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Darin Altway ([personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow) wrote in [community profile] shellphones2026-01-19 03:24 pm

Seeking Interested Parties | VIDEO

Type: Video
Sender ID: forgeabettertomorrow | (Darin Altway)
To: Public
Subject: Darin and Zelda have an IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT to make
Warnings: N/A

[As the video blips on, Darin walks onto screen from the left. He looks…anxious? Excited? Definitely more energized than usual. He leans forward, the top of the frame cutting off his head so you have a close-up of his torso and not much else.]

Did I do this thing right, Sunshine? I kinda wanna frame this up right.

[ The video feed wobbles a little, the camera going out of focus. Zelda's voice is audible from somewhere off screen. ]

Almost! Don't forget to activate this setting here.

[ The video feed wobbles again, the camera coming back into focus. ]

Alright. Alright, let’s do this.

…Oh holy crap, we’re already recording.

[Darin immediately stiffens as he realizes that he is, in fact, broadcasting.]

Damn piece of— whatever, just go. Okay! Hey everyone! So, I wanted to put this out there publicly because…Zelda and I have some exciting news.

[Darin takes a step back and reaches towards Zelda to take her hand with a wide, excited grin on his face.]

So…I’ve been working on a…on a project. An experiment, really. About the rifts that brought us all here.

[If you were waiting with bated breath for a certain matrimonial announcement, sorry, this isn’t gonna be that. It’s gonna be BETTER. It’s gonna be about SCIENCE.]

I…I’ve made no real secret of the fact that I want to figure the rifts out for…obvious, personal reasons. So, over the last couple of months, I designed something.

[Darin reaches off screen and returns holding what looks like a wireframe cube with a spherical chamber suspended in the center by eight converging rods anchored to the cube’s points.]

This. I call it the Beacon Box. I figured that the Rifts were too…potentially volatile to be controlled but hey, like any other force of nature, you don’t try and tame it, right? You learn to navigate it. I won’t…bore you with the science of it but the short version is I imbued it with an essence of me and my world with the help of the Leviathans and had it cast into the rift. I wasn’t expecting much but…

[Darin excitedly looks at Zelda.]

But we got some data. Zelda got some readings that we’re still parsing but…well, I’ll let her tell you.

[ Zelda, grinning just as excitedly as Darin, gives a little wave to the camera with one hand. In the other, she's holding the Purah Pad. ]

It took a little bit of doing, but I was able to program the Purah Pad to receive periodic transmissions from the Beacon Box while it traversed the Rifts. I believe a number of us have conducted research on the Rifts before, myself included, and a prevailing theory I came across was that the Rifts are related to the Leviathans-- possibly even created by them. So I expected that the energy signature of the Rifts would resemble that of the Leviathans.

[ And here, her grin gets wider. She looks like she's almost vibrating as she clutches the Purah Pad with both hands. ]

But that is not the case at all! Now, these remain preliminary readings, but the energy signature detected from the Rifts differs significantly from that of the Leviathans. Nor do they match any other signatures I've recorded in this world. The Rifts are far, far more powerful.

But that's not all! We recorded a few sudden influxes of energy-- "spikes," if you will-- the timing of which seem to align with the arrival of a few new riftfarers. I believe these spikes are indicative of people-- or even objects-- passing through the rifts. I posit that the same spikes occur with departures as well, although these are rather more difficult to verify.

Now, I've been examining the data produced by these spikes to see if I can't find any patterns or measurable specificity-- things which might help us determine when a passage through the Rifts will occur, or if any of these readings might indicate the world to which they are connecting-- a "world signature." As of now, I've not found any, but employing additional Beacon Boxes will expand the data pool significantly and allow for a much more thorough study of it.


[Darin chimes in now, tossing the Beacon Box back and forth in his hands like a kid waiting his turn to give a presentation.]

I know…it doesn’t sound like much. But it’s a start and this is where I want some help. Creating a Beacon Box requires…well…it requires you to give up something of deep, personal value. Something that can tether you to your world and can, in turn, call out to it. But…if I’m right?

If I’m right, people we’ve lost might be able to find their way back. And the people who want to go home? They might be able to do just that. But like Zelda said, we need more data. If you want to be a part of the project, please reach out to me or Zelda. I’ll be offering the construction of these boxes for free for anyone interested and if there’s anyone out there with even a passing interest in…dimensional space and time rifts? I’d love to work with you.

[At this point, Darin turns to Zelda, grinning from ear to ear. Unable to contain his excitement anymore, he sweeps her up into a giant bear hug, twirling her off screen to cries of “I did it!”]

