power and reason

Something had drawn Link to the desert, but for a while she simply couldn't place what it was. Something at her core brought her here, but as she went from village to village things felt different. Was this the Gerudo desert she knew? Where the same villages on her maps? Or were things slightly different, different people...

it would be days traveling before she found a village she felt was proper to stop at. She couldn't place why yet, but as she settled, found a place to stay, and secured food she'd catch eyes with them. One Gerudo who simply felt different but also similar.

And then, that sensation. The tug. Part of the self, immutable if unwanted, calling out for another. One they've felt in many an uncertain when. The princess, as was often the case; she often felt the one most suited to reason with, or so the resonance said. But when they engaged properly... hm. Not... right? As if Dragmire could talk, but... not right.

Not an ideal scenario. They preferred to be the one initiating, after spending the appropriate time watching to ensure an even temperament. Ah, well. No point in complaint. They lowered their hood, nodded to their side.

@calamight asked: "you will be a great ruler. i've no doubt in my mind about that." the melancholy of untold history

Hearing such plaudits was not uncommon when you were the ruler of a kingdom, particularly a monarch that avoided a tyrannical rule. When you proved your loyalty and devotion to the people you were meant to govern, they had a tendency to sing your praises. But this?

It was clear to the princess that the person who stood before her was not a citizen of Castle Town.The stranger’s face bore no familiarity, and their almond complexion and subtly pointed ears suggested they were not of Hylian descent. There was nothing extraordinary about their clothing save for the fact that the garments seemed to be made of a somewhat lighter material, though the need for such fabric could have been attributed to the warmer temperatures they’d begun to experience around Hyrule Field – their radiant complexion, however, suggested otherwise. 

Were she to make an educated guess, she would assume based off the bronzed skin, lighter garb, and lack of elongated points that her new guest hailed from the desert region; though that guess might seem rather uneducated given the Gerudo Desert had long been overrun by Moldorms and Bulbins. So where then had this newcomer traveled from? More importantly, what was this mighty aura that seemed to radiate from them? Not that her guards seemed to have detected anything unusual.

It was strange, unprecedented times they lived in. But time, Astor knew, was a strange beast by its very nature, and the events of the future cared little for standards of the past.

Even so...

Astor stopped walking, soft echoes of his footsteps fading down the caves dim corridors. He turned to the figure behind him. They were a slight thing. Tall enough for a Hylian, rather short for a Gerudo. To put it quite simply, everything about them was all wrong. Their nose was too small and their face was too soft and nothing about them seemed remotely connected to Calamity Ganon or any of his previous lives.

And yet they held the name Dragmire. And yet the mysterious stone in Astor's possession had brought him straight to them. And yet the malice he controlled seemed to know them, bow to them.

Strange and unprecedented times, indeed.

Astor. Yuga. Agahnim. These names and more were peppered throughout Hyrule's patchwork history as parasites, those who clung to power beyond their means. Dragmire could not manifest the rage needed to hate them. No. It was pity. When the world's current lashed itself around three constant reefs, what else can you do but try to cling to one? This wielder of Power would deny their fate, but they would be blind to deny that they were of the rare position that they could.

Their companion -- well, the new companion, not the quiet one still at their hip -- had been allowed for his novelty. Perhaps he might have some bon mot, or fascinating tome, or swifter path through the cave system. Or more likely he would continue to be tiresome. Ah, well. Too late to back out now.

Some will be more easily applicable than others. SOME WILL CONTAIN TRIGGERS (supernatural/gambling/magic/violence references)!! Feel free to change pronouns/genders at will.

❛ Right. Not ominous at all. ❜

❛ Someone remembered to bring water, right? ❜

❛ [name], I thought you’d have noticed by now: I lie a lot. ❜

❛ Personally, I think it’s some kind of compensation thing. ❜

❛ Well… shit. ❜

❛ He was terrible at intrigue. Forgot which goblet he’d put the poison in. ❜

❛ Just shitting you. ❜

❛ Look at all the shit that’s happened to you. ❜

❛ You seem the type. Or exactly not the type. I forget how these things are supposed to work sometimes. ❜

❛ It’s the dive. Filled with the best and worst people in the world. ❜

❛ Let’s talk about your dark and troubled past. ❜

❛ Why does air even come in different temperatures? ❜

❛ Oh, so that’s you smiling? Glad you clarified that. I’d never have known. ❜

❛ That had to hurt! ❜

❛ Passion it is, then. ❜

❛ Are you going to blame me for that, too? ❜

❛ Hey! I’m a perfect gentleman. In public. ❜

❛ I know this is a radical suggestion, but have you considered just… talking to her? ❜

