Panic time

[zelda_hylia]

Who: Zelda and anyone that comes across her
Where: Hiding throughout Vatheon - less populated places (forest, island, etc)
When: All day after the curse begins!
Style: Either
Status: Open, but Zelda says it's closed. Ignore her.

[Upon figuring out that the little bubble that she couldn't get rid of was displaying her thoughts, Zelda had no choice but to leave the house before Zelos saw. She really didn't have any romantic feelings for him, but she was still a teenager and that kiss was playing on repeat. Even though she doesn't want anyone else to see inside her mind either, at least it wouldn't be ruining the friendship she had with Zelos if they did.

And so the princess is wandering in the least populated parts of Vatheon that she can find, looking very sulky.]

Comments

[zelda_hylia]

[Zelda shakes her head, smiling. This time she knows that the glowing troll is not Dolorosa, though if she remembers correctly this particular troll had left the bubble... an image of the Dolorosa knitting sweaters appears in Zelda's thoughts.]

It's quite alright. I wasn't watching where I was going too carefully, either. I probably should have - it makes sense that people would be trying to avoid each other during a curse like this.

[sylphauxiliatrix]

[The thought bubble starts to shift and segment, one portion focused on that image of the Dolorosa. And yet, at the same time the dress is still there behind it, getting separated into it's component pieces. A third segment suddenly appears with an image of Vriska.]

Yes... If only I could avoid any interactions for now. Unfortunately I already made plans to have an important discussion with someone. I'm not looking forward to it, given the circumstances.

[The dolorosa's image has faded from the bubble, but Vriska's has not. If anything it has become more prominent, shifting through various memories of her, most of them rather upset... And the whole time the dress in the background is changing, getting deconstructed to a base pattern before modifications start to form in subtle ways. A little lace here, a longer hemline there... At least with fashion Kanaya's mind is very good at multitasking.]

[zelda_hylia]

Perhaps you could communicate in text? It might be better if it's important. Sometimes people think things that they do not mean. If the situation is bad, you would not want to make it worse.

[...is she...?]

Are you redesigning my dress?

[Interesting. Clothing is a harmless enough topic, so Zelda thinks of her full royal regalia for the young troll to look at. These thought bubbles were inconvenient, but they saved a lot of words at times, too.]

[sylphauxiliatrix]

It's... really complicated. It's also something that we honestly should do face to face. We haven't had the chance to seriously talk since I got here, and before that...

[The image of Vriska briefly passes into one of her lying on the ground in a puddle of blue... before it's wiped completely as Kanaya focuses on the dress instead. Soon enough the image of the royal regalia gets the same treatment, mentally disassembled and categorized.]

Uhm, yeah... sorry. I make clothing a lot, even though such talents are not appreciated in my culture and I ended up mostly making clothes for myself. I mean no disrespect by it, your current dress is very pretty. I just can't help but imagine other ways to create such things.

[zelda_hylia]

[She's curious about the blue puddle, but keeps off of the more serious topic in favor of talking about dresses. She's just met this girl, surely she doesn't want to talk about someone dying. Still, it's present in her thought bubble with little question marks around it.]

It doesn't bother me in the least, I was just curious. I'm not very good with fashion myself, so...

[Zelda leans forward, looking at Kanaya's reconstructed version of her usual attire. It more closely resembles the elegant incarnation in Twilight Princess. She's entranced.]

That's lovely.

[sylphauxiliatrix]

[At the complement Kanaya starts to blush. It's a little odd to see on her softly glowing skin, as her cheeks grow darker with a hint of green.]

Thank you. I've been making clothing most of my life but I've almost never came across anyone who appreciated it.

[A brief memory flickers in the bubble. Kanaya, working hard on colorful skirt. Suddenly an image of a computer screen with text messager open:

CC: O)( MY GLUB.
CC: KANAYA.
CC: O)( MY GLUB!
CC: -E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E!
GA: That Is An Impressive Array Of Flying Forks
CC: Glub glub glub glub glub glub glub glub glub glub glub glub glub glub glub glub glub glub glub!

The image of the clothing design continues to warp and change, variants on the regal dresses in different colors, with different patterns and textures... and then nothing. Literally, the clothing disappears and there is just... Zelda. She isn't really nude, the image is an impression of form. Numbers start forming around the picture of Zelda's body, as the troll mentally takes the princess's measure.]