(OOC NOTE: This is the start of the EXTREMELY LONG RUNNING BEACON BOX PLOT. ALL ARE WELCOME TO PARTICIPATE. I'll draft up an OOC write-up later but the short version is that Darin is looking for ways to navigate the rifts. If you have any questions, please feel free to DM me here, hit me up at Bitterbearface n Discord, or ping me on plurk at [plurk.com profile] bitterbearface For the purposes of this post, please place in the subject line if you'd like to speak with DARIN or ZELDA specifically. If you have no preference, leave it blank!)
multidisciplinary: paid commission - do not take! (🌻 056)

[personal profile] multidisciplinary 2026-01-30 10:42 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Zelda is on her feet the moment she hears the door, spinning around to face the kitchen entrance. When she gets her first look at Darin, ragged and dirty and stained with blood, she lets out a terrified gasp. ]

Darin?! What--?!

[ She makes to run to him, but Darin is faster, and Zelda finds herself suddenly swept up in his arms and pulled into a kiss without a word of explanation. She tries to pull away, to demand answers like what the hell happened, but of course, his grip is too strong for her to fight against. After a second or two, the fight drains right out of Zelda and she returns his kiss with softness.

When Darin sets her down, he'll find that he's left her... rather gobsmacked, actually. She stares up at him in confusion, mouth slightly ajar, as if he's suddenly started speaking a different language. ]


I... [ Dinner?? He's asking about dinner?? When he looks like he just went for round two with Garuda and her harpies??

Darin will have plenty of time to maneuver around Zelda while she gawks at him and grab the covered plate that's waiting for him. Under the towel is a weakly-seasoned filet of white fish atop a bed of slightly-crunchy rice. Edible, but leaving much to be desired. ]


Darin, I--... [ A rough shake of her head to jumpstart her poor brain. ] Your clothes, you--.... Are you hurt? What in the world happened??
Edited 2026-01-30 22:43 (UTC)
multidisciplinary: (🌻 009)

[personal profile] multidisciplinary 2026-01-30 11:24 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Zelda can do nothing sputter half-formed sentences and gesture awwardly with her hands as Darin collects his dinner and heads towards the living room. The princess follows right at his heels, looking every bit the worried wife she claims not to be. ]

Darin, wait a moment...

[ "Just what I was in the mood for!" ]

'Just what you were'--...? Darin--...

[ "I just got in a minor disagreement with Benedikta." ]

A disagreement? Over what?

[ "Good news? Pretty sure I can handle Garuda now." ]

Garuda?? You came upon Garuda?? Darin--

[ Zelda can feel her patience growing thinner and thinner with each question Darin either refuses to elaborate on or simply ignores entirely, until finally, she snaps.

"Mmm— is this saffron? Saffron lemon butter?" ]


DARIN, ENOUGH!!

[ In the time he's known her, Darin has probably heard Zelda raise her voice like this less than a handful of times. It's a sign that she's really and truly upset.

When he turns to her, he'll find her standing near the entrance to the living room, hands clenched into fists and face flushed with anger. Hot tears are pooling in the corners of her eyes. ]


Hylia help me, I've been worried about you! And here you come home looking like you've been through a terrible battle and you have more to say about my rice than whatever happened to you!
Edited 2026-01-30 23:28 (UTC)
multidisciplinary: (🌻 123)

[personal profile] multidisciplinary 2026-01-30 11:57 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Honestly, that cartoonishly absurd caught-in-the-act look on Darin's face when he turns around does more to cool Zelda's flaring temper than his poorly-timed attempt to coach her through a breathing exercise. (Seriously, Darin? Learn to read your not!wife.)

She does take a few slow breaths, though, and some of the anger in her visage subsides. Her clenched fists slacken, her tense shoulders loosen, but her frown and furrowed brows remain very much in place as she listen to Darin explain.

The furrow in her brows, in fact, deepens when he tells her Benedikta's aim. She wants to destroy the Beacon Boxes? But why? They finally have a chance to learn something about the Rifts, the chaotic force that could, at any moment, snatch someone away just as easily as it brought them here.

(Darin's assessment of Zelda's rice earns a dismissive sigh, but no remark.)

(... She is pleased to hear that he likes it so much, but now is really not the time.) ]


Did she attack you? [ Zelda gestures at Darin-- specifically, his tattered clothes. ] I thought you said you faced Garuda.
multidisciplinary: (🌻 129)

[personal profile] multidisciplinary 2026-02-01 08:06 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Zelda's eyes go wide. Benedikta is Garuda? Then that means she was the one who attacked Eltrut when Zelda first arrived? She is the one who left Darin half-dead in the ocean that day?

