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 Posted: Fri Dec 03, 2010 3:02 pm
"Hello?"
Fingers curled tightly around the thin sword at his side. Only a simple sword meant for practicing, against the dark, forbidden woods, it was his comfort, his protection. He cupped a hand around his mouth and tried again, calling into the trees. Youth and fear caused the timbre of his voice to raise just slightly.
"It's no... use," the young prince conceded. His brow bent in worry, lip curling into a frown; when he heard a twig snap, Eamonn whipped around to look and found nothing. It had been this way for well over an hour, now. His cheeks flushed hot because he was easily spooked, and he knew if Farid saw him now he would laugh.
Perhaps. His first reaction would most likely be to scold him for getting lost in the woods - the Lost Woods, no less. The namesake was well-founded, because the minute he had stepped away from his guardian he had become absolutely and wonderfully lost. His lips pursed. He kicked a rock.
Circles. He was walking in circles.
He musn't panic. He told himself that and tried to steady his breathing, but he had only recently turned a young man and all too aware of his own weaknesses. Fighting alone was one of them. His magic was undeveloped but coming along rather nicely, all things considered. When the paths became darker, he raised a hand and watched as a bright blue light emitted from his palm and encased his hand.
"This should do. Keep the darkness away, at the very least," Eamonn mused, gaze flicking left and right, up and down. Every noise was a monster, every dark shape a horrible creature come to maim him. He shivered.
Sword swinging at his side, he did his best to keep his spirits up and continued on his way. Regardless of how he was feeling, the exit had to be somewhere. He would find it eventually.
His arm outstretched, the light was like a shield against his fears. He felt braver behind it, but he couldn't outrun the nagging, horrible feeling in his chest.
Be brave, he told himself, and bit the inside of his lip. You are the prince of Hyrule, heir to the throne. For the love of the goddesses, be brave.
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Posted: Fri Dec 03, 2010 3:58 pm
A black hooded figure heard the calls which echoed though her home, she told herself not to look, that the helpless voice was the forest playing with her mind. Giving her false hope that there was someone out there wanting to reach out there hand in hope she would take it. She had come to learn that disappointment was the only thing waiting for her here. Then her green eyes caught site of a light in the distance, sealing in her heart the smallest spark of hope, was she dreaming? After so long had someone found her?
She began to wonder over to the source, her long, flowing, black cape blowing behind her in the icy wind which cradled the fallen leaves and blessed them with the ability of flight. She hid behind a nearby tree and examined the figure, was he real or another ghost? Was he lost or unlike her did he have a chance of being found. Zalle was a very lonely creature so any new face was a huge deal to her. It was another chance that one day she might smile again, one day she would remember what it was like to have a friend.
Even the other skull children stayed clear of the dark shadow which now haunted the forest. They had good reason to. Zalle’s sanity swayed with her transformation, turning her into what she was now, something twisted... something not human. Her eyes scanned the boy, he was the same age as her, well the same age she was when she got here, whenever that might be. She had almost forgotten what to do on meeting someone. She was shocked, still not truly believing he was nothing more than a trick of the imagination.
She finally came forward, her face and most of her body covered by black cloth, a witches hat over her head and some purple stands falling from her hood, the mask she was cursed with was hidden for now, all that could be seen where he glowing cat like eyes. Maybe if she was lucky, he would not know what she was. Maybe then she had a chance; a chance to cage him here with her, so he never had to be alone again.
“It is not too smart to call out in the woods; you never know what will find you.”
She smiled and closed her eyes before she walked a little closer to the boy to expect him in more detail. He had no mask, he was still able to be saved yet the question was if that was what she wanted.
“There is no need to be scared. Not whilst I am here at least.”
Came her quite ghostly voice. She wanted to touch him just to make sure... however that would more than likely just scare him away. How was he meant to be her new best friend if he thought her scary?
Even if he was a dream, it was better than to be insane and care for; than sane and on your own.
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Posted: Fri Dec 03, 2010 5:42 pm
He thought he might jump out of his skin.
