In Accordance with Guidelines

Waking of Friday, February 8, 2019 ~ 3

In Accordance with Guidelines

I WARPED TO HATENO.

I INVITED BOLSON AND KARSON.

AND THEN IT WAS BACK TO TARREY TOWN.

THERE WAS A WEDDING TO GET ON! 8D

Back in Tarrey Town, I visited with Bolson and Karson again, and then at high noon, I spoke to Hudson.... who started the ceremony.

And the Tarrey Town music was softly taken over by an organ. <3

Kapson officiated, standing at the head of the Goddess Statue Fountain. And Rhondson was so pretty in white! ^_^ She came walking down the “aisle” that was simply the space devoid of guests, and her clothing glittered in a pleasing texture: white top, bare Gerudo midriff, beautiful ankle-length flowing white skirt, white shoes, and a pretty white veil nested into her lovely hair. Heh, and Hudson looked all smart and handsome too, even in his vest and bare chest. It was a happy day. ^_^

“Hudson, Before the eyes of these witnesses and before those of Goddess Hylia...” Kapson began, “Do you take Rhondson to be your wife, to have and to hold, in good times and in bad?”

“I do.”

“Excellent. And Rhondson...” He turned to the Gerudo, “Before the eyes of these witnesses and before those of Goddess Hylia... Do you take Hudson as your lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in health?”

The camera buckled down unusually close to the old fish’s face, his big glassy fish eyes staring....

“And do you also vow to...name your children in accordance with the Bolson Constrution naming guidelines?” I CAN’T BELIEVE HE JUST SAID THAT.

Rhondson said, “Wait a moment... Those vows are not traditional by anyone’s standards!” Well that was putting it lightly!

“What makes you say that?” said Hudson, turning. Hudson!

Bolson stood up. “They’re as traditional as it gets!”

And Karson chimed in, “I don’t think she means traditional in that sense of the word.”

“A vow of undying tradition!” Fyson cheered. What in the heck, Fyson? You weren’t—

“And a vow of guidelines compliance!” Pelison added. He was still wearing his big ol’ yellow construction helmet.

And, “I’ll take that vow!” said Greyson. Gorons! @⩄@

“Think of future generations!” Hudson said to her.

Rhondson didn’t say anything, but only looked.... doubtful.

The moment hung in the air. Young Karson looked on from behind with his mouth open in anticipation. Everyone was waiting....

Rhondson shook her head, put one hand on her hip, and momentarily lowering her voice uttered, “Well, those are the guidelines... I do.”

“Excellent,” said Kapson with an unruffled grace.

He cleared his throat with an aged little cough, and continued, “And so, dearly beloved, please help me in greeting this newly married couple.”

The bells were ringing, the confetti was flying and everyone was clapping and cheering!

Haha, Bolson was tossing the confetti!

What in the heck just happened? @ဗ@

Kapson sang out, “I wish this new couple nothing but the utmost happiness as they set out on this journey of marital bliss!” As the camera panned up to the blue beautiful sky....

“Hudson and Rhondson’s wedding was a shining beacon in an otherwise dark, dangerous world,” said the Quest Log.

“Rhondson was a little taken aback by a few of the vows, but everything worked out fine and is in perfect compliance with Bolson Construction’s guidelines.

It’s only polite to give your blessing to the lovely couple who just vowed their undying love, so go talk to Hudson.”

I spoke to Rhondson first, though.

“The wedding ceremoy...wasn’t what I expected, but it was special all the same,” she said, “Did you like the dress? I made it myself.”

“No kidding!” I said as my only response. XD <3 ^_^

“Although Hudson wanted me to weave the gems he mined into it, so every step down the aisle was a struggle.”

Heh, but she made it look good.

“Well, that’s life for you, with all its twists and turns. I hope you’ll stick with us through them.”

You bet I would, Rhondson! ^_^

And then Hudson.

“Hey. It’s you,” he said at my approach. “Thank you for attending the ceremony. ...*sniff*”

Oh gosh my CHOICES: “Are you crying?” and “Congratulations!”

I said.... Oh, man to man, I should have said Congratulations! But.....

BUT I’M A GIRL PLAYING THIS GAME.

“Are you crying?” I said!

“What? No. Just something in my eye...” He offhandedly wiped his face. “And now Tarrey Town looks like a real town at long last.”

Heh, yeah, it did.

“This was all possible because of you. I can’t thank you enough for all the hard work you did. All right. This is for you.”

And he gave me.... three diamonds!

“These were found inside the boulders we smashed when we were clearing land. Rhondson and I have no use for them. You can take them.”

That was a valuable gift!

And the giant sidequest’s banner flashed across my screen:

From The Ground Up ~ Complete

Well that felt good. ^_^

The Quest Log now read:

“Hudson and Rhondson are happily married, and Tarrey Town is enjoying great prosperity.

As a sign of appreciation for bringing the town together and as compensation for your work, Hudson gave you a hefty amount of gems that were unearthed during the town’s construction.

You wished the couple eternal happiness before heading on your way.”

Aaawwwwwww. ^_^ <3 <3 <3

Tarrey Town certainly was feeling more peaceful. Moggs and Monari his wife hadn’t heard the people across the way argue in quite some time. Moggs figured every time they overcame an obstacle together their relationship grew stronger.

Man I was running out of gas.

