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

[want_to_belong]

[Slightly more serious, though he tried to keep things light.]

Ah... yeah, far as I can tell I was one of the first to end up here? Along with my buds. Almost a year now, I think? ...Maybe a year.

[It'd been a long time, and while he'd been happy with it for a while his entire reason for being happy had disappeared when his friend disappeared.]

I could show you all over the place! All the safe places. Do you have a place to sleep? You could use my bed if you want. ...Not that you have to sleep with me! I could sleep with my buddies.

...Not that I want to sleep with them!

[He really didn't want to give the wrong impression even though it was what he excelled at the most. Then again, Ignis and Gladio had told him some women were into that, so he didn't even know anymore.

It'd probably be easier just to go with something that would be a sure hit.]

I have a chocobo! And two more just hatched, so you could pet them if you want.

[wisdomspring]

A year? [ Her smile falls, her stomach plummets. No. She couldn't afford the time she'd already spent here, let alone a full year. It may be true that her world is in stasis in the meantime, but Zelda doesn't believe it 100%, can't rest easily knowing that Hyrule may be in danger while she is elsewhere, useless.

Even more useless than before. She swallows, self-loathing prickling at her insides. She's so wrapped up within her own mind that she misses much of what Prompto says and returns to the conversation near the end. ]

I... I'm sorry, I was... [ fret fret ] Is everyone here on the islands for so long?

[want_to_belong]

It's okay! You didn't do anything wrong!

[He wasn't even sure why she was apologizing, but whatever it was wasn't her fault.]

Ah... No. A lot of people who were here aren't anymore. I'm not sure why or what's happened to them.

They probably just go home! [It was more for her than him. He was highly concerned about where they were.]

I'm sure you'll be fine. We've got food and water, and we built a shower, and we can keep you safe. You don't have to worry.

[wisdomspring]

Some come and go at different intervals than others? [ Interesting. She makes a mental note of this, and then quietly wishes she had some real paper to take down all these details. ] How is it chosen who will return?

[ He may not know, but it's certainly worth asking. ]

Thank you. [ He reminds her of a certain, other blonde, and so she smiles gratefully. ] Are you able to meet me today, do you think?

[want_to_belong]

I have no idea. It's not by choice, though. Noct wouldn't have ditched us.

[He could feel certain about that. Noct would have come back for them. At least said goodbye. Left a message. Something.

It was hard bouncing from something so depressing to casual conversation, so he fumbled a bit over his next words.]

Oh, yeah, sure, we could meet today. Where are you at?

[wisdomspring]

The temple. The ruins, that is. [ beat ] On... Ensō.

[ In case he's on another island... ]

I can go to the beach, if that's easier.

[want_to_belong]

No need, you're good where you are! There's a mana pool like, right there. I could be there in...

[Not very long at all, but did he look okay? It was hard to know considering the lack of mirrors around. After a moment of thought he snapped some pics of himself with his camera to see how he looked.]

Give me ten minutes, okay? ...Make it fifteen! [He should see if he can scrub off some of the chocobo smell, too.] Do you know where the mana pool is outside? Have you used a mana pool?

[wisdomspring]

A mana pool? [ She's seen it, of course, with all the time spent in the area... but hasn't tested it. As such, Zelda shakes her head before realizing Prompto can't see her action. ] No, I haven't. Should I...?

[ Should she... what? Jump in? Though the thought is a little thrilling, she knows better than to dive headfirst into a strange, magical pool. ]

Would that... transport me to you? [ That would be something. ]

[want_to_belong]

If you wanna try it should be okay. Just toss a flower in it and think of where you want to go. You can wait for me if you want more help!

[He was already running to fix up his hair and clean his face. He wouldn't have much time with how close she was.]

Oh, we're on the little islets, if you've seen them.

[wisdomspring]

A flower...? [ She shakes her head automatically, puzzled more and more by the moment. ] Any kind of flower?

[ Better to just wait for him, she thinks. The concept of the magic pools is... a little hard to swallow at the moment. ]

I'll just wait here for you, then.

[want_to_belong]

They grow all around the mana pools! But it's cool if you wanna wait. I'd have been confused if I just got here, too.

[Besides, it gave him more time to rush through his cleansing routine, scrubbing up as best he could in the few minutes before he ran over to the mana pool on their end.

He stopped beside it. His heart was racing as he thought of what he should do and say when he saw her. These moments of self-doubt always made him want to run and hide even though he'd never get anywhere that way. Even though they had upgraded their place so much and even had a kind-of-shower, being on the island for so long left the few clothes he had disheveled and overused. He was a little skinnier than normal, and it felt like he was never quite clean because they didn't have filtered water for bathing.

Deep breaths. He fixed his mussed up hair futilely and hopped through to appear on the other side. Instantly he glanced around for who he was talking to and froze when he saw her.

Shit. He'd forgotten what he was going to say.]

