melodiesoflife | Event || Terra Incognita

[As Zelda steps into pace with him Sephiroth is mindful not to stride off in front or too far from her side, there are a few citizens milling around but his height doesn't give so much of an advantage as it does in Aqures; Elezen are more naturally around his height. He has half a mind to offer his arm to her, out of manners, but catches himself from doing so...he's not sure what she'd think about that.

Sure enough, a small cafe with some modest seating out front seems to have caught his eye earlier and Sephiroth smoothly leads them over to the small menu board that's presented in the window. It's mostly sandwiches, cakes and other assorted lighter foods that are on offer which suits him just fine as he's not a heavy eater.]

At home? [Defensive as always Sephiroth looks back to Zelda for a moment, wondering if she'd heard something...but then pulls his attention back to the menu having resolved he's thinking too much into it.]

I'm not too sure about living with so many people, if I'm honest. But then, now I'm back at work it's not like I'm really living there all that much.

[Zelda nods and takes a look at the menu. It looks like a perfect place to stop for a bite to eat.]

I spent most of my time at the observatory and even at home it's just two of us. So I don't know what it might be like. [She can understand it feeling crowded and she felt bad that a lot of the heroes where, at times, rooming with people they didn't like. It was one of the many reasons she kept the bed in the observatory ready for use.

Her eyes flick over the menu and she points to a small sandwich and a cup of tea.]

You look like you've been doing better.

[He hadn't been able to hide that things have been off. Though Zelda never wishes to pry into anything concerning Sephiroth.]

...that said, the barracks are shared so I should be used to it.

[He huffs a snort of a chuckle at himself but it's not exactly as light-hearted as he'd intended it to come out. Making a mental note of the items Zelda pointed out on the menu and moving towards the front door to the small cafe. He opens the door outwards and waits for her to enter first before following through.]

You know what they say about idle minds. They wander.

[It's a short saying but sums up how he feels about a lot of things. Sephiroth has always done much better in himself when he's occupied and his schedule these days is pretty chocked full. Always needing to have something to put his time into. What bothers him recently is he's not entirely sure that it's as rewarding as it used to be. Or rather, it's not as rewarding as he thought it was.]

I'm always better when there is something to dedicate myself to.

[Zelda’s thin form slips in after him, looking up and then inclining her head with a warm smile as she thanks him for holding the door. Inside is much warmer than outside the café. It’s only teetering into winter but there was an undeniable chill in the air that didn’t want to relent its grip.]

I can understand that. I think that’s why I keep busy as well.

[The young goddess is honestly having a similar problem. She isn’t able to talk to Link and she finds that her mind wanders to him or the bleak future if she’s ever still for too long. It’s easier to throw herself into paper work, books, research and helping Asheila govern than it is to stop and think. There are too many questions that she doesn’t have the answer to and too many things that she is unsure about and yet no matter how many book she moves through, there is no answer to the pile of questions which truly press on her thoughts.

For now she is focusing on this world but without her books or a clear purpose her mind has been worried and frayed.]

What are you getting?

[She looks up with a curious gaze. She already knows what she wants, which is the item that she had noticed on the menu while they were outside.]

[Winter is most definitely on the way, personally Sephiroth is surprised that the weather in Aqures hasn't yet turned to the icy conditions that are prevalent towards the end of the year. The clear skies only helped to plummet the temperature there recently and he noticed it more where he was traveling more between there and Esdham which was, as usual, much warmer.]

I'm going to settle for a sandwich, also, along with a glass of water.

[It was light and one of the sweeter meats on the menu presented outside has piqued his curiosity.]

I'll get the order in if you'd find somewhere to sit?

[With a knowing nod to Zelda, Sephiroth turned to the small queue leading up to the counter where the orders were being taken. He always has enough in the way of gils on him and doesn't think twice about covering the cost of both of their food.]

[Zelda nods and turns to look for an empty seat. It is crowded inside with the seats outside remaining unused. Luckily it is no longer the lunch hour so Zelda is able to find a seat along the far wall. She leaves the seat facing the door for Sephiroth knowing that he would feel more comfortable in a seat where he can see most of the store.

When Sephiroth comes back over she greats him with a smile.]

You didn't have any trouble?

[At least with ordering.]

