Waiting in the Wings (Finished)

[titania]

Titania was bored. Sitting on the throne waiting to be summoned sucked. This is why she constantly left the grove. This was why she was always in dire need of cuddles. To compensate for the unending boredom this position brought to her.

She sighed, wondering when this would actually be exciting. Not long after, a guard came approaching her from the outside.

"Your majesty, someone is here to see you. An oocca adjunct by the name of Zolanius."

Her ears perked up and she smiled. A guest. And an adjunct at that. This was what she was looking forward to. She adjusted her crown and picked up her staff. "Let him in."

"At once, milady." The guard left and Titania stood up, wishing to treat her guest with respect, especially if he was cute.

[Zolanius Thyre]

Zolanius wanders in, admiring the architecture of the palace and its finely aged walls. He was wearing his standard regalia, no weapons on him. This was a meeting between two officials of a normally peaceful race. No need for weapons here, just class and vocabulary. And what vocabulary there should be? The questionable sort. The kind that may grant favor to a killer, perhaps for the greater good.

Zolanius... I do not like this. I don't want to be here.

Zolanius mumbles to himself, quietly answering. "Easy Skeith... I'm confident that this visit will be rather smooth."

He had reached the throne, and standing before him was... her. The queen of the fairies. He gets down on one knee with his head bowed and wings draped on the floor.

"Your Majesty... It is an honor to meet you in these troubled times. It's appears the rumors of your beauty does you no justice." Kiss-ass...

Sure, the compliment was alittle much, but it would be necessary. They weren't exactly lies, either...

[titania]

Titania smiled as Zolanius entered the room. He was certainly dashing, that was for sure. He had a very dark mystique about him, probably the all black outfit and wings.

She motioned for him to rise, as formality was not something she was particularly fond of. She also motioned for her guards to exit the room, leaving the two of them alone.

"I appreciate the compliment, however I doubt you simply came here to gaze upon my person. And since I have already promised support for helping the City in the Sky, I don't think you're here for that either." She continued to stand, giving the oocca adjunct a once-over glance, smiling. "So what does an oocca adjnuct want with the fairy queen?"

[Zolanius Thyre]

"First, I wish to learn a bit about you."

He stands straight and glides his hand back over his silvery hair, a smug look on his face, which then becomes a look of concern.

"Here in Hyrule, the Goddesses blessed the land with life, beauty, and law. They created me and others... All know of the Oocca and their connection to these great deities. But I ask a personal question... What do you think of the others? Of the Zora that live the waters of Hyrule and the Gorons who live in the earth? Of all those who would forget what they are and where they came from? I know this would be an odd question, your Majesty, but please answer without bias."

[titania]

Titania was taken aback somewhat by the question put forth to her. What was it he was expecting from her? This was all very confusing.

She began to pace around her throne, thinking for a moment before beginning her response.

"All races are who they are. Humans are Humans, Gorons are Goron, et cetera. If a Goron wished to be a Zora, he would still be a Goron. A human cannot sprout wings and fly. All races have their advantages and disadvantages. I would love to quickly teleport short distances, but alas, I am a fairy, not an oocca. I also believe that the races have not as a collective lost their way, or forgotten where they came from. I don't think races came together and decided to live separate. If the Goddesses wished us to all live together in paradise, they would have done so. I trust the Goddesses to do the right thing for Hyrule." By the end of her discourse, she had stepped down the stairs and was now on the same level as Zolanius, although he was taller than she.

"Does that sufficiently answer your question?"

[Zolanius Thyre]

"Oh, yes, and it was as insightful as I was expecting. I also have faith, but I fear it might be waning under the pressure of what is to come."

He turns his head in a sorrowful manner, hoping to tug on her heart while still keeping to his honest word.

"My heart aches, you see... All mortal beings who walk the surface of Hyrule, I see them as more than what they are. I believe them to be a plague, an illness. I have watched the humans as they profit from war, I have seen how the Gorons eat away at the mountains... Even some of my closest friends have been taken in cold blood by what the Goddesses created. This is why we, the Oocca, stayed in the sky, apart from the bloodshed and the corruption. So tell me..."

