The prey are foolish and blind to the web, before they are caught.
It is entirely up to the spider whether any should live or die.
Whether they go free to be caught again,
Or be devoured now and saved from their reckless abandon.
It is not the spider's fault to have to make such a decision,
But the web was spun, the strings were tied, the board was set.
The game had to begin soon enough.
The only thing missing was the knight.
But she would have him soon enough.
He has a habit of making himself apparent.
Jiren
"Hiya, Aunt Jiren!"
"Well, hallo there, Strider. How goes-"
"Wonderful! The sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, everyone's busy working, and cheerful on this wonderfully important and happy day!"
The kid's so happy. I know I shouldn't tease him, but the opportunity's too good t' pass up.
"Really? Huh, well ain'tchou a merry little fella."
" 'Cuz today's special!"
"Really? How come? Doesn't seem any different t' me. If anythin', it's worse. Stayin' out in the humidity, runnin' after pigs, workin' harder than normal 'cuz my usual help's gone…"
"…Oh."
Pfft, seriously, you think he'd know me well enough by now. "Oh relax, I'm jus' teasin' ya Strider. Congrats on turnin-"
"No! Don't say it!"
Say what? "…Why not?"
"'Cuz we gotta save the goodwill, an' encouragement, an' excitement fer when I put on my necklace!"
"That so?"
"Yeah, that way I'll have extra good luck this year. The necessary burst I'll need t' start off the newest arc of my perilous journey toward adulthood. I mean, what if it didn't go on? I'd still be a child, and then my journey into the world of grown-ups would be even longer."
I swear, I know the kid's smart, but that crazy tyke gets caught up in the wackiest ideas. An' he's so serious about it too. "Well, ahright, I won't say anythin' 'til tonight."
"Thanks, Aunt Jiren."
"No problem."
Now, back t' work. I swear, I'll catch this little guy soon enough.
"Want some help?"
He's actu'lly offerin', huh? Ahright, I can appreciate that. "That'd be great, actu'ly. Ya sure yer Ma won't mindja gettin' those clothes dirty?"
"Oh, didn't thinka that. Hm, be right back!" An' off he goes. Can't tell if he's goin' to' warn her, 'r get some old clothes. Guess I'll find out inna few minutes. In the mean time, I'll get this little one t' hold still an' get it clean if it's the last thing I do! Blast it all, this little bugger's a quick little snot. Puttin' up more of a fight than usual today. Squirmin' up a storm, it is. Ok, let's try this again. Plant the feet, wait 'till he slows fer a second, an' lunge- no wait, gotta grab it- blast, he still got away. Ahright, settle down a sec, maybe try to herd it in a corner before goin' in again. I'll get the mud in my eye if I'm not careful. One more time, jus' a single dive oughta do it. Jus' gotta be quick, quick like a snake. Ready, an'… now! Gotcha- Dunk. Ow. Basset, missed again. Ah, right on the noggin, that's gonna smart. Cursed little bugger.
"Pfftahaha!"
Speakin' of buggers. Glad to see he's in such good spirits. I's kinda impressive I can hear him all the way from that window.
" 'Re ya gonna help me 'r not?"
"Haha, sorry, that was jus' really funny. Whoo! I'm comin' down, don't worry. Jus' gimmie a sec t' change."
Ahright, that means hes gonna get a dirt workin' outfit. What's he doin' shoutin' out from the guest windows anyway? I'll hafta ask him about that. 'Til then though… maybe I'll take a breather before he comes down.
o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o
"Ahright, this time you're gonna dive fer him, an I'll catch him as he goes the other way."
"Jus' try to avoid hittin' the fence though, right?"
"Since it's yer celebration, I'll letcha off fer that, but I'll getchou yet tomorrow."
"I believe ya. I'll jus' stay away from the house 'til it's safe."
"Help me catch this thing, an' I'll cut the sentence time."
"You're on!"
"One,"
"Two,"
"Three!"
"Yah!" "Wah!"
Blasted pig! Ow! Blasted fence! That's twice ahready.
"Phhuhahahaha!"
An' I'll get that blasted nephew fer sure, later. I'll give him somethin' to laugh about. "Yeah, yeah, quitcher laughin'. This time, I'll stand guard an' you dive fer 'im."
"Okay, I'll try."
Easy now, easy does it. "Here, piggy, piggy. Come t' Mama." No, wait, don't go anywhere. That's right, focus on me. "Here piggy."
"Hn!"
Hey, that's some distance. Guess he over did- no wait, goin' into a roll- nope, still missed. I guess it's a good thing the dirt's nice an' spongy, otherwise we'd both be bruised by now.
"Phoo. Blegh."
