I wanted to just start over (feat. Link)

[poisesidon]

[It had been a few days. Sidon's injuries had healed up nicely and he was back in full strength. Though he stood behind to be a good patient, knowing fighting treatment would anger his father and his senior council, he was too eager to get back to normal and not depend on the care of his loyal subjects. Sidon wanted to BE dependable, not be dependent on the hard work of people who deserve all the rest and care too for dealing with such a sensitive task.

Taking care of Link's injuries too. Sidon sought to it that Link receive top notch care as well.

As promised, he visited often for the sole purpose of being around his friend who did so much for him. But he tried to be respectful and not coddle him, that would be disrespectful as a warrior to another. Kindness was one thing, pampering like a child was another.

But today was a particular day, Sidon made arrangements to venture out...for what reason may have not reached many people's ears. Though perhaps, the rumors would start that Sidon was on the move to leave the city, and the King was holding back until he got full reasons from his son. Because many people were obviously against the idea, as they nearly lost their beacon of hope in the clutches of the Yiga.]

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[poisesidon]

[He heard a noise. Sidon turned around at the sudden movement he felt in the room, only to look down to his hip level. A weapon he was just looking at was moved, and was being handed to him.

Link was there, and he was giving him a look Sidon found himself trying to analyze. He gently accepted the weapon but he wondered why Link was here. He couldn't help it, thinking about it. Being suspicious. Did he know he was leaving? Had his father told him? Sidon's words with his father were...dicey. Putting it lightly.

He couldn't hide anything from Link, but being vulnerable wasn't an option.]

Oh-! Link! What brings you here then? You are feeling well? I heard the doctor's were going to release you today. Congratulations on your recovery, Link!

[hyahro]

[He nods, at that. He's feeling much better, pretty much right as rain at this point. He has a few new scars to show for their encounter, but they're not the first- and certainly far from the last- that he'll ever receive. It was a small price to pay to get Sidon back, so it's already water under the bridge at this point.

No, it's the here and now that matters more. He draws his hands back after Sidon accepts the spear, his eyes shifting from the weapon to travel slowly up until they meet Sidon's gaze directly. He nods towards the Prince, his brows raising a little.

He'd come to check on you, Sidon. Mainly because he hasn't seen you lately...and for other reasons, too, that he hasn't deigned to point out just yet. He wants to see if Sidon will choose to keep it to himself or not.]

[poisesidon]

[Sidon winced his eyes and made a smile, doing his best to appear normal. Even though he knew he wasn’t. Try as he might, you don’t recover mentally from a kidnapping this fast. But he had to show confidence. It was what he had to do in his role. If he shown weakness, then he might as well-]

Fear not, my friend! I know that look, you do not need to worry!

See, I’m quite alright here like this. I’m all of me right before you.

[hyahro]

[Well, see...the main problem here is that as much as Link is concerned for Sidon's wellbeing, it's not as if he can force him to stay here. He's not his keeper, just his protector on a good day. What he actively does with himself and his time are his perogative, between himself and his father and the rest of his people. Link...does his best not to interfere too directly with the affairs of the other communities throughout Hyrule unless their very ways of life are in peril.

He's concerned the Yiga will strike again. He doubts they will so soon after being defeated the first time, especially knowing that Link is now wise to their schemes. He perhaps won't be so merciful if he discovers they've targeted the Zora a second time. It's Link they truly want to destroy, not Sidon.

The hero sighs, his expression softening somewhat. He has to take Sidon at his word, because that's all he really has. And he does appear to be doing well, at the very least...he seems to have made just as full of a recovery as Link himself had.

Yet...he'll cast his gaze towards the rest of the city, out in the direction of the long bridges that connect the water-based structures to the rest of the land. Then, he looks back towards Sidon, questioningly.]

[poisesidon]

[Sidon couldn't help but twinge inside as Link looked at him again, then to his city, then back to him. He bit his lower lip as he tried to keep his smile up, but it was futile. No matter what, he told himself that Link deserved his honesty. Not his idiotic blanket statements that mean to hide his insecurities.

He gripped on the weapon in his hands before his eyes went sullen.]

Link.

[This was said with a serious enough tone to hopefully make sure Link knows this was important. Incredibly important.]

