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

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?]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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?

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.

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.

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."

"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.

Yamato merely grunted, adjusting his hold on the bags in his hand. "It's fine," he said, "I will escort you to whichever destination you want. I need the exercise anyway."

After this he would be cutting off all human contact for a few days to do some arts and crafts - not out of love of a hobby, but mostly out of sulking. He should enjoy the fresh air for as long as possible. Also probably buy some food, now that he thought about it...

He doesn't seem like the sociable type, but she offers a small smile in gratitude, all the same. "Then... towards the Virgo district, if you would, please. I am more familiar with the central part of the city at this point."

It's technically the long way around to Pisces, but she thinks she's had enough of exploring for one day.

Yamato nodded minutely, and for a moment it seemed as if he was going to have the walk in total silence, his eyes forward and not sparing his companion a single glance. But then...

"New to Hinoto-Ri, mm? Have you awoken your Persona yet?"

Well, that's surprising. Or maybe it isn't, really - from what little she's heard about 'persona,' they seem to be powerful tools in this place. Knowing who has and has not awoken to one might be useful information.

She shakes her head. "No, I have not. In all honesty, I know very little about them. Though... from the way you speak, it sounds like it is an inevitability."

"It usually is. Those that have arrived here from other worlds all carry the possibility to awaken it," Yamato explained. "There are many, heh, stressful situations to trigger its manifestation as well."

Not... quite liking the way he said that. Her voice carries a note of wariness. "What kinds of stressful situations, if you would elaborate?"

She's been told it's relatively safe here, so long as one stays in during the night.

Yamato tilted his head slightly as if in consideration. "Stressful situations that edge on life or death. Fear for one's safety and life, or fear for another, are the most common ways for the Persona to manifest."

"An odd trigger, I must say..." If they have truly been summoned to act as a kind of army for this city, then it seems somewhat illogical to require being put in a life or death situation in order to fulfill that capacity. Hm.

She keeps most of her theorizing to herself, however. "And here I was told that it was relatively peaceful in this place."

"It is reasonably peaceful. Most violence is restricted during the full moon days, or the 13th Hour," Yamato replied, "So it is easily avoidable by simply staying indoors during the night."

Although that was a bit boring, wasn't it?

Boring, maybe, but to be frank... Zelda could use a little boring.

"That is good to confirm," she says. "I do not suppose you know if that violence the thing we are supposed to 'protect' this city from, do you?"

Not that she has much intention of doing that right now, but she wants all the information she can get.

"Possibly, possibly not," Yamato said, "The city seems to handle the 13th Hour well enough on its own, and I don't see any reason as to why our presence is necessary to help with it."

Meaning that there was probably a bigger threat lurking out there that hadn't revealed itself yet.

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

and I'm so late I'm sorry

no prob no prob i only just got back

holidayyyys

holidayyys~ i hope you enjoyed your christmas btw!

I did! And likewise! 'v'

I did too, thanks!

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