Libra
Libra: ...Hmm... No, that's not quite it... Perhaps a shade lighter...
Link: Hey, Libra... Didn't expect to find you out here.
Libra: Ah, good morning, Link. I suppose I cannot say the same for you. "Encountering Link in the wilderness" seems to be a common anecdote among the rest of our group.
Link: Heh... Yeah, it is... Exploring's just too fun... The moment we finish setting up camp in a new place, I'm already out and about... Can't pass up the chance to lose myself in some fresh scenery, y'know?
Libra: And I cannot fault you for that. The world is beautiful... To ignore the natural wonders surrounding us would be a grave error.
Link: Looks like you're appreciating it just fine... I didn't know you painted, Libra.
Libra: I'm no professional. This is only a hobby, yet one that soothes my soul.
Link: ...Wow...
Libra: What do you think? If you've any thoughts on my progress, I'd love to hear them. The vibrant green of the trees is particularly difficult to recreate, but-
Link: It's incredible work... You're so good at this, I almost wish I could take you to Hyrule... I bet you could paint Kokiri Forest perfectly.
Libra: Would you like to keep this painting once I am finished? Though this grove is not the one you grew up in, I wonder if it might bring you a sense of peace when you grow homesick.
Link: ...Oh... Uh... Actually, that's... That's okay... I do admire your art, but... I've had some bad experiences with that stuff in the past... I'm not keen on carrying it around with me.
Libra: Bad experiences with paintings? If you would allow me to pry, what does that mean? Were you ridiculed by others for a lack of artistic talent?
Link: No, nothing like that... I've just dealt with... well... monsters and ghosts appearing from portraits and frames... They'd scare the hell out of me...
Libra: Monsters, you say?
Link: Try to imagine an apparition of the King of Evil riding around on his giant dark horse... popping in and out of different paintings while trying to skewer you with a massive spear... Memories like that are why art kinda creeps me out.
Libra: Goodness... Surely, Link, your world is a truly bizarre one...
Gregor
Gregor: Oy, hero boy! How you are faring? No sickness, no nausea, no throwing up of dinner?
Link: Nah... I'm good... Thanks for asking.
Gregor: Gregor is surprised! This is first time on ship for Link, yes?
Link: Yeah, that's right... Well, there was that one time I rode on a creepy boat in the Shadow Temple, but... that lasted probably a minute at most... It hardly counts.
Gregor: Good, good! Gregor was secretly hoping that young hero's face would turn green like tunic, and we would make with the laughing at you, but is better this way. "Safety first", many people are saying.
Link: I'm really enjoying myself, honestly... The swaying of the floor and the unsteady footing take a while to get used to, but... look at this view... This is worth it.
Gregor: Oh? Maybe hero put down sword and take up anchor, haha!
Link: You joke, but that thought isn't so bad... Sailing the open sea with nothing but water on the horizon... Charting new islands and finding treasure... No companions except for the fish and the seagulls... I feel like that could have been a good life.
Gregor: Ho ho! Boy is serious, eh? Well, is not too late, you know. Shepherds finish this business in Valm... then whole world is open! You want for sailing? Gregor is mercenary. Seasoned sell-sword. Gregor is no stranger to sea travel and can be showing the ropes.
Link: That's... an exciting idea... but maybe we're getting ahead of ourselves... Let's save the world, and then we can talk sea voyages.
Gregor: As you are wishing! Just do not be forgetting Gregor if you are ever needing first mate! Gregor commands telescope like no other. He will spot pirate hideout from afar, and you will hear "Oy! Green hero leader! Pack of scallywags on side of starboard!" You say "Aye aye, old man Gregor!". Then we make with the sword fighting, the rescuing of pretty girls, and the enjoying of hearty ale over campfire celebration! Is good time, yes?
Link: ...Uh... Sure?
Lissa
Lissa: Oh gods, here he comes... Yes! He's heading for his tent... Just open the flap, aaand...
Link: ...Frogs?... How'd you little guys get in here?... A whole bunch of you, too...
Lissa: *groan*... Link! What the heck kind of reaction was that?!
Link: ...Ah... So you did this... Why am I not surprised?
Lissa: Never mind who's responsible! Why didn't you scream? Where was the cry for help? That wasn't entertaining at all!
Link: ...Why would I scream? It's... just some frogs...
