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A LEGEND OF ZELDA ROLEPLAY
Welcome to ZRP! We are an non-canon RP site with an original tale taking place within the
lore of the Zelda Franchise. While the events of this site are entirely non-canon, we take advantage of the canons of other
games to explain its story fully. As such, we are located within the CANON TIMELINE. Do you like what you see? If so, feel free
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11/12/21 GUESS WHO'S BACK! Thats right, and we are cooking up a good ol reset for everyone. Please be patient as things will be a little empty as we archive. Pop into discord if you have questions.
The Zora was no native to Holodrum, but he has lived within her borders from an early mark in his youth. He was not there as long as Aiz likely was, but he was there long enough to know the ins and outs of society. But Next also hated authority and was the least inclined to pay a measured attention to names of heir apprents or hands. While observant in his nature it was dark and he had only one eye in which to take in her figure. To him the most important note was that they was armed. With this title acknowledged he gave them a second look over. A third as well. It mattered not if she was speaking the truth or not though and her uniform was something that could have been plucked from the corpse of a soldier... But he did not dwell.
His dark, cerulean eyes turned away as his gloved hand rubbed against his chin. "Far be it for me to bother with such things. I don't think my validation of your position would make little difference here or now. Neither of us are in Holodrum." It was more the land of the enemy, of sorts, though that in and of itself was queer.
Hand of the King, why were they this far out?
He pushed to stand and looked to the fire before turning his gaze to Aiz. His posture was slouch, head tucked nearly at height with his shoulders. While Zora he did not appear to carry that pride most arrogantly wore as a badge of honor. He did whatever he could to hide his form, or at the very least not seem intimidating. With loose cloaks discerning his form proper was nigh impossible. His distant gaze and dismissive movements made looking at him long difficult. He was like a kicked puppy, at least he seemed to give off a helpless air about him. It was difficult to read him clearly, but that trauma was visible. He was quite good at hiding himself and his value, as all good traveling merchants should.
He knelt down, turning his back to Aiz in a calculated movement. Hoisting the heavy looking sack he would turn as he rose, boot kicking dirt and dust into the forest to douse them. After he crushed the sole of his boot into the ash and soil, grinding it to be sure of its suffocation. He scoffed slightly, moving to his cart to dump the sack into the bed of the wagon.
"I cannot speak for my skills in confrontation, but who knows if I know those spirit from the past. I have had many angry with me in their lifetime, angry enough to chase me even after death, but who is to say I am who he chases, or knows." It was relative.
Reaching up to take his horses lead, the old pallid furred gelding hardly looking it would survive the night. The Zora motioned for the Hand to take the lead. They would need to move across without drawing the undead's ire, which was difficult not to do once spotted. But they could get a good headstart, and so he would start off, keeping pace do the Hand could keep up, not that he would likely need to slow down for them.
One could almost be amused by the speed in which Farrah whipped around to defend her efforts. Of course it could be argued her sudden contention was an indication of guilt. Still he did not think she was the sort who could gut some hapless whelp. If that were so he would have fallen victim thrice over. There was a striking feeling of deflation at the thought. Once he was worth the challenge … now what?
When the water was set down before him the Zora would almost hear a choir of warbling songbirds as his parched tongue was finding itself stuck to the inside of his cheek. He quickly took up the offer and leaned forward so his long arms could stretch out and grab the poffered drink. His eyes narrowed when she dropped her ass inches too close to him. Pulling the glass to his mouth he would bubble against the surface a bit in complaint, but he could do little else of it. It wasn't his home. Reluctantly accepting the proximity the Zora would huff into the glass, drinking the rest of the water without contest.
He would eye her before placing the glass back down. "I don't know many." As if it was the most obvious thing in the world!
He reached up and behind his head, crossing his arms so he could pull his cloak clean off his form. He sighed out and slung the cloth over the arm of the seat, looking to Farrah, frowning slightly. He wondered if work kept her so busy she only knew enough people to count on half her hand… good! As if he'd want to socialize with more people anyway. Though it would occur to him, his eye squinting.
"Now I know you have to have done something sketchy to have indoor plumbing. Surely Gerudo women are not so spoiled to all have running water inside their homes." Though they probably did.
Honestly it was like living among barbarians having to be neighbor to Horon citizens.
Farrah Abad ● 338 ● Is it hot in here or is it just Nex?
