shirleyhopeful | Inbox/Mailbox Post

Really? Can I ask what he did before I arrived?

[Had their relationship between so estranged that she never bothered to ask what his life was like before she arrived? Hm...]

We did not see each other often, understand. Walter is not one for extended socialization, but circumstances pushed us together every now and then. He seemed... like he was simply waiting, like he lacked purpose or motivation. Even when Vatheon merged temporarily with another location and we had to fight for our lives, he was perfectly relaxed. It seemed as if he had nothing to lose.

[The Walter now acts like he does have something to lose. The difference is subtle, but one she can see with clarity.]

[Based on what Zelda had said, Shirley was coming to the conclusion that Walter was still waiting for her despite everything she had done. If they didn't have such different beliefs, perhaps they wouldn't be in this predicament. However, just like Walter, she was stubborn on her ideals.]

...It sounds Walter is doing everything for me. [...] I know why he's doing this and he's done so much for me. I don't want him to do anything more!

I don't want people doing things for my sake! I want people to just stop hurting themselves for me!

[There was a small gasp. That was the first time, Shirley was able to talk to someone else about this wasn't she?]

...it's frightening, isn't it. To have someone devote their entire existence to you. I never realized just how frightening it was until Impa - until all the Sages...

[So many people gave their lives for Zelda. Her whole family, the Sages, all the guards in the castle. They all laid down for her sake, because they trusted her to be their hope.]

It is a lot of pressure to be the sole hope for an entire people. I did not realize just how wrong it was for everyone to depend on one person until arriving here, until seeing what it had done to others. It is a burden of unimaginable weight. And yet...

[She smiles a little hopelessly.]

I wouldn't abandon it for anything.

...It is. They trust you to give them salvation and then when you fail, it's makes it more difficult when you disappoint them.

[During her time when she was helpless, she couldn't stand to see Fenimore's face. She was clearly disgusted and disappointed in her.]

...I knew it was wrong but I didn't listen, I just had to help my people no matter what.

[There was another pause]

And yet...I wouldn't do anything to drop my title of the Merines either.

It does not have to be that way, though. You don't have to simply suffer in silence. Know that your people look to your for leadership - know that they are looking to you, not the title. You can lead them without ignoring who you are. You can ask for their help, ask for them to look to you as a friend and leader instead of an idol. It is... not quite as heavy of a burden, that way.

[She learned that far too late for her people. Hopefully Shirley has some people left.]

Yes, it is something that I had to learn the hard way. It wasn't until too late that I learned how to use my title as the Merines. I learned how to talk to both races and find a way for peace.

[Pause]

I know a lot of my friends want to help out too and that's all that matters right?

[So it was too late for Shirley, as well. Though...]

I don't think it can truly be too late. You can still help adjust the way people perceive things so that whatever occurred does not have to happen again.

[She nods in response to the second statement, smiling.]

Yes.

[She lets out a nod]

That's what I've been trying to do. My friends and I have been trying to change what has been a horrible situtation into a positive one... [Pause]

I know I can't erase 4000 years of hate but the least I can do is to let others open up to each other a bit more...

Hate cannot be erased with hate. It takes a kind heart to heal those wounds. You have that much just as Shirley, without any sort of title attached.

[Zelda is less sure about her own heart, but she can see the goodness in Shirley clearly.]

[For a moment, Shirley didn’t say anything. It’s been a long time since she had been able to talk about something like this to someone else. After spending almost a year here, it was nice to hear to be reminded that she was doing something right.]

You think so? [Pause] ...Thank you, Zelda...it’s been so long since I heard someone say that to me.

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