The Missing Link...

[goddessofthesky]

Who: Zelda & OPEN
What: Link is gone. [ooc: Feel free to run into her wherever.]
When: Feb 7th: Return from Chocobo Trip and then onward.
Where: Home (A-16), Hospital & Finally Old observatory.
Warning: Just Tears.


At first everything was normal, Zelda walked into her home with her travel bag slung over her shoulder. She was tired and was looking forward to a bath and a bed but there was something she wanted to do first. With a soft thunk she placed the bag down and then worked to unlace her riding boots. Once they were off she slipped out of her jacket and then pulled off her muddy stockings. She stepped inside and wiggled her toes against the clean floor with a smile.

“Link?” She called his name lightly as she moved through the house, her fingers laced through her hair and began to pull the loose strands of blonde into a tight pony tail. “Link?” Her tone shifted from a light tone to a worried one. She stepped through the house peeking into his room and then hers. She checked the kitchen and then the family room before walking back towards the front of the house. He wasn’t home, except that she had told him the time and date she’d return. Link would be here.

---

Her heart pounded heavily in her chest as she pulled on a lose pair of brown work boots, leaving her jacket behind as she bolted from the house. Over and over again she heard like a round in her head.

He can’t be there. He can’t be.

The words repeated again and again becoming an ominous chant in her thoughts as she ran towards the hospital. Everything ached and she felt exhaustion creeping through her limbs as she ran. The cold air bit at her exposed arms and legs but she didn’t care, she couldn’t feel it. The only thing she felt was a sharp twist in her chest as she ran.

He can’t…

She didn’t stop at the hospital steps; she took them two at a time and then raced up to where the heroes were kept. She bolted passed those who guarded the door earning her dark glares from the men who now constantly patrolled the room where the heroes were kept.

Her feet skidded to a halt, her eyes fixed on the familiar crystal shape and she felt her heart tear apart at the sight. He’d wake up again, he had too. Just because he was here now didn’t mean he would be trapped forever. She felt the presence of the others trapped, like Link, in a veneer of stone. She felt herself crumble to the ground as warm tears spilled down her cheeks. She tried to stop them but she had been trying so hard not to cry that everything just spilled out all at once. She cried and cried until there was nothing left inside of her, her soul felt empty and drained. Then she slept, her body reaching its point of exhaustion as she lies at Link’s feet.

---

A few days later Zelda can be found in the Old Observatory. She had refused to go back to the empty house, unwilling to see the home she had created with Link. Kopula began doing more work and calling in a few of his friends insisting that Zelda rest.

Zelda didn’t want to be alone with her thoughts; she wanted to keep moving, to fight of her fears and nightmares with hard grueling work. Her work consisted mostly of physical labor, letting Kopula take care of matters of state using Zelda’s signature. She had washed the floors, cleaned the stables, scrubbed down the kitchen, shook out and washed the bedding and then rearranged a few of the rooms. She was never out of things to do because once something was clean she’d then clean it again.

She didn’t smile, her expression was blank as if content with the mindless tasks that she set herself to. He’d come back and it would be fine. She just had to believe that but losing your best friend, the closest person too you, was hard; even for what might be a short time.

Comments

Old Observatory

[mindofathief]

While Duster didn't consider Aqures Ixen to he his home, the city where a room especially reserved for him waited was something to look forward to after weeks exploring the Lost Continent. Apart from the housing district, he was unfamiliar with most of the buildings here and took these few days to finally explore the place he would be living. Zelda had mentioned this old observatory to be a gathering place for heroes, and if there was one place he had to visit, it was here.

The doors creaked open and his shadow covered the hallway. It was cleaner than he expected, not that it was a bad thing, but it looked like it was cleaned recently. Was there a gathering he wasn't notified of? He couldn't hear any voices, but...

He stepped in and closing the door with an arm as he looked around the entranceway. "Hello?" His uneven steps echoed through the building, and the rooms were getting darker as the day began to end. The sound of furniture being moved grabbed his attention, and he followed the sound to find Zelda, aggressively rearranging the furniture and focused on nothing else.

Duster leaned against the doorway, watching her hard at work for a minute before finding a moment to speak up. "Do you need help?"

Old Observatory

[goddessofthesky]

Sweat dotted Zelda’s brow as she looked up from her work. She had actually moved the furniture in this room four times now and no iteration made her happy enough to stop. She was tired and the dark circles beneath her eyes suggest that she hadn’t been sleeping well. She released a puff of air as her water gaze landed on Duster. Her eyes had lost a little bit of their glow from when they met in the music shop.

“No, I’m fine.” She forced herself to smile. “Do you need anything?”

She remembered telling him to stop but if he had any questions or was in need of her. The furniture wasn’t very important since she’d most likely rearrange and clean it once more tomorrow.