"Got dirt in yer mouth?"
"Yeah. Tastes nasty."
"Well, what'dya 'spect, it's dirt. C'mon, get up an' we can corral him int'the other pigs."
"Sounds good. I'll come up on the right."
"Gotcha. You go fer him again, since you're smaller."
"Okay… Hey, that's not a reason!"
"Sure, means ya can squish between the pigs better."
"Aunt Jiren!"
"Hey, relax. Ya catch him this time, an' you'll be done. Jus' focus on the dive."
"Yeah, sure. Kay, ready? Easy at first now. One…"
"Two…"
"Three!"
Off he goes. Aw man, it jus' slipped past his fingers. An' he's goin' after the little thing too. He's determined now. He's prob'ly gonna slip on somethin' or hit the fence. Not that I'm worried, but he's gonna wear himself out before catchin' it. Nope, he's still goin'- whoa, too close there. Hey, don't come so close to me at the speed, the sty ain't that big- aw, crap! Ow, right on the butt.
"Sorry Aunt Jiren, I- Uwa!"
An' he trips, in all his major glory. I guess I call that even. Ah well, he tried. Gotta give him credit fer that.
"Well, you two look like you're havin' fun."
Helo. Fun, yeah, I'm sure we do. Jerk. Good t' see ya too, honey. Whoo…
"Haha, Hiya Uncle Helo. How're the others holding out at the orchard?"
"They're doin' fine, even withoutcha. But I hope yer Ma ahready knows about you bein' out here, Strider."
"I's fine, I warned her. I'm takin' a bath later tonight anyway. How 'bout Grams? She up an' runnin' today?"
"Yeah, actu'ly she's doin' great. You can go talk to her today. She said she wanted t' see ya."
"Really? Great!"
How can he still hop up like that? He was divin' harder than me. Kids, so much energy these days.
"I'll jus' rinse off a bit an' go see her. That is, um… ya want me t' stay an get the pig with ya, Aunt Jiren?"
"Nah, go ahead. I don't think we're gonna catch that pig today-"
"Ya mean this one?"
Helo, don't tell me you- blast! He's holdin' it, an it ain't even squirmin'. He always does it when I'm not lookin. How's he do that?
"Whoa, how'd you get it, Uncle Helo?"
"Sometimes, ya jus' need the right approach. Here ya go, honey."
Why's he handin' it off t' me?
"I jus' came t' make sure the sty was in one piece. You two have fun restin' now, while I get back to the orchard."
Oh no he doesn't. "An' jus' where doya think yer goin'?"
"Erk."
Thought so. If he thinks I'm gonna give this squirmy bundle a splashing bath after what I jus' went through, when he got it in less than a second, he's got another thing comin'.
"This pig still needs t' get clean. You obviously got a knack fer this. I think ya ought to take it off our hands now an' finish the job."
"Ah… but, you handle 'em a lot better than I do, I'm jus' lucky-"
"Take the pig."
"Yes, dear."
"Um, bye Uncle Helo. Hang in there."
I'll smack the tyke fer that. But only after I get my energy back. Man, from the way that little guy was goin', you'd think we were butcherin' him tonight.
"Aunt Jiren?"
"Yeah?"
"Does this cut from my sentence?"
"Hehehe, sure, sure, you're pardoned. For this time."
"Great, jus checkin'. Actu'ly, Aunt Jiren…"
"What now?"
"If someone really did getchou mad… like: did something to you that made you really, really mad, you'd want to get back at 'em, right?"
"Well, sure, but that doesn't mean I always will."
"Like when?"
"Well, we all get mad sometimes an' wanna get back at somethin', but what if it's really jus' an accident? They didn't really mean anything by it, and there's nothin' we can do. We jus' gotta let it slide."
"Right… right! Ok, I see now. Ha, you sound like Uncle Helo."
"Eh, we're bound to rub off on each other after this long. Why're you askin' me, anyway? Did someone do somethin' t' you?"
"No, no! I'm fine, really. I jus' read somethin' in this book recently, an' it got me thinkin' and wonderin'."
"What'djou read?"
" 'Man knows not the meaning of fear, until faced with a woman's wrath.'"
Is that an insult, or a joke?
"…Now what kinda books're ya readin' anyway?"
"Poetry." -This his says with a silly smile on his face.- "Grams wanted me t' try an' get into it, but it's kinda boring fer me. I couldn't really get it all. That one line stuck with me though. It got me wonderin' if girls could really get as scary as the book said. I figured I should ask you, jus' t' make sure. That Tremblesknife guy was kinda weird on other things too… "
"Huh. So that was it. Hahaha, well, what I said was true, but watch out, you don't wanna go pissin' off yer future wife. That'll be endless nights on the couch fer you, an then some."
