#and tulin’s voice sounded familiar to me

[astral-from-afar]

Cristina Vee I love you so much

[rosella-writes]

RO! GIVE ME CUDDLY SOLAS, RO! I mean, ehem, for today's prompt: Solas x literally anyone for "feeling the rumble of their chest when they talk while cuddling" PLEASE?

@bluewren and @plisuu asked for this too! I decided to keep it platonic and make it Solas and Tulin, since I've wanted an excuse to write this for a while. 💚 Thank youuuuu. For @dadrunkwriting

Relationship: Solas & Tulin, father and son Rating: G Words: 648

~~~

Papae’s voice sounds different in the Waking. 

Of course, now Tulin knew that this was his papae. Before, he had been the Walker, his teacher, the one who’d found him in the Fade and taught him to dream. Tulin had shown him how he’d learned to turn into a mouse, just like Kieran taught him, and he’d sounded just as proud then as he does now. 

Tulin yearns for Solas’s praise. He wants so badly to be near him, but is sure he has to earn it somehow — maybe if he brings an interesting fact he learned, or a new talent, or maybe even a newly-sprouted, rare plant from the garden. His heart still pounds with the knowledge of who he is, and why he’s here, and what he means to Mamae. He’s afraid he’ll do it wrong, whatever it is. 

But Papae seems to be able to tell, and smiles softly at Tulin when he tries to tell him a story Tulin knows Solas already knows. He puts out his hand, as if asking for a hug, but something in his eyes pulls him back. Tulin can tell, right now, that he’s being very careful. 

“Da’len,” he begins, “do you remember the time you showed me how you changed shape?”

Tulin nods and sets aside a tomato sprout in its little cup. It rests just fine on the table in the rotunda — the room Mamae had shut up years ago, only to open it when Papae came back. “I can do it again! It’s easier now. Not as easy as when I’m dreaming but yeah!”

“Do you remember when I held you in my pocket?”

Tulin does. He smiles at the remembrance of how warm and safe he’d felt there. 

Papae sits on the old chaise against the wall, and he crosses one leg over the other and clasps his hands over his knee. His eyes seem old and kind when he nods and says, “Will you show me again? And may I read to you a while in that shape?”

Air whooshes out of Tulin’s lungs. “Oh. Oh yes, that’s okay.”

He’s afraid to show how much he wants that. He doesn’t want to seem too eager, or in too much of a hurry — but he’s never turned so quickly into a mouse before in his life. His fingers itch with the speed with which the magic overtakes them, and the sudden sense of smell almost knocks him dizzy. But before he can orient himself with his new surroundings, a large hand plucks him up from the ground. 

“Incredible, da’len,” Solas hums. “I have not seen such a rapid change since… well, you performed that so naturally I would have thought you had always had the gift.”

The world spins as Solas leans back, and when he’s released, Tulin realises he’s been set upon Papae’s worn-out sweater. Papae’s leaning back in the chaise now, a book in his hands and resting against his belly. Tulin is thrumming with pride, and doesn’t feel so sheepish anymore, so he trots up the length of Papae’s chest and settles under his chin. 

This is nice, he decides as he curls up in the warm curve of Solas’s collar. Not the same as in the dream, but nice. 

Papae keeps his voice low and quiet when he begins to read, as if he’s aware of how sensitive Tulin’s ears are in this shape. His narration of his book is a low rumble, one that Tulin can feel through his whole entire body. He can’t help how sleepy it makes him, even as he tries so so hard to stay awake — he feels safe here, lulled by the vibration of his papae’s voice and the warmth of his shirt and the soft, familiar smell of paper and green, growing things. 

Yes, Papae’s voice sounds different here. But it’s nice. Still nice.

[oceanmusings]

So, This Is A Mother's Love?

Pairing | Prisma Daerel x Gale Dekarios

Content Warning | a breif fire, mommy issues mentioned, motherhood

Word Count | 1.2K

Summary | Prisma and Gale's youngest daughter - Vienna Dekarios - is interested in being an artificier. But that puts a strain on Prisma's heart of her daughter's safety, this is when Prisma realizes what her own mother was going through. Why she was so protective of her. [ warning : "Dilthen Las" means "Little Leaf" in elvish. Also this is not Gale centric at all, he doesn't really do much. This is primarily focusing on Prisma and Vienna. ]

Hearing sounds from Prisma’s and Gale’s youngest daughter’s room had become normal for them. Prisma would come back and check-in, but she would get the usual thing - “I’m okay, mama! Come look at what I made though!” - and Gale has assured her Vienna was going to be okay, so that eased the poor elf’s heart if her husband wasn’t too concerned.

