solace and solitude [zelda]

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endure and survive.

Impa had not exactly been faithful to the trio of Goddesses these past eighteen years, but that was no reason for her to be disrespectful, especially not during the weeks that were dedicated towards worshipping them. The week previous had been Din’s, celebrated with a tournament that Impa opted not to participate in; instead, she watched those who did, silently critiquing their performances and paying special attention to the sky children. All three who entered performed admirably; Alexander especially so. They still needed work, though. All would become Knights in their own time, Impa was sure. This week was Nayru’s, and was inherently more peaceful. She would be taking part in these festivities, but for now, she felt as though she should pay her own, private respects towards the Goddesses who had guided her in her youth. The streets of Castle Town were full to bursting, and all from Skyloft had been advised to restrain from leaving the area, so Impa found her quiet and privacy here – the Temple of Time. The grandiose building was apparently empty, and even the Sheikah’s own mind felt vacant without the obvious presence of her life’s partner. Arcana was still there, of course, but the Loftwing felt somewhat distant; unsurprising, considering that she had returned to Skyloft the instant Impa touched the Surface. It was slightly unnerving, but she brushed her discomfort aside. She lifted her gaze to admire the interior of the building, instead. It was quite beautiful. Impa paced along the edge of the singular room, then moved to the hexagonal pedestal in the center, and examined the Triforce inscribed upon it. She knelt next to it, and began her quiet prayers.

tagged: zelda notes:

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Zelda always regretted the fact she never had more time to visit the Temple of Time. It was one of the most important places in Hyrule and the Royal Family were among those tasked with it's protection against evil. It was one part of her duty as princess that she enjoyed. She quietly made her way into the Temple through the large doors.

Surprisingly, despite the festivities going about outside there was someone in here already. A woman who appeared to be praying. Zelda didn't wish to disturb someone so deep in communion with the Goddesses and so she quickly made her way to the Door of Time. No one was really sure what laid beyond the the massive stone wall. The Triforce was emblazoned on it and the gray stone seemed to glow whenever Zelda drew near it. Legend had it that it did so only when the Royal Family was close to the Door. Zelda wasn't sure if she believed it but it seemed as good an answer as any.

Zelda made her way around the main chamber lighting the incense burners along the way. This job always made her feel, common would be the best word but it wasn't the word she wanted. Normal? Was that it? Better than common she supposed. Her time working in the Temple always calmed her like nothing else could. She had hoped to be alone for a while to practice her harp that she had lent near the entrance when she saw the building was already occupied. She wanted to see if any divine inspiration would be granted to her. But she didn't want to disturb the other woman's prayer.

Zelda felt the urge to pray herself. She made her way to the alter and knelt next to the woman. She was wearing strange clothing so that made the princess assume she was from Skyloft like that boy from earlier. "Mother Goddesses hear my prayer." She began, in a whisper again to not disturb the woman beside her. She was a little out of practice due to lack of time to pray. "Thanks to the Three for the blessings of the Triforce you have bestowed on us. Thanks to the Three for the peace and prosperity of Hyrule and for this time of celebration unto you." Zelda would often pray for help in her attempts to escape her life but with a stranger from Skyloft, it seemed best if she didn't spoil her family's honor and reputation.

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endure and survive.

Impa resisted the urge to glance up when she heard footsteps entering the Temple; she merely spoke in a softer voice, then became silent altogether, preferring to keep her concerns to herself. She glimpsed the new arrival out of her peripheral; as a sweet scent began to fill the room, she realized the woman must have been lighting the incense. She was finely dressed as well, akin to royalty. Chances were that she was royalty. From there, the woman’s identity could be narrowed down to either the queen or the princess. Impa would need to see the woman’s face in order to know which; she couldn’t, from this angle. Impa cast her stray thoughts aside, and resumed her silent ministrations. She prayed for Ashelia, and the rest of the squires; she prayed for her fellow Knights, for the Instructors, for the Headmaster; she prayed for her parents, wherever they were, and for the Elder of her younger days; most of all, she prayed for herself. “Goddess grant me the wisdom to know the right path, the courage to choose it, and the strength to see it through to its end,” she murmured. She had said Goddess, singular, out of habit, for it was how she had prayed for nigh on two decades; she doubted that either the Trio or Hylia would mind. She bowed her head in a final gesture of respect, and glanced to her side to examine the woman’s face. There was a distinct lack of aging, identifying her as the young Princess Zelda. Interesting. Impa wondered who the Royal Guard was, now; one of her own people, of course, but she wondered if it was the same person who had the position when she was younger. Impa rose to her feet in a fluid movement, and went to inspect the stone wall, which was also emblazoned with the Triforce. She did not wish to leave the Temple just yet, but she also wanted to grant the Princess some measure of privacy, and so she moved a respectful distance away, pointedly keeping her back to the woman. Part of her wished to speak with the woman, out of mere curiosity, but as she had no real questions she would not initiate contact; she did not want to bother the woman, neither in her time of prayer nor with trivial, unnecessary prattling that served no purpose and was ultimately a waste of everyone’s time.

tagged: zelda notes: i would like to formally apologize for making Impa so preternaturally obstinate when it comes to initiating conversation

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Zelda had finished her prayers not long after the other woman got up to inspect the Door of Time. There was something strange about her. Strange yet familiar at the same time. With both of them finished with their prayers, Zelda approached the Skyloft woman. "Excuse me ma'am." She said with an amount of reverence. She wasn't like the other people from Skyloft, squires most of them. She held herself with an air of self-assurance and respect. "Might I ask who you are?"

