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

[wondie]

I'm glad to hear it. On both fronts. ( it is a comfort to know she will be cautious, as well as the fact she has others looking out for her. in a time like this, it is incredibly unwise to stand alone.

she slips a few extra coins across the counter in her payment. money seemed of little use to her at the moment; may as well give it for a good cause. ) If someone comes looking for a mask and cannot pay, please use this to see that they have one. And thank you, if I have anyone to direct this way I will.

( not to make the shop money, not really, Diana is more interested in keeping those unaffected well as long as they can. ) If you hear of any associates around, my name is Diana. Contact me and I will see to them.

( she says it so matter-of-factly, too. don't worry, Zelda, she'll just handle it. it's fine. )

[hylights]

[Zelda is taken aback by the extra coins, and even moreso by Diana's forethought for others. She smiles warmly, taking the coins in hand. Even in times like this, people's care and goodness shines through.]

Thank you, Diana. My name is Zelda. [She bows her head a bit, a formality from a lost time.] I'll set some masks aside for just this purpose.

[Placing her fingers on the package, she pushes it across the table for the woman to take.]

Best of luck in your search for the culprits.

[wondie]

A pleasure, Zelda.

( Diana takes the package and pulls out the plain navy mask for herself. she'll wear it out of the store, even though it makes her heart heavy to know she needs it. hopefully no one thinks less of her for wearing it, especially those she still intends to help. )

Thank you. They will answer for their actions, whether I catch them or someone else. ( on that she's pretty confident. there is plenty of determination in the population to stop the associates, Diana is sure that they will manage it if they keep working together.

for now, though, she nods at Zelda, her mask secured over her mouth. ) And thank you for your help. I hope you stay safe. ( with that, she will make her way out the door. )

[hylights]

You as well.

[She watches Diana go, heartened to think there are such dedicated people in the Royal Guard. What's more, she's thought to protect herself first. In Zelda's experience, many don't in their rush to aid others. Putting the money in the till, she resumes her sewing work - they're a few masks short now, after all.]