He has never been called young before. More often than not he was declared old and worrisome, but that had its respects in some ways. He wasn't a day over forty, which was not much for a Zora. It was like looking back to a moment. In all respects, as a Zora, he has barely experienced the world. So in this, they were correct. His worries could be held as irrefutable proof of his youth and his time idling, hiding from ghosts. He would lean back as the traveler expressed their ability. It was not strange seeing others present their strength as a wholesale means of protection, but Nex was jaded. He had seem many abuse this power, the so-called strength to hold themselves on even placement to their enemies, even if that enemy had already been once defeated given their bony or incorporeal forms.
"Have you such an ability? Your confidence seems to dictate so." He did not refute their claim, but his belief was hard to win over. Is faith was tawdry, mismanaged by dishonorable louts, aplenty on these roads. "Fair enough." To their assertion that the companionship was pay enough. Strange fellow.
He moved to sit himself up, hand pushing back against his pack to assist in the motion. He head cocked, pointing out towards the dark fields. That Poe has passed the cave twice already, eyeing their riderless horses in suspect. The Zora narrowed his eyes and looked to Aiz as they settled. They would have long to wait, but if they were in a pair: making it across the field to Hyrule's gates would be far less tedious, but too the gates would be difficult to pass at such an hour without substantial proof of their reason for being there. Nex reached into his cloak and pulled out a journal that had a few parchments sticking out. Various permits, contracts and other documents he kept close for his travels. His head turned up, the shark coughing out as they would admit to their position.
Clearing his throat his face contorted slightly. "I'm sorry what?" He had to have misheard. "The King's Hand?!" He sunk a bit, the guppy visibly deflating. "You know that is something difficult to believe." But knowing kings were known to have rather eccentric company. Asthar was no exception. Nex would sigh, his hand coming up to brush back his dark-blue bangs. "R-right..." He mumbled. "Well if you're able to hold your own," Which he likely believed less than the fellow being the King's Hand, "There is a chance we could continue on, though we'd like have need to be extra cautious. I think that Poe is stalking us." But that was silly.
Poes just did their thing.
It wasn't as if the Poe was the spirit of a long departed at the hands of either Aiz or Nex. That seemed highly... concerning.
It was almost as if the entire world was going mad and he was the only sane one left. Putting the glass to his mouth he took a deep sip to try and cool off. He was warm, and it wasn't because of the lack of open windows, which were covered over by rich maroon curtains that seemed out of place to the rest of the style of the facility. It seemed a bit gaudy but was, in a way, quaint. Nex was not here to admire the decor, but it was the only thing distracting him from the near by tables where people pleasantly chatted with the hostesses, and occasional host, about things they liked, their jobs and just light-hearted flirting that gave the fish a churning stomach ache. It was an act, all of it was just surface, superficial interactions that he despised. They were disingenuous and just made his skin crawl. It was not to say the hostesses were not genuinely well mannered, but the discussions being had were hollow. It was pretense for what they would be doing in short order.
Speaking of Nex's stew was brought. A murky broth with fish innards and a salty sweetness that he needed in his stomach right now. Taking up his spoon he would thank the woman as he stared at Maude. The hostess gave the farmer a warm smile, quite patient with her lack of decision. The woman in question reached over to hover her hand over Maude's shoulder, as if waiting for permission to make contact.
'Now if you want something nice to go with your drink darlin' I'd suggest the tomato soup. Ain't just tomatoes in it so it's really quite nice.' In fact it matched well because all it was was the bloody mary, sans mary.
Nex slurped his soup and looked across to Maude. "Don't you think it's a little strange, a place like this open at this hour?" He tried to lead her to understanding the situation they were in, but it seems she would not become aware until something of great discretion occurs.
And it soon did. As the hostess departed, with or without Maude's order, a man and woman would settle at the table. They looked similar, dressed alike.
'Hi,' The woman cheerfully bade. 'Mind if we take a seat?'
'You two are looking great today, have you like the place so far?' The young man asked.
Hylian, as noted by their sharp ears. They were dressed in dazzling, yet gaudy outfits that seemed to show off curves and more skin than was necessary, but it was summer so it was to be expected.
"We're twins!" They said together.
'I'm Mary!' The woman offered.
'And I'm Stu!' The man regarded in addition.
"We're here to keep you company!" They added, full of cheer and smiles.
'They said you hadn't a preference so sent us by, is that okay?' Mary asked.
