World Tree MUSH

    After descending the lofty heights of Peak Province, the terrain shifts into the monotony of the kingdom's largest contiguous plainsland. Yet for its name, Hyrule Field, is not always a featureless sea of grass. Closer to the mountains they're more like steppes, high and cold and dry, with straw standing withered in the field.
    Now, some days out from the Snowpeak trailhead, gently rolling hills and warmer climes greet travellers from the mountains. There is still snow, but winter's starting to lose its extreme edge. It's almost pleasant.
    Having decided to strike camp early in the afternoon to give everyone a chance to rest, the Hylian has stolen off by herself, citing the need to acquire something for the night's stewpot. (The princess has proven herself a shockingly capable hunter, with her deadeye aim and her ability to move so quietly.)
    She'd delivered a rather direct message to Yumi, though.
    Tachibana Yumi, please follow me. I have been asked to show something to show you. I do not mean to deceive the others, precisely, only it would be better if you were alone.
    With common riding clothes and her hair braided, she looks every inch the part of a poacher's daughter. The illusion is ruined once she moves. She'll never be anything but a queen in her dignified bearing.
    She paces serenely from camp, bow in hand, an arrow half-strung. Stepping quietly, she stays low, her deliberate, rolling gait afar cry from her usual bearing; low and quiet and slinky as a jungle cat.
    Well, there's no reason why I can't down two birds with one stone, she adds, a ripple of mirth behind her words. Waste not, want not, my royal father always said, and in any case, there is no reason why I cannot hunt nearby. There are yet birds on the high plains, and snow-loving hares as well.

    Yumi has always been kind of bad at deception. The easiest ones for her involve hiding behind portions of the actual truth, and simply 'not saying the other parts' rather than outright lying about them. So for Yumi, the easiest way to handle this particular situation is just to be kind-of honest about it. "Hey, I'm gonna go keep an eye on her. Back in a little bit, probably."

    She's at least careful to go on foot, rather than her bike - plowing through the field grass on that thing is sure to create enough noise that hunting would be fruitless. So when she comes up along behind Zelda, it's on her feet, and in a similarly low crouch. "You're a lot better at this than I am," she remarks in a soft voice, once she's close enough to do so.

    "That would be because I have been using a bow since I was seven," Zelda murmurs, amusement colouring her tone, once Yumi draws up to her. There are precious few trees in this region of Hyrule, and what few there are grow twisted and stunted by the wind. "As a general rule I dislike hunting, and do not actually eat much in the way of meat on a normal day... but desperate times call for desperate measures, and there is precious little to eat on these plains."
    She moves as though she were following a road rather than a deer trail. Despite the settling of mist around them, which gradually turns to fog, then to a white mute that shrouds the world, Zelda moves with confidence. "I am taking you to an ancient temple. It is not the oldest site in Hyrule, but I am reasonably confident that it comes somewhat close."
    "There I wish to show you a series of carvings on the wall. I do not know if the knowledge will be of any help to you or not, but it has been made clear to me that I am to show them to you." Zelda glances down; tests the fitting of her arrow to the string. "I would not ordinary wear my sword to hunt, but Zant's creatures draw ever closer. I will not risk being caught unawares."

    Yumi has little recourse but to follow Zelda's lead as best she can; the princess is pretty good at pathfinding. "I could always bring some more jerky for the rest of us. Or snacks, those tend to be high-energy." Not /great/ energy, but out on the trail like this, a caravan needs whatever it can take. The more serious matter, however, has the girl's quiet interest, earning only a soft sound of affirmation from her. If Hylia feels that she needs to see it, then she'll take a good, careful look.

    "Well, now we've got two swords out here, if it comes to that. But it might be better if I run melee interference so you can use your bow freely." Already thinking tactically - and it's not a bad plan. She's a born frontline fighter, after all.

