A Small Talk (C) | Land Of Twilight

Marianne de Hyrule

The hurt doesn't show, but the pain still grows.

GROUP:Hylian

AGE:18 yrs old

WRITTEN:684 posts

TAG:@marianne

A Small Talk (C)

POSTED ON Apr 21, 2021 0:15:32 GMT

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Post by Marianne de Hyrule on Apr 21, 2021 0:15:32 GMT

There was an underground hall beneath Hyrule Castle, built with purposes unknown, but equipped with excellent ventilation system from long lost technologies so that one could stand there and felt a refreshing breeze, as if he was standing on the courtyard above. Torches and braziers still needed to be provided regularly, but another curious feature of the room was that all source of light could be controlled with a single flick of a switch. There were several of those switches, but all provided the same function. One switch of a lever, and the hall was either bright or completely dark.

For a good part of a decade now it had been converted to Princess Marianne personal training ground for her magic lessons, when she did not or could not attend the lectures of Magic Academy. Apparently, the King and Queen still thought it would be better if no one saw a Princess of Hyrule practicing dark magic, as unfair as that assumption was. Tunnels had been created so that it connected to the castle proper, Princess Marianne's tower, Magic Academy, and perhaps other spots Profeossor von Brandt found convenient. All well-hidden and well-guarded.

As of now, a few straw dummies still littered the center of the spacious room, along with some wooden crates of varying heights -some taller than a person- that was used to provide shadows for the past lesson. Usually at the appointment time, Princess Marianne could be found having arrived several minutes prior, already practicing what she was supposed to learn on the day.

But today she was pacing around in circles, seemingly restless in her thoughts.

Ursula von Brandt
Posts after this will be far shorter and quicker. Lets make this an easier one!

Ursula von Brandt

"Kindness is seldom found in a world so devoid of faith."

GROUP:Twili

AGE:45 yrs old

WRITTEN:185 posts

TAG:@ursula

A Small Talk (C)

POSTED ON Apr 21, 2021 0:44:46 GMT

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Post by Ursula von Brandt on Apr 21, 2021 0:44:46 GMT

To think that our unknown enemy would store the pieces of the Twilight Mirror away in... somewhat accessible places, but far be it for them to make things easy for those who desire to embark on the actual expeditions.

Even so, it was finally time for another lesson for Princess Marianne de Hyrule. Two shadowy figures sped swiftly through the tunnels beneath the castle until they rematerialized into temporal forms within the room the princess was located.

The first of them was Ursula von Brandt, who was privy to her many activities and connections throughout the kingdom; while the second was her primary attendant and handmaiden, Janette Boucher, a wily maid who bore a great many of her mistress’ darkest secrets.

Upon their appearance, Ursula studied Marianne briefly. The tutor knew her pupil well enough to know that something appeared to bothered her, but as far as what that might be was anyone’s guess... the princess was often exposed to many of the kingdom’s problems, after all.

That being said, it never hurt to guess.

“Your Highness, was the topic this afternoon troubling to you?” Ursula opened with a her familiar gait. “Imagine sparing our forces to seek a forbidden piece of evil, enchanted glass. Quite preposterous.”

Marianne de Hyrule

The hurt doesn't show, but the pain still grows.

GROUP:Hylian

AGE:18 yrs old

WRITTEN:684 posts

TAG:@marianne

A Small Talk (C)

POSTED ON Apr 21, 2021 1:24:54 GMT

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Post by Marianne de Hyrule on Apr 21, 2021 1:24:54 GMT

The Princess looked up the moment she heard a sound. She looked tired, which was understandable. On top of leading the Twilight Mirror Conference just before, she had spent these past few weeks making ceaseless overtures to various factions in preparation of the joint expedition. Just three days ago she returned from a visit to Emperor Riven of the Zora, in which the Princess insisted on sleeping in her carriage to save journey time.

She looked a little distraught at the conference before, looking as if she wanted to do something important but could not.

Her eyes locked on Ursula, she approached her quickly and, without a word, pulled her into a tight hug.

Ursula von Brandt

LAST EDIT: Apr 21, 2021 5:46:31 GMT by Marianne de Hyrule

Ursula von Brandt

"Kindness is seldom found in a world so devoid of faith."

