maiden

       WITHOUT A WORD, they help her to her feet, immediately taking a step back to permit her space. she appears… unscathed, to their relief, and despite barely escaping death— or at the very least, excruciating pain and broken bones— the stranger offers them a smile. well… whatever. she seems fine and they were content to leave the situation at that. it’s not their business anyway.

       the sincerity laden into her tone catches kris off-guard, and they falter, rooted to the spot for a few moments more. every fiber of their being beckons them to take their leave but… something about her makes them stay. just for a little while longer, anyway.

          zelda— they repeat the name in their head offhandedly, almost as if to allow their memory a taste. averting their gaze, as though searching for the words in the surrounding brush and soil, the knight finally ventures their answer, in a voice just above a murmur.

             “  … it’s kris.  ”

     ▲ Their silence and overall quiet demeanor is... Actually very familiar to the princess. Someone very close to her has always been on the more quiet side and thus, the blonde finds a certain comfort in the stranger’s subtle silence. If they do not wish to speak much or if at all, then that’s no problem to her; as long as she can make her gratitude known then that is all that matters to Zelda at the moment.

     ❝ Kris? ❞

     ❝ A pleasure to meet you then, Kris! ❞ and with a smile, the monarch offers a quick curtsy to the other.

“Oh, uh.. .. huh?”

Susie thought she had the advantage to their situation there, being the terrifying beast that she was– the candy apples could have been all hers if she had just managed to scare this girl off, but.. clearly, that plan was out the window.

What was with all the people here? The human.. looking ones, especially? If they weren’t scared of her, then what terrible things were they used to? Or, maybe they were just all.. really nice.

“…”

“You make a good point,” is what she had settled on, shoving her hands in her pockets in an attempt to brush off her own awkwardness. While she could have easily eaten all the treats herself, sharing them with a stranger didn’t sound all too bad the more she thought about it. Maybe, in some weird way, it might even be fun. “So.. which one were you gonna get, anyway? There’s kind of a lot of choices for just one stand, huh.” But the caramel one looked especially goopy, and Susie was kind of hoping the girl didn’t have her eye on it.

     ▲ The blonde can’t help but chuckle at the stranger’s reaction, taking a small joy in how thrown off she seems to be. Though it doesn’t happen terribly often, Zelda does like subverting someone’s view of her and surprising them with an opposite case. Perhaps before everything happened, the princess would be more cautious and even distrusting of the stranger... But that seems like it was so long ago now.

     ❝ I have yet to make my choice, ❞ she now starts, humming in thought as she looks back at the candy apple selection.

     ❝ I was thinking about the one with sprinkles, but... ❞ she peers back at her companion.

       IT HAPPENS SO QUICKLY; the ground gives away beneath her feet, peeling from the cliff’s edge, and for a split second, she is weightless. naught but empty air waits between her and the rocks below— before a hand shoots out, and her descent is halted abruptly. their body lurches forward of its own accord, dropping to snatch up her hand before she slips through their grasp, and with a shudder perturbing their posture, kris manages to hoist her back onto solid ground. settling on their knees beside her, a sigh of relief whispers quietly from their lips, before they lifts their chin, acknowledging her gratitude.

             —careful, they finish her sentence, but keep it to themselves, resolving to a silence. it should’ve been none of their business, but… they just wanted to do the right thing, and make it their own for once.

       after a moment, the knight rises, without care for their scuffed knees nor rumpled cowl, and offers her that same hand once more. she’d probably like to stand, right? not to mention it might be better if they got away from the edge.

     ▲ Before she has a chance to say anything further, a hand is once again offered towards her. Blinking a few times, the princess finally relents with a smile, soon gently placing her hand within the stranger’s own. Utilizing both her own force and the stranger’s, the princess is able to pull herself back up to her feet, soon dusting off her skirt and readjusting the hooded cloak she wears.

     ❝ Thank you again. You are quite adept, aren’t you? ❞

     ❝ I am sure I wouldn’t have made it out if this safely if not for you...! ❞ and though she chuckles, there is an odd slight in her tone.

✧ Colette was no stranger to landing flat on her face, which was both a curse and a blessing since it meant she wasn’t really in all that much pain. Her body was a lot tougher than a normal human’s thanks to her Cruxis Crystal anyways. But someone was calling to her, and to avoid concerning her any longer, she slowly rolled over onto her back so that the sole bruise upon her forehead could be seen.

“I’m okay! Sorry for worrying you!” Any normal person probably would have at least broken their nose with a fall like that. Nonetheless, the young woman helped her up onto her feet. “I’m actually pretty good at it! Falling, I mean! Maybe that’s not something I should be proud of, though?” No, Colette. No.

     ▲ Well, she seems not too worse for wear, at the very least. That alone is enough for the princess to give a small exhale in relief as she helps the other blonde to her feet, soon giving a step back in order to give her some space. From what Zelda can see, there only seems to be a mark on the other’s forehead... And while fortunate, she can’t help but wonder just how much tenacity the stranger possesses.

     ❝ Well... Maybe you mean you are better at recovering from said falls, ❞ the monarch now chuckles lightly.

     ❝ But I do hope you will take care to not fall so often... We should all try to take care of ourselves to our fullest, shouldn’t we? ❞ and while she offers the other a concerned look, Zelda smiles all the same.

      ▲ ❝ Are you alright--?! ❞ the response is immediate as the monarch crouches down at the stranger’s side now, placing a hand on her back. While the trip itself didn’t seem pleasant in the least, it’s the fact that the fellow blonde lands on her face, of all places, that truly makes Zelda wince on the inside.