Subconsciously, Zelda lifts her hands and clutches them together against her chest, a fearful look coming over her face. She barely knows Benedikta; they've met or spoken in passing a handful of times at best. The woman has a commanding presence about her, a ferocity that would be the envy of any Gerudo warrior. To learn that she commands the power of the terrifying harpy? Well, it's difficult fight the sense of fear welling up in the princess's gut.

But she does try to fight it. She does try to push down the instinctive fear. Darin knows Benedikta-- as well as Cid and the others of his world-- far better than Zelda does. He feels a kindship with them. He trusts them. And Zelda trusts Darin. So she trusts his judgment. He wouldn't place his trust in a monster.

Monster... The word leaps unbidden to Zelda's mind, but she roughly shakes her head to banish it. Garuda's power doesn't make Benedikta a monster; it's how she uses it that does. Unfortunately, from Zelda's perspective, Benedikta's actions as Garuda have been pretty monstrous... ]


I.. I'm relieved that you're both all right. [ Even though Darin looks like he's been through hell. ] But I don't understand... Why would she want to destroy the Beacon Boxes? I thought Cid was engaged in rift research as well.
multidisciplinary: paid commission - do not take! (🌻 070)

[personal profile] multidisciplinary 2026-02-01 08:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Th- They can't!

[ Zelda claps her hands over her mouth, but it's too late to prevent her frightened outburst. ]

Th- That is... if they close the rifts, everyone will be trapped here. I know Cid and Benedikta wish to stay here, but so many others wish to go home. We cannot take such an extreme measure while we still know so little about them. What if the rifts can't be opened again?

[ She's trying to be more controlled and fair. The rifts affect ever riftfarer in this world. But the thought that she may never be able to return to Hyrule, that Darin may never be able to come with her, it shakes Zelda to her core. ]
multidisciplinary: (🌻 045)

[personal profile] multidisciplinary 2026-02-01 09:25 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Zelda nods silently in acknowledgment of Darin's words, looking ashamed. No, she didn't know that the Dominants pay the price of their powers with their own lives. That must not be the case here in this world (perhaps because of how this world suppresses one's own magics?), else they would not be so intent to stay. Her lips tighten into a thin line. Now she feels guilty for her enthusiasm for the Beacon Boxes. This project risks their very lives.

Hands returning to clutch over her chest, Zelda walks further into the room so she can stand near Darin. Worry grips her heart like a vice, but now the reason is difference. ]


What are we to do? We- We cannot give up on our research...

[ To do so means giving up on the future they're fighting for. But now the risks... ]
multidisciplinary: (🌻 109)

1/2

[personal profile] multidisciplinary 2026-02-03 03:03 am (UTC)(link)
[ Zelda's expressions reflect her thoughts as she listens. Find a way to keep the rifts from effecting the Dominants? That's a really good idea, actually... Both of his ideas for how to do that seem promising too-- especially when he brings up the month-long sleeps the princess sometimes falls into.

Her eyes widen in amazement, brows rising. Her sleep comas... ]


You're right... When I fall into slumber like that, it seems that nothing is able to effect me. I don't need to eat or drink. I don't get bedsore. My muscles don't atrophy with disuse. And when I wake up, I always feel like I've only slept a single night. It's almost as though... time slows while inside the bubble.
multidisciplinary: do not take! (🌻 521)

2/2

[personal profile] multidisciplinary 2026-02-03 03:04 am (UTC)(link)
[ Zelda comes to Darin's side and looks up at him, eyes shining with intrigue as his words take root in her mind. ]

If the bubble is formed through this world's magics, then it stands to reason that the bubble carries the same signature as this world. The rifts don't effect it because they only act on signatures foreign to this world.
multidisciplinary: (🌻 026)

[personal profile] multidisciplinary 2026-02-03 09:32 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Zelda, in fact, does not know what this is, and the churning gears behind her eyes come to an abrupt halt, as if someone just stuck an iron rod between their teeth.

'Another card in play?' Something besides the Leviathans and this world's magic? Her brows pinch together as she flips through her mental rolodex of information on this world. Something native to this world, powerful enough to shield the Dominants from the influence of the rifts. ]


Are you referring to the armadas' brands?

[ She sounds dubious, looking to Darin for confirmation that she's following his train of thought. ]

Although, I suppose, technically, those would fall under the definition of 'magic.' And they were less 'shields' and more 'suppressants.' But perhaps they could be reverse-engineered to suppress the world-signatures of the Dominants.

[ Not that anyone has the slightest idea how to control the brands... If the armadas were to reactivate the brands, the riftfarers would be little better equipped to deal with them now than they were last year. ]
multidisciplinary: (🌻 038)

[personal profile] multidisciplinary 2026-02-05 07:39 pm (UTC)(link)
[ The way Darin simply stares, pointing at her, tells Zelda that she didn't guess his card correctly. But before she can take another guess, a bolt of inspiration suddenly strikes him. In an instant, he's back at the board, scribbling down notes as he speaks. Zelda leans in to peer at his notes while she listens. ]

Relics? [ Her expression pinches in confusion. ] Why relics? Not to suggest that we shouldn't research them, but if we need to establish a set value of 'Escordvi,' why utilize the relics? Why not one of the Leviathans? Or could we not simply 'sync' to the world itself?

