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

[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?

[quevalry]

I'm content with just the shade, something that will match.

[ Glancing upwards as she tries to imagine the color, she nods her head. ] I feel like it might work. Would you be okay if I tried it out first...?

[hylights]

[Zelda whisks a lighter mask out, somewhere between gold and lemon. And not as shiny as the latter. She holds it out to Lena and nods.]

Yes, that's fine. We have a handmirror if you want to see how it looks, too.

[quevalry]

[ Taking it gently, she nods her head. ] I'd love to see it! Man, sure make breathing out there a lot easier out there.

[hylights]

I hope it does. [She's earnest, despite her personal issues with hocking masks in a time of panic.] At very least it might give peace of mind. I think that's what a lot of people are looking for, at the moment.

[Zelda steps behind the counter and retrieves a hand mirror, holding it out to Lena.]

Have you had much cause to visit the market since it happened?

[quevalry]

[ Tying it around her neck, she'll pull it up to cover her mouth. There's a hidden grin behind the mask as she finds herself feeling rather pleased with the turnout. ] Yeah, and help avoid the risk of getting sick.

[ Pulling the mask down, she shakes her head. ]

Not unless I've heard rumors about those people with tattoos being around here, but most of them are have steered clear of the area.

[hylights]

People with tattoos?

[Zelda hasn't had much contact with the rumours swirling around the city, and it shows.]

[quevalry]

Haven't you heard about them? [ She's almost surprised, but it would make sense if Zelda keeps away from people and has been working. It isn't like she has to hunt those people down. ]

People with 'M' tattooed onto their wrists are the ones that had a hand in all of this.

[hylights]

[Judging from her raised eyebrows, Zelda indeed had not heard of anything about this.]

How strange. At least that should make them easier to identify, but...

[If people were marked in such a way, it means they're organised and will likely have other plans they aren't aware of yet. Zelda frowns at the back of the mirror for a moment, perturbed.]

I know there are many who have set out to catch the culprits.

[quevalry]

But, they can hide and there's way to hide the tattoos too.

[ Which makes their job ten times harder. On the plus side, they've caught a handful of people already and are getting some questions answered.

Putting her hands behind her head, she gives Zelda a nod.]

There's a bunch of us working hard to do that.

[hylights]

Yes, there is that. Regardless I still believe they will be caught in the end.

[Her expression lightens again, heartened by Lena's attitude.]

I've seen a lot of people coming and going who have said that. I'm glad to hear it.

[quevalry]

It's nice to hear that, to know that people have faith in us.

[ It really gives them a good sense of pride and that little extra push to make them motivated during a rather rough time. ] Mhm! So, you've got nothing to worry about.

[hylights]

[Zelda isn't so sure about that, if only because she's so used to worrying about one thing or another. In this regard, though, she's happy to put her safety in the hands of the royal guard and those others seeking the culprits. They are best placed to find the answers.]

And hopefully you will have less to worry about as well, now that you have this mask.

[quevalry]

That I do!

[ She holds back onto her mask with a gather big grin. ] So then, what's the damage for this one? [ With one hand, she'll dig into her pocket to pull out a small coin purse. ]

[hylights]

It's five pieces of silver.

[Back in business now. Zelda moves away and steps behind the counter.]

We try to keep it reasonable.

[Not entirely true; Zelda tries to keep it reasonable. Rini would rather inflate the prices day by day.]

[quevalry]

That isn't too bad! ... Can't really tell if it's cheap or not, at least not with what I'm used too.

[ That being the pound. Silver and gold is such an old way to count money for her. Taking out five pieces of silver though, she'll put them down on the counter. ]

[hylights]

From what I know, it's about average.

[There are more expensive ones out there, and certainly shoddy cheap ones. Zelda has to smile at the comment about not being used to it. Indeed, silver is nothing like rupees, though their amounts seem about the same.]

And you can bring it back if you experience any issues.

[quevalry]

Makes sense.

[ That works out nicely then. Lena will be grinning now, holding onto her new mask. ] Can I drop by again if I want to just see your pretty face?

[hylights]

[It takes her a moment to really register that. Sorry Lena, this one's not used to it. Zelda blinks a couple of times and then manages to get out a slightly awkward reply.]

I-- suppose you can, though it's not really. You're welcome to come by for whatever reason.

[quevalry]

[ It's okay, she finds it sort of cute the way that Zelda is relaxing. She'll tone it down a little now though. ]

Great! I'll be sure to remember that the next time I'm around the area.

[hylights]

[She returns a smile, peculiar though this conversation has been.]

Of course. Until next time, then.

[quevalry]

Catch ya later, love!

[ Giving a wink, Lena spins around and makes her exit. ]