❛ I’d also like to avoid falling, if we’re counting votes. ❜

❛ A story-teller’s got to believe his own story, or no one will. ❜

❛ I have no idea why places like this exist. ❜

❛ I like heroes who try their damnedest, even if they fail a lot. It’s easy to be valiant when you always win and everything goes your way. There’s nothing great in that. ❜

❛ Well, that went a little dark. Who’s “him” in this? ❜

❛ I like to leave some things to the reader’s imagination. ❜

❛ That’s going to take a while. I’ll explain “clothes” when we get back. ❜

❛ Alright, worst thing you’ve ever eaten? I had this imported ham for [location] once. It tasted like despair, literally. ❜

❛ I will try my best not to do the impossible. ❜

❛ I make up for it elsewhere. ❜

❛ Most people are like cats. They either puff up to look dangerous or they crouch down and hope you don’t see them. You show them you’re not a victim or threat, and they’re in your lap and purring before you know it. ❜

❛ I’m just asking! ❜

❛ Bah… where’s the drama in that? ❜

❛ Doesn’t matter. Point is, if you put a little more work in, you could pull off much bigger pranks. ❜

❛ I like who I am. If I want to hear songs, I’ll go to a tavern. ❜

❛ Yes, thank you for not torturing me. I’m so much happier now. ❜

❛ That’s the world. Everything you build, it tears down. Everything you’ve got, it takes. And it’s gone forever. ❜

❛ Let’s just say I don’t quite have the reach. She lacks a certain flexibility. ❜

❛ Whatever it does, it’s probably ancient and invaluable. So try not to drop it in the sand. ❜

❛ She’s stronger than you. ❜

❛ That was almost a coherent metaphor. ❜

❛ Exactly! If you can’t be flawless -and no one can- be flashy. Nobody will know the difference. ❜

❛ But still irresistibly cute. It’s my burden to bear. ❜

❛ How about dalliances? Liaisons? Illicit affairs? ❜

❛ I’m just saying, you and I have… something in common. ❜

❛ Just because two people dislike each other doesn’t mean they’re about to kiss. ❜

❛ Oh, I don’t know. I suppose I could always send a letter to your family… ❜

❛ …er. Whatever works for you. ❜

❛ Um… No. I’ll pass. ❜

❛ You know, I don’t even want to ask what you did with it. I just want to say… nice work. ❜

❛ Huh. And here I thought you’re a man of refined taste. ❜

❛ Oh! I’ll mark this on my calendar—[name] had a feeling! ❜

❛ Not even an amusing anecdote? You don’t want a chance to bring someone down or boast a little? ❜

❛ You know, we’re so far into spoiler territory right now, I think I better stop talking. ❜

❛ You might be used to traipsing through the countryside––––punching dragons, interrogating people, or whatever it is you did before this. ❜

❛ My guess is another earthquake––––that hits when we’re halfway across the bridge. ❜

❛ I agree. So morally reprehensible to bet against your own side. ❜

❛ See? Embrace your place in the universe, sparkler. ❜

❛ Should I push, or am I just setting myself up for: “Your face doesn’t make sense”? ❜

❛ You’re crazy! We’re beating [name] every time we turn around. He’s on the run! ❜

❛ So there’s a rational explanation after all. Just when I thought you had layers. ❜

❛ You made the right choice. ❜

❛ It’s just… I was wondering how you got your nickname. ❜

❛ Safe harbour from the storm outside? ❜

❛ Look seeker, if you love a character, you give them pain, ruin their lives, make them suffer. Maybe even throw in a heroic death! ❜

❛ See? And I still can’t tell if you’re shitting me! ❜

❛ Looks like trouble’s coming! ❜

❛ Really? No sarcasm, no superior attitude? ❜

❛ Next time you make me tell a story at knife-point I’ll make the hero sound taller. ❜

❛ Can I suggest that we never come here again? ❜

❛ I don’t mean to sound critical, but have you considered a new line of work? ❜

❛ Five [currency] says you see something weirder before the day ends. ❜

❛ I’ve got a friend who’s a ship captain. She would love this place. ❜

❛ Ah, a critic. Say no more. ❜

❛ The only thing they seem to have in common is a tendency to burn things. ❜

❛ All I’m saying is, he’d be up more than two [currency] if he watched his tells. ❜

