Is that a threat not to use the master sword for cutting down trees...? 

      The hinges of his door had always been squeaky. Never mind that it was meant to be new. It’s a choros as he walks in the door. Crying hinges, to whining floorboards, to the thud of his bag being set lazily on the floor.

      Until his eyes drift up.

      Body tensing, it is without hesitation that he draws forth his sword. Glinting in its own divine light, his eyes narrow. He’d never bothered to lock the door. But no one had bothered to enter before. There’s one chance. His finger pointing towards the door. Get out, and that could be the end of it.

                                                                        | @bladeoath

                        it  felt  like  keith  and  the  champion  the  princess had  talked  about  were  in  a  stare  down ,   neither  willing  to  look  away .   allura  and  shiro  spoke  for  the  team ,   but  his  attention  was  on  him .   or  rather ,   he  was  interested  in  how  the  mystical  sword  on  his  back  worked .   for  the  other ,  it  may  have  to  do  with  the  gigantic  lions  that  had  come  from  nowhere  asking  for  a  place  to  stay  for  a  few  days ,   speaking  of  a  war  they  knew  not  of .

                    when  their  meeting  had  been  dismissed ,   keith  made  his  way  to  the  hero ,   giving  him  an  introductory  wave  of  his  hand  before  he  nodded  to  the  weapon  strapped  to  his  back .   “   say ,   CHAMPION .   what  do  you  say  to  a  little  sparring  match ?   ”   a  friendly  smirk  alighted  upon  his  lips ,   eyebrow  raising .   it  wouldn’t  hurt  to  try  to  make  allies  with  them ,   perhaps  they  could  help  with  the  coalition .

      ━━━━  「 ♘ 」 If there was anything Link didn’t feel he had a shortage of... It was over sized robots. Or technology in general, though Zelda had tried to assure him over and over that the guardians were completely harmless. Now. And it was the princess again who would convince him to allow these ... Whatever they were, into their home. Onto their land. To share their crops and food and warmth with. No one said he had to like it, however.

      Ears instinctively lowering as Keith nears. Fingers curling and pinching his shirt. There’s an itch to correct him, to demand his NAME, but his eyes will instead avert to his right. Brows knitted. A spar? Not that he would deny, of course. It was a chance to prove himself a threat that wasn’t to be trifled with. But it’s not the master sword he draws, but another smaller, crafted sword drawn from from a pouch that had no business concealing such a thing. 

A horse ? She hasn’t seen one of these in a while . The hero brings out two horses , a brown & white one that almost glows from the golden sunrise , she gives him a genuine smile to express her gratitude to him . Soon after the vibrant summer rays have begun to warm the day , Link helps her up onto the horse . 

      ❛   Sarqso , Link . Truly .   ❜  even if it wasn’t much getting her onto a horse , she appreciates him being by her side and teaching her . The horse’s mane is soft to the touch , tan fingertips reach out to give a gentle , reassuring touch . 

They were now off to the Domain , riding side by side . The wind wisped the horse’s mane into the air like flames , as the hoofs split the silence between the two , Riju finally speaks again .       ❛    Link , what is the domain like ?    ❜  

      ━━━━  「 ♘ 」 Most of his adventure consisted of riding along the backside of a horse. Even with the ability to and fro, that did little for his steeds. They needed the exercise. The food, the water. Riju’s voice capturing his attention again. His ears twitch in response, and he’ll allow a hint of a smile to decorate his lips. He didn’t want to risk her injury so early into the trip over nothing at all. 

      It’s peaceful. He’d missed this. The feeling of a horse beneath him, and the steady rhythmic beat of hooves upon gravel. Though it was a completely different experience with company. Eyes drawn to her as she speaks, and his eyes will gaze upwards. The domain, in truth, was the hardest for him to revisit. Hence why he had made it a point to make it their first destination. Those that followed would be nothing in comparison.

                  ❛   It’s cold, and rainy. They decorate their domain with luminous stone, that make it appear brilliant in the nighttime. There’s a statue of Mipha. Most of them... Most of them still remember her, from before. It think it’ll be hard for Sidon to fulfill his role as champion. ❜ 

      That didn’t exactly sound like a five star review, and he’ll wave his hand. Never mind him. It was better for her herself to see. They had treated him like the enemy when he could hardly remember his own name. 

          He wanted to lie. Make up some excuse to stay a while longer. But no matter what, he knew in his heart it was time to go. This era already had a hero—a fantastic one at that. He was needed elsewhere.

          Taking a step back, Picori avoided eye contact while giving a reluctant nod. How did Ezlo make it look so easy? That old minish just walked out of his life forever without turning back! He pressed his palm to his eye in an attempt to stop any more tears from falling. Little did he realize that was why the sage kept a steady pace; meanwhile the boy only made it harder for himself.

