museboxingring | I Must Protect That Smile (feat. Edelgard)

I Must Protect That Smile (feat. Edelgard)

[Since the encounter with the once peaceful dragon on a mini rampage, it was one thing after another. Scouts and researchers watched over the springs and tried to collect information on what was making them act strangely. Correspondence with Princess Zelda and Link proved to be of similar results. Lady Edelgard kept herself busy too. They all did. Sidon included.

Of course, while his conduct with Zelda and the others was most cordial and friendly, it was different with Link. His greatest and most treasured friend. He received a letter that morning. Some people are talking about monsters acting up a bit more. Princess Zelda and I had cleared out a camp just yesterday. Are you and the rest of the Domain alright? How about that woman you were with?

Monsters...even after Calamity Ganon had been felled. This was a problem since that day but they have been dealing with it since.

It was nice to have that person, a friend. Someone who was so quick to ask about his well-being. Of course, that was Link. And of course, he noticed he was standing closely with Lady Emperor Edelgard...Especially since that night. Of course Link noticed. Sidon’s face grew all sorts of colors and the quill seemed to twirl in his webbed hands for a moment. What to do-?

We are both alright, my friend, no monsters have given us trouble yet but there was something on my mind I wanted to ask you-

Sidon was interrupted when a guard burst into his door! In gasps, the guard announced there was a duo of Lynels a mere mile off the Domain, a scout reported. There was little time to waste, a friendly letter exchange was obviously going to have to wait.]

Bazz! We depart immediately! We cannot allow them to get closer to our city! Get your best gear!

[Sidon was the lead of the offensive charge for the Zora. Upon the direction of the council, they were told to send about five men there. Five? That was it? That seemed too small for Lynel attacks, Sidon had asked. But the council was firm. They didn’t want to risk the numbers for a few monsters.

Sidon had to bubble down an argument that that notion sounded like the council was getting too complacent and cocky. Plainly because there was no time to argue. The Lynels were too close. The prince had to go. So off they went...

The trail was tense and oddly quiet. Sidon and the soldiers spared were quiet but maybe they were asking themselves the same questions. Why were Lynels here? Where did they come from? Were they supposed to have died out? Too many questions, way too many. What mattered was that these Lynels needed to be destroyed.

——

The fight was growing treacherous and they only encountered one Lynel. Odd...Where was the second? No matter.

Sidon and his men tried their best to hold the Lynel and its axe and charges. They seemed to be stronger than they have been before. Sidon was very skilled with a sword and spear, making use of the openings to deal blow after blow. If they defeat the one now as they are, then the threat could be handled. Handled well, even. With hardly any injuries.

Just then, Sidon felt a burn on his side. A scorching burn on his skin. A very bad tingling sensation.

Could it be...?

A shock arrow.

From the next hilltop the other Lynel emerged and started a large barrage of shock arrows toward Sidon and his group. The sudden sting sent Sidon into defense mode and he moved quickly to prevent further injury. Another soldier...wasn’t so lucky. The arrow struck his leg and he was on the ground spasming. The arrows kept coming and the other Lynel charged at Sidon just as he looked to the now injured Zora. Sidon acted fast, they were sitting ducks now that they know the Lynel’s electric trap, and he held off the Lynel’s axe with the brute force of his spear. He grew a sweat, but showing no fear as his muscles ached at the Lynel’s brute force.]

Leave...!! NOW!! Reinforcements! Get...reinforcements! I’ll hold them off!!

[Sidon came to this conclusion quickly. Seeing as they could all perish if one of the few Zora could be felled by one shock arrow. The other standing Zora protested. They couldn’t leave their prince! Sidon’s shark teeth were bare and visible with anger at his foe, but the usually upbeat and happy prince could so easily now turn into a responsible and serious warrior prince with commands.]

That’s...an...order!! Leave now! Take the injured and retreat! These fiends are too close to the Domain for us all to follow! I will keep them busy!...Move!!!