Old Observatory

[mindofathief]

She didn't look fine at all, and that wasn't just how tired she must be from moving desks and tables around. Duster walked to the opposite end of the table Zelda was moving and slid his fingers underneath its top.

He looked up at her with an unsmiling face. "Let me help you finish this first." Once the room was reorganized, he planned to sit down with Zelda and talk.

He shifted his weight onto his right leg and pulled his end of the table higher. Thankfully, the Monk job allowed him to retain some of his strength, but the balance issues with his bad leg remained. The table was not too heavy, however, and Duster was fine with dragging it across the room.

"Where do you need it?" He grunted between steps.

Old Observatory

[goddessofthesky]

Zelda reached out to try and stop him. "You don't have to. I haven't decided yet besides I could use a break."

She nodded towards another room that was off to the right, the door currently was hung open. "We can sit in the meeting room if you want to talk." She didn't want to pull him on her random moving furniture escapades.

Old Observatory

[mindofathief]

He stopped his journey and looked up from the table. Well, if Zelda hadn't decided yet, it wouldn't be fair to move it somewhere right now. Duster lowered his arms, then let go of the table, which landed on the cleaned wooden floors with a loud thunk.

"That's fine." He rubbed his hands on his dusty bright red pants. The silky texture made for a poor wiping cloth, though Duster had nothing on his fingers after touching the underside of the table. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and reminded himself to have these pants cleaned sometime soon.

Duster followed Zelda's lead into the meeting room. He had never been inside, and the number of chairs and tables was astounding. "Everyone fits into this room?" He hoped he didn't missed any important meetings while he was gone.

"Ah, sorry. Let's sit by that couch." It was close enough to a window that they could view the sunset while sitting.

[bright_and_blue]

Graham's bad a busy week, most of which was spent in jail and being a complete thorn in the side of all the police officers within earshot of him. Bailed after a few days by his employers (who've taken a month's pay in retaliation), he was on the loose again and looking for something to do. Might as well pick up the motorcycle from the Observatory, he figures, even if it's too cold to be riding. He was Chicago born and raised, and a little cold never bothered him.

Finding Zelda there wasn't surprising, but he was no less glad to see her. What was surprising, though, was her deadened expression. He stood against a nearby wall for a few moments, watching her work, arms folded and expression puzzled. Not that he can stay quiet for long.

"If I didn't know better, I'd say you weren't yourself. But I actually don't know better in this case, so that was just a guess. Probably a good one, if I do say so myself."

[goddessofthesky]

At this point in the day Zelda was finishing up her second pass on the floors. Her golden hair was tied up and there were stains of dust and dirt on her dress. Her feet were bare and cold but it was easier to clean with her shoes off. She hadn’t actually noticed Graham watching her work however at his comment she paused and looked up.

A soft breath fell from her lips and she pushed at her bangs as if she hadn’t realized the time or what she had been doing.

“I guess you’re right then.” Her tone was soft and dead. She wasn’t dismissive but her tone missed its hopeful cheer and her sentence didn’t prompt for a longer conversation.

[bright_and_blue]

His look goes from confused to quizzical. This wasn't much like Zelda.

"I... I'm not sure I like being right in this case. What a weird feeling. And what a sad story! What's going on?"

Graham takes notice of how much she's been working, from the looks of her clothes to how spotless the Observatory looked. Arms still folded, he walked over to get a better look at her, as if the answer was going to be written on her face.

[goddessofthesky]

Zelda looked away from him as he stepped closer. The answer to his question was most likely plan as day if he were to look at her face and she didn't want him too. A knot twisted in her chest at Garham's insistence and she suddenly felt even worse.

"It's nothing." Though her words didn't sound so convincing.

She didn't want him to worry considering their last conversation.

Observatory

[iknowtheconsequences]

Kaji has been seeking Zelda out, the person he wants- no, needs to talk to after what they've all been through is Zelda. But his timing is shit. Because of course he knows who's missing.

But he's here anyway, because this is the absolute last time that Zelda needs to be alone. Especially alone with the burden of leadership that she has on herself.

Kaji is cautious as he enters the Observatory. "Miss Zelda?" Respectful. He doesn't look to good, himself, hasn't been shaving, as if trying to make himself look even sloppier than normal. "Might I talk to you?"

He puts down a small metal tin that he was holding. Looks like something from his kitchen.

Observatory

[goddessofthesky]

As always Zelda had been working on something. She looked up when she heard Kaji’s voice, not realizing he had been there before then. Her bright blue eyes looked dulled and there were dark circles beneath them. She pushed at her eyes with the palm of her hand as if she had been drifting to sleep in the middle of cleaning.

“Of course.” Her voice and expression was even and without her hopeful tone. She placed the broom in her hand against the wall and then moved deeper into one of the rooms.

