caughtinanetwork | [Text] - A Day of Little Importance

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[Text] - A Day of Little Importance - 013

Lunaday, Ifrit-Decan 41, ND 2018

[The date is circled in Guy's personal journal. But he hasn't bothered to tell anyone. With the curse going on and a murderer on the loose in the city, it doesn't really seem like a decent topic to bring up. Besides, he's never been one to draw attention to himself, especially at times where attention was needed somewhere else.

It's still bringing up an interesting topic to his head, though. Hmm.

Sticking to text this time around for as little confusion as possible - he doesn't need people thinking they're speaking with Zelda, after all.]

I understand different cultures have different ideas of when someone is considered an adult, right?

So hey... on your home worlds, what would people do for someone who had come of age? Celebrations, ceremonies... or maybe it's not exactly a right of passage as far as you're concerned?

I'm curious.

[And he'll just leave it at that. He's technically been an adult on Auldrant for long enough - exactly a year ago, to the day.

But he already learned a while ago to treat his birthday as just another day. Celebrate that he's stayed alive one more year, and that's it.

So that is exactly what he's going to do.]

[[ooc: Responses will come from

trepidity!]]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[She was about to ask about the Planet Storm that was mentioned in the book he gave her - supposedly it increases the flow of fonons, or something, and it might affect the rotation as well since it's worldwide - but that all just kind of flew out of her head!]

Ahhh... have you eaten yet this evening?

[Smooth.]

[Whoa, hello there abrupt topic change.

...and flushed face?

Heh. Oh Zelda.]

Nope, I haven't. I was thinking of just walking down to one of the cafes in a little while.

I wouldn't mind some company, though...?

[What do you honestly expect when you tell a girl she's beautiful so bluntly like that, Guy?]

That would be nice. It's best to not go out alone, at any rate.

[Mostly recovered, she holds a hand down to help him up.]

[He's just giving an honest compliment--!

Still, he'll take that hand with a chipper grin... and just hold onto it as he leads her out the room and towards the front door, a little more excitement in his step.

Quick, before ~~Zelos~~ someone sees them and makes inappropriate comments.]

[To a cafe! Zelda chooses one of the ones that has outdoor seating, preferring to be able to keep an eye on her surroundings as it gets a little darker.

That, and part of her is hoping to catch the murderer in the act.]

How is this?

Haha, it works! This is one of my regulars, anyways.

[So he knows exactly what he's going to order. Tonight's not a night for him to try something different - might as well spoil himself for a little, maybe.

...Oh, damn, and this place served tofu. Okay then, before he forgets:]

Ah... just a heads up, Zelda, but you might not want to order anything with too much soybean in it. I doubt you'd want to go to bed sick.

[He doesn't know whether he's allergic or intolerant or what. But damn, he never reacted well to the stuff. Especially tofu. Eugh.]

Edited (I can grammar :B) 2012-09-21 16:31 (UTC)

I'll take care not to then.

[Looking over the menu... let's just get some pasta, that sounds safe. No one's allergic to that, right?

Well, someone probably is, but Guy certainly isn't.]

We did not have soybeans in my area of the world anyway, so I don't have much of a fondness for them.

It just means you have some pretty excellent taste, then.

[It's in a gently teasing tone, but hey. There's only a couple foods he despises, and soy? That is definitely one of them. It's common enough to find soy products in Auldrant, so any chance Guy can get to avoid them is pretty nice.

The waitress is around fast enough and orders are taken up. Guy is going with a comfort favorite and getting tuna. Cooked well and not from a can, thank you very much. But before their server walks off, Guy gets the nerve to motion her over and lean down close (and his body language shows that this is EXTREMELY difficult holy Score don't lose it now), just long enough so he can whisper something in her ear. The waitress nods, then nods again with a slightly amused smile as Guy makes an addition to whatever request he's making, jotting something down on her pad of paper as she walks away.

Looking incredibly satisfied, he turns back to look at the princess, his expression so casual it was as if nothing happened. Well. Besides a mischievous little glimmer dancing across his eyes.

No he's not up to anything what are you talking about.]

So, a couple nights ago. You said you hadn't had a day to yourself.

Could I suggest something?

[That face he's making is EXTREMELY suspicious. Zelda knows that face. That's her face! She leans away from the table, looking a little wary.]

Yes, what about it...?

[What was it that he had to tell that waitress that was so important that he actually got close to her?]

Hahah.... well, for starters, calm down a little.