          Timidly reaching out he clasped the older hero’s hand and looked up with an air of uncertainty. He gave a slight tug and proceeded with the first few heavy steps back down the path. Just… walk him to the door. Like it was his first day of school all over again. Back then, the only reason he stopped cutting off circulation to his grandfather’s fingers was because he knew Zelda was there waiting for him. She was still waiting for him, even now. Knowing that was what kept him going.

       ━━━━  「 ♘ 」 Link’s ashamed to admit he’d been hoping that Picori had forgotten something. Anything. Even if it would only stall them out a few minutes longer so he wouldn’t have to say goodbye quite yet. But Zelda had been good on making checklists. On making sure everything would go perfect, as it often did with her. But he can at least take Picori’s hand. A gentle squeeze of his hand, and he’ll dare a few steps closer.

      The swell of emotion in his stomach is getting to be nauseating now. Two years together had led to this and yet... He still didn’t feel ready. So much so... That his gaze will fall back to his princess. Beautiful and divine as ever. Content even as her power declines... And he’ll have one last request for the magic she had yet. To open the door for him again once he got back. In a few weeks time. Enough to get a proper goodbye.

      She’ll study him quietly. Eyes closing as if to see just how much more power she could provide. And gives one final, comforting nod. Just once more, she could do. And Link’s grip only tightens. Tears budding again, and he’ll coax Picori forward with a tug.  Excited to see his land, and worried about being separated from his prince forever should he linger too long.

                       ❛  Is that okay with Picori? Just a few weeks longer? ❜

      Though the majority of the castle managed to stay upright, that did little for it’s already crumbled walls or extensive water problem. Or the beasts that still made their home within it’s walls. 

      There they stand at the gates. Still propped open for when he had used the slate to make way. No longer surveyed by the guardians that had plagued the castle on his first time through. At least, not the kind that attacked on sight. Though his shoulders still tensed at the sight. But this wasn’t for him. It was for Zelda. For the princess. The queen. An exhale, and he looks to his right to look at her. Ready?

      So as per requested, Gerudo Stable Canyon remained closed to travelers for the morning. Only the stable owner was to be found. Nervous that he may fail the one thing to do, his face fails to mask the relief felt when the two of them come into view. Link will raise his hand in greeting.

      He’d brought two of his own horses down. One a brown and white mare dawned Traveler, and the other a moody stallion deemed Monarch. The mare was meant for Riju. Her temperate behavior better suited for new or amateur riders. Traveler only turns too look at them as Link places his hand on her back to hold her steady. 

      She’s already saddled up, in the same gear all stable’s provided. It’s plain for a reason. Drawing unnecessary attention to them only made it all the harder to keep her safe. His hand is offered to her. Head gesturing towards the mare. He’d help her up, and they could be on their way to the Domain. 

            ☪️ —— T'was not his fault, confirming as he does, come a new visage within his peripheral — for much of her wear consumed her, leaving a waddling marshmallow to stand awkwardly amidst a pure white backdrop of powdered snow.

Many a monster donned the hue, and not one was to be trifled with. His amicable features belied his finesse with blade — and it would not be of surprise, come their demise, for their foolish assumption of weakness.

So call it amusing, then, that such prowess failed to translate come artistic endeavors!

Removed is the restrictive coat, for the warmth of his affection melted the frost tailing tender tendrils. To the door with her, for scalding cheeks — and the brilliant, burning lights bedazzling them — enliven her in turn, long enough to seal away the blizzarding beast.

Face-to-face with his craft, such beauty ( ah, for all her talents, she was no better — and thus the beholder’s eye had little to compare ) begets ajar lips and doe eyes engulfed by rejuvenated stars.

A flicker of the tongue betrays her. Though speech was not to be scorned, their shared silence soothed her — a welcomed variation of the enforced reticence she experienced in her youth. So while the quiver of lips insinuated incoming speech, quaking hands talk in turn.

‘ Papa… ’ She motions, though closed eyes and a head hunched into rising shoulders intervene upon her words.

A sniffle. She cups her cheeks, for a moment, only to blink amidst her own bewilderment. To no one’s surprise, the language of hands couldn’t be conveyed without hands — and so, with a chipper giggle at her own foolishness, she ‘speaks’ once more.

‘ That is so very kind of you…! To go through such effort for me… oh, I hope you are free to share them with me! I fear I cannot tackle them alone! It can be… a celebration! One for each… for our fateful encounter, your own days past, and mine! ’

        ━━━━  「 ♘ 」 Always he feared her disappointment. That she would upturn her nose at his efforts and ask why he hadn’t got someone better suited for the job. But that was always just the anxiety speaking, wasn’t? So in spite of her often spoiled behavior, she accepts his gift without hesitation. Matching it with a smile so genuine and strictly Yin that his own cheeks are sore trying to mimic. 

