songerein | [open] fear’s only a choice

Entry tags:

[open] fear’s only a choice

Who: Link [OPEN]
Which: Interactive dream (with a passive dream option)
Where: ~it was all a dream~
What: Link sure is having some feelings about home right now
Warnings: some dark themes and big freakin monsters in prompt 2

i. it seems i have lost my way

a. [The sun shines down on you, warm in a gentle sort of way, but the more you move, the more you begin to feel a prickle of sweat beginning to bead. You remember some advice, though you don’t really remember getting it. One hand at a time. Find a place for your foot, and then a place for your hand. Make sure it’s sturdy. Your pace is slow, but manageable, and you know for certain that if you fall, there’s a gentle slope waiting to catch you not far below.

You are climbing a mountain, and you are nearly at the top. Your companion is already there, though you can’t see him anymore over the last few feet of rock. You take a moment to breathe, find another handhold, and— rattle! A few rocks come loose, clattering down the slope. Suddenly, your handhold doesn’t seem nearly as secure as it did before, but just as you start to worry that the rock beneath your fingers is going to fall, a hand reaches down for you. Finally, you see your climbing companion again: Link leans over the edge, extending his hand to help you up.]

Here. I’ve got you.

[Satori Mountain is beautiful, with its pink-blossomed tree and the small pond beneath it…but not nearly as beautiful as the view when you look outward from the mountaintop. Almost all of Hyrule stretches out before the foot of the mountain: towns, stables, ruins, and in the distance, another range of mountains. It’s picturesque and peaceful, marred only by the dark swirling shape that surrounds the castle in the distance.]

b. [On Satori Mountain or in other locations around Hyrule, you might find oddities to explore and investigate. Stumps with the shape of a leaf imprinted on them, a lone rock in a suspicious place, a red pinwheel that looks notoriously out of place, or even a weird bullseye balloon hovering in the air. There seem to be no limits to the tricks of the Koroks, and Link seems particularly determined to find their hiding spots. You’re more than welcome to join him in finding these puzzles, or any others.]

c. [Later in the evening, Link can be found outside of a town, hunkering down by a fire and a cookpot. Nothing’s on the menu just yet; for now, he seems content just to sit and watch the stars begin to light up the night sky. If you approach, he first gives you a momentary analyzing look, and then offers a nod in greeting.]

Care to join me?

[The breeze begins to turn chilly for the night; might not be a bad time to sit by the fire.]

ii. i’m being shadowed by my past

[The sky is dark, a a blackness that feels oppressive and all-encompassing. Clouds slink murkily across the sky overhead and an overlarge moon begins to rise, blood-red, casting red light across the land. Those who were here for Princess Zelda’s blood moon dream may recognize the effect, but the rest of the dream is quite different.

Link stands alone on the red-tinged field of ruins in front of Hyrule Castle, watching a dark, miasmic shape circle its highest turrets.

He’s not the tallest to begin with, but this monstrous form dwarfs him even further. For a moment, he almost seems to feel that, hanging back, clutching the Master Sword as it glows an ethereal blue. He takes a few deep breaths, steadying himself. Then, he steps forward, and the standstill is broken; the creature circling Hyrule Castle lets out a terrifying, earth-shaking roar, charging downward until it looms just overhead. The effect is menacing; Calamity Ganon is large from a distance, but up close like this, it’s utterly enormous, blotting out the blood moon above. Creatures begin to appear out of the darkness in overwhelming numbers. Link backpedals by a few steps, turning and locking eyes with you, unfortunate dream-sharer. His eyes are wide; is it surprise at your presence or apprehension at the foe in front of him? It’s impossible to say.]

You’re not supposed to be here.

[Or, if you’re not in a fighting mood, this dream can also be viewed as a passive recording, ending abruptly as the monsters and Calamity Ganon begin to swarm and outnumber Link.]

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It is.