[ She feels like she's missed something here. The armadas are a faction, something incorporeal, but something to which people are classified as 'members.' By that logic, non-riftfarers could be considered 'members' of this world, while riftfarers are 'members' of their own worlds. Would that work?

Zelda purses her lips. ]
We still know very little about how the brands work. We will need to research them as well if we are to use them as a template.
multidisciplinary: paid commission - do not take! (🌻 050)

[personal profile] multidisciplinary 2026-02-06 07:36 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Ah, right, the Leviathans can be unpredictable at times. Utilizing them as a sort of 'anchor-point' could end up backfiring.

The relics, though. Darin's logic is sound, and the more he discusses the potential for using the relics, the more Zelda agrees with the merits. Although she feels like she knows little and less about this world's relics than she does the brands, she trusts Darin's judgment on the matter.

His judgment... Not so long ago, Zelda saw Darin as rash and impulsive. He had a tendency to act before thinking things through, to be careless of risks, and unconcerned with any threat of injury to himself. Even the possibility of his own death did not give him pause-- in fact, Darin all but invited death, aiming to give up his life protecting others or defending a just cause. Several times, Zelda intervened on these 'noble sacrifices' and saved his life. Several times, Darin's disregard for his own life made her break down in tears.

But now... Nowadays, Zelda hardly recognizes him as the man who tried to throw his life away fighting Ganondorf. That man truly believed that the best thing he could do with his life was die saving the princess. The man who stood beside her today and shared his invention for all to see is someone else entirely. Someone eager to engage with people, to answer their questions and assuage their fears-- even in the face of violence. Someone unafraid to step into the spotlight. Someone unafraid to lead.

About half of what Darin is saying has gone completely unheard by Zelda. He might notice that she's no longer looking at the board, but directly at him, silently listening and smiling up at him. The sparkle of intrigue has faded from her eyes and her expression is more warm and fond now than curious and excited. ]


I think we have a very promising avenue to pursue for helping the Dominants remain here in this world.

But the hour is late and you, frankly, look terrible. [ Zelda laughs softly. ] I'm going to draw a warm bath for you so that you can relax and wash up, and then we are going to go to bed. It has been a long day and you are sorely in need of rest.
multidisciplinary: do not take! (🌻 512)

[personal profile] multidisciplinary 2026-02-08 07:07 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Zelda swiftly picks up the empty plate before Darin can get his hands on it. She knows how this goes. Inspiration will undoubtedly strike him while he's in the kitchen and he'll be back at the board in no time. ]

Cleaning is not resting, Darin.

[ There's a playfulness in her chiding as she holds the plate out of his reach. She places her free hand on Darin's back and pushes him in the direction of the stairs. ]

Go on~ Sort out your clothing into what's salvageable and what isn't, and I'll be along shortly.
multidisciplinary: do not take! (🌻 530)

[personal profile] multidisciplinary 2026-02-08 11:36 pm (UTC)(link)
[ 'D- Dear??'

Zelda's eyes grow wide at the same time that Darin turns scarlet, but he doesn't even give her the chance to say anything before sputtering excuses and tripping his way up the stairs. She's left staring at the space he vacated, that single word bouncing around in her brain.

Wh- What's come over him, calling her 'dear' like that? It's as though he's acquiescing a wife's demands! Sh- She isn't his wife!

Zelda feels her cheeks heating up and she hurries into the kitchen. Now she's the one getting flustered, clattering about to clean the dishes and straighten everything for tomorrow. Darin called her 'dear.' Surely.. surely that doesn't mean anything. It's a slip of the tongue. It doesn't mean that he's started seeing her as a wife.

Her stomach fills with butterflies at the errant thought. Really, she... wouldn't hate it if he did. Their life together kind of... feels that way sometimes. Zelda knows she needs to return to Hyrule one day and resume her reign, but for the moment, she's enjoying the domestic simplicity of sharing a home with Darin.

By the time the kitchen is all cleaned up, Zelda is smiling again, the word still playing on repeat in her mind. The excitement of the day, the stress of the evening, it's all faded. All she's thinking about is how flustered Darin was when that word slipped out of his mouth. How much more embarrassed would he be if she was to call him 'dear'? Zelda collects his coat from the sofa and heads up the stairs, thinking of the perfect way to fluster her dear boyfriend. ]