[He's not the only one who is a little distracted; Zelda takes a deep breath as they exit the hall, a slight sense of relief briefly washing over her. She's gotten better about being around people lately, but big, lively crowds like that one are still a bit too much for her to handle. Now that she has fresh air and comparative quiet around her, she'll surely be able to figure out what she was doing here in the first place!
... Or not, as Cú catches her by the wrist and any concentration she might have summoned up is immediately broken by ridiculous innuendo. There's a brief moment where the implication leaves her stunned silent, long ears flicking back as her fluster dusts both them and her cheeks pink. But she recovers quickly enough, thanks in part to how pathetic he looks and sounds, and she would hardly do Impa proud if a simple wrist-hold was enough to leave her defenseless. So she frees herself with a flick of her wrist and then reverses the grip, holding his own as she levels him with the best stern expression she can muster while her blush is still receding. Hopefully he didn't break any of the bones in his arm or hand, or else this is probably a bit more painful than she is intending.]
I believe I told you not to be stupid. [Hand holding "for good luck," flirting when an average man would be incapacitated with pain, honestly.] You have everyone worried about you, you know.
[ There's another brief spark of familiarity because again those redding ears remind him of something, something he should be remembering? But then he's getting gracefully nelson'd away, and fortunately, there are no broken bones in his hand and in that arm. ]
Everyone, worried? [ He echoes surprised. Yeah, there is a very certain someone that for sure was worried. Maybe add to that few more specific someones. But everyone? Far, far from it. ] They might toast to my name, among many others, but not because of concerns over my health. We won, it's time to celebrate, not worry princess.
[ Wait, princess?? That's when he blanks out for a moment ]
Well. [She says to fill the air as she debates with herself on how honest she wants to be. It's still kind of terrifying, the idea of speaking truthfully, without obfuscation or deflecting, of letting someone know just how weak her weak points truly are. It goes against everything Impa taught her to keep herself safe during those seven years of hiding, and everything she's assumed about the strength needed to take the throne coming out of a time of crisis. It will probably always be a little terrifying, for those reasons.
But, Goddesses, look at him. He could have died (again), and even if she's sure if she just took a moment of silence to think, she could remember the faces and names of the others who are worried for his health, who desperately need to see him hale and whole in a far deeper way than she does... there's a small and very quiet part of her that says it might be okay, just this once.
Zelda releases his wrist, but only enough to catch his hand when it falls, lacing their fingers together in a gesture that is becoming increasingly familiar.]
... I was worried.
[She stares at their hands instead of looking him in the eyes as she admits this, because as always it's easier that way when she's allowing herself to feel vulnerable, even if it's only slightly.]
That is... why I am here.
[To check on him. The reason behind her worry has been muddled by the dream, but the purpose behind her visit is clear.]
It is not the first time this happened, it is not the first time she visited his dreams. And just like that, he's "Caster" again, even if he does regain the form of this slightly younger self. Everything coming back to him isn't so crushing and intense like when he has awoken from his death here. It's a simple realization of "oh yes, I'm asleep"
After a surprise, there is sudden understanding in his eyes ]
Thank you. [ He must be taking a while to wake-up then. Time flies weirdly here. It really doesn't in fact. His gaze is transfixed on their interlaced fingers. He didn't think it will be so easy to get lost in the dream, but better to not mention that. ]
[Something shifts in the dream. Something slight, something nearly imperceptible. They remain just outside the hall, and the sounds of the celebration inside still leak out through the windows and cracks in the walls. His defenses are still down; she's sure that if she wanted to, she would still be allowed to move about freely. But suddenly there is clarity. No longer does a deep fog surround her memories of the forest and the events within. No longer does her focus flee from her at the slightest disturbance.
Is this a reward for her honesty? She is hesitant to believe so, but it will be something to contemplate later, when she's lying awake in her bed and, in an ironic twist of fate, unable to fall asleep. For now she glances back to his face as he stares at their hands as though enchanted, relief washing over her anew. At his words, she allows a small, sad but fond smile to tug at the corners of her lips.]
I can hardly accept all the credit, and I am certain the others are fretting over you as we speak.
[Archer, Lancer, Ginia-- their names and faces come to her easily now.]
[ It's so strange to suddenly feel alien in own memory. This meeting, them meeting and learning about each other, would never be possible in the time and place the dream recreates.