When Prisma heard the familiar bang but at a concerning volume and her daughter’s screams is when the elf instinct shot through her. Abandoning the plants she was tending to as she ran to her daughter’s bedroom.

The elf’s heart dropped seeing the fire and her daughter trying to extinguish it while screaming. A chill running through her body, so familiar it was like being hugged by an old friend. Quick Prisma casted “create water” and drenched the flames and most of her daughter’s things.

Those could be replaced. Her baby could not.

Prisma spotted her daughter in the dissipating smoke, sitting on the ground, looking dazed and having soot covering her. She got down to Vienna’s height and grabbed one of her shirts on the ground to wipe away the soot covering her face while exclaiming. “Honey, are you okay? What happened?”

“I’m okay, mama.” Vienna says in an almost dazed tone. Prisma felt close to tears as she saw how singed her daughter’s clothes and gloves were. Her hair was burnt too. But Vienna just stared at her destroyed creation.

“What happened?”

“I was trying to create a toy to throw Scratch balls for him.” Vienna told her, the beginnings of tears filling her beautiful purple eyes. “I’m so sorry, mama. I didn’t mean to.”

How tiny her little girl’s voice got gutted Prisma. She turned her daughter’s attention away from her creation to stare up at her face, killing her at the tears spilling down. She used Vienna’s shirt to wipe at her face. Removing soot covering her cheeks as she did.

Prisma finally understood her own mother. The fear that latched into her heart the moment she heard that explosion and her daughter’s screams. It’s something she’s never experienced before, the overwhelming sense of wanting to protect her baby from all harm was almost unbearable.

But the longer Prisma stared at her, she couldn’t help but see herself. Vienna and Tulin look nothing like her other than the shared purple eyes and pointed ears. Everything else was their father, all anyone ever told Prisma when they met their twins was how much they looked like Gale. But at this moment, Prisma saw herself in her daughter.

“I know you didn’t mean to, dilthen las. These things can happen when you try to make something. I promise, I’m not mad. I’ve done some things for the sake of having an adventure or when I was learning to be a druid and have ended up hurting myself. Prisma wiped the last of the soot off her face, kissing her forehead gently. “The only thing that matters to me is that you are safe and okay.”

“I’m so sorry.” Vienna sobs, Prisma was quick to pull her daughter into her embrace, letting her daughter cry into her chest and held her shaking form. Hearing her mutter how scared she was and how sorry she was.

“It’s okay, dilthen las. I’ve got you.”

The two sat on the floor together until Vienna’s cries calmed down, staying there for so long Prisma’s knee’s began to hurt, but she stayed there holding Vienna until the shaking and tears stopped. “Are you sure you aren’t angry?” Vienna whispers into her mother’s chest.

“Of course not. It was an accident, and accidents can happen.”

When Gale got home from Blackstaff is when Prisma filled him in on what had happened in Vienna’s room and she was feeling tender. He cleaned up her room with some spells and gave her some assuring words of comfort. Once it was time for everyone to get to bed is when Prisma came to check on her daughter - who was sitting on her bed and hugging the stuffed animal owlbear Halsin had given both twins. “Goodnight, dilthen las.” Prisma went to blow out the candle but stopped when it seemed Vienna had a question sitting on the tip of her tongue, but hesitating. “Something on your mind?”

“Yes, um…” Vienna ran her hand through the fake feathers of the owlbear, her cheeks blooming in a red. “Can I sleep with you and Daddy tonight?”

“Oh!” Prisma was surprised. Neither twin has shared her and her husband's bed since they were 7 years old. They had their own beds when they turned 5 - but any nightmare or just a want, they would let them crawl into their bed. - But it stopped when they turned 7. A part of Prisma was sad when it happened, but it was normal and she wanted to support her children’s decisions. Her heart fluttered that her daughter still felt comfortable to ask. “Of course, honey. Do you need anything to bring with you?”

Vienna looked around her room, hopping off her bed to grab one of her books, and then turned to her mother holding the stuffed animal and book now. “I’m ready!”

Gale was surprised but happy when Vienna came to their room, smiling when he saw she had a book and when she requested for him to read it to her. The three Dekarios got cozy in their bed after Prisma had blown out all the candles and had her husband produce a little light so he could read off the pages.

