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

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

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.

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Hello, Lillie-san. My name is Hifumi, and I'd like to personally thank you for the offer. I'll think about coming over, if that's alright with you?

Hello, Hifumi. It's no trouble at all, I know some of us might not...well, I know some people might need to talk. You can come over any time. I'll try to be there in the mornings and through to the late afternoon.

Understood. This is very kind of you to do, Lillie-san. I'll be sure to return the favor as well when I come to visit.

That's very kind of you, Lillie. [ She does wonder what a "Nebby" is, but this isn't the time. ] I spend a lot of time at the Temple, so... if you really don't mind, I would be happy to visit and to speak with you.

[ If only to make sure that this other young woman is okay!! ]

Yes, I really don't mind at all. Please feel free.

[So many people saying it was kind of her, or that it was a nice gesture...it was selfish, actually. To get away from her shared home. To shield Luna from it all. To get away from Guzma's growing irritability. To let the illness progress quietly and take her alone if that's what it was going to do. She just figured she'd be useful as long as she was being a coward.]

All right. I will be there as soon as I can.

[ She's still getting used to the way that the pools take you from place to place, after all. Luckily, it isn't too long before Zelda arrives, glancing around for the girl in question. ]

Lillie? [ The princess questions lightly, spotting the white hat that the other girl had mentioned. ]

Hm? Yes, that's me.

[She doesn't look too bad yet on the outside, just a little tired and sore. In her lap, a little cloud-creature beams up at the princess and wiggles happily. It seems like, quite possibly, the only thing on the island untouched by the somber mood of Umui and the flower disease.]

I am Zelda. We spoke briefly just a few moments ago...

[ She smiles kindly, but there's concern clear on her face. Zelda then notices Nebby and seems surprised, brows lifting. ]

- Oh! Is that your...? [ Er. Pet of some kind? ]

Oh, that was so fast!

[Lillie is still getting used to the fact that people can cross the whole island just. On a whim. It's pretty cool, if a little scary to think about.]

This is Nebby. It's...my friend.

[Some might call it a pet, or even think it's her pokemon. But Nebby didn't really belong to her. That said, it didn't belong in that awful lab and it didn't really belong in Alola, even. It was very far from home back on the islands - she suspected it was even further from home here on THIS island.]

[So for now, it was a friend.]

The ability to move between the pools is incredible. [ Zelda says emphatically, as if Lillie might think she's taking credit for an undeserved, speedy trip. ]

Nebby? Hello. [ She smiles and waves briefly to the creature, but doesn't get closer. It might be shy, after all. ... Whatever 'it' is. ] Did he arrive here with you?

Yes, we came here together from a place called Alola.

[Nebby cries out enthusiastically, clearly pleased by even the smallest amount of attention. Lillie gives it a gentle pat and even though she's a bit drained, she smiles. It's always so cheerful and energetic. She wonders if it understands what's going on - if it is happy despite the unfolding tragedy or happy because it doesn't know.]

Although, it was very far from home back there. I guess I know how it feels now, being here on this island...

[ Zelda listens, smiling politely, but she can see that Lillie is ill. The princess tries to focus on the other's story, but concern wells up again and distracts her by the end. ]

... Is there anything that I can do? You said that we ought to talk to ease the sickness, didn't you? [ If that's the case, Zelda is happy to talk, or to listen. ]

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?

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.

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...?

[ 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?

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?]

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?

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.

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.

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

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scREECHES I'M SO SORRY I ACTUALLY MISSED THIS

IT'S NO PROBLEM <3

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