vatheon | A day on the beach

Entry tags:

A day on the beach

Who: Johnny and open!
When: 4/9, midday into evening
Where: On the island
What: Soaking in the sun
Style: Whichever!
Status: Open

It was almost twenty months since he'd arrived in the bubble. In those months, there had been three separate times where he had the opportunity to go into the sun without the fear of turning to ash. The first had been when he'd been turned into an angel, unfortunately it had been raining and with everything else going on, he hadn't had the chance. The second had been when he'd switched bodies with Rinoa, not something he was going to complain about since he did get a chance to walk on the beach, but it hadn't been him. The last had been when he'd reverted to a twenties and human version of himself, but it had never crossed his mind to take advantage of the sunlight since, for that 'Johnny' he hadn't lost it yet.

When he'd awoken on Monday, it was a little amusing to discover how unsurprising it was to find his senses dampened like someone had thrown a wet towel over his head, but after so many curses where he lost those senses, it was just the sign that coral was having it's fun.

It hadn't taken him too long to discover, this time, it was because he'd become human again. Of course, at the price that he couldn't actually touch anyone himself, but as unnerving as that was, they could still touch him and that meant he wasn't going to begrudge this curse too much. Especially since he could now do the impossible.

He'd already asked Sola to come up and meet him a bit later, and that was what the picnic basket he set on the beach was for, but he had some time for himself and he fully intended to use it. Calmly, he stripped and folded his shirt, followed by his pants, and set his shoes on top of the clothing so he was left in nothing but his underwear. Then he took off, intent on jumping right into the ocean for a mid-day swim.

After a while, he went back onto the beach to sprawl out on a towel (still without his clothes), to let the sun dry him off, not unlike the cat-demon when she wasn't doing her household chores.

((OOC: Running into Johnny when he's in the ocean or on the beach are both fine!))

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[Had he been himself, he might have heard the song or even just picked up on Zelda's presence in general a little sooner.

As it was, he couldn't even reach out to Sola himself so he settled with a simple smile.]

Hello to you too. Aren't you a little overdressed for a seaside excursion?

[Maybe not in pieces, but the outfit on whole plus it's dark color just didn't seem like a pleasant choice.

As for himself, he could wander around in less than this for hours if he felt like it, but for Sola's sake he sat up to retrieve his clothes and put them back on.]

[The attention brought to clothes and the general idea of undress makes Sola's cheeks burn red and he nearly pulls his hat over his face. At least, he would have if he didn't hear the faint sound of someone approaching. One ear twitches as he turns his head and catches sight of Zelda.

Still red, he waves, and his mixed feelings about Johnny minus pants all but vanish. No one else needs to see that. He wonders why she's up here, but he's glad to see her up and around instead of in a coma. That always worries him.]

Hello, Sola. Johnny.

[Seeing Johnny reminds her that she'll have to make sure the buildings don't let in light. This week it doesn't seem to be a problem though, he was apparently given his humanity again. Zelda was granted the opposite, essentially - but seeing Sola now, she's glad. She may be able to give him something she's wanted to give him for a long time now. She doesn't mention it initially, letting her mind sort through all the things she now knows. She has the memories of a goddess, but her mind and body are still mortal and she can't actively "know" all those things at once, it takes her time to sort through them properly.]

[Johnny looked around to see who Sola was waving at only to be very glad he'd put his pants back on, normally he wouldn't care, but Zelda was a little different and that just wasn't a scenario he was comfortable with.

Still, he gave a sincere smile at seeing her and waved as well before pulling his shirt back on.]

Hello, Miss Zelda. What brings you out on this lovely day?

[Sola looks at Zelda intently, though with none of the nervousness that had previously informed his actions. He's also curious as to what brings Zelda to the island, as well as curious what's different about her. There's definitely something even more regal about her than before. He's a bit frustrated he can't ask her about it.]

