|| 9 [Audio]

[kingofthisworld]

Dealing with the fools aboard this ship is beginning to grow tiresome.

Comments

[destinedtorule.livejournal.com]

You've certainly been far kinder than everyone else.

[A pause]

You did not answer my question. Do you believe I am evil?

[oblique-wisdom.livejournal.com]

Well... Yes. I know that... I haven't really--

[Zelda interjects herself and she reddens. This is the worst time to ask her that. She's not entirely feeling like herself. He's caught her in a moment of weakness beneath a facade of strength.]

I once asked myself if perhaps things would be different if you and I were not pawns of Fate. I think your position is just a position. You are likely who you are because you were chosen to be that way, just as I was chosen to be the way I am.

[destinedtorule.livejournal.com]

[He is silent. He has never heard anyone put it that way before. Everyone has always thought him a monster. And of course that was true in every sense. Still it was refreshing.]

Pawns of Fate. Hm.

[oblique-wisdom.livejournal.com]

[She's surprised by his reaction.]

I... haven't exactly told anyone else that. It sounds strange coming from the Princess of Hyrule. I should just be grateful that I'm not in your position. I wouldn't want anyone thinking that I'm being selfish.

[Even though she is.]

[destinedtorule.livejournal.com]

You grow accustom to it. Though, you are far too kind to be in my position.

[oblique-wisdom.livejournal.com]

Yes. Kindness is a weakness in its own regard. Kindness, like all things, needs to come in moderation. There's a time to be considerate. There's a time when mercy and compassion can't be entered. Still, my beliefs remain the same, no matter what the situation may hold.

You probably feel the same way. In that respect, our only differences are... Well.

[She lifts her right hand and shows the back.]

The same things that bind us to ever crossing paths.

[destinedtorule.livejournal.com]

[His kindness is never sincere. For him, it is just a means to an end. But he will let Zelda continue to think whatever it is she thinks about him. If it will keep their relationship amicable.]

'Things'? Do you believe there is more than the triforce?

[oblique-wisdom.livejournal.com]

Well... I meant the pieces. I have a difficult time ever thinking of the Triforce as whole.

[She wonders briefly if perhaps she's saying a little too much. Is there something he can dig through and get out of her from something so small? It seems trivial, but he can turn on her whenever he wants to. Her wall always has to be up.]

The pieces of the Triforce bind us together. Right?

[destinedtorule.livejournal.com]

Of course. But is that all?

[He rests his cheek on his fist and looks at her with a smile.]

[oblique-wisdom.livejournal.com]

[Her father's death. She watches him carefully and understands for the first time just how nervous she really is in his midst. She can't pry into him like she wants to. She only knows that there's so much more than what she's seeing.]

What else ties us together...? Is there really more?

[destinedtorule.livejournal.com]

Nothing, I suppose. But must it remain that way?

[There is so much more. Zelda only need ask and she would at the very least receive convincing half-truths.]

[oblique-wisdom.livejournal.com]

[The conflict in it all is determining what is and what is not truthful. She takes almost everything he says with a grain of salt and understands that if she needs to, she'll stand against him. She doesn't necessarily want to, but she will.]

You're teasing me, mocking me. Those who are contrasts to one another can't ever be anything other than what the default is.

[And that hurts more to say it than it is to think it.]

[destinedtorule.livejournal.com]

You seem to believe I am somehow bound to the life Destiny has handed me. But, I am not a man resigned to his fate and I will bend fate to my whim.

Trust me, Princess. Were I mocking you, you would most certainly know it.

[oblique-wisdom.livejournal.com]

So you think you are more than whatever you were chosen to be. I see.

I felt the same way about myself.

[Felt.]

[destinedtorule.livejournal.com]

Of course. Why should I be content in the life I was given when there was something so much better to be had.

[He lifts his arm, his hand curling into a fist as he spoke.]

It is only a matter of determining what it is you desire, and seizing it.

[oblique-wisdom.livejournal.com]

[That's determination if she's ever heard it, but she doesn't like it coming from him.]

Greed isn't becoming. You should be content with what you have. Things could always be worse. You cannot simply reach your hand out and take something.

[destinedtorule.livejournal.com]

I have.

[He's taken many things in his lifetime. Lives, dignity, trust. And all with a sweep of his hand. He even took Hyrule. But holding on to it. That is another matter entirely.]

[oblique-wisdom.livejournal.com]

Nothing ever lasts that way. Effort should be put into the things you wish to acquire. Material things are also much different than... sentimental things.

I imagine you have nothing you are attached to like that, however.

[She knows what he meant. She's just choosing to ignore it.]

[destinedtorule.livejournal.com]

I did once. But was robbed of it. So I see no need for sentimental things, if they are to vanish as easily as material things.

[He frowns though. He's being far too open.]

[oblique-wisdom.livejournal.com]

[Is he serious? She feels like it could almost be truthful. She smiles a little.]

Then we can understand each other at least a little bit. Losing something that is important to you certainly invokes a certain... nature in you. It does change you, whether you really want it to or not. It's a natural reaction.

Refusing sentimental things, doesn't that make you a little weaker? Shouldn't there be some moderation? If something happened to Link, wouldn't it be a little maddening? No more rival for you. Surely there's an attachment there.

[destinedtorule.livejournal.com]

[He scoffs at the mentioning of Link. He would prefer to be the 'something' that happens to Link. He can live just fine without anyone to challenge him and his kingship.]

Refusing sentimental things simply keeps my focus on what is most important.

[Namely, himself.]

[oblique-wisdom.livejournal.com]

[Of course he feels that way...]

Hm... I suppose that is true, but I think having sentimental attachment reminds us of what it is like to be alive.

Before I came to this ship and met everyone, I had never felt like that. If we ever get to go back, if Hyrule isn't destroyed... I'd want to go back feeling that way too.

[destinedtorule.livejournal.com]

Who do I have to attach myself to, Princess? Most aboard this ship are afraid of me.

[As they rightly should be.]

[oblique-wisdom.livejournal.com]

Who do you want to attach yourself to? Who is it that you want to be around like that? Only you know the answer to that.

[destinedtorule.livejournal.com]

I suppose I have not given it proper thought.