'If not we could certainly address your concern and alter arrangements!' Stu offered politely.
Nex's spoon hand started shaking.
@maude ● 508 ● Why are you buying clothes at the soup store?!
Nex couldn't imagine what it took for Farrah to leave that farm. He wasn't sure if Maude was her blood bother or the result of some bizarre union, but she had been quite attached to that woman's care. He couldn't see Maude as the cuddly and warm type to raise a child from scratch, but he was also surprised she maintained any semblance of relationship with Farrah. She was so high energy. Nex did not easily exhausted from people, despite his assertion to having little fondness for their company. He was quite social, but had become reclusive in his solitude. When accompanied on his journeys or trading he was quite talkative.
What tired him out was the immeasurable reach stupidity had. How it carried a person into adulthood had be by the grace of the goddess. Surely there was a natural course that cleared out reckless foolishness from bloodlines early on. And yet there was the Hyrule Royal family who has gone on generations uninterrupted save for the occasional uprising and war. Still he did have the state of mind to deal with people when he needed to and could be on for hours, but come heinous acts of dim thought he was the first out the door. He's had one too many adventures end in collapsing cavern entrances.
As they arrived the Zora would tie up his horse. Alas the hold had to fade, the merchant reclaiming his digits for use in carrying his remaining stock. He couldn't just leave it out here for some brigand to pinch after his work collecting it all. The sack was lift from the cart and hoist over his shoulder as he entered the abode. Standard, at best, but surprisingly comfortable. Letting the sack of goods drop to the side be would look to Farrah, reaching up to push down his hood.
"Impressive." He dryly drawled, turning his gaze to the Gerudo. "You didn't kill anyone for it did you?" It seemed like prime real estate and a lazy scoundrel like Farrah wasn't someone he imagined capable of fairly obtaining such a spacious place with the level of work she often assigned herself. "You said you worked at a hospital?" He added, still incredulous. "What so you do?" Kicking off his boots the slouching sardine would drop down on the closest seat, melting against the padding as he hummed, clearly pleased at the cooler environment.
He stared off for a moment before his gaze drifted up towards the woman, his hands tucking into his pocket now that he hadn't anything to do with them. He found it hard to speak up. Honestly the desert air had dried his throat but being alone with Farrah parched him. Feeing his tongue stick to the roof of his mouth he would pop it.
"Seems you're doing well for yourself…" he looked around the room as if trying to discern the hanging answer for himself. There appeared to be two doors separating rooms. Either one was an indoor wash closet and the other a bedroom or there were two bedrooms. Did she have someone else after all this time? "You have a roommate?" He looked up, dreading the answer as soon as the question left his lips.
Farrah Abad ● 541 ● That kind of question is a catch-22
Maude was incorrigible. Nex felt his head sink. He rest his arm against the table, which wasn't much of a stable ground. These tables were old, a bit wobbly. One can see the surface of the table was worn from having met with a great deal of spills. Drinks sometimes slid to the side, needing one to anchor their tankards and glasses, but in older places like this it wasn't unexpected. Most of their rupee went to rent and anything left over would be for the food and drinks and finally workers. If one didn't have a close carpenter friend handy maintaining the furniture and other surfaces a touch difficult. The floors occasionally squeaked with steps. Upstairs the sound of movement was defiantly audible. Each lean or marginal lift was heard against the weakening planks. Nex could hear each movement and it made him twitch. His gloved hand came upon his face, pressing into his features. There was a quiet whisper in the back of his head that long regretted his becoming dry. It was times like this he wanted to drink away the stupidity. But he couldn't. It didn't work! It only made him angry and short tempered. He sighed audible, letting Maude go on and on.
He would pick up his cup, sipping lightly against the liquid. At least it was clean. He stared at her, those cerulean eyes dripping with unspoken thoughts as sharp as his teeth. "As if I am not good for it." He was not a bum and could pay her back at a moment's notice. "Besides if you're handling payment I don't have to touch anyone." His aversion was made clear to Maude, though he did not usually make it a visible disparity in his social circle.
However small it was.