[That settled that. The Zora took the wounded soldier by throwing him on their shoulders and made a mad dash back to the Domain, unsure of the future. Unsure of the help they could get, but they had to follow the orders from their brave prince. A prince who was going to fight until the end. A prince who didn’t know of the surprise batch of monsters hiding behind the Lynel, who were just about to strike with more arrows.]

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[Goodness, what a silly man. Such overt displays have her at a loss. Self sacrifice and martyrdom do not sit well with her at all. Especially not when she's on the receiving end of grand gestures. After all feeling like she may owe something makes her uncomfortable.

Reaching out she places a scarred hand on Sidon's head. Her palm smooths over the odd texture of his skin as she pets along his crown and tail. Head-tail? Gracious, whatever it is. Edelgard hopes the repetitive motion of caressing him will help calm the large creature.]

[Sidon felt many things as a Zora, a man, and a Prince. Do everything his strength could do was his very duty, his very passion. His whole heart felt so heavy as he soon felt that touch on his head. It was bandaged in the middle, where a monster earlier surely tried to slash through. It would heal. The cut wasn't so deep, unlike what became his scar on his front fin. That was another story.

All he did was cause problems. If only he fought the council harder. If only he had held the monsters at bay alone. If only he hadn't gotten captured. So many faults he felt he made, and he was surely making them again. A common fool.

It was a whisper, but he finally spoke after a few seconds. The voice sounded a little pained, letting out a small gasp. It was almost like a small sob.]

I am...I am so sorry, E-[Pause.]-Lady Edelgard. I am...I am so unreasonable...Irresponsible. I know that.

You are.

[She agrees with no hesitation. Her voice does not falter. In fact there is clarity to it.]

You are brash and have too much faith in others. Many of your admirable traits also become your downfall. You suffer from your bombastic kindness and your need to prove and please. Every nick and scar that hurts you also hurts your people. They care deeply for you, and for you to be hurt will hurt them too. You must take better care of yourself.

[Sidon didn’t want anyone to prove him otherwise. He knew it was true he was irresponsible. But to hear it so clearly and so tactfully, it was hard to still not to have it sting just a bit.

It felt like it was his father back in the day, or when his sister was cross with her. The prince raised his head from his position.

Brash, yes...no argument at all. But it was the thing about kindness that got him to sit up straight now. He wasn’t upset but he wanted to say a few words, somehow feeling like his power slowly came back due to Edelgard’s word. His eyes grew serious, but there was still the remnants of pain.]

I do not regret kindness, Lady Edelgard. People need kindness. I do not regret being kind to you, or Link, my father, or Princess Zelda, anyone I hold dear. People need to be believed in, especially since this world tore so many apart. But...

[He looked to her.]

I also did promise each of them those things. I do not think they would be pleased with my display either. You speak truth, you really do. I must be wiser. For all of them. I just-

[Pause. He reached to touch her hand.]

It was you that came to my aid, and I did not want you or my men to get hurt. So...I am glad to see you alive, despite it all...

[To be touched back gives her a start. He will feel Edelgard's skin jump, but she doesn't retreat or pull away from him.]

I understand your position and the feelings of obligation to protect others. However you cannot continue to protect anyone if you are dead. Remember that.

[My friend, if I am too kind, you are too closed off.

Sidon thought this as he felt the jolt at his attempt at comfort. He didn’t say such things though, because he was more focused on her words. But needless to say, it was something he was going to keep in mind. As she said her truth, his eyes were locked on that hand.

It did seem to particularly reach him somewhere, what she said. In a way, that was also a way of her being kind. He knew she said things like this from a good place. Still yet, his eyes went from her hand to up her arm, which was where he saw it. Her arm, the arm that was struck. It was now bandaged up, but his eyes seemed to fixate on it.]

Your arm...how is it?

Just fine.

[The reply is immediate, but softer than the scolding tone she took with him earlier.]

As you can see these arms are not unused to being pierced. Though I was lucky the lightning cauterized the wound. Otherwise I could have bled out before making it back.

[He made a soft sigh under his breath. Of course she worded things so eloquently and logically.

