open.

[hylights]

Who: Zelda (hylights) & open
What: comings and goings in October
When: throughout October
Where: various places
Warning(s): none for now

a. the fabric store

[It had been a mercy, working in a store that wasn't in the main marketplace. But the effects of the bomb spread everywhere - even into the minds of Zelda's boss and her clients. It wasn't more than a day after the bomb went off that people started coming in looking for fabric to wear over their nose and mouth, protection against any further gas explosions. At first they just sold offcuts, but then Ryni got a gleam in her eye.

That's how Zelda found herself stitching little facemasks out of spare fabric every day. She scowls about it at first, because it feels opportunistic. The shopkeeper won't be gainsaid, though, and so she puts on a reasonably neutral face. It always changes to a smile when someone comes in - maybe it's you, and she's greeting you with what sounds like a common refrain:]

Welcome - are you looking for fabric for clothing, or for a mask?

b. the institute

[Zelda would be eternally grateful to Charles for allowing her to work alongside him in the Institute. It had been a frustrating couple of days, lurking around the doors like a lost child, asking anyone who passed whether they would let her study a gas sample. It turns out that people don't much like being accosted by a very enthusiastic Hylian girl who insists she knows what she's talking about.

After a few days, she becomes engrossed in one particular book from the library, and then she engrosses herself in it. Anyone walking in will find Zelda with her nose barely an inch away from the book, muttering as she reads the tiny font.]

It sounds similar... could it be the same?

c. the marketplace

[Of course, life does have to go on, and that means buying goods. Zelda returns to the market every few days, carefully edging past groups of gossiping merchants to find the wares she's really interested in. She collects vegetables and bread, and occasionally does errands for her boss.

Sometimes though her preoccupation with research gets the better of her, and she keeps reading her notebook even while in the market. It results in more than one unfortunate bump into a passerby.]

Oh! My apologies.

[At least she's contrite about it.]

d. wildcard

[If you want to run into Zelda somewhere else, feel free to top level or message me on dudemeister!]

Comments

closed - Mipha

[hylights]

[Speaking of life going on, Zelda and Mipha have been on the hunt for new lodgings for weeks. It seems strange to still be looking for such normal things in the wake of the attack. Still, Zelda was getting antsy in her original house, and was keen to move somewhere a bit nicer with a friend.

Today she thinks she's found the right place for them. She calls Mipha and gives her the address, before they make their way up to the top floor of the building. Zelda fiddles with the key the owner gave her and pushes the front door open.]

Well, here it is. I've had a look already and I think it's quite good. [She turns to Mipha with an encouraging smile.] But it's for both of us, so we must both approve.

[fisherwife]

[It's a strange, giddy feeling-- Not unpleasant, but new. She hadn't ever really felt the thrill of being independent, because she'd been rather so for quite some time, but there was something about owning their own place...

It was nice to look at something and claim it as something she owns, at least partially.]

I'm sure if you like it, I'll like it as well. [Mipha didn't need much, after all, but she smiles and laughs at the enthusiasm in Zelda that she know she matches. She moves past Zelda to peek into the interior. There isn't a whole lot of furniture yet--just the basic necessitates, but it's spacious enough.]

Is it strange that all I can think of is how fun it'll be to decorate it?

[hylights]

[Zelda turns on her feet, pivoting to take in the space again. It's not as though she hasn't looked at it several times already, but it's different when you're on your own.]

No, I don't think so. [Her reply is playful.] I actually went shopping for cushions with a friend a few weeks ago. It did give me some ideas.

[Glancing back to Mipha, she point towards the doors on the other side of the room.]

There are two bedrooms, though they're a little small.

[fisherwife]

Some things in blue and white and gold? [Hyrule's colors would look nice around here, she thinks, following with her eyes to where Zelda's pointing.]

That's alright, I don't need much space. I'll mostly only be using it to rest anyhow, I think.

[She's quiet a moment before pressing both hands to her mouth and giggling suddenly.] Ah, I'm sorry--It's just all so exciting. A brand new world has opened for us it feels.

