Heaven's BBS | video;

[sageprincess]

From: Metis
Date: October 29

[It is after a great deal of trial and error that a video feed pops up on the network. Zelda's grasp on modern technology is still limited at best, but this is apparently important enough to try.]

Excuse me, but would anyone happen to know what this is for?

["This" being a very summer-y hawaiian shirt currently laid out upon what appears to be her dining room table. And there will be no reprieve from it's tourist-y glow for anyone wanting it; the Princess of Hyrule does not know you can flip the camera around on a phone, so the feed is sticking right where it is on the garment as she speaks.]

It was at my temple steps this morning, but without any notes outside of being addressed to me. I am... not certain what to make of it, honestly.

[To say the least.]

Comments

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[boneofsword]

I'm planning to surprise our secret benefactor by wearing it just once.

[completely deadpan. Then he switches the feed to this colorful shirt laying on the bed. It's just a moment, and the feed switches back to his face.]

Such gift may have another purpose - to give you a good laugh.

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[sageprincess]

Goddesses above--

[One might get the sense that this is the closest the Princess will allow herself to cursing because what the fuck is that, good god. Give her a second to recover from witnessing that.]

... You seem to be quite confident in their identity and motives.

[And she's starting to get a sneaking suspicion herself, but-- not... commenting on the motive itself, though. That's ridiculous.]

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[boneofsword]

[Archer himself has had a similar reaction, less nicely worded. Though he's more amused than annoyed. He patiently gives Zelda a moment to recover her wits after witnessing this particular vile shirt.]

I can say that I encountered someone who has a similar taste in shirts.

[And who was wearing much worse shirt, until the said clothing ended as a bonfire.]

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[sageprincess]

... Have I also encountered this "someone" of yours?

[Of course she has, if she got a shirt too, but that's not really the question she's asking, is it. The real question is "dear god, is it really who I think it is?"]

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[boneofsword]

I'm sure you've had, and many times.

[Which translates as "of course it's him."]

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[sageprincess]

[There is a clattering sound, and the feed suddenly goes dark as her phone falls onto the table. It's followed by a fwoomph sort of noise, and then a long and muffled uuuuuuuugh.

Caster has officially made the Princess of Hyrule headdesk.]

Why is he like this...

1/2

[boneofsword]

[Wait, what--]

A-are you alright, princess?

2/2

[boneofsword]

[...right.]

...well, his ideas are outdated by at least two millenia.

[sageprincess]

So are mine by this world's standards...!

[Sort of. Not having the same calendar means who knows how Hyrule actually compares to Earth timeline-wise, but at the very least she can relate to the "what is all this modern bullshit" feeling. But she's not going around dumping tacky clothes on doorsteps.

Her voice loses its muffled quality when she continues; apparently, she's managed to pick her head up from her momentary ridiculousness-induced despair.]

My apologies, I did not intend to alarm you.

[boneofsword]

I can argue with that. [in Archer's eyes she's too bound to duty and propriety to consider such frivolous ideas. Which also means Caster is good therapy dog for her.]

Apology accepted.

[sageprincess]

You can, can you?

[Hello, topic change. She will happily take you. Though there's a bit of genuine curiosity for what Archer might think of her as well.]

[boneofsword]

Duty is still duty, no matter the time and place. Taking it seriously is a general standard that most may try to uphold but rarely succeed. Following it no matter how heavy the burden is speaks of courage.

[a pause. Archer is perhaps a bit too serious to not add something more personal.]

There are still moments when you have to step back for a breath to not let it break you.

[sageprincess]

[Well. This isn't where she was expecting this conversation to go.]

Do you think I am close to breaking, Archer?

[boneofsword]

[Archer sighs. The pause before his reply is telling; after all, he's had seen her reaction to Caster's return, and is well aware how heavy the burden of duty can be.]

Perhaps. Such burden can affect even the strongest of souls.

[sageprincess]

I see.

[One can practically hear her walls going up, the clipped, formal tone of her voice laying each brick.]

Then allow me to put your mind at ease by saying that though your concern is appreciated, it is unnecessary. I have recovered fully from the incident earlier this month, and can take care of myself, besides.

[She really has let herself slip too much these past few weeks.]

[boneofsword]

Duly noted. I have no doubt that you're more than able to take care of yourself.

[Archer's tone doesn't change, though.]

However, taking care of yourself doesn't mean that you have to deprive yourself of company, if you wish for it. Caster's temple is always open to his friends.

[sageprincess]

["Someone like you will never be alone. There will always be a hand trying to reach across."

Mnnnnngh--]

I-- shall keep that in mind, thank you.

[Whether she takes him up on it without prompting is anyone's guess, but she'll keep it in mind.]