The bottom edge of the feather leads into a cuff fitted to Hylian ears. Revali traces the golden metal with touch and sight, avoiding Link when he sits down on Revali’s right again. Close enough to reach, far enough to not touch accidentally. Not an obligation, but an invite, or a promise. It forces Revali to take initiative. He holds onto the medallion with his left wing as he turns the limb around, feeling along the feathers with his right. When one moves along with the touch against the grain, he finds the base and gently removes it. The slight sting is replaced by a dull ache within seconds, and he keeps moving before Link can ask questions with his eyes. The back of the medallion, where the cuff and the feathers meet, has a small part where the metal is twisted open to fit the leather. With a little force, it twists open enough for one of the fake feathers to slip out. He puts it aside. He then takes his own feather and slips its end into the opening he created. He rearranges the feathers, lining them up to match the original shape, and pinches the metal shut again. Turning the medallion around, he gently pushes the feathers around until he’s satisfied. He looks at the object in his lap. Link won’t know what this means. The Rito will. One thing at a time.
'you are the wind at my back (you give what i lack)' on ao3
