caughtinanetwork | First Song

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[ The SFC flickers on to introduce a rather worn-out, worn-down looking young man. Well, more worrisome than tired. It's clear when he clears his throat that he's been pulled here at a very bad time, and it shows in the way his shoulders sink and his eyes cast shadows to the device. Confused and unaware of how to properly use it, the young man's eyebrows furrow as he fusses with the device. ]

[ He grunts-- Not so much out of frustration but from feeling so... Rushed. He has no idea where he is, and this change of location has taken him for a ride. ]

--!

[ The sound of static and projection of his mirror image, followed by a small light, signifies that this might be a good way of finding out what to do. Link gasps, and a little gleam of hope flickers in his still-tired eyes. ]

Hello?

[ His eyebrows furrow again and his lips tighten into a line. ]

My name is Link. To anyone who may hear this, I am lost and in need of guidance. [ He sighs. ]

... I have lost my way in helping a very close friend. Her name is Zelda. She is... [ Sort of stuck somewhere and it's a really long story that he'd rather not get into. Too many words in a drawn-out explanation. ]

I have to go back! Could someone please help?

[ Link's expression dies down, wearing a somber expression as his face relaxes. But he looks like a kicked puppy, honestly. ]

Please.

[ He turns the device around a few times, attempting to find the stop button. There's a long moment of him just messing with the device until it finally flicks off. ]

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[It hurts to see how much he obviously loves her. Would her Link have felt the same if they grew up together? What sort of person would she be if that had been the case?]

I thought that you might. Please, right this way.

[She starts walking at a brisk pace. It would be easy for the hero to keep up with her, she isn't running.]

[ Eagerly, Link follows. His hands clench and unclench from the bottled up nerves he's felt this entire time. Before, he could at least find refuge in battle, now is a completely different story. He's worried, regardless of being told not to. Zelda is his childhood friend, his best friend. He can't help it. ]

[If he can sense magic, the feel of it would increase as they drew closer to the Ordo neighborhood. Zelda doesn't trust the scientists in the city, and she wants to know that her home at least is safe.

Due to the curse of the week she's forced to solve a riddle before opening her front door, but it isn't anything too terribly taxing. For once she doesn't chide her guest to wipe their shoes, instead leading the first Link directly up the stairs and to her ancestor's bedroom. Like always when one of her friends fall comatose, she's put a Zora tunic on over the girl's clothing, just in case.]

She has been this way for a little while now. Hopefully it will not last too long. I am sure she will be glad to see you.

[ His heart pounds against his chest, and everything is tense from the mere anxiety that he's felt this whole time. He's so eager to see her again, even if it were just for a little while. Though he has no idea how long they'll be here. ]

[ For a moment, he stands there, staring at the sleeping Zelda. But that moment doesn't last much longer. He turns his head, facing the descendant of his Zelda and bearing a smile. He bows his head. ]

Thank you.

[ And without another moment's time, Link bolts. He gets on his knees to the foot of Zelda's bed, looking over her with a look of pure worry as he slowly takes her hand in both of his. It's alright that she's asleep, because she looks healthy and unharmed-- Thank the Goddess... wait. ]

[ Yeah, he still hasn't let that fact sink in. ]

[ It's funny, considering the promise that Zelda had him make. She always wakes him up when he sleeps in, and it was his turn to return the favor when the time came. This is sort of a special case, but... ]

[ What do skyward Zeldas dream about when they're out cold for an undisclosed amount of time? They dream of a land where people can live, work and play freely, a land of peace governed by the sacred power that protected them. A land once watched over by a goddess and guarded by a hero... ]

Mmn.

[ When Zelda's eyes crack open, she is greeted by the sight of familiar green, and a face she had only recently been able to see in her dreams. But it couldn't possibly be him. She's still asleep, right? This is only a dream. ]

Link?

[ When all of this is over, will you come to wake me up? ]

Link...!

[ Her reaction is automatic. Dream or not, Link is right here in front of her, and oh, how she's missed him! The stiffness in her limbs from being asleep for days is easily overcome, and Zelda throws herself at her friend, latching on to him like she's drowning and he's her only lifeline. ]

Link, is that really you?!

[ A glimpse of the Princess over his shoulder, his solid warmth in her arms- all signs that point to no, this is not a dream. She laughs with joy, eyes brimming with tears as she clings to him tighter.

