Fourth Floor Common Room; Wednesday Afternoon [11/14].

[in_sidon_we_trust]

Even though he knew it was just a silly school assignment, one that truthfully didn't have any bearing on anything of any real significance in the world, Sidon couldn't help finding himself wholly dedicated to his little robot baby for Ethics class. Perhaps it was just what happened when you were the product of a war-torn world; his memories of the Calamity were fuzzy, it was true, but there was no denying that he's lost a great deal. All of Hyrule had, and they'd spent decades just trying to rebuild. So new life was precious; every new soul made the hope for the future that much stronger. So he took it seriously, even if he knew deep down it wasn't real. It made him feel better, like he was doing something good, anyway.

Besides, he'd kind of grown a little fond of little Steelquake Hazelburp Gentletoes the Third from the moment he discovered she wouldn't potentially kill him from electrical shock. And in the last twenty four hours, she had quickly become the most spoiled robot baby probably to ever be assigned to a student at this school. He couldn't help it! He wanted to make sure her every little need was met (and not just because the wailing sound they made was really quite terrible). And it wouldn't all be a waste, either, since he planned to ask Miss Syndulla and Mr. Jarrus if they knew of any places on the mainland where he could donate all of Steelquake's things once the assignment was over, so they could then go to another child who might be in need.

He's even taken some time to study up on how humans raised their children, generally, which was a rather broad category, it turned out! But, since he was the parent here, he wanted to make sure she had a good solid Zora upbringing in their short time together, too. And that meant being reared communally, which was why they were going to be spending their time in the common room today, where could set down some blankets and pillows for Steelquake, surrounding her with many of the toys he'd picked up for her, especially the stuffed animals, especially all the ocean themed ones, the fish and the sharks and octopi and crabs, and he certainly hoped Steelquake would have a great love for stories, because stories was what she was getting, eagerly and boldly told with the sea critters dancing in front of her as they became the actors for the marvelous tales he was weaving.

And though it obviously kept her quiet and entertained, it was pretty clear which one of them was enjoying it more.

Spoiler alert: it wasn't Steelquake Hazelburp Gentletoes the Third.

[[fun fact: if you look up the word 'extra' in a Hylian dictionary, it just takes you to a big ol' picture of this guy. Open common room is open!]]

Comments

[bookbeltof_love]

"You do have a lovely voice," Nina said encouragingly. "Like, if you weren't a prince, you'd make a totally great bard or something??????????"

Though she had no idea what his singing voice was like, but half of any good bard's job was telling stories anyway.

[in_sidon_we_trust]

"You are much too kind," said Sidon, ducking his head graciously, which also might have worked to help him hold back the sort of smile that might suggest that he was rather pleased with the compliment. "Though I naturally must posit to you this important question, Nina: who is to say that a prince cannot also be a bard, hmm?"

[bookbeltof_love]

Nina considered that carefully.

"In books, if princes are bards, it's usually so they can hide their identity from evil foes or travel undisturbed," she said, "but real life isn't just like a book, so, I guess my answer would be more practical????????? A prince can, of course, have the skills of a bard???? But he'd make a poor prince if he was off wandering about, the way bards are meant to, instead of looking after his people!!!!!!! I mean, like, I guess he could still be a bard, then, but he'd be a bad prince?????"

[in_sidon_we_trust]

"Hmmmmmm," Sidon stroked his chin, tilting his head thoughtfully as he ruminated over Nina's response. "What a spectacularly insightful perspective! Wonderfully good points, though I should hardly be surprised by such cleverness from you, Nina. I suppose it would only truly work if the prince in question had no claim to his throne, if he had a brother or sister already designated as heir. Then he would be quite free to pursue the passion of his bardic heart to his delight! That would certainly not be an option for me, as well, so perhaps it is a good thing that I have no such inspiration, even if the concept does seem as though it would be a fascinating pursuit!"

[bookbeltof_love]

The nice thing about Sidon was that, really, even if she wasn't sure how smart he actually thought she was, she knew he was being absolutely genuine in his compliments.

"What would you be, then???????" she asked interestedly. "Like, if you weren't a prince?????????"

[in_sidon_we_trust]

"That is," Sidon's head tilted thoughtfully, "a truly fascinating inquiry, as well, Nina. What would I be, if I weren't a prince? It's...a little difficult to imagine, if I'm honest; my whole life, a prince has always been the first and foremost thing about me. But if I wasn't...I suppose...I would probably be a warrior. Not that I'm not already, but perhaps I'd be a better one."

A warrior not restricted by the crushing responsibility of having to hold the fate of a whole (albeit small) nation on his considerable shoulders? Yeah, that was probably just a fancy way of saying that if he wasn't a prince, he'd probably be dead by now.

But he did grin as if he hadn't, as he added, laughing, "I'd also be much, much shorter, as well."

And he was still growing!