GROUP:Twili

AGE:45 yrs old

WRITTEN:185 posts

TAG:@ursula

A Small Talk (C)

POSTED ON Apr 21, 2021 5:54:48 GMT

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Post by Ursula von Brandt on Apr 21, 2021 5:54:48 GMT

“Ah.”

The tutor loosened as the young princess embraced her.
 
Poor thing. Properly worn out, she was.

Ursula returned the hug with her own, gentler version. Her shadow reached out for a nearby crate and pulled it effortlessly toward them so they would sit. “Mari,” she said softly, “You were quite busy this past month, hm?”

Marianne de Hyrule

LAST EDIT: Apr 21, 2021 5:55:22 GMT by Ursula von Brandt

Marianne de Hyrule

The hurt doesn't show, but the pain still grows.

GROUP:Hylian

AGE:18 yrs old

WRITTEN:684 posts

TAG:@marianne

A Small Talk (C)

POSTED ON Apr 21, 2021 9:17:37 GMT

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Post by Marianne de Hyrule on Apr 21, 2021 9:17:37 GMT

Her face still buried in Ursula's clothes, Marianne slowly shook her head.

"Last night, I dreamt that I died.... "

She was not afraid, however. If anything her tone was calm and serene.
Ursula von Brandt

LAST EDIT: Apr 21, 2021 9:23:11 GMT by Marianne de Hyrule

Ursula von Brandt

"Kindness is seldom found in a world so devoid of faith."

GROUP:Twili

AGE:45 yrs old

WRITTEN:185 posts

TAG:@ursula

A Small Talk (C)

POSTED ON Apr 21, 2021 19:23:33 GMT

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Post by Ursula von Brandt on Apr 21, 2021 19:23:33 GMT

... Hm?

This couldn’t be as much a coincidence as it was with her brother, could it? He was clearly distressed by the whole... visceral quality of his experience and exact similarity of the content. They were an unusually unique pair of twins, after all.

Ursula furrowed her eyebrows and frowned. “Really, now? Pray tell, Marianne, what did you dream about?”

Marianne de Hyrule

The hurt doesn't show, but the pain still grows.

GROUP:Hylian

AGE:18 yrs old

WRITTEN:684 posts

TAG:@marianne

A Small Talk (C)

POSTED ON Apr 21, 2021 21:27:20 GMT

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Post by Marianne de Hyrule on Apr 21, 2021 21:27:20 GMT

"A battle," Marianne replied, finally loosened her hug so she could look up at Ursula, "It really was quite ordinary."

She separated herself to walk slowly towards the pulled crate to sit on it while continuing. "All I could think about when I woke up was how I regretted I didn't embrace you one last time...."

She smiled.

"So that's what I've been wanting to do since morning."

Ursula von Brandt

"Kindness is seldom found in a world so devoid of faith."

GROUP:Twili

AGE:45 yrs old

WRITTEN:185 posts

TAG:@ursula

A Small Talk (C)

POSTED ON Nov 7, 2021 6:16:13 GMT

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Post by Ursula von Brandt on Nov 7, 2021 6:16:13 GMT

Ursula inhaled gently and brushed her hand through the princess' hair.

"... Is that so."

Out from the tutor's shadow emerged a small, cushioned bench, upon which she sat with Marianne still in embrace.

... It has been eight years since I took you under my wing. Frail as you are, you still manage to do so much for this kingdom in the shadow of your kin.

Her head leaned down as she delicately kissed the top of Marianne's head.

"May your dream remain a dream," she uttered ever so gently, "For, at the moment, I am here."

Marianne de Hyrule

The hurt doesn't show, but the pain still grows.

GROUP:Hylian

AGE:18 yrs old

WRITTEN:684 posts

TAG:@marianne

A Small Talk (C)

POSTED ON Nov 8, 2021 0:22:40 GMT

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Post by Marianne de Hyrule on Nov 8, 2021 0:22:40 GMT

"I know you are," said Marianne softly, snuggling even closer to Ursula and buried her face in her clothes. It was with Ursula -and with Princess Beatrix- that the youngest princess could ever be seen acting like a spoiled child that only wanted pampering. She could not even did so with King Daphnes her father. "You have promised to always be there for me, and I know you always keep your promise...."