Lissa: Ugh... I guess they aren't that scary, but... they're all slimy and they hop around real quick! They was supposed to spook you because you're weren't expecting them.
Link: I guess that makes sense... Too bad for you, I don't mind frogs... There's a group of them back home that live in the Zora River... "The world-famous Fabulous Five Froggish Tenors". They're smarter than the ones here. They can talk and actually sing along to my ocarina songs... After meeting them, I've always liked frogs.
Lissa: ...What the heck? Singing frogs?... Link, some of your stories are just out there... You sure you're not just messing with me to get revenge?
Link: ...My stories might sound like fiction, but I haven't told any lies... Anyway, I don't think frogs are gonna get the reaction you want outta me... You'll have to get more creative.
Lissa: Darn it... I was seriously looking forward to this, too! You're always so calm and quiet, and I couldn't wait to see you shriek like a little girl!... Now how am I gonna get you?
Link: ...Swap out the frogs for chicken?... That'd do it...
Lissa: Huh? What are you mumbling about?
Link: Nothing... Just talking to myself...
Lissa: *sigh* Well, back to the drawing board... What a letdown...
Link: Hey, if you really need to satisfy your sadistic side, just go prank Frederick. He's taking a nap right now, which is extremely rare, as I'm sure you know.
Lissa: That is a great idea, but I just threw a frog down his shirt yesterday. He might make the funniest noises, but I can't traumatize the poor guy.
Link: ...Fair, just don't forget that he made everyone attend an extra fitness hour this week because we've been "resting on our laurels"... I think he's earned this.
Lissa: Oh, true! I did forget about that!... All right, gather round my slimy servants! I have another mission for you today!
Miriel
Miriel: ...And what is this item? It does not appear to be a weapon. However, only you have the knowledge to make a definitive statement.
Link: That is a... device, I guess... I bought it off a shady merchant, and I've gotta say, I've never seen a piece of technology like it.
Miriel: I am intrigued. Advancements in technology, especially those of another realm, provide me with an unparalleled desire for scientific experimentation. Would you kindly expound on the item's purpose and inner workings?
Link: ...It's called a pictograph box... I can show you what it does, but how it actually works? I honestly don't know... It's wild, though. I can promise you that.
Miriel: Would you offer a demonstration?
Link: ...Sure... Stand still for a minute. I'm gonna point this at you, but don't worry... It's harmless.
Miriel: As you wish.
*click*
Link: ... All right, now give it a second... and... here you go... One pictograph of Miriel in all her splendor.
Miriel: ...This is an image of my likeness... Though it lacks color, it has achieved a flawless accuracy of the subject that an artist could never hope to replicate... In addition, the process requires significantly less time to complete... Marvelous...
Link: Yep... It's a perfect recreation... The first time I saw it, I was blown away... Here, you can look at the box itself if you want... It's very well crafted.
Miriel: My mind is racing with possibilities... Envision the ramifications of introducing this technology into the scientific world... The sheer progress that will be made... Perfectly accurate research... Visual documentation of fauna, flora, locations, persons... I... find myself exasperated at the mere thought...
Link: Woah... Hey, steady yourself... You okay?...
Miriel: That it has taken several months for you to share this knowledge with me would typically result in an outburst of rage within myself, however I haven't the time to address such emotions... Link, I demand that this "pictograph box" remain in my possession. This technology will provide an incredible breakthrough in my research. I will not accept any other outcome.
Link: Wh-What? No, I... It's mine... I use it to save pictures of all the places I've been... I mean, I understand that this is a big deal, but you're not allowed to-
Miriel: I cannot return to you this unprecedented artifact! Do not give chase! I refuse to relinquish it! I cross this boundary in the name of science!
Link: M-Miriel, are you serious?!... Damn, she's quick! I've never seen her run this fast before!... Can I even catch her?... Hey, Robin! I need your help, quick!
Robin: Link, what's wrong?!
Link: We've got a rogue scientist on the loose... It's Miriel. She stole one of my items for her research and she's dangerously motivated... It's only been twenty seconds since she took off, and I've already lost sight of her. She might even be moving faster than Sully's horse when it's pissed off.
Robin: You're kidding! She's lost herself to the pursuit of knowledge again?!... Damn it, this is bad... She's an asset to this army that we can't afford to lose, so I'll assemble the full force of the Shepherds. Our task is search and capture. Fliers will move out first, and the cavalry will follow... This won't be easy, but let's bring her home.
