#I love Anju and Kafei you guys

[musical-chan]

Father of Time Chapter 27: What makes you happy? Does it make others happy, too?

When Deity returned to the Inn later that night, he found his son perched on his bed with a strange instrument in his hands, made out of what were apparently fish bones.  He had never seen an instrument quite like that before, though what remained of his connection to Termina whispered an idea of a memory in his head. Link's unsure fingers would pluck out notes but they were often awkward and sour. 

"What is this?"

"Oh! Hey dad, I got a guitar at the Zora hall today! It cost a thousand rupees!  I used to play it with the mask but I bet I could learn it on my own too. I can kinda almost remember notes if I think about it."

"Ah."

"Hey, how'd the rest of your day go?"  The boy set the guitar on the bed, rubbing his fingers to ease the raw spots that had started to form.  Pressing on the strings was more painful with his regular fingers than he expected. 

"It was fine. I have settled my business here." 

"Can we go look at the tower tomorrow?" 

"Certainly." 

"Hey, um…" Link paused, grappling with the words he wanted to say. "I thought…you told me you weren't bothered by Termina.  So, um, this morning…and destroying the temple. Uh…"

"I did not realise until we came here that I was bothered. I'm sorry I inadvertently lied to you." 

"Oh man, no, dad, I don't think that's a lie really if you didn't know it. I guess I just thought maybe you weren't going to tell me or something."  A knock at the door paused the conversation and Deity walked over to open it.  Anju was there, holding the baby and smiling up at the god.  

"Oh, hello!  Kafei and I were wondering if you'd like to join us for dinner tonight? You're still our only customers and we can set up extra seating in the kitchen.  I thought it would be nice!"

Deity glanced over at Link and the boy nodded enthusiastically.  He looked back down at the redhead and inclined his head. "We would be honoured."

"Great!  It's all ready so come on down."

A year ago, if someone had told Link he was going to have dinner with his deity father and two friends from Termina, he would have thought that person was crazy.  It felt a little crazy even still. Everyone treated his father so normally here. Mostly normal; he still got the occasional look due to his height. At dinner, both Anju and Kafei were at ease, even sitting so close, and they involved him in conversations as much as they could. Deity never really understood the desire to fill a space with words but he would answer questions if asked and chuckled at all the correct places in stories. 

So it was about as normal of a dinner as Link could remember with his father.  Eating, talking, watching the baby make a horrible mess of itself.  Kafei was scooping out a third helping for Link and he glanced up at the god while setting the bowl down. "Did you need more?"

"I am fine. My thanks."

"For someone your size, I expected you would be the one who ate more but I can see why Link has gotten so tall.  He eats enough for an entire family."

"Mmmmph!"  The boy pointed his chopsticks at the chef with a glare but Kafei only laughed. Deity sighed at his son, wondering how long it would take him to remember his manners.

"Link, do not speak with your mouth full."

"Mrmph mrr."

Anju giggled as she scooped soft rice porridge for the baby. Not much ended up inside the infant but she did not seem concerned.  "So, Deity was it?  Does your height run in the family? Will Link be tall as well?"

"In a manner of speaking, yes. Though I doubt he will be quite as tall."

"Well, that's nice! He seemed like such a small boy back then but you two are so similar, it's no surprise he grew into the height. I bet he'll be taller than Kafei someday! 

Link blushed at being the focus of the conversation but at the same time it was nice.  It felt normal in a way he didn't get to experience often and he was glad the couple had invited them to dinner.  A part of him grew sad at the idea of leaving in a couple of days but a bigger part couldn't bear being away from Hyrule forever either.  He'd miss home and Malon and everyone else he'd grown close with.  But Termina wasn't that far away, right?  He could probably come visit!  As long as the tunnel in the forest didn't just disappear someday, he could come and go as he pleased.  Now that he knew this place was just as normal as home, he didn't think he wanted to give it up.

Later that night in bed, he stared up at the ceiling with his hands behind his head, thinking about home and Termina and all the other places he'd seen since freeing his father.  He loved the idea of travelling and seeing new places but he also wanted to do things at home. When spring came, he wanted to start a garden maybe. He wanted to keep working at the ranch. Maybe he could convince Talon that it was safe for Malon to visit. And they had to keep patrolling for all those new monsters showing up. How could he do all that and find time to travel? 

He paused for a moment, then exhaled loudly.  He was only thirteen. There was definitely going to be plenty of time to do lots of things.  He bet other kids his age didn't worry about that.  Those thoughts definitely seemed more like the weight of adulthood on him than normal worries. It would be fine.

He'd find a way for sure.  

After all, wasn't he the Hero of Time? He'd find a way to do it all. 

(Read the rest on AO3!)

so much lovely domestic fluff in this one. Also, you get to see what happened to the Stone Towers after FD was done with them.

[muchmossymess]

Okay I've been thinking more about my majoras mask boat boys au so here are some things (and cries for help)

So for those unfamiliar, majoras minecraft au (I think thats what I've been calling it??) is a relatively boat boys centric au but I want to contain other characters and such. Only problem, I dont watch that many people. So I call on the help of you lot of nerds! /aff

Oh and uh, if you don't know majoras mask, what are you doing with ur life go play it!! (or just learn a bit about it)

So we have etho as link and joel as tatl (fairy companion), grian as skull kid and jimmy as tael (also a fairy). That's about all I had confirmed back then, I have done a little thinking since then.

Mask salesman scar. You cannot tell me anything else it woks so perfectly. He keeps the masks in these sort of hidden compartments of his wheelchair, just like opens up a little door with a 'peruse my wares' look on his face.

Mumbo is the moon. No explanation needed. (I might make him someone else as well to give him a bit more of a role but like. cmon I had to)

Now in the more uncertain categories I've got postman pearl (duh, but I don't want to feel like im just shoving her to the side?), lizzie as either a great fairy (mby all of them bc why not) or zelda, bc a sheik lizzie would be great but she's not much in the story, and maybe oli (orionsound) is the zora mask, idr his name but he was weird and he was music so it feels appropriate.

Now onto a big hurdle is WHO WILL BE ANJU AND KAFEI!?!? Anju and kafei are THE love story of majoras mask, the are so cute and sad and I love them very much. I was first thinking impulse and bdubs (bc I am unoriginal and don't know many pairings, also the short bdubs jokes will never end) but then I was thinking hmm, maybe ren and martyn?, bc kafei has a cute lil canine mask and the fits ren and also he's the mayors son so like power? (can you tell I only watch like 3 people) and then martyn is there being all worried girlfriend (anju in game is not flattened to love interest dw).

I've also been thinking very baseline with a few of these but cleo as the gibdo mask man in ikana, gem as the fierce diety mask or maybe the goron mask, bdubs as romani (or epona lol), and like a ties/best/ect thing for the bombers (- etho ofc), maybe tango as cremia

Anyway so yeah because of the IMMENSE amount of characters I am asking for y'alls aid. Some other notable characters (that I know about) are: shikashi/the telescope guy, the professor, Pierre the scarecrow, the indigo-gos (especially lulu), deku princess, deku butler (and his dead son), sharp and flat, kotake and koume, kaepora gaebora/that really big fucking owl, the four giants, the rosa sisters, kamaro, guru guru, and finally, grog.

