I ought to say no, no, no, sir...

[sageprincess]

Who: One Hylian princess and you! [OPEN]
Where: Scorpio District
Summary: Zelda does her new arrival exploring and finds a little more than she was bargaining for. What the hell is a mall elf and why should she be one?
Warnings: TL;DR oh my god I'm so sorry

[There's lots of new things here, so maybe if you try some things you'll find something you like. I mean, it'd be better to get a job doing something you like, right? Link had said. And while the thought is a nice one to entertain, the fact of the matter is that the Princess of Hyrule has spent far too many years in a survivalist mindset to really focus on finding something she "likes." No, what she needs is information, on both the city itself and the situation within it, and freak weather patterns are not going to stop her.

Her exploration begins in her own residential district, Pisces, which seems unassuming enough, though she has a feeling there's something more to the detective agency than meets the eye. Aquarius is interesting, appearing to be an intellectual hub, though admittedly she is more intrigued by the libraries than the schools. She passes by flyers advertising "Persona Duels" as she walks through Aries, and she makes a mental note to ask Link about them later. Taurus...

Well, in this one case, she figures the less she knows about Taurus, the better.

Leo appears to be the seat of the government in the city - a fact she files away for a time when she knows more about what's going on. As outwardly kind as it is for the government to give housing to their otherworldly visitors, she can't help but feel somewhat suspicious about it all. Chalk it up to the years of constantly seeing enemies in shadows. Doing her exploring during the day, she doesn't yet see anything odd about the mountain in Gemini, and she moves on. Having oh so conveniently arrived in Cancer and finding it just as boggling now as she did then, she passes though the technological district quickly. Virgo and Libra employ and house quite a few Guests, it seems, which she supposes might be useful if she does get a job.

This brings her to Scorpio. The artistic district is odd, but in a way that's interesting to her, unlike Cancer. She's particularly drawn in by the musicians, and it's as she's watching a few near the mall that a native calls out to her...]

Hey, hey, lady! Those pointy ears natural?

[Looking more than just a little bewildered, she turns to the man and nods.] They are, yes--

Perfect! Do you think you could help me out? I need helpers for this Santa thing we're doing this year and the last guy I hired keeps falling asleep on the job but I can tell you're a responsible young lady - you'd be perfect for it!

... My apologies, but I doubt that, given that I have not a semblance of an idea as to what you're talking about.

Right, right, "extraterrestrial guest," don't know anything about Earth holidays. Don't worry, it's easy!

I do not know... I really can't stay ♪

[--Goddesses above, not this again.]

And that thing! The singing! The kids'll love it!

Let me be on my way ♫

C'mon, it's only for a few days!

This evening I need... to be back home ♪

Give it a chance, will you?

[>...
>It doesn't seem like either side will relent...
>Help the damsel in distress?]

Comments

[sky_child]

"Hey, leave her alone!" calls a voice from behind them. A quick look will reveal the interrupting party to be a certain pointy-eared fellow who keeps falling asleep on the job.

[sageprincess]

"... Link?"

No, not quite, but close. Uncannily close. The man's pleading grin fades, replaced by questioning headtilt, "Oh, you know each other?"

Well, not really, and she's still not that experienced with such social situations (which the singing thing is really not helping), but she knows an opening when she sees it. "Yes, so... if you wish to avoid having two complaints to the government from visitors of the same world, I would suggest doing as he says."

At least the singing abated long enough for her to get that out.

[sky_child]

Link's pretty sure it doesn't work that way, and this is why he hasn't said anything for a moment as he stares at Zelda. Or it could be that she's not the only one thinking someone looks almost familiar.

"Uh...yeah. And she doesn't have to do the job if she doesn't want to."

[sageprincess]

She's new. She's allowed to make shit up.

"Yes. I apologize, but I would rather get a bit more settled in before I commit to anything, sir."

The man sighs, "Fine. But keep it in mind for next year, okay?" And with that, he relents, leaving the two not-quite-familiar "friends" alone.

"Goddesses willing, I hope not to remain here that long," she mutters to herself before looking back to Link uncertainly. "We... do not know one another, do we."

[sky_child]

He shakes his head. "But I can guess. Are you Zelda?"

[sageprincess]

"I am," she responds surely. "You would be the 'other' Link the Hero of Time has spoken of, I presume?"

[sky_child]

"...yeah," he says, with a noticeable pause.

Cause he had to remember who this Hero of Time was, see.

And then he remembers that she's a princess, and that that Means Things, and thus he must make a very awkward bow.

"Nice to meet you."

tl;dr i'm sorry

[drakenguard]

Yamato had decided to brave the insanity that was the weather to visit the Scorpio ward, if only to collect some materials to preoccupy himself during his hermit phase (wandering society was incredibly draining). So it was when he was exiting the mall with a small bag of purchases that he saw a young woman being harassed by one of the natives, and he paused to give them more than a passing glance.

Hrmph...

It wasn't any of his business, and he was no knight in shining armour.

...

