escordvi | closed 🌻 the continuing adventures of esco's most workaholic princess

[ Self defense has been on Zelda's mind for several months now, ever since she was kidnapped by Nappa and unable to call upon her magic to protect herself. The enchanted tattoos that granted her access to her magic had faded away with time and use, unbeknownst to the princess. While she promptly had her tattoos reapplied after the incident, their fallibility has troubled her ever since.

And those concerns have mounted steadily throughout the year. Especially after the mass of arrests and abductions by the criminals perpetrating the crystal experimentation and whaling crimes. Somehow they were able to fully suppress the effects of tattoos on their victims. And then there's the business with the armada brands. Even though they are no longer causing individuals pain like they did a month ago, how they were conjured and how to get rid of them remains a mystery. Zelda is ill at ease with the knowledge that magic can be so easily applied and suppressed, even when that magic stems from one's own bloodline.

All of which is to say that the princess has become more mindful of the dangers around her and the importance of protecting herself.

Since magic is not reliable, Zelda has decided to try her hand at nonmagical weapons. She is a capable shot with a bow and arrows, but such a weapon feels, well, primitive compared to the cannons and muskets of this world. So instead, she has opted to learn how to fire the pistol that has been in her possession ever since its owner abandoned it in Zelda's apartment last summer.

And who better to instruct her than Mr. Weapons Calibrations himself?

Zelda left it to Garrus to pick a suitable location for fire arms practice. Honestly, she doesn't even know where to start with all this. The extent of her knowledge starts and ends with "don't point the cylinder at anyone you don't want to hurt." So when she draws it from her shoulder holster to offer it to Garrus, she handles it with an awkwardness that might justifiably make him flinch. ]

Here. Do you think this will be suitable for someone like me?

[ "Someone like me," a small scrap of a woman dwarfed by almost everyone she knows in this world. ]

[Far from any other people is the best option for firearms training. Out on a distant beach, facing the treeline. He'd fallen back on the old standby of using cans and bottles as targets. Easier to come by than real ones, anyway. Part of this is eerily familiar, from a long time past. Funny, how things go. But, more important is making sure his captain doesn't injure anyone. Including herself.]

[Which, judging from her handling of the weapon, is... unfortunately more likely than he'd thought. It doesn't make him flinch, exactly. But the way she handles it makes him uneasy, that's for sure. It's almost a relief to take it out of her hands, literally.]

There's one way to find out.

[Despite the unfamiliar weapon, he handles it like he would any other pistol. Testing the weight. The grip. He lifts it, sighting at a target. A beat. And then he squeezes the trigger. The can goes flying off its perch, into the trees. The weapon has a decent kick for its size, but she should be able to handle it - with two hands.]

I think you can manage fine. Keep two hands on it to start with - that'll keep the kickback from hitting you in the face. Here... [He holds it back out to her, grip first.]

[ Zelda watches with laser-sharp focus to the way Garrus handles the weapon. It's.. nothing like one would handle a bow, despite the arguable parentage of long range weapons to firearms.

(Is this really a good idea? The princess is no warrior. If she found herself on the battlefield, she'd probably be helpless! Maybe it would be wiser to hire a bodyguard in a permanent capacity...)

No, she needs to do this. She can't keep relying on everyone else to save her every time she gets in trouble. She's been lucky so far, but someday that luck is going to run out. With Ganondorf in this world, the princess will never truly be safe. ]

What's a kickback?

[ Zelda accepts the pistol back from Garrus. With the barrel pointed at the ground, she carefully arranges her hands in an attempt to mimic what he did. The results are... pretty close this time, actually! She holds it with all the rigidity of someone who has never handled a gun before, but at least she's holding it safely this time. ]

Ah... right. [Terminology. He has to explain that a little better, doesn't he?] When you fire, the gun is going to move. It's a physics thing - it's firing the bullet so fast, it's thrown backward a certain amount. The stronger the firearm, the bigger the kick.

[Probably the best way to explain it without Garrus absolutely nerding out over guns. Because he would. He absolutely would. And they're not out here for that.]

You'll be fine with one this size if you keep both hands on it. Use it enough, and you eventually won't even notice.

[He pauses, watching her grip the weapon. Hey, there's an improvement already. She's got a better hold overall. Still, he steps forward, behind her, reaching around to adjust her grip slightly. And... damn this would be easier if he wasn't so tall. It's an awkward angle, and more so because she has so many more fingers than he does, but he'll make it work.]