I think I’ll spend the night in the inn (it’s 7:00pm-ish, game time), and then go to bed. Got that 10K in the morning....

Kapson is such a kind host. “Link... Are you in need of a good sleep and a hearty meal?”

“Yes.”

“I thought so. Thanks to the benevolence of the Goddess Hylia, I can offer you a place to stay. When would you like me to wake you?”

“Morning.”

“It shall be done.” So officiatious, Kapson! XD “Now then, time for a short rest...”

The screen blacked out and that nice little go-to-bed music played.

.... He didn’t charge me. ^_^

“Did you sleep well? May the kindness of Goddess Hylia be ever with you...”

Tarrey Town’s music was so lovely. <3

No Tarryin' for Tarrey!

Waking of Friday, February 8, 2019

No Tarryin’ for Tarrey!

While logging, I’d been referencing YouTube for unremembered details about the Thundra Plateau, and was shocked to remember how unconcerned the Piano was as it sat there picking its nails in the rain. When all of a sudden Oh.... so that’s where the Rubber Armor is....

I’d always meant to avoid spoilers, but....

Whoops!

I started at my house in Hateno.

Spoke to Bolson. He wondered about Hudson.

I was gonna go find Hudson.

But first, took a detour and warped to the Thundra Plateau to pick up the Rubber Shirt! That was a sneaky place to hide a treasure chest.... Now all I lacked of the set was the headpiece....

Warped back to the Wolf Shrine in Akkala—or, warped there for the “first” time.... Sailed down, lighted on the land bridge, same thing. Hi, Hudson!

He’s out here building a town.

Gave him ten bundles of wood. And now.... he needs a Goron.

Well.... If the lovely red rocks here were fated to be leveled anyway....

I warped to Goron City. I thought perhaps one of the diggers from Gorko Tunnel might be the one Hudson was looking for; they seemed like hard workers.... But neither of their names ended in –son. I asked around town, but could find no one who fit Hudson’s qualifications anywhere. Nothing.

So I ran down to the South Mine, and it was there that I met up with.... Greyson!

He was looking for somewhere where he could use his strength to help people!

“Tarrey Town!” I tell him, “It’s in Akkala!”

Oh cool, he liked that. - u - So he called to his little brother Pelison to come along and the two of them started off! Right into their own little cutscene blackout.

Well! c:

I warped after them, and Tarrey Town had another building!

AND A TROMBONE! 8D

The music had been simpler when it was just Hudson, but now.... it had another layer!

That was cool! ^__^

What was more, Greyson was much happier working for Hudson. ^_^ And little Pelison, still in his big yellow hardhat, had opened an ore shop! He said with all the rock they were moving around, they were finding some pretty good stuff to sell!

Well this place was developing quickly! :D

I spoke to Hudson again, and this time gave him twenty bundles of wood to help out. But he had another issue he was dealing with as well.... his clothes kept wearing out. He said he needed someone skilled in tailoring. Probably a Gerudo.

Well I knew just where to find one of those!

Gerudo Town! :D

But of course, Hudson had also said he could only take on someone whose name ended in –son, per Bolson Construction Company policy.

Criminy biscuits....

I asked around anyway. The clothing shop? It seemed like a good place to start looking for a tailor.... But their names didn’t end in –son.

WAIT.

OH MY GOSH I knew where this was going.

That one. That girl, the Gerudo, at Kara Kara Bazaar.

That one. What was her name? It ended in –son, I was sure of it.

The one who was looking for her true love.

Oh my gosh I so knew where this was going....

I sand sealed out to Kara Kara Bazaar! And I found her. Rhondson! That was her name. And she told me she was still continuing her search for a husband.

“Go to Tarrey Town!” I tell her! ^_^

“Tarrey Town?”

“It’s in Akkala!”

“Akkala... That’s a long way from here...”

But she considered, and conceded to herself that it wasn’t like she was getting anywhere here. And so she decided that.... She’d do it! She was gonna go home and pack a huge bag; it was gonna be a loooong journey.

And so she went.... with that same musical outro into a blackout.

They had all walked away with that same music. Tarrey Town music....

This was getting exciting! :D

I warped back to Tarrey Town! Still more rocks had been cleared away and there was yet another building! And little harp-like accent thingies to the music!

Hudson had been the Piano and the English horn. Greyson the trombone. Now Rhondson a harp or something like it. What a lovely ensemble this was turning out to be! ^_^

Rhondson now also had a clothing shop. And she sold the Desert Voe stuff! 8D

When I spoke to her she said she’d had to repair Hudson’s clothes just about every day. And she went on to say that actually.... it had been a little rough. The holes were enough to deal with, but.... Hudson’s clothes also stank of sweat. And whenever she brought it up, Hudson got all defensive! “Is this the only kind of voe I’ll meet around here?” she wondered unhappily at me.

She wondered....

Heh, but I didn’t.

Her future writ itself all over the sky right then and there before my eyes.

Oh this was going to be good. X-)

I continued exploring the houses again, and I saw some.... Hylians?

“Who are you?” I blundered. I didn’t recall going and finding anybody else to come here....?

I spoke to the woman and child first. Ruli was the mother, and her daughter Hunnie had been in poor health lately. They thought it would do them good to move out here where the air was fresh and there were not a lot of people.

