back a little on aug 7th, a soft voice over the stones of far speech

[flower_of_innocence]

H-Hello, everyone. My name is Lillie. I wanted to let everyone know that if you're sick and you need to talk, I'll be at the Storyteller's Temple as often as I possibly can to talk with you. You don't have to introduce yourself or explain anything, you can just talk all you need and Nebby and I will listen. I know it can be easier to tell some things to strangers, after all...

[There's a slight pause before:]

If you aren't already sick, you may want to stay away...I'm sick myself and I think this is contagious, so don't put yourselves at risk, okay? Oh, but if you do wind up coming to see me...you'll know it's me by my hat. It's a large white sunhat, I haven't seen anyone else with one like it, so you can be sure it's me. Thank you for listening, sorry to disturb you all.

Comments

[flower_of_innocence]

Oh, yes...! They've been saying that if you tell the truth, it helps you heal.

[She tries to smile reassuringly, but...she's not sure she'll make it through this illness herself, honestly. Tell the truth. Hard to do when you're not sure what the truth is. But anyway-]

I know it can be hard to admit things to people close to you sometimes, so that's why I offered to listen to people...As a stranger, there's less risk to telling me some things because I won't have context for them...are you ill, too?

[wisdomspring]

The truth? [ There's a pang of pain as she considers this, and Zelda realizes - not for the first time - that she's hardly immune to this sickness. ]

I think that we all are. [ She admits sadly, even in the face of Lillie's smile. ] But I am happy to listen to your truth if you will do the same for me. I promise I can keep it a secret.

[flower_of_innocence]

Of course! I can keep a secret, too. Um...I don't really know where to start, but if there's anything in particular bothering you...?

[wisdomspring]

[ There is a lot in particular bothering her, but Zelda is more used to swallowing down those fears in order to focus on her duty. As a result, she swallows hard, looking hesitantly at Lillie. ]

... You really don't mind listening? No matter how-... No matter what it is?

[flower_of_innocence]

I really don't mind, it's okay.

[Or at least, she doesn't think she does. It hasn't occurred to her until just now how heavy of a weight some people might be carrying. But...how bad could it be? If she just lets go of all expectations and judgements, she'll be prepared to hear anything, right?]

[wisdomspring]

All right. [ Zelda is hardly a bad person, but the weight of her disappointment - of her failure, and her fate - is very heavy. There's already a pit in her stomach when she considers how to begin. ]

... Do you feel as though you have a duty, or - something that you're meant to do, but that you - can't?

[flower_of_innocence]

Sometimes, yes... [She's thinking of Nebby. Of the fact that she feels like it's up to her to get it home. Of the fact that some days that feels like an impossible task. Some days that feeling of imminent failure gets to her.] It's a very heavy feeling.

[wisdomspring]

It is. [ Zelda shifts, visibly uncomfortable. ] I... have something like that, in my world. Something that I alone can do. But... I am unable to do it. I have done everything within my power to - to accomplish it, but I've had no luck.

[ Despite prayer and strength of will. The princess grits her teeth, swallowing hard. ]

I don't know how much time remains for me to manage it.