Looks better. Try and relax for now. It'll help when you actually fire.

Oh, the recoil from the transfer of momentum!

[ Zelda brightens considerably at the mention of physics. Hey, look! Something she understands! She nods intently. To be honest, Zelda would probably happily listen to Garrus explain the physics of firearms in excruciating detail... but no, that's not what they're here for.

She waits patiently while Garrus corrects her form and her grip, trying her best to adjust as directed. (It's kind of hard to figure out what to do with all your fingers when your teacher has so few.) It's a little bit nostalgic, actually. The princess's tutors were always correcting her posture or dance position or whatever other thing they felt she wasn't doing well enough.

"Try and relax for now." Easier said than done when one is concentrating on holding an unfamiliar position, but Zelda takes in a slow breath and then exhales. She looks towards the line of cans and bottles. Those are... so much smaller than archery targets, and she had a hard enough time hitting one of those. ]

Simple enough, I suppose.

[ Famous last words. ]

Exactly!

[Oh he looks so proud. He looks so delighted. She understands gun physics already! Gun buddies surely will be forthcoming! Or it'll be easier to explain what they need for the big cannons he'll inevitably try to put on the ship.] So, keep both hands on it as a brace, until you have this gun's recoil memorized.

And the more you practice, the faster you'll get that muscle memory.

[At least, there's less to correct about her gun holding position than posture or dancing. It's more "move that finger so you don't break it on the recoil" sort of thing. That, thankfully, is easier to translate despite the differences in anatomy.]

How about... for the first shot, you just aim for that tree? [That big one. To the left of the targets.] Don't worry about aim for a minute.

[That is almost painful to say, from a guy whose whole career is based on aiming.]

[ One eyebrow goes up. Aim for that tree but don't worry about the aim for a minute? That doesn't make any sense to Zelda... but she's not the teacher, so it probably doesn't have to.

She turns a few degrees from the line of cans to face the big tree. Actually, it's a good thing Garrus told her not to worry about her aim, because she's not really sure how to. But as long as she's pointing the gun straight at the tree, she'll probably hit it...

Hopefully.

Zelda takes another deep breath and exhales it, this one a little shakier. Relax. Don't lock your joints. Staying loose will make it easier to channel the released momentum through her body. She squeezes the trigger and -bang-. The bullet clips the side of the tree, blasting off a chunk of bark.

At the same time, Zelda shrieks in alarm because THAT'S SO LOUD! Even though she was expecting it, the recoil is still enough make her jerk her arms up and stumble back a pace. ]

[Yeah, wording. Not his strongest skill.]

[He's honestly about to congratulate her for clipping the tree. Part of him thought she'd shoot too wide - a lot of people do with a gun in their hands for the first time. One hand pulls to one side or another. Something like that.]

[And then she shrieks. He jumps. His head whips around, looking for what could possibly have scared her - and... realizing...]

[Oh. The gun.]

[The realization hits about when she starts to stumble. He reaches out to steady her, automatically, his other hand hovering a little uncertainly.] It's all right! It's fine! You did great!

[The thing about shooting and being around guns your whole life is... you forget how loud they are. Completely.]

You hit the tree. It's fine - it's supposed to sound like that!

[ Garrus' steadying grasp manages to keep Zelda from falling backwards onto her rear and, thankfully, from dropping the gun.

She lifts her left hand and presses it above her racing heart. Guns are so loud! After a year in this world, she's more accustomed to the sounds of pistols and muskets being fired (which sound a lot different than the low boom of the cannons she remembers at Akkala Citadel). But this is the first time she's ever stood so close to one when it discharged. ]

Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to scream. It's just so much louder up close than I realized it would be.

[ She takes in a few deep breath to calm herself and slow her startled babbling. Once she's feeling a bit more steady, she straightens up and looks towards the tree she was aiming at. ]

I hit it? Really?

It's fine. I uh... probably should have warned you for that.

[But he'd forgotten, honestly. You spend so much time around them, you forget how loud they can be - it's easy to get used to it. Especially in the middle of a war. It really, genuinely is not a problem, though. She hadn't hurt anything, except the tree. Worst case scenario she'd have discharged it into her foot or something.]

