Amongst a Sea of Stars

Edward almost jumped at the way Zelda had been looking at him, her tone was totally different from the way she looked at him but he got the message quickly with a quick nod. So, she didn't like being referred to as her title, noted.

The request of a teacher seemed reasonable enough, especially if she wanted to learn alchemy but the only issue was that he only knew of one teacher, and she was ruthless. Even if Zelda could handle it, Izumi Curtis was still picky.

"I can give some details about my teacher but she's both ruthless and picky other than that, I can keep a secret.."

Impa? Was this that attendant? And she was harsh? Well, he can't very well let someone else get in trouble.

Not to mention, he was no snitch.

"I am no stranger to ruthless, day to night training."

Picky, however... that may have been a problem. The life of a princess was also one of luxury. Or... it would have been, if not for her actions four years ago. Zelda was still holding out faith that the Hero would return someday. And on that day...

She would assume the form of a Sheikah Warrior. Until then, rigorous training was her normal.

"It is too long of a story." She couldn't use magic in disguise, it would give her away immediately. Alchemy, however... if based in science... would be far too useful to pass up. Azure eyes slipped closed, chin bowing slightly. The first true show of emotion she'd allowed, small as it was. "Please understand... the fate of my country is on my shoulders. So many have already lost their lives..."

Due to her selfish actions. Only a silent exhale through her nose, before Zelda's gaze returned, softer this time.

"If not her, might you be able to teach me? Anything I could learn that may save my country," On the chance Link didn't ultimately return. "I must take any opportunity."

"You want me to promise you that I won't die."

This is new, he only knows her name, and she wants him to not die. Sure, it's normal to wish for someone to stay alive, to live their lives to the fullest, yet..

There was something weird about this Zelda. And the way she's changed the water before throwing it back into the river. His ears tilted as his nose picked up the different scents of everything, giving a hum and looking back at her.

"It's decided then." A temporary break in her proper diction. Both hands pressed against her own chest, that warm smile curling across her lips. Something more genuine, rather than performative of a princess. "Neither of us lose our lives." Eyes slipping closed for mere moments, the pierce of her eyes had lessened upon opening.

"I assure you, I am stronger than I may appear, and... I pray that we cross paths again someday."

She had a new goal now, something far more dangerous than she would allow the guards to see. Or know, for that matter. It wouldn't have felt right not to give a reward. Kneeling, she plucked a flower. It took no more than a wave of her hand for it to emanate a golden glow. Nothing more than aesthetic, the women in her family were known enchantresses.

And she placed it in his hand.

"Be in good health, Inuyasha."

"It is a science! Alchemy is also how other forms of science were looked into, like chemistry and biology!"

Edward beamed that he got to talk about this with someone who seemed interested, though he had been purposely keeping his energy down. He couldn't lose this chance of introducing someone to alchemy.

Not yet.

Wait, did she say princess?

"You're a princess? Ohh shiiii- shoot.. I had no idea, nice to meet you though, your Highness."

A princess? Was talking to him? About science and alchemy? What was today and why was it this interesting already?

"Well er.. There's some teachers who teach it, I have one who taught me when I was ten."

Geez, his manners were out the window today, brain being too fried from how much work he had to do and then taken over by getting to talk about a passion of his.

It was more than expected.

To be royal was obligation enough. Rules rules rules, never being allowed to go by your own name. Never Zelda. It was 'Princess', or 'Your Highness'. Only the highest of the royal courts in status were allowed to call her 'Princess Zelda'. Back in Hyrule, it had been law, her own attendant still didn't speak her by name. The woman who had raised her wouldn't even call her 'Zelda'.

"Please, you need not speak with such formalities. Not here." Her voice remained gentle, though her eyes were as piercing as a blade. Studying every last body movement they could. Learning to read people was how a royal learned to best serve her public. "I have two requests, if I may ask."

Her magic was incredible, but how much more viable would she be on the front lines if she understood a scientific way to aid those who were injured? Knowledge, understanding the world. It was a hobby of hers, with what few books were saved from the destruction of Hyrule.

"Might I be introduced to any who could teach me? And... might you keep my presence secret? My attendant is unaware I've quietly slipped away. Impa can be a harsh woman when rules are broken."

Even though she knew Impa's harsh words came from a place of love.

In a way, Inuyasha did understand what she went on about. Sacrifices were a common thing, that and not knowing each others lives. The boy lives through hell day by day, searching for shards and barely coming out unscathed for most of his battles.

He was only drawn out of his thoughts when Zelda had offered something in return for his information about the jewel.

"The only thing I want is your safety. Last thing I need is another lady dying on my conscience."

He shrugged the top part of his kimono on, making sure everything was properly in place before adjusting tetsaiga to compensate his now signature outfit being completed. So, her name is Zelda, and apparently was a princess.

"You don't really look like a princess."

His ears twitched, maybe that should have stayed in the back burner of his brain. He gave a sigh before crossing his arms in his kimono sleeves, properly facing the princess himself.

Didn't she?

Adorned in pounds of jewelry, a beautiful dress. Royalty must have been much different in this country, though... to her, it was more a comfort that anything to be seen as something other than the princess. That was all she was known for, most ordinary people didn't understand her role as the Sage of Time.