[zelda_hylia]

[Kanaya at least appears to be female, so the image doesn't bother Zelda too much.]

Would you like my measurements? I do have them memorized.

[Out with the handy-dandy notebook (ding!).]

Or if you have a measuring tape in your... what do you call it? Sylladex? I don't mind if you prefer to take them yourself.

[sylphauxiliatrix]

[Her thoughts start dancing through different ideas for clothes, from the more flowing and stately dresses that Zelda is probably used to, to stylish street clothing that she wouldn't have seen before coming to Vatheon, if at all.]

Yes, that would be nice, You might have to explain your units of measurement though, I don't know if they'll really match my own. But this will work better I think anyway. I don't have a measuring device, I've never really come across someone who wanted me to make them something.

[And now that blue blooded troll is back in her thoughts, in a memory. Kanaya is looking at a picture of her while working on a strange white dress, one that looks almost costume like. A white dress with wings on the back, like a fairy.]

You... wouldn't mind if I made you something, would you?

[zelda_hylia]

I would like it very much, actually. Your ancestor made me some clothing when she was here in Vatheon before.

[Zelda glances around, then lifts her skirt to reveal knee-length bloomers, extremely well made.]

The undergarments in this city was not suited to my tastes, so she helped me. The measurements I have are the ones that she took, so they should be easy enough for you to read.

[Her thought bubble becomes an exclamation point suddenly.]

Oh! I just realized that we haven't met since you have arrived again this time, have we? I am Zelda. It's good to meet you again.

[sylphauxiliatrix]

[So many questions in her thoughts, swirling around as words instead of images. "Again?" "Was that my ancestor earlier?" "My Ancestor made clothing?" "She wants me to make her clothing?" "Other cultures really do appreciate fashion?"

Over the top of this seeming chaotic whirl of confusion, the troll girl just smiled and extended her hand.]

I am Kanaya Maryam. It's very nice to meet you for the first time, Zelda.

[zelda_hylia]

[Zelda shakes her hand firmly, bowing her head just a bit. She tries to not comment verbally on the thought bubble again, instead causing her own to show the Dolorosa making a post on the network, offering her services to make clothing.]

You arrived in the city during a rather chaotic cycle, didn't you? I hope you've settled in well.

[sylphauxiliatrix]

[Kanaya's thought bubble mimics Zelda's own with an image of the Dolorosa. Unless her ancestor comes back to vatheon this is probably one of the only ways Kanaya would ever get to see her.]

I've been spending most of my days up on the island, so I haven't yet gotten a home down here. I guess though I've been settling fairly well so far. I'm still getting a bit of shock over certain cultural differences, but I have been trying to meet with people who are not from my world. As odd as it can be sometimes it is fascinating.

[zelda_hylia]

Ah yes, you all came up to the island because of the Highblood, did you not?

[Zelda's thoughts show Dualscar hanging in his window briefly before she forces it away, not wanting to inflict that image on the young troll.]

He is certainly dangerous.

[sylphauxiliatrix]

There's many dangers here it seems. I originally came to the island to meet with the others who came up here for that reason, yes. I've been staying here though because I enjoy the sun.

[Kanaya recognizes the flash of an adult seadweller with purple eyes. Her thoughts quickly attaches the face to a text conversation she had with him, but she doesn't dwell on the subject before thinking again about clothing.]

As I understand it the Highblood situation has been resolved. I do like to meet new people so I often spend my nights down in the bubble, returning up here for sunrise.

[zelda_hylia]

[Zelda's thoughts show up as a scribble of annoyance. She really wishes that the bubble as a whole had been informed of the fact that the Highblood was no longer a threat - of course, she'd had to warn the non-troll population herself, so it shouldn't be a surprise that they saw no need to say everything was safe. They might not be aware that the other species had even known.

That was irritating, too.]

It's good that he is no longer a threat. People were quite up in arms about it.

[She forces her mind to clear, instead thinking of a sunrise over Hyrule field.]

You enjoy watching the sunrise? They are beautiful, though I have not had the chance to see one in Vatheon yet. I'm usually in the bubble at that time.

[sylphauxiliatrix]

[In Kanaya's bubble one dress exploded into a cluster of question marks, though her face didn't register the confusion. It just seemed odd to her that this woman would be merely annoyed at what was a hazaroud situation, but that was a natural reaction considering she didn't know the details or reason for the princess's reaction.]