[hylights]

[Zelda had thought as much about the space - after all, the Zora aren't well known for sleeping on mattresses under blankets. One of the first things she had checked was the bathroom, and she had been satisfied to see a bathtub and one of those shower devices in there. She thought that would be more useful to Mipha.

Zelda grins, only a little self-conscious.]

Hasn't it? I've never decorated my own room from scratch before. There's so much we can do in here.

[fisherwife]

[Mipha'll be fine so long as she can hydrate herself once in a while; nothing will quite beat being able to sleep in a pool of water, but she'll do her best with what she's got.

She turns around to see the apartment from all angles, smiling lightly. After a moment she looks at Zelda and reaches out to take her hand and get her attention] Are you enjoying it, Zelda? This newfound freedom?

[It had always been difficult for Zelda, she knows that, but she hopes this is helping.] Are you happy?

[hylights]

[Zelda stops short, blinking in surprise at Mipha. Is she enjoying it? These aren't the kinds of questions she asks herself. A more common refrain in her mind is are you doing enough? what else can you do? if you had done more, would Hyrule have lived? It's quieter these days than it used to be, but still there.

She looks down at their hands for a moment, then musters up a response. She can't just fall silent in a reverie.]

I'm not unhappy. Although I'm not entirely sure I know what to do, with all of this. [This freedom, as Mipha put it. She remembers the confused look that passed Link's face when she admitted she hadn't tried for a research job yet.] My path was set, but now the road is gone.

a.

[quevalry]

[ all lena was is curious about where people have been getting their masks. a couple of them look interesting to her so when she spotted a couple wearing some, she got the address of the shop selling them. it wouldn't hurt to have one herself.

spotting zelda, she flashes her a grin and walks up to her. ]

A mask, but only if it's as cute as you.

[ lena, pls. ]

[hylights]

[Zelda was all prepared to go into her usual spiel - we do sell masks, they're five pieces of silver, extra if you want embroidery - but Lena's flirty remark has her gaping a little in surprise. She remembers to close her mouth after a couple of seconds, recovering, though not without slightly flushed cheeks.]

I-- well. I wouldn't really know which masks would qualify for that, but-- [She gets up from her stool, and beckons for Lena to come look in a nearby box.] Our current supply is in here. Were you looking for a particular colour?

[quevalry]

[ There's a giggle at her response, feeling somewhat happy that Zelda is taking it well. It's a little scary for her to flirt with others from time to time -- it's been a while.

She follows after her with a skip in her step. ] A lotta neat stuff here! Something gold would be nice... yellowish... kind of like your hair.

Just as a reference.

[hylights]

[Zelda pauses before rummaging through the masks in the box, looking more puzzled. It wasn't as though she had never gotten compliments before, but as a princess they were all very impersonal. It's thrown her for a loop.]

We have some that are gold? [If that counts. Zelda looks askance at Lena, wondering whether picking a colour based on a shop assistant's hair was really going to work out in the long run. Then again, people were rarely logical about the masks they were buying to avoid suspicious gases.]

Although if you can see another shade in our usual stock we can make a new one.

[quevalry]

Gold...? Gold is nice, but I think something lighter than that would be good.

[ A shade that won't attract people or look so odd to see on someones, well, face. Glancing down at her goggles which are hanging around her neck, she slips them off and shows them to Zelda. ] You see the glass tints? Think got something like that?

[hylights]

[Zelda peers at the goggles, noting the colour. Now she sees what the woman is getting at.]

Oh, I see. It might be difficult to get something that perfectly matches, since your goggles are transparent.

[Pursing her lips, she digs through the masks again.]

Maybe more of a lemon colour?

[circulets]

[ Mikleo had taken it upon himself to find books on the area. He'd managed to find a few to begin with, at the least - though, understanding them will prove to be another story entirely.

Still, what he hadn't been expecting is that sudden bump. He stumbles backwards, books falling from his hands. He blinks a little, shaking his head.

He kneels down, inspecting the books closely for any signs of damage before looking to Zelda. ]

... No. It's alright. Are you okay?

[hylights]

[How embarrassing. She practically flinches when she sees the books all over the ground - she'd be distressed if it happened to her - and crouches down to help Mikleo collect the books.]

I'm fine, but it's not all right at all. I made you drop everything.

