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Post by Bixir on Jan 18, 2024 17:21:35 GMT
The princess took in the night air, wistful. The carefully controlled environment of Insomnia numbed one’s senses to the wider world if it was all they came to know, and Zelda was no exception to this. Were it not for fanciful asides like this one, she may never come to know these sensations until it was too late for her to make anything of them. Business came before pleasure for so much in her life, often excising the latter entirely. She couldn’t argue with that, knowing full well her responsibilities, and more still that were waiting in the wings. That very thing was the true reason why she was out here… in Liberl, but where she was tonight as well. Much to her attendant’s chagrin.
The young woman’s attention smarted upon the plains. The moon was out, high and full, casting its pale rays upon the fields. The plains stretched on for miles, farther than even Zelda could see with her splendid eyes. The view was not unlike anything Zelda had seen before; Insomnia was, after all, one of the most beautiful cities in the Kingdom. That fact made this serene portrait no less moving to take in. If anything, that Zelda had learned beauty from living in Insomnia all her life made moments like these all the more important. If they were not stolen, then she may never get to know the experience for herself. It was all quite melodramatic. Welcome to royalty.
Princess Zelda sped into those fields with childish abandon. Gone was the formal gown that she had been wearing but an hour ago. She was no longer dining with people who expected such things of her. Now she wore her comfortable linens and leathers, far more suited for exploring the countryside. While there wasn’t much inherent danger or mystery to such a place, even that held wonder for the princess of Hyrule.
Maybe not so much for the poor chap who had pulled the short straw for tonight. All-powerful(?) Sage of Wisdom that she might be, even Zelda couldn’t get away from being assigned a chaperone. Welcome to royalty.
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Post by swapgo on Jan 18, 2024 23:19:57 GMT
"Princess...Princeeeeess, we are in no hurry, please"Behind the eager princess, lagged behind a much smaller sage, albeit not necessarily of wisdom. Babus was somewhat of an oddity among Insomnia's court of attendants, no one remembers exactly why he serves the royal family, or for how long he has stood his post, or why he is both uncharacteristically bleached and...cluddly for a Nu Mou, let alone of his (presumed age), but all princes and princesses owe him many thanks, and many scoldings, as if his entire purpose was to protect them through their upbringing. It is, in part, his equal treatment to Princess Zelda than Prince Noctis that gives more credence to her royal heritage, despite the brief schism her mere existence gave way to. When asked if he would raise this extraneous princess, a single word of approval shattered the twisted rethoric of thousands. But that was then, in the now, the princess gave him no shortage of work. "It's best you conserve your energy for when we're past the plains" Babus chided her from afar, somehow raising his volume without aggressing her with her tone. He was stout and patient, but by no means spry. He had hoped, in part, that in taking in the atmosphere, the princess would stop, or take a brief turn back and forth so that he could catch up with his comparatively shorter pace. As it grew evident that that would not be the case, Babus stopped walking, pantomiming a sigh, yet exhaling no breath. His body slowly took on a blue luster, and compressed its shape until it shot upwards into a flash of light, which shot back down to the soil closer and ahead of the princess, hopefully earning her attention. "We are well making pace, certainly the solemnity of the night in the open plains can be best appreciated during a walk, would you agree?", he suggested.
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Post by Bixir on Feb 5, 2024 6:48:51 GMT
As was often the case, Babus' pleas went unheard. The princess was too fascinated with her attention, overwhelmed by the serenity that life in Insomnia so often lacked. She sprinted across the open fields as fast as her legs could carry her She held her arms out, feeling the night breeze with them as well as with her flowing hair, giggling all the while. What was wrong with running around like this? Nothing, that was what! There wasn't anything to be seen for miles around! Liberl was much larger than Zelda had expected, especially the parts like this. It was so easy to get away from everything here..
A reminder to the contrary zipped by the princess' periphery, then coalesced into a familiar countenance. Zelda finally stopped, planting her hands on her knees, and then her hips while she caught her breath. She smiled apologetically at Babus, though well aware that both of them knew that she was not that apologetic. They had had this conversation too many times to count; that Babus continued to insist upon it was as impressive as it was bothersome.
"I- I suppose. Sorry, Babus. I know you have trouble keeping up with... well, you know." Zelda's smile turned a shade grimace. She did not want to mean anything by it. Too often her attendants received the subtle (and not so subtle) barbs that she held onto from more stressful responsibilities. Zelda ran a hand through her hair, letting it float in the wind for a moment before settling against her back.
"Sorry. We can walk."