"Well, how about cousins?"
Cousins? Keian.
"Strider, what'd you do?"
"Nothing! It's just, well…"
He's lookin' nervous. He must be guilty of somethin'.
"I was teasin' her a little while ago, 'cuz I felt like fightin', but she didn't do anything. She didn't even get mad! I mean, I figured since it's my birth celebration today, she'd jus' go easy on me 'r something', but this is jus' weird."
"Well, if it's jus' teasin, maybe she's tryin' to be more mature. She's goin' on t' bein' a woman now, ya gotta get that."
"That's why I'm worried about that line from the book. See, she's been givin' Deron and Goron weird looks too. She's all smilin' an' happy, an' it's really, really creepy."
Uh-oh, this does sound serious. She an' my boys haven't been on good terms, an it's too early fer things to change that much. I see why he's scared.
"Oh well."
"Oh well? You mean it's nothin'?"
"Well, no good worryin' about it. She ain't done anything, so what's the point of worryin'?"
"Yeah, I guess…"
'Sides, if the kid goes worryin' about it, he'll never get any sleep.
"Either get cleaned up, or stay outdoors, 'cuz yer Ma's gonna have a heart attack if she sees ya. I know ya warned her, but that still won't do ya any good. An' who's she gonna blame?"
"Haha, yeah, I guess you're right. I'll clean up, but I'll go say hi t' Grams first. Thanks, Aunt Jiren."
"Sure thing. Jus' try not t' come between 'em if somethin' does flare up."
"Y-Yeah, sure…"
"Now, why'd ya ask me, anyway? Why notcher Ma?"
"Oh, well I jus' thought aboutchou an' Uncle Helo, an' figured- ohp!"
Me an' Helo? What's he talkinn' about? An why's he suddenly coverin' his mouth?
"What about me an' Helo?"
"Er, I meantcher imprison- I mean yer dictator- I-I mean yer relationship!"
"Huh."
"I'm sorry, O Great One! I meant no disrespect, honest!"
Forgot how fast he can run. Well, I'll jus' hafta wait 'till after his party. I can't spoil it fer the cute kid. But jus' wait 'til next time he comes over to my house. I'll bring him t' tears. We'll see who's the dictator then.
o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o
"Didja get it; didja get it, huh, huh, huh?"
If that kid bounces anymore, he's gonna fly right through the roof. I'm surprised he hasn't already. I wish my boys could get that excited over the anticipation of a book. Wouldn't hafta keep buggin' 'em about studyin'.
"Sorry, boy, I tried really, but I could only find a-"
"No way!"
Oh, it's a slingshot. Oh well, guess not this time, but Strider looks happy anyway.
"Thanks Pop, I love it!"
"Oh good."
"I'm gonna go try it-"
Hahaha, tyke gets a bit too excited too fast. I swear Hera's reflexes have improved since he's grown. Betcha anything ten years ago she wouldn't've been able t' touch him before he ran out the door, let alone catch him.
"Oh no ya don't. You gotta a celebration and you're gonna celebrate it."
"But Ma…a slingshot…"
Aw, look at that face. At least it's not THE face. Otherwise Hera wouldn't stand a chance.
"Yeah, I see that. Ya can play with it tomorrow after yer chores. It's ahready dark out. Back t' the table."
Guess that's my cue t' get the food.
"C'mon, Keian."
"Sure."
Good, I'm hungry too, I forgot to have lunch today. I'll be eatin' faster than one-a my pigs.
"Poor Strider,"-Uh oh, I recognize my husbands "sympathy voice"- "havin' to deal with such an oppressive household-"
Thanks Hera, I couldn't reach him from here. Course it was prob'ly better she flick his ear anyway.
Whoever invented trays was a genius. How many trips do we save gettin' these all in one go? Whoop, watch the heads. There we go, easy does it. Ahright, where's that third tray? Oh right, she ahready got it. That everything? Good, we can sit down fer grace.
"Ahright then Strider,"-lookit the Chief, still all important fer the celebration,-"who wouldja like to say the prayers?"
"Oh, I'll do it."
Not surprisin', little tyke likes t'do it himself. He's usually pretty thorough.
"Hello, my name is Strider, and today is my Tenth Year, and I'd like to thank the Gods. Thank you to Din for creating the earth which brought forth our food; thank you to Nayru for giving us the important laws and customs to obey and live by, and thank you most of all Farore for creating us all, and giving me life to a wonderful family, with good friends and neighbors. Honorable Spirit Faron, thank you for your continued protection and keeping me safe so I could see this day. By light of life," –left shoulder- "guidance of wisdom,"-right shoulder-"and gift of power,"-head,-"we pray to thee."
