Live Your Own Story in Hyrule

"Thank you, Revali." Mipha regards Red with a smile. "Gatu. Well met, I am Princess Mipha of Zora's Domain," she nods in greeting in his direction. After the salutations, she glances at the wolf to see if he really needs help, but he appears to be alright. Still, her desire to assist is strong, but she'll temper herself for now. Every little thing didn't need doting on.

Looking over the courtyard, she can see how somber it is, but also gets the sense from its design why Irina had reluctance earlier. "This temple feels a far cry different from the water temple..." she remarked thoughtfully.

_Gatu turns to see the wolf's failed first attempt, before then making it the second time after the lady made it up similarly like he did. He still thinks his Octo Balloon idea was better. He would've just put two on them to lift the wolf up, then use his Bow to pop one with an arrow to lower the wolf back down. Nevertheless, the wolf's got moxxy like he does. He respects that._

"It's the name I go by, yeah. The name I was born with... It never made sense, so I gave myself a name that I felt worked the best for me." _Gatu replied to Revali._ "It's nice I finally get to meet the Rito that saved me from a terrible fate. Princess Zelda told me about you after I woke up, before the battle at Zora's Domain with those Lizalfos that came out of the water..."
_He then turns to Mipha, also showing proper edict and salutations to the Princess of the Zoras with a hand over his heart and bows respectfully._ "It is an honor to meet you, Princess Mipha."
"I know I sort of, in a weird way, stumbled into the quest you guys are on... But from my time in Hyrule traveling around, it seems fate steers me to where there is adventure. So since I am here with you all, I want to help in whatever way I can." _Gatu explain to Wolf Link and the others, showing he has a courageous spirit about him, despite looking battle worn- he still had a slight smile on his face with the dirt on his tunic and smudged on his cheeks._

"As for the Water Temple... I only got to see the outside of it when I was swimming underwater. I'm sure it will see better days, in the future. I can agree this is a far cry from it. It's got that moody and eerie aura to it."

_With that said, Gatu reaches into his Inventory and pulls out an unlit torch, striking it with some flint and steel he bought at the last marketplace he went to since he ran out with his tinderbox Zelda gave him as it catches aflame; making some light for them all._

Rome glances over at Gatu when he speaks to him, smiling slightly. “The name is Rome. Vanhart.” He says giving him a thumbs up just before the others arrive. He takes the moment to glance around the hill they find themselves on, before his eyes fall upon the entrance to the temple. “Any idea what this mirror we are looking for is all about?” He asks to anyone who would answer. Though, it was probably a moot point.

Irina approaches the wolf when he finally makes it to ensure he is fine. "Nice to meet you, Gatu. I am Irina," she smiles warmly as she introduces herself to their chatty companion.

Turning to look at the temple, she watches it concerned and answers to the princess. "I have never been to the Water Temple. But the name tells me it is very different from this one. This place It is very deceiving... There are many things that are there, but you can't see."

Irina shakes her head to Rome, not knowing what mirror that is.

"Well, now that we've all been properly introduced, I think we should start going inside. Seems Irina has the most experience here and it was by no means her choice to have it. With that being said, we should treat her words and concerns with utmost care. This place sounds like it's going to be a pain to get through." Blue looks around at the others before starting his way down the stairs into the temple.

Red gulps. "Things that are there, but we can't see? Sounds like poes. Lots of poes. Or worse. I'm thinking much worse." He shakes his head. How are they possibly going to find a mirror in all that?

"The pleasure is all mine, Gatu." Mipha returned the pleasantries. Her attention shifts focus to their task once again, particularly at Irina's remarks. "It is different, yes. The halls and rooms of the water temple have much to do with the nature and movement of water and they reflect as much. This place, though..." She shudders. "I wish it were shadows in name only, but your warning is plenty enough to tell me there's far more at stake. We must be careful. No more bumping into fences," she turns to playfully tut at the wolf to try and get her spirits up.

