i am a hostage to my own humanity.

( indie denam [tactics ogre] by cygnus – 21+, nsfw, tw. )

[gclyat]

「⋯hello ?」

[wiickedsources]

Send in a Pet Name / Nickname that your muse might call mine, and see how my muse reacts to it.

[gclyat]

I keep thinking about the fact one of the recruiting sidequests includes dealing with pumpkin-headed homunculi unionizing.

[gclyat]

Lanselot leaving an indelible mark on Denam, we love to see it.

[gclyat]

Casually tosses a sliver of wood into the bonfire.

[adalheidis]

Sparks of revolt

[gclyat]

「I confirmed that the abyss does not, in fact, gaze back at you. My sincerest apologies.」

[gclyat]

Naughty or Nice ?

❝ You did what, Denam?! You're on the naughty list for sure. ❞

「⋯fair enough.」

[gclyat]

A handful of leaves adorned Denam’s head; a consequence of leaping into a large pile.

[gclyat]

Made some very slight changes in Denam’s bio.

[gclyat]

Denam's love language is giving your contact entry a different ringtone than the default.

[fxllen-rxse]

"What exactly is The Gingerdead Man?"

[gclyat]

「A horror film where the Gingerbread Man is a murderer.」

[holdingmyworldsdestiny]

Oh, was that what he wanted to know? Boy, did he come to the right woman.

"The main form of worship in Castle Town is that of the three Golden Goddesses."

It was only fair to explain everything.

"Believers pray to different Goddesses for different things. Din, the Goddess of Power, is said to grant physical, and emotional strength. With her powerful arms, she molded the planet. The most common way to celebrate her is through dancing.

Farore is the Goddess of Courage. It is said that devotion to her will lead to a long life. She is also said to bless those seeking a child with fertility. It is Farore who filled the world with life. They say if you listen closely enough, you can hear her spirit upon the wind.

Lastly, there is Nayru, the Goddess of Wisdom. She created the laws by which the world is governed. Many pray to her in hopes that she will share some of her wisdom upon their hearts, and minds. It is common to seek her guidance when making an important decision. Nayru was said to have the most beautiful singing voice of all living beings."

There were other deities, but these were the most commonly worshipped. The princess herself was devout, her magic was a blessing from all three of the Goddesses. Then there was, of course, the Goddess Hylia. That was an entirely different subject.

"Most common, are the festivals of the changing of seasons, as well as those that celebrate the Golden Goddesses. There is a festival to celebrate the date of my birth, and one to celebrate a great, great evil being sealed off from this world."

[gclyat]

Denam searched for any commonalities, if any, by mentally assigning each morsel of information. Permitting it to permeate his thoughts on the here and now, and simultaneously, his own knowledge of days past.

So, a multitude a goddesses, then, each with their own aspects, rather than giving elemental blessings for every creature upon birth; a silent process without physical intervention nor notice by those insensitive to such. All of this despite rapid intolerance of religious differences overtaking Valeria, inflicting violence upon those worshiping what they deem unacceptable — no claim to any evidence of divine wrath.

Denam hopes it is not the case here — but it is an exercise in futility. His gaze never cast aside, until a thump against his leg brought the young man into reality. A girl, roughly half his age, glared at Denam.

He wasn’t quite sure what sort of take the child had. Breaching personal space more and more; tippy-toes, Denam’s body prepared to react to the breach. However, those tiny fingers grasped his earlobes (cue greater confusion from the victim), concentrating on the appendage. A pout and questioning despite Denam’s shock.

“ Why are your ears like this ? Can you hear the gods ? Mommy says — ”

All that came forth is confusion. Denam reacts as such, eyes widened, managing to break free of the curious girl’s grasp. The second major shock of the day.

「I beg your pardon⋯?」

[lueurxtactique]

✧ |  Unexpectedness.  One cannot predict such occurrence in a time of peace, when their guard are let down more often.  Even the strategist of military experience looks up to his saviour in silent shock before he hears the voice of concern.

❝ Y-yeah... ❞  Clearly unharmed, only registering the moment.  ❝ ... Thank you for saving me. ❞

       He's tentative about what just happened.  His mind scrabbling about in attempt to figure out the possibility of a setup.  Was the heroic action orchestrated to gain trust ?  Or was it all a coincidence ?  Being saved by a stranger isn't unusual, although the timing and location brings him questions.  He's not as wary as a certain butler knight would be, but he still considers his options carefully.  Perhaps there are still those of a perezian cult scattered around the kingdom.

❝ ...Why are you here ? ❞  A bit upfront — he decides to change to a more logical approach.  ❝ I-I don't mean to pry, but you are treapassing.  Visitors normally approach from the palace's entryway.  Sneaking in here through the courtyard implies something else, brave saviour... ❞

       His words trails with an unsteady voice.  From matter-of-fact tone to uneasiness.  A familiar ailment comes at the most unfortunate time.  His cheeks flushing lightly and his expression dull.  Unlike the constant migraines, but troublesome all the same.

❝ Sorry, this isn't the time— ❞  Shaky steps and he stops speaking, his hand lends aid by covering above his eyes and pressing against his forehead.  Shielding from the sun's rays helps a little bit.  Truly a nuisance, but he'll stubbornly push through it.

❝ I need you to come with me.  We'll need to report this situation. ❞

[gclyat]

To be grateful over a life spared from assassination comes with the territory. Denam nods to acknowledge the man’s gratefulness. Whatever thank yous uttered happened in a soft voice. As to not beckon even more troublesome situations; who knows what awaits Denam ? Other than reprimanding over his transgression — nevermind the fact they’re alive and well.