Prisma laid there and watched the two of them, her heart feeling so full it could burst at any moment. She wasn’t sure she could ever get this in her life. A husband who loved her for who she was and 4 children who brightened her life and gave a whole new meaning of love. The more she watched Vienna she couldn’t help but feel more excited to see what other things her daughter could get up to and this huge sense of pride that her daughter was nothing more than her true elf.

Maybe this is what a mother’s love is supposed to feel like. If it does, Prisma wished her own wasn’t so paralyzed by it and embraced it instead. Feel pride for who Prisma was instead of shutting it down.

She vowed to never do the same to any of her children.

“Vienna?” Prisma whispers.

“Yeah?” Vienna turned away from her father’s reading to look down to her mother, the sparkle in her eyes warming the older elf.

“Do you remember Uncle Astarions younger sister?” When Vienna perked up and nodded, Prisma continued. “She’s an artificier. How would you feel to learn from her on how to become one too?”

Vienna sat up straighter and hugged her stuffed animal closer, the sparkle in her daughter’s purple eyes brightening in a way that Prisma couldn’t help but wish to protect. She didn’t want to see it dim ever in her lifetime.

“That would be so cool! Can I, please?”

“I’ll write to her in the morning.”

“Thank you, mama!!” Prisma grunted as Vienna launched herself at her mother into a hug, abandoning her stuffed animals and her father’s story. Prisma smiled as she hugged her back. “You’re the best mama in the world!”

Prisma’s heart lurched and tears filled in her eyes against her will. She only had enough courage to speak up when she felt her husband’s hand touch her free shoulder and give it a squeeze. Catching the proud look on his face as he watched his two girls. And knowing intimately the weight of their daughter’s words.

“Thank you, dilthen las. I love you so much.”

“I love you, too.”

[thegeminisage]

okay im BACK in the spirit??? temple??? robot??? factory????? and im done with the last limb. i bet theres a boss. i KNOW theres a cutscene. lets fucking do this

bro this was LLLITERALLY in the trailers how did they put such endgame stuff in and we didnt know!!!

it's so funny. in the trailers we thought flux constructs were gonna be helpful and mineru's body was a boss. but they're bosses and she's helpful lol

god her voice sounds SO familiar

LINK CAN RIDE HER???? OH MY GOD

MECH GAME MECH GAME MECH GAME

oh my GODDD THIS IS WHAT ALL THOSE ARMORIES WERE FOR.......like PLOT WISE!!! i thought it was stupid to just have supplies sitting around

ok thats fucking bananas. im bad at fighting with her bc the enemies are too short lmfao

also im not sure im ready to do this boss thing. maybe i wanna go buy some more battery first...get more practice...

YOU CAN ATTACH A FAN AND DO A NARUTO RUN LOL

god i REALLY suck at fighting in the mech. it's weird! maybe bc i have emitters on her hands and not real weapons?!

oh sick you can give her cannons............

at this point like. i really can just let the gang kill the bad guys lol

the story path seems to be taking me directly to this path i was eyeing last night. i'm getting as far as the lightroot and then peacing out. like. i am getting my ASS beat down here

GLOOM HORRIBLINS?? will wonders never cease...

oooh good call on leaving. i can see a gloom hinox from here that i wouldve had to fight next...i have had more than enough of the story right now anyway, it's time to chill to keep it all Balanced

i bet if i went to lookout landing rn and talked to purah she'd be like I WONDER WHO THE FIFTH SAGE IS. let's try it

awww boo she can't travel with me until i get the secret stone.....

what a BUMMERRRRRR

oh wild!! you can explain about mineru to purah. then why tf cant i explain zelda is a dragon >:(

ok, actually, i decided i wanna go turn in that last claw to help the fucking mother statue or w/e. scary...........................

if im lucky i can just glide/dive there from the nearby tower lol

YOOOO wait dinraal's coming out of her hole...maybe i can snag a piece...

got one! i dont know if ive ever ridden dinraal for an extended period of time before...she is taking me so far from where i wanted to go. sigh

so, while i hate shooting the dragons, i love getting the little spike. i bet it feels sooooo good. like being groomed. a spa day for ms dinraal courtesy of one lunatic nonverbal swordsman

harder to admire the scenery from her back bc of the heat filter. NOT impossible. but harder

ugh there was a blood moon...i couldve gotten such cool pics but i was too slow :(

uh oh we're going down. girl i DONT wanna go back to the depths rn!!!