"Bestow thine blessing."
Yep. Gets more fancy each year. Talkin all fancy like that though is downright insultin'.
"I's not Homage; you didn't hafta worry 'bout Faron."
Oh yeah, I missed that. Guess Goron really was paying attention.
"Yeah, but He's nice enough to watch out fer us, so maybe He'd like t'be thanked more than once a year."
An' here comes Hera again, t' the rescue.
"I think so too. That was very kinda ya, Strider."
"So can we eat now?"
"Yes."
Great, I'm starved. What first? Hey, those peas an' carrots look pretty good. Shame the yams are no good yet this season. What meat should I get? Nah, don't feel like cuckoo tonight.
"Hey, pass me that pork."
In the mean time, these corn muffins look great.
"Well, Strider, you're ten now. Ya know what that means, don'tcha?"
Oh right, the plan for the year. Funny, usually Jod'll do it, but I guess Mitulo wanted to talk about it this time. Strider looks pretty eager fer this.
"I'm finally growin' up t'be a man!"
Kogh!
Whoa, hey Keian, easy there, don't choke.
"Keian? Keian, you okay?
Whoa, hey Jod, easy there, don't panic. She just needs some water t'wash it down. There ya go, easy girl.
"Better?"
She nodded, good.
"Oughta be more careful when ya chew yer food."
She nodded, but… what's with that smile? It's like she's tryin' not to laugh. Oh, poor thing's still coughin'. She'll do that for a while, but she should be fine. I just have to figure out why Hera has that funny smile too. Oh right, back to the discussion.
"An' how doya plan t'do that?"
"I'll actually get to learn how to use the sword!"
"Yep, that's true. But there's something else."
"Really? What?"
"Remember when I said I'd take ya to Hyrule Castle Town when you'd turn ten?"
"Of course! I's the best part! Wait, we're still going aren't we? You promised we would. Are ya changin' yer mind? Pop, no! This is my chance, the big adventure-a my childhood, how can ya suddenly betray me like this!"
"Strider, sit down. Calm down, I ain't sayin' we ain't goin'."
"Oh, okay."
"But you need to learn to ride first."
"…Oh."
Ah, so this was what he was concerned 'bout. No wonder. I can't blame him, though. We went easy on the tyke, but he's gotta ride. It's already late fer him.
"Why's he so upset about the horses?"
Did Shelen say that to Keian? He doesn't know? I'm surprised the kid's been with us here this long and wouldn't have remembered it. He can't be that sheltered.
"Don'tcha remember that accident a few years back?"
"No, what accident?"
"I'm surprisedja didn't hear. It was like, five years ago when he was learnin' how t'ride. One-a the horses freaked an' bucked him off."
"Why, what happened? Was he ahright?"
Mers, Strider's lookin' downright depressed. It's not like we're tryin' to pick on 'im or anything. He's just gotta learn how to ride soon. 'Specially if he wants t'go as far as Hyrule Town.
"The witch put some weird hex ont'the horse. There were some weird bruises on the flank."
"So was that why he shut himself off in his room for a while?"
"Tha's it."
Now he's connected it.
"Hey, don't sweat it."
Now what's Deron gettin' up to?
"With an instructor like me, you'll be ridin' in no time."
Him? He's kiddin', right?
"You're my instructor?"
"Well, why not? I'll pull a few strings."
Yeah, in yer dreams, boy. Ya got more chances t' get Jod t' dance the jungle romp sober.
"I know those horses."- Miren. Funny, I ferget how well she actually listens.- "I'll choose the nicest one fer ya, so ya don't hafto worry."
"I'm not scared. I'm jus'… you know…"
Tyke's awful defensive.
"Embarrassed?"
Ya gotta way with words, Helo.
"Please, you're good at everything." -Is that jealousy I hear, Goron?- "An' ridin's easy. You'll prob'ly get it in like, a day."
"Thanks guys."
"An' girl." Keian.
"An' girl."
Least he's a good sport. An' Deron's grinnin' again. Too cocky.
"What good would we be if we were useless atta time like this?"
"Not very much."
No way. Did Strider really just say that? Looks like he's been takin' after my other boy too much.
"Hey, that was supp'sed t'be yer cue t'say: 'But you're amazing anyway Deron!'"
Goron's laughin'. That can't be good.
"That's cuz he's finally grown up enough t' see the truth."
That's my boy. No wonder he's rubbin' off on Strider.
"Hey, let's cut this talk short ahready. We've ahready eatin', le's get the treat an' necklace out."
