towerofanimus | Every day's great at your... Animus?

[ She... can't help but feel like she's missed something, but oh well. ]

...

[ She's not going to complain. Heroes don't complain. She has about all the emotional expression right now of a spoon, so please forgive the lacking reaction. Part of her is contemplating all the times of disbelief she'd gotten; she can only assume Yosuke is saying this BECAUSE of how she's hiding herself.

Heh. If only she knew the irony of Naoto's situation. ]

If you say so.

[To Yosuke it just sounds like modesty, and he can't help but grin. He's on a roll now, which can only mean one thing - he's heading straight for the metaphorical trash can]

Of course you met Naoto. You two seem pretty alike in some ways. I mean yeah, Naoto's a famous detective, but she never really takes a ton of credit for how smart s- [And he trails off, realizing what he's said]

[Smooth, Yosuke. You lasted for all of a minute]

[Please don't let Naoto kill me]

I... probably shouldn't have said that...

[ ... "She".

... Link's shock is probably being misread as surprise to finding out Naoto's gender from Yosuke, but in truth, it's that there was someone else passing themselves off as male that happened to surprise her. ]

... Wait.

[ Wow rude. So apparently Yosuke knew--of course, they're friends, right? It must have taken something dramatic, then. Link can't help but wonder why Naoto would have ever wanted to reveal her gender. Perhaps it was because, like her, the field she was in was not one that women were widely accepted in? ]

When you say "she"...

[ Do you mean she as in Naoto is a girl and doesn't tell people or she as in it's a common mistake or what. ]

[Crap crap crap crap crap! He is so screwed]

[But the truth's out there now, so the best he can do is explain it and hope Link's as trustworthy as he seems

I already screwed up, so you can't tell anyone. I don't even know if she's really still trying to hide it.

But... yeah, Naoto's actually a girl. Where we come from, things aren't exactly great for women. [He winces - partly from the statement and partly because he knows he never would have even thought about it had he never met Naoto in the first place] They're getting better, but it's still hard for girls to get into certain professions, like the one she's in.

It's not right - like I said, she's the smartest person I've ever met, she's more than qualified - but that's how it is right now. So she did what she had to do to be able to fit in. Most people never know. Hell, I wouldn't have if it weren't for some... well, crazy shit that happened. She's getting better about it, I think? She seems like she's more okay with just being who she is, but... well, I haven't really talked to her about it, so I'm not sure how she's doing. There's been more important stuff to take care of.

N-not that my friends aren't important! Crap, that sounded bad...

[ Link listens intently, repressing the urge to sigh. She's conflicted at the moment; part of her is stuck between wanting to say that was also her problem, but the other part is angry that a world as "ahead" of hers, the one Naoto and Yosuke seem to be from was still burdened with such discrimination against women. Certainly, it sounded better than hers in quite a few areas, but... still, the point remains.

She doesn't grimace or outright frown, but her eyes and expression become just a bit more downcast. There was a lot going through her head after hearing this, and frankly, the worry of whether she should tell Yosuke that she is EXACTLY like Naoto is weighing heavily on her mind at the moment.

But as Yosuke seems to be horrid at keeping secrets and has already easily accepted her to be male without so much as a second guess, she decides it would be for the best if she didn't tell him. Finally, after a long silence as she listens to Yosuke, and a pause after he is done, Link speaks again. ]

... As unfortunate as it may be, it is very similar a situation with most residents of Hyrule you'll speak with. Even though the Goddesses created our land, it isn't often I have seen a woman in a position of power, except a very select few.

[ She brushes some blonde hair away from the side of her face, tucking it behind her ear. ]

I... understand [ Naoto's situation? More than you could possibly ever know or she could allow you to know-- ] now. Thank you for informing me, Yosuke Hanamura. You have my promise that I will take the secret with me to my grave, if need be.

[ ... "He" is surprisingly serious about that one. ]

[He can't help but sigh in relief. Thank god he had Link pegged right - the guy sure as hell seems trustworthy, and he's taking this seriously enough. Maybe even more seriously than Yosuke intended, though that's not a bad thing. The smile returns to his face, and he gives Link a grin]

Thanks for understanding. I really appreciate it. I can't believe I made such a stupid slip, but I'm so used to being with our circle of friends I forget other people don't know.

