Starlight Festival [EVENT] [OPEN]

The suns rays receeded across the lands of Hyrule as Castle Town embraced the night, welcoming it with anticipation and excitement. Tonight was the night of the Starlight Festival, after all. It was a pretty rare festival that happened only when the stars shown their brightest. It was a night of fun, of romance, of games and of sheer joy. One Leon had been looking forward too particularly. The last starlight festival had happened when he was only but a small boy, and he hadn't been old enough to take a proper date.

Tonight however, was a different matter. Leon as always was dressed finely, as befitting of royalty. Dressed in a white suit with a matching neckerchief with white gloves and black dress shoes, Leon smiled to himself in the mirror. The White Prince. White always did look good on him. It seemed to compliment his natural good looks even more so. But tonight wasn't about him, oh no. There was a particular girl in mind that Leon had been dying to take to the festival.

His watchful shadow. His sword and shield. His support pillar, his secret keeper. And, tonight? His date. @crystal was his date for the evening. The ever-so-diligent Sheikah had protested at first, saying that she didn't need to be his date to go and that he should find a proper date who could focus on him. But after some reassuring that he could take care of himself, he'd managed to win her over for the evening. The two were close, of course. She'd been serving him for years. She was the only person to spend more time with Leon than his family, as she accompanied him almost everywhere he went. 

But, tonight, he wouldn't let her be her normally serious persona. No, tonight was going to be his way of thanking her, and allowing her to enjoy herself. He'd gotten her a beautiful dress to wear, one he knew she'd like. When you're around someone so much, you tend to pick up on their tastes, after all. And he'd forbidden her from bringing any weapons. Tonight was supposed to be a night of friendship and merriment. He had total confidence that he could handle himself if something did try to happen.

And so, Leon headed down the hall of Hyrule Castle, near Crystal's quarters. Her quarters were close to his due to her being his personal champion. And she, of course, had full access to the castle -- aside from the kings bedroom and throne room. He'd stop in front of her door, knocking on it, smiling. "Crystal?" He'd ask, already excited to see how beautiful she'd look in that dress. Despite her personality, she was still a woman who liked to feel pretty -- or at least that's what he'd picked up on. He hoped he wasn't wrong. "Are you ready? It's about to begin. We'll be late if we don't leave soon."

Upon her opening the door, Leon scanned her body. The dress fit her form perfectly, and she was far more beautiful than he could've hoped. She was glowing, even if her face didn't show it. He chuckled at her response and nodded at her compliment. "Thank you." He'd say, before his hand moved to hers, taking her hand in his. He'd lean down, bringing her gloved hand up, and kiss the back of her hand. "And you look as ravishing as ever, Mi'lady." He'd say before standing back up.

He'd turn towards the door, and wait for her to be ready. He'd hold out his arm, so that she could slide her arms around his so that he may escort her. 'Tis the gentlemanly thing to do, after all. Even if he was the one that she was protecting. "Shall we go, Crystal?"

That beautiful smile of hers sent Leon's heart sky high, even if his face didn't show it. It was rare to see her smile so genuinely, especially given her duty. But, a couple times -- in their most private moments together -- he'd seen it. And he savored it every time, for how fleeting it it was. Unlike he, who smiled all the time.

They walked, and Leon waved his free hand at the passerby who waved to him. He smiled as he always did, and he noticed how stiff Crystal was in her step. Her movements, while precise, said a lot about her. She was still on guard, ready to die for him if the need arose. But Leon wasn't sure if he could allow that to happen. There was as much chance for him to die for her as her for him. That was his issue, really. Too caring about the lives of others and far too selfless to abandon his friends.

He was about to speak up, but she silenced him with her words. He couldn't help but chuckle some. She knew him too well. He turned to her, disregarding the fact that they were more-or-less in the middle of the festival by this point. "Crystal... we're in the middle of Castle Town. There's hundreds of guards here, most of whom are armed. There is nothing that will happen." He'd say, smiling. "Please, if only for one night... show me the you that's not paranoid about me, okay?" His words were filled with a bit more passion that he'd like to admit. The flame he felt for her was obvious, of course. He'd never hid his feelings.