It didn't take long for Zelda to realize her mistake. "Where are my manners. I am Zelda dia Hyrule; Princess and Heir-Apparent of the throne of Hyrule." Zelda introduced herself to the woman. "I am curious as to why you choose to give your prayers to Hylia in a Temple dedicated to the Trio and the Goddess of Time. Most from Skyloft seem to return when they wish to give their prayers." Zelda was curious about this strange woman.

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endure and survive.

And so Impa’s dilemma was neatly solved, as the princess approached her first. She seemed a bold woman, and a curious one: straightforward, but not rude. Impa liked her already. She opened her mouth to respond to Zelda’s question, but shut it again as the other woman opted for the first introduction. She waited for her to finish, then waited another moment to be sure that she was done speaking, then took a moment to gather her thoughts. She wasn’t about to launch into her life’s story, but she would not deny the woman the answers she sought. “I am Impa Tenebris, a Knight of Skyloft,” she said, and inclined her head in a gesture of respect. She could speak the usual formalities, the stiff, unnecessary ‘it is a pleasure to meet you, your Highness’, but she got the impression that Zelda would not mind if she neglected to do so. “The Trio were once my Goddesses as well. I wished to pay my respects to them, and to Her Grace as well. This seemed an excellent place to do so.”

tagged: zelda notes: impa no speaking that vaguely just prompts more questions

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Zelda was surprised when she saw red in the eyes of this woman. "Excuse me, I did not realize you were a Sheikah." She said hastily. "Madam Impa, The Sheikah have long been servants of the Royal Family and the guardians of the Light Realm. What made you leave Hyrule and join the Knights of Skyloft?" Zelda was very curious about this woman now. She had long fantasized about leaving the Surface for Skyloft but her duties to Hyrule prevented her from doing that.

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endure and survive.

Zelda was polite, but very… direct. She was unabashed about asking her questions, and neither beat around the bush nor delved into complicated wording. She may be a politician’s daughter, but Impa got the distinct impression that Zelda was not one herself. She was silent for a moment as she considered how to respond. With the basics, she supposed. “I left at the suggestion of the Elder of my village when I was a young girl,” she said. “I was invited to join the Academy. I did.”

tagged: zelda notes: c:

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This woman was a marvel to behold. Not only was she a Sheikah but she was a Knight of Skyloft who had grown up on the Surface. "Madam Impa, you have had quite the life it would seem. Am i correct in assuming that when the Festival is over you will be returning to Skyloft with the others?" Zelda asked Impa. It was only logical that a Knight of Skyloft would uphold her duties and choose to return to the home she had made over the home she had been born too.

"I have a request make if that is the case." Zelda took a deep breath. "I wish to remain in contact with you. I realize how hard it would be for us to hold conversations like this but perhaps letters? I know I am not a squire but I hope I can learn from what experiences you've had." Zelda had just met this woman and already held her in great respect, not just because of her Sheikah heritage but because of her position as a Knight of Skyloft.

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endure and survive.

Quite the life, indeed. In truth, Impa thought, the only abnormal thing about her life was her heritage, and only that because the Sheikah were quite rare. Everything Impa had achieved in her lifetime thus far was due to her own hard work and just a bit of luck. Any child of Skyloft could become a Knight, if they had the desire and willpower. The fact that Impa was not a child of Skyloft, but had become a Knight nonetheless, was due to that smidgen of luck. She had to admit, the princess’ request surprised her, though she did not show it. And Impa could not—would not—refuse. She could never refuse anyone with such an earnest plea, squire or no. “Of course,” she said. “I will write as soon as I return, and assist you in whatever way I can.”

tagged: zelda notes: sometimes she wonders if she should've been a caretaker. >w>

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"Thank you." Zelda said, grateful this woman had agreed to her proposal. "Thank you Madam Impa, I look forward to receiving your letter." Zelda wanted to hug the Sheikah woman but restrained herself. "I suppose it is time for me to return to the castle. I'm glad I met you Madam Impa." With that Zelda walked to the large doors that led to the market. She retrieved her harp from it's place near the door and left.

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endure and survive.

Impa nodded, as was her default response to nigh on everything. “It was a pleasure,” she replied, and she meant it. She was rather surprised that the Crown Princess of Hyrule, of all people, wished to correspond with her; but the more she considered it, the more it made sense. Zelda did not seem very politically inclined—going by what Impa had experienced and read of politics, anyway—and though it wasn’t entirely safe to assume that meant she had an adventuresome spirit, Impa concluded that Zelda simply wanted to know of something… different. And as her request was neither unreasonable nor incomprehensible, Impa would be true to her word. The Knight watched the Princess depart, then returned her gaze to the stone wall before her. She had not expected such a chance encounter, though she was not displeased by it. Whatever else happened in the duration of her stay, Impa knew her trip to the surface would not be entirely worthless.

tagged: zelda notes: et c'est fini!