[He lets out a sigh, drumming his fingertips against the couch]

Between you and me though, I hope she can loosen up some here. I mean, if this really is the end of the world and we're all screwed, then who cares? And if it's not, don't we have more important things to worry about than gender? Maybe I'm wrong, but I'd hope people are more focused on finding out the truth than caring she's a girl. But now I think I'm just rambling.

[ Link is taken aback. Here, she lapses into silence. It's awkward for her, because here he is, expressing something she wished so many others would. That it shouldn't matter. But it did, and... therefore, being a girl? The Hero of Time can't be a girl.

The person who always visited the ranch was similar, so Link must have just been another person like him, right? Not the "fairy boy", oh no.

The person who was a "sworn brother" to the Gorons that the leader named his son after couldn't be a girl.

The person who'd returned to the forest seven years later... could not possibly be Link because although she "dressed like him"... Link wasn't a girl, and Link wasn't a "grown-up". So much disbelief, just because as a child seven years ago before she'd been sealed in the Sacred Realm, she had happened never to correct people? That she had happened to be a bit of a tomboy and not act girly? Girly didn't EXIST in her culture as far as she knew. Or... the culture she was raised in. Gender was secondary, but it stung a lot.

Everything stung. That's why she stopped being the "fairy girl" and started being the "fairy boy". If she trusted herself and wasn't so afraid of the pain it might cause, here and now, she might just break down. But Heroes don't have weaknesses, so instead, she mutely nods, frowning ever so slightly, before looking away.

Whatever's bothering Link, it is probably not what it might seem. But she can't admit it. The silence is deafening to her, somehow, but she can't bring herself to speak. ]

Edited 2011-12-13 10:03 (UTC)

[He seems to snap out of his introspective moment when he notices his companion looking uneasy and the heavy atmosphere he's created. Not as planned. So he lets out a chuckle]

Sorry Link, didn't mean to make everything so serious. I even surprise myself sometimes with how far I've come in a year.

[He grins and gives the boy a nudge]

I promise, I won't say anything else smart for the rest of the day.

[ asdfLdhg nudged??? Not expecting that, she may have been totally lost in thought. The flustered look that results is rather amusing. ]

You--

[ Oh. ]

N-no, it's simply that more should be like you. ... Think like you. That's all.

[Oh hell yes it's amusing! He's grinning even bigger]

That's the first time in my life I've ever heard that. I'll try not to let it go to my head.

[He stretches a bit]

Still, I'm glad you feel the same way! I thought you seemed like a good guy, and you just keep proving me right.

[ ... Heh. A good guy. ... Yeah, she sure hopes that she is. ]

In that case, ought I to be insulting you?

[ She's joking, Yosuke. Just FYI. But no, on a more serious note... ]

I would hope that I am one of the "good guys", because if I were not, I wouldn't be worthy of the tile "Hero of Time" in the least.

... And I think the same can be said of you. It seems to me that these things happen for a reason, so while modesty never hurts... I can safely say you were likely chosen in the same vein.

[Yosuke finds himself laughing at Link's joke and blushing at the compliment. Him, a chosen hero? There was a time he would have liked to think that - and honestly, there are times when he still wants to think that - but to hear it from someone else? That's something else entirely, a validation of what he and his friends have accomplished that he never expected to come from somewhere outside the team. It feels fantastic, if a little embarrassing]

Maybe you're right. I sure as hell wouldn't mind being chosen for once.

[And while they're kinda sorta on the subject...]

So, Hero of Time! Why not tell me a little about yourself?

[ ... Haha. Oh gosh, this is ~awkward~ because she just can't outright say "well, I run around pretending to be a man because most people think women are fragile and belong in the kitchen." Yeah... no. But she's also a bit reluctant to be honest and say "oh, you know, same old. Technically, I'm ten."

... Where does she even start? ]

Well...

[ How do I shot social skills? ]

What... exactly is it that you want to know?

[ S-sob hasdfg her life is a long, complicated one. ]

[i dunno lol]

[There is one obvious question nagging at the teen, so why not start there? It's a good a place as any]

I know you're Link, Hero of Time! But what does it mean to be the Hero of Time?

[ BREATHING IN. Okay this won't sound weird, she can hope. She removes the Ocarina of Time from her pouch--it's obviously a VERY special instrument, blue with gold triangles and silver, along with an odd little crest on it. Looks to be a flute of some sort. ]

... This may sound a bit more spectacular than it is, but... this is a complicated question to answer. I would have to start at the beginning to explain how the end result occurred. But in short... thanks to this instrument...