Just. Easy. Take it easy. You'll get used to it, the more you practice. [If his and Shepard's complete lack of reactions is anything to go by.]

But yeah, you did. Look. [Now that she's steadier, he points to the tree. There's a sizeable chunk blown out of the trunk on one side.]

[ Zelda's eyes widen as she sees how large of a chunk she blew out of that tree. ]

Incredible...

[ She lifts the pistol in her hand, mindful of how she holds it. ]

I can't believe something so small can be so powerful.

Yeah. They really can be. Depending on the ammunition, the type of weapon... the damage can get even more severe.

[That said, he reaches back, and unslings his rifle from where it's usually stowed on his armor. Holding it flat horizontally in his hands for her to look at.]

This is mine. Designed for long-range fire, so if I had to use it in close quarters... it could take off a limb. [Or a head. But that seems a little intense to just drop on her.]

Yours is close, to medium, range. Nothing wrong with that, just different uses. So we'll be practicing with closer targets.

[ Zelda returns the pistol to her shoulder holster so that she can take a proper look at Garrus' rifle. She's seen it before, of course (does he go anywhere without it?), but not up close like this. Her eyes sparkle with intrigue as she looks over it. ]

Mine is close range?

[ She turns to look at the row of cans and bottles in the distance. They seem pretty far away to Zelda. ]

If this is what constitutes "close," then how far is "long-range?"

[Does he go anywhere without it? No. He used to! But then the crystal prison thing happened... Anyway!]

[He nods, letting her look it over for a bit.] Yeah. Don't get me wrong, it'll still do damage further away, but it's best for closer quarters.

[Then... Then she asks that question, and his mandible flares out in a grin.]

Well, if you want - [Please say yes, let him show off, captain please let him show off.] I can give you a personal demonstration.

[Wait.]

- Of the rifle. Ah. If you. Picked a target, I mean.

[Garrus please think about your words.]

[ Zelda has been around Garrus long enough to recognize how he looks when he's smiling-- so when he does, she grins as well. Yes, please! She would love a demonstration of the rifle in action! (And she's too excited about the prospect to give a thought to any potential subtext in his words.)

If the cans and bottles are considered "close-range," then hitting one won't be a challenge at all. In fact, to an expert, it might even be an insult. Zelda can easily imagine Revali lecturing her for such a thing.

She casts her gaze further out and spots a few palm trees in the distance. She can only vaguely make out clusters of green coconuts growing beneath their fronds. ]

Do you see those palm trees over there? [ Zelda points them out. ] Can you hit one of the coconuts?

[He's still grinning. Tracking where she points, he takes a minute to gauge the distance. The wind isn't too bad, for being on the shoreline. He'll still have to compensate, but...]

Yeah. I can.

[That said, he hoists the rifle into position. Peering into the scope. Everything about the motion is second-nature. Practiced ease. But then he pauses, and looks back over at her.]

Might want to cover your ears, Captain. It's going to be loud.

[Once she does, he gets back into position again. Tracking... preparing... they're moving slightly, so he'll have to lead the shot. Exhale. And... pull.]

[BLAM]

[One of the coconuts explodes.]

[ Zelda does as instructed, pressing the heels of her hands against her ears. Considering how loud her handgun is and how much more powerful the rifle must be, this is probably going to get really loud.

But that doesn't dampen her excitement in the least. She watches Garrus' every move in wide-eyed fascination, noting not only what he does but the ease with which he does it. It's the same ease with which Link wields a weapon or fires a bow, an effortless expertise few are capable of achieving.

-BLAM-

Even with her ears covered, Zelda flinches against the sound. How is Garrus not completely deaf by now?

Off in the distance, barely perceptible by the naked eye, a coconut explodes. ]

You hit it! And with only one try! That's incredible!!

[This is doing nothing good for his ego. Look at him practically preening here. Shifting the rifle to one hand to smooth over his crest with the other. Yeah, mister cool here.]

Well, it wasn't that small of a target...

[There's that smug drawl. He's going to be absolutely insufferable. It's been a while, though, since he got to show off like this without someone complaining he's taking the easy way out.]

If you want to try and work up to distance shooting, we can try that. But - we should probably focus on shorter range for your weapon.

[ Zelda doesn't even make an attempt to hide how impressed she is. Garrus is one of the most incredible people she's ever met! How did she get so lucky to have someone this smart and talented helping her run Hand and Hearth? ]

Mm, I agree. Best to train my hand with the weapon I already have.

