Reticent-Bruises

“You don’t know whether or not you’ll be any help until you try and––” just as she was about to lecture him (or rather in her eyes encourage him) the change in position where he was now holding onto her wrist, in a tight enough grip where she can’t break away with ease much like her hold on him earlier (or so she thought her clutch on him was tough enough but apparently despite looking scrawny his appearance belied some strength), was unexpected. “Ouch! Hey! That hurts, let go! I said let go of me you big JERK!” Try and fight as much as she might to tear away from his grasp she just couldn’t so she reluctantly relented and with a huff gave up, now fixing him with her narrowed eyes, her face grew a brighter and brighter shade of crimson. Name-calling aside (after all, they were a part of him wasn’t he calling himself an idiot by extension? at this thought she smirks) the fact that there were only three was shocking as she had expected far more than that. So in total, there were four of him? Oh goodie. As if one of him wasn’t bad enough there were three other versions of him running around the lands more than likely being just as big as a jerk to others like the asshole who stood before her. 

She wanted to comment on his words if only to argue with him more despite knowing that precious time could not be used in such a way yet she failed to string together a proper sentence together once a bone-chilling voice would float into tapered ears, gooseflesh erupts and she shudders not at all liking this newcomer who appeared out of nowhere, it was unsettling how they had appeared too. Almost as if conjured by thin air. A bead of cold sweat breaks and rolls down her cheek that was growing pale in color. Who was this person? Where did they come from?

Slightly does she turn her head to answer a part of her question only to see the smirking face of… the very boy she was talking to? What could this mean? Was he another version of the boy that came from the sword? No, from the way he spoke it didn’t feel like he was on their side to stop the beast, though that sarcasm makes her want to roll her eyes: which she did, uncaring whether he saw it or not. Her fear somewhat dissipates and she instead tries to act on false nonchalance on this person’s sudden arrival. Nevermind how she was still pale in color and somewhat trembled if only in a subtle way. “Oh great, another jerk to deal with. Well, you can just shove it, you creep. I don’t care what he wants to do because he has no choice but to help me, to help us. And you get off of me too, weirdo!” At her last sentence, Zelda tries to shrug off his hands in a rough manner. 

What. The. Fuck. 

If looks could kill, Vio would have been buried six foot under with sharp nails protruding from the door of his coffin. The glower that made dark eyes glow with unspoken thoughts that which were dyed in the violent dark red hue of rage spoke the extents of the current sentiment she was experiencing. She couldn’t believe what he was saying, what she was hearing. He was the hero dammit! The very same savior who was the champion of the goddesses, the very same savior who fought for all that was right and true, the savior who aligned himself with the light. “Take over Hyrule?! Are you kidding me?! As if I’ll let that happen and I won’t become a hostage either, try it and I’ll–– OW!! What the fu––!?” As if his hold on her couldn’t have hurt anymore, this time it felt like he was going to stop the circulation of her blood. Her mouth clamps shut at this. She didn’t… exactly know what he was planning to do but she assumes that it most certainly wouldn’t benefit anyone but this strange shadow version of him. For now, she’ll stay silent. Taking his grip on her wrist as a warning to keep soundless. Mum’s the word it would seem. Fine. Fine! She’ll do just that then. She didn’t trust him, but she wanted to see just where he intended on going with this.

Hmph. 

Well, if she was going to be a hostage she wasn’t going to go down without any fight. So, Zelda would push her elbow back to try and fend the shadow off of her, having grown tired of his ice-cold hands weighing down on her shoulders. His claws spoke of the dangers that could happen should she upset him, namely them puncturing her neck however she simply wanted him off and far away from her.  

~~Shadow hisses as he’s elbowed in the gut, moving back and giving Vio the opportunity to yank the princess forward and pull her in a headlock- being kind enough to at least give her enough room to breathe but still made it uncomfortable and believable to the shadow that he was on his side. Vio chuckles darkly, pressing his lips to the Princess’ ear and whispering, “Play nice, carrot head. I wouldn’t want you to get hurt.” 

