#I LOVE DRAWING REVALI PREENING LINK

[avenin7]

Hii, if you're still taking revalink requests. Could we possibly get a lil revali preening link while he's not paying attention? I love that gay bird

I totally am! Thank you for the request!

I only had energy for a sketch right now but this was really fun!

Link is making dinner while his gumpy (not) boyfriend does very normal (not) boyfriend things

[enigmaticfossil]

How does Revali's Rito heritage influence his courting methods towards Link, a Hylian? Can you describe specific customs, rituals, and physical gestures that differ between the two cultures?

I had a few variants of this kind of question regarding cultural courtship practices and how it effects both sides. So I'll list some things that have been discussed for the RP my partner and I are writing (that eventually I want to write out in full form fanfic) This is so long I apologize, it's not entirely a comprehensive list of views I have but anyway!

Note: These are all just from our perspective and to suit the lore of our story, I don't claim any of it canonical, but I do use some evidentiary hints in the game to kind of draw a lot of my conclusions.

Rito have fierce traditions, that are deeply tied to cultural practices. There are the ones that are most obvious to outside observers. They are communal families, "it takes a village", children have parents but it is common for them to be raised amongst one another in close knit community. Their village is set up this way, open buildings to provide a sense of communal living. Most Rito court for the growth of the community and sometimes simply for companionship. Bonding for life isn't exactly rare, but it's uncommon & viewed with immense reverence, as when Rito bond for life, it is irrefutable. There has yet to be an instance of a Rito falling in love more than once.

This causes turmoil in Revali, when he starts developing feelings for Link. He's never allowed himself to consider it and presumed his goals and aspirations would always be his true focus, Link's slowly growing presence in his thoughts quickly proves to him that it wasn't a matter of distraction--he just simply hadn't met the one until Link. As he slowly unboxes his competitive nature and his desire to prove himself to Link, he starts realizing what it is all for.

Feather exchanges are reserved for familial or romantic pursuits, parents will gift their feathers to their young as a symbol of their support and bond. Gifting feathers when courting is another matter entirely, and is a deeply meaningful gesture. When Link unassumingly affixes one of Revali's randomly lost feathers to his bow, he doesn't realize the gossip he invites in. And Revali, insists he keep it as a "token between champions". He tries to rationalize it by stating that since the Rito already saw the feather, it would be a far greater embarrassment for him to suddenly remove it.

A deeper part of him--knows that him allowing Link to keep it is a rather blaring sign of his intent. One that all the other Rito will see and respect as a non-approachable territory. He just hasn't quite admitted that yet.

Rito express affection differently than Hylian's, cresting is a common sign of affection amongst courting pairs or from adults/parents to children. (Cresting: pressing foreheads together, it's sort of a nuzzling action and shares warmth between two Rito). Nipping is another form of affection that is strange from a Hylian standpoint. Both forms of affection are something Revali has been lacking in general, he is completely unaware of Hylian customs and finds himself hesitant to share his own as he isn't necessarily sure Link can understand the significance.

Anything we would consider explicitly sexual is typically reserved for offspring and isn't a common part of the courting process. For a Rito, intimacy is sharing space, preeing in front of another or preening together, music is also culturally significant to the Rito and sometimes relates to courting. Revali is particularly reserved about any of these practices--but as he grows comfortable with Link and drops these barriers, it becomes a significance that Link inevitably has to understand to understand Revali's feelings for him since they aren't stated point blank.

Feather braiding is ultimate courting significance between Rito since it indicates ties, braiding feathers into hair is a vow of it's own. An unspoken bond. Often used in marriage ceremonies. Some children will carry the feathers of their parents on their person or in their hair.

Revali doesn't let anyone touch his hair, but one day Link might be allowed that particular gesture.

As for Hylian practices, a lot of my headcanon's come from my perceived notion of Hyrule's extremely religious dogma. That would be a WHOLE other post though.

But a quick run-through on Link's perspective, he has spent much of his life training and seeking to be a knight like his father. He has struggled to make time for things outside of that and the few friendships he carried before becoming the "chosen hero" are very precious for him though he finds it difficult to maintain them on the same level due to the enormous pressure he's under.

With that in mind, he has not had time to pursue anything romantic, a trait he shares with Revali. There is a lack of experience on both sides, but with Link having such a limited view on it (likely the little he's seen through his own parents & maybe strangers)--he tends to notice the little quirks in Rito's more as he develops his own feelings as he spends more time around them when with Revali.

His first attempt to kiss Revali will absolutely go over with mass confusion as that is not an affection the rito will recognize. But he has noticed Eko & Brisae cresting, so he's picking up on the little things. Eventually, they'll have to accept a bit of give and take as they learn what things work for their unique relationship.

For Link, it's less how Hylian's court and more how he learns to approach his pursuit himself, he pays close attention to the things that seem to make Revali happy and repeats them. Revali likes his cooking, so he cooks for him. Revali likes praise, so he shares things he likes about him. They're both slowly opening up to each other and are both very observant individuals.