[Woman you look like you're going to bolt any second. It's okay!

And he kind of wants you calm for what he's going to ask, anyways.]

[Hearing Guy in her body - a woman's body, directing her to calm down... it definitely does wonders on that front. If he can be calm, then so can she. After a deep breath she appears to have centered herself again.]

Is this better?

[He nods, his expression softening. It's a collected calm, yes, but there still seems to be a front to it. The one he sees in himself so often - a state of peace for the sake of one's composure.

What he wouldn't give to see her naturally calm. But that's besides the point right now. Possibly.

...

Okay, breaking eye contact for a second. He's never done this before - well he has but never with this intention and well um er...

Ahem.]

I know it's a difficult thing to ask right now with everything going on and new foreigners coming in.

But maybe just take a day to let yourself explore? Go out to the hot springs, even if it's just to dip your feet in. Maybe up to the ruins or out to the coast. Take a book or two with you.

It's not... just a matter of doing it. Allow yourself time to explore and learn and relax... for one day. Without a burden on your back.

[...]

And, if you wouldn't mind the company... I'd like to take you.

[That doesn't sound different from the days she typically spends studying, except... it sounds as if there's no real purpose to it. It's just playing.]

A journey without a purpose, then...?

[She smiles a bit. That's something she hasn't done since she was a child.]

All right. It sounds interesting.

Something like that. An adventure, just for the fun of it.

Cause you really deserve a simple day of happiness, you know?

[His smile turns a bit awkward, lips pressing together as though he wants to say something else.

But he holds it back.]

[He probably should have just said it. She just laughs softly, bringing a hand up to cover her mouth as she does so.]

I wouldn't say that I'm unhappy either. Perhaps I'm scheduled a little tight, but I enjoy having things to do. Don't you?

[It's easier that way. Easier to let yourself get swept up rather than be stuck at home with your own thoughts and feelings.]

Of course, but...

[Aaaand tucking his head down in another awkward chuckle. Zelda, out of all the things he could possibly explain to you... why is this the hardest to get out of his mouth?]

Hah, that's not... exactly what I meant.

[Well then what in the world did he mean? Zelda looks at him curiously for a moment before it starts to click. The body language. The faint embarrassment. But...]

[...she could just be imagining it, couldn't she? It's incredibly conceited to assume something like that, even if from her point of view they do get along quite well and she's certainly attracted to Guy and she enjoys his company and -

And...]

...you should... look out for your own happiness too, you know...

[It's said very quietly. Judging from the flush on her face, this time she understood.]

[Read you loud and clear, princess. Seeing her suddenly fluster gets him to sit up a little straighter, strengthen his smile - yes they both are suddenly feeling awkward, but... this is important to him. To try and voice this.]

Yeah. I... I know. And I am. I wouldn't have asked if this was something that didn't bring me joy, after all.

... Hah. You--- I care about you. A lot. Q-quite a lot actually, it... hah. [He rubs a hand against his neck, feeling his face start to go hot.] You really make me incredibly happy, Zelda.

I just want you to be happy in return.

[At first, she looks happy to hear it, and very nearly echoes the sentiment without thinking. But it's not that simple, is it? Not for her. She's the heir to the throne, the last member of the royal family.]

Guy, I - ...I want that too. More than I can say, but... I cannot choose just for happiness. Even here, in this city, in another world. It would be cruel... if the chance to return home arises, I would have to take it. You deserve better than that. You deserve someone that could put you first.

...

[He stays silent for a moment, expression staying calm even though his mind starts screaming. Nope. Nope, nope, nope, none of that assuming of what he deserves, Zelda, that is what he hears enough of from Luke and he is not about to hear it from someone else he.... loves?

Loves. Dammit.

He saw that sudden glimmer of happiness through her eyes, and he's not about to just throw it. Putting her into a corner is the last thing he wants to do, but at the very least, he's going to knock some ideas out of her head. She doesn't need to accept it, but... he wants her to understand.

Gently taking her hand in one of his own - look at him. Look at him, listen, please... just for a little longer---]

You're a leader. Your heart is and will be with your people, regardless of what anyone says - to ask you to put anything else first is like asking you to be a different person. It would be removing a core of who you are and where your loyalties lie.

I know that. I understand that.