He turns back to her and meets her eyes. "Am I too harsh in my judgement of what might be considered an inferior group? Surely you, in your infinite wisdom, can see how much strife that Hyrule is enduring. She cries, but nobody can hear."

[titania]

"And yet I find you on the ground, talking to one of those races" she said with an almost concerned voice. Titania could tell he was struggling with something. She needed to hear more of what he had to say. If nothing else, he had seen many things happen that he was not happy with, something that turned him toward a dark path.

"In a way, you are correct. Things have happened to this great land. Things that we as a collective of races should not be proud of. However, I believe you are blaming an entire race for the actions of individuals. A few individuals, while reprehensible, do not poison the entire race. Many still hear the suffering of Hyrule. Your judgment is not harsh of the individuals to whom it pertains, but please do not place blame on the whole race, they serve the goddesses too." She put her hands on Zolanius' shoulders, looking at him with almost pleading eyes. Her heart couldn't handle that much slaughter. But he wasn't entirely wrong either.

[Zolanius Thyre]

As soon as her hands make contact, a subtle yellow sheen shimmered across his eyes. No! She is but a fool! Who do you think is responsible for those individuals!?

He places a hand on the opposite shoulder, trying to answer for her. "Titania... I'm afraid there is nothing that can quell my disdain at this point. Everything that I have seen is too much for me to forgive. But please do not think count you and your followers among them. The untainted beauty of the Fairies and their ability to heal and bring life to all who genuinely deserve it, it moves me like the wind beneath my wings. I can never blame the likes of you for the corruption that has been done. As for these individuals, it pains me to say that I believe they became that way because of the inherent evil of those who birth them."

[titania]

Titania saw the yellow sheen across his eyes. She flinched at it but did nothing else. He was not lost yet, she knew she could still save him. And with him, hopefully countless others. She had to at least try, try and appeal to his humane side.

"Please don't. I don't know how I would handle something like that." She wasn't quite crying yet, but her eyes told a long story of sadness. Titania's good nature wasn't equipped to handle genocide. She may be a promiscuous, sometimes lacking in tact queen, but she really cared for people. She always did everything she could to help prevent senseless death. She had to make efforts to stop Zolanius from killing for as long as possible.

"Do not blame sons for the errors their fathers made. It was not their decision." She did everything she could to hold back tears. For now it was working, but only barely.

[Zolanius Thyre]

She had just met him, and.she was already on the verge of years. Pulling on her heart strings was beginning to backfire, and so it was time for him to go with the next step...

"Please, do not cry... Something with such grace shouldn't shed tears. It's in your nature to feel this way about others, and I admire you for it." He placed a finger under her chin to hold eye contact, though it might not be his place. Once again, a sliver of yellow flashed by. Get away from her... This is a waste of time!

"But... There has already been activity. Tell me, have you heard of an agent of the Goddesses? The one called the Raven Shade?" It was risky, but unless she jumps to conclusions, she shouldn't be able to tell that Zolanius and the Shade are one and the same.

[titania]

Titania had to be strong. She was a queen, even if she was also a big softy. In a way, she knew she had to come to terms with death but the idea of her knowing of death just made her so sad.

She took the hand that lifted her chin in her own two hands and smiled. At least he was trying to comfort her. She knew he wasn't heartless, but such acts seemed to be so evil, even if the intentions were pure.

"Raven Shade? Word of him, or her, has not reached our grove. The name does not strike any familiar chords. But...you say that he has already begun. This...this is not good. So many people...oh Zolanius!" She couldn't restrain them any longer. The thought of death was so, so sad. All the families losing their fathers, husbands, or even worse, their children. She buried her face in Zolanius' chest, unable to hold back the tears any longer.

[Zolanius Thyre]

Zolanius was speechless. His eyes widened as he realized the queen of the fairies was crying on him. What was he to do now? Keep talking? That seemed to make it worse. The held her close and began to stroke her hair in a lame attempt in comforting her. He couldn't be more uncomfortable. He had a fairy crying in front of him while a Poe was yelling for him to leave. It was painful, but he had to keep going.

