002 ∇ video

[wise_disguise]

 This has been an unexpected week. First I find that I have been kidnapped by yet unseen gods. Then I discover that there are not only individuals here from my world - an apparent privilege that not all of us enjoy - but that some of those brothers and sisters are from times past and future from my own.

It's... all very perplexing. And at the same time, I can't help but feel some relief at the relative safety of this new home of mine - home for the time being.

[After a pause, he continues.]

Something I have noticed is that many of you are young - even very young.  It's worrying that children in your position are stuck here in this city, separated from your parents or support structures, being deprived of those activities necessary to develop into a functional adult and achieve your full potential.

I understand the experience of being torn from your family and home and being expected to grow up abnormally fast. For those willing to speak with me, how old are you? If I am stuck here, I might as well extend a helping hand to those who may need it.

[Sheik stops, as if that was it, but makes one last comment before finishing.]

Also, Sister, I am ready to meet you at your earliest convenience.

Comments

[waker]

[He's not exactly sure what Sheik is trying to get at here, but because he's nice Link will do the good thing and try to give him some backup.]

I'm twelve, Sheek. is that too old? I don't know what you mean by helping hand.

[wise_disguise]

[Sheik can't deal with how presh this one is. He just wants to squeeze his cheeks so bad.]

That's not too old. [Sheik isn't entirely sure what he means by helping hand either, but for a kid like this who can't... spell so well, he does have some ideas.] I know you are a Hero, though, Link. How long has it been since you were swept up in your calling?

[waker]

[Nooo! Not the cheeks!

Excuse me, Link can definitely spell. It's not HIS fault Shiek's name doesn't translate the way he thinks it does on paper.]

I don't know... it's hard to keep track when you're at sea but if I had to guess I think it's been at least four months.

[wise_disguise]

Four months is a long time to be away from one's home when you're only twelve. Do you go to school back home?

[waker]

[What does that have to do with anything pssshhhh come on now Sheik.]

No, my island is too small. There's only me and my sister, and Zill and Joel but they're very little, just two and three. The only school i've ever seen is very far away.

[wise_disguise]

You live on an island? [He seems genuinely intrigued by this.] Hyrule is landlocked in my time. Still, I understand. I suppose your mother or father, or someone else in the village, taught you to read and write, then?

[waker]

[Oh... yeah. About that. He's already decided he's going to have to be as cautious as possible when talking about their home world -- he'd feel horrible if he let it slip what happened to Hyrule, after all, even without considering how that could affect history.]

I don't live in Hyrule. I've only ever been there once.

My grandma takes care of me and Aryll. She's the one who taught up to read and write, so I guess you could call her out teacher.

[wise_disguise]

I see. [It strikes Sheik as strange that a Hero wouldn't be Hylian, but the boy seemed to change the subject rather quickly, so he lets it drop. That wasn't the purpose of his initial inquiry, anyway.]

Aryll is your sister? I see. Your grandmother did a fine job, especially with two small children to care for.

[waker]

she always says she is a tough lady, and she is!

Yes, she's my sister. She's nine. She's very tough too, though, maybe more than I am. [Considering she managed to be okay despite being held prisoner for months, and then totally adjusting to pirate lifestyle for the next few is no small feat at all to him. He's very proud of her for sure.]

[wise_disguise]

It must run in the family.

Were you excited to see other places aside from your island? As members of a greater society, it's important for us to learn about the experiences of others that differ from our own, as part of our general education.

[waker]

[Oh you flatterer you. Link's not sure he entirely understands what Sheik's trying to say but okay then, Mr "Greater" Society.]

yes! There are only eleven people including me on my island but there's so much more on other islands, like windfall where the school is. They have over 40 people, it's huge! It was very fun to get to see other places and their cultures, like dragon roost island where the Rito live, [This is just going to go on and on.] two of my friends are Ritos. Medli is a sage and she plays a lyre! And Komali is the prince of the Ritos and he used to be really nervous all the time but now he's much happier and also he got really tall ever since he grew his wings. Oh, and also there's the Koroks that live in the forest with the Great Deku Tree and he's really nice, a little old but I don't think he minds. Makar is a Korok and he's my friend too, he's another sage but he plays a violin or I think it is, but it's kind of different and it's blue.

So yes it was very exciting and I very much like exploring now.

[wise_disguise]

[Oh Goddesses, that was... a lot. But you're really starting to be super kawaii to Sheik now, Link.

Those references to sages and the Great Deku Tree are instant attention-catchers. But he doesn't want to interrupt this positive mood the boy seems to be in. He was struck Sheik as very timid the other day.]

Hearing about it from you makes me want to see it, too! You're quite a worldly little lad.

[Hmm, it's worth proposing what he had in mind for him now, maybe.] Did you get to see the school on Windfall?

[waker]

i don't know, maybe. I've never been outside of our part of the ocean, though. It's much bigger than just what I've seen.

[But wait, Sheik. Why do you keep bringing the conversation back to this.]

I did see the school, Mrs. Marie runs it and she's very nice. The kids were kind of mean to her at first though but I think they're much better now.

[wise_disguise]

Well, have you ever wanted to go to school? You already read and write quite well, but learning doesn't stop there. Knowledge, like swords and shields, is a powerful tool.

[waker]

[Link is walking right into Sheik's trap without a clue of what's really going on here.]

Yes, you're right. I don't know, I've never really thought about it since I'd never seen a school before until I went to windfall, but I guess it would be nice to see what it's like.

[wise_disguise]

Well, it has crossed my mind to perhaps start a school here, for children like yourself who may want to keep up with some of their studies if they want. If you are interested, it would be my pleasure to teach you.