    "That trail food may be convenient in a pinch, but such things are rarely a substitute for a proper meal," Zelda chides, softly. "I am willing to make the sacrifice of campfires and cooking and lost time. Those are all things that may be replaced. I can ill afford to be caught unawares because I was half-starved and sleep-deprived on the march. It is appreciated, but this is something I have some skill at." She rolls a shoulder in a faint shrug. "Besides, it lets me feel as though I am contributing to the group, in some small way."
    She walks a little less stealthily, shouldering her bow. There's no need to bother with actually taking quarry down, and they're far enough away from camp that nobody's going to notice that she's not stalking game. The only one that would notice is Link, who may or may not be on patrol somewhere nearby, and he isn't exactly in a position to tell anybody.
    "The steppes are behind us, and we cross now the knolls of central Hyrule Field. Were we to turn east into the rising sun we would arrive at Hyrule Castle, and were the miasma of Twilight not upon it, we would be able to see its spires from here," she comments, softly. "I will show it to you when it is rebuilt. Cleansed. It is beautiful, with its soaring spires and its delicate towers."
    Silence, for a few moments, and then she finally shakes her head. "Actually, if I have the opportunity, I prefer to climb up a tree. Picking targets off is much easier from above." As casually as though she were discussing the weather. "I've a sword, as well, although I realise you have never seen me wield it in earnest." Zelda looks out ot the side, inclining her head. "Yes. I fear I am not much of a frontline soldier. But I did not call you out here to speak of battle-tactics, however useful those may be."
    "We are nearly there." Slowing as she approaches a slight low point in the plains, she stoops, gloved fingers brushing what looks like a mossy rock -- right into the hillside. A doorway, leading down into the grassy earth. The rest of the princess vanishes into the portal.
    Zelda's head pops up a moment later so Yumi knows where she's gone. Over here.
    "Welcome to the Temple of Hylia -- another one, of a sort. This one is much older. I do not even know its proper name."
    Ducking down into the doorway, Zelda leads Yumi into a large chamber underground, cut into the stone somehow. Step-stones lead out into a vast pool of clear water, where fish dart to and fro beneath the surface. Columns rise up a short way over the water. Zelda continues on into a chamber, whose walls rise from floor to ceiling covered entirely in intricate carvings -- the Hyrulean crest of wings and the Triforce both figure prominently throughout. "These. Where has it gone..." She leans close, holding aloft a torch she must have taken from the entrance. "A moment, while I find the specific passage."

    It's a good point. Sweets don't keep you properly nourished, even if they do keep your energy up. "I need to learn to cook properly," Yumi decides. "I'll bring out the ingredients and make some proper kara-age. Or curry." Having some proper, non 'two spices and a pot' cooking would make for a nice evening some time. The few nights they've done so back in Snowpeak have all been enjoyable. Regarding Hyrule Castle, though, all she can say is a soft, "I'm looking forward to it." And she means it; something in her blood sings at the thought of the castle standing sentinel over Hyrule Field.

    And so they arrive at last, and the girl absently tugs at her jacket. "This is... this is pretty well hidden for a place of worship." She follows Zelda down inside, instinctively growing more quiet in such a hallowed place. "...do you need a little more light?" the girl asks after a moment, a touch playful. "I can provide."

    "There was a main road, once upon a time. Settlements shift. Population centres move. Sometimes I think there are those among my people who are never happy unless they travel from place to place, where the wind takes them," Zelda murmurs, gently trailing her fingers along the carved stone. It's cold to the touch, and very smooth.
    She trails a hand along the wall as she searches through the carvings. "For whatever reason, people left this place. Perhaps the agriculture dried up. A drought or a flood. Some disaster that history no longer remembers. So they packed up their things, and they left their homes to build new ones."
    "Mm." Does she need a little more light? "If you do not mind."
    Technically speaking that's perfectly in her ability to provide, but it isn't beneath her to play the part of the broken-winged bird to push others into their full potential.

    "Sure, uh..." For a second or two, Yumi is prepared to transform... but something occurs to her. Does she need to? Some instinct in the back of her mind tells her she might not. So after a second or two looking around, she bends down and picks up a rock, a little smaller than a golf ball, and closes her eyes.

    Slowly, a soft, gold-white light begins to shine from the rock, taking a moment or two to build; when she opens her eyes again, it's glowing a bit less brightly the pebble she tossed to Zelda the night she showed off her transformation, and it took her noticeably longer to complete. "I think this is about my limit without transforming, but this should help. I can keep it 'charged' as long as I hold onto it." She holds it up, letting the light shine out. It's not /terribly/ bright, but it's at least another flashlight's worth of light or so.