"Please... It'll be okay. It had only just appeared. I don't know how it works, but this creature, they say he kills only those who genuinely deserve it. I have come into contact with him, but... He seems oblivious to reason. I can try to track it down, but it will be difficult. In the meantime... I need to ask of thee a personal boon."

[titania]

It took Titania a moment to collect her emotions. She removed her face from his chest and wiped the tears from her eyes. It was painful to think of but Zolanius appeared willing to try and help her out. Such the gentleman of course.

"Okay, I *sniff* understand. I'll be fine. Please try, I don't want to see any senseless killing. But what is it you would ask of me?" All she wanted right now was somebody to hold on to. Having that would make her feel so much better. And while some of his intentions seemed a bit extreme, he was at least comforting her.

[Zolanius Thyre]

"All I ask is that you and the other fairies... You are not to interfere with it, this Raven Shade. If the Goddesses truly did send it to do their will, then I humbly ask that you tell all fairies to avoid him at all costs... This request is to ensure the safety of you and more... I can't stand the thought of a fairy being struck down just because they want to play hero."

He then reaches out and lays his hands on her shoulders, trying to help her process the thought without turbulence. "If anything, this could grantee the safety of an entire race. Think long and hard... I don't need an answer now, so take your time."

[titania]

Titania took a deep breath to help collect herself. This was all a lot to process at one time. There was a killer on the loose but she was asked to command an entire race to just sit idly by. However, if this Raven Shade was attacked by fairies, he might kill them, and Titania would be unable to live with herself if that could have been prevented.

She took Zolanius' hands from her shoulders and instead placed them together within her own. "I must have time to think all of this over. This is all very sudden and unexpected. But I also must ask you a favor. I humbly request that you stay here for the night. Given all that has been said, I would like to have some company on this night, someone close to all of this. Please Zolanius, I know that as an adjunct you have a busy schedule but I ask that you put that aside for one night." She looked up at his eyes, her own eyes pleading for him to agree.

[Zolanius Thyre]

This was for distressing to her than Zolanius was anticipating, and it bothered him. She was going to consider his request, which lifted his spirits. The actual answer would have to come later though. The request to stay the night... It threw off his thought process for a brief moment.

"Stay the night? Your Majesty, I..." As if we have the time. Leave now, we have killing to do! "I would be honored." WHAT!?

He closed his eyes with a smile, hoping that this would ease her mind. In the process, he could answer any question she has.

[titania]

Immediately Titania jumped into his arms, elated. "Oh Zolanius, thank you so much. You don't know how much this means to me." She released the hug, keeping her hands on his waist. She was feeling better already. She took a deep breath and released her hands from his waist.

"Okay, back to business. If the fairies don't interfere with the Raven Shade, he will cause no harm to them? Do I have your word on that?" Her glad look evaporated, becoming a little saddened but not nearly as bad as she was before. At least she had someone close to the issue protecting her from harm.

[Zolanius Thyre]

"I cannot guarantee the results. It is too... enigmatic, to fathom what its thinking. But if anything, this should definitely give him less targets to go after if the fairies keep their distance. In the meantime, I shall look into where it might have came from, and why the Goddesses would create such a frightful figure." Now you're just being ridiculous...

His eyebrow twitched at the input Skeith had unnecessarily blurted into his mind. It wasn't like Zolanius could talk back and tell him to shut up. They would have to talk about this when they're alone in the palace.

[titania]

Titania sighed a heavy sigh. This enigmatic figure was causing her very many problems. But at least she had Zolanius here to protect her.

"I understand. Thank you for this information. Please, allow me to show to your quarters, my lord." She took his arm in hers and she led him down the corridors and up the stairs. "Thank you again for agreeing to spend the night. It gives me time to think about this decision, about what is best for my people and the people of Hyrule." This was one of those make-or-break moments she was warned about. It was a very tough decision, but many of the important ones were.

[Zolanius Thyre]

This palace was a beauty to behold, the entire structure was a work of art, much like the one guiding him. "I told you, it is an honor to stay a night in the home of the Fairy Queen. I doubt I'm worthy... I could use a good night's rest, however. So it is I that must thank you for the generous offer."

Still admiring the palace and decorations, he couldn't help but wonder how she became queen. The idea of death disoriented her so much... How much burden must she be carrying?