Yes, he was on the loose the night I got here. As I understand it that was the night the situation was resolved, though nobody really gave me any details. My friends were up here to avoid him, but I just enjoy the sun. Those fields... is that your homeworld? It's very pretty.

1/2

[zelda_hylia]

Oh... yes, it is. I'm glad that you think so.

[Zelda's face takes on a fond, motherly expression. She adores Hyrule in a way that she can't even begin to explain. Her courtyard shows up in her thoughts as well.]

2/2

[zelda_hylia]

[And then it's gone, replaced by a withered town filled with the undead. She adopts a more neutral expression, focusing once again on the dress.]

At any rate, I do appreciate the information about the Highblood. He lives in the house right next to mine, so things have been a little... tense.

Re: 2/2

[sylphauxiliatrix]

I can imagine that would be a stressful situation. I don't know much about him or what happened, but I can ask Karkat and let you know if I find out anything. If there's a chance that he may still be a danger I would think it better to let everybody down here know that.

[The undead in zelda's thought bubble strikes a chord with Kanaya, triggering a memory of her own home. Out in the unusually bright sun, tending her lush garden. Running as heinous broods of the undead clawed up from the sand to feast on the sunlight and the living. Hiding in her hive, while the giant moth-like creature that raised her fought back the undead to protect her hive and daughter...]

[zelda_hylia]

[The sudden shift in thoughts is startling to Zelda, but she smiles, not allowing herself to think of it for want of not wanting to embarrass Kanaya. Her bubble displays nothing more than a heavenly golden light, warm and comforting.]

It is alright. I am sure that Karkat has his hands full being the leader, does he not? I can keep an eye on things myself. If he does prove to be a threat, I have some very reliable methods of escape.

[Zelda is smart enough to NOT try and fight him, thanks.]

[sylphauxiliatrix]

[Golden light... close enough to sunlight to prove comforting indeed to the rainbow drinker. Noting Zelda's control of her thoughts, Kanaya shifted her own, focusing on the perfectly groomed hedges in Zelda's courtyard. Like the clothing, she views them with the eye of an artist, imagining how to properly trim these plants to best maintain their shapes. It's easy for her to focus on her arts, the things that have become habit.]

I'm sorry. You brought up an old memory for me. I know it probably looked odd but it was a happy one. Mother always protected me from danger. Anyway, I suppose you're right. Karkat always keeps himself too busy. If I happen to find out anything important I'll let you know. Have you talked with many of the trolls here?

[zelda_hylia]

No, it is quite alright. You don't have to apologize for your thoughts.

[Signless and Summoner appear the most prominently when she thinks of "other trolls", but she also recalls the Dolorosa again. Dualscar is there (Zelda wants to just hug him, evidently), and the Grand Highblood is too - the only troll she has negative thoughts about, really. Darkleer makes an appearance as a centaur (it looks like Zelda was riding him...), and Equius as well. Feferi, Gamzee, Karkat, Nepeta and Tavros all flash through her thoughts briefly as well.]

I suppose that I have! I didn't even realize until you asked. The cultural differences between trolls and my race are truly fascinating, but I find that we have a lot in common as well.

[sylphauxiliatrix]

I'm sorry if this seems like a rude question but is your race a form of human? I haven't seen many with ears like that, but you're just about the first non-troll that I've gotten to talk to face to face.

[zelda_hylia]

Oh no, not at all. I am always happy to help with the pursuit of knowledge. I am a Hylian. We share many common traits with elves, including a longer lifespan and better mana processing capabilities than humans. I am a mammal, so biologically I would be considered closer to a human than to a troll, but Hylians are not a type of human.

[The diagrams of human anatomy she had shown to Feferi pop up in her mind, carefully annotated.]

[sylphauxiliatrix]

[It seemed like ages ago when a certain human ignited in Kanaya an interest in xenobiology... and in this place, with so many different people from so many worlds, curiosity has brought that flame back. The anatomical diagrams are copied over to her thought bubble as well, slowly as she takes the time to note the names of things properly. Many of the organs seem to have similar shapes to ones found in trolls, and soon her own notes appear in the mental pictures as well, guessing at their functions. Next to the heart, for example, the phrase "collapsing and expanding vascular pump?" appears.]

Fascinating. I don't know what mana or elves are, but I understand the implications of being a mammal. I assume then that you are aware that my species is not mammalian. I've heard a little of the human taxonomic system but it's pretty removed from alternian life classification. Do Hylians use a similar system to humans then?