Live Your Own Story in Hyrule

Link takes the apple and smiles warmly at it. The red apple reminds him of something. He closes his eyes and takes a bite, then takes a deep breath.

Fi watches Link eat the apple.

*“Master, my sensors indicate you are currently ingesting a standard pomaceous fruit, commonly classified as an apple.* *Nutritional analysis confirms that the synthesis of its inherent fructose, hydration properties, and essential vitamins is actively accelerating your cellular regeneration. I calculate an approximate 3.14% restoration to your overall physical vitality, alongside a steady stabilization of your stamina reserves. The continued intake of such organic sustenance is a highly logical protocol for maintaining your peak operational efficiency in the field, esp as you are planning on continuing your quest.”*

Link just smiles to the spirit as he enjoys his pomaceous fruit.

That probably meant that apples are good for you. So Irina is happy that Link is enjoying it despite everything he's gone through. She is not looking great either but this break is helping her recover.

"Please excuse me as you rest; I won't be able to recover in peace without seeing my people with my own eyes." Impa intones, a touch drolly as she gets up and begins to limp away. "I will be back to see you off, so please hold off on doing anything rash with the Mirror."

Normally she'd have thrown a deku nut and made her way quickly to her next destination, however between the wear and tear of the harrowing journey to the magic mirror and her transformation, Impa is genuinely too tired to be discreet in her movements.

It's a little unimpressive to see a ~ninja~ Sheikah just wander off like a drunk.

"Let's try to relax and recollect ourselves here while we wait for Impa to return." _Gatu says to the others, figuring that's probably the only thing they can do for the time being._ "I still don't think we should go through the Mirror as unprepared as we are. We really should to restock on supplies and equipment before we go through. Ah, I almost forgot."
_Gatu takes out his last Red Potion and hands it to Link._ "Here Link, this will help speed up your recovery. You need it more than I do, since you took some hard hits yourself while you were still in wolf form."

"Look, as much as I'd like to get back to Hyrule, our goal is right here. If I turn around and leave after all the fighting I went through to get to it, I'm going to riot. Loudly." Revali gathered his wings behind him and began to pace. "I'm not letting a mirror get the better of me. Besides, I look the best in it, so it stands to reason that I'll look just as good on the other side."

He motions to Link. "You of all people should take that red potion. I need you top shape so I can prepare for the next time you happen to change into a bunny or something, I don't know," he fusses. "Whatever it might be, red potion first."

Red snorted to himself to hold back his laughter. Felt good to have a moment to just cut loose. "The changes he's had probably haven't been very fun for him. I don't really want him to change into anything else. Let's just let him be Link for now and hope he can stay that way. As long as possible." He knows the probability of what he's asking for is probably low, but he'll hope against that.

Mipha watched Impa wander off and shook her head. "I can tell from her form that she's capable, but still, her experience must have been terribly draining and yet, she still thought enough to assist Link with his condition. Some might be envious of that level of endurance she has..." She decides it would be a good time to relax her bones. Now that she's sitting, her muscles can finally relax and boy do they ever. She feels much heavier now. "I feel like I could doze off. Some sleep would be lovely."

Link holds up the bottle to examine it, then takes a small sip at everyone's insistence. A few moments later he begins to look calmer. He nods to the man and says, “Thank you.”

He hands the rest of the bottle to Irina. “Please, we will need your wisdom and powers. I know this has been a particularly hard battle for you as well.” He hands over the bottle, almost completely full, to the warrior.

He gets up and walks over to the boat. He pulls on a few loose planks that were damaged in the battle and breaks them off. He sets them in a small pile and begins to build a little fire near where Mipha is resting.

“I agree.” He says to Revali. “You will look fabulous on the other side. But none of us will fare well in our current state. Let's rest here. Perhaps Impa will return soon. If not, we leave without her.”

“A… bunny?!” Irina says softly but scared to even think about it. “I think we have had enough with the wolf and the Zora. At least for now.”