(Oh, and tingle is chat personified ;P)

[jullbnt]

Hello :D besides Zelink, are there any other loz ships you ship? :3

Oh hello thanks for asking!! I guess I'm going to disappoint you though cause I don't really ship anyone else? Besides Zelink variations such as Shink or Hylink of course (I'm dying to draw something with Hylia and the Fierce Deity... I love that stuff 🥹)

I guess the only couple that comes to my mind is Anju and Kafei, but they're canon so 😅. I'm not exactly obsessed with them either but their quest is my all time favorite (pretty sure I’m not the only one). Also I'm convinced Kafei is meant to be Link's equivalent in Termina with, you know, his whole business of being an adult trapped in the body of a child and being torn apart from his love because of it. A bit of a stretch maybe but I can't unsee the parallel with OoT Zelink!! So yeah they're meaningful to me but for Zelink related reasons again...

As for the main characters I'm not really interested in Link or Zel being with anyone else. I understand that some people can find these two cliché/boring/forced or whatever, but for me seeing them as soulmates/eternal lovers makes their stories so much better and emotional (I'm also really into the "union of wisdom and courage against absolute power" symbolism, I wish the Triforce would be brought back in the games for that reason).

That being said I don't mind some other ships, mostly Malink (I love Malon and can definitely see her with Link if Zelda is not an option), Midzel (cause I've seen some amazing fanart and it kinda makes sense to me, I much prefer it to Midlink) or Link/Marin (but I see it as some sort of dream version of ALttP Zelink so...). I'm not actively looking for that stuff and am not interested in drawing it cause I'll always prefer Zelink, but I don't mind stumbling upon it.

I guess the one ship I really don't like is Sidlink? Or anything with Link and a Zora character really (yeah sorry haha). Also Ganlink/Zelgan tend to make me a bit uncomfortable (except if Ganon is portrayed as a good guy but that’s still not really my thing). Same for any villains, I'm just boring like that I guess

Oh also. Ilia. I don't dislike her as a character but I hated how she was forced on Link in TP (like most people I suppose?)

And that's all I have to say? I didn't think I would end up writing that much, sorry for rambling a bit 😇

(and also for my English. I'm always a bit nervous when I write something long)

In case this wasn't obvious I very much enjoy talking about LoZ so feel free to ask me anything haha 😁

[skyloftian-nutcase]

Final Hour (Linked Universe fanfic)

(@artisticgamer, @ludoluck sorry I keep forgetting to tag you guys for my writing)

Inspired by @kikker-oma's amazing Fierce Deity art. Love your talent and your creativity, Oma! <3

Summary: When everything goes horribly wrong, Time desperately attempts everything in his power to fix it. Wind instead chooses to be the self sacrificing Hero, but the end result isn't what Time expected it to be.

(AO3 link)

The clocktower tolled.

He saw her. He saw Zelda standing in front of him, sad and beautiful and aged beyond her years, just like him. He saw her morose smile, the tears threatening to spill from her eyes, her steady resolve despite it all. He saw her play the ocarina as she grew ever smaller and farther away while his hand reached out desperately for her.

The clocktower tolled.

He saw her. He saw Malon smiling sweetly at him, bright and beautiful and innocent, like how he used to be. He saw the freckles on her cheeks pull as she giggled and called him by that nickname she’d made up a lifetime ago. He saw her eyes grow fierce with a desire for adventure as she worked with an unruly mare. He saw her twirl as they danced together.

The clocktower tolled.

He saw them. He saw Anju and Kafei’s love and desperation and acceptance in their eyes as they held each other, as she said they’d greet the morning together while his hand held hers in a white knuckled grip. He saw them tremble as he turned and ran outside.

The clocktower tolled.

He saw them. He saw the Heroes of Hyrule, how they were all young, experienced, hurt, filled with power and hope and light. He saw how they emanated a strength that couldn’t be quantified, an inherent resolve and determination to their core that shone through and resonated between each and every one of them, a shared bond and unbreakable spirit. He saw their uniqueness, their wonder, their gifts and quirks.

And he saw them fall, one by one.

The clocktower tolled.

They’d been wounded. They’d been weak. They’d just fought multiple hordes and had been desperately trying to get to the nearest village. They’d known it hadn’t been far, from the forest they could hear the bells of a clocktower in a nearby town.

There had been a split in the path. Time had chosen the route.

The clocktower tolled.

This wasn’t supposed to happen. It couldn’t happen.

The black blooded dragon roared again, held at bay by the few still standing. He heard a scream, and a body collapse on the ground. He couldn’t even tell who was still standing anymore; he’d been one of the last to fall. Nearly everyone had stilled, no longer writhing in agony or sheer force of will.

Except for Wind.

The sailor groaned as he desperately crawled forward, reaching above Time, whose hand was overhead as he’d been grabbing desperately at one of his items when he fell, as he’d been willing to throw his life, sanity, everything away in a frantic attempt to fix this.

The wooden mask barely was within his grasp, propped by a finger.

Despite the severity of the situation, despite the cold silence of his companions, despite the clocktower ringing in his ears, a reminder of time after time of facing death and life and everything in between as his entire journey flashed before his eyes, he wanted to save Wind from this. The mask was too dangerous for anyone else. What good would such a victory do if the child was lost to the darkness?

“Please, Wind… no.”

He had other methods he could call on.

He had other items he could use.

The Hero of Time was nothing if not relentless. He never gave up. Never. Not even now, not even when he was bleeding to death, when the world around him blurred and dulled, when his mind was screaming and running into the past rather than focusing on the present. Not even now. He’d spent a lifetime perfecting three days over and over and over until he could get everything right and save everyone. He refused to let this be any different.

“You said…” Wind pleaded desperately, his voice trembling, tears and blood and phlegm rolling down his face from what little of it Time could see. With a hiccup, he continued, “You said it’s for emergencies, right? It’s okay, I’ll save you!”

I’ll save you. A last, desperate, pleading promise. The others couldn’t be saved, but Time was still here.

Time’s hands fumbled around his belt, desperately searching for the item he needed.

The clocktower tolled. The dragon roared again, any obstacle between it and the last pair of heroes long gone.

The mask slipped from Time’s finger, a rough disappearance as if it had been pulled.

“Sailor,” he tried again, his voice barely above a whisper, his world spinning and fading fast. He had to move.

Wind screamed.

The noise jolted Time out of his stupor, adrenaline feebly trying to awaken what little life essence he had left in him. He had enough energy to look up and see a figure towering over him where Wind originally had been crawling.

The monster bore Wind’s curls, bleached white. It bore Time’s armor, with a decorative fairy pendant dangling in the breeze as it stood stock still. Wind’s face was older, chiseled, once-chubby cheeks pulled taught over cheekbones that shouldn’t be so developed. Its eyes glowed, contrasting the purple and blue markings that cut across its face.

The Fierce Deity.

Time let out a desperate breath, unable to speak anymore, and watched helplessly as the cursed mask made Wind’s possessed body march across the field towards the dragon that awaited him. He couldn’t see the fight, but he could hear it. He heard the grunts, deeper than they should be, the fierce battle cries, the screeches from the dragon as its opponent landed cut after cut. He breathed hastily, feeling his heart quicken, feeling his body begin to grow numb, and he again searched desperately on his belt for the one thing that could change everything.

Warriors was gone. Sky was gone. Four was gone. Legend was gone. Hyrule was gone. Wild was gone.

Twilight was gone.

Time was going to be damned if he would let Wind fall in the worst way possible.

The clocktower tolled.

The dragon screamed, and the earth shook.

And then everything grew silent.

Time gasped for air, trying to raise his head, wanting to call for the young sailor, for the brightest ray of sunshine in the group, for the one last surviving member.

He couldn’t move.

So this is how I meet death? He wondered. On the verge of tears, an utter failure to all who depended on me?

He remembered the people of Termina. He remembered how they all faced death in their own ways. He thought of Cremia and Romani, of Anju and Kafei.