GOT MY SCALE. i was aiming at her fang but whatever. time to go back to the spring!!! i hope i can make it from here.......

MADE IT. whew. im not staying long idw to encounter any Hands

ok, so back to the mother goddess statue...

oh!!! she's okay again.......

wah she's SPARKLING. i'm welling up a little. it was so upsetting to see her toppled

omg she wants to give me a sword but my belongings are full. if it's the fucking goddess sword which 1. i got from amiibo and 2. MAKES NO SENSE...

well. it is.

finally spent my sage's wills on tulin. his arrows come in clutch and also i wanna go in order lol

i have to quit for now!! more later or tomorrow i suppose

[gideonnavsenormousbiceps]

tulin's voice was driving me insane because it sounded so familiar. It's fucking Marinette's English voice actor from Miraculous Ladybug. So everytime tulin told me something after I realized that I was picturing Ladybug

[noire-pandora]

Even when you're old and creaky?

Something I wrote for the OC swap on the Dragon Age Fanfiction discord server. Thank you for allowing me to participate. I hope you'll like this @rosella-writes I had so much fun writing about Virelan and Tulin.

Big thanks to Mafalda, Effe and Aviakey for being my awesome betas. And to Blue for helping me with the Virelan lore.

Virelan balanced on the back legs of her chair, her eyes closed and a smile playing around her lips. The energetic conversation echoing between the walls of the Herald's Rest mingled with the warm melodies of the bard's song, washing over her like a soothing balm and calming fears of an uncertain future.

When Bull's remark set off an avalanche of laughter among the other Chargers, she giggled, for their joy was too infectious to resist.

Still, she did not open her eyes or join in on the conversation, for she knew this was a dream. A wonderful, beautiful dream, but a dream nonetheless. The muffled sounds of the bard plucking at the strings, the fire burning merrily in the fireplace with no sounds following its dance, the absence of other guests in the tavern. All this, and the way the air moved with each of her breaths, revealed to Virelan the true nature of the picture unfolding before her.

But those were her friends, and the joy of their banter and playfulness bubbled in her chest. Even if she found herself in the Fade, dreaming away, she did not wish to lose the warmth of being surrounded by the people she loved. Not yet.

Not after all she had lost and endured to save the world.

She deserved to sit there a little longer, to close her eyes and revel in moments of a time long gone. To immerse herself in the joy colouring Bull's voice as he teased Krem relentlessly.

Just a few more minutes before the waking world could have her again. Before the struggles of an ever-changing world tested the strength of her resolve.

In this bliss, Virelan's skin tickled with goosebumps as ghostly fingers wrapped around her ankles. She leaned back in the chair and tensed her muscles, ready to fight any foolish demon trying to trick her.

The dream dissolved into puddles of twisted colours as she jumped up and readied herself. Virelan held her breath, listening for any telltale noise of an impending threat.

Her long ears twitched when a soft whimper crept into the eerie silence of the dream realm. The whimper stirred Virelan's soul with its familiarity, and her heart pounded against her chest as if responding to the sound. She waited, unsure what to make of it.

A second whimper followed, louder this time, reverberating off the walls of the tavern. The fear and distress dribbling from the noise stole Verelan's breath away, for she recognised the notes of her child's voice even while lost in a dream.

Without wasting more time, she closed her eyes and commanded her mind to awaken to fulfil her duty as a mother.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

When Virelan opened her eyes, the full moon peeked through the window, its cold threads of light caressing the walls of the small room. The tendrils of a headache climbed into her temples, but she ignored the pain.

With a sharp inhale, she jerked upright, pushing aside her blankets and the warmth hidden beneath, ready to search for her son.

It did not take too long for her to find him: Tulin kneeled beside her legs, his small fingers clutching the bed sheet with a strength that turned his knuckles white. His wide eyes spoke of a deep fear, a fear only a child could show with such sincerity.

"What's wrong, da'len?" she asked in a whisper, careful not to frighten him further. Virelan did not move, her eyes darting from one corner of the room to the other, assessing the situation.

Apart from them, the room was as empty as she had left it before falling asleep.

"Mamae, Mamae—" His lower lip trembled, but he swallowed the words, only a small whimper left behind for her to understand.

"Yes, sa'lath, I'm here."

Slowly, with boundless patience, Virelan reached for her son's trembling form. Gently, she released his hands from the sheets and placed two fingers in his small fist.