Irina shakes her head when she is offered the bottle. “I couldn't possibly take it. We don't know what's behind that mirror… if it’s related to the sword, the group will need you.” She takes a small sip herself, which makes her feel better immediately, but offers the bottle back to Link with a grin. “Take it, or we will have to fight about this.”

Link shakes his head, offering the bottle to Red, Mipha, whoever might need it. “Between Princess Mipha's magic and the spell that Impa performed, I actually feel fine. I just need some time to regain my bearings.”

"You and me agree on something for once." Revali approved of Link's assessment while taking his seat at the makeshift campfire. "A nice, warm fire. Too bad there's no way to clean up and I'm not about to jump into that river to attempt it. Although, if I had a tree oil of some kind, that would also suffice." He grumbled to himself. "And yes, a bunny. I just made it up on the fly, but it sounds plausible. I don't want to see it happen either, but who knows what this guy will get up to," he nods his head towards him while responding to Irina.

_Gatu reluctantly takes a swig of the Red Potion he gave Link whose been sharing it with the others after he took a gulp of some, Gatu himself looking much better than before as the burns, cuts, bruises, and scraps mostly healed away, but are residual since he didn't down more._
"Goddesses, I can breath again..." _Gatu said, rubbing his left ribs area as he sighs in relief._ "No need to get your Rito feathers ruffled up Revali, that mirror isn't going anywhere. But I digress..."
_Gatu sits down in front of the makeshift campfire carefully prepared by Link to warm up. It was really nippy in this area..._
"I think that once Impa returns, we should hold a vote on how to proceed since it seems we're mostly split on what to do."

Irina smiles at Revali, "He does get in trouble, but it's for everybody else. And we have all been getting in trouble lately, I am afraid." And looking around at the group, it's hard to debate that.

"Everybody usually does what they feel is right," Irina explains gently, "so that is probably what will happen. Those who feel they should leave the temple are free to do so. Help is needed in Castle Town, so that is very useful as well."

"Tell you what, I'll think of a surprise and it'll be on the house." Fallon replies to Saria, jotting down 'surprise' and circling it. "Okay, that ought to take care of things and--" her head lowers to see her little one at the table. "Play? That is what you are offering after they have just arrived?" She smiles, giving way to the table so they can all take off. "Of course, they wouldn't say no to that offer."

She chuckles and clears the milk and water cups while she determines what would be good for them to eat. "Make sure you stay close by!!" She called out to them, ensuring her voice could be heard through and beyond the door.

"Okay, now what to feed to them... Perhaps some cuccoo tenders. I think that'll be good. Side of greenery and that ought to cover it."

That in mind, she quickly heads to the kitchen to drop off the glasses and put the order in. She then hustles towards the exit so she could watch them and wait for the order to finish.

"Okay Mommy!" Naomi says as she follows the other two, her brain immediately filing the instruction under 'Things that have been responded to and thus require no further thought'.

Out in the field, Naomi spreads her arms to the others. "So what should we play? How abouuuuuuuut" (points at Aio) "you're the heroic knight," (points at Saria) "you're the pretty princess," (points at self) "and I'M the ferocious dragon?" >:) Naomi raises her hands high like claws and stomps dramatically toward Saria. "IIIIII'M GOING TO EEEEAAAT YOOOOUUUUU!" >:O

Aio stares at Naomi blankly. He clearly didn't understand her. He wonders why this girl is threatening the other girl.

As he doesn't quite understand the rules of the game, he does the same and chases after Saria, holding his hands up like a dragon as well. He calls out "Raaawr!" and something unintelligible in his language.

Saria lets out a scream as both come after her and laughs, running. She looks at Aio and points at Naomi without stopping. "Attack HER, not me! We are the good guys! Dragon! Dragon! " She repeats, hoping to teach Aio a new word.