[circulets]

[ He offers a small smile, reaching to take the books that she had picked up. ]

... It really is alright. I can't blame you for something like this when there's been a lot going on. [ It'd make sense that she'd be out of it or distracted, really. ]

[hylights]

[Handing the books to Mikleo, Zelda huffs shortly, annoyed at herself.]

Yes, there is. I still ought to know better than to read while walking around the market.

[She had just thought she should review her notes from before, since a flash of tobacco smoke had reminded her... well, there she goes again. Zelda shakes her head slightly, returning to her feet.]

Though you clearly like to read as well. [If the armful of books was any indication.]

[circulets]

[ He shakes his head. ]

It really is alright. Though, I'm sure you wouldn't want to bump into something else.

[ He's saying it for her sake more than his own. ]

You could say that. The more we learn about this area, the better. What sort of books were you reading?

[hylights]

[Definitely, she does not. The chagrin is fading though, just a minor embarrassment in the end. Talk of books is far more engaging a topic, and she brightens.]

Oh, I think so too. Are these from the library? I've been meaning to go back there and find some history books, but things are so tense at the moment.

[Zelda picks her own book out of her basket, and shows its plain cover to Mikleo.]

Just my own notebook. I've been trying to study the gas from the bomb.

fabric store!

[wondie]

Yes, I suppose it is. ( Diana looks a little bemused at her own answer, considering she's never much worried about being affected by diseases before. she'd walked through mustard gas and worse, and never been affected by any of it... but many of those close to her had pressed her to take extra care, just in case... and Bruce had mentioned the benefit in a mask.

word around the market was this store sold them, and while no doubt Bruce could have secured or made her one, Diana is more than capable of getting her own. she gives the girl a small smile. ) This will help avoid catching ill, yes?

[hylights]

[Zelda returns the woman's smile, noting that she doesn't seem wholly sure of the choice. It wasn't unusual for people to feel that way even when they had made up their minds to get one. The situation made people uncertain in general. Zelda rises from her stool and places her hand on a wooden box sitting on the counter.]

Yes, we hope that these will aid people in not breathing in any gas, or any sickness. We have a few different colours and fabrics to choose from, if you have a preference?

[wondie]

No, I don't. ( the idea seems a little frivolous to Diana, when the importance of the mask is its function and not its form. the idea it will simply aide and not guarantee is not lost on her, she just figures it better than nothing.

still, even if she doesn't care about the aesthetics, she inquires gently, ) Do you have a suggestion?

( her tendency of late is to wear black, or red and blue like her armor, little in between. all of those seem like an odd choice for a face mask. )

[hylights]

[That's a relief to Zelda. The number of people who had come flittering through and wouldn't accept less than a very specific shade of pink had been... trying, to say the least. Her expression warms slightly, glad to have an easy-going customer.

Zelda turns to the box and picks through some of the masks, before pulling out a dark navy mask. Having eyed Diana's clothing she thinks it might at least match. She holds the mask stretched between her fingers, letting Diana see it properly.]

What about dark blue? Some people try to find colours that aren't so noticeable against the skin, but I think it's going to be seen no matter what.

[wondie]

( Diana picks up the mask, and lifts it to her face only to test the fit of it. she is battling with a slight feeling of cowardice, in covering her face against the sick and infirm that need support and not judgment. still, it isn't wise to assume she is exempt from a disease that is unlike any she is ever known. she will do no good to anyone sick.

she just hopes wearing a mask will not upset any of those she intends to help. )

There's no avoiding it, I would think. ( the mask is dark and obvious against her tanned skin, yet Diana still seems content with it. ) Thank you. I'll take this one, and perhaps a few spares. Did you make these yourself?

[hylights]

[Zelda smiles brightly, pleased that her pick was suitable. Not to mention the request for spares.]

Of course! They're usually five pieces of silver each, but if you're buying several we can do cheaper.

[This isn't something she's actually asked her boss about. She just thinks it's reasonable enough to give a discount for bulk purchases. Zelda laughs a bit, tucking some hair behind a pointed ear.]

I did, yes. I used to sew a little, though nothing quite like these. It helps pass the time at least.