The idea that a place he needs to return, not for a short-term assignment- is thousand years from now is all the stranger. ]
I'll make sure to wake up soon. [ He tugs their linked hands closer barely stops himself from the temptation to kiss her hand- Keeping the tone light, despite his sorry state even within the dream ] I'm not missing the winter, am I?
[She's tugged forward, but fortunately catches herself before the slight stumble that follows can become a disastrous collision and crash. He's definitely not in a state to be able to catch her weight, no matter how comparatively slight it might be. No matter if it is necessarily real or not.]
It has been nearly a week. You will miss the first snowfall in the Heavens at this rate, if that is your concern.
[It's not his concern-- or at least, it's certainly not the main one. Not after everything that happened. But she can allow herself to pretend like it is, just for a little bit within this world that doesn't truly exist.]
Can't be, this is surely going to be a beautiful sight.
[ Winter is easier to talk about than the full ramification of what happened. Besides, it has a purpose too. If the Heaven was on fire and under invasion, they wouldn't be able to talk about just the first snow.
He probably should let her hand go, let her wake up and not keep her here but- just another short selfish moment. ]
And if you ever drop by again I'll make sure to show you a better dream.
I would hope that you would not give me reason to.
[Because you're not going to get caught in a spooky forest trap and be bedridden for a week or more, forcing her to creep on your dreams to make sure you're alright again, now, are you, Caster?]
Servants don't need sleep, unless they want to conserve the usage of energy, and he hears gods don't need to sleep either... but it boosts their morale if they do. So- ]
Long-term sleep? Hope not. [ It's not going to happen again, or at least he's going to try to not have it happened again ] But I do have regular every-night naps, if you want to visit you're always welcome.
[She loses some of her confidence then, eying Caster dubiously. Her first experience with dreamwalking taught her very well that the majority of people don't appreciate her power, and so she is careful not to use it unless there are no other options available to her, or, in the case of the people of the Near Shore, she's fairly certain her meddling won't be remembered upon their waking.]
That is... quite a dangerous proposition, you realize. I may come across something you do not necessarily wish for another to see.
[He can't honestly trust her that much, can he?]
Edited (hit enter too soon gdi ) 2018-06-10 14:47 (UTC)
Eh, I only dream of my memories, and most of my story is just a few searches away.
[ I'm sorry, but he absolutely does trust her that much. Though he sees mentioning this made her uncomfortable ]
If you were my Master, neither of us would really have much to say about it. You'd occasionally see what I dream- here you can leave whenever you want to and I-
[ The night shifts to a day, location changes in a flurry. He's no longer wounded, rather in a simplest of leather armor and lying on the grass near a river, just rightly so to have his head under tree shade. A makeshift fishing rod stuck onto the ground. The weather is that of a late summer, not unlike the one when they both first arrived in Heavens ]
I get some control where I bring you. [ Once he's aware he's sleeping, that's it. ] But I get where you're come from. It's just a selfish invitation, feel free to either ignore it or use it however you wish.
[ It's a blunt thing to say, but he honestly wouldn't have his feelings hurt if she turned it down. That's what he wants her to understand. ]
[If you were my Master-- is that what this offer is, then? An attempt to fake a part of the connection that would have been forged if the contract had worked? Even so... it's dizzying, the thought of being so open with another person. Surely, she thinks, not every single piece of his life has been written down as exacting as he says. Surely there are parts that have remained purely his own, untouched by a poet's pen.
Surely, she thinks, because she knows that is how the Hero of Time will be remembered.
The world shifts around her, but she pays it little mind, more focused upon the confusion and inner turmoil Caster's words have stirred inside her head. Are they still holding hands? Because she's going to stare at that if they are, like their interlaced fingers will tell her what she's supposed to think about this if she just stares them down long enough.]
I-- I do not... understand what is selfish about it, exactly...
[She offers after a moment, hesitantly, the simplest part of this conversation that she's having difficulty figuring out.]
[ Caster has no intention of letting go of her hand, unless she wants to. It's amazing that warmth of her hand is still something he experiences so vividly in the dream- or maybe he does because of it? ]
Really? It's a unique way to meet. Phones, internet, everyone got them- [ Not everyone like to or are equally versed in using them, but that's another matter. ] -but meeting in a dream, that's something only you can do.
[ Hence selfish. Obviously, she can visit other people, he doesn't mind that, and has no business in asking how it is to visit different dreams. ]
So, it's something only "yours" you could say.