Shadow laughs hauntingly, still irritated but seemingly happy that Vio had manhandled the princess into an uncomfortable hold to keep her still and under his control. 

While Vio was annoyed with her actions, he supposed it would look weird if she didn’t give too much of a fight while she was being kidnapped. While it wasn’t his original intention to bring her along, it might help speed up the process of him getting into the ranks quicker. Shadow, while conniving, didn’t seem to be all that bright, at least to Vio, but Vio was beginning to think that Link’s arrogance was bleeding through even him. He needed to be careful there and work on overestimating others rather than underestimating them.... better safe than sorry. 

“We should leave a message for the other idiots!” Shadow cackles, floating around both Zelda and Vio before placing his clawed hands on Vio’s shoulders and grinning at him. 

The other smiles back, raising an eyebrow. Connect with him. Show him you’re interested. Worm your way into his heart and take the dagger- wait for the moment to take him down. “Go on.” Mentally tear him down. Manipulate his emotions and control him. Use guerrilla warfare tactics. This is for the greater good. He’s only one person. What’s one life for thousands?

“It’ll be grand! We’ll tie her up and they’ll walk in and see us! We’ll be the greatest duo- we’ll take over the world! We don’t need them!” 

“Says the one who’s up in a tree! If you think your ‘bits’ are covered? I don’t think you ‘calculated’ for someone who’s below you! You’re lucky I don’t see anything!” He huffs. At least his lower half is covered by the water. …For now. He hasn’t exactly thought that far ahead yet, but when does he ever? A grin is on his face. Saying that Green was doing the same thing? Hah! Even more justification. He’s always squabbled with Green, and hearing him do that? Brought him a smile. He pushes off the lake’s edge, and floats in the water. Aaah…so cooling. 

“Are you trying to look at my bits, Blue? How shameful,” Vio opens back up his book and smiles down at him, inwardly victorious. He enjoyed this little play fights with Blue. They always made things far more exciting. He can’t help but wonder what Blue is going to do after he’s done in the water. For now, he glances every once in a while over to him to make sure he hasn’t drowned. 

“You are!” She said childishly, she winced at her tone of voice. “I mean, you started it by calling me a carrot head. You!!! You eggplant!! Seriously, who does that?!”

His sarcastic laughter and nonchalant attitude he displayed most certainly did a fine job in aggravating the princess even further. Her hands form into fists and she wanted nothing more than to slap that smug, confident look on his face into next week. She opened her mouth to retort, to allow for a colorful string of cuss words creatively weaved together just for him to flow past pursed lips before he brought up her attitude problem. She stops then. Her anger somewhat dissipating, somewhat. Zelda looks to the ground with a complicated expression on her freckled features. “Ok… so maybe I’ve been a little rude to you.” She admits. But once she lifts her head she’d give him that determined look. “And I’m sorry about that, really. But I and your friend need your help. I’m sure you can do something to help us! But clearly, I was wrong. So I’ll let you go then… enjoy everything before the world gets destroyed.”

She yelled the last bits to him as he walks further and further into the distance. Her dark gaze rests on his back, realizing that she’d seen a blade strapped to it. The purple jewel embedded in the hilt looked familiar. Her mouth would drop open once realization struck. She’d seen that sword before! In the books that detailed about the four swords! So then that would mean–––!!! 

“Wait! Wait!! I said wait, dammit!!”

She had to run up to him, as he scurried away from her in a rapid manner, once she reaches him, Zelda gives him a nice slap on the back to get his attention. It felt satisfying to see him lurch forward from the force but she paid no mind to that. “You big stinking liar!! You are the hero, or a part of him at least. Or maybe you are him and the rest are parts of you?”

Hoo boy… this was already hurting her wise mind. “Whatever, it doesn’t matter who’s who or what’s what! What’s important that you are the hero, who else can draw the blade but him! That means you definitely have to save the world now. You’re coming with me, you can’t say no. Or… or I’ll throw you in the dungeons!”

