Goodbye, Memories

Waking of Sunday, November 26, 2017 ~ 5

Goodbye, Memories

I WISHED ALL THESE MYSTICAL ENTITIES WOULD STOP CURSING MY ELECTRONICS.

I turned the TV back on.

But Embry the stablehand didn’t have anything else to say anyway.

Well shoot.

Well....

On to the Wetland Stable, then. That was where I’d first heard tell of this beast between my legs. Quince. That was the man’s name.

I would have to go see Quince....

We plunged on ahead through the night, the Lord of the Mountain and I. I had not dared spur him above a normal gallop, but I did then, to dodge past a whirling Keese flock. And he hearted at me after I soothed him then.

We weren’t stopping for anything.

I hoped the rain would let up....

We made it to the Riverside Stable, but I couldn’t stop there, and still we pressed on toward the Wetland Stable. And Quince....

I spurred him again and was shocked and flummoxed to notice that HIS SPEED CAME BACK IMMEDIATELY.

I KNEW HE WAS POWERFUL FOR THE FIVE WHIPCRACKS HE DISPLAYED BUT I COULDN’T PRESS THEM FAST ENOUGH BEFORE THE FIRST ONE JUST REPLENISHED ITSELF.

I SOOTHED HIM AND HE LOVED ME AGAIN.

WHAT EVEN WAS THIS BLUE SHADOWFAX CREATURE THAT COULD SPRINT FOREVER?

We passed Doctor Spoone between Horwell and Eagus Bridges. Interestingly enough he had nothing to say of my four-eyed alien mount, but he did educate me that Naydra’s scale could cure any illness—the only problem was that Lanayru Mountain, where Naydra dwelt, was just so cold....

Well, thanks, Doc! I had to be on my way.

We passed more people—Tye and Sorelia’s camp was blessedly at peace—

And THERE WAS THE WETLAND STABLE.

However Lawdon, the resident stablehand, gave me much the same reaction as Embry had.

Hmph. ò.O

Where was Quince?

Probably sleeping. It was about 3:00 am when I got there.

I waited for him to wake up.

And looked at my clock....

And watched the time tick slowly by....

And swiveled the camera....

And studied the Lord of the Mountain....

And looked at the stable and all its satellite structures....

And glanced at the sky....

And peered about the landscape....

And peeked inside the stable from the Lord of the Mountain’s back and could see the slumbering masses on the beds in there I NEEDED TO TALK TO QUINCE—WAKE UP ALREADY, QUINCE!

I trotted around, admiring how the sun-colored hooves lit up the grass.

And what was that tinkling sound like tiny metal chimes?

Hanging on by only a hank of ethereal, light blue hair along the spine.

So precarious.

And the sun had risen, and people were moving.

Which one was Quince?

He would pair up with the dog, and they would stand near the woods to gaze at Satori Mountain....

And they DID—I moved in. Got close enough....!

TARGET.

A.

“I wonder what’ll happen today...” Quince said.

WAT—okay despite my immensely deep appreciation at seeing that sentence written with the proper punctuation—no no no no Quince, can’t you see I’m riding your great Blue Beast? Ah, perhaps it’s because he’s on the move, I thought.

And I waited for him to come to a standstill.

And when I spoke to him again....

“What the—seriously? Another guy?” he said. And he went on to lament that there were no girls around here. Just guys. “And when we finally were visited by a Zora, turned out it was just some manly prince guy who’s a dude,” he finished.

I.... admitted a snicker at the funny old line but QUINCE DON’T GIMME THAT I CAUGHT YOUR FRIGGIN’ BEAST WHY WON’T THE STABLES LET ME—

HHHHUUHHHHHHHH.

Wait.

Maybe if I let him tell me about his dog. Like he did before.

And I prompted him to speak at length about how he had gone to the mountain to hunt, and how he’d met Satty (Ah, yes, Satty, not Natty; and Satty was a boy....), and how Satty had protected him from the Blue Beast, and how they’d made their getaway—

“Someday I’d like to go back there and give that glowing beast a piece of my mind!” he asserted. Or something like it.

He said this to me as I sat on the back of said glowing beast.

Uh. -_-

Well, there was nothing for it then but to zip over to the Home menu and upload the ridiculous screenshot to Miiverse.

And I was saddened to discover that Miiverse . . . . had gone.

All the pictures I’d taken.