He would snort, water clawing its way into his nostrils. It wasn't so much as such was a discomfort, he was a Zora so he had ways to mitigate drowning. Reaching up he would pinch his nose so as to avoid the unsightly case of the cool liquid returning into his glass. He closed his mouth, swallowing as he set the half-empty cup on the table, the glass sliding a bit to his left. He winced as it slid eventually coming to a stop right at the table's edge. Assured it would go no further he would look to Maude, closing his hands on the table as the woman left, quite cheerful at the request from the woman. Nex watched as she departed before leaning forward. Maybe he had done something to deserve this? No - no it was the Human who was wrong. Maybe she enjoyed situations like this. His cousin was quite a sadist and it ran true that a man with a horse rode on its back. He never carried his horse. Reaching up to rub at his chin, eyes pinching up as his jaw became slaw, he exhaled in something akin to amusement, or maybe he was on the verge of tears.
"We should probably go before she comes back." His urgency was apparent. "If we are quick we can grab some beer and be out before she could finish." He was planning his escape as if looking to escape the clutches of some ogre. She was a large woman, sure: tall, dark hair and quite fit. She looked to eat well and could wrangle a bull like the best of them, but what was Nex insinuating about her?
The hostess seemed quite nice, as did they all, and even many of the patrons, most men, were in good spirits and chatted with the hostesses at their table. The establishment was relaxed and seemed to have an air of friendliness likely encouraged by the proprietor or proprietress! It was frankly a good business model of any did see. You wanted to stay! It was quiet, the lights were low and the soft tun of the piano was instantly forgettable. As Nex fretted the hostess returned!
"Oh, darling, sorry I forgot to ask. Do you two prefer the company of men or women?" She set down a menu for them.
It seemed the usual faire of a place like this. Some appetizers, simple soups and, oh look! The special of the day was fish stew. Nex did not offer the woman eye contact, but did point down to the special, handing the menu right back. He wiped his hands with the end of his cloak and would look to Maude, motioning his head to the bar. Surely she could see something was amiss! He motioned his mouth, indicating for her to: 'look'. But it was hard to say what was out of place. The women behind the bar seemed quite well dressed, like dancing girls. Given the stage they likely worked both the bar and miniature theater. It seemed quite nice, but a private hole-in-the-wall place that encouraged a closed clientele.
@maude ● 821 ● Waiter, there's a fishhead in my soup...
He had turned his head off to the side as they walked. The number of people wandering about seems to have been diminishing as the hours passed, which was good for him as he was able to relax a bit more. Maybe it was just the wide open sea the Zora missed or the solitude, but there was something about an empty plaza that was serene to him. As he settled down his grip on Farrah's hand became less rigid. It was easy to tell his mood. Like a clam he would open up or close right depending on the outside world. Up until very recently he was closed up to much.of the stimuli. Maybe it was age or the separation of Farrah and himself, but the time apart treated him fondly. He worked diligently and the efforts of their family to tear the two apart was what kept his cousin out of his hair for a good long while.
Nex almost felt his luck was changing!
He glanced over to the woman as she spoke. "You did say you had a place here...but I thought maybe that was conjecture. So you left that farm?" Which was all the more better for him!
Farm animals were awful creatures. Fur covered menaces that, on more than one occasion, tried to eat him. He would swear to Nayru. What also compelled him to steer clear of farms were their occupants. Barbaric strong women who could lift whole hogs and bend a man over their knees with a side glance. He has seen first hand the gargantuan strength that belonged to farm women and it was only more frightening that they were pale in compare to Gerudo. He mentally winced and looked to Farrah's hand. She could crush him!
Gulp.
"Fun with -- Maude?" He could hardly believe it. "You're here for good then?" If so it wouldn't be as difficult to venture out, though he wondered where exactly Farrah lived. They had been walking a bit now. He looked up to see just where they were headed.
All and all the establishment was quiet, quaint and downright queer. There were not too many people drinking at this time of day, so why it was opened so early was beyond any economical sense, but as Nex stood in his corner he came to notice a few things wriggling out of place. The bar served a limited selection of alcohol, all mostly cheap, further solidifying the fact that it was just open for jobless drifters to sink their last rupee into. What food they did serve looked as if it was scraped off the bottom of a burnt pot, or reheated after three days passed. The Zora was taking up all these signs and was starting to become aware of something off. His head would lift up from the edge of his glass. He was hesitant to take a sip, but eventually his drying tongue would scream for a sip, of which was almost spurt from his nose as Maude casually strolled into the establishment with a swagger of fury he only knew the maiden to display with propensity.