Goddesses. He missed Malon so desperately right now.

Heavy footsteps approached him, and he blinked, the world coming back into focus long enough for his body to scream that he couldn’t take any more of this. A blurry image hovered over him, and he squinted, confused, until his mind registered who he was staring at, and his hands finally found the item they’d been searching for.

The Fierce Deity knelt down slowly, eyes fixed on him. When his knees sank into the ground, he reached slowly, sliding a hand behind Time and pulling him into a seated position. Time cried out in pain with the motion, and the cursed deity paused only a moment before reaching his other hand towards the Hero of Time’s fumbling hands, pulling the ocarina from their grasp. Time tried to protest, tried to fight against his possessed successor’s hold, but he was too weak to do anything. Then amethyst rose into his periphery, and he looked down to see the Ocarina of Time hovering in front of his lips.

“Play, Link,” the Fierce Deity said, Wind’s higher voice pitched into a deeper timber and holding power and energy the boy didn’t usually possess. “Save them, as you always do.”

Time stared at the deity, his fears and thoughts stolen away. The pair was frozen for a moment, the world pausing around them, time itself holding its breath in anticipation. A gentleness fell over the cursed deity’s face, and Time felt the thumb behind his back caress him once, ever so softly. Understanding slid between the two, a heavy, bone deep realization that dug into Time’s mind more than he could fathom in the moment, a certainty and safety and assurance and comfort that he'd somehow always felt but always ignored. He let out a shaky exhale and, with trembling hands, took the ocarina from the Fierce Deity.

And he played.

The world turned white.

Time felt warmth engulf him, like an embrace from tender arms. Magic sparkled inside his mind and heart, a familiar friend, singing and resonating with his song like fairies humming together, a melody entwined in mystery and grace. His horizon shifted, and he was on his feet, set there gently as if floating through the air. The warmth spread from his core to his extremities, the numbness in his fingers dissipating, the stabbing pain of his own armor piercing his gut dulling into nothingness. The blood on him washed away with invisible waters, and an airless breeze blew the dirt off his body. He continued to play, the melody growing steadier as his strength returned, his determination steeling him, tightening his weakened muscles and bringing an assurance that he hadn’t felt since Termina.

Save them, as you always do.

Oh, the countless times he’d played this hymn, this spell, this prayer. Oh, the countless times he’d clung to it desperately as he tried again, the numerous times he’d played it in tears at his failure, the many times he’d nearly belted it in fortitude as he prepared with renewed hope and a plan in place.

Save them, Link.

“Really, old man? You’re playing your ocarina right now? We have wounded, we need to get moving.”

Time’s eyes snapped open at the sound of Legend’s voice.

They were all there, tired and hurt but alive. Sky was leaning against Hyrule, eyes half closed but body stiff with stubbornness, while Hyrule held him with a fierce protectiveness. Legend was watching him impatiently, scraped and bruised but relatively unharmed and clearly anxious to get help for the others. Four and Warriors were bringing up the rear, watching everyone’s backs and growing ever more confused by the turn of events. Wind hovered with some distress between Sky and Wild, who was the other most injured member of the group, though the champion was well looked after in Twilight’s hold as the rancher carried him on his back.

Twilight.

Time stared at him too long, meriting a worried expression from the rancher. “You alright?”

Blinking the oncoming tears away, the eldest Link took a deep breath and nodded. “Let’s keep going.”

“That’s what I said,” Legend grumbled, turning back towards the road ahead.

“Yeah, but which way?” Twilight asked, staring at the fork in the road.

The clocktower tolled.

Time pointed left.

“But I can hear the bells to the east of here,” Hyrule noted as he steadied Sky a little. “Shouldn’t we take the path on the right?”

“We’re taking this one,” Time said firmly, brooking no argument. The group followed him silently as he tried to reorient and move ahead like nothing had happened.

His hand slipped into his adventure pouch subconsciously as they walked, and the group started to talk amongst themselves, their voices the most beautiful things he’d ever heard. His heart rate began to normalize, and he closed his eyes, basking in the safety of seeing and hearing everyone alive again.

His fingers brushed against wood in his pouch, and they tingled with warm energy that climbed all the way up his arm, through his shoulder, and into his core. He took another steadying breath, clutching the mask tenderly as an entirely different set of emotions nearly knocked him to the ground, confusion and relief and hope and fear and curiosity above all else.

Another time. Today he tread ahead cautiously and protected his family.

Today he saved them, as he always would.

[narbevoguel]

Aroaceptember day 3: more bestiefest.

I was very reluctant to post about these characters in particular, because romance is involved in a way, but not between them. But I'll try to make a more general post about it (it'll make sense as you read it, trust me, I just like to ramble about this and I don't want to make multiple days about the same game).

I am talking of course, about Cremia and Anju.

It is no secret to everybody that the game strongly implies she has a crush on Kafei (Anju's fiancee), and the wording has some people think that she has feelings for her best friend instead, but once again, I think that just diminishes the value of true friendship two people can have. She introduces Anju as her friend, and shows some concern about her wedding, as she points out that the Moon looks way bigger than before.

There's also rumors among people that say he must have eloped with Cremia instead, rumors that must have caught up to her at some point because she does show some annoyance at being asked about his whereabouts, while it could be because her relationship with Madame Aroma might not be the greatest (the dialogue here kinda has a weird tone to it), it could also be because she might not be very happy about one of her friends being gone like that and making her other friend worry. After all, she does talk to you about Anju, but never about Kafei, she says it's 'her [Anju] wedding', not both her friends' wedding. To me this woman values her friendship with Anju way more than any romantic feelings she might have for her friend's partner, not giving a crap about what others have to say (she is busy going through some bad stuff, after all), and devoting what little time she has left for her sister (it always seemed to me that Cremia seems to be the only character that acknowledges that no matter how far they're from Clock Town, the Moon will destroy all of Termina).

While I'm at it, I would also like to address Kafei for a brief while, he seems too much of a proud man, reluctant to ask for help in his moment of need, and as a result, gets people gossiping about crap that doesn't concern them, not to mention he doesn't even tell his friend, the Curiosity Shop Man, about his problems, he only does at last minute, much to his friend's surprise. Is not that he didn't value the friendship, after all the Curiosity Shop Man mentions that he didn't know Kafei would keep a gift he gave him many years back for so long, and took care of it so well, but I believe he is a lesson in this game that sometimes we have to reach out to our friends in our time of need, and this is evident in the quest itself, the only reason Kafei succeeds is because you, the player, help him out.

Not to mention that sometimes, we might find people out there that appreciate our company or don't mind it to the point they might have a level of understanding no one else can.

Out of all the people that know him, this guy is the only one that understands him better than most, and doesn't judge him. We gotta hold those people close to us.

I wanted to bring up Majora's Mask in general because people seem to think the game is just a dark one, but it is not, is the dark tones that emphasize the real themes of the game: (not necessarily romantic) love and friendship, most of these themes are shown in friends struggling to communicate or understand each other (Kafei and his friends), friends unable to help one another (Cremia and Anju), people who care about their families that would do the utmost for them (Madame Aroma staying back in town, despite is certain demise in the case she can see her son one last time, the Butler's hopeful wait to see his son again, Mutoh and Dotour's mutual concern for their families, Cremia wanting to do nothing but spend time with the only family she has left, Pamela doing her best to protect her father, even though he's become a partial monster, Gorman leaving his brothers' behind to become successful), friends who are willing to sacrifice themselves for their loved ones (Darmani doing the best he can for his own people, even at the cost of his own life); if you ever replay this game or play it for the first time, keep this theme in mind, and observe the world around you. Even less interactable characters have the very same lesson to teach you, in a way:

Heck, this entire game is about friends always being there for you no matter what, most of its premise is that the Skull Kid thought his friends had abandoned him and were mad at him when it wasn't the case.