Born and raised to be friendly, Eamonn's first instinct when he heard a voice would have normally been to allow relief to wash over him, maybe even send a greeting their way. Unfortunately, he was far more terrified than he would have liked to admit, so when his voice was answered by another, he stopped in his tracks and stared like a startled deer.
Shrouded in mystery. What he first saw was black; black all over her (him? he couldn't quite tell), covering their features and lending a rather frightening aspect to their appearance. Memories of past lessons, readings, and stories reminded him of the rumors of the Lost Woods - why they were truly called as such.
Legend had it that any child who became lost in the woods for too long would become a part of the forest's darkness, in a way; a Lost One. It hadn't even occurred to him to be worried about that. Now that the thought was fresh in his mind, a shiver ran down his spine and he brought his rapier up in a defensive stance.
"Wh-who --" He stopped himself and gathered his composure. He was a prince. He would be brave and carry himself in a dignified manner, even if all he wanted to do was bolt as fast as his skinny legs could carry him. Keeping his rapier raised, he inspected the creature - whom he was not entirely certain was Hylian or monster or what, at this point - with a careful gaze.
Don't be scared, she said. He wanted to roll his eyes. Hearing the command from someone else only served to remind him of what he had been telling himself the entirety of his trek through the woods, but it didn't make it any easier to do so.
His hold on the sword was a bit awkward, as he had to keep his other hand raised to continue emitting light, but he was a bit more confident in his fencing skills than he had been before. He could fight one-handed, if need be. Whether or not he would live was another case entirely, but he would try not to dwell on such morbid thoughts. No, he had to keep his mind clear.
Clearing his throat, he gave her a small nod, as if to acknowledge her presence. Polite to the end. "I am... Eamonn," he said carefully. Best not to reveal his entire identity; holders of the Triforce of Wisdom (women, he thought disdainfully) were notorious for being kidnapped. "Who are you?"
Although, if they didn't know who he was, then it would only prove in his mind that they were indeed a Lost One. Out of touch with the 'real' world... creatures who had gone mad and wandered the forest for eternity. He shivered again.
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Posted: Fri Dec 03, 2010 6:11 pm
Zalle glared at him as his rapier raised; standing back a little and looking to the floor. He was, threatened by her? Did he know? Oh spirits please let her secret be kept. If he knew what she was all hope was lost already. No one ever could look at her kind as anything else but monstrous creatures. Even the happy children where referred to as ‘them’ or ‘it’ instead of who they were. When the mask was on your face, your very identity suddenly became nothing, however she refused to let go of the memories of who she was. She was not ready to say goodbye to them yet, even though some were unhappy.
“You know it is very rude to point a weapon at an unarmed little girl. If you do not wish my presence, just say so and I will just let you continue to wonder, even though you are going in completely the wrong direction.”
She stated and turned to walk away with her arms folded. What was she to do? What was she to do? She did not want him to leave? Maybe she could come back after he soul had been taken that might have been a idea. However he was actually on the right track! What if he escaped? NO! She could not allow that; if she was trapped her that he should be too. She looked over her shoulder, green eyes looking into his as he introduced himself. She turned around slightly. Reaching out and putting her finger on the end of his sword pushing it downwards gently.
“My name is Zalle and this is my forest and if you ever want out you should be a lot nicer to me seeing as only my kind can navigate the trees and lead you to freedom.”
She stated, if he had already guessed them there was no point hiding it from him. The young boy would soon be one of her kind anyway. A day maybe two and the darkness would have claimed his soul. Unless he was one of those with a strong will, she once thought she did however it only took one night and she was gone. She was angry, she should have been stronger. Maybe if she was she would still be at home, maybe is she was her mother would have not rejected her in such a cruel way.
“So why don’t you put the toy away Eamonn. I am not here to harm you; if I was would I have not used the element of surprise to get a advantage?”
She asked raising an eyebrow and reaching for her hood. Maybe if she showed him, he would trust her a bit more? No, she could not bare the thought or revealing her face. She could not show anyone what this place had done to her. She was so... ugly. It would just provoke more negativity from him. He would never trust a skull kid. No one ever did.
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Posted: Fri Dec 03, 2010 6:24 pm
"Ah..."
