present in Hyrule has seen everything.
Zelda catches Link's little flicker of a smile. She sits up a little straighter in her chair and says with airs, while suppressing a grin: ] See that you do.
[ Despite how much she missed, Zelda is glad, at least, that Link didn't spend the entire two weeks keeping watch over her comatose form. If this had happened in Hyrule, he probably would have stayed glued to her bedside the whole time, possibly even forgoing eating and sleeping. Though she's happy that they've so easily settled into their familiar relationship, Link deserves freedom from his old responsibilities as much as Zelda does.
The princess stands up from the kitchen table and collects her empty bowl. Speaking of changes, she's accustomed to cleaning up after herself now instead of waiting on someone to do it for her. She goes to clean it in the basin. ]
I believe I shall head to the garden first this morning. I'm sure they're fine, but I'd like to see that my plants haven't wilted too much without my care.
Zelda catches Link's little flicker of a smile. She sits up a little straighter in her chair and says with airs, while suppressing a grin: ] See that you do.
[ Despite how much she missed, Zelda is glad, at least, that Link didn't spend the entire two weeks keeping watch over her comatose form. If this had happened in Hyrule, he probably would have stayed glued to her bedside the whole time, possibly even forgoing eating and sleeping. Though she's happy that they've so easily settled into their familiar relationship, Link deserves freedom from his old responsibilities as much as Zelda does.
The princess stands up from the kitchen table and collects her empty bowl. Speaking of changes, she's accustomed to cleaning up after herself now instead of waiting on someone to do it for her. She goes to clean it in the basin. ]
I believe I shall head to the garden first this morning. I'm sure they're fine, but I'd like to see that my plants haven't wilted too much without my care.
[ On the eve of the 21st, Link will find a black box tied with a blue ribbon addressed to him. The following letter followed, written in gold ink: ]
Knight of Hyrule,
Tidings on this winter solstice. May you stay resilient in performing your duty.
Somnus Lucis Caelum
[ Within the box, Link will find these pair of earrings, fashioned from gold into a classical, ancient pattern-- likely dated to Somnus' own era.
Link will also find a blunt, short dagger. With a hilt decorated with gold, the blade itself is a mix of two metals swirling together. Attached to this gift is another note detailing its purpose:
It's likely he's given him this because of his association to Zelda. ]
Knight of Hyrule,
Tidings on this winter solstice. May you stay resilient in performing your duty.
Somnus Lucis Caelum
[ Within the box, Link will find these pair of earrings, fashioned from gold into a classical, ancient pattern-- likely dated to Somnus' own era.
Link will also find a blunt, short dagger. With a hilt decorated with gold, the blade itself is a mix of two metals swirling together. Attached to this gift is another note detailing its purpose:
- â—‰ It is a healing item, capable of closing and curing mild-to-moderate wounds when needed. For more grievous wounds, it will be able to somewhat stem the damage, but not completely heal it.
â—‰ It comes with a small black belt and clip, either of which he can use to attach to her person for convenience.
â—‰ When used, a soft glow of blue, crystalline light will accompany the path of the blade's edge over the wound.
â—‰ It cannot restore the magic of others or cure ailments like poison, petrification, etc.
â—‰ It has up to 4 uses in a 24-hour period, after which it must recharge for 12 hrs.
â—‰ Being one of the first of its kind, it is rather fragile.
It's likely he's given him this because of his association to Zelda. ]
[ On Christmas morning, Link will find a neatly wrapped gift waiting for him on the kitchen table. A letter is attached, written in Zelda's pristine cursive handwriting.
Wouldn't it make more sense to give it to him in person? Zelda agonized over this decision all week. ]
[ Inside the box is, thankfully, not another of the same Goddess devotional candle that Zelda has given Link out of obligation on previous Goddess Days. It's actually a recipe book! The pages are filled with recipes shared by other dreamwalkers, most of which have been transcribed by Zelda in her familiar neat penmanship (although more than a few are written in Alastor's hand). The complexity (and, frankly, overall quality) of the recipes differ throughout the book. It doesn't seem like Zelda vetted the edibility of some of these recipes... If nothing else, it's an adventurous collection of recipes. There are also plenty of blank pages in the back for more recipes to be added later. ]
Wouldn't it make more sense to give it to him in person? Zelda agonized over this decision all week. ]
Dear Link,
Do you think it strange to celebrate Goddess Day here, even though no one else does? I suppose there is Christmas, but it isn't quite the same. Last year, I gave gifts to my friends here in Reverein in honor of the Goddess. Perhaps it was silly of me, but it didn't feel right not to.
I hope you enjoy this gift. I'm sure you were looking forward to another Goddess devotional candle. So sorry to disappoint.
May the Goddess smile upon you,
Zelda
[ Inside the box is, thankfully, not another of the same Goddess devotional candle that Zelda has given Link out of obligation on previous Goddess Days. It's actually a recipe book! The pages are filled with recipes shared by other dreamwalkers, most of which have been transcribed by Zelda in her familiar neat penmanship (although more than a few are written in Alastor's hand). The complexity (and, frankly, overall quality) of the recipes differ throughout the book. It doesn't seem like Zelda vetted the edibility of some of these recipes... If nothing else, it's an adventurous collection of recipes. There are also plenty of blank pages in the back for more recipes to be added later. ]
[He has to think about that.]
They're alright. I've only really climbed trees...and part of a mountain, but there wasn't much of a view due to all the smoke.
[Because it's totally normal to just climb an actively erupting volcano. Though it's the Goron's fault, ultimately, for living on an active volcano. But they also eat rocks, so lava might just be akin to a really hot bath to them.]
They're alright. I've only really climbed trees...and part of a mountain, but there wasn't much of a view due to all the smoke.
[Because it's totally normal to just climb an actively erupting volcano. Though it's the Goron's fault, ultimately, for living on an active volcano. But they also eat rocks, so lava might just be akin to a really hot bath to them.]
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