I am restoring the village. We need a place to stay up here on the island for safety purposes. I have made certain that at least a couple buildings do not allow the sunlight to penetrate.

[After all, if something happens to the city, she has to be able to bring people up here. Zelda glances to Sola, then smiles wider. He is one of her children too, she can hear his voice even if he can't speak.]

I have been given Hylia's memories. It may only be an effect of the curse, but I can tell that they are genuine.

Thanks, I appreciate it.
[His smile was genuine, but it would be a lie to say 'places to stay on the island' didn't make him nervous. Over a year later and he still didn't trust the place.]

Who's 'Hylia?' I don't remember ever hearing the name.

[Sola's thoughts mirror the same question. As far as he knows, Hylia is a lake. He starts to draw said lake in the sand with his finger in order to ask if there's any connection when a bright red streak cuts directly in the middle of the group and bounces right off of the replica's nose, sending him reeling backwards into Johnny and tossing up an arc of sand as his feet flail into the air briefly.]

Howdareyouleavemeunderaglassonthecounter!!!IcouldhavesuffocatedanddiedunderthereI'llhaveyouknowandthenwherewouldyoubeyouungratefullittle--

O-oh, Your Highness, hello.

[She floats up to a polite level and does the midair equivalent of a curtsy to Zelda, leaving Sola with afterimages of angry red fairies made of condensed fury swimming in his vision.]

Hylia is the goddess I once was. She chose to become a mortal so that she could have a more direct hand in protecting her people. Her memories still remain in my soul. My family has taken her last name as their own, our race is named after her, and... yes, the lake as well, Sola.

[Zelda looks slightly surprised to see the fairy, but not unpleasantly so.]

Hello there. There's no need for such formalities here. This is not Hyrule, I don't hold any titles.

[She holds out her hand to let the fairy perch if she wants to.]

[Huh...now he didn't know if he should remain sitting to remain below her or stand because he was in the presence of a deity, but he kept the thought to himself.

Especially since suddenly Nila arrived...which was also amusing.]

Edited 2013-04-13 06:34 (UTC)

[Nila perches herself on Zelda's finger and flutters her wings delicately.]

Now now, respect should be given where it's due and you're certainly due respect, Your Highness. Though I do wish you'd be less cryptic.

[She sounds a little pouty as Sola sits up and rubs his face, shaking sand from the end of his hat.]

I'm supposed to remind you to help this little one, but you didn't give me any more details than that. And it's been so difficult! He hardly listens to me at all.

Edited 2013-04-13 06:46 (UTC)

Now Sola, you know that fairies hold quite a bit of wisdom! You shouldn't disregard what they have to say so easily.

[She listens to what Nila has to say, raising a brow.]

Do you mean to say you are from my future, then? I sent you here?

[How is that possible? Well, if the future she saw comes true it's certainly possible, but... why would she do it? What's so special about this moment that the message couldn't wait?]

If you are from the future, then it is for the best that I did not give any specific instructions. Depending on what needs to be done, that could cause another split in the timeline.

[Most of what was being said held Johnny's interest simply because there was nothing else going on. Talk of timelines and time travel was not something he cared to think about too deeply; there were plenty of other complicated things to think about without adding that aspect.

However, there was one thing that caught his attention more than just in passing.]

Help Sola how, exactly?

I'm really not sure! I was just told to make sure Sola and Her Highness meet during this week, that's it.

[She looks at Sola and somehow, despite her expression being utterly unreadable thanks to her intense glow, she seems rueful.]

Thoughheobviouslyneedsalotofhelpinthegrowingupdepartment.

[He totally caught that and he's gonna just stick his tongue out at her in irritation and obstinacy. Kind of...proving her point, but he hates attention being paid to his actual age and it's not fair to do it when he can't even argue!]