He tensed when she drew near, but felt a bit of... relief? That she came back. He was positive the creature was female, now. Her voice sounded far too feminine to suggest otherwise. And she had grown angry; did that mean she was closer to his kind than he thought?
Well, perhaps he had been wrong. The Lost Children looked different, didn't they? With masks and strange instruments and whatnot. Perhaps she was simply one who knew the forest well. Or a figment of his imagination; he cast away that notion when she touched the tip of his rapier. No intangible creature would be able to move it. He drew out a long breath, a breath he had been holding in for what felt like forever.
He cocked a brow. "Your forest? You mean to say that this forest belongs to you?" he asked, gesturing to the side with his lit hand. The movement sent pearls of light outward, and they floated until they dissipated into the air.
His cheeks grew rosy when he realized he had been accused of being rude. 'Rude' was a word he did not wish to be associated with; however, he did not feel he was being rude. Careful would likely be a better word, but he did not see the point in defending himself. Was he so thin-skinned to allow simple comments like that to get to him?
She reached for her hood, and he held his breath again. What was going to be underneath it? Possibilities flew through his mind - horrible burn scars, an incurable disease, a... monster? Or perhaps a normal girl. She hesitated, and he lowered his rapier slightly and held his glowing hand out, lingering inches from touching her hood.
He was taking a risk by doing so, by letting his guard down like that, but he wanted to see what she was. He wanted to reassure himself that she was a normal girl, that he would be safe and she would lead him out. If she knew the forest like she implied, then she was likely his only hope of escaping in a timely manner. He withdrew his hand only slightly and frowned sheepishly.
"Excuse my rudeness. I only -- I was curious, so I..." He stumbled over the rest of his sentence, ending it in an awkward mumble. With nothing else to say, he stared back at her, ready to fight or fly - whichever need came first, if either.
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Posted: Fri Dec 03, 2010 6:46 pm
“Yes these are my woods. This is my home and I hear no one else wanting to claim them. Everyone is the king or queen of their own castle and this is mine.”
She stated very matter of fact. She has always thought these woods at her own, she was the only one who wanted them and the other kids just lived here. She instead saw it as a creature; a creature that she worked with to cause her mischief. One of the simplest ways to change was to forget this place was alive... and evil.
“You where curious to what I was? If I was one of those monsters in the stories? Is that what you where worried about? I understand... come on. This way.”
She began, her mind was made up. She jumped to the conclusion that is what he was thinking and it felt like a stab to the heart; another one with those tainted views. That skull kids where monsters of the forest like the stories say. They seem to forget at heart they are children, which met a cruel fate, taken from their families and now outcasts. Monsters. It made her blood boil but she retained that hatred for the stereotype and kept her voice calm and almost musical. No Zalle. Breathe in deep. He is just new, one day he will understand.
Of cause at the moment she was leading him deeper into the darkness. He would be her friend; he would be here for her even if she had to force him to. She was so lonely she could not take it anymore. It was them which made her this way, the ones who saw her like this... who did not give her kind a chance. They will all pay.
“What brings you to these parts anyway? It is very rare that guests stumble into my home, people usually hear enough stories to not want to come within miles of here. Especially so young and... Unattended.”
She stated it was very odd; it took a lot to get her here. Event after event causing a collision of threads which created her destiny and doing so sealed her fate as a dark spirit of the woods. However how did he get here? Was it through trickery of just curiosity? You all know it killed the cat. Would it also kill this young boy? That was not yet set in stone. She looked back, her eyes as bright as ever. He should know what it’s like, how much it hurts when others saw you as a monster... indeed when the shoe was on the other foot his tune would change.
She held her flute close to her under her cloak. In case she would need it now her back was turned.
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Posted: Sat Dec 04, 2010 11:33 am
He quickened his pace to follow her; it didn't make much sense to trust a stranger so, but it made even less sense to allow himself to wander aimlessly any longer. If anything, he could think of something to get himself out of whatever hairy situation may present itself.
Hopefully it did not come to that.