Nex had barely pulled his lips off the glass before his scowl began to form. Maude was -- starinnin his direction. Her gaze all but burned a hole though his cloak as she insisted on maintaining her focus just in case he missed her. Why was she like this? Nex was having a good time hiding out and skulking in the shadows. He started to feel warm again as she flagged him down. Sometimes he felt he was the only sane one among his acquaintances. He glanced off to the side and noticed one of the hostesses eyeing him as if bumping into a friendly face in this place was endearing!
He sunk against himself, head tucking into his shoulders like some sea turtle, which they could not dip their heads quietly away like their landlocked cousins. But he tried! Finally relenting the Zora meandered toward the table, his hand up, trying to calm the farmhand down.
"Sssh..." He bristles before pulling out a chair to sit. "What are you doing flailing around like that?" His voice was low, a strained whisper.
Setting his cup of water down he would pull his gloved hands against his chest. The male looked to be trying to vanish in his seat, but he was never good in public and the last time he was in a pub it ended with a very messy deal. So good for him for trying to keep the peace! But that wasn't the issue. No it was far worse.
"Do you understand the situation you put us in?" But before he could earn her a hostess approached.
'Nice ta see friends in these parts. Whaddya'll be havin'? Will ya be sharin'?" Her question was placid enough.
It was common to split pay amongst parties at places like this. Nex had turned his head away. He was never good with talking to women and it showed as he seemed to lock up whenever a mature woman sassayed his way. And the hostess was quite mature!
The Zora had failed to time his departure from the counting house. The Zora was a few rupees richer, but it only made the aquatic native nervous around the dense crowds that filled Castle Town in come the midday bell. It was around this time busy housewives shopped for the bits and bobs of dinner. It was when men working since the early hours of dawn would sit to refuel or smoke while playing a few harmless games of dice. But with a freshly filled bag of rupees the Zora was not feeling generous towards the crowded markets. Such a place at this hour was oft rife with pickpockets and clever hoodwinks trying to sell off the latest in the rarest goods from the farthest, never-before-heard of villages. At least Hyrule was a great deal cooler than the Desert, but not by much as the streets filled to capacity with writhing bodies and chattering prawns. The Zora stood with his back to a wall as he watched people hurry by either squeezing between the throngs of shoppers crowding a stall who just put their morning eggs on sale, while others tried to physically pull customers in, taking hold of their elbows to recite their well practiced sales pitch. The Zora became blue in the face, which wasn't that hard to do given.
A crawling ache in his stomach warned him of the despair awaiting him if he crossed the main roads. It was not much long after his encounter with Maude and that loud-mouthed duchess, so he was long since able to decompress, but it was having to deal with the money counter that was always a chore. They were always an anal retentive lot with an abacus in arm and a quill always drenched with ink at the ready. But the ones of Hyrule, one of the larger economic centers of their world, it was ever worse. Having what goods he hauled into town were tediously inspected for quality, the sound of rupee hitting the scales and the bickering between merchants and the counters was always the lowest point of his visits in the larger capitals.
Feeling like a mouse cornered by a voracious cat the fish ducked away into the alley. While not idea the merchant wasn't about the squeeze his way through the crowds like some sardine. Reaching behind him he would quickly pull his hood over his face, gloved hand pressing against the walls of the narrow passages as he hurried through. He could hear voices in some corners. Yokel or hooligans mucking about he supposed, but he just wanted to get away.
'Hey fella, you got ah light?' And old man with a peg leg and pipe leaning out from around a corner would all out to the Zora.
He looked up at the man. One eye was clearly glass and he was moving awful quick for an older gentlemen. As soon as the stench of alcohol hit his senses the harassed hermit would stiffen.
Feeling his scales tighten, the bristling pincushion of a fish would duck out into another corner. He looked up, taking notice of a dim red light painting a doorway that had a sign outside which simply read 'Open'. He would take his opportunity and push into the building. Suddenly -- silence. The noise of the Market streets had faded into a faint, almost indiscernible whisper as patrons seemed to keep to their own space. It was sparsely occupied with a few hostesses carrying trays of drink and meals to specified tables. Nex was red from his harrowing near death experience, but he would soon take notice that much of the establishment was indeed occupied by women. Now the Zora was all for equal opportunity employment, he just preferred male servers. He lowered his head and slowly backed up against the wall. He shuffled to a corner, eyes looking up to the walls. Across the far way, to the left of the bar was a stage where a singer tickled a piano with a gentle, familiar, tune. He would also take note of the dim, red lights that also marked the outside of the building. He than looked at the hostesses once more, and the patrons just idling their time away with conversations of varying topics.