“Would you like tea or Wine?” She wanted to keep herself moving or her hands occupied and cups helped. She usually drank tea but Asheila had left a collection of wine at the observatory.

Re: Observatory

[iknowtheconsequences]

It is so very tempting to fall into drink at a time like this, but Kaji shakes his head, "Tea will be fine. Ib'll give me that look if I come home smelling like alcohol," he tries to smile but it doesn't get very far.

Kaji follows Zelda while he tries to put his thoughts in order. He casually picks up the tin he brought along, but its contents aren't going to be the first topic of discussion.

"I wanted to ask if you needed any help around here," Kaji jabs a finger into the table, indicating the Observatory. "Ashelia, she was handling a lot of stuff behind the scenes that I know we were not all privy to. We're all reeling from her absence, but probably no one more than you."

"I'm offering help, you don't have to ask. And, I need to be getting more involved anyway...for Ib's sake."

Observatory

[goddessofthesky]

Zelda looked over at Kaji as he spoke. She nodded her head as she moved preparing tea for the pair of them to drink. "Ah, yes. She was handling more than a few matters of state. Other things have been passed off and handled." Mostly the assassins guild with Kidd, which Zelda wasn't about to speak about with another other than it's organizer.

"Any help would honestly be wonderful." She waited for the tea to steep looking over at Kaji as if measuring him. "Are you used to these sorts of things? It's a lot of paperwork."

When the time was set Zelda poured them both a glass of steaming tea. Her eyes while dull were still curious as they watched Kaji. She can't say she knows him well which was perhaps why his offer was so interesting.

Old Observatory, evening.

[bloodypast]

Vincent had been slightly surprised when Kopula had sought him out, but when he heard the reason... Ophelia was coming with him, as she'd flitted to and fro chattering in nerves, talking aloud to try and think of how she might help Zelda. Fretting herself, until Vincent calmed her. Offering suggestions, as well as his own plan.

Which is how they found themselves now at the old observatory looking for her. Ophelia was carrying a smaller box carefully, so that the hot tea in the kettle inside wouldn't spill. Vincent was carrying a bag, with one of Ophelia's red scarves looped around it, that bore food. Likely enough that Zelda, if Kopula's state was any indication, wasn't taking care of herself. Sandwiches, fried rice, dried fish and some fruit. Things that would keep.

Searching out the golden haired princess. They weren't close, but Vincent well understood loss. Whether temporary or not in this case did not matter.

Old Observatory, evening.

[goddessofthesky]

As evening fell Zelda felt her limbs ache at the rough treatment she's been giving them. She laid awake with her eyes on the ceiling. She thought that there might be something to read which lead her out of the small bedroom and out towards the center of the old observatory where she had kept a few books about Crystal.

She saw Vincent's figure as he stepped into the now dark observatory. Zelda was easy to spot, her hair shined even in the dimming light from outside. Her face was pale and her expression one that screamed exhaustion. Her eyes moved from him to Ophelia, she knew the little moogle better than the hero and she tried to force a smile on her lips.

"Do you need something?"

Re: Old Observatory, evening.

[bloodypast]

Ophelia also knew Zelda well, and quickly passed the box to Vincent, before she was zipping closer to the princess and hugging her. "Zelda-kupo!" Sniffles, and not quite able to say anything else, just hugging her friend tightly.

"We wanted to be certain that you knew you are not alone." Vincent said quietly, holding out the proffered bag of food and the box bearing tea-kettle and cups. "We also brought tea, and some food. Sometimes...the hardest thing is taking care of oneself." Something he knew all too well--the pain of losing a loved-one, and how it tended to make one neglect themselves.

Even if he hadn't lost his loved one in the same way...

Old Observatory, evening.

[goddessofthesky]

Zelda wasn't sure what to say. It was true that she was here alone since Ashile had left and Meteor, which were the two people who regularly spent the night in the old observatory. Now she was here alone and the empty building often pressed on her shoulders.

Her arms wrapped around Ophelia, pulling the clever little moogle in for a warm hug. "Thank you. I wasn't..." She wasn't expecting anything like this and she's still at a loss for words.

"We can sit in one of the meeting rooms if you'd like." The walk would give her time to think and process. She tried to smile but it felt forced and weak.

Old Observatory -- after they return to Aqures; 12th Feb

[shinrasfinest]

Sephiroth is -by far- not a regular at the Observatory. On the handful of occasions he graced the old stronghold with his presence it had been undertaking some extension of his work. Whether it be to discuss some things with Ashelia before she had slipped away, or something to do with Mograma's supervision.

However, upon return from the expedition to the Mysidian Tower, Sephiroth sought out the archives that were stored; to refresh mostly what they knew -as a collective- about the Ancients. It had never been a topic that had been particularly high on his 'need to know' list but he figured refreshing his knowledge with what others had reported might help his own report on the Tower they had visited; by lending a little more context.