❛ You’ve killed two-hundred and fifty-four by my last count. ❜

❛ Well, that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. What’d I do now? ❜

❛ Don’t I feel special. ❜

❛ You know, I might be able to give you a hand with that. ❜

❛ Nothing I’m doing seems to work! ❜

❛ Well, it’s not a good story unless the hero dies. ❜

❛ Don’t die on me [name], you still owe me a pint! ❜

❛ Be still my heart. I’ve grown on you. ❜

❛ Who designs a place that takes this many keys to get inside? ❜

❛ All this fresh air is making me light-headed. ❜

❛ Oh, right, the rusty metal spike district! My favourite part of town! ❜

❛ Maybe he likes you. ❜

❛ Everyone stay still and try not to make any loud noises. ❜

❛ You know, it’s possible they’re just scared shitless of you. That’s my theory, anyway. ❜

❛ So, no one’s managed to reclaim the sword, huh? My money’s on this being a trap. ❜

❛ I’m helping you indulge in elaborate revenge fantasies. I think it’s good for you. ❜

❛ The lone wanderer, searching the world. What’s he trying to find? Love? Absolution? ❜

❛ No offence, but this house smells like really old cabbage. ❜

❛ Well, that screams “up to no good.” ❜

❛ Are we sure this is a good idea? ❜

❛ That could’ve gone better. ❜

❛ I didn’t say it made sense. Just that I’d like to leave and never look back. ❜

❛ I really am in the ass-end of nowhere now. ❜

❛ Just wait until you meet my friends. ❜

❛ Ten [currency] says I not only know him—he owes me money. ❜

❛ I’ve heard some people actually enjoying walking in the wilderness. They do it for fun. It’s called ‘hiking’. ❜

❛ I spend way too much time here. ❜

❛ Fine, but if you don’t tell me, I’m just going to have to make it up. ❜

❛ One of those things would be impossible. All of them together? That’s a miracle. ❜

❛ Back me up! ❜

❛ I don’t know. “Not being killed by rampaging demons” seems to be as good as gold to me. ❜

❛ Why, [name], I would never accuse you of having sympathy! ❜

❛ Whoever built this didn’t give two tin shits about tradition. ❜

What a strange way to put it - 'recent.' As if in one moment she had swallowed the stone around her neck, and, in the next, opened her eyes to witness the demon king, vanquished.

". . .As something undying." She replies, affirming the other's belief.

. . .But it hadn't been that simple. Those thousands of years hadn't been a step from one room into the next. It had been an ocean of stepping-stones, obscured in fog. With each step, she would have turned over another stone - another part of Hyrule's nigh-endless history.

. . .Perhaps, that part of her existence had been repressed; whether by subconscious, or the limit of her own memory. Still, she couldn't decide whether she wanted to see through that fog, or not. To look down through the clouds and see somewhere that wasn't her home. To see fangs and claws that weren't her own. To know that everything she had ever known wouldn't exist for hundreds of lifetimes.

"I'm listening." A modest gesture."You've been carrying a burden; ignoring it will only break your back. Who better to turn to than a stranger?" Yes, a turn from motivation by self-interest, but not an unconsidered one. This would serve as the easiest way to extract information, to try and understand. Not her. Self-sacrifice; ridiculous, but not incomprehensible. Belief in something other than one's own self. Noble, misguided. Inefficient. One must imagine that the third spoke in the triangle is not lonely.

The doors to the throne room opened, it was rare the Princess gave a private audience like this. Getting to meet her was almost impossible, with many an ordeal tying her hands. There was still much to do in the wake of Gannondorf's attack on the kingdom, many pockets of his beasts still remained. The Hero couldn't be everywhere at once, and for those other threats, she would mobilize her knights, and the local resistance fighters who had formed under Telma.

When word had reached her of a stranger demonstrating magical powers and protecting a nearby village from Aeralfos, she wanted to meet with this strange traveler. After all, if they were helping those in need, they deserved a commendation, and Zelda could use all the strong arms she could get to restore order while Hyrule continued to rebuild.

And in walks that stranger now, escorted by two royal knights. Zelda rose from her throne as the two knights moved away to stand alongside their princess, standing at attention as she descended from the throne to meet this traveler.