"I have made a terrible msitake." The Zora would back up into a corner and just idle for now, at least until his senses could return to him. He was feeling a little overheated. One of the hostesses walked by and offered him a glass of water, which he accepted. "T-thank you..."
'Course sugar.' And she would leave him to his distress.
"Stalk?" He seemed aghast at the very notion, his arms falling from his face as his arms slumped to the grass. "I need not stalk!" And he was damn proud of not being some sable eyed skulker.
Who is this sassy, lost child? The Zora never did like children. They were brutal creatures with no sense of discretion. If not for the fur that covered land pets he would be even more inclined towards them. Their sticky, shedding coats. Getting all over his everything! How dare she go mouthing off like she was some expert in romance. Though who knew. Books were advanced these days! The Zora was a wastrel, maybe, but he was no womanizer like his cousin. Manizer? The brute didn't much care what, or whom he ate. But Next was very selective on who he socialized with! He was becoming highly aggravated and his temper was starting to show as his passive pout was becoming an active sneer as he tried to resolve this matter with logic, but all this knight tossed about was madness!
He was so lost in his mournful thoughts of a poorly executed romance, yet flocked but considered fledgling, that he has lost sight of Maedhra whom walked in his blind spot. It was not until her hand was raised that his heart leapt into his chest, causing him to lurch forward. He thought quickly and acted faster, but being a bit long limbed the landbound eel stumbled and nearly found his face meeting upon grass.
He didn't want to be like his cousin! That man was a nuisance and, if Nex could declare: an enemy of the crown! The Zora pushed to his feet, the languishing grouper finding the strength to push against the gravity that seemed fixed to pin him, he torment of the mouthy maiden finding a thin thread of patience coiled and ready to snap. She seemed to take jest to his pain, unshed tears threatening the edges of his eyes as he pushed down every coarse thought to come to mind. This witless child could stand to be torn down by the fish's lashing words. His venomous tongue was tempered by a sarcastic wit dried by his perseverance against torturous maladies wrought upon by the ageless remorse of sheer stupidity.
"H-have you no sense?!" He wheezed softly, as if losing breath on land from a sea-cursed existence. It seems Nex has finally forsook his perchance for patience and popped!
"Petulant child, you've about as much regard for love as a bottled insect." He held up his hands, clenching them into fists. "Your small view of the world has you this so wound that ye've the common git to ascertain my actions based on what you see as opposed to what you know! I've already given you reason for my need to swim, yet you insist it is some homogeneous overview that I am hidden, therefore I must be a stalker. Hast ye've considered I was hiding from her?!" Which knowing Nex's track record with Maude this seemed the most apt explanation for an inside party.
Honestly this seemed valuable insight that should be taken into consideration later, but for now the Zora stepped back from the women as he spoke, quietly retreating. It was the anxiety really. Fight was never really Nex's specialty.
"As Maude has said I know her, with a vested interest in her ward. But I need to be a gentleman? You need to be a gentlewoman! You act like a barbarian and talk like a pastry chef!" In this last hurrah the Zora tumbled back right into the lake!
There was an awkward moment of silence. A few bubbles broke the water's surface before Nex's head reappeared, but it was only the top of his head down to his nose. Bubbles aggressively broke the water . It seems he needed to cool down and take himself a fair distance from the womenfolk. He struggled to understand them, truly he did.
Bubble!
Ugh he was tired. He had hoped the dip would restore his energy, but now he was thinking about all sorts of things he didn't want to think about.
There was a lot of doubt that played at the Zora's mentality. The diminishing doubt was bred of the uncertainty of his place in the world. His heart had become cold in adulthood where, once, it was full of life and vigor. Oft times it ate away at his confidence, a courage he once carried with pride and would be able to face insurmountable odds. While that strength had not fully left him it was not as raucous as it was in his youth. It was so simple tasks were overwhelming and what may once have taken him an ounce of that drink, now took the whole glass. But it may as well be. Where his courage faded he worked to meet these tasks with his intellect. So it seemed a little thought was all that was needed to approach her.
It felt strange. While he find most physical contact abhorrent he supposed he had become used to Farrah's presence that it was far from offensive. In fact it had become a comfort. When she took his hand he groused, lowering his head as his shoulders became stiff. He seemed to be scowling but that was hardly of ill repute on Farrah's part. It just seemed difficult for him to place a feeling on this. He continued along and watched as they passed individuals whom he found to be draining and hardly worth the effort of his attentions so he chose, instead, to look ahead.