"Monster—," he mumbled, squeezing her fingers with a force that spoke of pure fear.

READ MORE ON AO3

[song-of-storms162]

Revali’s Pie

There’s something familiar about this scene: the sound of the crackling fire loud over the winds of the Flight Range, a Rito training with a bow, and a bunch of spicy fruit pies amidst it all.

Sky and Twilight sat near the cooking pot, fingers hovering over the heat the fire underneath radiated, an attempt to combat the cold that was creeping over the two heroes. Despite Wild’s attempt at keeping the two warm with armor, it seemed the chill of the winds and the temperatures at the Flight Range were something that didn’t want to be ignored.

Twilight lifted his eyes from the fire before eyeing Wild who was showing the Rito fledgling the differences between a number of arrows. Wild was careful in handling the arrows, making sure Tulin held none of the arrowheads while pointing out each arrows’ strength and weakness.

“This one’s a Fire arrow, see how the tip’s shaped like one?” Wild points out the red glowing tip of the fire arrow while watching Tulin’s curious eyes rake over the glowing arrowhead. Rito village was having their annual Champion Festival and Teba had been selected to take part of the Festival acts. With Teba being swept into festival work, he hadn’t been taking Tulin to the Flight Range as often as usual. So when Teba spotted Wild and the rest of the heroes amidst it all, he didn’t hesitate to ask Wild if he could take Tulin to the Flight Range.

Wild had agreed without thinking, but before they could take the conversation any further, a Rito came running up to Teba, asking if he knew anyone who was free as an accident happened and they were down two birds. As the Rito continued to tell Teba of their situation, Wild was pulled from the two by Hyrule toward the others. “Wild, you said you wanted to show us around, and yet you just agreed to go to this ‘Flight Range’ without thinking it through,” says Hyrule and Wild’s expression changes.

“The Flight Range is a place where the Rito train and with all this festival work going on, I don’t think I’d be able to show you all what Rito Village has to offer.”

At Wild’s words, Time sighs. “Then i guess we’re all going to the Flight Range.”

“We’ll need to get warm garb then,” says Wild but before he could say more, a voice cuts in.

“I’m afraid the clothing shop’s closed, Link.”

Teba walks over to where Wild and the rest of the heroes stand, the other Rito trailing behind him. “All shops have been closed to prepare for the festival. Except for the inn, you won’t find another place in business.”

Wild’s expression twists into a frown. “Without warm garb, the rest of my group can’t travel to the Flight Range and I don’t have enough materials to whip up spicy elixirs.”

Teba glances at the rest of them, eyeing all of their builds and the gear they wore before speaking up once more. “Forgive me for asking, Link but would your companions be willing to help out here?”

The other eight turn their heads to the white Rito before looking at Time and Warriors, both mulling over the situation as Teba continues speaking. “We’re short on hands here and all your friends look capable of hard work. I’ll even ask the owner of the Clothing shop to spare some warm garb for all of them after the work’s done.”

“We’d be glad to help,” says Time finally as he grins. “W-Link can take a few of us to the ‘Flight Range’, while the rest stay to help out. Link?”

Wild nods and pulls out his Sheikah slate, tapping on icons to check his armor. “I have enough warm garb for two people. So two can come with me while the rest can stay help out.”

And so here they were now, Twilight wore the Warm Doublet and a Ruby Circlet while Sky donned a Snowquill Headdress and Trousers, the two were warming their hands over the fire, Twilight having taken off the itchy gloves in favor of the warmth the crackling embers emitted. The two watched Wild, dressed in Snowquill armor and a giant glowing sword stapped to his back.

“Hey Link, the arrowhead kinda looks like your sword. All glowy and stuff,” pipes up Tulin as he peers at the giant sword on Wild’s back. “Is it made from the same material?”

Wild unstraps the weapon and Sky sees the latter’s ears momentarily redden. “I believe so, this is a great flameblade, if I attack with it, then flames shoot out of it.”

Tulin’s eyes widen. “Really? I wanna see it in action!”

Wild’s expression changes to surprise momentarily before shaking his head. “I can’t do that. What if you got hurt? I wouldn’t be able to face your mother if I accidentally hurt you.”

The excitement in the Rito’s eyes dim. “Yeah, mom still doesn’t let me handle the bomb arrows.”

Wild pats Tulin’s head, and the child purrs when the hero’s finger graze over a certain spot. “How about i go a round with the arrows? Show you what they can do?”

“Yeah!”