Well it was pretty country, and very refreshing out here. Given you could keep the Guardians out of your pajamas.

“Now if my daughter’s appetite would just pick up,” Ruli went on. For she was sure Hunnie would do better if she would just eat more. “At night I need to talk to Papa again...” she finished mysteriously.

Who is Papa?

I hadn’t seen anyone else in the house.

Hm.

I looked around and THERE WAS ANOTHER HYLIAN SITTING ON THE GROUND LOOKING AT THE LAKE.

THIS WAS ALL GOING WAY TOO FAST! 8D

“Are you Papa?” I asked him, running up.

But he gave no indication of even knowing the other two.

My gosh how many people were moving out here??

Hagie was his name. He all but shoved 100 rupees into my hand to make me go kill the two Guardians in the lake. Sidequest, huh?

So I did. Easily.

Felt good, man.

On a quest so small I thought about being more present, but.... I just warped to the Wolf Shrine and sailed back in from the other direction, instead of climbing back up the big red rock.

The hundred rupees had been Hagie’s downpayment, and so now that the deed was done (he saw everything, he said), he gave me the rest: 20 rupees. Pfft.

Hagie remarked on my evidently apparent disappointment before the Sidequest Complete banner flashed across the screen. “Hobbies of the Rich” had been the name of that one.

That guy was loopy!

Aaaand I needed to harvest more wood, because this time.... Hudson needed thirty bundles of it. And after a time and going through some trees up the hill—which might have entailed the instance that certain Big Yigaman ghosted out to fight me and I narrowly evaded the razor shock from his WindCleaver only by dint of being shorter and standing downhill, and was thenceforth happy to assume that WindCleavers could not pitch their strokes—I delivered. I went back to town, and gave Hudson the thirty bundles of wood.

Hudson told me that with the growth of the town, they needed distribution. They needed a general store. They needed somebody who knew how to distribute goods and keep a store running.

“So a traveling merchant?” I asked. Oh great, I’m gonna have to find somebody on the road....

“Yeah, a Rito would be able to get around and move goods!” says Hudson.

Oh.

Well, the only Rito I knew of outside of their hometown were Kass, Frita and Guy. And none of their names.... well....

....

Hmmmm.

....

So I went to Rito Town and started up around the Neck, looking for SONS.... Not Laissa. Not Harth—“Not you I like you too much,” I said.

WAIT A MINUTE!

I stopped.

“That guy!”

I jumped over the rail and sailed back down to the first level and found.... Fyson! The sulky teal one who wanted to leave his mom’s store and open up a store of his own and sell anything he wanted!

“Heard of Tarrey Town?” I grinned.

I told him all about it, and he remarked that Akkala was pretty far away.... But he also said that he’s got to leave the nest somehow.... and the thought of his own store.... It sounded wonderful....

He’d do it! ^_^

And he went.... and walked off into the blackout. Every time one of these people had walked off, he’d had that same little music that saw him off....

I warped back to Tarrey Town and there was a fresh clarinet! ^_^

Ah! But it felt so special that a denizen of my favorite town in the game should be accompanied by my own instrument. ♡

And Fyson was selling arrows! 8D Handy! ^_^

And now Hudson needed 50 bundles of wood! 8O

I didn’t have fifty bundles of wood!

Aaaand ssoooo.... I decided I’d better just fall back on an old reliable source of mine, and went and blew up the woods outside of Hateno, in the old Concussion Forest.

Remember?

After I’d completely deforested the slopes west of Hateno Village, I came back to Tarrey Town—and in fact I did catch Ruli and Hagie together.... so Hagie must have been the “Papa” of that family—and remembered I needed to talk to Rhondson some more....

And I talked to her....

AND THEY WERE ENGAGED!

RHONDSON AND HUDSON WERE ENGAGED!

“What!?” I say.

But haha, she only laughed at my surprise, and said I could talk to Hudson to know more.

Heh, I’d forgotten to talk to her last time. Guessed I’d never know the interrim.... unless I checked YouTube or something.

So I talked to Hudson and gave him the fifty bundles of wood.

And he wanted to talk about something a little.... personal....

I asked him what it was....

“I got engaged!” he says.

“No way!” I say, XD “To who?”

Was that in the game? Eh I’ll chalk it up to a Clemensism.

“To who?”

“To Rhondson.”

Aaaand my choices: “You’re a cute couple!” or “What a surprise!” XD

I say.... “What a surprise!” XD

“You say that, but for some reason, I think you mean the opposite,” says Hudson. XD XD XD XD XD

He goes on, “Anyway, we want to have a little ceremony to celebrate, but we need someone priest-like to officiate.”

Oh, I have known just the guy for MONTHS....

“Priest-like, huh...” I smirk.

Hudson continued, “If we’re looking for a people devout enough to have a priest-like person...I’d suggest the Zora.”

Way ahead of you buddy. X-)

And again, the stipulation of the name ending in –son....

I was in Zora’s Domain in a trice, hoofing it up out of the shrine chamber and making my way back toward the sleeping quarters....

Kapson.

“If during your travels you meet any engaged couples I would like you to introduce them to me.” He said this as if we’d just been continuing our conversation from so long ago. “Joining two souls is a true honor, one I shall stake my life on. Just one more wedding...and I shall be fulfilled.”