    Zelda looks on as the red-headed girl lays hands on a pebble and imbues it with light. There is no judgement in the young sovereign's face, nor is there approval or disapproval. She simply observes, filing away the amount of time it takes, and the lesser effect.
    "Perhaps." Zelda lifts a hand, splaying her fingers loosely as though she were holding a sphere. Light blooms in the palm of her hand; a flicker of candle-flame in brilliant white. She smiles, in genuine amusement. "I've learned a few tricks over the years, too. But bring your stone, too. It will help."
    She scans the carvings nearest, before her breath catches. It's a soft sound, a subtle sound, but to one who's been around her as long as Yumi, those subtleties become apparent. She's found something. "Here." She reaches up, pointing her free hand to the smooth lines of the carvings.
    At the beginning of the panel, there is a veritable tide of demon-like creatures spilling over a land unprepared for them. Many are slaughtered. They pray to the gods for a solution, and in exchange they empower Hylia, a young priestess of the three creator-goddesses, a peaceful agent of Nayru. So she created the Master Sword with the blessings and the fire of the three dragon gods, the hottest fires of Mount Eldin, the fiery light of the sun, and her iron will to protect her people. Hylia wielded the blade to cut an island from the land, which she sent up into the sky. This in turn would become Skyloft, a bustling population centre, living aloft before Hyrule was Hyrule...
    Anything past that, however, is sadly either defaced or simply neglected, crumbled beyond clear recognition. Zelda draws her light away, closing her fist around it; the flame winks out. "Skyloft. I remember it, sometimes, although the memories are not mine. I have dreams of flying. Not the usual sort, mind you, but of very specific dreams. I remember my Loftwing -- my protector, my lifelong companion -- and I remember my pilgrimage to the Temple of Hylia in each of the three shrines." She regards Yumi with clear eyes. "But that is not of interest to you. What may be of interest to you is that even goddesses may have humble beginnings. It seems Hylia was no more than a mere priestess at the time, and she was empowered by the Author of Law, the Lifegiver, the Shaper of Earth... blessed by all three to do what needed to be done."
    Her mouth twitches; an easy and amicable half-smile. "And that, Tachibana Yumi, is something that you would appear to excel at: Doing what must needs be done. What great things will you do in the course of merely fulfilling your duties, I wonder?" She tilts her head slightly, regarding Yumi more closely. "I also wished to bring you here, that you might ask if you had any questions in the use of your powers, of the light. This is a place of power, for me. Her Grace will offer what advice She may. You need only ask."

    Yumi holds the glowing stone aloft dutifully, remaining silent and letting Zelda work. She knows little about the carvings, but when the princess gasps, the redhead knows the search is done. So she steps forward, holding her light-stone aloft, and looks. Slowly, taking in each detail as best she can. She's not sure what she's looking for; but Zelda's tale of Skyloft leads into an answer to that question, and the younger girl nods - and blushes just a tad, still bashful under all the praise.

    "I... I dunno. It's weird thinking about me being the one doing heroic stuff, so I'm honestly trying not to. When I come to something that needs to be done, I'll do it, though. I think that's always been my approach. Long as I've been awake, at least." She can't worry about 'being a hero'; in the end, it's just a byproduct of living the way she feels she ought. And she's a bit too humble to claim the title for herself.

    The topic of her powers, though... that has her looking thoughtful. "I'm not sure what I'd ask. I'm trying to listen to that instinct of mine more. That part of me that just 'knows' what I can do, the same way you know how to nock and loose an arrow." She closes her eyes; her transformation flares into being around her, sheets of white glow that instantly harden into armor and clothes. "So much of this, it's second nature. I know I could imbue my body with light and heat the way I imbue other objects. Or my sword. My sword's really good for that. I know I can throw bursts or balls of sunlight and fire, but my range is maybe about twice the length of my sword. Three or four meters total, somewhere around there. I don't have a lot of ranged options, but I can improvise if I have to. I can even tell you what the runes on my sword say, even though they're not any language I've ever seen, heard, or even heard /of/. There's so much I just... know, without knowing. Most of my questions aren't really about my power at all," she muses, taking on a now-familiar tone. "Just... about /me/."

    "A hero is one who considers the weight of responsibility greater than the lure of personal gain," Zelda comments, softly. "One who can cleave to such a philosophy no matter the temptation placed before him. He will always choose the difficult path if that is what it takes to ensure the safety of those around him: He does not take shortcuts, nor cut corners."
    She glances sidelong at Yumi. "You are cut from such a cloth, I feel. I know you, by your own admission, as well as anyone can know you. And I do not consider myself a particularly poor judge of character." Then again, she does kinda cheat, with the supernaturally-imposed wisdom of the Triforce.
    Throwing an arm across her face and looking away from the blinding transformation, she lowers it only cautiously, squinting a little and studying the details as she had the first time she'd seen it. It's still intriguing. Gradually her attention shifts back to the words, mulling the girl's observations over in thoughtful silence.
    "Indeed. The bow is second nature to me. It was taught to me by the Captain of the Guard, and my own royal father, both. They did not want me without means to defend myself. I am grateful, now, for their training." She jerks her head slightly, clearing a stray lock of hair from her face. "I understand your confusion. There are times I must remember, and separate what is me, and what is Hylia, for we are not the same, even if I carry within me Her consciousness, of sorts. But She has been alive, as alive as a being as She can be, for a very long time. Perhaps she has some experience or advice."
    Zelda shrugs.
    "It can do no harm to ask, and it is not everyone who can claim to be able to be given advice from a deity, even one whose power is gone."