Uh... Hi.

[wisdomspring]

[ No need to worry, Prompto: you're looking at a girl who's been living near the Storyteller's Temple for some time now. Zelda has been taking pseudo-baths in the ocean, but it's obviously not soap and hot water, and - well.

She looks about as disheveled as one might expect when he arrives. ]

Prompto? [ Goddess, he - almost looks like Link. She blinks, then shuts her mouth, which had been slightly agape. ] Ah... excuse me. And - thank you for coming to my aid. I am Zelda, Princess of Hyrule.

[ After which she offers a little inclination of her head before folding her hands, businesslike. ]

[want_to_belong]

[He cracked a small, nervous smile.]

Princess?

[Oops, he hadn't had that information. He'd hung around Noctis all his life and didn't care that he was a prince, but this was different. She was a princess, not a prince. He couldn't smack her on the ass and then ask if she wanted to play "King's Knight".

Stiffening up, he tried to put on his best royal behavior, bowing ever so slightly. Honestly, he was pretty clueless. He'd only seen Noct's dad once so his royal etiquette lessons had been lacking.]

S-Sorry. Didn't know that. Ah, umm...

[He scratched the back of his neck. Oh, right, he was here to show her the mana pool stuff. He stepped aside and gestured towards it.]

You wanna try?

[wisdomspring]

It's no trouble. I am not the princess of these islands, so you are welcome to call me "Zelda."

[ Formality is hardly the most important thing here, and she has a solid sense of priorities. ]

Yes, please! [ The question distracts her entirely, and she steps up to the mana pool. After a pause, though, Zelda glances back at him with a more nervous air. ] ... How do I do this, again? I offer it a flower...?

[want_to_belong]

Such a pretty name...

[He sighed dreamily, almost getting lost in his thoughts.]

O-Oh, yeah! I'll show you.

[He dug out his camera quickly, skipping to pictures taken on the islet before he turned it around to show her the screen energetically.

Ok, the picture was of a baby brown chocobo. But the islet and mana pool were in there, too!]

This is what it looks like. If you toss one of these flowers in there and think of it, you should end up there. You just gotta let it know where you wanna go.

[wisdomspring]

Thank you, Prompto. [ She smiles earnestly, hands clasped at her front. When he pulls out the camera, though, she's distracted... ]

Oh! What-...? [ When the photos appear on its screen, she's even more floored. Zelda gasps softly, eyes wide. ] This... can process still images? Capture them, that is? I've only ever seen one device capable of that, but what you have is no Sheikah Slate.

[want_to_belong]

Not sure what one of those looks like, but this is a camera. You can hold it if you want.

[He offered it cautiously to her. This was like a part of him.]

I've had it since I was little.

[wisdomspring]

We have a device in Hyrule that can capture moments just the same as your camera. [ She doesn't take it, not wanting to break what is clearly a precious object, but Zelda does smile appreciatively. ] Does it only take images?

[want_to_belong]

Yeah...

[For a moment he almost said "That's what it was made for", but that didn't make it sound very special. There was the slightest pause as he switched thoughts, smiling again. He tried to fluidly bring the camera back towards himself when she didn't accept it.]

Actually, I like to think of it as having the power to capture memories. You know. Great times with friends. ...New members of the family.

[The chicks. After all, it's who was in the pic.]

[wisdomspring]

Yes, I understand. That's just what we did with the Sheikah Slate. [ It makes her want to have a camera of her own, or to at least have the Slate returned to her. ] It's a wonderful use of technology, isn't it? I hope that it can become more common where I came from, someday.

[ So that everyone can capture memories, just as he's said. ]

I assume it isn't so rare in your realm, though?

[want_to_belong]

There aren't many Sh... Sheekah Slates where you're from?

[He tilted his head slightly curiously.]

Cameras are pretty common. There's all kinds of them. I, uh... I could teach you how to use one. Or something. Maybe. Sometime. If you wanted. I don't think there's any other ones on the island, though.

[wisdomspring]

No, not anymore. There must have been many more in the past, but now there is only one that remains.

[ Not like his camera, then. She smiles brightly, still peering at it. ]

I would love that, if you really don't mind. [ He's been nothing but kind to her, a complete stranger, and so she perks up even more. ] Thank you. How can I ever repay you for all of this?

[want_to_belong]

Lost technology? Did something happen?

[He could at least guess that much.]

O-Oh, you just being you is payment enough!

[wisdomspring]

Oh, no. It's just that... well, I suppose they simply stopped making them, and so many of them were lost over the years.

[ She smiles, tilting her head. ]

But, it does provide us with an excellent opportunity to study them. [ beat ] I can tell you more, but... would you mind if I tried to travel through the mana pools first?

[want_to_belong]

Ah man, that would be a major bummer.

[He stepped back awkwardly, making some space for her.]

Oh! Yeah, of course! Don't let me hold you up.