[ In a way she might be right, a unique connection that can happen only here in this place beside anyone else's reach. Or he's just a romantic at heart. ]
[It should be more awkward than it is, she thinks, just... holding hands like this. There's no need for it, they're not doing anything, she should take her hand back now-- and yet, there it stays. Probably because she's too distracted thinking about everything else. Yes, that must be it.]
... I see. It is selfish because it is not something you would experience with anyone else.
[That's depersonalizing things a bit, making it about the experience and not her, but it's easier to make sense of that way. Hesitantly, she glances back up to his face.]
And... this is something you want me to do?
[If anything is left up to what she wants to do, it's never going to get done, so used to denying her own desires that she is. But if it's something someone else wants from her, someone she holds in high regard... then that's a little easier for her to swallow.]
[ That's not princess missing the point, that's one walking past it, maybe on purpose, maybe not- dragging along a ton of baggage.
No one ever said this is going to be easy. So he just admits with a sheepish smile. ]
I think it's the other way around, princess.
[ Less of "what" and "with who". Not about an experience that can't happen with anyone else, but about an experience that can happy with only her. But perhaps that's something better left for a talk in reality. He fans his fingers out for a moment, not to break their hold but to tighten his grip, more secure. Then he moves closer, suddenly so close that their noses touch. ]
But I'll let you figure that out.
[ He can be coy too- but it's less about that, and more about not pushing too strong forward, giving time, giving space. Or maybe it's just keeping safe, avoiding the risk of rejection, who knows. ]
The other way-- [She begins to parrot, questioning, until the words suddenly die in her throat.
He's close. Closer than anyone's ever been to her. And even if she is on some level blinding herself to the obvious, she is not so ignorant as to not know what could be done if that last little space between them were to disappear. For one brief moment, she's frozen in place, mind blank as wide blue eyes stare into bright red ones... but her body seems to work on instinct, and her lips part slightly, as though to receive him--
And then her mind returns to her. She leans back to put space between them again, looking down and away as that familiar flush colors her face.]
You are-- the most absurd man I have ever met. Will I ever know peace from your teasing?
[Teasing. Yes. That's what this is. That's all this is. That's all it can be. Just teasing, nothing more.]
[ The funny - "Funny" - part is that- it wasn't much of teasing.
So that went a little too far so it seems. How obvious can he get? There are multiple possibilities at play here, that he really isn't as obvious as he thinks he is or that princess knows but refuses to acknowledge it. Which again branches out into - won't because "nope", won't because "be fucking direct for once dude", won't because "a lot of Important Reasons". Neverending possibilities and he never was one to overthink much, so he's not even going to bother to come up with more alternatives. ]
I wasn't joking or making fun of you. [ He clarifies, moving away, disconnecting and lying on the grass again. Eyes closing, apparently, you can sleep in your sleep, though dreaming of not being able to fall asleep is probably one of the most frustrating things to experience. ]
That is a thing I'd rather say properly in reality, though. Another good reason to finally wake up.
[Her hand is her own again, and she feels-- cold. Which is also absurd, really, because this is a dream, but. She can't shake the feeling like she's done something wrong.
I wasn't joking or making fun of you.
She would understand if she allowed herself to think about it, but she doesn't. It scares her, almost to the same extent that being honest scares her (exactly to the same extent, really, because what is she doing if not deceiving herself?), and so she clamps down on that thought before it can come to fruition, shoving it down into the darkness where she keeps all the things she would rather not think about herself.
She clasps her hands over her chest as she stands, like that will banish the sudden chill she feels. Like it will hide rabbit-like thumping of her heart.]
I... will let you get your rest, then.
[She turns. The leaves of the tree flutter in a non-existent wind, and in the next moment, she's gone.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cu why is this what you choose to be
... Or not, as Cú catches her by the wrist and any concentration she might have summoned up is immediately broken by ridiculous innuendo. There's a brief moment where the implication leaves her stunned silent, long ears flicking back as her fluster dusts both them and her cheeks pink. But she recovers quickly enough, thanks in part to how pathetic he looks and sounds, and she would hardly do Impa proud if a simple wrist-hold was enough to leave her defenseless. So she frees herself with a flick of her wrist and then reverses the grip, holding his own as she levels him with the best stern expression she can muster while her blush is still receding. Hopefully he didn't break any of the bones in his arm or hand, or else this is probably a bit more painful than she is intending.]