There were so many questions, so few answers being provided. He wanted to know more. For being his first time in the woods, it could have been worse, he supposed; after all, the girl known as Zalle could have killed him on the spot. Or he could have been eaten by a tree. Did trees do that here? Well, he would probably find out.
It made him a bit uneasy when she seemed to know what he was thinking - that she might be a monster. To come up with that conclusion, unprovoked, was more than a little suspicious, but he didn't want to jump to conclusions. He was taught better than that. He would follow her and observe her, never let his guard down. If she truly wanted to help him, he would not lose that chance by chasing her away with his own suspicions.
"It was by no intention of my own that I ended up here," he confessed, blushing. He sounded like such a child, so incapable. "Circumstances, er... led me to these woods. I was actually not alone, but my guardian..." It sounded strange to call Farid his guardian, but it was better than saying my royal guard. Much better.
He trailed off and his brow furrowed. The darkness was increasing. He filtered more energy into the light of his hand and it brightened, but only enough to light a slightly larger circle around the two of them. Finally, he spoke again.
"Zalle... Lady Zalle," he half-whispered, unease evident on his features as he glanced about. "Are you... certain this is the way out? We seem to be going deeper in, if my knowledge of... deep woods serves correctly. Farid will be --" He closed his mouth. Farid would be upset. Farid would be angry. Farid would be...
He lifted his rapier and examined it in the light.
Farid, he thought, as if doing so would enable the other to hear his voice. Of course he would not, however.. however...
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Posted: Sat Dec 04, 2010 11:54 am
“You are not here alone then? Is your guardian lost too?”
She asked, if he had a friend that could ruin her plans, if someone caught sight of them they might try and take him away and she knew a friend close to his heart would be a more preferable guide than her; even more so if they were old enough to not suffer the curse of the wood. They might be able to see through her plan more clearly than a child would. She had to remain and hope they were not spotted. Maybe she could lead her along more if she told him they could search for his guardian together; a chance to lead him closer to his transformation.
“The night is always at its darkest just before the dawn. To see the light you must first walk into the black abyss but don’t worry at the end of the tunnel there is always a door.”
She mumbled it was a saying which had grown more meaning to her through the world she had to live to experience. She knew in the hearts of everyone there was darkness but no matter how dark they where there was always light, at least she hoped that was the case especially looking at herself. She knew she was not a saint, but desperate times caused for desperate measures. Maybe leading someone into pure darkness would allow them to be able to see the light... the person... in her which was hiding behind this mask. She closed her eyes and sighed inwardly. If only she could trust him but he was armed, he would attack on seeing her face. She was dying to hide it but deep down she was paranoid he already knew.
“Trust me Eamonn, I have been here many years, each tree has a name and a face, I see them as clearly as most identify people. I know which ones are kind and which are wicked. More so I know who to pass to find the exit. They are my friends, the only company this place offers.”
She stated putting her hand on one, stroking it like it was a beloved pet. Its dark claw like routes digging firmly into the ground. Her words almost trance like. Yes, these where her friends. The forest where her one and only friend and she had to trust it would bring her more. It had, it brought her him and she was not going to let him leave, he was hers. She deserved him! She turned to face the prince, large green eyes looking into his once more. Her cloak blew as she turned and from it came a small, pale hand which extended out to him. For the first time a glimpse of her bright green and black clothes could be seen in the form of a green and black sleeve. Suggesting he should take it.
“We could be friends Eamonn, we are not so different you and I. Trust me, I am your only way to salvation.”
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Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2010 1:50 pm
His gaze drew down to the ghostly hand as it presented itself to him. Funny how he was slightly surprised; of course she had hands, she wasn't some beast. Whatever had been under the cloak remained largely a mystery, but he should have suspected a human shape. The longer he looked at her, the more he began to think that she was... well, maybe she was Hylian after all. Maybe the rumors of the Lost Ones were just that: rumors.
Biting the inside of his lip, Eamonn threw caution to the wind and took her hand.
His fingertips barely had the chance to brush against her pale skin before a cold shock was sent down his arm and through his body, and he gasped. His stomach felt so hollow, and everything was... cold. Dark. The forest around him seemed to envelope him and a sharp pain resonated in his head.