Perhaps Shura was rubbing off on him, but after a moment's thought Yamato adjusted his path to walk a bit closer to the pair. It seemed the woman's COMP was malfunctioning as well, unless she had a very unusual way of communicating with people through singing. Still, her wish to refuse the man's insistent offers were clear, and Yamato was irritated at both parties.

Irritated at the man being unable to take a no, or changing his tactics at the very least (repeatedly bashing one's head against a wall would not make one relent to you), and irritated at the woman for simply standing there instead of walking off. Why stay and be harassed? Politeness? Fah, if the other party isn't respecting you, then there is no point giving respect to them.

Finally drawing close to the pair, Yamato interrupted with his usual brand of blunt rudeness. "It is clear that neither of you are going to come to agreement," then to the woman, "Instead of standing here arguing, you should just walk away if you don't wish to join him."

and I'm so late I'm sorry

[sageprincess]

Politeness, not wanting him to end up following her, and honestly not know how to deal with the situation, in a way. Hiding out for years on end doesn't exactly teach one social graces.

"Hey, I'm just offering her a job for the holidays!" the man responds, but his irritation at being interrupted hardly matches the woman's, who is now rather embarrassed. She exhales, as if trying to mentally clear away the COMP malfunction, then speaks slowly and clearly as an extra precaution.

"My apologies, sir, but as I am still new to the city, I would rather get a chance to learn my way around before committing myself to anything." Then, turning to Yamato and ignoring the man's protests, "I am afraid I am still learning the customs of this place. I shall keep that in mind for later, thank you."

Now, can everyone just... forget this ever happened?

no prob no prob i only just got back

[drakenguard]

Yamato's gaze slid from the woman to the man, his frown cooling into a rather frosty stare. Such an annoying situation.

He flicked his wrist, slipping his free hand into his coat pocket as he turned his body away from the man pointedly, glancing back at the woman with a tilt of his head. "Then if that is all, perhaps you should leave this man to search elsewhere...?"

It is clear that Yamato would bully the man away otherwise. He hated that he got himself involved in something so trivial, but far be it from him to retreat when he started something! Sadly, in social dances such as these, he is about as delicate as a wooden club to a china shop.

Best not to learn anything relating to social customs from him.

holidayyyys

[sageprincess]

Likewise, her eyes flick between the two men, her purpose of assessing the situation clear in her gaze. Socially, she is untested, but escaping without being followed is something she knows how to do quite well.

"Of course," she replies, nodding. "But as I am still unfamiliar with this city, may I ask you to escort me to the edge of this district? I will compensate you for your time."

... Please?

Meanwhile, the would-be-employer sighs as he's ignored.

holidayyys~ i hope you enjoyed your christmas btw!

[drakenguard]

Escorting?

Yamato's eyebrows furrowed slightly, a bit discomforted at the thought. If this had been several months ago, when he first arrived here, he would've refused and strode off to leave her to fend for herself - but then again, a few months ago, he wouldn't have involved himself in this at all.

Shura truly was rubbing off on him. Her and Kaito.

But...it was only to the end of the district, and Yamato had been on his way home anyway. They would simply be walking in the same direction before parting ways. It was easier for Yamato to swallow that.

He gave a curt nod, pivoting slightly on his heel as he prepared to leave. The poor man may as well have been part of the background to Yamato at this point. "Very well. Let us depart, then."

I did! And likewise! 'v'

[sageprincess]

"Thank you."

She quickly follows suit, minding to keep a respectable distance away from her escort as she walks. He does not seem much like the sociable type, from what she's gathered. Still, after sparing one last glance to the man behind them, she has one more comment to make.

"Forgive me for troubling you. I wished to ensure I would not be followed. Once we are out of that man's sight, we can part ways, if you wish."

She can figure her own way around, so long as she doesn't get stopped like that again.

[greatergone]

[Was that an Eldar? She certainly admitted her ears were...natural. And she fit the other descriptions.

...Kais could be on the cusp of something great here. Though he was also sure that if this gue'la kept bothering her, she would unleash the ferocious psychic abilities that Eldar were rumored to be capable of.

Sure, he may have been smaller than the person bothering Zelda but he probably seemed a lot bigger decked out in full armor. Kais was relying on that as he started to gently push the man away. He was strong for his own species but compared to humans, he wasn't exactly considered a weight lifter.]

Stop being rude, gue'la. This person clearly said no.

[sageprincess]

[On the other hand, Zelda doesn't quite know what Kais is, but she knows someone walking around in full body armor is not someone you want to mess with. As he steps in, she steps back, and the man begins to back away as he's pushed.]

H-haha, no reason to get physical, here! Just offering the lady a job, but I'll find someone else!

[Meanwhile, the girl behind Kais breathes a sigh of relief, and, hoping the singing has gone way--]

Thank you, sir; I believe he understands, now.

[greatergone]

[Satisfied that the human was done being a bother, he turned back to Zelda and gave a short bow. That was about all he knew in terms of diplomacy, sadly.]