There was a pause as Marianne kept her tight hug, breathing into Ursula's fabric. When she finally turned her face upwards to look at Ursula's face, her silver eyes were a little misty.

"You know what is interesting about the dream, Mrs. von Brandt...? The one who killed me... was you."

Her tone, however, had no smallest hint of regret or fear. It was almost she found it dreamy. "No, it wasn't you you." She chuckled a little. "There was you, and there was another you. I followed the wrong you in that dream.... And I saw the real you there just before I woke up.... That's why I regretted not to hug you one last time...."

Presently, she snuggled her face even deeper into Ursula's embrace, "But I... I felt strangely... glad. I wasn't afraid at all...." She exhaled, "I have always thought that, if... if I have to die violently.... By your hands and while looking at your face would be the best possible way for me to go...." Her lips quivered slightly. "I know. I am sorry, Mrs von Brandt. You won't like me saying such things.... I am sorry."

Silence fell for a few moments, before the princess continued with an unsure voice. "Mrs von Brandt. If-if anyone ever assumes your form -looks like you, feels like you, does all the things you can do... how can I ever know that you are the real you or not?"

Ursula von Brandt

LAST EDIT: Nov 8, 2021 0:27:51 GMT by Marianne de Hyrule

Ursula von Brandt

"Kindness is seldom found in a world so devoid of faith."

GROUP:Twili

AGE:45 yrs old

WRITTEN:185 posts

TAG:@ursula

A Small Talk (C)

POSTED ON Nov 8, 2021 1:58:27 GMT

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Post by Ursula von Brandt on Nov 8, 2021 1:58:27 GMT

The announcement from Marianne brought unease to Ursula's spirit, even more, the thought that the princess would have joy by seeing her face in her dying moments...

The deed had been done by someone who could not only take on my appearance but assume my every aspect and completely fool the princess herself.

"Hmph," Ursula huffed as she craned her head back, "To think you would feel joy by being ended by the hands of a fake, Mari. I must admit, I would be sorely offended if you did not die in my arms." She stared down at the princess with an amused smirk.

"I jest. Your question is troubling, however. How could you possibly tell if you were being led on by a perfect doppelganger?"

Her finger reached up, and she tapped her nose lightly, "You cannot... if they were perfect, that is. You cannot find an imposter that can ever truly and genuinely emulate the words and actions of any person." She grinned, "Your intuition will play a part in such a circumstance. Can you find comfort in the words of a fake? Do you feel discomforted by their presence? Did you witness something that the authentic person would never do? Those may be difficult to pick up if you haven't trained yourself to look out for them... however, there is one way we can solve this quite easily..."

Ursula linked her fingers into Marianne's own, and the room began to darken. Within moments, the woman's soul began to illuminate like a cold, blue flame.

"... Can you see a piece of yourself in me, as I see a piece of myself in you?"

Marianne de Hyrule

The hurt doesn't show, but the pain still grows.

GROUP:Hylian

AGE:18 yrs old

WRITTEN:684 posts

TAG:@marianne

A Small Talk (C)

POSTED ON Nov 8, 2021 3:13:39 GMT

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Post by Marianne de Hyrule on Nov 8, 2021 3:13:39 GMT

Her mentor chided her slightly as she craned her head back slightly, and the young princess offered nothing but a soft chuckle, in a half-apologizing way.

Because she knew, deep down, that she did not really care. Whether it was real or not, as long as she believed it was her mentor who was with her in her dying breath... she would be happy enough to pass on. Even if it turned out to be fake. Even if it was all a lie just to comfort her. Even her image would do, even if the real person could not.

That was how much she loved her.

Their fingers touched and Marianne lifted her head to see. She could see it. A blue flame, burning with conviction. Marianne had always admired how her mentor seemed to always be sure about everything. Always poised. Always staunch in her belief. She was sure the older Hylian would also had doubts, just like everyone else. But it was the way she handled those doubts which Marianne never could.