[He's thoughtful for a moment, pouring rice into the warm pot, letting it sizzle a bit before he adds some water to it. He could leave it there, easily; he's often used cooking as a distraction in the past. A way to allow himself to be quiet. But doing so as often as he does...starts to feel a bit disingenuous after a while. Especially when he's around people he enjoys spending time with.]

I never had any magic of my own, [he says finally.] So it feels quite rewarding.

[A backup plan wouldn't go amiss, and Link nods in agreement, thinking on the idea for a moment. Many animals don't come out if they see or hear people nearby, so...maybe if they find some cover?]

We could hide over there for a while, if they don't take the bait.

[He gestures at a ridge nearby -- it goes down sharply to another flat area of rock, just out of sight from the mountaintop.]

Hm. They may be. Many never see them at all.

[ Rather than disappointment or envy, there's a flutter of excitement in Zelda's chest at Link's words. If he knows this much about it, then he must have met someone during his travels who has seen the creature, or perhaps even seen it himself.

The princess has only ever read about the Lord of the Mountain in books of Hyrulean legends and seen artists' renditions of what it might look like. If it's actually real, she might be able to see it herself!

Zelda nods to Link. They are really close to the tree and the pond. ]

That's a good idea. We don't want to frighten it.

[If Link had opted to sit in silence, Bennett would have gladly kept talking, rambling about whatever thought strikes his head. But he's grateful to have the conversation continue on.]

Really? [He's seen Link pull off some amazing feats. In fact, he'd rank Link as one of the most impressive adventurers he's ever seen, and if he were part of the Adventurer's Guild in Mondstadt, he'd surely one of their top stars, even without a Vision.]

Well, you don't need it. You're already an amazing adventurer even without magic!

[ She glances at the ridge he indicates. It would probably be better if he led the way, but perhaps she is a touch braver in a dream than she is in Reverein. She gets goosebumps from the view as they walk, though whether it is from the stunning view or the fear of falling, she cannot say. ]

Is... Is that why you are taking their picture?

[ Research...? ]

[All said, Link doesn't seem terribly worried that she might fall, whether because of the nature of the dream or because of the safety of the mountain. He's barely a step behind her as they move to their hiding spot, anyway -- if one of them fell, the other would be within reach. He doesn't have much experience in having company, but he assumes that's how it would work best...right?

He sort of half-shrugs at her question, offering a nod as they settle into the spot beyond the ridge.]

Yes. The person who asked for the picture has never seen them before.

[Well. "Person" may be a generous term, but a quest is a quest, whether the one asking is human, Korok, Goron, or anything else.]

[Princess Zelda has noted, on more than one occasion, that Link seems to be, as she puts it, "good at everything." But that's not entirely accurate: for example, he has quite a difficult time when it comes to taking a compliment. So when Bennett compliments him so eagerly, he finds his response is a bashful look and a sudden need to very studiously check on the dinner's progress as he tries to think out his response.]

...Thank you, [he says quietly, only after a moment's consideration. Then, after a pause, he adds more:] Have you always been so passionate about adventure?

[It's something he seems to talk about quite often. It must mean a lot to him.]

[ Every once and a while, she glances back to see if one has appeared. She's never seen them before either, but she has a feeling she'll know when they see one, so for whatever reason, she's not too concerned about that either. ]

Perhaps... we could do one better and capture one?

[ To be let go, hopefully, or cared for. Yet even as she says that, she feels it easier said than done. ]

If not, I can always find a book about them and their habits, and we can come back another time. I would not mind taking that hike again.

[Bennett sits back and smiles, watching the flames as Link does his thing with the food.]

Basically ever since I was old enough to talk. Maybe even before then, haha.

[There's a pause, as he observes the flames. The red Vision at his side seems to pulse and glow as if in tandem with the burning embers.]

I was orphaned as a baby, but an adventurer risked his life to find me. And then my dads who raised me... They're all retired adventurers from the Adventurer's Guild. So I guess you could adventuring is all I've ever known!

[Another pause, and then.]

But it's more than that. Because of all that, I wanna be as great of an adventurer as the people who got me here, maybe even greater! I think that's the best way I can show my gratitude for them.

