stones of far (out) speech, 7/20

[wisdomspring]

Hello? [ Comes a voice new to the "network." It's young, feminine, and maybe British-esque, if you have to pin it down. ] Is it true that everyone on the island - on the islands, I think - can hear me?

[ It's the kind of tech that the Sheikah might come up with, like a more advanced version of the Gossip Stones spoken of in Hyrule's history. ]

Are you able to respond? If so... oh, I would really love to learn more about how these devices function. I'm happy to meet with you in person, or to speak by using the stone in order to receive a more "hands-on" lesson.

[ She giggles a little, clearly delighted by the opportunity. Who wouldn't be excited about something like this?? ]

But I've forgotten myself. I am Zelda, and I thank you in advance for anything that you might teach me.

Comments

[wisdomspring]

I see it. [ She smiles at his enthusiasm and laughs lightly, though not cruelly. ] Are there other homes available to live in? ... I imagine they've all been filled, if there are truly so many others who live here.

[ A shower, though... Hyrule isn't advanced enough to have showers, but she understands the concept well enough to know that it means cleaning herself. ]

I imagine that must be a rarity in this place. [ She says wonderingly. ] How did you-... How did you create it?

[want_to_belong]

Yeah. Not sure if any are available... But don't worry, there's always room for you!

[He'd make sure of that if he had to.]

Gladio used wood and clay and stuff to build it up and then make a solid tank. ...I helped! We've gotta manually fill it, and we need to find fresh water we can fill it with instead of hot water, but you can use it anytime you want.

Is there anything I can get you...?

[wisdomspring]

Thank you, Prompto. Really, you've been so kind...

[ Gladio must be a friend, she assumes, and nods. ] You all must be very talented to have built something like that. I could never do such a thing.

[ Both because of a lack of knowledge and general arm strength, probably. ]

No, I don't think so. [ beat ] I wouldn't mind a bit more of your company, unless I've taken enough of your time already...?

[want_to_belong]

[Giddy with excitement, he could hardly stand still. He had to hold back trying to brag that he was talented, wanting to impress. He was trying to formulate what he thought would be an appropriate response when she asked for more of his time.]

Ah, no! I always have time for you. Anything you need. We could get water, or food, or I could show you around, or... or there's animals! We could find a home for you, maybe?

[wisdomspring]

I think I ought to find some place to live, if you really don't mind. [ All the other options are appealing too, honestly. ] While we look, maybe you could tell me more about the animals that live on these islands?

[want_to_belong]

S-Sure! We could walk around and see if any of the homes still look open. I don't visit them all, to be honest... Usually too busy.

Aaactually... I think there's a shack down here that isn't used?

[He glanced towards the southern part of the island. While many of the homes were filled or being used, there were some buildings he didn't notice much activity in. He trotted towards the southernmost shack.]

The animals are weird. My buddy has a big cat plant, and my other buddy has a little fire bird, and there's a bunch of puffy birds that we keep to farm and stuff... There's a lot of dangerous things on the island, too, so you should stay with other people. You don't want to get caught off guard by yourself.

[He stopped in front of the shack and cautiously peeked inside to check.]

...Looks empty.

[wisdomspring]

"Too busy?" What do you normally do here, if I may ask?

[ A shack isn't. Exciting, exactly, but it's better than having no roof over your head at all. Zelda is a princess, but she's practical. ]

I hope that I can see some of these animals sometime. They sound fascinating...

[ The shack isn't bad. It isn't a castle, but it's livable. Zelda admits a smile, glancing toward Prompto after she takes a look around. ]

You really don't think that anyone would mind if I... spent some time here?

[want_to_belong]

Help collect food and supplies and stuff. I try to make sure we've got lots to cook with.

[He was carefully balancing between trying to impress and not trying to sound like he was bragging.]

I wouldn't mind if you stayed here! You could visit the animals anytime you want...

[Biting his lip for a second, he raised his hands in a 'wait' motion, backing up and trotting off to head back to his own home. From there, he went and found his near-adult muddy brown chocobo inside, leading him outside. Nooot quite as cute as the fledglings Gladio and Iggy had, but those were their chocobos. They had some makeshift straps that he could use to help guide Coco, but he didn't have to try too hard. By now the bird had learned a bit about following and coming.]

This is Coco! He's my chocobo. You can pet him if you want...

[wisdomspring]

I think that I should be all right here for a little bit. [ She'll be living with CT and Wash soon, not that she's aware of it now. ] I would love to visit the animals in the meantime...

[ When the chocobo arrives, Zelda gasps lightly, brows lifting with surprise. ]

Oh! He's very cute! [ Gingerly, she reaches out to pet the enormous bird, face splitting in a delighted smile. ] You said that his name is Coco? He seems so sweet...

[want_to_belong]

He's totally awesome. Raised him from an egg.

[And, living in close quarters with people most of his life, Coco was extremely tame and more than happy to be pet. With a shake of his head and some fluffing of feathers, he stayed mostly in place.

His eyes darted anxiously towards their home.]

We've got some more... Some chicks, inside of the house. They're Gladio and Iggy's chocobos, but I'm sure they won't mind if you see them.