Wild opens up his sheikah slate and as he taps icons and buttons, Tulin speaks up. “Hey what if we have your friends count?”

“Count what?” Wild replies, eyes not straying from the tablet.

“Count the number of arrows and the time!”

“Sure just let me ask them first alright?” Wild puts the tablet back on his waist, a Swallow Bow now strapped to his back.

Sky and Twilight look up when he reaches in front of them, Tulin trailing behind him. “Hey, was wondering if you guys are willing to help count for the next round?”

“Count?” “Round?”

“Link’s gonna shoot as many targets as possible in a certain anount of time, while you two count the targets and the time I’m gonna tell Link what arrow to shoot!”

Wild freezes up at the last words. “Wait Tulin-“

But Tulin’s eyes were full of innocent want, like a child asking their parents for another cookie. “Please?”

“Of course,” Wild finds himself saying and Tulin beams at him before running off to gather more arrows from the chest of drawers near the cooking pot.

“Make sure the bow you use isn’t one near breaking point, cub,” Twilight warns and Tulin skids to a halt at the Wolf’s words.

“That’s a great idea! I can yell out what arrow and bow for you to use!”

Sky looks like he wants to laugh and Wild looks like he wants to say something so Twilight says,”Alright you can tell Link what bow and arrow to use but you’re getting a quiz after, how’s that?”

“What do i get from the quiz?”

“You get a whole piece of fruit pie,” says Wild, not missing a beat and Tulin’s eyes widen once more.

“Your fruit pie?!” Wild nods at the exclamation and the three wielders of courage can’t help but smile at the child’s excitement. “I’ll do it! I accept!”

Wild stands on the ledge jutting out from the room, the chorus of the winds filling his ears and leaving their icy chills on his face. “Ready?” Sky yells over the orchestra of wind and ice, Twilight stands next to him, ready to count the number or targets he would shoot down.

“3!”

Wild readies the bow in his arms, an arrow already waiting.

“2!”

He changes his stance, ready to sprint off the ledge.

“1!”

30 seconds, he has 30 seconds.

Wild sprints off the ledge, immediately aiming for the highest target on the pillar of rock. He lets the arrow fly and his eyes immediately dart to his next target. The next one below the first he just shot.

“Royal Bow! Ice Arrow!”

Twilight and Sky watch in disbelief as Wild immediately switches bows and arrows. No hesitation, no falter to the Wild hero’s actions.

Wild shoots the next target and the one below the latter before taking out his paraglider and shooting back up. This time, he faces the sides of the chasm, making eye contact with Sky, Twilight and Tulin.

Quick as a wink, the paraglider’s gone and Wild begins to shoot at the target underneath the ledge.

“Duplex bow! Fire arrow!”

After shooting the one under the ledge, Sky thought he was dreaming. Wild switched bows and arrows so fast, they seemed to blur as he aimed at the next target.

The two arrows found their mark. And Wild’s hands immediately redirect the bow and arrow to the next target.

It went on and on, Wild switching bows and arrows before switching them for his paraglider. One by one, the targets were gone, the blue glow coating the chasm quickly decreased as Wild went, well wild.

Time wasn’t even up when all the targets were gone. Wild was sweating through his tunic as he shot up from the last target and returned to the ledge on his paraglider. Light pants escaped in puffs of air and Twilight felt relieved when he saw the cub tired.

If no one was panting and sweating from an exercise like that, Twilight would start wondering if there was something wrong. “Time?” Wild gulps in air, the bow still in his hands.

“28 seconds,” Sky looks up with awe from the stopwatch he holds.

Wild nods, his form wavers slightly when Tulin rushes over to hug his legs. “That was amazing, Link! Wait till I tell dad about this!”

Wild pets Tulin’s head before smiling. “Thank you, Tulin. I hope you’re ready for your quiz.”

Tulin’s eyes widen and he lets go of Wild before bashfully looking down. “I was hoping you’d forget about that.”

“Well i could forget about it but I’ll also have to forget about giving you a fruit pie.”

“Link?”

“Yes?”

“What’s the first question?”

Wild chuckles and leads the rest of them back inside. “How about we get inside first?”

Wild felt odd, sweating in a winter backdrop was not something he ever got used to, even as Sky handed him a warm towel to wipe off his brow. Tulin was talking with Sky and Twilight, and the young Rito’s eyes widen when the former brings out a small parcel.