[ She holds up the Ocarina of Time. Then, putting it down, she unsheathes the Master Sword from it's rather ornate gold and royal blue scabbard. ]

... And this sword, I am able to travel between the present and the future. Though, in reality, it's more that I was sealed for seven years when I drew this blade. If I replace it... the effect is reversed.

[ CONFUSED YET? ]

[He's not exactly expecting a simple explanation - if this day has shown him anything, it's to try and drop all expectations because nothing ever seems to meet them. He hasn't quite learned that lesson yet, but he's trying!]

[So, there's an ocarina and a sword that let him travel through time. Except it's not quite movie time travel - he can only jump between two specific points? Granted it's 100% more time travel than Yosuke can do, but it seems horribly inconvenient for anything, much less heroics]

So you use the two jump between times to fight evil now and exactly seven years from now? That's... pretty oddly specific evil.

[ She feels kind of bad ouch ahsdf haha, this topic. ]

... That would be because in the present, the Princess Zelda and myself, who saw Ganondorf for what he really was... we were foolish enough to open the gate to what he'd wanted all along. We thought we could take the Triforce and protect it, but instead, he ended up seizing it and becoming an evil King, using it to spread terror.

[ It's... kind of something she feels immense guilt over, s-sob. ]

During that time... although I had no control over it, nearly everything changed. There was nothing I could do because the Goddesses decided that I was too young to be their Hero proper, so I was put into a sleep for seven years. When I awoke, I found myself in a completely different time. I was... fortunate enough in that I could reverse it to some extent.

But I suppose that is why they call me what they do.

[Yosuke is trying to be a good listener and not stop Link every five seconds to ask what things are. For better or worse, this is leading to a whole lot of assumptions. Princess Zelda means there's a princess involved, so Link is from some sort of medieval type kingdom (which would explain the sword and bow and all). There's an evil guy named Ganondorf - and with a name like that he HAS to have some sort of twirly mustache - trying to take over the kingdom.]

[He took over the kingdom with something called a Triforce - a magic... triangle? No, that's silly. A magic triangle? As if. What else starts with tri? Tri...certaops? Probably not, as awesome as a magic dinosaur would be. Tri... dent? Well, it makes more sense than a magic triangle]

[So, evil Lord Ganondorf (or maybe Wizard Ganondorf, he can't be sure) stole a magic trident to become king and start a reign of terror. And whatever goddess has a thing against the underage, so Link was forced to sit still for seven years of evil because fuck kids. Wow]

Okay, I'm not a goddess or anything? But letting evil run wild for seven years doesn't really seem like the best plan ever. I mean, it's great that you can fix things still! Just... that still seems like a terrible plan.

[ ... That is... so many levels of wrong Yosuke she'll try to explain properly later-- ]

... I wasn't fit to wield this blade as a child, I suppose, was their thinking. And... it is true that in the state I was in, there was no way I would have been able to defeat him, even before he had obtained the power of the Triforce. The tree golden objects themselves were sealed away, but it was my folly that all but handed them to him...

Even so, he did not count on others rising against him, I think.

[ There's a sheepish look here, Link rubbing the back of her neck. ] But it's... a little bit more complicated than that. It's a very long story, as I said--there is no short or easy explanation. What being their Hero means is that it's up to me to find and awaken the Sages scattered across the land, so that I can purify their lands. Cleanse them of his evil. ... And so that I can defeat him, because without them, there is no way that I will be able to do so.

Being who I am means that I... am the only one able to do this.

[So much for a magic trident - so the triforce is just three gold... things? They could be anything! For all he knows, they're golden salad forks. But salad forks or triumph forks or whatever the hell they are aren't important right now]

[What's important are the other aspects of Link's story. Like the implied guilt he feels at accidentally screwing over the world. Or the fact that since he's the only one who can go between times, he's literally the only person who can walk his road. It's not possible for anyone to lend him a hand down what sounds like a pretty rough path]

[So, in summary, he has to travel between seven different places, single-handedly fight off evil forces, free trapped sages, and then go and confront an evil king with magic golden forks all by his lonesome]

[Holy shit]

[Way to put every single problem he's ever had to face into perspective, Link. Yosuke doesn't even know where to start with this. So he blurts out the first thing that comes to mind]

Damn... you're one strong person, to be able to handle all of that.

[ Well, you know, those Triumph Forks are serious business, Yosuke. Just ask some fish!

