It was fascinating how her new friend spoke! Marianne had met many Dekus and their distinctive accent before. But none of them had the interesting melody like this new friend had. It was almost as if her words were sung. Her words and the way she put her intonation sounded pleasant on Marianne’s ear, like a morning breeze over a lavender breeze or an evening wind rustling through the roses, soft yet graceful to hear. She remembered that she once read the tale of a group of Deku who were so attuned to nature that they could command the plants through songs. If such Dekus existed, then Marianne had no doubt that their voice would be just like her new friend here, Anemone.
“Thank you,” she replied to the unsolicited praise with a pleasant smile. People said praises are poisons, but there was no doubt that every men and women loved to be praised. And Marianne was not so pretentious as to think that she was praising her instead of her name.
“It was my Father who chose the name Marianne. They said it was the name of his younger sister who died when she was very young… So, I guess my Father really loved her…”
There was a shift in her tone that she could not restrain. A lingering sadness coated her words, audible even as she tried to mask it by adding a cheerful pitch to her voice. And the reason became clear the next instant..
She blinked and turned her gaze slightly from the Deku to somewhere beside her. Just slightly, but enough.
“ 'I guess’… Actually I’ve never really known my Father that much to ask him of it. Hahaha...” Her hands made an awkward gesture as if brushing it off. With a grin she turned her head back to her front, focusing on leading them both out of the crowds and to their target house. Her posture were focused.
But there was no denying the heaviness she felt. There’s a subtle but clear difference between someone who had moved on and someone who believed they had moved on but still clung on it within her heart. Marianne, no matter how hard she tried to deny it, still felt that heavy feeling whenever her birth was discussed.
“Ah-neh-mo-nee is a pleasant name,” she quipped as they reached the bottom most staircase. Her dialect was decidedly Hylian. Royal Hylian even for those who knew much. She started climbing the stairs, pausing occasionally to help her new friend up should she needed one.
“It reminds me of…mmm…” Closing her eyes, she stopped for a few seconds with a dreamy look on her face. Her arms made funny gestures, as if she was flying.
“…It reminds me of a field… beautiful grassy field in sunrise… with a little shack. Oh! That shack would be very cozy for winter!” She ended, opening her eyes with a smile.
“Is there a story for your name, too?” She inquired with a healthy curiosity, turning her still-smiling face to look at the Deku behind her. Then again, she would not push should her new friend did not want to discuss it. Marianne knew more than anyone that some things were better left unmentioned.
And at last, they reached the top of the stairs! Marianne tightened her hood to protect her eyes from the glaring sun. Now that they were a head taller than the stalls and all the people underneath it, nothing shielded them from the sunlight. Yet, it was all worth it! As her new friend deftly put the point on when she breathed behind her. Marianne smiled.
“Yes. Quite tiring. I hope you are okay?” She asked politely, extending a helpful hand. Although she had no doubt that her new friend was alright. She sensed something stronger inside The Deku, a resoluteness that would take her all across Hyrule should she had to, much less climbing a few stairs. Marianne herself did not feel anything remotely tired. She had her Royal Physical Instructor to thank to –although don’t tell her that. She still felt her regiment was evil.
But really! The view was excellent! It’s funny how some distance can make everything seem small! From here Marianne could have a little “aerial view” of the plaza, especially the overcrowded street. But what made the street so overcrowded? What was being sold? The only thing Marianne could pick up was there were more than one stall being overwhelmed with people…
It's alright! Please don't overburden yourself
It was hard to write anything lately but I'll try my best for our thread!