"You are the first to ever say that to me. I appreciate your words more than you could understand." Her tone had only gone ever so slightly more quiet. "The Gods are cruel. We are not given a choice in our positions." A remark more offhanded, as Zelda knelt for mere moments. The glass jar was taken, and with a wave of her hand, the water shimmered in a way that had nothing to do with the sun. With graceful movement of her arm, the water was thrown back towards the river, glimmering all the way.

"You need not worry about my safety. The guards need so even less." It showed in how she momentarily forgot the proper bow she was meant to give. "You know no more than my name. I need not be on your conscience."

It was the same principle. She didn't need another swordsman having his life ruined due to her actions. An artifact that could restore life, surely it could wipe Link's memories. Then she could turn back the hands of time.

He'd have a proper childhood.

"However... if you are so concerned... what if we make a promise? That neither of us die."

"Probably. But if I were you, I wouldn't go searching them out. My friends and I are more than well equipped to search out the jewel shards to stop another demon aquiring them himself. Demons left and right are getting stronger and antsier to get the shards to become stronger, and with this one demon basically being a dealer for his own benefit, we're doing what we can to stop him."

Inuyasha could smell she was human, but something underlying as well. Even if she was a half demon (which could have been the case, given her ears and the way she creates potions) he wouldn't recommend anyone to search these shards out.

"I do suppose it is fortunate for both of us, that you are not me."

Her life was one of unhappiness, she held a holy relic in her own right hand. If not for her elbow length gloves, it would be clear for the entire world to see. Through all of it, Zelda kept her benevolence. Under the surface, she was mentally preparing.

Her work would never be done, her sin never atoned for. She was the final piece of the Gods left in this world. For a third time, she held out her dress, and bowed. There were rules to abide by, no matter where one may be. Regardless of intention, he'd thought of her well-being. That put her indebted to him.

"Sacrifices must be made for the greater good. Surely one as kind as you understands this." Ethereal, the way blonde hair moved alongside the shake of her head. "Please, forgive me. We do not always have the luxury of making our own choices."

Selfish as it was, perhaps she could give Link the childhood he deserved to have enjoyed. It wouldn't atone her sin, but it would give a little boy the chance to be happy.

"What would you like in return for the information you have given? Wealth? Renown?"

Make it a fourth time she's held out her dress and bowed properly. The most clear rule of all, and she hadn't followed it. "I do apologize," A smile, conditioned from childhood. "I have not even properly introduced myself. I am Zelda. Princess of Hyrule."

"It's called the jewel of four souls lady, you shouldn't have come here if you're going to accuse the people who live here who actually KNOW about the jewels existance to believe a rumour. I was using it to turn myself into a full demon, but a priestess had sealed me to a tree for fifty years so I couldn't use it."

Inuyasha turned his nose up away from Zelda to shun her. He already had to deal with a few alchemists claim he was something other than a half demon, which thankfully was resolved soon after, but to have someone doubt the jewels existance is dangerous.

They could stumble upon a shard, or worse yet, a demon with one, and it can be dangerous to not kill it off. There were dangerous creatures out there, simply too much for a simple mortal to handle.

"I see." As before, she held out the side of her dress, with a proper bow. "I pray you will forgive me for such unkind assumptions." She hadn't even known he was only half. Zelda could sense demonic presence, not human. Or in her native tongue, Hylian. Just another slice of information to file away.

There was more to be learned. Life was all about learning, and there was no greater pursuit than knowledge. He certainly did give away a lot of it, didn't he?

"So I am to believe that any with holy blood can feel these gemstones?" A genuine question. If that were the case, she may have had that on her own side. Zelda was the Goddess born in mortal form. A demigoddess. "I must thank you for this information." While it was still a lot to give blind trust to, the pros outweighed the cons.

"May you and your friend have safe travels. I've new information to inform my guards."

That they were to leave. Another thing royalty learned fast:

How to lie to those that were to protect them.

The half demons ears nearly pinned back as soon as she began to speak. The slow tone yet the way she carried herself reminded him a bit of-

No.

He has no time to think about her.

Inuyasha reached back to grab a good end of his hair, squeezing out any water that resided in the thick fur as he let Zelda continue speaking. She must have been a priestess of some kind, making magic potions to heal someone, and the way she bowed gave a sense of royalty, though she didn't look like your usual princess or queen.

"That's interesting, I guess, I'm only familiar with the jewel shards bringing things back to life."

Glass bottle set on a larger, steady stone, Zelda reached into a small pouch around her waist. The first ingredient were carefully cut sides of mushrooms. Venomous on their own, yet the venom brought out healing properties when brewed.

Then her arm stopped partway to the bottle.

Bringing things back to life.

Inwardly, something about the idea bothered her. If there were pieces of something as simple as jewelry, enchanted so that it could bring the dead to life... it had to be a test.

"Surely you do not expect me to believe such claims." A princess was a master of disguise. They were not to show any extreme emotion, and they were to read others as to know how best to serve their people. "If there were a gemstone that could bring others back to a pulsing heart..." A short pause. "Forgive me, this is not my native country. Are you so blind as to believe such rumors?"

Zelda's glance was on him now. Piercing azure eyes, that betrayed the gentility of every other part of her face.