Tiki
Tiki: *yawn* Oh my heavens... Why is it so difficult to free myself from this drowsiness? Must I continue to embarrass myself like this?
Link: Heh... You are really old... Isn't it normal for the elderly to doze off?
Tiki: Pah! You fancy yourself a court jester, do you?... Correct, I am "really old". Around three thousand years your senior, I'll have you know. However, for a Manakete, I am not "elderly"! Why, I believe I am experiencing my prime, if I'm to be honest!
Link: Yeah, I know... Just messing with you.
Tiki: Hmph... Well, maybe I should thank you, then... I did ask for you to treat me as one of your peers, so I suppose I brought this upon myself, didn't I?
Link: You do sleep in a lot... Like today, you didn't wake up until noon... Maybe you wouldn't be so tired if you regulated your sleep better?
Tiki: *sigh* I fear you may be right, though doing so will provide me a new struggle all its own.
Link: ...What kind of struggle?
Tiki: I woke late because I did not want to wake.
Link: ...Why?
Tiki: I was having a dream... A wonderful dream where I could once again be among my friends from so long ago... Marth... Bantu... Gotoh... It is always so good to see them, even if our meeting is one of make-believe... I often wake and, instead of rising to meet the new day, return to my slumber. It is a delusional hope that I can relive those cherished memories of a time long since passed... Pathetic, is it not? I have thousands of years ahead of me, yet I am stuck in the past.
Link: ...Not at all... You love your friends and want to see them again... Nothing pathetic about it.
Tiki: Link... You are without your loved ones from Hyrule... Do you dream of them? Long for them?
Link: Yeah, I miss them... Though weirdly enough, I rarely dream about them... I just dream about... strange stuff.
Tiki: Oh? I admit, I am curious about the "strange stuff" that fills your sleeping head.
Link: Heh, well... Like I said, it's weird, but... more often than not, I have a recurring dream... I'm stranded on an island... I'm on an adventure, slaying monsters, helping the natives, exploring the land...
Tiki: You are not stranded on an island, but the rest sounds very typical for you... And my, you are quite the glutton for heroics! First you save Hyrule, next is Ylisse and the rest of our world, but even that does not satisfy. You continue to fight evil while you sleep. Never have I met a more foolishly devoted man.
Link: I am who I am... I've learned to accept it.
Tiki: That's wise of you. I've certainly no qualms with your daring disposition... Still, I would not call this dream "strange" by any means.
Link: Well, it's everything else that's odd... The weird creatures like Bow Wow... A village of talking animals... My whole mission is to collect musical instruments and use them to wake up a giant fish that's sleeping at the top of a mountain, trapped in an egg... I don't really get it.
Tiki: Hmm... I suppose you do have strange thoughts bouncing around in your skull. How entertaining! You'll tell me more, won't you?
Link: I am but your lowly court jester, my queen... I have no other choice...
Tiki: That's more like it! Amuse me with your wild imagination, dear!
Link: Psh... Of course, my queen... And afterward, I imagine you'd like to hear a ballad straight from my ocarina? Something to soothe that old, wrinkly brain of yours and put you right back to sleep?
Tiki: Ah, what a thoughtful servant you are, Link. You attend to my wants and needs so diligently! That it's taken thousands of years for me to find such a devoted attendant is rather terrible, is it not?
A/N:
With this one, I'm finally ready to put this fic down for good, I think. It's been a part of my life for more than a year and half now, and there's a side of me that doesn't want to let this end... but it feels like the right time.
In the early days of writing this, I had plans to do bonus supports for some of the characters from Fates and Three Houses that I particularly wanted to write. Benny, Setsuna, Azama, Marianne, among others... The further I went, though, the more of my material I used up, and now I think the well's run dry.
If anything, I think this story has somewhat overstayed its welcome, but even so, I've always enjoyed writing it up until the end. I had a lot of fun tackling 50+ different characters and really trying to portray them as accurately as possible. Writing romance of any kind was also something completely new to me, and I think it's been a great learning experience. Some have requested ideas of other fics I could do, but I don't intend on writing anything in the foreseeable future. Sorry! For now, I'm taking a long break and catching up on some actual reading that'd I'd like to do.
Thanks for enjoying my story, as always! It's been a pleasure hearing your feedback and connecting with you guys!