    "The bigger problem, is I'm not sure /what/ to ask," Yumi replies, letting the transformation disperse. "All I can really come up with is something really general, and I feel like I've already had an opportunity on that." Absently, the girl rubs at one bicep, staring into the carvings on the wall as if they might provide her some inspiration. "Or... I guess the other way around, maybe. If there's anywhere around Hyrule where I might /not/ want to light up like a second sun. ...Actually, yeah, that's probably a good one to ask."

    "Certainly the wiser question, and one I would have expected. Good." Zelda nods, once, studying the girl thoughtfully. "The answer is: Yes. There are places where you are safe to display your powers."
    "There are also places where it would be unsafe to declare to the world that you are what you are." Whatever that is. As of yet, she doesn't know. Zelda presses the fingertips of each hand together, eventually tucking her hands into her sleeves. "Just as it would be unsafe for me to draw too deeply of my own divine powers."
    She strides along the wall, beckoning for Yumi to follow, watching until she comes across what looks like a map of Hyrule. Her fingers brush the plains, around the rough stone depicting a miniature Hyrule Castle; come to rest over the bumpy, rough-hewn texturing of Faron Wood. "The closer to Hyrule Castle we are, the more dangerous it is. You are safe here, in a house of Hylia. Beyond there, I would tread lightly. As we begin to arrive beneath the eaves of Faron's weald, we will be, I hope, shuttered from the Usurper-King's gaze."
    "Anywhere there is Twilight, you are risking the possibility that Zant's hunters will sense you. I expect they will find our caravan, sooner or later; I am honestly surprised they have not caught wind of our trail sooner." Her lips thin; she allows herself a shudder. "Even when he is removed from my throne, it will be long before I do not hear those creatures in my nightmares."

    Follow Yumi does, listening attentively as always. "So if we've already run into them, I might as well transform to fend them off, but otherwise, I'll have to be careful." She also ponders the possibility this presents for using herself as bait or a distraction, if it comes to that; but that's not one she's going to speak aloud, because she knows exactly what Zelda would say. She'll save it for some time it's relevant. More importantly...

    "I'll just have to visit in your dreams to drive them off," Yumi replies, her lips taking on a cheery sort of smile. "That's my job, after all. A knight that brings sunlight to the darkest places."

    "Something like that, yes." Zelda brushes her fingers over the stone, expression one of serene contemplation as she lifts her face to the stone. Her eyes are closed. "We will show our claws if we are backed into a corner, but we will not seek battle. It is easier that way. Safer."
    Her eyes open but slowly. "Then I will look forward to you there." She turns, her robe ghosting her movements, swishing and settling around her ankles. "That was all I wished to show you. That you are not alone, Tachibana Yumi, and no matter what it is that fate has decreed you are to be, now," she adds with a smile, "We will continue to support you."
    "And She wishes to convey that if you should ever have need of advice, of guidance, you need only ask Her. Though you are no follower of Her, or of the Golden Goddesses, you are a friend to me, and therefore a friend to Her Grace." Zelda clasps her hands before herself and bows, head bowed low. "We serve, just as you aid Us in all Hyrule's time of need, and for that We are humbled, and We thank you."

    "And I'm grateful for that. For both of you," Yumi adds, folding her hands in front of herself and bending at the waist into a bow. "For Hylia's guidance, and for the princess that's given me a friendly face... well, as long as I can remember." A sentence that takes on a special meaning for Yumi; one that makes her all the more grateful. "I don't know when or where I'm going to find out more of myself, but... it's really nice, I guess. Having someone I can talk to about it." There's a soft frown. "The people back home... they're all so..." Huff. "I feel kind of bad for saying it, but they're all so normal. I feel like they deserve to enjoy their everyday life, without worrying about what might be lurking in the shadows. I don't want to weigh them down with knowing their friend might march off to battle one night and never return. So I'm glad to have people here on this crazy road with me, I guess."

    When she lets her hands drop, it seems like some of the formalities slide away as well. Zelda smiles, clasping her hands in front of herself, looking much less the princess or priest, and much more the young woman that she really is.
    "May I entrust you with a secret? I haven't had very many friends, either, as royalty. As the saying goes, it is indeed lonely, at the top." Her half-smile turns crooked. "I'm proud to call you my friend, too. Someone I can talk to about these things, since my grandmother..."
    She shakes her head, mute for a moment.
    "I understand what you mean. I feel the same. This is my responsibility, as the leader of my people; it is my place and my duty to shield them from these dark times, as best I can." She shrugs her bow down from her shoulder. "Walk with me? You can help me to flush the birds. I would rather not return empty-handed... the night is cold, and hot food would be a welcome boon."