[ She draws her pistol from its holster. This time he grip is correct from the start. ]

Well, what's next, Teacher?

[Please don't tell him that, he'll be insufferable. For everyone. He already looks like he's about to burst into a swagger whenever he starts walking again.]

You're already improving. [He nods at her hands.] Good job.

You feel up to taking another shot? Or two? Probably should get used to the noise before we work on aim.

[ Zelda smiles brightly with the praise, then nods in agreement. ]

Yes, that seems like a good thing to prioritize first. Although I don't know how you can grow accustomed to something so loud without going deaf first.

[ Nevertheless, after several more shots, Zelda finishes the lesson with both hearing intact and significantly better control over her reactions to gunshots. A very successful lesson all around! ]

[ As the summertime heat starts kicking in, there's a noticeable uptick in posts about swimsuits on the shellphone network-- be it selfies showing off a cute fit, or solicitations for help choosing said fit. It reminds Zelda fondly of the shopping trip she took with Rem last year for this exact purpose...

Although the swimwear she purchased last year is still in good condition, perhaps it would be fun to carry on this tradition with a certain other female friend.

And that is how Miriam finds herself at Fairy Fire Fabrics this afternoon, with an excited Zelda rifling through the racks of swimwear to find the perfect outfit for her friend. ]

What sort of style do you prefer, Miriam? One piece or two? Something revealing or something more modest? [ She pulls an outfit off the rack and scrutinizes it. ] Probably something that doesn't cover the shoulders. We wouldn't want it to tear on your crystals.

[When Miriam visited a place like this, it was often for alterations, repairs, or getting a new scarf. But it wasn't scarf weather now, though Miriam insisted on wearing hers anyway. Loosely, but still.

The amount of choices was a bit overwhelming, but Zelda seemed to have no issue here; enthusiastically picking through the clothes and flitting to the next rack like a tireless little bird. She also chirped a lot of quantifying questions, and Miriam was doing her best to keep up.]

I think...two pieces? It makes things easier for any merfolk charms. And--er- [Hang on, there was some static in her brain for a second there.] Something--that'll stay still when I move quickly, but...yes, the crystal on my back especially. I've gotten things stuck on it before.

[Her corset dove a bit further in the back to avoid the laces getting tangled, but corsets weren't exactly swimwear.]

[ Zelda puts the outfit back on the rack and makes her way towards a selection of two piece swimwear. ]

Ah, right, the merfolk charms. I can see where those would add some extra complications.

[ That's right, Miriam and Darin used those recently to explore underwater while Zelda was busy with paperwork for Hand and Hearth. She'd be lying if she tried to claim she wasn't a little bit jealous; it sounds like it was a lot of fun.

An excessively very flowy catches Zelda's eye. ]

Does your scarf ever get caught on it? I admit, I'm surprised to see you wearing it in this weather.

Edited 2025-06-20 22:32 (UTC)

Yes, and the gills decided to be on my ribcage last time. [Very harrowing for the first few minutes.] I do have a few extra charms still, if you'd need one...?

[Dutifully, Miriam followed after Zelda; less a bodyguard this time and more like a somewhat lost duck. She also followed the other girl's gaze, and couldn't help but brush her fingers against a sleeve. It snagged for a moment on her calluses, it was so soft. Durable, too.]

Sometimes, especially if I've been moving about a lot. [Sprinting, jumping, reversing gravity on herself, etc.] But...I like scarves. Even when it's hot.

[Her other hand tugged on the end of it a bit mindlessly. It was a light gossamer one, a bit like a dragonfly's wing.]

[ "Gills on her ribcage" makes Zelda's eyebrows go up for a moment... but then they go back down when she realizes, actually, that makes a lot of sense. That would place the gills right on top of the lungs, the perfect place for them.

... Yeah, definitely better go with a two-piece. ]

You know, I would like to give those a try, thank you.

[ Zelda watches Miriam's reaction to the very flowy swimsuit, noting a hint of interest. She snags it off the rack and continues her search. ]

Why is that? I've seen how quickly you can move; I would have assumed a scarf would just be in your way all the time.

[ It just seems like something that would get easily tangled around Miriam's limbs or snagged on her surroundings and potentially clotheslining her. Not to say it doesn't look very nice on Miriam! But Zelda is curious all the same. ]

[~~Her game doesn't have animations for Miriam getting stuck to things~~]

Sometimes the ends do get tattered. [Gotta go fast but in, like, sprints.]