Princess Zelda was right. He will always find her, won't he? ]

[She didn't expect for her ancestor to awaken. All the princess expected was for Link to calm slightly upon seeing that she was physically healthy so that she could better explain the situation he was now in. For things to have turned out like this seems almost like a story. She can't help but wonder how many times this will happen over the history of their world - Link coming to find Zelda. It seems so right that there isn't even any room in her heart for envy, she only feels relief that they've found each other.

Not wanting to interrupt, she quietly backs out of the room.]

[ Link's position before his Zelda makes it hard to witness the princess leave the room, making providing another 'thank you' difficult. He'll be sure to express his undying gratitude after this. It's hard to grasp everything that has happened, and everything about his and Zelda's descendants, but that can be taken care of later. ]

[ All that matters now is who is in his arms. Link lets out a relieved, elated laugh as his arms quickly lock around her. He holds her tight, face buried in the crook of her neck. It was so hard watching her freeze herself away, and even harder to walk away. It's been hard walking away from her. He's been forced from her, taken to faraway places from home and his best friend, and all without rest. For once, he can finally relax. ]

Thank the Goddess, I am with you again.

[ Link is hardly a man of many words, but he can't help what he says. A wave of emotions washes over him that makes his heart melt, still remembering the fresh pain of it shattering not too long ago. ]

[ Yeah, Link isn't letting go anytime soon. ]

[ A month isn't all that long in retrospect, but for her, a month away from him was absolute torture. Zelda couldn't be happier- it feels like her heart is going to explode out of her chest. ]

I knew you'd come for me!

[ Somehow, even without reassurance, she just knew. ]

I've missed you terribly, Link! When did you arrive?

[ Link will always come after Zelda. He's traveled to the ends of the surface for her, and he'd damn well do it again if he had to. For the time being, he backs a tad in the embrace, face to face with her. ]

Just now.

You probably have a lot of questions.

[ Zelda shifts her position on the bed, trying to pull away from him slightly, only to realize they are both sort of reluctant to let go of each other right now. ]

[ Who's gonna let go first? Link's sort of... Waiting on Zelda to call it off. Though, the shift of Zelda's position calls for him to take a seat at the edge of her bed. He's still practically attached by the hip. ]

Are you alright?

Edited 2013-02-04 02:38 (UTC)

[ That's... not the question she was expecting, but it's not all that surprising that it would be one of the first things he asks. He's selfless like that, after all. ]

Yes, I'm fine! Everyone here has been taking great care of me... they are all so friendly and helpful. Especially the Princess, who I assume brought you here.

[ She'll have to thank her counterpart later. ]

I'll explain everything, but first, I must ask you a question of my own. What's the last thing you remember before you arrived here, Link?

[ A sigh of relief. Anyone could tell him a million times that Zelda is okay, but he still likes to hear it from Zelda herself. He smiles at her, comfortable for the first time in Goddess remembers when. ]

[ Ah, but then she asks what he last remembers, and his smile quickly fades to a frown. Eyes shift to his knees. ]

You sealed yourself away...

[ Zelda practically deflates. What an emotional moment to be yanked from. Maintaining Demise's seal was crucial to their success, but she can only imagine how sealing herself away must have made him feel. ]

But I'm awake now, and it's all thanks to you.

[ She takes his hand into her own and holds it close to her heart. ]

This might be a little confusing, but this place- Vatheon- has the power to draw people from various dimensions and points in time. I'm from a much later point in our timeline, after...

[ It won't hurt to tell him. What happens in Vatheon stays in Vatheon, so there's no need to be worried about messing up timelines or creating paradoxes and whatnot. ]

After you defeated Demise. We won, and I'm awake, now.

[ Link's entire body goes limp, shoulders sinking and head down as the reminder of what happened takes puts a load on him. But Zelda takes his hand and ushers his attention to her, and he listens. ]

...

[ They won? Really? ]

[ A sound of surprise, and Link finally smiles again. Link feels this sudden urge to grab Zelda again for an embrace, but he holds back this time. Right now, he's sort of taking in the fact that he's sitting in front of Zelda again-- Really sitting with her and relaxing. It's been too long. ]

I am so glad.

[ It's okay. Link is pretty much going to have a Zelda tumor for a while anyway, so whether he restrains himself or not is irrelevant. ]

You should be! You did it, Link!