[smilesrobotlover]

I’ve read most of the mangas so I think I’m gonna rank them all since nobody asked for it. I haven’t read the tp manga just yet and I’m not including the skyward sword Hyrule hystoria manga for the sake of my sanity (and the mangas that are one story separated into two books are counted as one except for oracle of ages and seasons)

1. Four sword- the characters are so fun and are great to play around with. Shows perfectly how important characters are to a story. They had to give each Link a defining personality different from each other and the way they bounce off each other was just so much fun. Not to mention the dynamic with shadow was interesting and adding a father to Link was also fun to read. And I was fond of this Zelda! A more sweet character but could also roast you if needed. I liked how she fought with her words more than anything else.

2. Oracle of ages- again, great character dynamics and a very interesting story! It wasn’t the damsel in distress trope so it was more refreshing to read than the others. And sir raven is just… a perfect man. Also Impa my beloved

3. Majoras Mask- the way this was written was so beautiful. The weird spookiness from the game was perfectly captured (for this being released without playing the game, that’s impressive) and the story was so… sad yet wonderful. The emphasis on loss and death just kinda makes it somber. And Skull kid’s backstory legitimately makes me want to cry everytime I read it. Poor kid :( the ending was epic too, gosh I loved watching Link put on the FD mask and going ape 💩 cuz of the righteous anger he feels towards majora, and him condemning the Happy mask salesman was also nice. You can tell this Link matured from oot. Also Kafei and Anju were so pure.

4. Oracle of seasons- I really enjoyed the beginning of this! Sometimes the mangas are so short that everything feels incredibly rushed and chaotic but this one was more chill! I mean, we saw Link hang out with the traveling performers for a while, a lot longer than I expected, and it really helped the pacing a lot. I also liked the characters Link hung out with. Ricky, Maple, and the chicken had fun dynamics! Overall, much better pacing than the others.

5. Ocarina of time- this one was pretty great, I loved how Sheik was written, he was the most interesting part of the story imo. I also loved Link, very kind and gentle but sometimes mischievous and just a great guy. Very determined. My only issue is how Zelda was written. I loved her in the beginning wanting to be a normal little girl, but naturally, as any Zelda with an alter ego, she fell short compared to Sheik, who was fantastic. And these stories can’t go 5 seconds without a damsel in distress so. But I liked it! And I liked the side characters! The whole Lon Lon ranch thing was fun too! Also Impa my ABSOLUTE beloved

6. Phantom hourglass- A more simple story but a fun one. Loved Ciela and Linebeck’s dynamic and the style was so fun. Also the ending was better written than the game imo. This is the only licensed Nintendo thing made that didn’t do tetra DIRTY. She was the girlboss she was meant to be, and tho she needed to be saved, she had a much different personality than the other Zelda’s so it felt less redundant. And not to mention, she acted more like a capable captain in the end and it was SO GOOD. I also personally liked that Bellum went after the ocean king, that was a cool scene too see. Shame it ended so quickly. My only issue is not enough Dadbeck 😔

7. Minish cap- this one was pretty fun! But I wasn’t a huuuuge fan of how Link was written. But he was tiny the entire time and it was adorable, and the ending was so bittersweet . Also Minish Vaati was adorable, honestly all the Minish were adorable. There’s just not a lot to say about it tho. Nothing really stuck out to me. Zelda had the same personality as every other Zelda so not much to say about her either.

8. A Link to the Past- not the best story. It’s not a rereadable story and it’s kinda boring. I adore Link’s personality and lbl legend is based after him, but the other characters were more eh. I liked the thief girl a little. But my biggest gripe was Zelda. I feel like Zelda’s in these mangas are all written the same but she’s written differently in a bad way. Apparently she was made more soft for romance but that just made her flat, boring, and also annoying. There were a lot of interesting characteristics to be done with her personality tho, but it wasn’t done. Which is a shame. But I did like the ending. It was very sweet (again, Link is an absolute sweetheart).

[princerevelucide]

could you explain the kafei anju plot for an anon who hasnt played majoras mask?? they really should play it tbh

of course!!

kafei and anju are two young lovers set to get married on the day of the carnival of time, which is also the day the moon is gonna fall and kill everybody if you don't stop it. however, a month prior to the beginning of the game, kafei suddenly went missing and nobody has any idea what happened to him.

his mother will mistake link for an investigator she hired to locate him, and after witnessing anju receive a letter from kafei he sends while he's still MIA, you can meet up with her at midnight to get her reply letter and she'll ask you to post it so you can track the postman, who seems to know something, when he delivers it and therefore find kafei.

it turns out he's hiding in the backroom of the curiosity shop, run by his nameless buddy, and has been there the whole time. he was turned into a child by skull kid via the power of majora's mask itself, which kafei is actually not that worried about, but his main concern is that his wedding mask, important for the marriage ceremony in termina, was stolen from him afterwards by a completely different character, sakon.

kafei gives you his pendant to give to anju as a promise that she'll see him again, which causes her to stay in town instead of fleeing from the moon (if you forget to give it to her, she will leave town and you have to start over). you then help kafei track down sakon (the guy just shows up at the store that night and kafei bolts off-screen) and go through a little puzzle-combat gauntlet together to retrieve his mask, and kafei will run back to town on his own.

anju waits in the staff room of the inn and kafei will show up at 4:30am (in-universe hr and a half before the end of the world), say a few words to each other, tiny child-bodied kafei leaps into anju's arms, and they seal their vows via their wedding masks and you receive the result as a reward.

their wedding also plays out during the credits if you complete the quest, but sadly the whole thing is from kafei's pov and then blocks him when it moves away, so you have no idea what he looks like, but presumably he was brought back to his adult age??? all things considered i don't see why he wouldn't be but also they never say whether he is though. so. (but he does in the manga)

the whole thing obviously sounds a lot better in context especially if you get all the little details too (ie. the rumors that kafei got cold feet and has run off with cremia which anju's mom believes and which cremia detests if you ask her about him; that the buddy sheltering kafei has known him since he was actually a kid and gave him the keaton mask he's known for; that anju and kafei have known and loved each other since they were kids; that in the 3ds version you can find a little group photo of young anju, kafei, and cremia together)

but i hope this is comprehensible and also not too much info all at once? i might have skipped something in my excitement as i am very autistic about them you see !!!!!

[dekupalace]

Link from Legend of Zelda for questions 4, 12, and 26 (which game has your favorite version of Link?)

CHARACTER ASK GAME!!! 💫

4. If you could put this character in any other media, be it a book, a movie, anything, what would you put them in?

we ARE getting a movie which intrigues me but also terrifies me, AND we've gotten manga adaptions of some of the games (I need to read tp but I'm waiting for like. a collectors edition or something so I can get all of the volumes at once), but I think I'd want an anime of some sort...the fight between link and pit in palutena's smash bros reveal trailer did something to me. and also the intro to link's awakening on the switch???? GIVE ME MORE OF THAT!!!