Sidon still looked seriously at the arm. The medics were not like Mipha’s magic, but he trusted that they did their best to treat both of their wounds proficiently. They always did. But he knew where they kept the kits for dressing. Sidon knew basic first aid, and how to dress wounds...at least he could do that. But at times like these he always wished he knew Mipha’s magic, he wished he had her skills.]

Just enough then too, you could have also been electrocuted to death. Those shock arrows tend to be deadlier than people think. Thank heavens you’re also not a Zora.

[The kit was in a drawer kept bedside. He reached over to get it from his position. His expression seemed to be rather serious but then he softened...just a bit. Once he held the kit. He stopped himself from getting carried away, he had to. There was so much he wanted to say and address. But she found his composed gaze again.]

...You really are incredible. I do not think I really could thank you enough for coming to my aid to begin with.

Edited 2019-11-01 00:17 (UTC)

Do not hold me in such high esteem. We both know you would have done the same for me.

[Reaching over she takes the kit from his hands. Her slender fingers brushing against his large digits before she pulls away the box from him.]

Shall we redress those bandages of yours? Some of them look a little bled through.

[This was a very pretty serious discussion, but a small smile still crept on his face. There was something sweet about those words, if you dig deep in them. Of course, she had her way of saying it. But that was obvious to both of them.]

We both do know that, do we? There's no doubt about it.

[There was something else he wanted to say but that was going to wait a bit. His fingers wiggled at the sudden brushing, almost like they instinctively were about to be laced in hers. But they both moved before that could happen. Now he had the box taken away.

But there was the urge to not want Edelgard to take this too far either. For her sake. If he wasn't supposed to go overboard, then, well...This was a new battlefield. His large hand reached out to touch the top of the box, even with her grip on it.]

-Seems we were thinking the same thing. Your arm in particular could use some cleaning.

I was trained to perform first aid as a warrior. I am not my sister but I am more than capable for this.

[Edelgard sighs heavily before relenting.]

Very well. If it will soothe your nerves I will allow you to go first.

[...Did he look nervous? That wasn't intentional on his part. It caused him to blink a little before opening the box itself. On one hand, he's happy she's relented to trust him with it, but at the same time...he didn't want to be a busybody, or a pain to her.

He looked solemn for a moment before sighing and getting some supplies. He made a small smile appear, just so she knew he was satisfied.]

My nerves thank you very much.

I promise, I will be swift.

[His large hands were gentle, and they slid down her arm softly to unwrap the arm bandage to soon reveal her wound. He was careful, so careful. But he would begin cleaning it with care, making sure to make proper gestures to prevent as little stinging as possible.

Always so strong, but Sidon didn't want to me a greater cause of her pain then he already felt he was.]

[Edelgard barely even blinks when when he applies the the cleaning solution. She watches him carefully, and focuses on his eyes. Mostly to try and gauge if he'll stare at the uniform way her arm is marked up. Cuts where places she was bled from. Stretches of skin that were carved from her body for experimentation.

He is gentle. Almost unnecessarily so, and a part of her feels sad when he makes that smile play on his lips just for her.]

No need to tiptoe on my account. I do not feel too much on my arms much anymore.

[How many battles has she seen? How many wars has she fought? His eyes scanned the arm, resting a brief second on each mark and scar as he performed the task he set out to do.

Scars were the mark of survival, of past pain and strife that was overcome. And Edelgard was riddled with them. There were also marks he didn't recognize. They didn't look like they came from a battlefield, but from somewhere else. That kind of mystery was unsettling to him.

What else have you lived through, my friend?

His focus mainly had to be on this one new scar, a new mark she lived with and stayed so strong and walled up about. Just a new thing she just had to brush off. No wonder why she was upset with him earlier, she clearly saw through many, many hells.

It made his heart ache. But there was an effort to just react as non-oppressive as possible.

He cleaned the wound and wrapped it well, his voice soft as can be. Do not tip toe, you say. But I have no right to ask anything of you.]

Does that suffice?

[She was given another smile, for her. At the very least, he hoped she could be pleased with any amount of care he could give. Care that she allowed him to give.]