Zelda took a gingerly pace. Not only was it kind to Babus, but he had a point. There was something to be said about taking things slowly. The meetings that lied ahead, but also this spontaneous excursion past dusk. It would last longer that way. "So..." The princess failed to find the words to the rest of what was supposed to be a casual question. How did Noctis do this? Surely he got out more than she did!
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Post by swapgo on Mar 26, 2024 0:28:47 GMT
"My small stride is no hindrance if I am patient. A fruitful trip should be measured in heartbeats". Babus suggested, lifting his head and turning his wrist around as he continued walking forward, well, perhaps it wasn't a hindrance to him exactly. Many other things were, though, as he insisted to bear perhaps one too many burdens on his back, even if he hardly seemed to mind. Maps, rations, camping kits, and a very big mace, all swayed jostled on his back, giving his otherwise subtle, soft steps a rather comical rattling rhythm.
"It's going great thanks for asking", Babus cut off what he presumed was some sort of attempt to distract him with pleasantries, yet his voice hadn't a hint of irony behind it. "We can use this time to rehearse the purpose of this outing. I'm sure you recall all the details", he wanted to know if the princess had been paying attention of the purpose of this diplomatic trek, beyond merely the idea of going on a midnight stroll.
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Post by Bixir on May 6, 2024 20:03:30 GMT
The princess took another moment to try to find some words, but she closed her mouth in an awkward fashion when Babus seemed to find those words for them both. He was a curious fellow, Babus. At times, the Nu Mou was like a colorful character out of a child's book; at others, Babus was a surprisingly capable guardian against cretins many times his size. Zelda expected the latter to not be necessary, here nor at the ceremony ahead, but seeing Babus as such reminded her nonetheless.
Zelda smiled sheepishly. She quickly moved her hand through her hair once more as she looked away from Babus. Drat. She had been trying to get away from that! Alas, she couldn’t say no to Babus. She cleared her throat. The words came easier to her than she expected.
”Ehm, the White… the White Vigil. It is the annual memorial for the White War. It is celebrated as a renewal of the alliance among Tamriel’s nations against the Tevinter Imperium. I’ve- I’ve been to it before! Many times. My father would always take me.”
The princess’ pace went from a slow walk to a near-stop. Her expression was itself a pause, looking into the verdant distance. Her right arm hugged her left, tugging it softly. ”This is the first year he isn’t coming.”
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Post by swapgo on May 18, 2024 23:52:14 GMT
The Nu Mou was always hard to read, specially from this angle. He tilted his head poignantly as the princess hesitated, and it defused as she finished her dictation, gleaming satisfaction.
Although Babus quickly noticed the girl's apprehension, he took a few steps past Zelda as she halted, he did, after all, needed to make distance from her to not inconvenience her in face-to-face conversation. "It will be hard to do so today, maybe even from the entire round trip, but you should cherish this as an act of trust from the King", he plead as he turned to face her, sitting down as to invite the princess to stop for a chat for a bit longer if she was so inclined. "It's a rough path all rulers must go through. One day, you'll be more than just the princess, and you'll have to make the most of every dawn in between", he suggested. Usually, a princess being known as such for all of history implies tragedy.
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Post by Bixir on Nov 2, 2024 6:53:30 GMT
Zelda quickly sat down with Babus when he did so. She didn't need any invitation to that. This was something of a habit between them, when she... thought about her duties? When you put it like that, it was a little sad. Maybe that was why... She had shut her eyes ever since she sat down. Don't think, Zee! Talk!
The princess' eyes blinked awake, to evident embarrassment on her part. Will above, she couldn't be like this at the ceremony!... right. Less think, more talk. She threw up her hands before folding them over her criss-crossed lap. "I barely make anything of the dawns as it is! It feels like there's never time for life. Just... duty."
Zelda sighed. It gave more relief than she thought she had in her, and she smiled at her court rabbit. Dog? Nu Mou. "Thank you for joining me, Babus. You didn't have to, you know." She looked out over the Liberlian plains. They were so reminiscent of Hyrule's own fields. They might have been the same plains, once upon a time.
"It's just a little jaunt away from camp. I can take care of myself."
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Post by swapgo on Nov 4, 2024 17:04:23 GMT
"Life is duty, to someone, to something, to somewhere, yet some go through it without realizing it. It is good that you notice its weigh", Babus stood up, walking towards the princess, still carrying all the noisy clutter behind him, perhaps to illustrate a point. "It means you're well on your way to being unburdened by it, all you need is to stay true to yourself", he offered encouragement, as harsh as it could be interpreted as, people often joke that Babus means it when he says he lives to serve, and he has not once denied it. "You're correct, I don't have to, that's why I do it", he responded. He wouldn't be of too much help getting the princess back up, but he still offered a hand when she felt ready to resume marching together towards the White VIgil.
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