Sadness. Glimpses of a sad, lonely girl's past unfolded in his head, like scenes selected from a play. In what felt like several agonizing minutes, but in reality was only a few seconds, Eamonn felt he had seen something of this girl. This girl, who was --
Goddess, it consumed him. The sadness, the anger, betrayal, fear... loneliness. Everything she had said about the forest was true; it was her home, but she was more of a prisoner than anything. The trees suddenly became tangled bars of a cage. The darkness grew dimmer and without light. Yet, hidden deep amongst the folds of darkness was a light. There was still light.
When he regained his focus, Eamonn realized he was grasping her hand tightly. He gasped again and let go, shook his head and tried to get rid of the pulsing pain in his temple. His rapier lay on the ground, and the light he had been using was gone from his hand like an extinguished flame. To his surprise, he felt less exhausted from the experience and more... emotionally jarred, which enabled him to activate the light once more. Instead of limiting it to his palm, the light became a ball and floated about them, sending different angles of light over Zalle. He looked into her eyes.
"Zalle..." He took a step forward. He tried to shake off the cold feeling that had settled in his chest, but it was overwhelming. Unable to think properly, he did the only thing he could think of and hugged her fiercely.
"You were... lonely, weren't you? So lonely, so... afraid." He was a bit disturbed, but his grip remained powerful. When he spoke again, his voice was hardly above a whisper. "You aren't... you are not the only one who knows loneliness, Zalle. Goddess, I had no... idea."
He knew not what else to say; yet, he didn't want to let go, either. Now that he had caught a glimpse of what this girl had gone through, he didn't want to let her go. To delve deeper into the darkness - no, he wouldn't let a soul become completely lost in the darkness. Even if she was truly a Lost One, a fact he now knew... no one deserved to be abandoned.
He stood with her in awkward silence, his heart hammering in his chest. Underneath his apparent nerve and boldness was a hope that she would not impale him for his invasion of her space. Or worse.
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Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2010 3:01 pm
Zalle’s eyes widened as he came towards her expecting a attack however she was surprise to find herself resting in the arms of the young prince. Her hat and hood fell backwards as he did so, her long purple hair falling loose and the black mask which hid her face becoming very clear. It was not as dominant as that of the other skull kids, it allowed her eyes and her mouth to be visible yet it still made her species very obvious. A small blush lit her cheeks, what was he doing? Where did this come from? She was shocked and found herself frozen. She dare not even breathe and then his words hit her ears, and her heart.
Why was he saying all this? Why did he know all of this? Even though he could not possibly understand how close to home those words hit she was also finding it just as hard to understand his sudden outburst. The light surrounded them and she finally exhaled raising her arms to wrap them around him. She had forgotten what a hug felt like; it had been so long since she had one. Even more than his words the contact touched her and for a moment she forgot about her plans and just felt her mind settle and get lost in the comfort this brought her.
“W-what are you doing? I do not understand!”
She stuttered shaking her head before burying it in his chest, what was he doing? What was he doing to her? She shook as she felt a strange sensation in her eyes. She froze once more as a cold tear ran down her mask, falling off of her chin to land on the floor in-between their feet. She had not cried since... since she saw her mother after her transformation. It called forth a lot of memories she before today forced herself to lock deep in the back of her mind. She wanted him to stay with her forever, however this threw her off. She wanted to know why the change of heart. She wanted to understand why he was saying these things to her.
“Eamonn...”
She uttered before pushing him back the final realisation coming that her protective disguise was now lost to her. She backed to the shadows until the blackness consumed her, hiding herself from him. He knew, her plan was ruined, half of her told her to run but she could not bring herself to listen. Dark forces were at work, conjuring up emotions she had suppressed and wished to forget. She was so used to being cold, she had turned herself into ice so nothing could hurt her anymore and here she was melting from a few words and a hug, she shook her head covering her ears and sliding down a tree trunk into her knees. She closed her eyes and shook her head, the tears in her eyes now flowing like a stream; silent as they where they were still there.
“W-what have you done to me? Why do you say such things? How did you- no one has ever- What trickery is this. Go away! Run! Don’t look at me!”
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