"Yeah." He regarded. "Alright." He would agree, but there was no telling if he would even remember.
Old habits that a wanderer like him just lived with.
"What ... have you been doing since?" He wasn't looking her in the eye, but that was normal. What he was doing, that was quite interesting, was he was maintaining his grip, even tightening it.
The Zora had indeed shook Maude's hand a number of times. Business was business and the male took it quite seriously, but this damned maiden was starting to stress him out. She was asking questions he had no answers to and making assertions towards feelings he has yet to thread through himself. Love was fickle, foolish, fleeting and far off for a fish like him! And what was with this woman's vernacular? Every other phrase was cheery picked to involve food!
Gah! He was doing it now!
The Zora slowly pulled his gloved hands to his face. If he could he would openly weep, but he was not yet fully threaded to be able to advanced beyond his current state of despair. He exhaled and let his arms fall to the side. He cocked his head, that Zora pride peeking out just a little, at least until he slouched forward, once again hiding the fullness of his form, before raising his hands to animate the mental picture of the duress Maedhra was inflicting on his sensitive mind.
"You only shake hands if you are swearing an oath or making a promise. I'm a merchant. I don't shake hands at someone's behest." Nor did he give his real name out lest a witch steal it or a Faerie take fancy to it.
He was full of habitual superstitions that put a religious man to shame. Than there was Maude's declaration which caused him to do a double take. Wait, what? What was the haggard farmhand insinuating? Nex straightened up ever so slightly, his brows knitting before his jaws parted and face twisted up as if mathematical equations were thwarting his forward step. It finally hit him. Did these two think he was smitten with Maude?!
"I'm sorry, what?" He reeled back, putting a hand to his chest.
He took a step back from both madwomen, slipping a bit on the wet grass. He stumbled a bit before he threw both arms out, panic filling his chest. He wasn't even sure how to solve this social -- social insanity. Surely it was obvious?
It wasn't.
He was clear about his intentions.
He wasn't.
He gave her things, talked with her!
It wasn't enough.
Sure he's never told her.
She won't know.
He seemed to pale as he sunk down to the ground and pulled his head to his knees. Poor guy was having a moment. He hugged his knees to his chest and glared up at Maude best a one-eyed shark could. His face than softened a bit as he frowned, at least as well one could do with half his face working. He seemed to deflate as his exhale allowed him to further compact like a spooked hermit crab.
"…but I like Farrah…" Was he not clear with his intentions?
He thought he was. He disliked most others. They were too loud. They were wholly selfish and seemed terribly self-absorbed. Has he not been intentional with his endeavors? One could not really call him assertive or -- warm, so perhaps there was miscommunication, one he had no idea was being directed.
@maude @maedhra ● 520 ● Was I really miscommunicating something so clear?
The Zora remained squat on the ground, which his arms hanging over his knees, just drip drying. His head slowly turned to the side as he listened to Maedhra go on about her pancakes, or something. Unfortunately, or fortunately, she was on his blind side he would be able to ignore the knight a moment while he collecting his barongs. He would slow his breathing as he tried to fight off anymore coughing fits. He clenched his jaw, trying to bite his tongue, but he has long since fallen from that habit, even if his tongue still retained some of those scars. Maude would like hear it on some measure. That twisting slur in his voice that sloshed against his natrually deep voice had seemed to completely vanish leaving his tenor occasionally touched by a lisp or stammer. His hand came up to brush at his hair, slicking it back.
What?
He pushed to stand, his left hand taking up his cloak and he did. He turned to face the knight, the black cloth being resituated over his form as he was still dripping wet. His brows would knit as he parted his jaws to speak, features twisting up in what looked like irritation, bit deep down he was plenty shocked. Who was this hag?! She wouldn't know love of it bit her in the ass! Of course the world was a dangerous and hurtful place that even the warmth of love can become so cold! He knew well how you only had once chance to get it right! His fists would clench tight as his arms shook at his sides. His curled lip twisted his face into a sneer as the mouthy maiden went on a journey with her thoughts. Him? In love with Maude? Hardly. The very thought caused him to turn his head to the side and spit at the ludicrous idea.