But they're something I've chosen to get myself used to; many things I've worn out of necessity [or because her Guild chaperones told her to] but I was able to pick the scarf. [And headband, though that was more aerodynamic.] They're still a bit sentimental to me now. Even if they are difficult in the rain sometimes. Wool ones make the most defeated little noises when they're soaked. [Just sad little fwips, and days of hanging up to dry afterwards.]

Some of the materials here are...remarkably light, though. This one almost floats.

[Miriam does a small but practiced halfway twirl, flicking the ends of the scarf up behind her. They hung in the air for a long moment, remembering to fall with a feather's reluctance.

Gebel wasn't the only theatrical Shardbinder.]

Edited (brackets pls) 2025-06-24 05:18 (UTC)

[ Miriam's comment about sodden wool scarves gets a giggle-snort out of Zelda. She can almost hear the sad, soggy noises it would make while Miriam moves.

She watches Miriam do a little twirl, the scarf flowing gracefully behind her. It makes Zelda think of long, gossamer butterfly's wings...

She abruptly turns back to the rack without a word and starts rifling through the outfits. ]

Now, where was....? I could have sworn I just-- Aha!

[ Zelda snatches an outfit and spins around, holding it out triumphantly towards Miriam. ]

How about this one?

Edited (better icon) 2025-06-26 19:55 (UTC)

[Miriam curiously looks back at Zelda--was something the matter...? Oh, she'd spotted something. The black haired woman's expression lit up when Zelda held the outfit out.]

Oh! I like that one. And...the others, too, but I think this one matches my scarf better. [And her color scheme in general but she doesn't bring that up as she is largely unaware of how her character sprite can be palette swapped.]

[Again Miriam reaches out to touch one of the ruffly sleeves, this time more mindful about not snagging it.

[ Zelda grins with delight and the way Miriam lights up. She's so glad to find something that Miriam genuinely likes... especially when it's the opposite of what Zelda was expecting. The princess figured Miriam would gravitate towards simple and practical swimwear over the extravagant. But, then again, Miriam's usual attire tends to lean more towards fashionable than strictly utilitarian. ]

Oh, if you prefer something darker, I believe I saw a dark blue variant of the other one.

[ Zelda pushes the butterfly-style swimsuit into Miriam's hands before turning back to the rack. ]

Are you planning to wear your scarf while you're in the water too?

[ She selects a dark blue version of the first swimsuit and tucks the pastel purple one back onto the rack. ]

[Oh! She didn't have to reach now. Miriam accepted the garment gladly, straightening some of the ruffled edges to look at its butterfly wing pattern. Something in her chest felt all light and bouncy for a moment when Zelda handed it to her like a gift. It wasn't exactly, it needed paying for and all, but it felt like one. That was all Miriam needed.]

Yes, this one doesn't mind water so much. It's more delicate, but so long as a shark doesn't take an interest in it the scarf should survive. [Miriam would likely be the shark. An extra deterrent.]

[ Zelda hands the star-patterned swimsuit to Miriam, laughing at the image of a shark chasing after her scarf in the water. ]

Yes, it would be quite a lot of trouble if the creatures underwater mistook your scarf for a tasty meal, like an eel or a piece of kelp.

[ A long scarf probably isn't the best thing to wear underwater, but Miriam is clearly so fond of it that Zelda can't bring herself to suggest leaving it behind. In fact, she's almost certain that she's never seen Miriam without a scarf... not unlike how Zelda is never seen without her secret stone around her neck. The comparison sticks in her mind for a moment, making the princess wonder if perhaps there's more to that scarf than just Miriam's fondness for it, but she shoves it aside. That's silly. Sometimes a scarf is just a scarf. ]

Would you like to try them on? See which one you like better? I've had plenty a time where I've picked a garment I thought would look perfect on me and it turned out to look absolutely absurd.

[Miriam brightened up again, folding the second outfit over her arm.]

Certainly! I won't be long.

[Off to the changing rooms they go! There wasn't too long of a wait for them, despite how busy the place was.

Miriam disappeared into one; changing out of the corset and skirt was much simpler without any armor to bother with. But–there was an unexpected complication to deal with instead. The dark haired woman's voice drifts over the door:]

Um, could you help me a moment, Zelda? Some of these back straps are being troublesome.