[It's a steady approach, balancing a tray and making sure his sword -attached to his belt- isn't swinging too much or bashing the scabbard against other people as Sephiroth makes his way through the semi-crowded store. Not to mention graceful in the way he's able to prevent his long flowing silver hair from being snagged on something as well. It does seem as if a wave of people are on their way out as opposed to also trying to find somewhere to sit.

He places the tray on the table smoothly before giving the room a once over, over the top of Zelda's head, before being satisfied within himself and sitting down.]

No trouble at all.

[He begins to unload the tray so as to get it off the table, placing Zelda's food in her direction first before carefully lifting the small teapot and it's cup/saucer and putting it to the side so he can shift the rest of his own order from the tray onto the table.

A waitress is waiting to take the tray from him, just as he's finishing; good timing.]

Enjoy [He nods towards Zelda, taking a small sip from the top of the glass containing his water.]

[Zelda leans back as he places the tray down, not wanting to be in the way. She'd offer to help but she's positive that Sephiroth's got this handled. She watches him as he unloads the tray and then smiles when he places her sandwich in front of her. It looks good but she wants until everything is set and in place before digging in.

Her finger carefully bring the sandwich to her lips and she takes a bite without another word. After a moment of chewing she picks up on the conversation again while reaching for her drink.]

It's very good thank you.

[She hasn't realize how hungry she was until she ate something.]

I really like the spices they have here.

[Some are the same while some are wildly different.]

[He waits until she's raised her sandwich to take a bite before following with the same motions so that they can stagger the conversation to match; there is nothing worse than wanting to offer a comment or something and having ones mouth full at the time. The explosion of a quite unique mix of spices spreads even through the bread even though it wasn't spiced itself. Sephiroth short-hums in agreement as his sandwich is returned to the plate while he finishes off that first small bite.]

It's not so much different spices, I think it's just seasoned a different way.

[He imagined the taste was a little similar to one of the spicier delicacies he'd had in Flence before, but with less of a kick and more of a warming aftertaste. So much so that it was only a moment before he took another sip of water. That had been a good choice of drink, to take the edge off with.]

They do seem to like their bold flavors.

[Perhaps it was worth picking in one of the many bookstores for a receipe book...he knew that Tempest would at least appreciate new foods to experiment with. Sephiroth ponders on that thought as he takes a second mouthful. The salad-like vegetables crunch satisfyingly too; perfect and fresh.]

[Zelda thinks about that for a moment and wonders if she could make anything exactly like this. For the moment she appears to be completely engrossed in her food though that moment is fleeting as she looks back up at Sephiroth.]

That's true. They probably add a lot more and in different amounts. It's interesting.

[At least how cultures, food and civilizations develop. Since studying some of Aqures and Crystallis's past she'd been fascinated with it and found herself reading even as a way to relax more than study.]

There will be lots of things to take back with us.

[Cookbooks being one and probably the least important.]

Oh! have you thought about the holidays? The Starlight Festival is coming up.

[She remembers last year and the memory alone is enough to bring a smile to her lips.]

[He's not really the type to have such an interest in such mundane topics such as recipes. Sephiroth is perhaps one of the most bland when it comes to culinary skill; only whats necessary for nutrition even if living with Spencer, Terra and Tempest has helped him to add a few more tasteful edges to some of the food he eats. Still, he appreciates Zelda's point of view; food is an important part of culture just as much as knowledge and local customs are.

He finishes chewing, sipping his water to wash it down, before answering Zelda.]

-hm, I can't say that I've given it much thought yet. You?

[Zelda shakes her head before taking another bite of her food.]

I don’t have anything specific yet but I thought of putting together another party.

[Last year she had gotten everyone specific gifts, she doesn’t know if she has the time to do that this year but she’ll do something. Even if it’s simple she wants those she calls friends to smile; even if it is an insignificant amount of joy that’s brought by gift giving.]

Would you attend if I did?

[She remembers he came last year and she can’t help but smile at the memory.]

[Come to think of it, while he takes another bite from the sandwich, Sephiroth thinks back to the last time he actually wore the necklace that Zelda gifted him with -which he then lost in the battle at Esdham, and was returned to him when he was recovering. It had been a long time ago, but jewelry wasn't really practical and certainly not part of the uniform he wore at work.

