[ Absolutely no one could have prepared for the phantoms appearing that night, but the others ways in which he'd been reckless are too numerous to count. Not only did his lack of preparation put him at great risk for his thirst consuming him, but it also nearly made a victim out of someone who's only been courteous to him. More than courteous, at that, for she'd trusted him enough to allow him to enter her home and help her. Then she had helped him in turn.
He'd grossly underestimated the phantom's drain on him, and while he vows to not make such assumptions a pattern in this realm, he's wary that it might happen again. Overestimating his limits is a bad habit he thought he'd overcome years agonot at all, but perhaps he ought re-assess his capabilities in this new, strange realm. A foreign land with alien beasts, phantoms, and phenomena demand having a judicious mind to navigate it all.
But first? He owes her an apology. She'll find a message to her from the queensguilt username. Which. Wow, he didn't choose that username, but it causes him to stare at it for a few moments, then take another few moments to try to change it, a third moment to sigh, and a final moment to concede with a shake his head. ]
Apologies if this message finds you at an inconvenient time, but I wanted to reach out. I found your username on a previous network post. This is Louis Amamiya.
I wanted to apologize for two nights ago. I had no intention of injuring you. The phantom may have drained me, but that is no excuse, as it would have been wiser to to leave you earlier.
[ He'd been injured, too, yes, but he should have known better. She helped stitch his wounds together, but he could have recovered on his own. Instead, he stayed.
Why did he stay. Why did he stay? Idiot. ]
I'm willing to compensate you for any damages, or if you wish, willing to turn myself in to the Paladins. Please let me know at your earliest convenience.
[ Also he needs his magnum back, but if he's gonna sit in pirate jail for some time, then he'll simply suggest she throw it into the ocean instead. It's too modern of a gun compared to other arms here, especially dangerous if she doesn't know how to use it. ]
[ The past couple days have found Zelda largely keeping to herself and staying at home, sleeping to recover her strength after being drained by the phantoms. The princess doesn't typically sleep more than five or six hours at a time, but since that encounter, she's slept almost twice as much each night. It seems they drained her more than she realized at the time.
And then there's the stab wound on her right arm. Skilled as she is with first aid, using her nondominant hand to change the dressings is more than she's capable of doing. She's had to visit a nearby clinic to have it changed for her. According to the attending nurse, the wound has been healing nicely and shouldn't leave a scar. That's good news, at least.
News which Zelda is really trying to be grateful for right now, as she starts seeing messages on the shellphone network about the sudden appearance of a mysterious island with a huge crater leading down into a dark abyss.
Of course. Because when else would a mysterious island appear than when Zelda is too injured to explore it? Sure, she can use her right arm well enough, but not to the extent she would need for exploring a dangerous place. Even Zelda isn't that reckless.
So she's in a bit of a grumpy mood when her shellphone pings with a message from an unfamiliar username.
Oh, it's Louis. That's... unexpected. With the way he'd bolted out of her apartment the other night, Zelda honestly wasn't sure she'd ever hear from him again. Especially not this soon.
(Then again, he did leave behind some of his things in his hasty exit.)
She reads through his messages, brows furrowing in concern. Is he serious about turning himself in to the Paladins if she asks him to? That seems a little extreme for... Well, all right, he did attack her. Or at least, started to-- before seeming to regain enough control over himself to get away from her before he did anything worse than slam her against a table. Perhaps his offer to turn himself in isn't that extreme.
But Zelda has been less scared and more worried about Louis since he left that night. He was injured a lot worse than she was after their altercation with his phantom and she didn't finish treating his wounds before he ran off. So it's actually more of a relief to hear from him than anything else. ]
It's good to hear from you. I've been worried.
[ There's a brief delay between messages as Zelda thinks over how to respond. ]
You need not turn yourself in, nor provide me with monetary compensation. You didn't actually injure me or break anything in my apartment. At worst, you frightened me.
[ Frightened and confused her, kind of like he's doing now (though moreso the latter than the former). Why would it have been "wiser" for him to leave her apartment earlier? He seemed fine while she was treating him-- up until he suddenly wasn't. And what does the phantom draining him have to do with that (because why else would he be concerned that she might take that as an excuse if it wasn't a contributing factor)?
There's another short delay as Zelda deliberates just outright asking Louis why he attacked her, but ultimately decides on something more innocuous. ]
[ He’s pacing his apartment room when his shellphone pings with a notification. Louis rushes to swipes it off his desk, bringing up the message.
It’s not what he’s expecting, but relief floods through him all the same. She’s okay. Frightened, as anyone would be— should be— but okay. She even asks about him! ]
I’m alright, thank you, and I’m grateful for your response. It seems your talent for needle embroidery translates to mending wounds. [ He may have a hefty healing factor, but it’s nonetheless true. And while he would have turned himself in, of course he would rather not be in a prison that with sentries that have no idea what sort of monster he is, much less what he needs to sustain his sanity. ]
I hope you are doing well, yourself, and that your own arm is on its way to full recovery. It was a frightening night for all, and I regret that I did not check on you sooner.