You're not wrong. [Sorey draws a knee up and circles his arms around it, watching the darkness swirl as if he can keep it there as long as he keeps watching it. The logic of a child trying to trap an imagined monster in the shadows, maybe.]

...then again, every mountain looks too tall to climb from its base. I think everyone will be okay.

[Link's eyebrows lift at the suggestion. Capture one? Interesting. He didn't realize Susato was so daring (then again, he hasn't seen her toss tally). He hms thoughtfully in response, a faint smile flickering on his face.]

I wonder what it would do if we captured it.

[If they even could -- they're meant to be quite elusive. But he's nothing if not curious. The suggestion of a book makes a little more sense, really, and Link is about to say so when something by the pond catches his eye. A faint, greenish glow...he falls quiet, pulling out the Sheikah Slate, and moves closer to the edge of the ridge providing their cover.]

I think-- look, there.

[He nods toward the pond. Sure enough, a pair of feathery ears emerges from the pond, the rest of the Blupee's body close behind. Another follows, then one more -- three total, cautiously glancing about, their strange little ears twitching as they listen for threats.]

You were born into it, almost.

[Link offers a fond smile. The particularities are different, but some parts of it don't sound terribly unlike his own story -- so maybe he understands, a little bit. You grow up wanting to impress a parent and follow their path...and then that path becomes your own. I want to be just like them. How many times had he thought the same thing?]

That sounds like quite an adventurous life already.

[Link is quiet for a moment, watching Sorey watching the darkness. Thinking over those words. He wonders if this is something they share -- a sense of duty. A need to make things right.

He couldn't dare to think that Sorey may be right, but...he does, at least, hope.]

An appropriate metaphor. [He pauses a moment, unsure of what to say. Unwilling, perhaps, to speak that wish into existence, to risk it, too, becoming little more than a dream. In the end, he settles on Sorey, instead, voicing quietly:] ... Thank you.

[Link says so very much with so few words.

Sorey lifts his head just enough so Link will see his smile, resting his cheek on his arm instead to watch his friend instead of the malevolence. He doesn't speak for a moment, content to watch Link for a moment before closing his eyes to listen to the sounds of night in this oddly familiar, foreign place.

It's kind of like home. Sorey, on his one tiny mountaintop, for years knew nothing of pain and strife except for the far-off concept his grandfather would try to teach him. And now here he sits by a warm, inviting fire, in the presence of what feels like a kindred spirit while a phantom of the danger Link struggles with simmers in the distance.]

...do you know how to use that cooking pot? All I know is how to roast meat or smoke it for jerky.

[The way Sorey carries himself in this environment, the thoughtful smile, the air of peace that seems to settle around him...Link finds himself drawn into it, for a moment. Two adventurers sharing a campfire. How many nights like this did they have --him, the Champions, and Princess Zelda-- before the Calamity? How much did any of them need to hear words similar to what Sorey just said to him? And yet, it's not regret he feels, right now, but peace. A night shared with someone who seems to understand.

He lets the silence linger, letting it be filled by the crackle of the fire.

A faint smile works its way into his expression at Sorey's question, and he nods softly.]

I'm not sure how I'd be as a teacher, but I can try...if you want.

[ Susato can only imagine it would struggle, if they even managed to get that far. Plus, what would they capture it in...? She can't seeing them get very far, especially back down a mountain, with one squirming in their hands, no matter which one was carrying it. Before she can wander too far down this hypothetical scenario, however, Link draws her attention to their new visitors.

There's a quiet gasp as she swallows down whatever words wanted to come bubbling out of her mouth. She eyes then closely, seeing as how none of the three have noticed them yet.

She speaks in a whisper: ]

Their faces... they look almost like owls. [ Yet those feathery ears are reminiscent of rabbits. She glances over to Link, who's armed with the Sheikah Slate.

Now is his chance. ]

[Owls...? Link is quiet as he watches the creatures, but she's right. He never noticed before.