Mitulo's awful impatient. "Hey, we ain't all done yet, holdyer horses."
"I am!"
Course Strider is. He looks about ready t' jump outta his seat. Wait, oh c'mon Hera, don't sigh like that. Ya can't give in that easy.
"Well, everyone already done can clean up and start clearin' the table."
Sheesh, that woman's too soft on 'im. Aw man. Well, jus' fer that, I'm gonna eat extra slow. Ain't gonna get me t' rush enjoyin' my meat, I worked hard t' butcher this sucker. It's spent almost a week in storage, an it's still so good. I'm gonna take my time, an enjoy it while I can. Yessiree, ain't nothing' gonna disturb me.
"Goron, ain'tchou had enough yet?"
Aw, Helo, fer love's sake, not now. "Let 'im eat his carrots. They're good fer 'im anyway."
"Yeah, but not that much."
"Don't care. Jus' let 'im be fer tonight."
And let me eat my blasted meal in peace. Nice an' tender…
"I got the box."
"I got the plates."
"An' I got the spirit."
"Thank you Strider. We couldn't do it withoutchou."
From the look on his face, you'd think we just told him he'd get a year's worth o' tips in advanced. Well, he overreacts t' everything anyway, if his worryin' over the necklace is anything t' go by. Shouldn't be surprisin' that he's extra happy on his day of passage into teenage hood. Heh, can't wait t' see what he does when he finally turns seventeen. There's the box with his necklace. Wonder what color the ribbon will be this year. Yellow. Hah! It matches his hair. Actually, it wouldn't surprise me if Hera used her own hair to make that… Oh right, time for the song.
"We gather 'round ya here today
To celebrat'cher birth,
An' thank the Gods fer yer life,
Yer presence and yer worth.
Yer past year was bountiful,
Yer spirit well protected.
We'll all pray fer yer long life,
So yer next year's jus' as blessed."
Look at 'im, bouncin' in his seat. He's so excited he can barely sit still. How can he even see straight to tie on the newest ribbon? I guess we all should be as excited. He's the last little tyke we've got. Well, not so little anymore. But this is gonna be the last ten year Birth Celebration we have. The last chance we have to celebrate a kid growin' up. Hera's gotta be having a heart break under all this. But, fer tonight, we all gotta smile, at least fer his-
It doesn't fit. The necklace won't fit over his head.
"Oh come on!"
Poor tyke can't fit it over his ears. Aw man, that's too funny. All this time-a waitin', only t' have it brutally grabbed from 'im. That's a sad, sad fate. Poor kid. Man, he's really strugglin' with it. I bet I could fix it t' go down, but he's too stubborn. Jus' wants to do it himself. Well, we all can't stand around here ferever. C'mon, Hera, help 'im out.
"Jus' face it Strider,"- Aw, Goron, don't beat the kid when he's down.-"Hylians just mature at a slower rate than us humans."
"Shut up, Goron, I'mma teen now and I'll prove it."
"It's not 'cuz yer nose is too long, is it?"
"No!"-he looks horrified,- "I'm perfectly sweet an' humble."
Definitely a stubborn one. Gotta give him props fer the fight though, he's really goin' at it. The ribbons'll prob'ly come undone first, though. I guess Hera's tired of waitin' too, since she's doin' it herself. She oughta… uh-oh… she can't seem t' get it down either. Whoo boy, this can't be good.
"Sorry baby, not this year."
"What? But, but M-a-a-a-a! The ribbons!"
Well, what's he expect her to do? She's gotta put 'em away til next year, that's the rule. He doesn't have to look so heartbroken about it. Well, then again, maybe he does. He's been lookin' forward to this since last year. That's kind of a downer, I have to admit.
"I… I was so close… Can't we try one more time? Really carefully?"
Oh no, he's doing THE face. Hera, c'mon, be strong, otherwise we'll be here all night- no, don't look in his eyes, that's suicide!
"Oh, you poor thing!"
We lost her. The second she hugs him, we know it's a lost cause.
"I'm sorry baby, it just won't fit. How 'bout I bring out the dessert anyway, jus' t'make it better?"
Well, negotiatin's better'n nothin' I guess. Maybe there's still some of her in there. He's listenin' anyway, that's good.
"What kinda dessert?"
"Yer favorite kind."
"Is it… no way… you mean komu?"
That sugary stuff? Blegh.
"That's the one. Specially ordered ingredients, jus' fer you."
"Mama!"- Whoa, I think he'll kill her with that hug.- "I love you forever and ever, and I adore and love and appreciate you always!"
"Yes Strider, you've let me know enough times."
And if he hasn't, this oughta clear that right up. The quickest way to a man's heart…
"What about me? Who's taking you on that trip later?"