I believe I told you not to be stupid. [Hand holding "for good luck," flirting when an average man would be incapacitated with pain, honestly.] You have everyone worried about you, you know.
because he's a mistake
Everyone, worried? [ He echoes surprised. Yeah, there is a very certain someone that for sure was worried. Maybe add to that few more specific someones. But everyone? Far, far from it. ] They might toast to my name, among many others, but not because of concerns over my health. We won, it's time to celebrate, not worry princess.
[ Wait, princess?? That's when he blanks out for a moment ]
no subject
But, Goddesses, look at him. He could have died (again), and even if she's sure if she just took a moment of silence to think, she could remember the faces and names of the others who are worried for his health, who desperately need to see him hale and whole in a far deeper way than she does... there's a small and very quiet part of her that says it might be okay, just this once.
Zelda releases his wrist, but only enough to catch his hand when it falls, lacing their fingers together in a gesture that is becoming increasingly familiar.]
... I was worried.
[She stares at their hands instead of looking him in the eyes as she admits this, because as always it's easier that way when she's allowing herself to feel vulnerable, even if it's only slightly.]
That is... why I am here.
[To check on him. The reason behind her worry has been muddled by the dream, but the purpose behind her visit is clear.]
no subject
It is not the first time this happened, it is not the first time she visited his dreams. And just like that, he's "Caster" again, even if he does regain the form of this slightly younger self. Everything coming back to him isn't so crushing and intense like when he has awoken from his death here. It's a simple realization of "oh yes, I'm asleep"
After a surprise, there is sudden understanding in his eyes ]
Thank you. [ He must be taking a while to wake-up then. Time flies weirdly here. It really doesn't in fact. His gaze is transfixed on their interlaced fingers. He didn't think it will be so easy to get lost in the dream, but better to not mention that. ]
For saving me, and for checking on me here.
no subject
Is this a reward for her honesty? She is hesitant to believe so, but it will be something to contemplate later, when she's lying awake in her bed and, in an ironic twist of fate, unable to fall asleep. For now she glances back to his face as he stares at their hands as though enchanted, relief washing over her anew. At his words, she allows a small, sad but fond smile to tug at the corners of her lips.]
I can hardly accept all the credit, and I am certain the others are fretting over you as we speak.
[Archer, Lancer, Ginia-- their names and faces come to her easily now.]
no subject
The idea that a place he needs to return, not for a short-term assignment- is thousand years from now is all the stranger. ]
I'll make sure to wake up soon. [ He tugs their linked hands closer barely stops himself from the temptation to kiss her hand- Keeping the tone light, despite his sorry state even within the dream ] I'm not missing the winter, am I?
no subject
It has been nearly a week. You will miss the first snowfall in the Heavens at this rate, if that is your concern.
[It's not his concern-- or at least, it's certainly not the main one. Not after everything that happened. But she can allow herself to pretend like it is, just for a little bit within this world that doesn't truly exist.]
no subject
[ Winter is easier to talk about than the full ramification of what happened. Besides, it has a purpose too. If the Heaven was on fire and under invasion, they wouldn't be able to talk about just the first snow.
He probably should let her hand go, let her wake up and not keep her here but- just another short selfish moment. ]
And if you ever drop by again I'll make sure to show you a better dream.
no subject
I would hope that you would not give me reason to.
[Because you're not going to get caught in a spooky forest trap and be bedridden for a week or more, forcing her to creep on your dreams to make sure you're alright again, now, are you, Caster?]
no subject
Servants don't need sleep, unless they want to conserve the usage of energy, and he hears gods don't need to sleep either... but it boosts their morale if they do. So- ]
Long-term sleep? Hope not. [ It's not going to happen again, or at least he's going to try to not have it happened again ] But I do have regular every-night naps, if you want to visit you're always welcome.
no subject
That is... quite a dangerous proposition, you realize. I may come across something you do not necessarily wish for another to see.
[He can't honestly trust her that much, can he?]
no subject
[ I'm sorry, but he absolutely does trust her that much. Though he sees mentioning this made her uncomfortable ]
If you were my Master, neither of us would really have much to say about it. You'd occasionally see what I dream- here you can leave whenever you want to and I-
[ The night shifts to a day, location changes in a flurry. He's no longer wounded, rather in a simplest of leather armor and lying on the grass near a river, just rightly so to have his head under tree shade. A makeshift fishing rod stuck onto the ground. The weather is that of a late summer, not unlike the one when they both first arrived in Heavens ]
I get some control where I bring you. [ Once he's aware he's sleeping, that's it. ] But I get where you're come from. It's just a selfish invitation, feel free to either ignore it or use it however you wish.