“Get a load of this...” I said. XD XD XD XD And I fell into the inevitable gesticulations.

Kapson looked pleased. “I have been waiting to hear those words,” he smiled. “Now, please tell me the specifics...”

“Tarrey Town in Akkala!” I let him know.

“As for the location... Hmmm...” Kapson thought to himself. “Tarrey Town in Akkala... Akkala isn’t too far from here. It would please me to hurry there right away.”

And here I was given a choice of response: “By yourself?” or “Yes, please!”

I showed concern; he was quite an old fish. “By yourself?”

But he laughed a grizzled old laugh. “No need to worry about me. I have always had confidence in my fins and feet!”

Well that was good to hear, then. He sounded like a hale old fish. :) And he was bigger than I was anyway....

“It has been a long while since I have had work. I am eager to put my skills to good use! You should come as well. I will start my preparations in Tarrey Town in the meantime.”

And he walked off with the same music.... ^_^

Hahhh....

So he really wasn’t for Tye and Sorelia after all.

I followed after him right away....

And, you know, despite all the buildings, and the beautiful red rocks being cleared away.... Tarrey Town still really was quite lovely. ^_^

Only....

It was RAINING when I warped back! I DID NOT WANT TO DO THIS ON A RAINY DAY.

I went to look for shrines instead!

Or something....

Studying my map I warped here and there, poking and checking.... Okay, a CHEST beside the shrine name meant all the treasure inside had been gotten.... I looked around, sweeping the cursor over my shrine-markers. Dang I’ve missed a lot of treasure.... Huh, the Blessing Ones were probably just weapons I didn’t have room for....

Okay back to Akkala. Impatience took me quickly and I warped back to Tarrey Town.

The rain had stopped.

And now there was a guitar. ^_^

Heh, a guitar for a Zora, how fitting....

The island was completely developed now. Five comely buildings stood in a neat circle around the edges of the now flat rock. Oh but I wish they hadn’t paved the little Goddess statue pond. It seemed so.... sterile, now. It looked like.... It looked like....

It looked like IKEA.

....

I found another new Hylian in town as well, lounging out on a balcony. A Sheikah! I spoke to him....

And oh my gosh it was Granté! Wasn’t he.... Robbie’s and.... her....’s.... son? Jerrin! Jerrin. Robbie’s and Jerrin’s son? He was.

And HE SOLD ULTRA RARE ARMOR?

UUUHHHHHHHHHHH?????? THIS KID SOLD THE ENTIRE RUBBER SET????

WHAT IN THE WORLD WHERE DID HE’S GOT ALL THESE CLOTHES??? [[Grammar from my original notes.]]

OH MY GOSH HE’S GOT THE OLD SHIRT, WELL-WORN TROUSERS, Rubber ensemble, Climber’s ensemble, Barbarian ensemble, Sand Boots and Snow Boots!

And the ensemble pieces were 4,000 rupees a pop!

Huh.... I wondered....

Not that I had that kind of cash on me right then.

I looked around some more.... And found that Ha! Kapson ran the inn. XD That was a nice, grandfatherly fit for the hale old fish. ^_^

I visited with him and he said an important guest had yet to arrive before the wedding could take place.... and that I could talk to Hudson for the details....

So I went back outside and talked to Hudson. He was grateful that I’d found Kapson.

“He and I talked earlier,” Hudson started, “and he said that he literally was a priest before he retired. You can’t get more priest-like than that.”

XD

“And his name is Kapson, so I have no objections there.”

Naturally!

We talked a bit more, and I gathered that Oh, he wanted me to find guests! Bolson and Karson! But of course. XD

Hudson said he was busy preparing for the ceremony, and asked me if I could invite them.

Oh buddy.... You’ve got your hands full; just leave it to Link....

The stage seemed set.... This was all so exciting!

Almost all seemed to be just about in readiness....

But I Like The Red Rocks

Afternoon of Sunday, January 27, 2019

But I Like The Red Rocks

I started up in my own house in Hateno Village.

I wanted to go see what Hudson was up to. Bolson had wondered about him, said something maybe about trouble.... or had hinted that Hudson couldn’t have gotten into too much of such.... which meant....

Mmmm I roved over my mental map of Akkala, wondering where he could have gone. The land was lush and green all over, but I could not banish the lake from my thoughts....

And if he was at Lake Akkala.... well, dude, freakin’—there were Guardians in there!

I warped to the Wolf Shrine—that shrine low north of Zorana, on the cliffs overlooking the waterfalls and the fairy fountain. Wolves had harrassed me when I first came upon it, and were still often seen nearby. And I ran off the cliff and paraglided toward that jut of land just downtrail from Mija’s little copse, out over Lake Akkala.

Standing all alone over the water....

But of course.... There was nothing else there. Nothing but a Goddess statue....

And I drew nearer to the islandy formation and lo! I saw.... some structures there.... And I saw Hudson! Picking away at a rock! He was okay!

I floated down on the landbridge for a proper approach, and the new name of the place gleamed across my screen: Tarrey Town.

Tarrey Town? Was this where he was expanding? Was he settling here?

I had a nice conversation with Hudson. Gave him ten bundles of wood for materials. I didn’t mind helping him! Aww it was good to see him well! ^_^

But the great hulking boulders on this.... island for lack of a better term.... He needed somebody strong, like a Goron (but with a last name ending in –son, per policy), to come and help him get rid of them.