12. What's a headcanon you have for this character?

TIME TO TALK ABOUT MAJORAS MASK AGAIN YEEAAHH okay okay okay so. I have soooo many thoughts about mm link but one of my biggest is that the fierce deity markings (the red and blue ones on the mask) stay on his face after he uses the mask in the final fight. they can't come off no matter what. call me basic but something something it's similar to pink pearl/volleyball's scar so it's like...a mental thing. my poor little guy has been through so much shit he's gonna have SOMETHING if wounds go away after every loop

also anju and kafei are his found family. I don't make the rules that's just canon. nintendo told me so

26. FREEBIE QUESTION!!

smiles cutely and bats my eyelashes. based on my previous answer who do you think my favorite link is--

jokes aside I love the oot/mm games...but it's a tie between the hero of time and the legendary hero (link to the past/oracle series/link's awakening) I just love the little guys that go through so much shit yknow. throw em in the torment nexus and they become my favorite

[mrslittletall]

Who's your favourite Zelda (character) from the TLoZ games?

Oh, hm, that is a hard question actually... Because there are many amazing characters, but I actually really like the different incarnations of Link? Like, Link is just enough protagonist to have a personality, but also blank enough that you can project onto him and I really like how they walked the tighttrope with him ^^ Hm, when I have to go with favourite characters, let me see if I can find some for each game. Starting with Link's Awakening, because honestly, Zelda 1 to 3 barely had characters. Or shall I count "It's dangerous to go alone" guy? LA -> Always liked Tarin and Marin. I actually like to think that Marin was not actually dreamt up by the windfish but by Link himself. She is said to look exactly like Zelda, but how should the Windfish know about Zelda? It makes so much sense to me ^^ OoT -> Saria and Ruto were favs always ^^ MM -> Oh gosh, which character is NOT to love here?! MM has some of the best cast in all of Zelda. But I think I have to go with Anju and Kafei and their gigantic sidequest and their devotion to each other. That one is so wholesome and so tearjerking at the same time. Will never forget Anju waiting for him while the final hours play. OoT and OoS -> Queen Ambi for OoT hands down! I love Queen Ambi! Ralph is also great ^^ For OoS it is Princess Rosa. She isn't even a princess, she is a pop idol ^^ But she is cute and she is a subrosian and I love that she travels through Labrynna if you link to OoT. Wind Waker -> I like the pirates ^^ And Aryl. But I think I have to go with Tetra and the King of Red Lions. Best incarnations of Zelda and the King ever. TP -> Thelma, the bar woman ^^ She is just amazing. And I really like her cat ^^ Phantom Hourglass -> LINEBECK! We love character development! Spirit Tracks -> Byrne was his name, I think? His theme song is cool, his battle is cool and as with Linebeck, we love some character development ^^ Minish Cap -> I really really like the Zelda incarnation of Minish Cap. Skyward Sword -> Groose! I just am a sucker for character development ^^ A Link Between Worlds -> Gosh, I loved all the sages. But also Ravio and Hilda. The game is full of memorable characters. Breath of the Wild -> The mushroom sisters xD Haha, nope, I think it is clearly Sidon here. TotK -> From the new characters, Rauru and Sonia are amazing! Haha, whoops, here is someone who played all the Zelda games xD

[arcaneseason4]

Comfort Character time!!!! :D

Naoto Shirogane (Persona 4) - She's just so cool man. She's calm, collect, smart and skilled as well as absolutely freaking adorable sometimes. I want to give her a massive hug. Now that I think about it, I think she would actually kind of melt from that show of affection lol.

Sei Asagiri (Va-11 Hall-a: Cyberpunk Bartender Action) - Been a while since I played her game so memory may be a little fuzzy but I remember relating to her immensely, no not the part about being a former member of a corrupted police force lmao, I mostly related to little quirks in how she spoke and understood people and things in the world around her. I detected a hint of the tism in her behavior, which is probably why I was easily drawn to her as an autistic person myself. But if my memory is just way off course here I still think she's just really sweet, felt like my best friend in the game :)

Greirat the Thief (Dark Souls III) - This guy felt most like my best friend in all of Lothric in my first play through of DS3, and to this day he still stands as one of my favorite characters from souls. He's just a lovable little guy!

Aigis (Persona 3) - I love this robot so much omg. I find everything about her just adorable. To her curiosity about everything around her to her unwavering desire to protect. I think we'd both be dead set on protecting each other and getting on each other's case for putting themself in danger for the other lmao.

Kafei and Anju (Majora's Mask) - You can't stop me from including both of them here lmao. These two had what was probably my favorite side story in the whole game. Bringing them together mere minutes before the end of the world hit me so hard the first time I played. I made it my mission to do the whole quest to bring them together before fighting Majora on my final cycle. They deserve to be able to greet the morning together.

5 Comfort Characters, 5 Tags

Thanks for the tag @mako-neexu, this seems pretty fun.

Kim Dokja from Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint (orv)

Bedivere from fgo

Watanuki Kimihiro from XxxHolic

Romani Archaman also from fgo (i cry thinking of this man)

Xiao from Genshin Impact

Honorable Mentions (bc they deserve it): Oberon Vortigern, Dimitri fire emblem, Scaramouche/Wanderer, Xie Lian tgcf.

Tags: @loomss, @chaoticending, @torrentialslide, @lee-hakhyun, @thevoidofshitposts. Of course, it's completely optional, and anyone interested can participate.

[powdermelonkeg]

Please, PLEASE expand on the Kafei being Terminan (?) Link idea. I have already drawn fanart of it--

Ravio, Kafei, and Link are all part of a matched set; each of them possesses the spirit of courage that rests within their world, whether or not they realize it.

Ravio, we've already been shown, mirrors Link in his origins.

In A Link Between Worlds, he serves as Lorule's hero, under its princess. He collects items across the world in the hopes of aiding Hyrule's hero (for a price, of course. Loruleans need to secure their own safety before others), and he refuses to betray the trust of innocent people for his own gain.

The main difference between Ravio and Link is the Lolian's personality.

While Link is usually quiet and reserved, Ravio is loud, outgoing, and...brutally honest about himself. He admits that he's a coward, that he's not cut out to be a hero like Link is. A stark difference, but one we most often attribute to Lorule's sorry state rather than to a fault of Ravio's. After all, we've seen Thieves' Town; we know how bad the world he lives in can change a person.

But why is this important for dear Kafei?

Because Kafei mirrors the opposite part of Link. He has a different origin, but the same personality and knack for dungeons.

Allow me to explain.

When we first meet Kafei, he's—according to Anju—been missing for a month, Skull Kid having cursed him to revert back to when he was younger (Terminian time exists somewhat outside of Hyrulean; we've got enough headaches with the extended timeline as it is without adding to the mix).

Already, we see an eerie parallel to Ocarina of Time. A force of good sealed Link away for seven years, while a force of evil clocked back Kafei for his own seven.

On top of that, Kafei here wears the Keaton mask, which we later receive from the guy he's been boarding with. The Keaton mask is the very first mask you get in Ocarina of Time, from the Happy Mask Salesman’s doppelganger.

Our next hint at their connection comes from their faces. Kafei's face, when revealed, looks strikingly like Link's adult face.

The biggest differences, apart from color palette, are that Kafei's hair is wilder and his eyebrow shape is inverted from Link's. But even if we consider the colors...we get some interesting results.

It's impossible to get real gold with the weird highlights Kafei's hair has, but if we focus on the darker parts, changing them to gold turns Link's hair bluish purple, while nearly perfectly inverting the two's eye colors and tunics. They have a tweaked palette inversion, with the exception of their skin tone.

And then we have the true show of Kafei's claim to heroism in his quest.

We chase Kafei into Satou's hideout, where the Sun Mask he wants to exchange with Anju lies.

He steps on a pressure plate as he tries to get it back, and the security measures Satou left behind take effect. But Kafei doesn't panic—he starts ordering Link around.

He knows puzzles. He knows exactly how these work, despite their being a product of Majora's influence.