It was noticing more moogles flitting around inside the building that urged Spencer, ever at his side, to inquire why. Not so very long afterward, had Sephiroth at one of the doorways to a room Zelda were rearranging; just watching her from the doorway for a moment as she tried to move a closet that had to be entirely too heavy for her to do on her own.

Old Observatory -- after they return to Aqures; 12th Feb

[goddessofthesky]

Kopula would silently explain the situation to both Sephiroth and Spencer should either be inclined to listen. It looked as if a lot of his family and friends had come to help and since moogles where used to politics and paper work they were able to fill in for the absent queen and the depressed goddess.

Zelda, for her lack of might, didn't grow annoyed or restless at the unmoving piece of furniture. If anything each passing second renewed her focus and confidence in the matter. She didn't notice that Sephiroth was even staring at her until she heard Kopula softly cough into his little paw. She knew that she wouldn't enjoy having an audience.

She turned in surprise and stopped the hopeless effort. "You're back. It's good to see you." Her voice sounded flat and while she forced a smile it didn't reach her eyes. There were dark circles under her eyes as well though it looked as if she had some time to practice that smile.

Old Observatory -- after they return to Aqures; 12th Feb

[shinrasfinest]

Still, it concerned Sephiroth what Cid might think of moogles doing the work he had delegated to Ashelia as part of the Heroes Guild. From what he knew of the caretaker-to-the-throne, he figured it wouldn't go down very well. Sephiroth wasn't one for paperwork at all, but made a mental note to at least look in on the office to make sure it wasn't as much chaos as he imagined it might be.

"Yes." Sephiroth snap-turned his head back to Zelda where he'd looked at Kopula directly in response to that small cough; about to scold the moogle for being insensitive or abrupt towards Zelda, had she not then responded. "And hopefully for more than five minutes, on this occasion."

He tried to keep his tone light and then stepped into the room, eyeing the closet she were trying to move -just once- before looking back to her again. Dark circles were something he were starting to sport too; only his were brought from over-work and physical exhaustion as opposed to what he now suspected were afflicting Zelda. Spencer hung back in the doorway, looking on with concern and twisting his paws together idly in front of him.

"How are you? Felt like a change around?" An open gesture at the room which was in the process of being re-arranged, he'd heard from Kopula already how many times she'd cleaned it top-to-bottom before becoming dissatisfied and overhauling it.

Old Observatory -- after they return to Aqures; 12th Feb

[goddessofthesky]

"I'm always happy to see you for more than five minutes."

Zelda smiled weakly at Sephiroth and moved away from the large closet. She looked around the room at his prompting and felt herself shake her head. "I wanted to make sure we were using the space to it's fullest but it doesn't feel right." She couldn't admit the real reason why nothing seemed to feel right.

Her dimmed blue eyes move to rest on Sephiroth. She felt exhausted now that she had stopped working.

"Can I get you something to drink? I have tea?" She hoped that a glass of warm tea might wake her up and hep her stay at attention.

A16

[fusedshadows]

By the time Zelda may finally get home, there's an imp inside of the house at A16, several boxes strewn about as she works. Some are half-filled, some already packed and taped up, as a moogle struggles to keep them in a neat pile.

The kitchen is mostly bare now, having stripped the shelves of anything she deemed important or valuable-looking, she had already moved onto the blonde girl's bedroom, humming to herself as she worked, oblivious to anyone walking in...

A16

[goddessofthesky]

Zelda blinked unsure what to think at the sight of the boxes. Though who turned to crystal left thing as it was not pack things up. She looked around hearing a soft rustle in her bed room. She moves silently not bothering to take off her boots or cloak.

When she stepped into her bed room her surprise was obvious.

"Midna..."

Her voice was soft and filled with more emotion than the young goddess knew what to do with. She watched as her friend packed up her things and felt her heart twist in her chest at the sight.

"What are you doing?"

[fusedshadows]

"Packing your things, of course," she didn't even turn to face the other girl. She kept up with her task, placing things carefully in boxes and directing Kulupa where to pile them wordlessly, continuing for awhile until she finally spoke again.

"You don't need to worry, everything will be kept together, so that unpacking them is as painless as we can make it." Another box complete, she finally spun around, and nodded. "You'll be living with me from now on." Something about the way she said it, seemed as though it was already mutually decided upon.

[goddessofthesky]

It took Zelda a moment to realize what Midna meant. She glanced around and noticed that most everything had been packed away and was ready to be moved.

"Why?" She couldn't dispute the comments considering Midna's 'matter of fact' tone and while she guessed the reason why she was having difficulties understanding. Midna had usually kept her distance from the pair of them, for reasons that Zelda had guessed at, but now she was here intending for them to live together.

"I'm thankful Midna... I really am but.." She didn't know if this would solve anything. It was true that she didn't want to be alone but she'd never forget Link.