I am leaving the Domain. I am going back to Gerudo Desert.

[hyahro]

[Of all places.

Link actually wasn't expecting that answer from Sidon, and it shows in the way his eyes widen and his posture changes almost imperceptibly. If he was a more vocal person, he would already be questioning the reasoning, his motives, above all just...why? Why could Sidon possibly think returning to the desert would be wise, especially after all that had happened? It might be different if it were anywhere else, but the desert was the Yiga's domain.

He simply can't understand it, just as much as he can't quite keep that off his expression as his brows furrow and the look in his eyes becomes a touch harder. After a moment, Link shakes his head no. Less a gesture telling him not to do it, and more...

"This is a very, very bad idea".]

[poisesidon]

You are giving me the same look my father did earlier.

[His tone was exasperated. Did he expect to have Link react this way? Well, he didn’t NOT expect it. But coming from Link like this was just adding more pressure to his cause. Sidon’s heart was soft…but not weak. He hardly wavered, only wincing at the idea of Link standing against him for any reason. He respected his opinion, like his father, but he felt too strongly about this.

And if Link were to understand, sooner than later, hopefully when Sidon took his role just as seriously.]

So I will tell you what I told him. I have reached out to the Gerudo about what transpired, considering we made a scene outside their gates. I received correspondence from the chief, Lady Riju.

[He had the note tucked in his belt. Sidon held it out, folded neatly in a particular envelope. The meeting with his father fresh, he had to be prepared for this. Not just with Link.

If Link were to take and look at what was offered, the letter was actually genuine.

The handwriting was Riju’s.

Prince Sidon of the Zora,

It does me well that you and Link are in good hands and finding better health. The Yiga have posed a great threat for many in these trying times. I must say it does not surprise me that they were desperate for hostages as Link had to rescue some of our own from their base. They must be trying to be far more direct if they were willing to find the Zora Prince so close to his kingdom. I will be sure to consider your proposal. Should the Yiga still act as they are, you might be correct in assuming that allowing us to hide and wait for any potential future strike could make it be too soon to act.

But I want you to read these words and consider your own stance on the matter from the perspective of an outsider. The Gerudo and Zora making an alliance would surely benefit Hyrule. From what I have heard of you, you are a noble sort. But men are not allowed inside our home. We make no exceptions of this. Not even for royalty. Should we speak further, we should be in person. I await on any terms you may have.

Chief Riju]

I sent my proposal last night. I plan to enter an outside bazaar by an oasis.

[hyahro]

[Link takes the letter as it's offered to him, reading it over carefully. It's not surprising that Riju would send a missive like this, especially with their current state of affairs. And honestly? As much as Link does have a certain amount of sway just for being who he is...he really has no actual authority here to be asserting himself in the matters of the Zora and Gerudo. However, it's not in his nature to just sit back and not help when help can be offered...

So he's left at a bit of an impasse, struggling to decide the best course of action here. It's why he finds himself looking back up at Sidon, this time much less hard than he had been before as he passes the note back to him.

He puts a hand on his own chest, keeping it there but a moment before gesturing towards Sidon. Then he nods to that letter, keeping his expression soft as he does so.

The offer to accompany him is there. If not as a guardian, but as his friend who is just as concerned about his peoples' wellbeing. If Sidon were to object- or reject it outright- Link wouldn't press or make any attempts to follow or dissuade him.

At least...not when he knows trying to do so wouldn't bear fruit anyway.]

[poisesidon]

[As usual, Sidon continued to watch his movements. Especially his face. It softened a little which helped Sidon settle down too. His eyes were keenly looking onward, as Link handed over the note and made sympathetic motions with his hands.

No, that's not what that was. And it wouldn't be Link to just idly pass something on that concerned him so much before.

Self.

Himself, then toward the letter. Sidon was trying to read his movements and seemed to try to make extra effort to read them. Due to this being so dire and important.

Heart. Himself. Letter.

Offer himself.]

Link...do you...want to accompany me?

[hyahro]

[To that, Link's answer is to simply nod once, emphatically. He doesn't want Sidon to feel pressured; like he has to bring him along, or else he'll be unhappy or disappointed in some way.

It's simply an offer, not as a protector, but as his friend.]