:(

But I liked the shape of this island. And Akkala’s red rocks were so pretty....

Oh humm hmmm.... This seemed fit to develop into something massive and irrevocable.

....

I reloaded back at my house. Without saving.

Dipped around for a little bit.... Mounted a couple more weapons....

Currently, from left to right around the lower room’s walls, the setup consisted of: the Falcon Bow gifted by Teba, My Trusty Phrenic Bow, (empty); the Lightscale Trident, (empty), the Ceremonial Trident; (empty), the Forest Dweller’s Shield, and the Kite Shield.

I just liked the look of the Rito Shield.... And it was still fresh anyway. So was the Falcon Bow.

I liked Akkala’s beautiful red rocks—how could I move forward with this?

....

Eh, it would autosave occasionally. I just called it a day.

Aquas and LousySpy and the Monster Born Of Darkness

Waking of Saturday, January 26, 2019 ~ 2

Aquas and LousySpy and the Monster Born Of Darkness

This had been a long time coming.

I warped to the Dueling Peaks, took out Knight from the Stable, and rode him to Hateno. Saving a few people along the way, of course.... I swear, that stretch of road....

I made it to Hateno, and found Bolson and his crew. Still sitting out by that wok beside the old empty house.

....

Hateno was one of the first places I had visited; Bolson was an early snake in my life. But now I had traveled the world, or at least the country, and seen just about every habitation there was to see.... just on the vague off chance there might be.... someone else making a similar offer.... somewhere.... Though in my heart as time went on.... I think I had known.... there wouldn’t be.

The Deku Tree’s Navel was homely enough, and Pepp was kind to keep a bed there just for me. But.... I was no Korok....

And these Champions’ weapons....

And Hateno still left a dreary, unloving taste in my mouth.

But....

....

It was time.

I had seen the world, and it was time.

I approached Bolson, and I finished what I had started so long ago, and I bought the house. I shelled out the three thousand rupees. I had seen that amount come and go and come again in my purse, but now.... I was finally putting it where I’d meant to put it eventually.

I bought the house.

And Bolson was.... taken aback! By me, spending so much at such an age! He just found it so.... studly.

Lol Bolson is so gay.

And so the house was mine. As was a weapon mount Bolson and crew had left in there that didn’t get sold. “Consider it a housewarming gift,” Bolson said.

A weapon mount.... Hmmm.... I thought I’d seen those in David’s Hateno House....

After the transaction, it was decided that Hudson, one of Bolson’s men, was going to Akkala. Bolson Construction was expanding.

Well that was sudden. :c

I said goodbye to him and bade him good luck.... and he told me to take care of myself.... Nice guy, Hudson. I always liked him.... when I spoke to him. He was always the most cordial.

He even had his own little.... music.... some gentle musical theme.... as he walked off and away into the fade-out.

Aww. :( I’d miss that guy.

Hahhhh.

....

But for NOW....

....

I WENT TO CHECK OUT MY HAUS.

....

I ran inside and it was so bare. But it was mine.

“This is my house,” I said to David.

The wooden floors gaped dustily up at me as I pounded around in the silence.

“This is my house,” I said again.

“....”

“THIS.... IS MY HOUSE. THIS IS MY HOUSE!” I started singing. XD

And David actually recognized it and rolled his eyes hard.

“WON’T YOU GET OUT OF MY HOUSE? THIS IS.... THIS IS MY.... HOUSE THISISMY HOUSE.... WON’T YOU GET OUT OF MY HOUSE—I’LL GIVE YOU.... A GOOD SPELL, FOR YOU TO USE. SO YOU CAN JUMP ON MY ROOFS AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT. THIS IS MY HOUSE. PLEASE, GET OUT OF MY HOUSE, IT’S—NOT YOUR HOUSE. I’VE GOT A BIG BEARD! Out of my house.... out.... Ah, don’t stab me....”

....

I don’t think I actually sang the whole thing for/at David but I sure as heck ain’t gonna leave it out of the log.

I ran happily around my new house a few more times, up to the loft and down again, around and around before the initial excitement wore down pretty hard.

Um, the house was all bare. It didn’t even have a door.

I’d finally mounted Mipha’s spear up on the wall, and that was something, but.... where was everything else? David’s house was much fuller than this....

I ran out the doorway to look for Bolson again, getting halfway across the little bridge before stopping and.... hmmmm turning back and grabbing Mipha’s spear again; I didn’t like leaving it alone in a house with no door.

I ran to go find Bolson, but the evening was falling fast and I didn’t find him.

But I did find Kilton.

!

And I remembered.

Now that I’d beaten another Divine Beast....

He should have something new!

Now I could finally see whatever it was that David had seen.... I had guessed and guessed that time, hoping for answers just as much as not. Was it a Hinox Mask? A Guardian Mask? Some kind of Malice-Immunity Potion? But David never said....

I approached the little man in his balloon now....

Kilton was very excited. He’d outdone himself this time. He had created the ultimate monster gear. “I’m actually a bit terrified of myself right now,” he said.

Oh my gosh WHAT IS IT?

He called it.... the dark series.

What?

And he said when I put on this ultimate monster camouflage, I might just become a monster myself. “Have fun being hunted for your organs,” he tells me.

WHAT?