"Revali, don't go too far!" She calls after him, joining him on the stairway down.

"A Mirror is what you're after?" _Gatu asks, turning to look back at the others as he takes a cautious step inside the archway into the entrance of the Shadow Temple. He has a distant feeling he knows the mirror they're talking about for some reason..._ "Well, whatever the mirror is must be pretty important..."
_Gatu leads the way down, using his torch to light the way forwards. Eventually, the group come upon a clearing with a platform in the center, several unlit torches in a sporadically ring around the center platform, and the sealed closed door to the Shadow Temple._

"It looks like some sort of puzzle to open it... Maybe these torches around the platform have something to do with it?"
_Gatu carefully climbs up onto the platform, in which he brushes the dried dirt and grim off it with his free hand. When he does, he sees the symbol of three familiar triangles whilst sporting the same symbol for the Shadow Temple above the sealed door carved into the center of it. It makes his glance as his old bandaged wrapped hand for a few moments before he stands._

"So this is the Shadow Temple. My friend told me about it once, though I kind of wished I inquired about it further... Any ideas on how to open it up guys?

Irina follows Revali. "I was a prisoner in this place for a long time. It was Link and Einion who helped me." She sighs silently, "So he has experience too. But I remember he had some kind of object that helped him navigate this place." She looks at the wolf. "You clearly don't have it with you, but do you remember what it was?"

Wolf Link shakes dust and grass off next to Revali... maybe a bit too close. His pride took a critical hit, but otherwise he seems fine. He sees the bunny man and sniffs at him, then turns to the group. The man hears a low growl as the wolf communicates with them, but wouldn't be able to understand it. "Tell this man that the place is dangerous. He should enter at his own risk. We can't guarantee the safety of anybody that goes inside."

He hears Irina recount her history here, and inquire about the object. He nudges her leg in an attempt to comfort her, knowing this place holds many dark memories for her. He then looks up and says in a low whine, "I do not, unfortunately. But my senses are strong in this form, so perhaps I can use them to help us."

Rome quietly follows the group into the room of many unlit torches. His eyes skim across the room as Gatu explains the logistics of the puzzle in the room, before Link speaks to the group. Rome decides he may as well translate. “Our friend says we cannot guarantee your safety should you come further with us. You look like you can handle yourself, but we are not going to ask you to risk your life with us,” Rome explains, before giving a small smile. “That being said, I'm sure the extra hand at *sniffing* things out would be helpful, I'm sure.”

The room is fairly unassuming with the exception of the raised platform and torches surrounding it. The door lies ahead with a gentle draft rolling out from beneath the crack. Grains of dust are gathered at the base from previous entries, stacking into small piles. A fine coating of soot covers the floor and along with it a coating of a liquid substance trailing off in the direction of the door.

"Torches, a platform. Seems like these would open the way. On account of, you know, being the only thing in here so far." Revali pokes around. "The place is absolutely covered in soot. So, we light the torches and see what happens." He looks from Rome and then Gatu. "That's right. Don't get too ahead of yourself in here. We don't know what to expect going into this place."

"It feels ironic to have to use so much fire in a place where shadows reside." Mipha notes, lowering herself to the ground to touch it and get an idea of the soot here and...something else. "This feels slick." Now she has an unknown substance and doesn't know what to attribute it to. "I felt something more on the ground, but I don't know what it is or where else it occurs. Please tread carefully."

Fallon could feel the warmth of life in his body from the squeeze she was given. "You are! Last I saw you, you were asleep! I have to admit, I didn't know what you'd remember when you woke up, but you've remembered my name and everything," she laughed, bringing a hand up to the corners of her eyes to clear them of tears. She didn't want to start crying too soon.

"You left something for me in the forest? I think you've already given me so much, I have the stone and the papers you left me with. There's more?"

She instinctively jotted down the orders for water without missing a beat in the conversation.

"Two waters, got it. And I'll relay your message shortly here," she looks from Saria to Aio.