Besides if he admitted he loved her she would vanish…
He wasn't mad at the stranger for her assertion, but he held no such feelings for the barbarian of a woman! "What? As of." The annoyance of her ignorance was pushed back as Maude spoke up. The man's dark expression feel as he looked to the dark haired woman. He opened his mouth to dismiss the consideration, shrugging as he turned fully around, his back no longer on display. "It's hardly my fault you fall into such insidiously exposed situations." He mumbled, his right eye punching closed.
As Maedhra held out her hand in greeting he raised his arms to cross over his chest. He kept a fair distance between him and the women. Maude seemed to make a show of her oh-so-good manners, but it made no difference. It wasn't as if he could touch anyone. Just the thought of standing near them, his flesh meeting the flesh of another was almost enough to cause him to break out in boils. He shrugged. It made no difference of Maude shook her hand or not. He wasn't going to. Stubborn as he may have seemed he had a physical aversion to other people.
Merely touching them caused him an emotional pain that became physical.
"You may call me Nex." It did not sound like a Zora's name, nor did he provide a last name either.
There was something inherently dangerous about the Zora, though it was difficult to discern just what. He hardly seemed fit, nor was he magically inclined. Perhaps the danger lie in the fact he was full of contradictions? He seemed angry, but in truth he was distressed. He looked to despise their comments, but the accuracy of some of the duchess's words ached in a way he could not measure. Maude's attitude? While wholly bitter she was right and as much as he should act more warmly to new faces -- the idea of physical contact made him ill.
Though why was that?
"You'll have to pardon my lack of offering you my hand." He curtly added. "I'm wet, and I don't make a habit of swearing oaths." Which made sense. As a merchant a handshake was an oath of honor to complete a deal, something he rarely gave, but Maedhra couldn't possibly tell just by looking at him.
His gaze drifted as the traveler spoke. He did not like watching people as they spoke. Looking to their faces, staring into their eyes. It unsettled his nerves. Anywhere but there. A wayward stone, a distant stalagmite, a curious stalactite... He reached his left hand up, the sleeve of the cloak falling silently, revealing a pink bracelet of coral bound to his wrist, but this dark leather gloves concealed any length of skin, arms covered by the dark sleeves of his bodysuit. He rubbed the back of his neck as they regarded the distance he strode. Their words were true.
"That is because most are stupid. They take the direct path, but bandits were brave today. Risking the main roads would have risked my goods." But what about them, being this far off? They could be one of them too.
His cerulean eyes drifted up to the stranger's face, his thin brows knitted tight as his expression remained solid, features darkened by the night, but face painted in light by the hearty fires. It was haunting how a visage seemed to dance before flame though the body remained still. He scoffed, brows raising as they would admit to their age and fearlessness. What a backwards notion. He leaned forward, shoulders slumping as his crooked grin would downturn.
"What a foolish notion. Fear them not do you? I would say that itself is something to be afraid of." He presented as he looked away, taking a few steps to the side. "Fear is what keeps us grounded and from acting beyond our capacity. Fear is what you need protect friends, family..." He pushed aside a few stones to give the warrior a place to sit before he walked back to his spot, dropping down onto his sack, which audibly jostled under the weight. "If you truly were fearless of the night creatures... you would not give them such a wide berth." They were dangerous, to anyone. He'd not believe it.
He leaned back on his gear, seemingly unafraid of a stranger himself, but it was obvious, was it not? He sized the guardian up. He took in their features, the way they move, what they wore. He was at an advantage because he was across the fire. He had space and he kept it. The man boiled like a predator, his lips curled over sharp fangs that fit more to a shark than man. But he was no man. He was a Zora, one of the river too by the looks of those teeth. He tucked his arms into the folds of cloth of his cloak, tilting his head to eye the soldier.
"I am. But the night did quick to unsettle my plans. I would not threaten the dead." The living were a whole other matter. "You? I would not allow such a thing." He stated sternly, gaze back upon the fire. "But I would be fool to deny it. You'd not work for free, would you? I have many things, but hardly a rupee on me." Maybe it was the truth, perhaps a boldfaced lie.
The night would continue to embolden the dead. A curious Poe would pass the cavern and while its shape may not have been visible its lantern was not hard to mistake. But it soon passed, unwilling to brave the light source and expose itself. The Zora seemed to have caught the motion and watched with bated breathe. He would only relax once it passed, eyes once again upon the Sheikah.
"I am called Nex." Though whether or not that was his name was a whole other matter to regard.