[Closed] February Catch All

[unyieldingmarch]

Who: Edelgard von Hresvelg and Various
When: February
Where: All over!
What: Some closed prompts for CR
Warnings: Just the usual warnings for Edelgard: potential discussions of violence and human suffering.



[If you would like a starter for something, feel free to PM me, or shoot me a plurk at intercession!]

Comments

[sageprincess]

"... Yes, it would seem that way."

Zelda admits with a sigh, shoulders sagging. Here she is, ruining yet another evening with the ghosts of her past. And to what end? Edelgard knows, and so will everyone else in due time. She can't control the narrative of her country's troubles anymore.

A moment later, her head slumps to the side, finding a spot to rest on Edelgard's shoulder. Perhaps it would be seen as an overly familiar gesture, but her body feels so heavy, and some part of her hopes that Edelgard won't mind.

"I am sorry, for hiding these things." It also means she doesn't have to bear the burden of eye-contact as she admits this. "I truly am. I just... I fear I would be thought an ill fit for the crown, if I were to tell of all that happened. ... I value your opinion too much to have the courage to risk that."

And she is very obviously traumatized as well, but that hardly factors into her conscious reasoning. She's just a coward that can't bear for people to know the truth, that's all.

[unyieldingmarch]

She does not mind in the slightest. Edelgard shifts her weight to make it more comfortable for Zelda, and casually slides her cloak around the two of them, unlinking her fingers only a moment, then returning to the hand-holding gesture. She might even like it, if that's an indication.

"You should have no fear of that. We...all...get nervous about such things at times. I think that the love you bear for your people is more than enough to qualify you for the crown. A poor fit would be a Zelda that doesn't care."

Everything she does, she does for her people. That's the philosophy she's brought to ruling. It may be a hard time at first, but things will change, and will for Zelda as well.

"I could never see you as anything but a fine Princess, and even Queen, Zelda."

[sageprincess]

She's... warm. It's still so strange. She spent so long keeping everything and everyone at arm's length, even those she held above all others, believing in her soul that it was the only way she would ever be safe. And it was, for a while, but perhaps... it's not that way any more. Perhaps so much of the grief she's experienced in this world has ultimately been self-inflicted, because she's failed to adapt.

Perhaps. It's something to think about. She pinches the hem of Edelgard's cloak between her thumb and forefinger and pulls it over her a little more, accepting the warmth found in it. Edelgard's faith stirs a small smile out of her, one that's weak on one side, and she ducks her head to stare at their boots to hide it.

"... Can that really be enough? Just-- to care?" She definitely cares; too much, some would say. But even so, she has to swallow her courage down before she can continue. "Even... to make up for past mistakes?"

It seems... so trivial, when put like that, when the weight she's been carrying upon her shoulders feels so herculean. That can't be all she needs to do... can it?

[unyieldingmarch]

Edelgard takes the opportunity to pull Zelda a touch closer, so the cloak lays more thoroughly over the two of them. It's a cold night, and what cold night isn't made better, more bearable, by the presence of a friend? It is not a service she'll be able to provide forever, but it is something she wants to offer up, here and now.

"Yes," Edelgard answers without a hint of hesitation. "You cannot get everything right all the time, but caring? Placing the interests of your people at the forefront of your life...that's more than many rulers are capable of doing. The...entity...that had defacto control over my own homeland certainly did not."

Leaning her head down, resting it against the other woman's shoulder, she allows some of the tension she always holds back to seep out of her, allowing herself to unburden this all.

"Caring is the first step. I know many lords and ladies that care more about their own personal power, and their people suffer for not only for their mistakes but for their lack of caring. You'll find the the power and the courage to do what will heal your kingdom through your care and your empathy. It may be a hard road, but it is a road you will see the end of."

[sageprincess]

Guilt has been her constant companion for so very long. Its weight so familiar that she's convinced herself she'll never be free of its burden, no matter how she attempts to atone for the suffering her actions have wrought. And there's been nothing to challenge that perception, until she fell through a mirror into another world.

And here and now, with Edelgard's head on her shoulder, hand in her hand, huddled together as she speaks with her gentle but confident voice because the cold doesn't care about titles or duty...

It feels a little like absolution. A thin hope, to be sure; one that will no doubt flicker and fade away once this evening ends, but for a moment, that stone in her chest has been shifted, and it feels... nice. The princess sniffles a little, a tear or two slipping out from the corners of her eyes and drawing cold tracks down her cheeks, but she smiles, leaning her head against Edelgard's as she feels her slowly relax.

"Thank you, Edelgard," is all she can think to say at first. "I have... long believed I would need to be near perfect, both to atone and to be the pillar of strength Hyrule will need in order to rebuild, but... when you say it, it is... easier to think that perhaps that is not necessary."

Habits and beliefs don't change overnight, but if someone like Edelgard sees that in her, she can hardly discount it, can she?

"... I promise, I will tell you my story someday," this is said while she snuggles down under Edelgard's cloak a little more. "But... I think I would like to attempt 'relaxing' again this evening, if you up for it."

Honestly, just riding around the city and ignoring the festivities all together doesn't sound so bad right now.

[unyieldingmarch]

Edelgard, surprised by the sudden outpouring of emotion in the woman beside her, quietly tightens her hand in a show of solidarity. There's very, very little about this situation that is familiar to her, but she can rely on instinct, and at the moment that is telling her to remain still and simply be.

Let Zelda do as she needs, and simply be there for her.

The brush of her hair against Edelgard's prompts her to shift the cloak to better encompass the two of them. It's a huge cloak, so it is not hard. And more to the point, it seems to be making her evening companion happy, or at least it feels so.

"Then...let's skip the festivities and simply ride, this evening," she suggests in a gentle voice, pitched so that their driver can hear them. "I've no desire to disrupt this peaceful and placid moment with the potential rowdiness of a party. I rather enjoy your company a great deal more than that sort of thing."