Guess Mitulo felt left out. Aw, mers, that kid's quick. I don't think I've seen anyone rush that fast jus' fer a hug before. It's nice to see that kind of love so important to some people. If they're not bowled over first.
"Ack! I'm sorry Pops! I completely and utterly treasure and honor you above all other authority male figures in this village!"
"Way to give the kid a heart attack."
Tell me about it. Still, wish I could do somethin' like that to get my boy's attention.
"Why can't you two ever show us affection like that?"
"'Cuz, we're not a freaks."
That's my Goron. Such a comedian.
"I prefer eccentric."
"Hey, someone bring out the drinks!"
"Ahright! Bring out the… Wait, does this mean I can't have the honorary tastin'?"
"Nope, sorry Strider. Teens an' adults only."
"But… but I practiced so hard!"
"Practiced what, exactly?"
"Er, nothin', Ma."
"Got the ale!"
"Jus' keep 'em away from Mitulo."
Strider
"Bye Deron, seeya tomorrow. Thanks again fer helping' t' clean up."
"No prob. Tomorrow, we'll test out that slingshot-a yers. Night."
"Ahright! Night."
Well, that's the last of 'em. What a day. I'm gonna be happy to crawl into bed tonight. It was a lot of fun though, it was good to see everyone happy. Especially Shelen. It's a shame his Ma made him dress up too much for the party. I'd have been embarrassed too. At least he seemed okay, since he didn't have any injuries. Thank Holy fate for small favors. It was bad enough that he didn't know about my accident. I knew he was sheltered, but I didn't know it was that bad. Then again, it was a while ago. Five years- no, wait, today would make it six years, huh?
"Whoo… can't believe I'm actually ten now."
And still technically a kid… blast it!
"That's my baby boy, all grown up."
Aw, Ma, don't coddle me like a kid.
"I ain't a kid anymore." Your hand is cold too, don't touch my cheek. "An' I'm not a baby, Imma young man now."
"Not accordin' to the necklace."
Curse it all, you just had to remind me.
"O great decider of adults, why did you let me down?"
Man… this is the worst day of my life.
"Don't worry Strider, you'll still get t' do all the stuff we were gonna do. That's jus' an old wives tale."
"But Pop, it's the tradition, the wisdom, the sacred ritual! Now I must deviate from my ancestors, and destroy one of the foundations of celebration for this way of life!"
"It's a Birth Celebration, Strider. I think yer ancestors will forgive ya."
He's right, a Birth Celebration is on the lower standards of importance. My retribution should be more merciful, then. Still…
"Ya think a bit of komu will let 'em forgive me? Maybe I ought to leave a bit in the cemetery, jus' in case…"
"Sure, go ahead." -Really, Ma?- "Tomorrow." -Oh.- "Up t'bed with ya."
Guess I shoulda known. I'm beat anyway, I wanna sleep nice an' cozy upstairs in my little cave.
"Okay okay. Night ma, night pops."
"Hold on now."
Huh, Pop?
"Before ya go t' sleep, there's something' important we hafta discuss. Take a seat."
Discuss? Oh, I bet this has to do with riding again. He must want to make a plan for practice. He's probably found a way to fit it in a schedule with Uncle Jod. Heh, if only he knew. Okay, now I have to look innocent, and properly dreading.
"Mitulo, does it hafta be now?"
"He's ten, Hera, he needs t'hear this."
"Ahright then. I'm goin' to bed and leavin' you two alone."
Alone? That seems a little drastic. You don't have to worry, Ma. It won't be all that bad, you'll see. Just wait until later.
"Strider, I need ya t' answer me completely an' honestly: What've Deron and Goron told ya about where a baby comes from?"
Wait, what? Oh, is this what he wanted to talk about? Mers, and here I got myself all riled up. I can't believe he's asking me that.
"Pops, are we seriously havin' this conversation?"
"I said t' answer me honestly."
Okay, fine, I guess I have to answer. "Everything."
"Everything." -Oh, I guess Ma didn't make it to the room yet- "My baby's innocence was gone before I even knew it."
"Don't jump t' conclusions."
And just what's that supposed to mean?
"Exactly what've they said?"
He said to be honest with him. I guess it's only fair. I feel a little awkward, but I can be mature about this. Calm and mature. Well, I didn't want to have to come to this, but…
"Well, how it starts and ends. They told me that if you love a girl, you kiss her. If you want kids, then you put your tongue in her mouth and if she does the same, it means she wants a baby too. So you suck on her neck and leave a hicky, then she'll get pregnant in nine months."