      ❝ Here, allow me to help you up, ❞ the princess now adds, gently placing her hands around one of the stranger’s arms in order to help her back onto her feet.

      ▲ ❝ Scared? ❞ the blonde echoes the stranger’s question, tilting her head slightly as she does so. It seems that she had been trying her best to seem intimidating to the princess, but... Well, Zelda is hard to shake (or she is now, after everything that’s happened to her back in Hyrule). 

      ❝ Not at all. Should I be? That would be rather rude, wouldn’t it? ❞ she smiles.

      ▲ ❝ Ah--! ❞ a gasp is given as the ground she stands on crumbles quite suddenly, the world beginning to turn in slow motion. It had been foolish of her, to stand right at the cliff’s edge without examining it better... And truthfully, she is disappointed in herself for not being more careful.

     However, there is no time for regret. Instead, she has to somehow quickly think of a plan to try and stop herself from falling to her doom--

      ❝ --?! ❞ just as suddenly as the ground beneath her began to crumble, someone is just as quick to reach a hand forward, grabbing her own to prevent her fall. Azure hues remain widened as she looks at the sheer drop below her now floating feet, taking in a deep breath as she is now pulled back up. Reaching the cliff’s edge, the princess uses her free arm now to help the stranger pull her back up, soon crawling forward a little bit before she turns to sit... And look up at her rescuer.

       although she presents somewhat differently to their previous encounter, he has little difficulty recognising her in a crowd. lips poised at the rim of his glass, his piercing gaze searches her smile as he contemplates its meaning, bolstered by the underlying reticence beneath her every syllable. perhaps she is not certain how best to broach the occasion— much like himself, it seems.

       his eyes lower to his drink, rolling the glass gently.

             ❝  … more or less.  ❞ karna gives her a non-committal answer, before taking a sip, resuming his watch of those dancing, ❝  it has been some time since i have attended something of this nature.  ❞

       he is simply not meant for such things.

     ▲ His answer comes as no surprise to the monarch. Given his personality shown thus far as well as his mannerisms, Zelda is actually quite surprised to see him attend such an event. He seems to be rather quiet and keeps to himself and thus, the blonde finds herself a bit curious as to why he has come here tonight... Though, she supposes it could be for the very same reason as herself, which is: curiosity.

     ❝ I see... Then, we are very much in the same ‘boat’, as it were, ❞ Zelda now comments, looking on at the others dancing as well.

       he cannot understand entrusting one’s company to a stranger so readily; while he knows in his heart that he does not mean ill toward anyone, how can she be so confident? well, it doesn’t matter, he supposes, it is not his business to inquire. he does not assume her powerless to act in an undesirable situation, and so karna does not protest to her suggestion.

             ❝  … very well.  ❞ he inclines his head, petals fluttering from the wilted bouquet heaped in his arms. if that is what she wishes, then lancer does not mind acquiescing, ❝  i shall accompany you if that is what you wish.  ❞

     ▲ The blank look upon his face followed by the slight confusion within his eyes reminds the princess vaguely of another she knows... And perhaps because of that, she can’t help but chuckle lightly at the similarities. Still, however, they are quite different and thus, the blonde can only think that she has become aware of the similarities due to her own homesickness of sorts.

     ❝ Well, only if you would like to! ❞ she soon corrects.

     ❝ If you do not wish to, then I won’t be upset! ❞ after all, she’s not the type of person to force others to do things that they do not have the desire to do.

       ❛  a new friendship  ❜— she speaks with such poise and confidence that he is inclined to warm to her every word. his keen eyes discern nothing ill of her intent, only a sincerity hues her tone, and bolsters her smile. he has no need to contemplate trusting a stranger, and so he supposes it matters little should he choose to accept her generosity. with that in mind, he raises a hand… and tentatively takes the apple.

       gratitude waits at his lips, but in its absence, lancer instead offers something of greater substance, to return her favour.

             ❝  … my name is karna.  ❞ he answers, for it has no bearing upon the current circumstances whether or not his true name is uttered, ❝  it is nice to meet you, zelda.  ❞

       despite the regrettable nature of the situation that had led to their encounter, the outcome was not unpleasant.

     ▲ Upon the acceptance of her gift, the royal immediately brightens up. Clapping her hands together softly, she soon offers the stranger an eager nod as he takes away the apple, offering his name soon afterwards. As friendly as she tries to be, the truth is... Well, Zelda doesn’t have many friends, if any at all. Thus the idea of someone returning her amiable expression is more than enough to make the blonde beam at Karna now.

     ❝ A pleasure, Karna! ❞ she returns the greeting with some enthusiasm, smiling still.

Midna was trying to pry without making it too obvious that she was prying, which was a new experience for her. Not the prying part, the trying to hide it part. This girl was undoubtedly Hyrulian (I mean, could those earrings make it any more obvious?) but didn’t recognize Midna at all.

Midna didn’t really recognize her either, but she felt like she should, in a way?

“Not yet,” she repeated. “Reckless exploration could change that very quickly! I should know, I’m very experienced with that. If you’re just exploring, then,”

“What do you hope to find?”

     ▲ ❝ You are? ❞ the blonde can’t help but ask with a smile, cupping her own cheek in thought. Though the princess is rather fond of exploring various lands the truth is that she hasn’t been able to do that very much... Especially as of late back home. Here, however, everything is new and fresh and thus, beckons her curiosity and need to educate herself in order to remain knowledgeable and vigilant of her surroundings.

     ❝ Well, let’s hope that changes to simply ‘exploration’ rather than with the addition of being ‘reckless’! ❞