middaeg | [closed] yeah, you're gonna bring yourself down

[It's been several days - nearly a week - since the "espionage" team was unceremoniously dropped at Dorchacht's doorstep, and Zelda has adapted well to the situation in some ways and less so in others.

Darting around unseen by the city's guards (or running fast enough that they can't keep up when they give chase) is familiar, and something she is quite adept at. All her practice with illusion magic is also finally paying off in spades, and she's happy to note that she's getting better at keeping her disguise up without actively thinking about it. Whether that's because of the Bond she's made or simply growing accustomed to her new powers, who can say, but she's contented by that fact nonetheless.

... She's less used to working with others in such an environment, however. Her days as Sheik taught her to be self-reliant, and wary of others, no matter how kind or well-intentioned they might seem; a slip up here or there could ruin everything if word about it spread to the wrong people. But she doesn't have much of a choice here, not when her options are huddle in close with the resistance members down in the sewers or be torn to ribbons by whatever horrors lurk in the Wilde beyond. She has to trust these strangers just as they've trusted her, but... old habits are hard to break.

She hasn't been sleeping much, because of this, and it's starting to wear on her. A little orb of golden light floats around her head in the darkness of the sewers as she stares down at an open book in her lap. And "stares" really is the most accurate word here, as she hasn't turned a page in quite a while. But she is absolutely not so tired that reading comprehension has flown out the window, nope, no sir. She is Fine.]

[ Shadow had been very impressed by Zelda. While she'd never doubted she was a capable woman in their time together, getting to see her in a whole new element, seeing how she thrived as an agent of the shadows, a realm very much her own and not just the source of her special nickname Zelda used, had left an impression on her. Considering it had been part of her walk in life to assess the talents of various warriors and heroes for so long, it was hard to turn off those inclinations, and she found herself evaluating each thing Zelda did, and giving her glowing marks in her head.

But she was still a mortal princess, still someone with the same needs as any other soldier, and that included needing to rest. Shadow approached her, giving her a light tap to the foot with the end of her spear. ]

My lady's eyes are heavier than that book, at this point. [ A light, teasing remark, but with a soft tone as she started to sit herself beside the girl. ]

If you'll not rest for your own sake, then perhaps I could ask it as a favor for me?

[The princess jolts with the tap to her foot, magical light flickering above her head briefly as she returns to greater awareness with a jump of her head and shoulders and a skip of her heart. But it's Shadow, just Shadow, who would have had plenty of chances to turn that red spear against her if that were her intent, who says she will not betray her "noble heart." As she settles down next to her, Zelda breathes and lets the tension ebb out of her muscles once more.

There's... really no denying the other's observation, but she tries to keep her answer nonchalant, even so.]

Were it only so easy. I fear it would only result in a few hours of restless tossing and turning, to the satisfaction of no one. It is... difficult, to become comfortable down here, you know.

[Because it's smelly and what they have passing as bedding here is still far too harsh for her delicate princess constitution, clearly. She is definitely not trying to hide behind half truths and implied meanings, why would anyone think that.]

Then should I sing you a lullaby, perhaps? [ Scathach hummed, letting her spear rest on the shoulder opposite the princess.

Normally, her teasing tone was pretty clear, and that certainly seemed like something she'd say to tease the princess with, but there was no lack of sincerity there, either. ]

Something from my homeland, perhaps...

A lullaby?

[Again, she finds her heart aching for people who aren't here, and again, she swallows that feeling down, locking it back away until the next time someone accidentally turns the key. The sincerity throws her off besides, and it's easy to read her hesitation as wariness that she's walking into yet another bout of poking fun at her reactions.]

I... would not refuse you, if that is something you wish to share with me. [The woman she calls "Shadow" doesn't reveal much about herself, and though she's curious, Zelda's never thought it her place to pry.] But I will also assure you it is not necessary. I am certain sleep will find me eventually, regardless.

[ No poking came, no teasing or cruelty, Shadow leaned herself back, humming out the melody after a brief pause, and eventually began to sing, softly, a quiet tone well practiced, and just for Zelda's ears.

She'd heard her fussing and her protests, and as she so often did, just went ahead with her intentions, stubborn as ever. But there was a gentleness in the lilt of the notes, as if she had sung this song once before, for someone else who'd been as stubborn as her... ]

[Zelda has never heard the song before, and cannot understand the words, but... there is an immediate effect, as exhausted as she is. Tension ebbs from her muscles, her form sagging slightly against the cold stone of the sewer walls. Sleep does not come to her that quickly, but it plays at the edges of her consciousness, tempting.

This is childish, she thinks. She is being treated like a child who can't even put herself to sleep. She should object, but for as much as the song and the voice are wrong, it's still one of the first positively familiar things she's experienced in this strange world so far from her own.

She misses Impa.]

... You have a lovely singing voice.

[She murmurs, quiet as not to interrupt, and listens.]

[ Shadow would easily interject that it was fine to enjoy childish things from time to time, regardless of how aged one was. But she didn't have to, as she was fairly certain Zelda's will to fuss was draining from her well more quickly than it could build, a sure sign that she was finally starting to relax, which was the ultimate goal anyways...

By the time the song finished, she let out a soft hum, checking on Zelda to see if she was still awake... ]

[Her head is bowed when Shadow checks on her, albeit at an angle that will no doubt become uncomfortable sooner rather than later, and sometime during the course of the song she has finally allowed her eyes to close. She stirs slightly after it ends, but it's a very minor thing, a furrowed brow and questioning hum as her head tilts towards Shadow.]

... Mm?

[Even if left alone, it probably won't take long for her to succumb to sleep fully. Lullabies are apparently super effective on Hylian princesses, who would have known?]

[ It's almost instinct, that guides Shadow to press a soft kiss to Zelda's forehead, the sort of affection she doubt she'd pay most people, but somehow felt right in that moment for the heavy-eyed princess. A gentle, warm touch that carried with it the same sentiment as the song, to bring peace to her, to settle her soul, and allow her to gather herself for the yet still difficult days to come.

... And rather than explain herself, she simply began the song again, right from the beginning, softer this time, quieter, letting the notes drift between them like a breath of air. ]

[Despite everything, despite years of teachings to keep everyone at arm's length, despite this horrid city bringing so many memories of persecution back to the fore, the princess leans into the gentle affection in her barely-conscious state, allowing it to linger there for a moment more.

Or perhaps it is more accurate to say it is because of all those awful things that she seeks out that soft and fleeting connection with the honesty provided to her in her exhaustion. Either way, she is not keen on explaining herself either, and soon after Shadow begins her reprise, she will feel the weight of Zelda's head resting upon her shoulder, her breathing slow and even.

Hopefully the lancer didn't have anywhere she planned on being in the next couple of hours.]

[closed] yeah, you're gonna bring yourself down

for scathach;

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