Edited 2019-11-09 16:59 (UTC)

Next time you should try washing your hands before applying a sterile bandage.

[She teases purposefully trying to steer the conversation and his eyes away from her. She's quick to gesture at a couple different spots on him.]

Some of yours look like they need changing. Shall I?

...O-Oh...Ah.

[He did revert back from his state after hearing that. His face flushed with embarrassment. Sidon frowned a bit before a sheepish smile appeared. It didn’t seem like she was displeased with him, a gentle chide.

But he knew better than that.

Maybe he was nervous.]

R-right, I-yes...!

[He made a small cough into his hand as if to drag the conversation away from his mild embarrassment. Turning his face a bit so his head fin to the side was exposed. There was a wound there that seemed to bleed a little through the bandaged. There were marks all over his body from the various shocks he received when captured momentarily. But there was an evident attempt at a stab there.]

This here, perhaps? Those fiends earlier tried to skewer me there.

Hmm... Yes, I can tend to that one. It might be easier to rest your back against the cot and rest your ah... tail type appendage over my lap. If you do not mind handing the supplies from the kit over your shoulders, that is.

[Perhaps the situation would be a bit intimate and informal for her tastes, but she hates the feeling of owing someone. Repaying the favor will soothe her nerves.]

I can do that.

[Without being too abrasive, of course. He turned his back to her and positioned himself so he sat on the floor with his legs crossed. His legs were still so stiff but they were calming down since Sidon has been awake for a while. It crossed his mind how long they may have been asleep.

He also wondered if they were given such privacy to rest. It must have been longer than he thought. They were out of the clear and their sheets and bandages applied. Made him also wonder what he was going to say to his father and his council...It was easier to lose himself in thought with his duties for a moment rather than address his pressing feelings.

His head fin rested on the cot. There was enough darkness in the room that his fin spots were glowing softly with a soft pink rose color. Content? Maybe. Or lost in so many thoughts that he didn’t simply notice.]

[The weight of that fin resting in her lap is more comforting than she'd thought it would be. Her bare hand smooths over his skin a couple times before gently addressing the bandaged portion. Carefully her nails tug at the knot tied to apply a bit of pressure to the wound. Once it is done she begins to unravel the dressing so newer, cleaner bandages may be applied.]

Do they usually do that?

[Glow, she means. Edelgard is not used to seeing them do that.]

Edited 2019-11-13 23:31 (UTC)

[There was something soothing, about the way she somewhat massaged his head. Often times he wondered just how daunting he was as a different species to her. Sidon knew she had seen many things but it was probably just so bewildering dealing with him as he was. Hylians, for the most part, seemed to recognize his people as fully intelligent species just like them.

Edelgard never shown fear then.

But she did in fact ask him a question now, as his contentment to the touch seemed to course through his body. That familiar murmur in his chest breaking up as he opened his eyes from the relaxation.]

Hm...? What does what do what?

[He had some spots on his arms, and they too started to glow. Ah. Them.]

Oh, you mean these. Mhm.

[There were many ways to describe it. A color appeared on his cheeks once again as he figured.]

At times, yes. Some instances no. It depends.

Is it dependent on your emotional state?

[The question is asked without pause in her work. Once the wound is revealed she'll take a good look at it. Memorizing the depth and diameter of the puncture before applying some cleaning solution to it. She is careful and delicate. Just in case the solution stings.]

[He hummed to himself again, figuring out the best way to explain it. Without embarrassing himself. Sidon was already so embarrassing tonight. His fingers seemed to lace together, holding them across his stomach as he was situated on the floor.

His eyes were directed to the ceiling, or no...

He turned his eyes so they could look at her, head resting so casually.]

All of us Zora have them, it is how we see each other at night. In the water. In moments of calm with each other.

There’s a more scientific way of explaining it but...to make a long story short I-

[I am completely calmed by your presence.]

I’m thankful.

Thankful for what?