Not only that, but we get to control him. For a brief moment in the game, he is the hero, with the same movements and techniques that Link has.

He even does the same victory pose when achieving his goal.

But the final thing, the one that sealed his role in for me, was his reaction to the end of the world.

The moon is falling.

Clock Town is crumbling around them.

And yet Kafei runs home to Anju, despite his curse, despite the fear everyone else has.

He says his wedding vows, which, to his knowledge, will be his last act living, wanting to spend his final moments with the woman he loves.

He invites Link, who is surely doomed too, to seek refuge in the comfort of his and Anju’s home. A small thank you for fulfilling his last wishes.

And he faces certain death bravely.

Because the people he cares about

Are worth more to him

Than securing his own safety alone.

Kafei shows courage when it comes to looking after those he loves.

It’s no wonder Majora wanted to get him out of the way quickly.

[musical-chan]

Father of Time Chapter 28: A Parting Need Not Last Forever

Deity declined the invitation to go out that night so it was just Link and Aevum. The goddess had not been changing her age much recently and tonight was no exception, though she had traded her robes for something more like a dress that shimmered faintly in the lights.  The bar was right next door so the walk was not long but it meant they were there before he remembered what he needed to get inside. As they walked up, the sudden realisation hit him.

"Er, Aunt Aevum…"

A small, square hole opened up in the door and someone looked out.  They eyed the goddess up and down, then looked over at Link.  "You are not members."

"I'm sure it will be fine." There was the barest hint of power in Aevum's voice. 

The hole closed and was followed by a long pause; the sound of voices arguing on the other side was plain though Link couldn't make out the words.  Once again the square popped open and the voice on the other side sighed. "Look, we can't let the kid in here without proof."

"UG, fine."  With a flourish, Aevum pulled the cow mask from somewhere and dropped it on Link's head.  He protested loudly as it flopped over his eyes. "He's with me. It's fine.  See?"

With no further complaint, the door opened and the goddess swept in, Link following behind.  Once they were both in, he took the cow mask off and shook it at his aunt. "You didn't have to drop this on my head! I could have put it on myself, you know!"

"Yeah yeah. Let's get a drink."

The teen was surprised to see a small crowd of people at the bar, mostly Clock Town residents and a few visitors from the look of it. There was a lively Goron band playing on the stage, surprisingly with more instruments than just drums, playing a song Link had never heard before. He paused a moment, listening to the sound, then hurried to catch up to his aunt.  As he and Aevum settled on the bar stools, his head nodded to the beat.  He didn't realise they had shows going on during non carnival days.

At the bar, Aevum held up a finger and Mr. Barton walked over.  "Give me one of those special milks you sell, actually, two of them.  And a whiskey."

"Wait, they have whiskey here!?"

"It's a bar, Link. of course they do."

Did I just public two fics on the same night instead of going to bed? Yes, yes I did.

[risingsouls]

@synthetixviola​ asked: SEND ME A FANDOM - Legend of Zelda, nerd

Send me a fandom and I’ll answer... || Open!

The first character I first fell in love with: Probably Link. Basic, I know. But I was six, he wore green (most of the time), and he was presh. The character I never expected to love as much as I do now: Probably Ganondorf because...you know, villain. But, at least if you pretend Demise’s curse wasn’t a thing, I liked the complication they tried to give him. The sort of “trying to do the right thing and help his people but becoming desperate” as well as the “absolute power corrupts absolutely” thing is done, I feel, well with him. His story is really tragic and he could be a really complicated and interesting character. Plus I’ve probably just delved into ideas about him that make me like him more, too so. The character everyone else loves that I don’t: Sidon or Urbosa (which idk how popular Urbosa is any more but she felt overrated back when I was in the rpc). The hype around Sidon fell super flat for me. Like this man was literally getting on the news for the thirst he was getting and then it was like...they did really nothing with him (same with the other present-day Champions). His backstory was kind of sad which made it nice to see that he grew up to be so endearing, but he didn’t live up to the hype for me. I’ve talked about Urbosa in an unpopular opinion post, so I won’t drag that back out, but basically, outside of like one cutscene (in the DLC no less 🙄) she was pretty stale and boring for me. The character I love that everyone else hates: You know? SS Zelda. And I don’t know if people HATE her, but I know back in the day she got a pretty good amount of hate and I didn’t really like her that much either. But as I replayed the game, back then and more recently when the HD remake came out, I don’t mind her that much? And I appreciate what they were trying to do with her, making her more like a “normal” girl rather than a princess. Plus like you gotta admire her strength. She got flung down to the surface and had to escape Ghirahim on her own at least once. So she’s good in my book. Plus that scene when she goes to sleep? Just kill me.

Honorable mention: Revali. I don’t remember if people really hated him or still do, but I appreciated what they were doing with him, too. He was confident and skilled and it’s REFRESHING to have one of these Champions be like “hey hold up. why’s it gotta be a hylian? why can’t i be the leader of the champions? I’m fucking great, too.” His arc was really nice, too, even if predictable. Plus I seem to have a type. 🤷‍♀️ Not enough characters question destiny is basically my point. The character I used to love but don’t any longer: Honestly? Urbosa. Which seems odd but, upon the release of the game, I was really hype about the Gerudo and Urbosa as well. But the further I got into the game I just...lost interest. Plus some personal things didn’t help either, but I’m only human. The character I would totally smooch: Link just needs a good forehead kiss and a “you’re doing so great” tbh. Boy’s been THROUGH IT in every incarnation.  The character I’d want to be like: Nabooru! Even though that’s basically based on my HCs because Nintendo refuses to do anything else with her. The character I’d slap: Tingle. Mf took all my money in WW back in the day. And that Sakon guy from from MM who tries to steal grandma’s bombs and steals Anju and Kafei’s wedding mask. Bitch. A pairing that I love: There aren’t REALLY that many canon ships, but I’ve always had a soft spot for LinkxMalon. There’s something sweet and wholesome about like idk...him maybe working on the farm before becoming a knight then coming back after training and marrying her and they have a nice, quiet-ish wholesome life. I dunno Malon’s just underrated in my book. She’s a sweet bean. A pairing that I despise: Besides Zelgan or Ganlink (is that the right name? idek)? Hmm...probably the suggestion of NabooruxTalon (Malon’s father). Like...not only is my muse like lol he’s definitely not my type, it just...doesn’t make sense with the canon imo? Like for starters, I’m pretty sure it’s stated Malon’s mom died? But also that she was very present until she died. Nabooru is the second in command of the Gerudo, which would require he to you know...be at the fortress probably most of the time. So, to me, it’s just not a viable HC. I CAN contend that she was maybe a Gerudo that decided to leave the desert and start a family (which even that I’m like eeeeh because I feel Malon should LOOK more Gerudo if that’s the case), but that’s as far as it goes.

Honorable mention: NabooruxLink, especially because fuckers like to say that she was “propositioning” a child when she absolutely wasn’t. Plus fan artists are gross and like to depict her with kid Link and I 🤢🤮. fuck off with that shit. And she’s saying Link isn’t her type either, anyway. xD

[ashleyswrittenwords]

How To Be A Queen [Part 10]

Summary: Princess Zelda is at a loss. Her handed royal responsibilities have begun to weigh heavily on her and she is eventually backed into a corner. Live a life she loathes or run away from everything she’s ever known? Navigating life is hard, and Link forces her to learn that she doesn’t have to do it alone.

Previous

Next

Part 1

How To Be A Queen

Anju decided for the group that it was time for the next meal and we popped over to the inn while Malon ragged on her about Kafei.

"I'm just hungry, okay?" Anju grumbled, but was quickly brightened to see the said man pop up from behind the desk.