He remembers Zelda being there, when he'd been all cooped up with a broken leg then. Funny how some memories are overshadowed by darker ones most of the time. Not that he'd appreciated having to be looked after at the time, but in hindsight...it hadn't been so bad. It had been such a long time ago, though.]

You know I'd think about it, at least. As always, it depends on affairs with my job.

[Which, as anyone who might look after him knows, his job has him coming and going from Aqures a lot more now than it used to.]

It was...special, last year.

[Zelda smiled at his answer as if expecting to hear just that. The fact that he would try to attend was enough for her to put the effort into planning the party. Honestly Zelda doesn’t need much persuasion to organize an event like that. She wants to see people smiling and having fun.]

That’s all I can ask.

[She takes a sip of her drink before setting it down. Her plate is empty and so she’d take the time to finish her drink as she spoke.]

Special? You mean that you were able to attend?

[She still remains quite possibly the most generous, selfless, kindest Hero that Sephiroth knows. Admittedly that's not out of a huge number but as he too takes a sip from his water -which seemed to be sweetly flavored- he can't help consider how little he's actually seen Zelda in recent months. Time has flown since the Battle of Aqures.

He blinks, eyes falling to their narrow state as Zelda's response confuses him. Surely she remembered-]

I did attend last time. I think? It was at your home and you'd gone to huge lengths to clear all the room that was needed, decorate and make a lot of food for everyone as well.

[Despite he felt like biting at the corner of his lip over it, Sephiroth forced the movement into a light smile instead. Or maybe he had it wrong and that had been for New Year-]

[Zelda smiles brightly and laughs.]

Yes, I remember moving all the furniture. Mostly because everyone who showed up said that they would have helped if I had asked. [Her elbows rest lightly on the table.] Even then I hadn't been good at asking for help.

[Her smile widens.]

The city had fireworks too, remember I wouldn't let you leave without seeing them. [Sephiroth had seemed so recluse then. He might not have noticed but he's opened up more since then.]

[It's not quite possible to pin down exactly when he has also finished his sandwich but Sephiroth then chooses to take that moment to place his plate to the edge of the table and move his glass closer to the space between his hands. His forearms rest lightly atop the space between them.

Of course, Zelda's not the only one who struggles to ask for help.]

That's right. [His own smile stretches a little wider when hers does, but it's punctuated with a sip from his water soon enough.]

So, what do you suppose is worth a look in, considering our initial exploratory trip is rather limited?

[Back to the reason for them to have congregated.]

[Zelda thinks about it for a moment before responding.]

We should look at the sights that the ancients were at. It looks like history here hasn't been so buried. We might be able to find something new.

[She doesn't really want to talk about the temple, seeing their dreams like that had been uncomfortable. It also begs to wonder what else they don't know that might be obvious here.]

[He doesn't want to talk about the temple either, but he's certain that eventually it will become even more relevant. At least he's seen it now, so the initial reaction is out of the way.]

There are a lot of sites, it seems, that should be looked into for the same reason. Or in some cases, answers might be buried in the ruins as well.

Plus, it's important to keep in mind that such sites might not be exactly as advertised ... or documented.

[Given how much of the Ancients story is steeped in as much legend as the Heroes of Light are.]

[Zelda bobs her head in a quick nod.]

That’s true. We’ll have to start slowly and then see what information we can gather. I’m sure some of the heroes will want to explore too so I’ll try and keep contact when them as well.

[It sounds boring but Zelda’s getting pretty good at collecting information.]

[Sephiroth agrees with a series of short nods, as well. He doesn't seem to be giving any other signal about them leaving the cafe yet though; after all, it is much warmer in here and out of the can-be biting breeze.]

It sounds as if it might be quite a challenge. To keep all information we uncover in one place, and accessible.

I've got my own reports to file with regards to the interest from Esdham, there is the Heroes Guild, Fairy Tail...

[There are other groups as well, but he's not informed enough to know about Pirates or Assassin Brotherhoods.]

[Zelda nods knowing of the other two but keeping them to herself for now. Luffy's crew isn't going to stay secret for long anyway. He's far to loud about it.]

It will be but we can do it.

[She smiles at him.]

We should probably get going. There is a lot to do.

Event || Terra Incognita

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