[Edelgard's eyes glance over to Sidon's face, but the moment they make eye contact she quickly looks away — back to his wound. She wishes to watch his expression without being observed in return, but with the angle he sits at it's probably not possible.

Instead she'll dutifully focus on him. Slender fingers nimbly redressing his injury now that it's been sanitized.]

Many things. Being here, alive and well, speaking like this.

[His eyes were very soft saying this, should she look his way again. Shifting so slightly as he felt the wound being bandaged.]

It is moments of brief peace, I suppose. But I enjoy them.

[How soft. How inconvenient. Edelgard would be absolutely mortified if her own emotions could betray her so easily. In fact she probably would not be where she is today if that were the case. Once she's finished bandaging his head fin Edelgard smooths her palm over the length of it again. Once, twice, thrice... Just making sure that nothing will disrupt the freshly applied dressing.]

I suppose those are good things. It is better to be thankful for the present than to dwell on the loss of the past.

It is something we must do.

[He felt the fingers massage his fin again, letting it calm him more. It felt nice...despite it being wounded. For a moment, he felt no pain. Sidon felt a true comfort in his heart, and his body felt light and airy. He had to remember his worries and what he had to prepare for. But at this moment, his contentment was calming his nerves and his very soul.]

My sister taught me this many years ago. It is what I remember most of her guidance...brief as it was.

I cannot lose myself in those times, and I cannot now. There is so much we take for granted, I believe. Even I am guilty of this. Be it fortune or not, I am here still to do what I mean to carry out.

[It just so happened...Edelgard was his fortune.]

That’s still a wonderful thing.

Edited 2019-11-28 14:35 (UTC)

Mm, [she hums softly in the quiet infirmary] I am sure you will be a great leader when you take the throne, Sidon.

[That got him to adjust himself again, turning his body so slightly to fully face her. His head fin was long enough that it curled around his shoulder.]

...You think? I was merely being honest.

[It was as if that remark was something he couldn’t believe he was hearing. It still rang in his head over and over.]

The fact that you were sincere about it is what's important. You truly care for your people and moving forward. To be trapped by the past will only hinder your personal growth and the growth of your kingdom. I truly believe this.

[Edelgard lets go of his head when he moves to face her, and she gestures vaguely with her hand.]

Oh...

[His spots started to brighten at this. The light was so vibrant that it caught on to his fins, which then started glowing to become a golden yellow. Sidon's eyes softened more as she eyed her.]

I am...glad you agree. To hear that from someone as capable as you, it does my heart so well...

[As capable as you. Goodness, Sidon is such a nice man. Sweet and perhaps too innocent. He knows so little about her, but...

That is the way she designed it, isn't it?]

Now, if you listen to my other advice about self preservation as well, I will be pleased.

[He chuckled at that. Knowing he was being made fun of in some weird way but, well, he didn’t mind it.

Of course he felt the way he did but as the light seeped through the windows just a tad and he heard the sound of footsteps outside...well he should start listening, should he?]

Perhaps then I should heed that advice...sounds like the attendants are coming, I should return to my bed now.

[Oof. He did his best to move from his too comfortable position now. He felt his body protest but it was far less than before, perhaps that was because of his mood mixed with him adjusting to actually moving and being awake. He leaned forward, not really taking his gaze off of his friend. His stubbornness proved to be a hassle...surely. But he had to put his best self for his people.]

[Gently Edelgard pats the fin that lies draped across her lap before he pulls away. His weight and warmth were comforting, and to have him leave makes her feel...

Bereft. She does not show her disappointment. All she does is shift in place and fix her blanket.]

Yes. Focus on recovering, my friend.

[He hobbled through the medical wing with some difficulty. But not as pained as before. For some reason though, this journey felt cold. Like something was chilling him, something felt lost and missing. As he felt the gentle pat, it almost tingled. Thought perhaps his mind was playing tricks on him. Or he was making a new scar. Has to be it.

The glow he had seemed to dwindle as he made his journey.

But he heard the voice, and he immediately turned his head to give her that warm smile.]

I shall; you as well.

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I Must Protect That Smile (feat. Edelgard)

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