Empty words and an empty threat. But she grabs for his hand in an iron grip and makes way towards where he said his friend(?) was. Uncaring as to how he might take this action. “We’re going. Now! We’ve wasted so much time arguing!”  

~~“Eggplant.” Vio retorts back, raising an eyebrow at her. “Is that the best you got, Carrot head?” He turned and walks away, still triumphantly cheering in his head at his victory. How easy it was to rile up the princess and get her as red as her ribbon. If he wasn’t so busy trying to save the world, he would have been tempted to egg it on and get her beyond furious at him. Her reactions were almost as good as Blue’s- if not better because he knew what buttons to push for his counter part, where he knew nothing about the princess.

He waves a hand over his shoulder, “your apology is accepted, for now. Perhaps we will be blessed and never have to meet again,” he calls in goodbye. Which is shortly interrupted by her shouts of him to wait- negative! NoPE- he was booking it. 

It takes a moment for her to catch him- but when she does, damn did her slaps sting! He hisses and wheels around at her, annoyed once more over this- this- this brat! This five year old carrot headed, spoiled, fiery little princess brat! Ugh!

“What now!?” He hisses, at her- just when he thought he was free- and she mentions the sword and he immediately scowls. He’s been found out. Wonderful. This was just the best day ever. He wanted to strangle her. 

“Some help I’ll be in the dungeons.” He retorts through gritted teeth- it’s when she grabs him that he’s finally had more than enough and he twists his wrist in her grasp and holds tightly to her wrist instead. “I. Am not going anywhere near those three idiots. They could use your wisdom a whole more than me, Princess.” 

There’s a disembodied laughter and Vio’s grip on Zelda’s wrist tightens exponentially. His once angry expression morphing back into the cold and calm he wants himself to be known as. And suddenly there are hands on Zelda’s shoulders and voice next to her ear. “Can you believe it Princess? A hero that doesn’t want to save the world,” he breathes out in a heavily sarcastic tone. “It makes you wonder what he’s up to.... He already knows no one will listen to him. The others just want to fight... but what does he want to do, I wonder....” 

Vio stares hard at the other, mentally cheering his appearance and his luck- maybe this Princess was a lucky charm instead of a curse one. Who knew? “Does it matter? I want the same thing as you.” 

“And that is?” His claws run dangerously over Zelda’s neck.

“To be my own person,” while he is trying to get Shadow on his side of things, he is genuine about this desire, which makes it even harder for Shadow to sense the lie that isn’t there. All he needs is that opening, that connection... and if he can wiggle into this role, he can find the root of the problem and fix it within. The others could take care of the rest. 

“Hmm.... I suppose you have a point. But I want to take over all of Hyrule...” 

The uncomfortable expression that which he wore was an oddity to the princess until a particular thought would whisper in her harkening and ever so curious mind that perhaps, just perhaps, he did not have an affinity for horses. That perhaps there was fear to be found towards the gentle animals. If such was the case then they’d both have to walk, something that did not sit right with her given his current state where he lacked sufficient enough energy to make the walk. Yet her worries were laid to rest once she witnesses him getting on the horse with little hesitance behind his actions. What bewildered her was the fact that he offered his hand to her, his words claiming that he cannot bear to let her walk. She was at a loss for moment, his confession was unexpected to say the least as she truly did not see any problems in walking the rest of the way… given her low stamina though it would take them a little longer but she was willing to try anyway, risking her own health, if it meant him finding little respite during the ride. That in mind, he does bring up a rather good point. Something she fretted over but if he was ok with them riding the horse together than…

 “… it is of no trouble. However, you are correct in that, if I were to ride Storm we would get there in no time. I was worried that the ride might not be good for your weary state, however, if you feel that you are ok with it then… very well… we shall go. Do not be afraid to hold on to me if you feel the need to.” 

Taking his hand and uttering a small thank you in the process, she’d hoist herself up to Storm, settling in on the saddle before taking the reigns back in her hands and then prompt for Storm to move onward once she pulls on them. The mare takes off at a speed that was reasonable enough in order to help with not inducing motion sickness of some sort as she could only guess that sudden movement would more than likely not be good for his weakened body. Taking a worn-down pathway that leads directly to the castle. It will take less than fifteen minutes given to get there. In the meantime, she considered talking in an attempt to soothe his mind that must be running a mile a minute.