"Sure, love. I'll pretend I'm blind," Malon rolled her eyes in jester. We sat down at a connected room which had a far better café atmosphere than the joint inn. The girls ordered while I settled with the bread at the table. My stomach had been overturned still by my small confession. Malon had quietly apologized to me, but I decided it was better than bottling my feelings up. Admittedly, I felt better to say that I was scared than pretend that everything was okay and Malon seemed to be the person I could open up to about that. She had proven that by checking up on me and gently patting my hand when she noticed I was drawing too into myself.

"Where's the idiot?" Aryll asked Kafei as she went to sip a mug of hot chocolate.

"Oh, it's hot," he said as she flailed her hands dramatically and grabbed Anju's water glass. "He mentioned how you all were ice skating today and he wanted to brush up on his skills or something. Left not too long ago, that bastard." Kafei shook his head, but saved a wink at Anju who stifled a giggle and blushed.

Aryll shook her shook in disapproval, "Unbelievable."

"What's wrong?" Malon sipped at her own cup of tea. If I hadn't known better, her manners would've told me she was at least lower nobility. I kept it to myself.

"He's getting all competitive again. I mentioned we might go skating today. Might. But no, he always wants to one-up me. I haven't even gotten one practice in this season," Aryll blew on the surface of the hot chocolate strongly as if taking all her frustration out on it.

"Something tells me competitiveness runs in the family," I said, grinning. Aryll cracked just a bit, offering a small smirk, "Perhaps a little."

Lunch went by uneventfully and Aryll decided to drag us to go ice skating. We were led past Lon Lon Ranch where a large lake was. It was frozen over completely and a certain man was already gliding across the top. Malon had skipped over to her house for a moment to collect some skates for Anju and myself while Aryll had already brought hers. Link sped up for a moment and seemed to try to spin before his skate got caught and he fell.

"HA!" Aryll shouted through her cupped hands.

Link shook some snow from his hair and turned to us on the shore of the lake. It looked like he was waving off Aryll's comment and carefully stood. He skated up to us and I felt his eyes on my for a long moment before addressing his sister.

"That's what you get," she said, slipping on her own skates over thick wool socks.

"What do you mean? I haven't skated for a year."

Aryll mimicked his speech in a comically low voice before adding, "Yeah, okay. Show off." She leaned heavily on one foot and skid off on the ice, leaving her brother behind. Link watched her leave and turned to me, "Are you planning on ice skating too?"

"Malon said she'd get spare skates for Anju and I," I started, "but I'm not sure if I'll do well."

"That's nothing. You're skating with us, Zelda," Anju said without warning.

I looked at her in offense, "I've never done this before! I'll probably break my hip."

"I can teach you," Link said suddenly and I looked at him hard. "You won't get hurt. I promise." His voice was void of jester and his eyes were determined. Link was sincere in what he was saying and that feeling in my chest returned.

"I'm back," Malon yelled as she slid down a slope with three pairs of skates hung on her arms, suspended by their shoelaces. She handed them to us and I unlaced the ties. "I couldn't find my cousin's shoes, so I took my mother's. They may be a half size too big," Malon looked apologetic.

"It's okay, I'm sure it'll be fine," I slipped the shoes on. She was right.

"Just tie them a smidge tighter, Zel," Link stepped off the ice and watched me wrestle with the shoelaces. I looked up at him for approval, "Like this?"

"No, tighter," he knelt down and took the ties in his hands, brushing mine. I busied myself with hiking my trousers higher, thanking myself for not borrowing Anju's skirts. I gasped as he yanked them taunt and he paused, "Does it hurt?"

"No, no. I'm okay. Just surprised." My eyes flicked from his to the ground and he looked questionable, but relented and opted to thread the laces through the hooks. "If they aren't tight enough you could end up twisting your ankle."

"Hm," my eyebrows raised, "That's no good."

Link laughed at my comment, "No, I suppose not."

He did the same to my other skate and looked up once more. My heart surged in my chest. The blue of his eyes seemed to intensify from the white backdrop. I gulped and steered myself to something else. His hat? It was a beanie. It was grey with a pom pom on top. Had he worn that before? No, no I don't think he has.

"Do they feel comfortable?" Link spoke up.

I nodded, probably too fast, to his question and took his hand to stand up. As usual, his hand was warm and I forbid myself from dwelling on it more. Standing on ice skates was oddly easy, walking in them on the ground was at most uncomfortable but it was something I was able to manage. Link asked if Anju needed help with her own skates, but she shook her head and gestured for us to go ahead.

"I'll get on the ice first," he said. I swallowed nervously and imagined to many horrible places I can fall. Link stepped on the ice and spun around, holding his hands out. One at a time I put my skates on the ice.

I squeaked, feeling the skates slide. Link caught me and held me up before I could slip back. I couldn't quite find my balance and communicated that in a jumble of words. At this point, I didn't care if I was gripping his upper arm and shoulder as if my life depended on it.

"It's okay! You're fine! Bend your knees a little and let the skates support you. Copy what I'm doing."

"Goddesses, this is terrifying," I spoke hurriedly and looked at his stance. My hands were shaking but I leaned forward a bit and let the skates balance out. "Like this? Am I doing this right?"

"You're a natural, Zelda," he was smiling. Why is he smiling? This is my worst nightmare. I scowled, "It certainly doesn't feel like it."

I tried letting go of him, but my fears kept my hands on him. Anju and Malon skated by us giggling all the way.

"Let's follow them. Just move your skates kind of at an angle. Like this-" he gently pried my hands from his arm, much to my dismay, and demonstrated what he was saying.

"O-okay, okay, come back now please." My voice was very shaky. I felt like one movement could lead me to falling on my bum. What if I hit my head? What if I fall through the ice?

"Stop laughing!" But he didn't and I latched onto his arm again. I couldn't understand how solid he was. Link was being so confident when I was a nervous mess. He pulled me forward and I yelped again.

"Side to side, that's all you have to do!" He said, referencing his own footwork. I only nodded quickly and tried copying him, "Side to side… side to side." My knees were locked up.

After several minutes of inching forward we approached Anju, Aryll, and Malon, who all had been skating circles around us not too long ago. "I think I'm getting the hang of it!" I grinned at them. Anju applauded, "Okay, now do a triple!"

I deadpanned, "Mmhm, sure."

"I don't think you can move without Link there," Malon held back a smile.

"Yes, I can," I said defensively. Of course, I could. I just chose not to.

"I do believe you're right, Malon," Aryll tsked and scanned me, shaking her head. My face scrunched up, "I can."

"Then do it," Anju spoke up.

"Come on, guys, you don't have to gang up on her. She's still learning," Link cut in, but I would have none of it. I was too invested.

"Oh, so you think I can't do it too?" I looked up at him. He stuttered for a moment and Anju snorted.

"I didn't mean that," Link slid back and gave a look that wordlessly said 'Well, if you say so.' I took my hands off my arm. Okay, Zelda, keep your knees bent and don't do anything that will get you killed. Easy, right?

My first thought was about how much I regretted this decision, but I stayed standing and silently prayed to whichever goddess that would listen. "See? I can do it!"

"You sound like you're about to cry, Zelda," Aryll blatantly stated.

"You're being mean," Malon turned from Aryll and smiled at me, "You're doing great, sweetie."

Again, Anju applauded, "Now skate to us!"

Link didn't say anything but worry crossed his face. Whatever, I could do something simple like that. I just learned it. Side to side for 3 meters. "Not a problem," I said in what I thought was a nonchalant tone, but in reality, sounded more of a nervous toddler starting to walk.