Aio begins chasing after Naomi, too, and calls her by what he thinks is probably her name, "Dragon! Dragon!"

Fallon opens the door and is immediately met with screaming and shouts of a dragon. She hurries outside, checking the sky and surroundings to see if one had suddenly popped up. Thankfully, there was no such creature and further processing allowed her to realize they were just playing out here. Of course, that's what they intended to do in the first place, but flashbacks of moldugas and spiders said otherwise. Briefly, anyway.

So, she heads back towards the walls of the inn and leans against them, watching them play and enjoy life for the time being. A refreshing change of scenery to what she knows lies beyond.

Naomi blinks at the swift derailment of her CAREFULLY CRAFTED FANTASY WORLD. o.O; At least Saria seems to get the idea and is trying to explain it to Aio -- but it looks like he still thinks _he's_ a dragon. Okay, well, maybe he can be a knight AND a dragon! Like some kind of...dragon man!

<https://i.redd.it/xcbi8yj0nhv81.jpg>

"Ummm...OHNOES IT IS THE DRAGONBORN! BUT YOU WILL NEVER DEFEAT ME UNLESS YOU FIND THE, ummm, MAGICAL HELMET OF RAINBOW FLAMES! IT IS IN, ummmmmmmmmm...aaaaaa SECRET PLACE THAT--THAT ONLY THE ROYAL FAMILY KNOWS ABOUT!" Yeah, Naomi is totally engaging in AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION and not dumping her DM responsibilities on Saria. n.n

Those were a lot of words and Aio understood none of them! He continues to chase Dragon and shouts her name. He giggles with excitement as the air and sun and open space combine to create a volatile reaction of fun.

As the screams of the children echo through the field outside of the Wolfos, a tall imposing Gerudo woman cuts the horizon perpendicularly. She holds a spear and walks in a relaxed pace but with a serious expression. The expression softens when she sees the children playing, particularly the boy.

She stops and observes them by the stables outside of the inn.

Saria laughs and nods, pointing at Noemi! "Yes! Catch the dragon!"

Seeing Risa arrive, Saria hmms, touching her chin with a finger. She approaches Risa and Fallon and brings her hands to her back. "Excuse me, I have a question."

"As you know, Aio is living in the Kokiri Forest now. Do you know of any grown-ups that may help us build a treehouse for him?"

Risa crouches down to become eye-level with the forest child. She rests her elbow on her knee and says, "A treehouse?" She thinks, and says, "Sweetie, I am from the desert. I don't know much about trees. But I will find someone who can help."

Fallon laughed to herself. Of all the things Naomi could've been, a dragon...born was not one she expected. Yet, she could appreciate her imagination. Those bedtime stories must've sounded far more spectacular to her than she'd thought.

Spotting movement in the distance, she looked towards it and found it was a friendly face upon closer inspection. She smiled as Risa approached, acknowledging her presence with a nod.

With Saria now approaching, she then pondered her question, "You need help with one, hm? Well, I'm not much of a builder, but I can assist in whatever way I can. I'll have to ask my husband if he has any suggestions or ideas. All else fails, I could just read about trees and houses and then attempt to replicate it."

Saria grins, her hands on her back while she listens to them. "You are big and strong women, so I knew you could help! Thank you." With this, she goes back to playing with her friends.

GUUUHHHH!!! &gt;_&lt;; Being a DM is so FRUSTRATING! You put in all this work to give the players an intricate world to interact with, and they just want to be MURDER HOBOS that solve every problem by charging at it swords waving! "Okay, fine! TAG, YOU'RE IT!" Naomi shouts to Aio. Then she turns and dashes away.

_-OOC- QUIET 9s, A 10 IS SPEAKING._

*The Evil King is surveying his dark kingdom from some precipice, watching the creatures and monsters he cultivated scuffle among themselves.*

"Boring."