There, that wasn't so hard to say. Came out easier then expected- oh no, Ma's crying. I didn't mean to upset her, I just… wait, she's laughing?
"What? What is it?" Oh, those no-good, rotten-! "They lied, didn't they? I knew it sounded fishy!"
"One night. Let me keep this fer one more night."
But Ma, how could you plot against me like this? Well, it doesn't matter, Pop won't let me down with- what? Pop, how could you? You handed me back into the darkness of ignorance, without my consent!
"Oh come on, I wanna know the truth! Come on, I'll be good, I promise, let me know now."
I know I shouldn't fight, but… but…
"Tomorrow. Off t' bed."
"But-"
"Night, Son. Thank the Gods again an' sleep well."
Aw Pop, how could you? "I will."
Great, make me trudge all the way up these stairs without the prize of information. Man, how could they send me to bed now? So unfair! I'm mature; I just don't have good reliable sources. Shoulda known better than to trust those two. Man, it just makes me so mad! I hate being treated like a kid. I'm not a kid anymore. Stupid necklace- how could you betray me like this? I thought you were the wise decider of all, but how could I, the single most intelligent and wondrous being of the village, be considered a mere child by your standards? Well, you shall see! You shall rue the day you dared to defy my proper place. You, and all those foul-mouthed, socially retarded, conceited city slickers that went so far to call my family ignorant and- SWEET MERCY!
Oh mercy, don't scream, don't scream, don't scream, just hold still. Maybe it was an illusion, because I know there is no possible way the ofuda of the Witch's door just moved.
"..so big. Wonder how long it'll be before he passes ya."
"Maybe by the time he's fifteen, at this rate. Unless he gets a growth spurt before this."
"Heavens forbid, we don't need him any bigger."
"True. Poor boy's strung out as he is."
Nothing. It was just my imagination, just a trick of the light. Of course, that's it. I'm just mad and stressed from today, so I started seeing things, that's all. Like all the ofuda fluttering. Nothing else. I just have to force myself to get up and get to my room. That's all. Just gotta… get motivation…
"It's really been ten years, huh?"
"Mm-hm. Doesn't really feel like it, does it?"
"No."
Ma's walking around. What if she goes by the stairs and sees me? I gotta move up- I can't let them know what I saw. Just to the floor at least. Or better yet, pressed against the back wall. Yeah, near my door, since, well, I need to get in, right? It's past my bed time, I ought to rest up after all. I just…
"What's on yer mind?"
Nothin', Pop, but how can I sleep knowin' she's in there?
"They really grow like weeds. He became a teen before I realized."
"Well, only 'cuz of age. The boy hasn't even had his voice crack yet."
"I suppose. You really ought t' talk t' him soon ya know, about how he'll be growin' up."
I can't believe they're talkin' about this now. She's right there. At least, I thought she was. I know I gotta be seeing things, but…
"Really? Hm, with the other boys I didn't think I'd need to."
"Mitulo."
"Aw, c'mon, Hera, what do ya expect with a few rowdy boys? I'm sure he's got an inklin' by now at least."
"Just try? I'm afraid t' know what other ideas they've put in his head. No matter how funny they might be."
Thanks for the load of confidence, Ma. Still, I can't let this go. I gotta know. I know I saw something in there. And if it really was the Witch, then, well… er, better to face her head on? One step. Just a few steps across the hall.
"Ahright, ahright, I'll talk t' him. Soon."
"And t' think, I can still remember when he was first learnin' how t' walk. In just seven more years he'll be leavin' us behind for his own life. It makes me sad."
"Ya don't really think he'll go off on that 'adventure' of his, do you? It's jus' a silly kid's dream."
Is not. Okay, that's three steps.
"No, not really. But he still needs t' find a good girl to settle down with, an' start his own life an' family. It's jus' so hard to remember he really is growin'…"
Okay, four down, just five more to go. Just five more to get there. You can do this, Strider. C'mon, be strong! Be a man. Just make one little step at a time. There's one more bit of progress. I can't believe I'm doing this. Did I really see anything at all? Is she truly hidden in that abandoned room? No, it would just be her evil presence. Maybe it became restless from the party? That would make sense. Too much joy for evil to handle. Well, even if it is just a bit of restlessness, one can't hurt to look right?
Yeah, yeah that's it, I'll just look. I mean, I won't go too near it. Right here's good. Nothing seems too different. Everything looks the- crap, there goes the light. Ma and Pop went to bed already. Did they have to choose now? I can't see anything. Now I'm right in front of the sealed room of the Witch's evil power in the dead of night. Great, just the thing I needed. On my Birth Celebration no less-oh no, it's a horrible omen! My year is doomed! I gotta get back and- huh? What's this on the ground? Did I step on something? Yeah, it looks like paper. What's this doing here? Who would have dropped something here in the first place?