He also said that I might find myself able to move faster at night. “Not sure how that worked out,” he says, “but....” He trailed off.

Oh my gosh....

WHAT IS IT, KILTON?

I clicked through his dialogue until he finally finished his spiel, and I got into his items. Scrolled down.... down.... down....

And....

OH MY GOSH IT WAS A DARK LINK OUTFIT.

Dark Link!

And I studied it a bit more.... “OH MY GOSH THOSE ARE OOT’S BRACERS!” I said to David.

“Who’s Oot?”

“This is OoT’s outfit!”

“Who’s Oot?”

“Ocarina of Time.”

“Oh.”

I knew them by the broad banding over the forearms, and the boot-flaps, and the tunic-lapels, and the shaping of the bandolier and the broadness of the belt.

OoT!

Kilton said he’d designed these with a monster born of shadow in mind.

Uh muh gush....

What an enormous upwelling of nostalgia.

So I started trading him monster bits for his Mon currency. Fortunately I had over 400 Lizalfos Talons and Chuchu Jellies, over 300 Bokoblin Fangs and plenty of Ancient Screws and things.... I made exactly as much as I needed: 3,997 Mon.

And I bought the Dark Tunic for 999 mon.

And I bought the Dark Trousers for 999 mon.

And finally.... I bought the Dark Hood for 1,999 mon.

And I put them all on and....

Oh....

My gosh....

Well that was right creepy.

I was Dark Link!

....

I swear he bore his teeth more.... when he wore this Dark Series....

So I ran to find some townsfolk to scare. But they only jumped and cowered and then spoke to me normally.

And I finally found Bolson! Inside one of the houses in the morning just before he woke up. I just had to wait a minute because he couldn’t be bothered until he got back to the Hylian home.

And shortly, but not shortly enough.... he did. And I spoke to him. And he could see that I was looking at him like I was displeased, or wanted him to keep working on the house—because I did.

So he said he’d finish making it a real home for 5,000 rupees.

You sneakthief!

“But for you, we’ll just start at 100.”

Uh huh, of course you will....

So I spent that morning having him build me things. First, a door, for one hundred rupees.

I forked over the cash, and he called Karson, and in the ensuing blackout I was happily amused to hear that it sounded like the two of them SERIOUSLY got to work! With much manly grunting and huffing and puffing and yelling and guttural shouts all to the rhythm of the sounds of manual construction! XD And when the scenery faded back in, my house had a brand new door. Very nice.

And for a hundred rupees more, a bed up in the loft. And another hundred rupees for some lighting over the main floor. And with each job, the same riotous blackout occurred, Bolson and Karson both yelling and sawing and hammering and yelling some more until the job was done.

That was it for the installation projects. Next I had him add to the mounts on my wall, and he charged me for each one. Two more weapon mounts on the far wall, three shield mounts on the right wall below the loft, and three bow mounts on the left wall. Not in that order, but that’s where they appeared.

With the mounts—and the door—in place, I mounted Mipha’s Spear, and the Ceremonial Trident, along with the stylish Forest Dweller’s Shield, and my trusty, trusty Phrenic Bow. They would be safe and secure in this house. And kept from cumbering me out on the field.

When I was out of mounting options and other interior projects, I had Bolson do exterior work. Even in the rain. Oh I first moved Knight into the roofed stall off the west side of the house and out of the wet. (He and I looked amazing together while I wore the Dark Series.) But I still made Bolson work, despite the cutscenes being robbed of their vibrancy in the silver haze. Plant flowers! Plant trees! (I could hardly spot the wide-angle differences in the downpour.) And finally, A sign with my name on it!

And Bolson and Karson hollered their way through it all, as the last drops finally began to peter out.

The sign stood neatly on its own little pedestal just to the left of the path from the bridge to my door; and it read, I could see after I’d studied it for a moment:

MASTER LINK

                  PRESENTED BY SAKURDA BUILDERS

And when all that had been done, Bolson said “YOU... HOUSING MONSTER!” Or something like it. “You got everything?”

And since I had worked him for all he was worth, he threw in some free furniture for me. (“Karson! Look alive!”) And that.... was that.

And Bolson and Karson left off.

And my house was a home.

And the sidequest Hylian Homeowner flashed across my screen.... Complete.

My gosh, how long had it been?

I didn’t know.

Home complete.... I rode Knight back to Dueling Peaks. Still in my Dark Getup. And the Bokoblins we passed.... leapt out in blatant attacks.

Um.... they didn’t seem very fooled.

I asked David if bad guys did this when he wore the Dark Suit, but he hadn’t bought this set. It was expensive.

Some field research was in order it seemed. I got to Dueling Peaks, boarded Knight, and ran down the road west between the peaks toward the Bokoblin camp. They were all asleep.

So I woke them up with a whistle. Or... did I? They seemed to come to before I could blow. Hmm.

And they all attacked me.

What the heck, Kilton?

One of them hit me with an arrow, and it HURT! D:<

Good gravy that took off a lotta hearts!

Under further attack, I warped away mid-stun to Cotera. Maybe she could upgrade the stuff.

But it was unupgradable.

-_- What in the heck, Kilton?

The ensemble.... didn’t seem to have any good perks.... that I could immediately discern....

But getting another idea I kept it on anyway, and started having the Great Fairy cast her upgrades on my spare Flamebreaker Armor. I had the materials and I just wanted to see something....