[ It's a blunt thing to say, but he honestly wouldn't have his feelings hurt if she turned it down. That's what he wants her to understand. ]
no subject
Surely, she thinks, because she knows that is how the Hero of Time will be remembered.
The world shifts around her, but she pays it little mind, more focused upon the confusion and inner turmoil Caster's words have stirred inside her head. Are they still holding hands? Because she's going to stare at that if they are, like their interlaced fingers will tell her what she's supposed to think about this if she just stares them down long enough.]
I-- I do not... understand what is selfish about it, exactly...
[She offers after a moment, hesitantly, the simplest part of this conversation that she's having difficulty figuring out.]
no subject
Really? It's a unique way to meet. Phones, internet, everyone got them- [ Not everyone like to or are equally versed in using them, but that's another matter. ] -but meeting in a dream, that's something only you can do.
[ Hence selfish. Obviously, she can visit other people, he doesn't mind that, and has no business in asking how it is to visit different dreams. ]
So, it's something only "yours" you could say.
[ In a way she might be right, a unique connection that can happen only here in this place beside anyone else's reach. Or he's just a romantic at heart. ]
no subject
... I see. It is selfish because it is not something you would experience with anyone else.
[That's depersonalizing things a bit, making it about the experience and not her, but it's easier to make sense of that way. Hesitantly, she glances back up to his face.]
And... this is something you want me to do?
[If anything is left up to what she wants to do, it's never going to get done, so used to denying her own desires that she is. But if it's something someone else wants from her, someone she holds in high regard... then that's a little easier for her to swallow.]
no subject
No one ever said this is going to be easy. So he just admits with a sheepish smile. ]
I think it's the other way around, princess.
[ Less of "what" and "with who". Not about an experience that can't happen with anyone else, but about an experience that can happy with only her. But perhaps that's something better left for a talk in reality. He fans his fingers out for a moment, not to break their hold but to tighten his grip, more secure. Then he moves closer, suddenly so close that their noses touch. ]
But I'll let you figure that out.
[ He can be coy too- but it's less about that, and more about not pushing too strong forward, giving time, giving space. Or maybe it's just keeping safe, avoiding the risk of rejection, who knows. ]
no subject
He's close. Closer than anyone's ever been to her. And even if she is on some level blinding herself to the obvious, she is not so ignorant as to not know what could be done if that last little space between them were to disappear. For one brief moment, she's frozen in place, mind blank as wide blue eyes stare into bright red ones... but her body seems to work on instinct, and her lips part slightly, as though to receive him--
And then her mind returns to her. She leans back to put space between them again, looking down and away as that familiar flush colors her face.]
You are-- the most absurd man I have ever met. Will I ever know peace from your teasing?
[Teasing. Yes. That's what this is. That's all this is. That's all it can be. Just teasing, nothing more.]
no subject
So that went a little too far so it seems. How obvious can he get? There are multiple possibilities at play here, that he really isn't as obvious as he thinks he is or that princess knows but refuses to acknowledge it. Which again branches out into - won't because "nope", won't because "be fucking direct for once dude", won't because "a lot of Important Reasons". Neverending possibilities and he never was one to overthink much, so he's not even going to bother to come up with more alternatives. ]
I wasn't joking or making fun of you. [ He clarifies, moving away, disconnecting and lying on the grass again. Eyes closing, apparently, you can sleep in your sleep, though dreaming of not being able to fall asleep is probably one of the most frustrating things to experience. ]
That is a thing I'd rather say properly in reality, though. Another good reason to finally wake up.
[ Could he stay here for too long? Probably ]
no subject
I wasn't joking or making fun of you.
She would understand if she allowed herself to think about it, but she doesn't. It scares her, almost to the same extent that being honest scares her (exactly to the same extent, really, because what is she doing if not deceiving herself?), and so she clamps down on that thought before it can come to fruition, shoving it down into the darkness where she keeps all the things she would rather not think about herself.
She clasps her hands over her chest as she stands, like that will banish the sudden chill she feels. Like it will hide rabbit-like thumping of her heart.]
I... will let you get your rest, then.
[She turns. The leaves of the tree flutter in a non-existent wind, and in the next moment, she's gone.]