“We will be there in no time. I can assure you that a room with good bedding awaits your arrival. We can discuss your dream later, once you feel better. Ah… I believe I haven’t quite caught your name…” 

If he was being honest, he really didn’t think he could stay awake on the horse. He also wasn’t comfortable at all with being on the horse in the first place. He didn’t even want to think of getting down- he knew he was going to make a fool of himself... and he couldn’t help but think of a plan to get the Princess away just a few moments so he could get down off the horse without her being able to see him face plant into the ground. How had his life come to this? 

He yelps when the horse starts moving, wrapping his arms around her waist quickly and leaning against her. If he hadn’t been so zoned out, he’s sure he would have heard what she said and the warning she probably would have given, but that was in the past now. He watches the landscape go by and quickly begin to blur, his eyes getting heavier and heavier.... 

And her soft voice practically begged him to sleep. With his head against her back and arms now loose around her waist, he gives in to the darkness slowly that’s taking over him... but not before muttering his name ever so softly to her inquiries. 

So here’s little Vio because I can’t resist picrews

And the mun:

He breaks the surface of the lake’s water, his head turning to the side as he hears the Violet hero. His eyes lower a bit, trying to see where he was… Ah, there he is!!! Wait. …  What is he wearing…? Or, not wearing, in this case.  “At least I’m not the one who took off his pants in public!” He swims to the edge of the water, looking up at him through wet bangs. He grins a little bit. Not so dignified now, is he?

~~“At least I took off my white pants instead of diving into the water with them on. At least I have decency to cover my bits.” He can’t help but raise an eyebrow at the other, almost daring him to come out and prove him wrong. Not that it matters, Vio honestly believes this is just a fun little word fight. 

He doesn’t go far. He expected someone with such pointed questions will want their curiosity sated. The oasis is close and secluded enough for the privacy he wants, but doesn’t take the bazaar or city out of its sights. Barely a few minutes ride by seal. 

But it’s enough time to give either of them preperation. Enough time to let this stranger reconsider if they were up to no-good. Enough time… to collect flowers.

Ganon’s sat under on of the palm trees by the water pool, knitting the dulled red safflina together in a wreath like crown when the vai finds him. It’s not like he was trying to hide, really. Any guard could point out his direction most days.

         ❛  Vasaaq! I see you decided to come. I warn you-             Yiga spies never make it far, if this is some sort of farce.             But if you’re genuine in only speaking, I’ll temper my patience with you.  ❜

~~ “I suppose it is a good thing I am not a part of the Yiga Clan,” he retorted back, opening up his bag and pulling out a sizable melon to toss at the Gerudo. “A peace offering. For being abrasive and curious.”

He walked over to the other, sitting still within the shade but at arms length away. It wouldn’t do for him to be strangled for being too close. He watched the other, more curiously now than suspicious. He couldn’t ever say he would even imagine a Ganon to ever make a flower crown, but here he was watching him do just that. Was it because he grew up with women? That was sexist’s way of thinking and he quickly shoved that down. Perhaps it was just because he was young- before the pull of destiny corrupted him... Or maybe he was just acting to get more people on his side? Vio didn’t know. 

100% Carrot head

Vio places his hands on the mirror, staring at the shattered pieces that he had managed to restore... It was only missing one more piece... While he could see through to the other side, without the other piece, the mirror lacked the ability to be a portal... Sadly, he didn’t know where the last piece was... It had taken him years at this point to put it back together, using week long vacations to come to this place. 

“Shadow....” he mutters, knocking on the glass. He still regrets what he had done- the betrayal he had caused. He hasn’t seen Shadow in years and he certainly hasn’t seen him in the mirror... Where he was, Vio didn’t know... but he did know he didn’t deserve it. He was one of them, and he should be with them.