There is something remarkable about looking at his travels from a perspective outside of his own; this quest with Susato has reminded him of that more than once. Someday, when he's able to defeat Calamity Ganon...perhaps he'll be able to invite others along with him. Would his friends go? Would Princess Zelda? He would like to think so, but it's a little hard to say for certain. He'll have to ask.

But-- back to the task at hand. Indeed, this is his chance, and he must move carefully to make sure he doesn't startle the creatures. Unfortunately, when he's close enough to get a good picture, he's also close enough for the closest Blupee to hear the click! of the shutter on the Slate, and it bolts. As it does, it seems to vanish in a wisp of smoke. The other two don't move, for the moment.]

Haha, I sure hope so.

[It's what he's always strived for, living life in a way that would suit an adventurer, even despite his bad luck.]

Living a life full of adventure, up until the very last moment... That sounds like the perfect life to me!

[A life full of adventure...there's something quite poetic about it, isn't there? Link's response is a nod before he returns his attention to the cookpot long enough to dish the food onto a pair of plates.]

Here, [he says, handing one to Bennett.] Looks like it's ready just in time.

[Indeed, as he gestures toward the sky, the sun begins its slow descent toward the horizon. From their position on the mountaintop, they can see most of Hyrule bathed in its glow, shadows stretching longer over the hills and structures. Even the swirling malice encasing Hyrule Castle seems dwarfed by it.]

When it comes to cooking I'm not much of a student, but it would be fun to try! [Moreover, it would change the subject and distract them from the manifestation of doom in the background.] I'd love to help in any way I can, at the very least.

[ They don't move, but they do look quite alert, and their ears perk up at their fellow blupee bolting. Susato, with almost perfect timing, pushes against Link's head to lower him beneath the tall grass with her, preventing the remaining two from seeing either of them. She stays perfectly still, holding her breath as the blupees look on with heighted caution... before they are apparently satisfied, returning to the task at hand.

They seem to regard their rupees with curiosity, tilting their heads as she whispers to Link: ]

How was it? [ Did he get the picture? ]

[She, ah-- she really has a knack for this. ...is what Link thinks as she pushes him down into the grass -- and not a moment too soon, too. He lets out a breath he didn't quite realize he was holding, content just to watch the blupees sniff at the bait. They don't seem to be taking it, though...perhaps they were wrong about the little spirits wanting to eat them.

Link nods at her question, sliding the Slate a little closer so she can see the picture. It's slightly blurry and off-center, but otherwise definitely a distinct blupee.]

I think we got it.

[A blupee ear twitches as he first starts speaking -- he lowers his voice for the rest, and it returns to what it was doing.]

[Bennett gratefully accepts the plate of food. He wasn't sure how Link did it considering what they had to work with, but he definitely cooked up something impressive. Or at least it seemed impressive to Bennett, who usually had to live off of rations or the land itself when adventuring.]

Mmm, thank you!

[He looks out at the sight that was forming before them. It was truly an impressive, magnificent sunset. It reminded him of the sunsets at home, but it was somehow even more grand. Perhaps maybe because it was a new sight for him. ]

Wow... it's beautiful...

[ Whether the malice is only a manifestation of Link's dream or twisted, in part, by nightmare energy, Somnus takes no chances. He steps away from its advance, which, given his height, puts him back about a meter.

As it happens, he recalls that the "cure" for this so-called malice is Zelda's power, and if Link's current nightmare is based on Hyrule's reality (or rather, what Somnus' assumption of it is), then Link will not win this battle without her. However, this is also a dream. So, perhaps, drawing strength from the idea of her being safe will be enough. ]

Steady yourself, O knight. [ Somnus steps to the side of the advancing malice, brushing excess ooze off the heel of his sabaton upon the ground. Stones rattle with the weight of his steps as he strides over, joining Link. ]

And manifest valor from the future you envision.

[Truly, a distraction is just what's needed, in a moment like this.]

Sure. Could you gather those mushrooms?

[He gestures at a few red-capped fungi nestled beneath several of the nearby trees, and pulls some other supplies out of his bag.]

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[open] fear’s only a choice

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