I'm not wanting to put you on a pedestal, or for anyone to do the same to me. That isn't what helps. Happiness on its own isn't what helps - it's fleeting. But if it can come from having someone who wants to understand - who wants to share, treat you as you regardless of your weaknesses... Zelda, if you don't think you deserve happiness, at least give yourself the chance to be understood for more than what you throw out there for people to look at. I don't care if it's with me or with someone else in the city or with someone else in your future; that is something you need.

...And honestly, I don't even know what I deserve anymore. Or who. I'm not going to even pretend to know. But I know I deserve life. I deserve another day. And I deserve to be selfish every once in a while, when I deem it special.

[He slips his other hand onto hers, taking in between both of his hands with a gentle squeeze. His voice is blunt - straightforward and unwavering.]

So this is me. Just a man who is being incredibly selfish right now, Zelda. And I'm sorry. But for however long: if you'll let me, I want to make sure you're cared for while you're here. Not just because of what I may or may not deserve, or just because I want to make happiness that might be gone the day after tomorrow. But because of what I know you deserve to be shown.

[And if not with him... then damn, if he isn't going to encourage her to keep an open mind to someone else.

It hurts. But he sure as hell isn't about to let that seep through. Not right now.]

Is that really all right? You wouldn't resent me for... for being selfish?

[Just as someone who wants to understand. Someone to share things with, someone that will be accepting regardless of weaknesses... even though he knows she'll always put her country first. He might even know how she feels about Link - though he surely knows exactly why that can't happen. He understands that better than anyone else possibly could. She's always been just a little afraid that if someone saw through to her heart clearly that it would weaken her, but right now?

It feels like it might make her stronger. Like he's seen who she is and what she must do and that he's saying it's alright, he'll take her just as she is, flaws and all. The princess, the goddess reborn, the person. Just Zelda.

And she wants that.]

Then I will. I care for you, Guy. I don't know when it happened, but you've become a part of my life that can't be replaced. I think... perhaps I realized that once you were gone. I don't want to come to another realization like that.

[She smiles, terrified and full to the brim with a happy sort of anxiousness simultaneously.]

I'll be selfish too.

[Well.

He can't help but laugh again, a little breathless, giving her hand another squeeze and letting his grin broaden. It's different than other smiles she might have seen - it's real, it's raw, it's anxious and nervous and a little cocky, a little confused, a little horrified... but so incredibly happy, he can feel it all across his face and he doesn't care about masking it.

To hear those words from her mouth - to know that she cares, that she wants this, too, that she's willing to let a little bit give for the sake of... whatever this friendship of theirs was becoming...? It fills him with both incredibly anxiety and a sudden sense of warmth, giving him a confidence that shoots through his system.

They were both new to this, and they were both scared. He can read it on her face. But damn, they were going to try, weren't they? For the first time in his life, he actually wants to try.

...

And before he can actually get any legible words out of his mouth, there is a waitress at their table, clearing her throat politely. Guy starts with a quick apology, giving a rather sheepish and amusing expression towards Zelda (holy Score his face is still hot) as their meal is delivered and settled into.

It only takes an awkward tripping of words, but the topic slowly slips into what they do best: science. Mainly, Guy finally gets to hear what Zelda had found out from her exploration of the book he'd given her a couple weeks prior. It started out quiet, but the more they spoke, the easier it became, drowning in questions and theories and more talking than actual eating! Guy doesn't see any need to be embarrassed, though - they're both comfortable and enjoying each other's company, even if it's a longer dinner than normal.

The conversation finally reaches a little bit of a lull, after they've finished, and their waitress slips back with a smaller tray. Guy's expression brightens as soon as he sees it, thanking the waitress as she sets one last plate onto the table and dismisses herself with a smile.

Guy chuckles, letting his expression turn right back up with that little bit of mischief from earlier.]

So, if I remember correctly, a certain someone had a soft spot for sweets--?

[Yes, it's a little awkward (especially since they were barged in on like that!), but once he's fully engaged her mind any embarrassment is forgotten in favor of ~~a totally public brainsex session~~ theorizing on the differences between fonons and mana. Any eating that is accomplished only happens when it's Guy's turn to speak, and even then it's only if she remembers to.

She looks surprised when the cheesecake arrives, looking up at Guy curiously.]

Oh! Is this what you spoke with the waitress about earlier? Really, there's no need...

Hahah, no, please! My treat. Even if it's just one bite. [Said as if the food isn't totally free anyways, but hey.]

You are in the body of the birthday boy and all. I figured you at least deserved something.

[Text] - A Day of Little Importance - 013

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