But no seriously, way to figure that out quickly. Link's expression is quite solemn. ]

... Strength... that is relative. But I must be their strength... even if I do not want to be. The other timeline's people are desperately in need of help. Truthfully... I'm the last person who should be attempting to tell others what to do or not do; I am not particularly good at it, and I have never been great around people I do not know... and even those I do. My friend was far better at speaking and I always opted for silence in her presence...

[ Sheepish. But she'll bravely press on...! There's a long pause here, an intake of breath. This is difficult for her, saying all this, you know? It's obvious. Heck, Link is naturally quiet but Animus is slowly, but surely, drawing her to speak more frequently. ]

While it is difficult, I must remain there unless necessary. I have no other alternatives, yes, but... my land's people, every single race--they need a hero... they need hope, a reason to live their lives and fight. To believe that the King of Evil will not win. To know that evil never prospers. That is what true courage is about, moving forward even through despair and pain... even when all seems lost.

... For all that I try to be, I am not as strong as you seem to think...

[ With her mini speech concluded, Link's expression is a sad, sad smile. It's one of loss and knowing that those she loves may not come back. ]

[Yosuke's quiet as he speaks, and even for a few moments after. One thing is painfully obvious after a conversation this long - public speaking really is not Link's forte. But that thought gets lost behind another one as something the hylian says catches his attention]

["I must be their strength... even if I do not want to be."]

[It makes him think, back to the start of his own journey into heroism. How excited he was at the chance to do something no one else could, how eager he was to jump into the chance to be a Big Damn Hero... how much it hurt to have to face his selfish reasons for getting involved. But through everything, one fact remained - getting involved was always his idea. It was his choice]

[What does it feel like then, to be in Link's shoes? To not have a choice? It's far too personal a question to ask someone he's just met like this... but Yosuke finds himself asking anyway]

Link?

If it were up to you - if you could make someone else the hero and just go back to living a normal life... would you do it? If they gave you the choice of saying no, would you have?

[ ... She doesn't answer. At least, not with words, though the Hylian's blue eyes look elsewhere.

Because, painfully, the answer... at first, she is sure it might be "yes". She thinks of all the people who died for her (or was it that they had ascended to being Sages? Was it the same thing? Saria and Darunia, surely--), how leaving put her friends in peril...

Surely, if the task were on the shoulders of another, she would have been better off, herself. Perhaps not as judged, perhaps she would have gotten to stay a child and never worry about much else? Aging worked different in the forest.

But regardless, the Deku Tree would have died. His test on her did not save him, and the forest remained unprotected. And lives would still have been lost...

No. Perhaps, even if it was an attractive option... she just shakes her head "no". Because as painful as this had to be, she had been chosen for a reason. It was her destiny, and an honor. Right?

She promised herself she wouldn't ever cry again (no not after that first time), that she would do whatever it took to complete this long, arduous, dangerous journey that could only lead her to further battle and bloodshed. But she could, at least, restore things and care for those... left. And in silence hope at least SOMEONE remembered her, perhaps.

Hope that Zelda was out there, somewhere, alive and okay. ]

[The silence sits for a while, with Yosuke quietly reflecting on himself and everything Link's told him. To be able to make that choice, to still want to do it for the right reasons - hell, for Link to have told Yosuke so much after the two had just met, when Yosuke had no right to ask and Link had no obligation to tell...]

[Some combination of respect, trust, and an odd closeness to the hylian compels Yosuke to speak]

... I can't believe I'm saying this, but I envy you. Not all the shit that you have to go through, but...

[He's trying, but the right words just aren't coming easy]

You're doing what you have to do for the right reasons. That... that wasn't me. Not at the start.

[ ... She isn't honestly sure why she even said what she did. Perhaps because it wasn't in her nature to withhold the truth? Or maybe it was because when asked, she would try to answer?

Admittedly, Yosuke seemed like a nice guy, so perhaps that was it. It surprises her to hear him say that, to be honest. But...

She's also someone that believes anyone can be strong. For now, she feels like she ought to ask a simple question, because she honestly can't view herself as enviable, at any point, but she won't say that (heroes never complain!) ]

... Why is that?

Every day's great at your... Animus?

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tl;dr version: "..."

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...... oops I guess Yosuke is just special to her. /tl;drs

this thread. it's too amazing.

IT'S ADORABLE IS WHAT IT IS.

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