“Is that-“ “Yes it is, Tulin. This is your prize if you answer correctly.”

What Wild hears next surprises him. “I love Revali’s special! I’ll be sure to ace the quiz.”

Wild rises from where he was seated and makes his way to them. “Did you say Revali’s special?”

Tulin looks up at Wild and nods. “Yep! You got this recipe from Ms Amali, right?”

Wild nods and Tulin continues. “It’s a Rito specialty! Mom always makes some when me and Dad decide to play here longer! It’s made with wildberries and a pinch of spicy pepper, it’s named after the Rito Champion!”

At the word ‘Champion’, Sky and Twilight’s eyes shoot to Wild whose face was filled with incredulity. “Apparently, the Champion would bring some with him when he trained here,” Tulin rattles on, not noticing what the others were thinking about. “Me and Dad always left a slice out for the Warrior! And after we wake up...”

Tulin grins and Sky’s the one who asks,”What happens when you wake up?”

“The slice is gone!” Tulin giggles and Wild’s eyes widen.

“Gone?”

Tulin nods sagely. “That’s right. Dad says it’s a blessing if it disappears but i think the Champion’s just hungry.”

Twilight laughs. “Ah of course, we know how hungry Champions can be.”

The Wolf elbows Wild with a grin and Wild glares at him before looking at Tulin. “C’mon Tulin. Your quiz is ready.”

Tulin nods and scrambles after Wild, who had turned away after saying those words. Twilight and Sky watch him carefully, even as they try to catch the survivalist’s eyes, they know something’s up.

Wild had Tulin rearrange bows of varying sizes in terms of power, speed and durability. After getting them all correct, Wild cuts out a piece of pie for Tulin. “You earned it,” says Wild as he slides the plate to the young Rito. Tulin’s eyes glitter but it disappears as he shoots up frantically.

“I forgot!” Tulin exclaims before taking out a plate and cutting a slice. Wild, Twilight and Sky watch as Tulin takes the plate to the ledge outside before placing the plate near the edge. Tulin skips back to the trio before grinning at them.

“Almost forgot to leave a slice for him!”

Wild smiles tightly before watching Tulin happily eat the pie.

The four decide to stay there overnight, it wasn’t wise to travel at night, even at such a distance between the Flight range and Rito village. Tulin brings out blankets from the chest of drawers and bundles next to Sky. Soon, soft trills escape the young Rito.

Twilight watches Wild from where he lies down, the latter having decided to clean his bows before sleeping. Wild carefully inspects the Royal Bow before settling it next to a Duplex Bow, his expression concentrated but Twilight knew.

Knew the cub wasn’t sure of what to do with the new information Tulin had supplied them with. Twilight watches him sigh before turning over and seeing Sky doing the same thing. Keeping a laugh to himself, Twilight’s gaze momentarily pins on Tulin, who had snuggled up to Sky’s side after saying, “He smells like the fresh air. The kind you find high up in clouds.”

Soft trills escaped the child’s beak (was this a common trait in the Rito? Or was this how Rito snored?) and Twilight drags his gaze away as Sky quietly calls out to him.

“What is it?” Twilight whispers to not wake Tulin. Sky, whose arms are occupied, nods in the direction of the ledge. “Look over there.”

Twilight does and he almost misses it. There on the ledge, a faint outline of a Rito Warrior sitting near the edge was tucking in to the fruit pie they left out. Twilight glances at his protege and almost facepalms, Wild hasn’t noticed.

Wild inspects the Great Eagle Bow but looks at Twilight when the latter whispers his name.

“Ledge,” Twilight whispers before jerking his head in said direction. Wild’s eyes follow before widening. The bow at the spirit’s back, a twin to the one he was holding. Wild watches with bated breath as the spirit of Revali continues to tuck into the fruit pie.

Revali finishes his meal before glancing back, making eye contact with Wild. The two stare for a good minute before Revali turns his head to look off into the chasm.

Twilight and Sky watch Wild get up, Great Eagle Bow clutched in one hand.

“Revali,” Wild says when he’s behind the warrior. Revali simply looks back and Wild feels a knife cut through him, that expression of haughtiness so familiar.

“I must compliment on your making the pie Link,” says Revali as Wild sits with him on the ledge. “Your cooking’s better than i expected.”

Wild stays silent and Revali scoffs. “Still quiet, are we? I was hoping to just see Tulin today so imagine my surprise when you and your ‘companions’ show up.”