"I can see it." She nodded softly, a weak smile on her face. "Your soul... it is beautiful, Mrs. von Brandt.... That darker little spark there, one which does not sway in sync with the others- that is mine. It was from when you took a bit of my dark powers that first time, right? When mother called you...." But then she snorted, unhappy. "My piece ruined your perfection. Now that I've seen it, Mrs. von Brandt, maybe you would have been better without knowing me...."

Her round eyes looked up innocently, "Can... Can you see a piece of you too? In my soul? What does it look like?"

Honestly, she did not expect much. She was an insecure, self-doubting, a coward who was forced to put a brave front because she had to. Someone who plowed through problems through sheer iron will rather than pause to ask herself what she would have rather done. She had always felt rather detached about almost everything, as she once admitted to Revyn when they first met. Her curiosity.... Her eagerness.... Her perfectionist tendencies.... They were all there because of duty. No more. No less. When the Keaton asked what she herself wanted to do, she could not answer him.

Sometimes she wondered if she even had a soul.

Ursula von Brandt

LAST EDIT: Nov 8, 2021 3:15:32 GMT by Marianne de Hyrule

Ursula von Brandt

"Kindness is seldom found in a world so devoid of faith."

GROUP:Twili

AGE:45 yrs old

WRITTEN:185 posts

TAG:@ursula

A Small Talk (C)

POSTED ON Nov 8, 2021 7:23:14 GMT

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Post by Ursula von Brandt on Nov 8, 2021 7:23:14 GMT

A distinct sense of anguish arose in Ursula's chest.

"You frighten me with your words. Never say such a thing again," the woman stated with a slight chill in her voice, "The piece that resides in me is what I have pledged my life for, and without it, I may as well have died from my grief eight years ago."

Her arms wrapped around the girl as she pulled her into an embrace.

"Do not diminish your self-worth, Mari. I could not have been happier to meet you."

Her eyes closed.

"... Your soul..."

She focused upon it...

... And no matter how many times Ursula looked at it, something about it always gave her an odd feeling, but she was not about to tell Marianne that. It was too soon to ask such a question.

"... Yes, I can see a part of me in you, too," she answered and then giggled, "Your soul shines brighter against my own, full of life, yet troubled by the worries of this life and its comparitively small responsibilities. I shall necessitate that this soul must take a nice, long rest after its duties have been completed today."

Marianne de Hyrule

The hurt doesn't show, but the pain still grows.

GROUP:Hylian

AGE:18 yrs old

WRITTEN:684 posts

TAG:@marianne

A Small Talk (C)

POSTED ON Nov 8, 2021 8:35:42 GMT

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Post by Marianne de Hyrule on Nov 8, 2021 8:35:42 GMT

"I am sorry...." the princess answered, without resistance, "I did not mean what I said in that way...."

Her eyes glowed with curiosity, and the more Ursula spoke, the more her lips curved into a smile. By the end of her "assessment" the princess was laughing without a sound. It was something that fit her face more, really it was. It had been as there was a cloud hanging over her since the reports of Faron Woods, Lake Hylia, and Goron Mines came streaming in, each more dire than the last. So it was beautiful to see her with such an expression, like seeing a flower blooming after a rainstorm: wet and beat, but uplifting all the same.

"You are teasing me, Mrs. von Brandt." And it appeared she really meant it. The doubt she had for herself was shocking, and never appeared unless in the time she allowed herself to be vulnerable, "I bet my soul actually looked ugly and dark... Like a mire, perhaps." But she said the last words clearly half in jest. "That would be fitting for someone like me."

Her childhood was filled by the notion that she was not wanted. A half-person. A mistake in genealogy. And even though she covered her feelings with an upbeat behavior, up until her melancholy returned after the Starlight Tragedy and then her iron lady persona, deep down Marianne had never forgotten that feeling. That feeling that she never belonged.

A yawn escaped the princess' lips as she burrowed her face even more. Snuggling close against her mentor always made her feel sleepy.... But they were supposed to practice magic for the next two hours, right? And after that a small discussion with Knight Captain and the Quartermasters regarding equipments before dinner and her poetry lesson.... "I... I will tell you something that I have never told anyone, Mrs. von Brandt...." she continued, her voice a bit muffled by Ursula's clothes "Not mother. Not Bea. It's not even in my diary.... Something you can ask me if ever you are in doubt of who I really am...." And when she lift her face, her cheek was strangely blushing red. She looked positively bashful, if not embarrassed outright. "You should ask me... ummm... you should ask me the... the first man I... I've ever... dreamed about in... in a... ummmmmm.... in a certain not neutral way...." Oh she was blushing furiously right now, even though she kept herself talking through her own iron will.