Well honestly I hadn’t taken very many. Less than twenty I’d say.

But....

They were memories.

I berated myself for not having downloaded them when I had the chance.

For I’d even thought about including them in this log.

Perhaps not those few from Twilight Princess HD –

– That first magnetic wall-walk. “I’d forgotten just how much fun this game is!” Or some such words.

– The somber, masked trio of ghostly Zora, sick with worry as they searched for their prince. “They care so much for their prince. ;.;” Or some such words. And emoticons.

– The most beautiful picture of all of Kakariko, taken from that high bend in the road where you could see the whole village.... I don’t remember what I may have said about it.

But from Breath of the Wild –

– In the dread, dark rain, on Fort Hateno’s high turrets, overlooking the Valley of Terror—and swearing the lightning was flashing me back, those great lumps still crawling, still glowing, as the water slicked over cloak and skin. Hand to my face and sigh at the thought.

– The IKEA houses of Hateno Village that perked me up that weary, weary night.

– Capturing the lightning strike as I weathered the storm beneath the shelter of that first wetland shrine.

– The beautiful dawn above the empty reaches of Zorana, as the music slithered out of the bare rock to run a chill up my spine.

– Sunset warming the red rocks and lying bright on the pond as I left the Shrine of Mirro Shaz triumphant.

– A rainbow away over green hills and against a brooding sky.

– A drippy sky afire from the top of the Woodland Tower.

– The ledge at the end of the world lit by a Thunderblade.

And others I am sure.

Just.... memories.

They were nothing really earth-shattering I suppose. Just sights. Gorgeous vistas that caught my fancy. It’s too bad I won’t be able to look at them again. They were pretty.

I came back to the game, and realized I did at least still have a pictobox on me.

Well that was something.

....

One for the album, then: I was going to take a self-portrait with the beast.

I.... dismounted.

The Lord of the Mountain.... stayed where he was.

Hooooo. ‘Kay. o__o;

That was good.

And I took out my pictobox and put it up to my face.

But I had left it too zoomed in—a blur of distant greenery, leaves and grass.... I’d need to pull back, turn a bit, zoom out to find the blue beast—

Only as soon as my eyes were off it, the instant it had escaped the frame.... there was a snort, and a whirlwind of hooves.... and then....

The Lord of the Mountain was gone.

Well that just iced my 糟糕。

Guess it was like a leprechaun—you look away and they vanish.

.... I woulda called him Lucky.

I putter-putter-puttered in the dismal loss of Miiverse and the loosing of my fine wild Janus Owl Moth Horse.

How could I waste more time.... -_-

No, but I needed to be responsible. I had a full week ahead of me after all.

But I didn’t want to end on such an abysmal note....

....

I knew—I would just try to find that silver Bokoblin again.

I’d seen him on my mad dash over here, between the Outskirt and Riverside Stables, at a T-junction in the plain.

But rare sight though he was, I hadn’t been stopping for anything, remember?

Not even a Silver Bokoblin.

But I went to find him now.

It wasn’t far; I got there quickly even on foot, and found him capering happily before his campfire, quite alone.

I remembered: on my last pass through here the blue beast and I had mowed down his sole red companion.

Guess he wasn’t all that broken up about it.

Concealed by distance and long grass, I tried the beehive first. One arrow brought it down, and sent the swarm buzzing after the silver Bokoblin in an angry cloud.

He outran them, though.

Next I put on my Bokoblin Mask to approach, and he started at my presence before coming over and proceeding to strike up what seemed to be an engaging conversation with me.

I couldn’t tell; I don’t speak Bokoblin.

He wouldn’t stay put when I tried to take a pictograph—they do that, the baddies, when they see you disguised as one of their own. They like to come in real close and just.... look at you.  O_O  And maybe chat a bit.

The fidgets notwithstanding I was able to get a couple of decent pictographs, and my Compendium outlined what this particular breed might drop upon dispatch—

Ore.

Lots of it, and in the rarest varieties.

....

As I could think of no further way to sport with the creature, I laid him out flat with my Flameblade. Just a regular Flameblade, and it took a lot of damage before I was through—the silver Bokoblin had something like seven hundred and fifty hit points. That was more than many Moblins I’d slain.

But I was not disappointed with the spoils: rubies, topaz, sapphires—I think there may even have been a diamond in there.