[Inside, Miriam's tried on the starry bathing suit first, her other clothes folded neatly on the bench. The outfit hid little; her muscles were compact and toned, sculpted by training and frequent use. Little scars from her occupation of defending others marked her body–including the more recent ones, the jagged blotchy patch on her lower arm the warped crystal once tried to consume. Without her scarf to hide it, the healing scar of the broken silver shackle used to restrain her werewolf form still stood out on her neck. The clusters and petals of multicolored crystal twined much further down her back and sides, some encircled with sealing marks and others too small.

None was as big as the main raised crystal between her shoulderblades–and there was the problem. While the main tie around her neck was easy to secure, some of the straps on the outfit kept tangling on the sharp petals no matter how Miriam contorted herself. And she was trying, reaching back like it was some persistent itch on her back.]

[ Zelda is looking through a rack of one-piece swimsuits beside the changing rooms when she hears Miriam's hesitant voice from behind the door. A worried look briefly flashes over her features before shifting into amusement. Ah, she had a feeling that might happen.

She picks something off the rack and returns to the door. ]

All right, I'm coming in.

[ Zelda opens the door as little as possible to avoid giving anyone a peek inside, then squeezes herself through the narrow opening and shuts it promptly. She turns around to face Miriam and opens her mouth to say something, but the words completely evaporate as she gets a look at her.

Wow, Miriam is really pretty. Which is something Zelda has noticed already (because how could she not?), but she's never seen her friend undressed before and, well, a two-piece swimsuit looks very flattering on her. Miriam is going to draw more than a few eyes in this outfit.

But besides baring (more of) her beauty, in this state of undress, her body reveals in greater detail just how hard of a life she's lived. Zelda is accustomed to seeing scars-- Link has many of them, after all-- and Miriam's tell a story not unlike his. In fact, this is not the first time Miriam has reminded Zelda of Link. Miriam's reserved nature, her stalwartness, her petite stature that belies her strength and skill. She is truly exceptional.

Zelda shakes her head a little to stop herself from gawking. (She gets stuck gawking at Miriam a lot, she's noticed.) ]

Here, let me see. Turn around.

[ Once Miriam does as asked, Zelda steps closer and begins to sort out the tangled straps like one would sort out a nest of cables. ]

You know, this makes me wonder all the more how you keep your scarf from catching on your crystals.

[ As she works, her eyes catch sight of the obviously fresh scar on Miriam's neck. After years of performing first aid on Link, Zelda knows a fresh scar when she sees one. She presses a finger against Miriam's skin just below the mark. ]

This looks recent. Where did it come from?

[Miriam appreciated the prompt response, and Zelda's discretion--though she did briefly worry something was the matter. How tangled were the straps...? Zelda had never shown anything but fascination at her crystals, had something changed? But, before she could get too nervous, Zelda stepped in to help without further hesitation and without any worry in her voice, just a gentle request that was easy to follow.

The soft touches on her back felt unfamiliar, and...not quite ticklish, but nice. Zelda's hands were quite soft as she gently brushed the straps into place. It was different than a pat on her shoulder for a job well done, a friendly tousle of her hair, or the clinging grasp of someone hanging on while she ferried them somewhere. Things touching her back was something Miriam was quite unused to, and her skin prickled every so often. For a moment the Shardbinder worried her crystal might be a nuisance; wasn't it too sharp? It never troubled Zelda before, but what if this time it was?

But the touch at her neck made Miriam inhale sharply, the fretting in her mind stayed a moment. The scar wasn't a neat, clean mark, but a ragged burn. She felt nothing from it now. Nothing but memories.]

...a shackle. Silver, and broken now.

This is something you received in this world.

[ It's just an observation-- not an invasive question, nor criticism, nor judgment-- but one that makes Zelda uneasy. Miriam is no stranger to dangerous situations; Zelda has asked her aid numerous times specifically because of this.

But this is the first time Zelda has seen her injured.

She leans closer to get a better look at it, close enough that Miriam will feel Zelda's breath on the back of her neck. This scar doesn't look like something that came from a shackle-- a shackle sharp enough to cut into the skin would leave behind a single mark, a line or a slight curve. This looks almost like a burn. ]

You were imprisoned? [ A shackle implies capture and imprisonment. ] Did this happen during the raids?