Of course, the guests. Stupid tourists never know how to clean up after themselves. And in front of the door? Are they that careless, or what? It's their own fault if they get cursed. I know the Takuramu's job is to bring the tourists out of curiosity, but we still at least tell them to be careful and respectful. If they can't even do that, I ain't responsible. It's too dark, I can't read it here. Whatever, I'll just throw it away tomorrow. And get the hell away from this door. I need to pray. Fervently. Every morning, noon and night. I shouldn't've gone so close anyway. And on the day of my Birth of all times. I don't like this. Okay, calm down, for I will be strong! I survived once, and I shall live again. Just do the normal routine. Change, pray, and sleep. Easy enough. Well, now that I have my lantern on, I can see just what this paper thing is. Ink? The character of- oh FUCK!
Shit, shit, shit, shit! It's a door talisman! It must've fallen off the door, and I touched it, and brought it in my room, and oh blast it all! Out, out, get it out, get it out! Oh no, I'm tainted, and my room is contaminated. The mix, I'm sure I have some around here somewhere. Rosemary, rosemary, it must be in the bottom drawer of my vanity. Ah! There's the bag with the herbs. And the lighting twig's gotta be here somewhere. There it is; I knew it was in the same place. Okay, paper, paper, here it is. Alright, couple of pinches should be enough. Besides, if I used anymore, I'd knock myself out. Alright, now I have to light it. Thank Holy fate I refilled my lantern yesterday. Shit, I didn't wait long enough. Try again. Blast, it won't light! Alright, calm down Strider, give it a second. Yes! It lit, now I can- fuck! Moved too fast. Come on, please, don't do this to me now, I need you now, more than ever. Alright, slow, slow, just get it to the middle of the floor. Finally. Easy, easy, make sure all the herbs can get to it. Okay, my room should be purified by the time it's done burning. That was harder than it should have been, but I should be okay from here on out. I'll just pray and get this over with. Of all my prayers, I hope this one reaches them.
Hello, my name is Strider, and I'm praying for protection. I accidentally touched the talisman- the ofuda!
Shoot, it's still outside the room. What do I do? I gotta purify it too, otherwise I'll just be cursed when I touch it again. Man, why didn't I think of that sooner? I gotta get to it. Will it be enough? I sure hope so. C'mon, pick it up, jus' pick it up. Shoot, this is hard. Ah, that's right, I already touched it, so another few seconds won't make much of a difference anyway. I knew I was brilliant. I better keep the door closed and keep the sacred smoke in. Should I burn the talisman? No, I can't. All five are linked, if one is destroyed, the protection will break. But if I pray over it and cleanse it, it should be fine, right? Right, that ought to do it. I have to try at least. Alright, I need to kneel, keep a calm mind, and focus on the prayer. Focus, focus. I gotta do this until the incense burns out.
Hi, sorry about that. I forgot something really important and had to fix it. I'm sure you understand. Like I said, I touched the talisman, but it was an accident, really! I wouldn't've touched it if I knew. So please, please don't let the curse get to me. I know you're busy, but I really, really don't want to die yet. I want my adventure.
It's just a silly kid's dream.
It is not. Oh, right, focus.
Or, if that's too troublesome, at least help me in purifying this talisman. That should be enough to save me.
Okay, I've made my plea; that should about do it. Now then, time for the actual purification. A witch's curse is no match for an ancient ceremony harvesting thousands of years of sacred power. I have to remember what the wandering man said. I must calm my spirit, reach deep inside myself, and never break the meditative concentration for my ritual. I must never deviate from the sacred chant of importance and power. How did it go, again? Ah yes, of course.
"Bad stuff, go away. Bad stuff, go away…"
The next one on the thanking list: Buwaro.
Buwaro is an author for a ridiculously long and popular Pokemon fanfiction called Tales of Flame. I would advertise for you all to go read it, but he hardly needs it. Don't do it unless you have nothing better to do with your lives. Seriously. Save it for a vacation break, or a really slow weekend. I found it during summer, and it took me about five days to finish it, reading on and off, and I'm one of the fast readers. It's funny, since I had never gone into the pokemon fandom, and I really haven't since, but that single time I did led me to stumble upon his summary and thus his story, changing the path of my destiny forever. Or something like that.
Anyway, the reason I'm including him in here is because it was through the unusual chance hook into his story that I came upon Dark Magician Girl Aeries. More on that next chapter.
In short: Thanks Buwaro, for putting up that silly and downright confusing summary, and for reduxing the first six chapters. Otherwise I would have turned away and never looked back.