And with the camp cleared, the treasure chest on top of the tower unlocked with the familiar boxing-match bell—it always makes David and I laugh—

I couldn’t claim the sword within, however; my inventory was full.

.... Hhhhh ....

It was.... a nice little camp. Not too big. And the field was green and lovely....

But.... it was getting late. In the game and on the couch.

Sometimes the days just blow out with a murmur, and you still feel lost and unfulfilled.

I sat by the fire until morning, saved, and quit, and got ready for the week.

THE MOUNTAIN'S CURSE

Waking of Sunday, November 26, 2017 ~ 4

THE MOUNTAIN’S CURSE

I warped to Satori

This was what I made all those Stamina potions for.

Even in the growing light of dawn, the teal haze still cast an otherworldly cloud upon the mountaintop, shutting out all else but that shining, sheening music. The song that felt somehow.... off. Glorious and mystical to be certain, and yet.... not without talons. Not without dread. Not without a gaze that you fear to let meet your own.

I scurried to the top and IT WAS RAINING AND I COULDN’T CLIMB THE STONES, BLAST IT.

I peered between them—the Blue Beast stood in the pool—maybe it was only the rain that kept him from spying me at this distance....

But how was I supposed to get—

Okay, topo, topo—I studied the map, read the lines carefully....

That rock to the left, the one I never climbed, that one seemed to be the least steep one....!

I scrambled for it, slipping time and again in the slick rain BUT SUMMONING MY ENERGIES I MADE IT TO THE TOP. BARELY.

Augh it was nearly MIDDAY at this point. But still the teal spell held....

I paraglided down, trying to turn in the air—for the beast was facing me and I didn’t want to land on it backward—NO IT STARTED TO MOVE I MOVED WITH IT—

I landed on its back. In the right direction.

And it started to buck, and I soothed it like mad, and my stamina burned away, rings counting down so fast, and I ate stamina-filling things, and I soothed, and I ate stamina-things again, again—

AND I SOOTHED IT.

And it stood still.

OH MY GOSH I SOOTHED THIS THING NOW IF I COULD ONLY GET IT.... SOMEWHERE....

I swiveled the camera in a wonder—

IT HAD FOUR EYES, LIKE SOME DOUBLE-FACED JANUS OWL.

FLOOFY ANTENNAE LIKE A MOTH.

THE EYES ALL BLINKED AT DIFFERENT TIMES? Some Greek god reared its dusty head in my memory—

GOLDEN YELLOW CLOVEN HOOVES.

No not golden—like—just a BURNING SUN COLOR.

SUN-COLORED HOOVES.

RUNES ON ITS BODY—

THOSE WERE THE SAME SHAPES AS SHOWED IN MY SHEIKAH SLATE.

THE SAME SWIRLS AS LIVED IN THE EMPTY BLUE BEYOND MY MAP.

THIS WAS THE LORD OF THE MOUNTAIN.

The ground glowed where its feet touched.

Its feet glowed so bright....

I walked it back and forth, back and forth, back and forth in the pool, hardly daring to kick above a canter, there was so little room. I soothed it for its obedience to my every turn and change, but it returned little acknowledgement. It felt so precarious. I’d never yet been bucked off a tamed mount, but.... How could I tell what this one’s limit was?

I would be gentle, until I could get it down from this awful mountain. Study the topography, study the topography, look at the land, find a way please....

I could see a place on my map where the lines seemed farthest apart.... but it was still so steep. I considered the glimmering, rippling rocks in the downpour; the rain would do nothing to help me there.

I started slowly out along a narrow ledge—this had to be the way; the topo didn’t lie—this was the best and only way—

A flash of bright blue in the dark—the blupees still had the run of the mountaintop. No but that one there was.... on flat-ish land just below me and to the left?

I looked again at my map.... now I saw it: a clear winding path cut safely through the jagged elevations. Still steep, but consistent in its descent. How had I never seen that?

....Well, I never was one to give much thought to roads—and that when they were plain.

I turned the Lord of the Mountain back, reached the steady slope, and followed it carefully downward in the drumming rain.

And in just a moment.... the sun came out. And in the warming sunshine I could see the blupees still roamed and there were other animals around.... before the wrack of cloud enfolded us again. We seemed to move in and out of the mist—a normal, grey mist; the teal haze had gone. But the mystical, creeping, piano-string-tight music still watched us intently from every side. Watched me intently. ._.