[ Now he wonders… should he tell her why he had to abruptly leave? Should he not? Perhaps she won’t ask. But then again, if he doesn’t tell her— she won’t know to keep a safe distance. But can he trust her to keep a secret? The options are conflicting. ]
If you would oblige, I would like to collect my belongings. Among them is a loaded firearm, and I’d rather you not encounter an accident.
My arm is healing well, thank you for your concern. I have been assured that there should be no permanent damage. I'm relieved to hear that you are recovering as well. I was quite worried that your untreated wounds might become infected.
[ Oh, that's an unexpected request. On the one hand, yes, Louis did leave some of his things behind in Zelda's apartment, so it's to be expected that he would want them back. But on the other hand... well, he just got done offering to turn himself over to the Paladins for attacking her the other night. Wouldn't allowing him into her apartment open her up to another attack?
Not that Zelda actually thinks he would attack her again. Whatever happened the other night was clearly the result of a loss of control-- the princess had a front-row seat to Louis' internal struggle. After a few days of rest, he's probably in full control of his faculties again.
But she still hasn't finished repairing his clothes as thanks for saving her. She'd hate to him to come all the way to her apartment to collect his firearm only to turn around and come back a few days later. If he doesn't live on Eltrut, then it would be unreasonable for him to make multiple trips to her apartment. ]
I am still in the process of repairing your clothes, on account of my arm, but I expect to finish by the end of this week. You are welcome to stop by then. I can assure you that I have learned enough about firearms while living here to know how to properly handle one.
[ This is, at best, an exaggeration, and at worst, an outright lie. Zelda has only flintlock pistols and muskets in action; she has never handled one. The extent of her knowledge is that the bullet comes out of the end of the cylinder and the trigger activates the combustion that propels it forward. Thankfully, she has enough sense not to fiddle with Louis' firearm; it has remained in its holster since he left it. ]
[ Bold of you to assume she asked for the physician's approval before doing this. ]
I've supplies enough to last me through the week before I'll need to go to market, thank you.
[ It's a force of habit to turn down an offered kindness. (Just because he's offering to help doesn't mean she should accept it! What if he's just being polite? Then suddenly he's obligated to go out of his way to actually help her.)
But then her stomach growls, reminding Zelda that the only thing she's eaten for the last few days is whatever she can scrounge up in her apartment that doesn't require cooking.
A second message arrives, about thirty seconds later. ]
But I wouldn't turn down a freshly cooked meal, were it to turn up on my doorstep. One can only subsist on salted cod and stale bread rolls for so long.
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AU let's gooo
[ Absolutely no one could have prepared for the phantoms appearing that night, but the others ways in which he'd been reckless are too numerous to count. Not only did his lack of preparation put him at great risk for his thirst consuming him, but it also nearly made a victim out of someone who's only been courteous to him. More than courteous, at that, for she'd trusted him enough to allow him to enter her home and help her. Then she had helped him in turn.
He'd grossly underestimated the phantom's drain on him, and while he vows to not make such assumptions a pattern in this realm, he's wary that it might happen again. Overestimating his limits is a bad habit he thought he'd overcome years agonot at all, but perhaps he ought re-assess his capabilities in this new, strange realm. A foreign land with alien beasts, phantoms, and phenomena demand having a judicious mind to navigate it all.
But first? He owes her an apology. She'll find a message to her from the queensguilt username. Which. Wow, he didn't choose that username, but it causes him to stare at it for a few moments, then take another few moments to try to change it, a third moment to sigh, and a final moment to concede with a shake his head. ]
Apologies if this message finds you at an inconvenient time, but I wanted to reach out. I found your username on a previous network post. This is Louis Amamiya.
I wanted to apologize for two nights ago. I had no intention of injuring you. The phantom may have drained me, but that is no excuse, as it would have been wiser to to leave you earlier.
[ He'd been injured, too, yes, but he should have known better. She helped stitch his wounds together, but he could have recovered on his own. Instead, he stayed.
Why did he stay. Why did he stay? Idiot. ]
I'm willing to compensate you for any damages, or if you wish, willing to turn myself in to the Paladins. Please let me know at your earliest convenience.
[ Also he needs his magnum back, but if he's gonna sit in pirate jail for some time, then he'll simply suggest she throw it into the ocean instead. It's too modern of a gun compared to other arms here, especially dangerous if she doesn't know how to use it. ]
no subject
And then there's the stab wound on her right arm. Skilled as she is with first aid, using her nondominant hand to change the dressings is more than she's capable of doing. She's had to visit a nearby clinic to have it changed for her. According to the attending nurse, the wound has been healing nicely and shouldn't leave a scar. That's good news, at least.
News which Zelda is really trying to be grateful for right now, as she starts seeing messages on the shellphone network about the sudden appearance of a mysterious island with a huge crater leading down into a dark abyss.
Of course. Because when else would a mysterious island appear than when Zelda is too injured to explore it? Sure, she can use her right arm well enough, but not to the extent she would need for exploring a dangerous place. Even Zelda isn't that reckless.
So she's in a bit of a grumpy mood when her shellphone pings with a message from an unfamiliar username.