[ She's referring to the mass arrests and abductions that occurred a few months ago.

But why a silver shackle? Iron is far stronger. ]

[Miriam was quiet for a long moment, focusing on keeping her breathing even. She felt...exposed, more than the lack of fabric could explain, but not vulnerable. There was nothing to fear here. Just parts of herself laid out for Zelda to look at, categorize, and tidy away. Not weigh out and judge or poke and prod. And...she was very close, enough for Miriam to feel a whisper-soft breath on her exposed neck.]

...yes. It did.

[The trace of the blonde's finger felt...distant, but there was no pain or itch in the scar. Only an inert, silent mark, and the faint comfort of Zelda's hand.]

Are you...familiar with lycanthropy? Crescent Isle's curse. I was inflicted by it when- [-another tense breath, one Zelda could likely hear with how close she was.] When...I was imprisoned there. You wouldn't have recognized me.

[Miriam had gone curiously silent for several weeks, at first speaking little when messaged at night, then nothing at all; easy to miss in the frenetic chaos of that time.]

[ Zelda's gaze darkens. She did try to reach Miriam during that time, receiving only brief responses to her messages (and always at nighttime) for a little while before going silent complete. It troubled Zelda quite a bit, but with Darin arrested, followed almost immediately by Garrus, the princess had her hands full. She could only continue to send messages and hope that Miriam would eventually respond. ]

I am not familiar with lycanthropy. [ There's an edge of uncertainty in her voice. ] Why wouldn't I have recognized you?

As I know it, it is a curse that changes a human to a beast when the moon calls to them, or their emotions burn out of control and rage becomes the only aspect of their being.

[Miriam's responses had also been especially stiff, even distant. Shorn of dangerous emotion that didn't save her from it in the end.]

Some become wolves, others a different creature; cats, jackals. Some keep their minds.

[Until now, the explanation had been rote and methodical as a definition read from a book.

Now, though, Miriam's voice wavered, becoming quieter.]

...I...did not. I was not myself there, in mind or in form. I was neither wolf, nor person, but something between.

[Neither beast nor human, sane or shattered--living, or rampant crystal. She kept her blemished arm very still, as if hiding it from herself as well.]

[ "I was neither wolf, nor person, but something between."

As Miriam speaks, Zelda finds herself thinking back to what Mineru said about draconification. Becoming a dragon would grant someone eternal life... but at the cost of themselves.

"You have to sacrifice your heart and mind... Sacrifice what makes you 'you.'"

Zelda grabs Miriam by the shoulders and spins her around so that the two women can face each other. Zelda's brows are drawn together tightly as her eyes dart over Miriam's form, searching for any other lingering traces of lycanthropy. ]

And now? Are you yourself again? [ She asks, voice mounting with distress. ] Or are you still afflicted with the curse?

[She felt herself being turned, and flowed with the motion rather than stiffly resist. Zelda was not only eye to eye with her now, but so close the blonde could see every sunburnt blemish on her face and detail of Miriam's eyes. The latter were clear blue, with no wolfish yellow in them or inhuman strangeness to her pupils. Her hair wasn't coarse, bristly fur; her ears were round and seashell shaped. Her hands ended in normal fingernails, not awful curved hooks. There were more recent scars on Miriam too; healing punctures scattered over her shoulder and side, and the same silver-burnt color as the one on her neck.

One of the petals of the rose on her chest has changed color, however; a light purple Shard now a dark, nearly black violet.]

I believe...I am, who I was before. [Miriam's voice began methodically, but ended with more emphasis. Zelda's worry was very much like her own, though the sources differed. Dealing with demons as frequently as she did, Miriam understood the risks; how they'd claw parts of her mind, her power, for themselves given the slightest opportunity.] I'm Miriam, a ward of a Guild that no longer exists.

[The Shardbinder started to take a breath--and realized she could hear it, along with Zelda's. That, and the worried grasp of the other woman's fingers, and the fact she could almost hear Zelda's pulse she seemed so close--it almost made Miriam forget to breathe. Her exhales were shallow things before she could steady herself enough to speak again.]

I don't hear the moon calling to me any longer. Nor am I contagious. You're safe.

closed 🌻 the continuing adventures of esco's most workaholic princess

garrus 🌻 shooty bang bang lessons

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miriam 🌻 #hotgirlsummer

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