"Saria says she will teach you her language if you teach her yours. She also wnts you to know that the children in the forest are your friends and that they protect one another."

The boy smiles broadly to Saria. He seems very excited about everything he is hearing and seeing. "I will teach her everything!"

He watches Fallon taking orders. "Do you have any milk?"

"He says he'll teach you everything," Fallon relayed his response to Saria.

"Milk, was it? Of course. You got it. I'll be back with those drinks." Fallon heads over to the kitchen to grab some water and milk for the trio. When she comes back, she sets the water and milk down before each of them. "I tried to bring the smallest glass we had for you, but I understand its still pretty big," she explained to Ion. "I'll take a look around and see if there's anything here I can bring that would be smaller to drink from. For now, water and milk is covered. Is there any food you desire to have?"

Saria grins at the translation. “How fun!” When the drinks come, she first thanks Fallon before thinking about what to eat. Then she just shrugs. “Please surprise us! But I only have a few rupees I found in the bushes. I hope that is enough!”

About Ion, Saria giggles. “I have thimbles for him at home. Anything small will work.”

She then starts pointing at everything and naming it for Aio. First at her glass. “Water.” Then at his glass. “Milk!” Then at the table. “Table.” Then at the fairy. “Ion!”

Knowing how quickly children learn and how smart Aio is, he will probably be speaking Hylian in no time!

Heeeeeere comes trouble. 83

Naomi comes tripping (almost literally) down the stairs and rounds the corner into the tavern, looking for something fun to interact with like Crispy or a fishy-man or Mommy's wallOOOOOO, OTHER KIDS!!! 8D And they have a glowy-ball too! Naomi trots up and rests her chin on the edge of the table. "Hi, I'm Naomi! Wanna play when you're done eating?"

The international language of children is play. Even though he didn't really understand the girl, he understood the offer. He drinks his glass of milk in a single action and wipes his mouth with his arm, then jumps up. "Play!" He repeats a word he just learned, and runs out of the Wolfos into the field. The feeling of the sun and cool air on his skin amplifies his excitement.

Saria giggles and nods to Naomi. "Let's go!" she drinks her water in one big gulp and follows after Aio, forgetting about the food, the adults, and everything else.

Ion jumps up. "But... but... Saria!" He follows after her, making sure he gets out the door before it closes.

"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

Saria follows Link through the structures. Despite being deeply connected to the forest, she has already lost her way. But they can solve that problem later. She runs behind the stone to hide with Link and watches the Wolfos family gaping widely. She looks at Link, amazed at the cute pups.

When the family has finished eating, they run off again into the forest. Link runs after them but is stopped because they happen upon a big stone structure. It's a temple deep in the forest, one that has been lost to time. It is almost not visible as it is overgrown by plants, but there is no mistaking that he mountain before them is man-made and not a natural structure.

Saria runs after the Wolfos family with Link. When they arrive at the temple, the kokiri's interest switches from the animals to the building. She runs to it, touching the wall and looking for the door curiously. "What is this place? Have you been here before?" she asks Link.

Link shakes his head. "I haven't. And from the looks of these vines, it doesn't look like anybody has been here for a while." He looks up at the stone walls and tries to peer into an opening. "Let's explore it!"

Saria grabs one of the vines to make a small climb to one of the openings. "Hellooooo!" She looks inside and hmms. "I am so curious to see what is in there..." She follows you, wondering if you fit into the opening.

Link barely fits but he squeezes in, pushing past vines and other plants. There is a sudden drop but plenty of vines to hold onto. He climbs down. Some light filters in from other windows and a hole in the roof. He reaches a large central room and calls out to you.

Saria almost falls as well, and not as gracefully as Link. She grabs onto the vines, almost getting trapped in them, but climbs down after Link and looks around. "This is place is so mysterious! I wonder how long it has been empty. We should be careful; there might be some skulltullas and deku babas around."