One skate to the side and then the other.

One skate and the other.

One skate and the other.

Link seemed to loosen up. That's good. He should do that more.

One skate and the other.

One skate and the other.

I'm going way too fast. I don't think I've ever gone this fast. What is this? Walking speed? Oh, Hylia. I lifted the next skate and-

Skttt!

The tip of the blade caught the ice, causing me to trip. My opposite skate caught me partially, but I was tipping and I shut my eyes tightly. I braced myself for the icy ground and the pain that will strike my shoulder. A pair of arms engulfed me and instead I hit a warm chest.

"Are you okay?" Link's voice was muffled in my hair and I could feel hot breath on my ear. "Thought I lost you for a second there." The fear I had harbored settled in and I wrapped my arms around him for support. His smell was familiar now to me and I hoped it wasn't fleeting.

"Zelda?" Anju asked. Her voice was small and I almost didn't hear it. "Are you hurt?" I took a moment to sense anything that felt off and shook my head against Link's chest. I pulled away.

"I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have pushed you to do that," Anju brought me into her arms and I realized I looked pale. "I-I'm alright. Just a small tumble," I swallowed thickly and reciprocated her hug. Aryll skated over and put her hand on mine wit worry written all over her features. I tried smiling to calm her down, more concerned for her than myself. It wasn't that bad, right? Link kept his hand lightly on my back.

"Would it be alright if I watched from the edge?" I didn't sound like myself. My bottom lip trembled and frustration washed over me.

"Yes!" Malon's eyes were wide, "Yes, of course. Link could you…"

He looped his arm under mine and steered me. I felt like a child. My knees wobbled, so he pulled me up a little. He skated in silence with me in tow until we were far enough away before inquiring about me.

"You're thinking about something, what is it?"

"Huh?" I glanced up at him in surprise.

"You're that thing when you're irritated where your forehead creases. I'm sorry," Link sounded somber.

"Why are you apologizing? My forehead doesn't crease. Creases lead to wrinkles," I huffed to myself. My thoughts proceeding me.

"Because that wouldn't have happened if I taught you properly and I shouldn't have let them persuade you into doing something you weren't ready to do," he mumbled something else, but I couldn't make it out. Regardless I shook my head hardly, "No. I'm angry at myself. I should have been able to skate like the rest of you."

To my surprise, Link scowled, "Zelda, you've no right to be mad at yourself."

"Well, I-"

"Aryll and I have been ice skating since we were able to walk. Malon too. I can't speak for Anju, but I'm sure it wasn't much different for her." We reached the shore of the lake. "Don't pressure yourself to be the best in everything because if you do you're destined to fail from the start. I get that you're brought up to be the best at…" Link took off his hat and ran a hand through his hair. It was recently cut and I watched his dirty blonde locks fall short of his ears. He shrugged and sat next to me, staring at the ground, "I don't know. I'm not good at talking. But you know what I mean, right?" His eyes snapped to mine and my breath was caught in my lungs. For a moment, I worried I had forgotten how to breathe. I nodded slowly instead.

"I don't like seeing you struggle like that is all," he shrugged again as if that was to replace the words that he couldn't speak.

I pulled at the fabric of my trousers. "I should be though. Not this," I gestured to the skates, "but most other things. It's better to push myself now so I can get better."

"Yes, but does that make you happy?" He peered down at me and I looked away. I didn't reply, nor did he pry further. Wordlessly we watched the girls on the ice do figure 8's. I leaned against him and he didn't move to stop me.

"Stop reading my mind."

"I'm not- what?"

"I don't know how you're doing it, but I need you to stop please," I couldn't help but smile. How was he so warm through layers of clothes?

"Do you want to know?" He was laughing.

"I'm weary of knowing the answer, but yes."

"When you're with stuffy people, you're hard to read but once you're away from them it's like your heart is on your sleeve. Mostly small ticks that you do," he breathed out a soundless sigh.

I hummed, suddenly feeling tired. My thighs ached. "I didn't know I did that."

"You learn a lot about someone when they talk about themselves," I could hear his smile.

I sat up, "I was talking to you! It's not my fault you never responded." Link was already facing me, "Oath stuff."

I snorted, "Never have I heard a swearing where you couldn't talk." I thought back to the dream just a night before. The timing of it chilled me, but perhaps Link had simply triggered my unconscious memories. Nevertheless, the way he had looked at me then was burned into me. It differed from now. The way he was focused on me was softer, patient. Then, it was sharp. Calculated, almost. I didn't know how to decipher his thoughts.

"I talked, just not to you."

"Ouch," I drew my hands to my heart, "That one hurt."

"You know I didn't mean it that way," Link looked up at his sister skating in with Anju and Malon following. She glanced between us suspiciously, but didn't voice a concern. Anju mentioned something about her mum making adjustments to the dresses. We had been out for several hours and warm indoors sounded inviting.

"Do you want me to join you?" Link asked.

"No," Malon spoke, "We most certainly do not."

Link gave her a look.

"And expose our feminine secrets? Never."

"Can't have that," he winked at me and I grinned.

We walked past Malon's house and parted once we reached Anju's. Link left with his skates hanging from his shoulder.

[eyecicles]

Legend of Zelda for the fandom ask

Oh, nice! I’ll put this under a cut since it’s not about DN:

001 | Send me a fandom and I will tell you my:

Favorite character: Link! I also really like Ashei, Makar, Ravio and Navi. I like Zelda as well, especially in Spirit Tracks. But the love I feel for Link is very unique. When I was a kid, I always felt like he was my only, well, friend and he continues to be a very important character to me. I could identify with how isolated he seemed and with how silent he is, since I can go days without speaking a word as well

Least Favorite character: Does Dead Hand count?

5 Favorite ships (canon or non-canon): ShadxAshei, Zelink is fine too, Link and Malon as well. Anju and Kafei is okay too and I like Urbosa with Zelda’s mother as a crack ship, haha. I never actively consumed Zelda ship content though, and I don’t plan on doing it

Character I find most attractive: Ashei

Character I would marry: Ashei. I’m very straight for her

Character I would be best friends with: Uh, if I would marry Ashei, I certainly would want to be her bff as well

a random thought: LOZ made me realise how important special interests are for me. It has been one of my main interests for roughly 20 years and also my main anti-depressant, ha

An unpopular opinion: Skyward Sword isn’t worse than other Zelda titles, you guys are just bad at handling the Wii remote and don’t appreciate a good storyline

My Canon OTP: Anju and Kafei is the only one that isn’t just implied but I wouldn’t call it an “OTP”

My Non-canon OTP: Well, ShadxAshei

Most Badass Character: Link. I would have a hard time thinking of a character who’s more badass than him

Most Epic Villain: I love Wind Waker’s Ganondorf - his final moments are very iconic and remind me of, in fact, of the DN ending. I’m mostly a Vaati and Skull Kid (MM) fan, though they aren’t as epic

Pairing I am not a fan of: I don’t like stuff like LinkxShadow Link, or LinkxRavio. I mean? And OOT Link with Zelda weirds me out, since he’s technically still a kid after the 7 year jump. The worst ships always involve Ganon/Ganondorf though

Character I feel the writers screwed up (in one way or another): Ilia, because I find her utterly unlikeable, which shouldn’t be the case

Favourite Friendship: I’m a sucker for Link + companion friendships, especially Link and Navi, Link and Fi & Link and Daphnes

Character I most identify with: Hmm, I for some reason could always see myself in Midna, haha. Also Shad. TP has pretty relatable characters.

[dellbelle39]

“Cremia hasn’t been getting a lot of work done ever since Anju came to stay with us”