But he did truly feel greatful for her. She'd seen him at his worst, when he was depressed or sadened. She'd helped him through the grief of the loss of some of his friends, and she'd seen him at his happiest, too. She'd been there when he'd cried in private, and when he laughed in public. She was the one person who knew Leon better than any other.

Leon wasn't sure if he'd be as confidant and suave as he was without her helping him. Even the pillar that supports others needs supporting occasionally. And for that, he'd be eternally greatful to her. She was more than just a bodyguard to him. She was his closest friend and ally. The one person he could turn to regardless, even if she was sworn to him by an oath.

Leon couldn't help but sigh a little as she looked at him. She'd given him that look a hundred times at least. Despite their personality differences, the two got along fantastically most of the time. Most thought he was crazy for picking her as his guard, but that's why he'd done it. She wasn't afraid to tell him when he was wrong -- an important thing to have in an advisor and close friend when one is a leader. Leon wasn't infallible, after all. He was still mortal, just like the rest of the world.

He knew she'd never really relax. It wasn't in her nature. She cared too much about her job -- about him -- to risk any harm coming to him. She'd give her life for him, he knew she would. But he didn't want it to come to that. He cared about her -- far more than he really should. And he'd be lying if he said he hadn't entertained the thought of spending the rest of his life with her.

"You're so very stubborn, you know that?" He spoke. He looked at her, staring her in the eyes. And then his gaze softened. "But... I wouldn't have it any other way.

He walked with her as they got closer to the crowd. He really did wish she'd lighten up. She asked what they were supposed to do, and Leon smiled. "Well," He began. "It's a festival. You have fun. No need for formalities here. We have dancing, singing, games, drinking... all the fun stuff. Though typically to one of these festivals, one brings a date." He said, smiling to her. "Which is why I asked you to come with me. I didn't want you to feel like you'd have to miss out on the fun by watching over me from afar. I know you well enough to know you'd be on some roof somewhere like a hawk all night if I didn't bring you as my date."

He slid his arm to her back, holding her in a formal manner with his hand just above her rear, walking with her. "Like I said, I wanted to try to thank you for your loyal service for me. I'd be lost without you." And in that moment, as he stared ahead, he spotted a familiar face among the crowd. Josh Dragelion "Oh, It's him. HEY, MR. DRAGONSFLAME!" Leon would call, waving a hand above his head to call Josh's attention.

Maude held unto Josh's arm as she always did. She really wasn't sure at what point she started clinging to his arm like this, but she really did like it and he was probably used to it by now. She wore an old, yet underused blue dress of hers. The same one she wore to her last festival and got kidnapped in, but we don't talk about that little incident. She put in some time to look a tad nicer than usual. It wasn't much more than and making sure she didn't have dirt under her nails and trying to cover up all her bruises. She actually managed to make her hair look like it was style as opposed to just being its drap self. She looked nice. Not gorgeous but nice. Maude wasn't really a traditional definition of beauty, but she had her moments.
It was strange to be back in a place large than her house. Maude had been more than happy to leave Clock Town and come back to the country. So happy she spent the first few weeks, month even, by herself enjoying the silence and loneliness she had missed so damn much. Her neighbors had thought she was sick or deformed or something since all they ever saw was Josh. It was a little inconvenient, but for the first time in an eternity, Maude could breathe and she had loved it. After that, you’d think going back would seem like a death sentence, but…. She felt alright. I mean, it’s certainly not her venue and people were just not her favorite thing, but she was fine. She’d been here. She’d done this. She knew how it went and she knew once it was over she could go home.
That was what had been missing before, that decompression. Maude never been able to take a breathe, but this time she could. If she wanted to leave early, she could. If she didn’t want to come back, she didn’t have to. If she didn’t feel like talking to anyone, she had Josh. She was alright. She wasn’t angry or volatile. She wasn’t going to start a fight or whine. She just content, unbothered, cool, calm, and collected. The rage in her had long since passed and she was merely uninterested and kind of bored. She was just ok.
And if nothing else,
Maude Lif was all for free booze
At any rate, she strolled with her Josh and waited to either spot the alcohol and for something else to happen. It was a festival after all. Something always happened.