❀ 01

[truffulacide]

A. [ACTION: 917 BILKO BOULEVARD]

[before the Once-ler even opens his eyes, the first thing that immediately occurs to him is how fresh the air is.

even when he's straddling the border between the waking world and his dream world, it's immediately apparent. sleeping, such as it is, isn't easy to accomplish anymore. it's always fitful and restless and not really sleep at all; light napping would be more accurate. once, all he had to do was bury himself under his quilt and concentrate on the steady rhythm of his heartbeat to lull himself into unconsciousness. it's a little more difficult now. his breathing isn't so steady anymore; it's hoarse and when he coughs it feels like his throat's splitting apart. the air's too sour and smoggy to inhale without launching into a fit of hacking and spitting, but like most things these days, he's gotten used to it. you didn't even need willpower to force yourself to accept things anymore - all you had to do was give up.

he's lived in the valley long enough for his body to grow accustomed to the air, so naturally it senses that something is very wrong here before his mind even registers the fact. buried under his blanket with his legs sticking out in uncomfortable directions (and wow, did he outgrow his bed or did it somehow shrink?), he yawns and smacks his lips together noisily, a little trickle of drool hanging out of the corner of his mouth. he really must've been exhausted because, gosh, he can't remember sleeping this well since - well, since -

since the trees were still -

...wait. waitwaitwaaaait - was it sunny?

the Once-ler's eyes flutter a little before wrenching themselves open completely and he confirms within the rough span of five seconds that, yes, it is sunny and no, he isn't in his room. and this DEFINITELY isn't his bed, it's smells like fresh soap and cotton and it's way too cramped like... like...

what. the. heck.

he slowly turns over on his side and all it takes is the sight of the woman's blond head for him to bolt upright in bed and shriek at the top of his lungs.]


B. [ACTION: 917 BILKO BOULEVARD]

[lovely day, ain't it? maybe you're on your way to work. maybe you're a girl scout making your rounds. maybe you're just out for a walk, looking to stretch your legs and take in Mayfield properly before the powers-that-be go nuts and end up putting a damper on what could otherwise be a very nice week.

if you're expecting a relaxing morning, you definitely shouldn't pass 917. really, you shouldn't.]

- Hey!

[this is why.

even if you don't hear it the first time, that single word is repeated with a little more urgency (and a little more whining) until you give in and follow it to the source, which just happens to be the mail slot of this particular house.

the slot is open and a pair of blue eyes are peering out, looking straight at you.]

Yeah, you! Get over here!

Comments

B: Action (thismightbeabadidea-)

[windows_hyliaedition]

Perhaps calling out to someone other than the blank eyed girl would have been a better idea. But at this moment, Fi is turning, staring, almost unblinking, before finally asking...

"Why."

B: Action (NONSENSE)

[truffulacide]

[now, that should have been something of a clue that this person didn't really quite have it all together. it may be the empty stare or the mechanical way she turns to look at the mail slot, but pffft. they're tiny little details at best.

you tend to overlook those when you're hysterical.]

...Because I wanna ask you a question? [the voice says that slowly, almost condescendingly. duh, what ELSE could he want?]

(IF YOU SAY SO. :U )

[windows_hyliaedition]

[Stareeeeeeeeee.

okay.] Very well. What is your inquiry? I am obligated to warn you that there is at least a 99.9% chance I will be unable to answer any questions regarding our current location however.

[... Okay.

[truffulacide]

[what.]

...Riiiight. You are from Earth, right? Y'know, just for my own clarification.

[windows_hyliaedition]

[Blink.]

I originate from the land of the Goddess. As I have never heard of this land being referred to as 'Earth', it is highly unlikely that I am.

[... That's a no.]

[truffulacide]

[loooong pause.]

...Yeah, nope. Don't know, don't care. You may not be an alien, but there's a good chance you're crazy. That's just as bad, I think.

[windows_hyliaedition]

Incorrect. I am that which resides in the Goddess' blade currently known as the 'Master Sword'. For reasons currently unknown, I have apparently taken flesh form.

