11. Kass and Hestu

One lovely day Hestu was traversing the countryside surrounding Korok Forest in hope to cross paths with a wanderer to show them his newly 'repaired' maracas full of 900 golden Korok seeds. The hero had helped him find the golden poop of his friends and fill them up again, and as a reward he promised to perform his favorite dances for the hero whenever he liked.

At this moment, the Hylian was probably making his way to the castle to help the princess, or he was fishing, or he was fighting, or he was totally not wasting his time doing every single side quest there is, before finally continuing the main story, before Zelda tires of watching him die over and over and over again. At least he was not obliged to find all the Koroks scattered across Hyrule to get 100% on his game file, but he did anyway. Wait, did somebody hear something break in the distance? Oh, that was the fourth wall, alright.

Hestu stepped outside the entrance to Korok Forest where the fog had slightly cleared. He saw a blue Rito sitting on a self-made swing between two trees on the fringe of the forest and staring longingly at the sky. Kass, he remembered, was his name. He was playing a song on his accordion, with no audience save the wind that would carry the melancholy tune. Hestu followed his gaze and caught sight of the Hebra Mountains. That was where the Rito lived in their cozy, little village, wasn't it? The bard must be homesick, he thought.

Under normal circumstances Koroks try to avoid contact with other higher developed creatures as it is their duty to remain in the shadows and only reveal themselves to those chosen by the Goddesses. As he watched the blue Rito playing while lost in his thoughts, Hestu concluded that he must help him somehow. He settled on approaching him and striking up a conversation. It might have seemed too simple for any other person that was used to talking to other people, but for Hestu it was challenging enough. Kass was not the hero, he was certainly not the princess and he was not even a descendant of his people's Champion. The big Korok had to muster up a lot of courage, before he walked up to him, still hesitating.

"Shaka?" he addressed him with his catchphrase, "Why the long face, shaka-laka-la?"

Only then did Kass jolt out of his trance and fell backwards onto soft grass. He raised his head at the tall, looming broccoli in front of him. The sight must have been frightening, because he gave a startled cry and squished his accordion a tad too hard, which made it let out a loud, distorted sound. Quickly the Rito stood up and straightened his pose to restore some of his dignity. He was not sure how to answer the stranger and it took him a while to form a coherent sentence.

"Uh, greetings!"

The giant broccoli held out its arms and shook its shiny red maracas. "Hello, hello! I sensed your mood was down and I wanted to help you with whatever is troubling your mind, shaka."

The Rito threw him a wide-eyed look and simply shook his head. "No, it is nothing of importance. I was merely thinking about my family. I have not visited home for a long time, and I miss my dear wife and our wonderful hatchlings. A lot," he added with a sigh.

Then he eyed him once more and asked, "By the way, who are you? You can call me Kass and I am but a humble minstrel that strives to tell stories through the songs my teacher has taught me."

"I am the one who brings song and dance to Korok Forest! Hestu!" the Korok introduced himself with a slight shake of his maracas and conjured up a rain of sparkly particles. Kass chuckled at the overly positive energy the Korok radiated in masses when he performed his signature dance.

"I see. That means the stories about mysterious creatures living in Korok Forest are true, then? Never would I have thought to meet one in person. I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Hestu."

The walking broccoli bowed playfully before him at that and motioned him to follow. Kass did not fully trust him yet, but is curiosity got better of him and he complied. They strolled through the outskirts of the forest and listened to nature's song, sung by the wind and the wildlife, until they reached a small clearing, where a tree had been chopped off (probably by lightning) and its remains resembled a stage.

Hestu stormed off to claim the stage as his for now, and dramatically held up his maracas to shout, "Shaka! Let us perform for the forest!"

'Why not?', crossed the Rito's mind and he readied his fingers on the accordion.

"Well, what song do you have in mind? I can play anything, as long as you give me instructions."

"Oh, oh, oh! I have an idea!", exclaimed the Korok excitedly.

"Then, please, do tell me. I am curious to hear what you have thought up."

"I was thinking…"

Several hours later Kass was screaming around like a lunatic while Hestu was drumming with one maraca and a frying pan. Kass' accordion lay forgotten on the wooden stage, while its owner was performing an ancient song by a singer that had once been very popular.

"…Kanny, are you okay? Are you okay, Kanny? Kanny, are you okay? Will you tell us, that you're okay?"

Hestu threw his arms out and then held one of his maracas high up in the air when he sang the last lines of the chorus with all his remaining strength.

"You've been hit by- you've been struck by-"

"Watch out!", Kass yelled suddenly.

*bzzzrrp-puhhh*

Lightning found its way to the maraca still in the air and struck the giant Korok, who in turn immediately caught fire. All Hestu could see right now was a black screen with the words 'GAME OVER' written in yellow.

Kass was left wondering in shock over a smoking pile of ash.

It would seem that Farore, the Goddess of courage (and also wind), was not pleased that one of her protégés made up their mind to mingle with a mere mortal and sent forth a lightning that scorched the big Korok to prevent him from further ridiculing himself.

There is an NPC named Kenny.

Kass and Hestu in a band, ftw!