So how was that one in compare to the other? Cx Better I hope. If you didn't read the crack!troll, I highly suggest you do, even though it's spoiler(ish) filled. It's just me venting. I might add more to that sometime if I get bored and frustrated with this (hah like I haven't already).
After I located the mage once more—which took much longer than I expected—I told him that we needed to leave. He didn't take that too well, all of his former giddiness gone.
"We leave when I say we leave, not when you do, since you want my help," Vaati snapped, though he was tossing items into his bag as he spoke.
My teeth clacked together in frustration. "How are you supposed to help if we leave on your time? I need you now, not when you decide." I stared at the mage, trying to keep my temper down.
Vaati just gave me a withering look. "I'm getting my things. Don't push your luck, Chosen One."
My anger flared again, but I pushed it down with a calming breath.
The mage tied off his bag and walked around me to the entrance outside. As he passed me, I couldn't help but childishly try and trip him. It had seemed to work; he stumbled; but it was no victory as Vaati whipped around and grabbed my shoulder tightly.
I forced my expression to remain neutral as Vaati leaned over and said softly in my ear, "This isn't going to be a pleasant trip for either of us. So, I suggest that you try not to make it any more worse than it should be, because I could just as easily make it even more terrible for you." I could feel his hot breath against my skin.
Vaati continued on his way as I stood, stunned. I knew that this wasn't going to be easy, but the pure hatred spiraling from the mage just made it that much worse.
He called back, "Well don't just stand there; you were the one in a hurry weren't you?"
In just a mere twenty seconds, Vaati's mood had done a complete flip. I followed him out and decided it would be in our best interests to find my horse. I looked at Vaati, wondering if he'd respond cheerfully or with a glare as I said, "Can you teleport us to the edge of the forest?" I paused, thoughts flying through my head. "Wait, can't you just teleport us to the castle?"
A smirk formed on the mage's lips and he drawled, "Of course I could."
I was about to ask him why he didn't, but he held up a purple digit to stop me. "But—there are some things that you have to acquire before we can do that."
I knew this was too easy. I tried to not show my disappointment, and failed. This made a grin gleefully show its way to Vaati's face. A grin at my expense. He must really hate me, I remember thinking.
"To the edge of the forest then." Vaati stepped to me and laid a hand on my shoulder, his fingers touching the bare skin where my tunic didn't cover.
"What are you doing?" I asked when nothing happened.
Vaati frowned and closed his eyes, opening them again when nothing happened. "Shit," the mage muttered, making a face. "I guess we're walking."
His hand slipped from my shoulder as I started off in the direction of the entrance. Six wrong turns later, I let the mage take the lead. "You get us out."
"Got it!" Vaati exclaimed in triumph, bringing a hand up to shield his eyes from the setting sun. He grinned at me before realising himself and letting the excitement drop.
I huffed and turned away, overheated and bothered he didn't teleport us, drawing my attention to finding Epona. After a moment, I realised that she was nowhere to be seen. "Where's my horse?" I wondered aloud, looking around where we exited. I knew I had left her here somewhere, so where was she?
Vaati grunted. "Why does it matter? We have to save your precious Zelda."
"But, we have to find my horse." I looked around more, trying to ignore Vaati. It was hard. He had his hands on his hips, hair swirling in the slight breeze.
"You look like a girl," I called to him, smirking slightly.
To which he called back, "Maybe I am, oh Chosen One!" He shifted and crossed his arms, almost daring me to retort.
Quickly, I turned back and walked past him, muttering so that he could hear, "Well then you're the ugliest girl I've ever seen."
Vaati gave a start and I silently grinned in victory. My mood wasn't even dampened as Vaati said, "She's not here. We're going to have to walk. Again."
I shrugged and turned back to face him. "Where to first then, Great Mage of Wind?" If he could do smart ass titles toward me, I could retort with similar ones. Hopefully we'd happen upon Epona on the way to wherever we were headed.
"To Ordon," Vaati said, not even blinking in surprise at what I addressed him as.
My hometown? I made a confused face and turned away from Vaati to hide it. "At least we're close. What's there that we need?" When my surprise wore off, I turned back to face him.
There was a smirk set on his lips. "You'll see when we get there." The mage readjusted the pack on his shoulders and started off in the direction of my little village.
I took one more look around us, just in case Epona suddenly appeared, and then followed Vaati. It was going to be a long, arduous journey.