[Beat.]

I should provide you with my personal designation- Fi is the name I was given.

[truffulacide]

You're a sword.

[he says that veeeery slowly.]

Like, a sword-sword. The kind of sharp, pointy thing you swing at stuff. That kind of sword. Right?

[windows_hyliaedition]

An inaccurate statement. I reside within the blade, but I myself cannot be called the sword. It would be more accurate to state that I am a spirit. My purpose was to guide the Goddess' chosen hero, he who would draw the blade.

[truffulacide]

Oh. So you're a sword guardian. [kinda like a forest guardian, he supposes. that makes a little more sense.]

Where's the actual sword, then? I don't know anything about a hero, but anything that even sounds remotely related to a Goddess would come in handy right about now.

someday, she will use other icons. :U

[windows_hyliaedition]

Unfortunately, both the sword and the very form I am meant to take have been 'taken'. According to various veterans whom I have spoken with over the 'phone' device, this is entirely natural, yet unexplainable.

/patpat

[truffulacide]

But you're, like, divine. Or mystic, whatever. The point is, that shouldn't be possible unless whoever did this to you is more powerful than your run-of-the-mill god.

[...scary thought.]

[windows_hyliaedition]

[Beat.]

The probability that the source has achieved a form of power briefly surpassing that of the Goddess Hylia is indeed high- However, I cannot properly ascertain the circumstances which lead to this change without proper information, which all others willing to speak are thus far lacking in.

[truffulacide]

In other words, we're in deep trouble. That's what you're trying to say.

[windows_hyliaedition]

Not necessarily. Though there is a high chance that those taken to 'Mayfield' were not taken with just intent, there is yet a minor percentile of chance that this is not the case.

It will be better to discern the fates before us and all others when there is more information to judge by.

[truffulacide]

How? Abduction's bad enough as it is, but add the fact that they're trying to say that I'm - [he hesitates.] - we're not even the people we think we are into the mix. Even if they're not trying to be malicious, it's still illegal.

So, let's start looking.

[windows_hyliaedition]

[Stareeeeeee...]

Do you know where to look.

[Uhhhhh... ...no?]

[truffulacide]

Nope! But neither do you, so I doubt you can come up with any better ideas right now.

Unless you wanna sit around and wait for trouble to find us, in which case I won't bother you. More power to you and all that.

[windows_hyliaedition]

It is safer to approach with caution than it is to charge recklessly.

However, I agree- to wait for danger is also unwise.

[...But you haven't said if you'd help or not!]

[truffulacide]

Who says we can't be both? I like to think that I'm cautiously reckless.

Good, glad we're on the same page here. [pause.] I'm the Once-ler, by the way.

[windows_hyliaedition]

The definitions of those terms contradict the other. However, given previous experience with one who claimed similar status I will accept your excuse. [... It wasn't an excuse.]

Acknowledged. 'Once-ler'.

[truffulacide]

...Cool? Thanks, I guess.

This is the first time I've met a sword before. Well, sword spirit. You're kinda making me curious about what your real form looks like.

[his eyes widen.]

Does it look awesome? I bet it looks awesome.

[windows_hyliaedition]

The definition of 'awesome' is an entirely subjective description. If you so wish however, I will describe it in whatever level of detail so desired.

[Once-ler. Hey Once-ler.

You gained a 'cling'.]

[truffulacide]

[you're a strange one, Fi. a very strange one indeed.]

Most people would agree with me, I bet. You typically don't see spirits out and about like it's no big deal.

Well, go on. [he claps his hands together from behind the door.] Wow me.

[windows_hyliaedition]

I will begin with a basic description.

In my original state I appear in varying shades of blue in colour. I have no arms, for there is no need. In their stead, you could say that they resemble sheets of cloth. I am garbed beneath this in a darker blue matching that of my right side below the face, in what would be described by those familiar with the term as a 'dress', as well as stockings crossed with green. I do not stand upon the ground- I float.

Is this description sufficient, Once-ler?