But at length as we descended further the sun came out the final victor, and even the haunting music melted away.

Man there were goats everywhere.

The Lord of the Mountain had only hearted at me once, maybe twice, up on the gloomy mountaintop, but no more. Not once since then. And yet it did not snort and turn of its own will, or deny the directions I gave it. Did it bond fast?

It seemed to make a tinkling as it cantered over the grass.... like jingle bells....

Miraculously, unbelievably, we reached the level Nima Plain—this glowing, godly, blue thing down on the common sunny grass—and traveled thence to Sanadin Park.... and come Sanadin Park, the Lord of the Mountain followed the path on its own.

Good work.... good work.... well done.... well done.... I chanted under my breath—

It still felt fragile as glass and ice.

We crossed Manhala Bridge, and came into the Outskirt Stable as the sun was readying to set. Oh my gosh when David saw this.... but I was alone right now.

“Looks like you’ve caught yourself a new steed! Do you want to register it?” said Embry.

HECK YES. “Yes, please.”

“Understoo—Uh...” Embry looked up.

“Wh-what is that?

Can that...THING you’re riding be the

fabled Lord of the Mountain?!”

YES AND I WANTED TO REGISTER IT OH MY GOSH THIS WAS GONNA BE AWESOME WHAT WOULD THE TACK LOOK LIKE OH PLZ PLZ PLZ COME ON GAME DO IT....

Embry yelped in fright and trembled where he stood.

“Why in Hylia’s name would you bring

something like that here? We’ll all be

cursed!”

THE TV TURNED OFF BY ITSELF.

Gone Fishin'

Waking of Sunday, November 26, 2017 ~ 3

Gone Fishin’

I turned my attention to something that wouldn’t require a horse. Or rather something to which a horse would be most ill-suited, I suppose....

I recalled the time when Finley had sent me down the river with her love letter to Sasan—I had happily collected a lot of fish that day, and by doing no more than drifting with the current and floating right into them.

My Sheikah sensor was still tuned to detect the Hearty Bass I would need to upgrade my Zora Armor.

It was time for another ride down the lazy river.

I warped to Zora’s Domain, put on my Zora Suit and Lizalfos mask, and started floating down the river to pick up fishies. The pickings were rather slim however until I came to the Bank of Wishes. But the fishies weren’t the only things that showed up—the Lizalfos population increased dramatically as well. I remembered.

But my new mask made the passage much, much easier. Albeit a little alarming at times. As night fell I ventured onto the shore to catch my breath and regain my stamina again, when the single Lizalfos that had started eyeballing me was joined by three Stalizalfos bursting up out of the ground nearby!

In a trice and two steps they all stood in a tight semicircle before me with their noses inches from my own, creaking and chirruping their interest as they all looked at me. O.O

I excused myself back into the river. ^_^;;

And I did catch a few Hearty Bass along the way! The sensor was a big help—it can get so difficult to see the fish beneath the water’s surface, especially at night. Let alone tell what breed they are.

I scoured the wetlands below for the Bass as well. I had to switch between my Lizalfos mask and my Bokoblin mask quite a bit, but I’d say I did pretty good! If only those guys would have just kept out of the way....

They like to make small talk I guess.

After a time, my sensor could locate no more fish. And so with nine Hearty Bass in my pockets I warped back to Kakariko. I wasn’t sure exactly how many fish I needed, but nine seemed like a good hefty number to start with.

I checked with Cotera—it took five fish per piece for the Zora set, as it turned out.

What does she use from all these fish anyway?

I upgraded what I could anyway, as it started to rain.... again.

Thanks, Cotera.

I peered through the gloom.

Satori Mountain was still not lit up.

It was just such a rainy, rainy time these days. -_-

I wandered eastward; I thought I remembered hearing a shrine over there that I couldn’t find, somewhere along the Hateno road, long, long ago.

On the way I scaled one of the magnificent peaks surrounding Kakariko Village (there was a Korok on top) and took a moment to look around through the thinning drizzle.

Satori was alight now?

It glowed tealy green. Right before my eyes.

But it was 7:50 in the morning!

I kept looking.

The light did not dim as the time passed eight.

I thought it only lit up at night....

Decisions, decisions.... Shrine? Or Satori?

....

Satori.

The Shrine wouldn’t go anywhere.