[ She's so proud of her lazybutt best friend, you have no idea! ]

There's no telling how long we'll be here, but in the meantime you can rest. Neither Ghirahim nor Demise are here, so...

[ She giggles. ]

You've earned a nap, sleepyhead.

Edited 2013-02-04 03:16 (UTC)

[ It's kind of silly how her calling him sleepyhead strikes a nerve. Zelda has been gone a long time, and searching for her has been more than tedious and tiring. He's managed to go almost the entire journey without sleep, save for the few times he's passed out from pure exhaustion. It shows in the bags under his eyes and the loss of color to his complexion. ]

[ He chuckles in return. It doesn't matter that he's gone without rest. It was well worth it for this very moment. ]

[ The laugh draws out, weakening as he tilts forward and closes the small distance between them. His forehead plants itself on her shoulder, and his arms stay around her. It's been such a long fight, and an even longer journey. He treasures being called that silly nickname, even if it sort of makes fun of his love for sleep. ]

[ He is tired. But... Zelda. He can't sleep when he's so busy being grateful that he's actually in the same room as her again. ]

[ It's obvious by the way he's clinging to her that he's been worried sick all this time, and can she blame him? If the shoe was on the other foot, she'd have been devastated. She hates that she's put him through all of this... he's endured so much...

Her arms wrap around him to hold him close. She can tell he's exhausted, and he really should sleep, but if he needs this, how can she not oblige? Zelda removes his cap so she can pet his hair, trying to soothe his weariness the best that she can. ]

... Are you alright?

[ He hasn't even thought of where he'll live or what he should do next here. It doesn't matter. The main goal of his arrival has been completed, and now he's just going to go wherever the wind takes him. For now, the wind has him nestled comfortably on Zelda's shoulder. ]

[ Link sighs with content, feeling his muscles relax as Zelda runs her fingers through his hair. This is much closer than they've ever been before, but he's too exhausted to feel embarrassed or nervous. The saying "Distance makes the heart grow fonder" is truer than he could have ever imagined. ]

I am now.

[ The weather's been fairly chilly in Vatheon lately, what with it being winter and all, and so Zelda's dressed in many layers. On top of the Zora tunic (undoubtedly put on by her descendant while she was out), Zelda wears a shawl she knitted recently to fend off the bitter cold. Pulling it from her shoulders, she wraps it around Link. ]

Mm. You should take a nap. I'm serious.

[ She's motherhenned him to death before, but those are probably words he never thought he'd hear from her. ]

Once you're rested, I'll tell you everything you need to know about this place. You can get to know the other Links and Zelda better, too.

[ Being fussed over is something he's always been used to with Zelda, but now seems to be different than before. It's hardly ever been an annoyance, but Link sort of took it for granted. Her verbal fussing became a faraway memory in her absence, and he sort of missed it. Being told to take a nap this very instant is sort of hilarious, though. ]

Mmhmm...

[ But Link isn't really paying much attention now. He's sort of just listening to her talk, basking in it really. Her room is so warm, save for the slight chill seeping through the window. He's concerned about what lies ahead of him in his absence of his time, but if Zelda isn't appearing overly concerned, he shouldn't either. After all, she is the goddess Hylia. She should know better than him. ]

[ Zelda's calming, yet stern voice provides a comfort he's craved for a long time, and it puts a heavy relaxation on his tired bones. His eyes close with a feint smile, forehead still pressed to her shoulder. He nods against her when she urges him to nap, but it's slow and drawn-out. ]

...

[ Zelda should come to find very quickly that Link has gone dead weight on her. His arms drop from their embrace, leaving him leaning against her. A light little snore soon follows-- A telltale sign that he's passed out from exhaustion, yet again, but this time in the arms of his best friend. ]

[ Zelda knows he must have drifted off. She can tell by the way his body goes slack, and when he starts snoring, well. That sort of cinches it. He's heavy when he's deadweight like this, but she somehow manages to maneuver him so he's laying with his back against the bed. She goes about removing his gloves, his boots, takes his shield and the Master Sword, and deposits it all in a corner of her room. Once that's done, she goes back to the bed, pulls her thick comforter over him, and tucks him in.

She can't help but stop and watch him sleep, then. The look on his face is so peaceful- it almost makes her nostalgic. There's a pure innocence on his face there that she hasn't seen in a long, long time, not since their days at the academy, when all they had to worry about was school.

How things have changed. ]

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