“Tulin says he and Teba leave fruit pie for you,” Wild blurts and Revali cocks his head. “Yes they do, even in your hands, the dish is still delicious.”

“About your companions,” Revali looks back inside the room where Twilight and Sky, who’s carrying Tulin, watch them intently. “I must say, I thought it enough to meet just one of you, but two more?”

“There are nine of us in total.”

“Should all nine of you ever come here together, you’d better bring a sack of fruit pies for me. You are already enough.”

“Is that all you came here for? To ask for more fruit pies?” Wild asks but sees where Revali’s gaze is directed. Little Tulin, happily trilling away in Sky’s embrace.

“Your friend, who carries Tulin, smells of the sky. I’ve never met a Hylian who smells so strongly of the sky before, did your friend live with Rito?”

Wild shakes his head and Revali mutters something Wild doesn’t hear.

“What was that?”

Revali mutters again and Wild asks once more.

Clearing his throat, Revali glares as he says, ”I said I’d like to meet them.”

When Wild motions for them to come over, Twilight and Sky stiffen before wrapping a blanket around Tulin and leaving the room. The two walked on stiff feet as Revali eyed them as they came closer. Revali sniffed the air once before nodding in Sky’s direction.

“You, why do you smell so strongly of the sky?”

Sky hesitates in answering but replies when seeing curiosity light the archer’s eyes. “I used to live among the clouds.”

“Interesting,” says Revali. “I would’ve called you a liar but with a scent that strong, I’ll believe you.”

Revali cocks his head when he faces Twilight.

“You, you’re the bearer of the Hawk’s Eye,” curiosity again fills Revali’s tone and Twilight nods. “You must be quite the archer to have it.”

“Are they all as quiet as you, Link?” Revali’s tone was filled with incredulity. “I’m surprised the nine of you haven’t gone mad from all the silence.”

“How are you here Revali?” Wild asks instead and the archer simply looks at him. “I’ve been here countless times, why show up now?”

“I’m confused myself really,” says Revali with a shrug. “I can’t ever appear here when i want to. I simply materialize when someone trains here, and the harder someone trains or the more feats they pull off with a bow, the more solid i become.”

“Like just now, when Wild shot down those targets with different bows and arrows,” says Sky and Revali raises an eyebrow.

“Wild? Ah yes, I suppose you all can’t call each other Link. How confusing that would be. But yes, like what Wild did.”

Revali sighs before looking at Wild again. “I suppose i should thank you for that feat you pulled, it has been a long time since i felt the wind against my face and the song of the sky whistling in my ears.”

Revali’s gaze snags on Tulin once more before he turns to face the chasm. “It’s time for me to take my leave, Link. Tell the princess I said hi and-“

Revali glances back at them, his gaze landing on Tulin, a soft fond expression replacing the arrogance. “Tell the fledging he will make a fine Warrior.”

Revali’s form begins to fade and Wild waves a goodbye as the Rito Champion disappears.

The next morning, Tulin wakes up to find Twilight, Wild and Sky packing to go. The fire in the cooking pot no longer crackling and the bows from last night put away. “Link,” Tulin looks up to Wild with pleading eyes. “Can i go check the ledge?”

Wild nods and motions for him to go, Tulin scrambling to his feet to the ledge. The fledgling beams when he sess the empty plate before picking it up and rushing back to Wild.

On their journey back, Wild offers to carry Tulin on his back and the young Rito happily accepts before clambering over Wild’s back.

“Hey Link,” Tulin whispers into Wild’s ear despite Twilight and Sky able to hear his words anyway. “I had a dream last night about the Champion Revali.”

“Really?” Wild whispers back and sees Sky smiling from their conversation. “What was it about?”

“He, Revali said this,” Tulin takes a deep breath and tries to mimic the Champion’s deeper voice. “You’ll make a fine warrior, Tulin, i appoint you my successor.”

Wild laughs from Tulin’s voice before humming to himself. “He’s right. You’ll make a fine warrior Tulin.”

“Right,” Twilight cuts in. “And you can have Link make you Revali’s special when you do.”

“Really?!”

Wild glares at Twilight but says nothing, Sky being the next to chirp, ”Really, Link will make all the pies you want when you be that warrior.”

Wild sighs before nodding along. “But you have to be a warrior first alright?”

“Right!” Tulin’s grin didn’t waver the entire way back to Rito Village and somehow, the three wielders of courage found themselves smiling whenever they glanced at the fledgling with them.