#jxcir

There are many rumors about Malik as a Paladin, some center around how close he is with certain people when the Sheikah seems so distant with everyone else, some have gone as far as to say its because those that he is close to he is sleeping with, and while some of them may be correct in time, it is not the key to his change of heart when it comes to closeness especially with those on the Infiltration squad. His closeness with Vaati stems from a more instinctual connection, and while Malik would deny it if ever it were brought up, the Sheikah under all that discipline and honor, is closer to a beast than he would ever like to admit, he knows what it feels like to be the prey. So he became a hunter. An experience and trait he shares with the Minish Paladin though this is unspoken, but there is no denying that the two understand each other without words, through subtle actions and sounds that translate to nothing for no one else. But yet carry meaning between the two. The strange relationship he has with Stone is just as interesting as it is confusing, as he was one of the first to place distrust in her no matter the Princess’s feelings on the matter, and hardly let the Garo out of his sight for long least she cause terror or some other misfortune. Part of his mistrust being the inherent mistrust in strangers, and part of the teachings of the Sheikah about those who abandoned their people and embraced the demons in their blood. This view did change but it was a slow thing, realized in stages when Malik observed her and her interactions, realizing that though they were different there are similarities, similar values. He came to an acute realization that he does have much in common with the Garo and if circumstances were different he could have just as easily been born among them. After this, he began to show more signs of trust with her, including physical touch. A strange concept seeing as other than Vaati and the Princess, he would give rather swift and brutal retribution to any one invaded his personal space. Regardless of what others think and whatever conclusions they come to, Malik becomes close to his team mates, and if there were anyone other than the Princess he would die for, its them.