[Zelda takes on an intensely thoughtful expression. Talking with the pair had pushed her initial idea from her mind. Though holding Hylia's memories has granted her an amazing amount of knowledge, it's also made her a little flighty. It's difficult for her to focus for long with so much streaming through her mind, a mind that's meant for a mortal. She just doesn't have the ability to perceive it all at once, not yet. Maybe not ever. Nila's words bring her original purpose back to mind easily enough, though. She lowers her head for a moment.]

I see. I see... surely I can't hold on to these memories forever. They are too much, and I haven't gone through the ritual. This may be the only time in this lifetime that I hold them...

[Her head raises again, and this time she speaks as Hylia.]

I am truly sorry. When I chose to become mortal, I did not foresee an existence such as yours. You have suffered greatly for my lack of foresight. If you would like, I can correct that now. Would you like to become one of my children, Sola? A Hylian, with a Hylian soul.

[A stillness washes over Sola at those words and he sits frozen, staring at Zelda with his tongue still peaking out of the corner of his mouth. It would be comical if the shock and awe weren't so vivid. It's everything he's ever wanted, to be a whole person, a complete person with his own place in the world. To fill that gaping hole in his existence with something akin to the light that all other natural beings possess.

His heart jumps to his throat and his mouth is suddenly dry. He's afraid if he makes any sudden move, any wrong motion that he'll wake up with a jolt and none of this exchange will have happened.

One minute passes.

Then another.

And time snaps back into place, chugging along at its normal pace. Sola finds himself nodding, eyes still trained on Zelda's face, and the thudding of his heart against his ribs lessens just a little when the nod doesn't turn the world around them to dreaming.

It's real...

He looks to Johnny, wide eyed and with some spark there that's barely been before. Something that started small, has been small the entire time the Hylian has been in Vatheon, but suddenly is plain as day in his expression.

Hope.

Not for others, he's always had that, but for himself.]

[Out of all the things she could ever dream of giving her children, hope is the one she wants to give them the most. It's easy to be content when everything is as it should be, she wants them to be able to stand strong even in the darkness.

Hylia steps over to Sola, thinking of all the things she wants for him. To be able to hold on to his courage, for him to never have to let go of the bright outlook his innocence has given him even when he does grow past it. For the rest of this life to be one that he can look back on when he passes on and feel satisfied. She thinks of his next lives too, dreaming up the possibilities and gathering them all together to pass on to him. She thinks of his song, mentally composing it from start to finish and weaving it into the symphony that represents her people. Holding all those ideas close, she leans in and gently draws Sola's face towards her own, placing a kiss on his forehead and bestowing that divine plan upon him.

To most people, he wouldn't look any different. Sola will be able to feel the difference though, no longer an existence without a purpose or a plan. Whether he chooses to follow through on the things she hopes for him or not is up to him.]

[His forehead feels warm, not as if he'd been kissed but as if Zelda were pouring in all the possibilities of life, now and future. His head momentarily buzzes with potentiality, with what he could accomplish in this life and next. There will be a next. And another. Until all the stars run cold and wink out together at the end of time, Sola will be reborn again and again in his time.

Just like everyone else.

His eyes remain closed, his expression rapturous, and two tracks of tears roll down his cheeks unheeded. He's full of promise, the emptiness he's always felt banished in that instant, in that kiss to his forehead. He feels alive, he feels important, he feels worth something.

He feels complete.

Suddenly Sola throws his arms around Zelda's waist, burying his face against her stomach, and cries. It's overwhelming, wonderful and strange to be whole and he can't express how grateful he is other than near silent and paltry thank yous whispered over the lump in his throat against the fabric of her dress.]

[She doesn't need to hear the words he can't speak right now, she can hear his thoughts. She holds his head to her abdomen and lets him cry it out like a child - her child, one of Hylia's many children, full of hope.

No longer requiring Hylia's memories, Zelda allows herself to be at the forefront of her mind. She can feel the guilt over the pain she caused Sola washing away along with his tears. She hurt him, yes, but wasn't birth always a little painful? In the end she didn't ruin his life at all.

That gives her hope, too.]

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A day on the beach

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