        Juggling the cake into his left hand, he’ll sign a quick yes with his right. Setting it down on the table, as he pulls out a chair in invitation. Picking up her belongings and setting them carefully in the cutout beneath the stairs. No longer was it piled with boxes of Farosh knows what, but a bed he had crafted out for her long before. As much as he had enjoyed his stays in the kitchen chair so she could occupy his... She was deserving of her own. And his back hurt.

        Patience was a virtue. Not that he cared. Half jogging even when in the confines of his own house. A drive-by push in if she’s taken her chair, otherwise he’s headed straight for the kitchen. Scooping up the other two cakes that mimicked the same font. Each worse than the last... but hey, at least that implied improvement? 

        This table wasn’t prepared to accommodate three full cakes, two plates, silverware, and glasses of milk but. It’s just going to have to. Even if it means his own plate has to be support by his hand not to teeter off the edge. And he’ll quickly dawn each with an array of candles. Lighting them diligently with the assistance of a fire arrow, before his eyes find her again.

    It’s not as though his home was dangerous. Quite the opposite, actually. Seated inside the heart of the Akkala Citadel it’s far from discrete. And he only has the goddesses to thank that his mother and father had busied themselves elsewhere. The cooking pot free to fill his home with warmth and savory spices. 

    If he doesn’t look her in the eye, it’s like he didn’t deviate for their norm just to cook for her.

    Her plate set silently against the table. Fork, spoon, and knife all provided. It was a simple, but hearty dish. One that he had made time and time again. Until he knew that the prime cut was cooked to near perfection. Salted, and served with an array of greens.

    Daring his eyes to find hers, only to have them flicker away a moment later. He wasn’t anticipation her reaction. It was just polite to let the Princess begin the meal. Yes, that was it.

       . . ♥ . . HIS ACTIONS SPOKE LOUDER THAN WORDS. It was clear he was upset over something, she knew him well enough to know without any words. Carefully, she swam closer to the edge, to him. She wished to comfort him, to offer him any form of comfort she could to take away the pain he may be feeling. As his words escaped his hands, movements clearly showing his emotions more than verbal confirmation ever could, the realization that it was HER that was the cause of his pain struck her hard. 

                Smile faded from her lips, eyes fluttering down to look at that ripples around her. She knew he wouldn’t like her accepting the proposal Zelda had offered, yet she had hoped to at least be the one to tell him of the fate she had decided upon. She moved up to the bank, pulling herself out of the waters to sit alongside the Hylian once more. Hands clasped together over her lap, eyes fixated on them. 

              “ I was hoping I could be the one to tell you. ” She spoke softly, eyes slowly casting a quick gaze at the swordsman before looking out over the shifting waters before them. 

              “ It is the least I could do to help protect my people. I am happy to take upon this duty and help you and the Princess however I may. ”

     ━━━━  「 ♘ 」 Despite himself, he will make room for her. A shift to his right guarantees that he will not fall victim to the droplets of water that coated her scales.  And his hands writhe in his lap. Whatever had he done to make her feel as though she had to go behind his back? That she couldn’t... Let him know. Perhaps she hadn’t even thought about it. 

    Low his ears will sit. Tearing baring into his lower lip as he tries not to give way to the turmoil that continued to coil relentlessly in his chest. Just below the surface. Begging for outlet. Her words only fuel to the fire. To the frustration.

                ❛  Why couldn’t you have let someone else do it? ❜

    It’s words that best convey his height. For a moment that perfect facade crumbles. And it’s the warning of tears that bud in the corners of his eyes that forces his head to the right. Thumb digging into the corners of his eyes as he banishes the tears that plague him. Frustration flickering across his expression, and he’ll squeeze his hands. Holding that anger for as long as he can bare. Until it grows to be too much to contain, and like sand through his fingers it will recede. Shoulders easing back down, and his face no longer twisted.

    A map that can only load in sections? That required him to scale towers of great height only to be taunted with another off in the distance? No. No. This had gotten personal. And to spite his slate - don’t question the sanity of that statement - he had gone ahead and bought a REAL map. One had everything loaded already. One that was... How in Naydra was he meant to read this thing? Since when were there that many paths across the country side?

    Defeated, he’ll seek the aid of another at the stable. Ears hesitantly lowering. All he needs is his bearings. Surely she understands his needs when he just holds out the map, and looks to her for answers to questions unearthed.  

                 ❛  Bakugo, ❜

      His name signed as match, though his left hand takes on the shape of B to signal it was meant for Baku alone. It seemed fitting, naming him after something that sparks at the faintest of touches. Regardless, he’ll offer his bowl. There’s more than enough to share. A small teeter of his head in invitation.