I had her upgrade until the kiss. And the little cinematic gave me a clear view of Link’s red-eyed, black-skinned, dark, evil, behooded face.

Oh....

Yeah he definitely bore his teeth more in this outfit....

Sneering. Leering. Narrow-eyed menacing.

My gosh.

Well that was nightmarish.

I reloaded without saving to just before the Great Fairy because I wanted to keep my Smotherwing Butterflies.

Well.

Now what.

....

As long as I was in Kakariko, I went and tried it on the Guardian out back. The Dark Series.

But nope, the Guardian still saw me and got mad. Piano all riled up.

Hm.

I was running out of gas.

....

I warped to the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab and visited Purah. Scared her and Symin with the Dark Suit all right! Symin says—(uh?)—that I can add pictures to my Compendium for a price.... huh, not sure if I knew that before....

Paraglided to.... my house. Scared Bolson on the way.

I have a house now.

And it does look nice.

And it is inviting.

I changed out of my Dark Suit and into my Champion’s tunic, Hylian Hood and Hylian Trousers.

It was 1:10 in the afternoon.

I slept in my very own bed for the first time, until the morning.

Good night.

And at church the next morning, Shelene and I sang. A beautiful song about how by serving the needy, we truly serve Christ, and enrich our own lives as well. And throughout the rest of the cracks between church, women kept coming up to me, and I assume to Shelene as well, to tell me that our singing had moved them to tears.

Taking Care of Business

Waking of Saturday, May 27, 2017 ~ 2

Taking Care of Business

I marked that shrine with a beacon, and found it to lie just north of the Honeydell, in the middle of a queer lot of huge circles in the topography that I had wondered about.... I warped to the Wetland Stable and went up the road to see—saving Leekah on the way again.

It was the giant tree stumps. And I discovered what they portended: Wizzrobes.

But they were easy enough to avoid, and the shrine was easy enough to find with a little dedication.

It was a Modest Test of Strength.

I’d seen David best a Major Test of Strength....

I decided to give this one a try.... and I conquered it!

My first Modest Combat win. ^_^

I’d had a lot of adventures all over the map. But I decided it really was time to go see Impa again after having regained a few of my memories.

I warped first to the Dueling Peaks Stable and chased down a few Koroks. After that I warped straight to Kakariko and—having about six thousand rupees to my name at this point—decided to look at the clothing shop.

That Sneaky Suit was 1800 all told.... Mmmm but I’d still have plenty left over if I wanted to go buy that house in Hateno as well....

But I passed on the heavy shopping for the time being.

TIME TO SEE IMPA.

There weren’t any deep cinematics this time aside from our conversation. But she acknowledged that I had regained a few of my memories—and she gave me something that she had been keeping safe for me....

The Champion’s Tunic.

Ah! So that was where David had gotten it! I thought.

Ah! I was finally garbed in the iconic blue tunic.... oh how smashing I looked....

I took it to Cotera straight away, and she took a few Lizalfos horns from my monster-bits collection and upped its defense from 5 to 8.

Awesome.

After that, it was off to Hateno Village! I had some business to take care of.... the first item of which was to find that kid, Nebb, for whom I’d been carting around that blasted worthless Traveler’s Sword!

I ran him down and showed it to him. And.... he gave me twenty rupees!

Well that was a nice surprise.

Next he said he wanted to see a Flame Rod. Man, if you give a mouse a cookie....

I happened to have one on me, and I showed that to him too.

And he gave me twenty more rupees!

Well!

Next he asked for a Moblin Club, and I didn’t have one of those, but hm.... Perhaps this Nebb merits some keeping up with, no?

My next stop was the Ancient Tech lab on the hill. I’d collected loads of ancient parts—I could upgrade my other runes: Bombs and Stasis.

So I did. And.... I was in a fine mood, so.... I gave Purah a couple of hearty “Snap!”s along the way.

Once my Stasis and Bombs were upgraded I ran outside to play with both. I glanced around to see if I could find any baddies to test the Stasis on. Accidentally discovered a hidden chest in a pool of water that way.... but no baddies. I probably would have had to leave town for that. As for my Bombs, they didn’t look any different, but I guess they packed a bigger punch now. And the reload time was definitely faster.

For a moment I thought. Outside the game.

I had just played a neat little chunk. If I stopped right here, that would make for easier logging, smaller bites, less stress. And moderation in all things was a good rule anyway.

I really should have just wrapped up the game.

I looked again at the house I could buy. It did have a lot of good points—a lit wok, an apple tree, a little pond, a place for my horses.... It opened right onto the hills, and it was very pretty.

I took a self portrait in front of it.

It was 4:15 in the morning, game-time. I sat by the wok’s fire until morning. By the time I stood up again forty-five minutes later, Karson, Bolson and Hudson had joined me and were sitting along with me.

You know Bolson really rocks the pink headband I must say. And the matching pink pants. Ah dear me. XD

Okay, that was a good little chunk to log about. It was always difficult to log when I took bigger bites than that....

Yes. I needed to stop.

Didn’t want to give myself too much post-game logging to do.

Yeah.

I rode out on the autosave, exited the game, shut down the console, and set the WiiU controller back in its cradle.

Yep. That was a good little chunk of game to play for now until I could log about it.