You're welcome. The gue'la sometimes fail to understand when they're not wanted.

[sageprincess]

[Ironically, the difference in knowledge of proper etiquette between them is not that great. Still, she gives a slight nod in return.]

This city is strange, and an outside influence seemed to be disrupting my ability to communicate. Next time, I shall keep in mind that a direct approach is best.

[She just had to show up when the weather is crazy, everyone is singing for some unknown reason, and the populace is bustling over some strange holiday.]

If I may ask, however... is 'gue-la' the term used when referring to natives of this place?

[She hasn't been given a name for them yet - just an idea that they look a bit like rounded-eared Hylians.]

[greatergone]

No, no...

[His helmet shook back and forth in the negatory gesture.]

Gue'la is the Tau word for human. "Gue" means humans as a whole and "'la" signifies the common rank. So a common human. Human is what these beings call themselves.

[sageprincess]

Oh, I see.

[Human. All right. She can remember that.]

Thank you, for explaining. I am... certain it is obvious, but I have not been here long.

/late if that's all right?

[poorlittleblueburdie]

The blue angel-elf-raven-burdyperson-thing stepped out of one of the nearby stores, something in his -- her? -- cloth shopping bag, cooing quietly while peeking inside at it, before turning and walking vaguely toward Zelda and the man, mind clearly elsewhere... until they paused to look at what was going on. The lady was... singing?

..!

Her ears....!

Not as long as his own, but... she had no wings! And her skin was a human color. And she lacked black lips, she had five fingers, it looked like....

'Scuse him, Princess. He's not meaning to be rude by staring, or ignoring your plight, but he has no idea what you are, and those ears have his attention for being an otherwise familiar trait. If it weren't for the fact that Zelda seems otherwise human, he'd be thinking she might be a relative of a sort. As it is, he's watching her mouth for something....

It wasn't that he didn't care that she was arguing with the guy, even though she was doing so in an oddly melodious way. He'd just gotten thoroughly distracted by her ears and an odd possibility that'd just crossed his mind, that was all. Of course, if the guy decided he could use the burd in his holiday festivities somehow too, this confusion could spread even further.

But how would he work a blue angel-bird-elf thing into it? Or maybe that didn't matter so much, and he could stick him into an angel role anyhow. Not like the SMT Archangels had human coloration as it was.

Or like Avitus would protest. Which he would, but.

It's absolutely all right! ... if you don't mind me being slow as molasses, that is.

[sageprincess]

Fortunately, perhaps, this princess is very good at realizing when she is being watched. The strange bird-like person catches her attention, and though the staring is certainly a bit unnerving, she has a more immediate problem to deal with. And she'll take a potential escape route when she sees one.

"Oh, my friend is here. Pardon me, but I must leave - good day, sir," she quickly gets out before the singing returns, breaking away from the man and moving to Avitus. Though her body language is confident, her expression is pleading.

"Please," she mutters quietly when she believes she's within his range of hearing. "Walk with me to the end of the street?"

Why would I mind, when I'm the same way at times? XD

[poorlittleblueburdie]

This, he caught on pretty quickly about, and it brought him back to the present. He gave the man a little glance, and then gave her a smile. Looks like he'd been claimed for playing the role of the excuse. At least he recognized it for what it was, thanks to having done it to someone else before, and turned away from the man once she got closer to him. He lowered one of his wings, keeping it folded as he reached with it like a normal arm, putting its wrist somewhere behind her back. At most, she might feel its feathery surface brushing the end of a stray lock of her long hair, but to a casual observer, it would look for all the world like he was giving her a loose hug or something.

He lowered his stance a little further, losing an inch or two off his apparent height as he did, and looked to her, keeping the little smile in place for anyone who might've been watching them. Quietly right back to her, "should I even ask?"

SWEET. Slow taggers unite /o/

[sageprincess]

Despite the strangeness of the gesture (really, it's not often you meet a blue, winged, vaguely Hylian looking person), she sighs in relief, visibly grateful that this stranger has shown sympathy. In response, she bows as much as she can without arousing too much suspicion, her pleading look turning into a slightly awkward smile.

"Some people here are terribly bothersome, that is all," she explains, motioning towards their 'destination' and stepping off. "Thank you so much for playing along."

...and dyslexics untie! (...wait.)

[poorlittleblueburdie]

He cast another glance back at the man as he stepped around the corner with her, both of them finally safely enough out of his sight, and took his wing away, tucking it up behind him again. "Oh. Not at all, I... I was curious about something, actually, if that's all right...?" He seemed to lose another inch of height again before he looked back over to her, giving another quick little glance at one of her ears before returning his attention to her eyes. He certainly looked shy about it, whatever it was.

never good at organizing, those guys.

[sageprincess]

She spares a glance over her shoulder when he looks to her ear, thinking something beyond her must have caught his eye. There's nothing of note there, however, so it's with a curious tilt of her head when she responds.

"Of course. You helped me, so I will be happy to return the favor."