Thinking back, she was in that age where she should at least find someone to be attractive, right? Yet over all the years Ursula had known her and despite how close they were, never did once Marianne ever talked about the matter concerning heart. She had always avoided that topic altogether.

She shyly peeked over Ursula's clothes and, seeing Janette was standing behind her, lifted herself to whisper directly to Ursula's ear, not wanting anyone else to ever know this utmost secret.

"People would guess Frederick. Or-or that prince from Labrynna I still write to. But... but it was actually... it was actually... ummmmmm.... it was actually...."

She gulped.

"...It was actually Professor Bas Ilica."

Close to her cheek, Ursula would be able to feel the heat radiating from the princess' face. She did not even had to look to know how flushed she was. "But-but I have gotten over it!" she quickly corrected herself, as she separated from Ursula. "Long ago, in fact. It-it was fantasy! Just that -I mean. It wasn't even serious.... It couldn't have been serious...." It was cute how the unfettered princess could also turn out to be at a loss for words. "It was... It was... Oh! We are supposed to practice again, right?" And her enthusiasm, while genuine, was also a little suspicious. She twirled in place. "Will we practice the Wallmasters series again today, Mrs. von Brandt? I've mastered Dark Fireworks alright. I can even say I made more orbs than you." And she grinned innocently, hoping for an approval.

LAST EDIT: Nov 8, 2021 8:49:01 GMT by Marianne de Hyrule

Ursula von Brandt

"Kindness is seldom found in a world so devoid of faith."

GROUP:Twili

AGE:45 yrs old

WRITTEN:185 posts

TAG:@ursula

A Small Talk (C)

POSTED ON Nov 8, 2021 18:14:54 GMT

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Post by Ursula von Brandt on Nov 8, 2021 18:14:54 GMT

"Ohh, Mari..." Ursula's shoulders moved with her sigh, "Trust me when I say that your soul holds beauty." She had only recently begun to research such things herself, but that was something she wasn't about to admit, either.

You fascinate me to no end, Mari. I had not considered your childhood as profoundly as today. I had no ambitions before we had met, and how those goals have grown to mold you into someone who may rule over her own country with many trustworthy allies...

I had not stopped to think about how you view yourself. Indeed... I will seek to reform your self-worth.

It was then that Marianne timidly introduced a tantalizing secret, a way for Ursula to uncover whether the girl was an imposter or not. By all accounts, this bashfulness was something Ursula had seldom seen in her charge.

The first man she ever dreamt about in a certain... not neutral way?

If the years of her life had not shown before, it certainly did now in the grin pressed into her cheeks.

The man she had so announced was very... unexpected, yet not wholly unforeseen. Ursula had seen the young professor herself. He is indeed a beautiful fellow, kind of word and modest in his presentation. Many of the dark professor's own students often fantasized about the poor man, thinking him to be a Sheikah Prince in disguise.

"... Ah?" Ursula placed her hand over her lips, her eyes wide with undisguised surprise. She then leaned forward with fingers linked beneath her chin.

I see... such a thing is natural to feel toward a gentleman like Pallin.

Ursula did not answer Marianne for a short while, even after the girl attempted to deflect attention away with mention of their routine practice.

Finally...

"... Hm-hm-hm..."

A low chuckle.

The professor stood up and folded her arms.

"If it is a secret you wish for me to keep, then by all means..." she said, "I vow to guard this secret deep in the recesses of my mind." She opened her palm toward the princess and nodded, "Of course, Mari. I fully expect you to surpass me at one point in time... but until then, there are many things I have yet to teach you concerning the powers of Demise."

A glint appeared in her eyes, along with a smirk across her cheek.

If you are impressed with mere orbs... then you still have so much to learn.

LAST EDIT: Nov 19, 2021 6:03:25 GMT by Ursula von Brandt