Oh, it's Louis. That's... unexpected. With the way he'd bolted out of her apartment the other night, Zelda honestly wasn't sure she'd ever hear from him again. Especially not this soon.
(Then again, he did leave behind some of his things in his hasty exit.)
She reads through his messages, brows furrowing in concern. Is he serious about turning himself in to the Paladins if she asks him to? That seems a little extreme for... Well, all right, he did attack her. Or at least, started to-- before seeming to regain enough control over himself to get away from her before he did anything worse than slam her against a table. Perhaps his offer to turn himself in isn't that extreme.
But Zelda has been less scared and more worried about Louis since he left that night. He was injured a lot worse than she was after their altercation with his phantom and she didn't finish treating his wounds before he ran off. So it's actually more of a relief to hear from him than anything else. ]
It's good to hear from you. I've been worried.
[ There's a brief delay between messages as Zelda thinks over how to respond. ]
You need not turn yourself in, nor provide me with monetary compensation. You didn't actually injure me or break anything in my apartment. At worst, you frightened me.
[ Frightened and confused her, kind of like he's doing now (though moreso the latter than the former). Why would it have been "wiser" for him to leave her apartment earlier? He seemed fine while she was treating him-- up until he suddenly wasn't. And what does the phantom draining him have to do with that (because why else would he be concerned that she might take that as an excuse if it wasn't a contributing factor)?
There's another short delay as Zelda deliberates just outright asking Louis why he attacked her, but ultimately decides on something more innocuous. ]
Are you doing all right? How are your injuries?
no subject
It’s not what he’s expecting, but relief floods through him all the same. She’s okay. Frightened, as anyone would be— should be— but okay. She even asks about him! ]
I’m alright, thank you, and I’m grateful for your response. It seems your talent for needle embroidery translates to mending wounds. [ He may have a hefty healing factor, but it’s nonetheless true. And while he would have turned himself in, of course he would rather not be in a prison that with sentries that have no idea what sort of monster he is, much less what he needs to sustain his sanity. ]
I hope you are doing well, yourself, and that your own arm is on its way to full recovery. It was a frightening night for all, and I regret that I did not check on you sooner.
[ Now he wonders… should he tell her why he had to abruptly leave? Should he not? Perhaps she won’t ask. But then again, if he doesn’t tell her— she won’t know to keep a safe distance. But can he trust her to keep a secret? The options are conflicting. ]
If you would oblige, I would like to collect my belongings. Among them is a loaded firearm, and I’d rather you not encounter an accident.
no subject
[ Oh, that's an unexpected request. On the one hand, yes, Louis did leave some of his things behind in Zelda's apartment, so it's to be expected that he would want them back. But on the other hand... well, he just got done offering to turn himself over to the Paladins for attacking her the other night. Wouldn't allowing him into her apartment open her up to another attack?
Not that Zelda actually thinks he would attack her again. Whatever happened the other night was clearly the result of a loss of control-- the princess had a front-row seat to Louis' internal struggle. After a few days of rest, he's probably in full control of his faculties again.
But she still hasn't finished repairing his clothes as thanks for saving her. She'd hate to him to come all the way to her apartment to collect his firearm only to turn around and come back a few days later. If he doesn't live on Eltrut, then it would be unreasonable for him to make multiple trips to her apartment. ]
I am still in the process of repairing your clothes, on account of my arm, but I expect to finish by the end of this week. You are welcome to stop by then. I can assure you that I have learned enough about firearms while living here to know how to properly handle one.
[ This is, at best, an exaggeration, and at worst, an outright lie. Zelda has only flintlock pistols and muskets in action; she has never handled one. The extent of her knowledge is that the bullet comes out of the end of the cylinder and the trigger activates the combustion that propels it forward. Thankfully, she has enough sense not to fiddle with Louis' firearm; it has remained in its holster since he left it. ]
no subject
You're repairing my clothes with an injured arm?
[ GORL ]
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[ What else is she supposed to do while she's laid up with an injury? She's being careful (mostly)! ]
no subject
You're really kind.
[ Like to the point he feels especially guilty for this. ]
But anyone tell you you're working too hard?
no subject
On occasion.
[ On multiple occasions. ]
But given that this injury is preventing me from taking on any other jobs right now, I'd say that I'm actually taking it easy.
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Do you need anything, then? Like food or supplies? I know income can be tight when recovering and being unable to work.
[ He's not aware of any safety nets, definitely not for corsairs. Paladins, though? They might have something. ]
no subject
I've supplies enough to last me through the week before I'll need to go to market, thank you.
[ It's a force of habit to turn down an offered kindness. (Just because he's offering to help doesn't mean she should accept it! What if he's just being polite? Then suddenly he's obligated to go out of his way to actually help her.)
But then her stomach growls, reminding Zelda that the only thing she's eaten for the last few days is whatever she can scrounge up in her apartment that doesn't require cooking.
A second message arrives, about thirty seconds later. ]
But I wouldn't turn down a freshly cooked meal, were it to turn up on my doorstep. One can only subsist on salted cod and stale bread rolls for so long.
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In fact, he's starting right now because what??? ]
Please tell me you've had more than that so far. Didn't your physician speak with you about nutrition to support proper wound healing?