His brow furrows a smidge, lips parting as to make a flippant comment. Stopped only by dropping the topic. Nevertheless, Denam keeps his newfound sour demeanor, albeit with less intensity. He reminds himself to relax his posture, loosening the tension from his shoulders.

No use lamenting his station for now. Instead, he observes the one besides him. Watching like a hawk beyond his musing, beyond taking this invitation. Perhaps it’ll result in Denam’s incarceration. Although he couldn’t corroborate any evidence until he meets whatever figure’s responsible.

「Of course.」

Thus, he follows the saved’s lead. Wherever the destination is, Denam kept wariness in mind, nerves steeled for anything.

——————————————————————————

... all Denam gained is mistrust of one authority present. Forbidden grounds tread, treated as a liability to peace in spite of his action. Denam chalks it up to paranoia over a good deed.

One with consequence, but he does wonder: was it truly preferable to let that frail man die ? Yet he couldn’t make such a counterpoint... what’s left is having his privacy culled. It’s either that, or tossed to the zealots outside.

Needless to say, it irked Denam, no matter the justification he’d use to convince himself of people reacting as they do towards an intruder. Goodwill and patience running thin for the day, and cannot indulge in stress relief of more effective types, thanks to the “ chaperone ” provided. He cannot be with the person he saved alone, who is a mere step away from Denam at this moment.

「Is it normal for that “ friend ” of yours to fear his own shadow and be content with it ? I feel like it’s more about proving himself correct about whatever inaccuracies he believes in rather than your safety.」

[gclyat]

If Denam would lose an appendage or experience more damage than anticipated, turning back the clock would grant him a reversal of said damage. However, depending on its nature, Denam experiences anything from phantom pains to temporary loss of function, having symptoms according to what ailed him, and so forth.

[holdingmyworldsdestiny]

“Anything you desire to learn, I will do my best to teach. I must confess, I am a very busy woman during the week. But on weekends, I receive a moment’s reprieve.”

It was work she took very seriously. She had a country to rule, and other trade relations to worry about. Difficult at first, but she’d definitely adjusted. Now she had lead Hyrule into a golden era, and it showed no signs of stopping.

Zelda waved to the guards, before leading Denam into what indeed was, the center marketplace. There were all sorts of people going about their lives, from shopping, to sitting near the fountain. The princess just adored being here, rather than the castle walls, but the fields were even more beautiful to her.

“Ask me anything you wish, I will do my best to answer.”

On her face, a smile, as becoming as Hylia herself.

“Would you like to sit by the fountain? Perhaps we could learn more about each other. As for customs, it is polite to give a short bow upon first meeting someone. You will learn more as you experience life in Hyrule.”

[gclyat]

It does not shock Denam that duties significantly wind down if there’s no adversary. While he lead a regiment — granted, some defeat of rivalling ones lead to capitulation — there’s a hardly a day of inactivity. Sometimes self-imposed, sometimes mandatory before his comrades turned in for the night.

「Glad to hear you’ve some time for yourself.」

People lined up for goods; edible ones carrying sweet or tart flavors attended the most. Another consisting of items Denam cannot place the purpose of gaining quite the crowd, too. All accompanied by a melody in a corner, courtesy by men in ostentatious clothing playing instruments, familiar or not. Children pranced besides a pristine fountain, giggling all the while.

Everyone was too preoccupied to even pinpoint Denam as a visitor from afar. All the better. Denam’s never one for attention; hoping that judgement remains a concept unknown to the villagers, if their eyes ever met.

A wave of embarrassment overtook Denam, as he took Zelda’s invitation to the fountain. Sitting on the opposing end where most activity occurs, the young man rubbed his nape. An off day, he supposed, where his social graces slipped.

「⋯right.」

Recovering from his initial embarrassment, Denam relaxed his posture.

「What comes to mind are forms of worship; rituals, festivals, and such.」

Once a preacher’s child, always one to the end. Denam was never too pious, however. Encounters with clergy unlike his father instilled a sense of wariness. Men jockeying over power and suppressing older religions, favoring to trample over peasantry to gain favor with those of power.

[fxllen-rxse]

"Y-yeah," he responded as he slowly got to his feet. Feeling just a hair wobbly from the mild loss of blood, but it wasn't anything he couldn't handle. He'd recover. Probably after sleeping it off somewhere... hopefully.

No doubt James was going to be feeling this for a few days, but he still had keep going. Sitting around and just waiting to heal wasn't an option for him.

"I hope I didn't trouble you too much. Normally, I would have help, but not so much anymore." He sighed at the thought, but it is what it is. "If there is any way I could repay you..." He offered.

Being solo now, he felt like he wasn't supposed to get help from strangers. Not that he really had much of a choice in this matter, but still. He didn't like the idea of just walking away without offering at least some way to return the favor.

[gclyat]

All’s not well. Committing the unsteadiness into his memory, Denam watched the man like a hawk. Nevertheless, there’s a gap between them, courtesy of the dark-type specialist’s quirks. He steps forth, head tilting to beckon the victim out of the alley.

「The only trouble was those hooligans. Not yourself.」

... and what’s that ? An assumption ? Denam lifts a brow. He recognizes people who believe that relationships of any or all sorts involves transactions. Those who carry such beliefs are miserable, in his opinion and experience. Although Denam has a bit of a silver tongue, this was not the case. It’d be a betrayal of his (admittedly ever-evolving) values.

「Sorry to disappoint, but I don’t care about repayment.」

Outside the dingy space, a bustling city awaits; harried salarymen on their phones, mothers admonishing their child, teenagers taking a detour through meandering roads. The noise cements this place as ever-changing. As a prior citizen of a smaller-sized city, Denam felt like a country bumpkin in comparison.

「Anyway. What brings you to Castelia ?」