(Untitled)

[behisstrength]

Characters: behisstrength and zelda_hylia
Location: The park.
Time: Early afternoon, Dec. 9th.
Style: Any.
Status: Closed.

Comments

[zelda_hylia]

When Zelda heard the faint sound of the shamisen, she found herself aching for her harp. Even the ocarina would do. She drew closer and paused at the edge of the bridge to listen for a few moments.

"That is a fascinating instrument."

[behisstrength]

Motochika turned his attention to Zelda, recognising her by her voice. He smiled placidly, skilled enough to play with ease even with diverted attention.

Her ears were a curious sight. So she was not human. Yet he had seen much stranger forms during his stay and it had no bearing on their discussion; it was not worth addressing now.

"The shamisen," he said in response. "I am rarely without it."

Motochika bowed his head. "Well met, Zelda."

[zelda_hylia]

She smiled politely, allowing herself a little while to inspect the instrument visually. It only had three strings, but with its length it was likely capable of making a wide array of sounds.

The princess bowed her head in response. "And to you, Sir Motochika. It is kind of you to meet me so quickly."

[behisstrength]

"Forget about it. You made your dedication to finding answers clear."

Unwittingly -- but having come from the era he had, Motochika understood the difficulty of adjusting to Vatheon's advanced technology. He was in a position to help, and helping had no ill consequences. There had been no reason not to.

He drew his current song to an end and rested his forearm upon his doukake.

"Before we begin, there is a question that I must ask."

He gestured to her with his bachi.

"When did you arrive in Vatheon?"

[zelda_hylia]

"It has only been a few weeks. I spent most of that time attempting to gather information, but without much luck."

She let out a small sigh before continuing, her face screwing up with distaste.

"I did find one disturbing piece of information, though... apparently, I am to touch that coral once a month?"

[behisstrength]

"Yes. There was a time when we touched it once a fortnight, before it was damaged." Motochika confirmed.

He tilted his head back, turning his eyes to the sea overhead.

"The barrier that protects us from the ocean; the Lamufao, which is the corral you speak of; the mark that we foreigners bear..." he paused to indicate his shoulder, where the black pattern sat between the edges of his curling sea-green tattoos, "...they are all connected. We must touch the Lamufao to restore our energy, else we fall into an enchanted sleep that we cannot be roused from."

[zelda_hylia]

At mention of the mark, she raised her hand to her chest almost defensively.

"There is no avoiding it, then. I shall have to touch it eventually."

The princess moved to sit on the railing near Motochika, folding her hands in her lap.

"Please, tell me of the efforts of those who tried to leave this city. I could find no written record."

[behisstrength]

"There are none. Yet

[zelda_hylia]

Zelda took the SFC, her eyes scanning over the partial documents multiple times before she was satisfied. When she was finished, she looked up at him grimly.

"It sounds as if this city may be in danger of going to war, doesn't it." The princess furrowed her brow in thought.

Alpha... she'd heard that before. Didn't Doctor Muraki say he had worked with him? She felt on edge in his presence, but it might do well to continue friendly relations. He had no intention of leaving Vatheon himself, but he might know something. And as for Matthew, how could she forget? He already knew her, somehow. Once she finished processing everything, she nodded to Motochika.

"Please, continue."

sorry for the delay!

[behisstrength]

"Thalassino's reaction was to beg us to do nothing that would anger the Lamufao. Alpha, however

No problem, gathering the history bits is probably a pain!

[zelda_hylia]

Anger the Lamufao? Execution? The more she found out about this city, the more she wanted to go home. The princess kept her face carefully blank as he continued his story, though she did smile a bit when he mentioned the information center and again in response to his pleasure about the infiltration.

"That was quite bold, especially considering the events preceding it. Did you find anything?" Zelda sounded hopeful. Something about the great coral would be especially welcome.

[behisstrength]

"Mostly rubble. Radios. A few intact but irrelevant books. Nothing that provided us with the knowledge that we sought. But even razed it was clear that within had not been a place of worship

She'll keep walking in a little circle there for a few minutes/until he speaks again, your choice!

[zelda_hylia]

"Even the gods are not impervious if they choose to take form in the realm of mortals," she murmured. "Really, this is all quite fascinating. A godlike creature among us, giving life, and yet... the silence of the locals... a priestess that doesn't preach the virtues of her god but instead begs the people to not anger it... a church that was not a church at all..."

The princess got up and started to pace, just letting her thoughts trail off. A distant part of her mind was aware she was being rude, but she couldn't help it. It didn't make sense the way it was. If Vatheon worshipped the Lamufao, why didn't they try to spread their religion? Why did they keep the outsiders away? Why was the church not a church? Why was everyone afraid of the coral? Why, why, why?