*He is impatiently waiting for Edu, who he summoned at his whim and no care for whatever the Twili might have been involved with.*

Edu had received a summons from his supreme overlord, whom he so desires to please. Riding on top of a guardian, he quietly sits until the guardian arrives at his master’s throne, in which the guardian leans forward to allow Edu to slide off, landing on his feet only to kneel on one knee in front of him, bowing his head.

“Lord Ganondorf… I have come, just as you asked!”

The spider whispers while the grown folks start talking, "A spider's name cannot be enunciated by your species' tongue. But you may call me Belinda." She hides back into the shadows.

"That is a pleasant name." Artifa whispers back, also deciding to just tuck herself away someplace nice and unquiet. She gets the distinct feeling there's no real peace to be found down here, so a nearby boulder will just have to do.

*A grunt is all Edu is graced with, as Ganondorf continues to stare over the Depths before he finally glances over his shoulder.*

"You did well draining that overgrown puddle."

*The waters of Lake Hylia are now a raging, roaring river; seeking to carve a bed for itself or an exit. It drowned the weakest and slowest of the Depths' denizens to the Gerudo king's amusement.*

"New job for you: Take this."

*Ganondorf holds a crystal in his hand that he sends to hover in front of Edu. Artifa would recognize it, as it was integral to her test to gain entry to his domain.*

*It vibrates before splitting up into 4 identical copies still hovering in front of the kneeling figure.*

Artifa definitely recognizes those crystals. She didn't even know more were going to be used. This was going to be fascinating to watch unfold and keep record of.

Darkness thickens along one of the jagged stone structures overlooking the gathering. It does not move. It simply exists — heavier than the surrounding gloom.

If one were to look long enough, they might notice the faint suggestion of a figure leaning against the structure — arms loosely folded, one shoulder resting against stone that seems to absorb her rather than support her. Red eyes glimmer once in the dim, observing.

Dark Irina says nothing. She does not step forward, does not interfere with Ganondorf’s commands, does not acknowledge Artifa’s quiet fascination.

She watches the spider, the scholar, the summoned dark guy, and the splitting crystals, and a faint curl of a smile touches her lips.

The shadows around her remain still, as if unaware she was ever there at all.

The spider's laser eye catches the glow of the crystals. Pretty. Her hind legs rub silently with excitement.

Edu glances up at the praise from his master. How exhilarating this was! He was actually being recognized for his efforts, which brought a smile to his face.

_New job..?_ Edu wondered internally, before a crystal is sent floating to him. Edu reaches out to grab it before it splits into 4, a small gasp escaping Edu’s lips. “Yes, Lord Ganondorf.” The words slip from him out of habit, before he reaches again, attempting to grab one of the four crystals.

*Turning slightly so the Twili is more in sight, Ganondorf gives a slow cruel grin.*

"Set these up. Wherever, whenever. When you do, the only thing I want ... Is to make sure it hurts as many people as possible."

*He chuckles deep in his chest.*

"I'm sure you'll all enjoy the results when they've all gone off."

A low chuckle rattles in Edu’s chest as a massive grin stretches across his face. He quickly gathers the crystals, and bows once more to his master. “I'll get right to it!” He shouts, stumbling backward as he raises up from his kneel, however he manages to clean it up with a nice spin that would have looked really cool if he wore a cape. Unfortunately he did not. He hops back on the head of his guardian. “I'll get started on my work right away, m’Lord.”

Dark Irina just rolls her eyes and scratches the side of her neck idly, looking a bit bored now.

"That kind of excitement is admirable for such a daunting task. I almost died from mine and it wasn't even the crystal that was the most concerning..." Artifa remarked to herself while peering over the boulder.

"I'm sure he'll do fine."

*The Gerudo male shrugs lazily, acknowledging Artifa's words as he opens a portal to his next destination;*

"Either the job gets done or he dies."

*Ganondorf disappears into the magic, leaving the question if the bomb or the Evil King himself would be the cause of Edu's death.*