Time to leave the game alone now.

Yep.

....

I don’t think I lasted five hours.

Oh Snap

Waking of Thursday, March 9, 2017

Oh Snap

Well, I’d given the wood bundles to Bolson.

Now I just needed to come up with a hot three thousand rupees.

It wasn’t like they grew on trees....

I decided I had spent enough time cooling off. It was time to familiarize myself with Hateno.

I found the man, Seldon, whom the man at the gate had told me would be happy to give me a tour—and boy was he ever! He ran around showing me things until he had puffed himself right out.

I also did a good deed for one Koyin, a young lady whose sheep were being hustled by the monsters that kept coming up from Hateno Beach.

So I went down there and gave ‘em what for and came back and told Koyin about it, and she gave me some milk in return. That’ll be good in some stew later, I am sure.

There were other people I’d wanted to get to know better, or who wanted to get to know me better, but.... on a bright, slightly drippy morning, I decided to finally pay the Ancient Tech Lab a visit. This was where Impa had said I could meet her mentor.

It was.... a funny place.

A little girl named Purah told me the Director was in the back, so I went to talk to this big man named Symin.... but he addressed the little girl Purah as the Director!

“Check it!” Purah shouted at me, and struck.... a kind of pose with fancy fingers.

She apparently thought it was very amusing to play a tiny trick on me, but, well.... Whatever.

Purah was odd. She also said she recognized me—but how could that be? She didn’t look older than twelve or thirteen. She said there was a reason for that, some kind of accident I gather, and that the details were contained in her diary upstairs—which she admonished me not to go looking at!

Not that I could find a way “upstairs”; there was only one ladder in the room, up against the wall, and it didn’t go anywhere. It was all one big room from what I could tell.

Her mannerisms were obnoxious, but she seemed eager to help me repair my Sheikah Slate to full functionality. But in talking with me she kept taking furtive little notes on my behavior, like I was some kind of lab animal!

And after a little fetchquest to start up the furnace powering a Sheikah Pedestal she had, she kept trying to tease some kind of cheer or shout out of me. “Snap!” she wanted me to say.

I don’t think she was very impressed by my offerings.

It felt.... childish. Didn’t we have important work to do?

I wonder what had happened to this Purah character, what had made her like this.

And she told me she had brought me to the Resurrection Chamber, after Calamity Ganon had fatally wounded me.

Did she look or act like this then?

Some part of me hoped not.

Somehow it seemed.... well....

Less heroic.

Hey, a man has his pride.

Even a dying one.

I gave her three of the ancient screws I had salvaged off the old dead Guardians, and she used them in her repairs. Now the Sheikah Slate has a built-in Pictobox feature, and the sensor can now be modified to search for other objects or substances. Neat! And what’s more, images I capture with the pictobox can be identified and expounded upon in a built-in Compendium. Very handy!

If I bring her different parts, she’ll be able to upgrade my Stasis capacity.... and my Bombing capacity.

Ja Baij would be so pleased.

Concussive Logging

Waking of Monday, March 6, 2017

Concussive Logging

Well, Bolson wanted thirty bundles of wood? I’d get him thirty bundles of wood.

I left Brown by the house we wanted to buy—heh, I seem to have been including him in my first-person pronouns lately—and took off into the hills. That house (it takes a great deal of concentration to not say “my” house), being way up near the end of the village, opened right onto a grassy, hilly wilderness. And I knew there was a big stand of trees somewhere along the ridge....

There were also some moblins. Whom I bombed. Because I didn’t want to deal with them up close.

They are quite large, the moblins in this game.

Besides, I didn’t know just how long my Iron Sledgehammer would last.

But I know where two more of those are....

From dawn to dusk I was about this endeavor. But I didn’t know how long my axe would last either—and then it dawned on me: In bombing the moblin, I had accidentally knocked down a tree or two....

!

I could just blow up the whole forest! :D

And so some time that day I put away my axe, and only let the wild wilderness resound with the Gift of Ja Baij.

They’re very talented bombs. They could even turn fallen logs into wood bundles.

Cool.

And when the sky was darkening and I had felled every single thin tree in the vicinity (I left the thick ones alone), which came out to exactly the thirty bundles I needed, I climbed a hill to paraglide back toward Hateno Village again (it takes a great deal of concentration to not just say “home”).

As I sailed I saw someone with a lantern walking along the ridge through the tall grass.

“Who’s this?” I wondered, and slowed my flight, angling downward.

I landed next to her, and she was trying to think of a word.

Her name was Traveler.

Oh no....

“It starts with L and ends with K.... What was it again....?” she wondered.

I tried to, uh, help her out with suggestions such as Lurk, Lick and Leek, but none of those were it and.... soon there was only one option left.

“Link?”

As Luck would have it, that was the right answer. She looked happy as a Lark—a very evil Lark—as she dropped all pretense and gave me battle. She went down easier than the others had, but not for Lack of trying; I was just catching on to their fighting style. When they stand still, charging up an orange energy cloud, then is a good time to go Lunk ‘em on the head or slash ‘em with your sword or use whatever you’ve got. Dang Lank creepers.... Do they all keep finding me by chance, or is there some kind of information Leak among my friends? How do I keep my whereabouts under Lock and key....

Okay, Look, fine, I’ll stop. Gosh.