with knowledge comes great responsibility

[anythingforyou]

[What an absolute ordeal all of that was.

Today was certainly one hell of a day, that's for sure; they've managed to take care of another Guardian and gain it's trust (or at the very least, something resembling it), they managed to find Candice and manage to...well, maybe not get her back in a state that's altogether wanted, but ensure they managed to get her at least into a place where she could possibly regain herself. It will likely be a process, as such things are, but they've done their best, and they should have no regrets.

The center is definitely going to be a welcome reprieve for all of their suffering, at the very least. The Kompot is certainly more than enough to likely get everyone warmed back up and in a stable condition, along with the copious amount of blankets the locals have provided. They've got the time to rest and get ready for their next adventure.

Rest well, ye merry band of travelers. You've earned it.]

Comments

[heritrix]

[Rin will pat her back gently, and continue to hold her there for so long as Zelda seems comfortable.]

You didn't have to apologize earlier, you know. I didn't say anything to support you at the time, but you weren't wrong.

[hyruglyphics]

[ ... she- ]

Just because something is right does not mean [ it's correct ] is is the right choice to say it. Not... not always.

[ Still, to be in the embrace, to have Rin pat her gently. Her eyes feel hot again. She's running on too tight of a nerve, ever since all of that. She can't help but feel weepy again. ]

[heritrix]

[That's fine. Rin won't get cross with her, even if she makes a mess of her shirt. Zelda has reached Level 4 and unlocked that privilege.]

No, it's something that needed to be said. [She hums.] You got carried away in the end when your emotions got the best of you, but that could have gone in any direction.

In the end, you and Uxie couldn't see eye-to-eye, but that wasn't all for nothing. Maybe it wasn't your place, but it wouldn't have gotten angry if a part of it didn't know you were right. Maybe someday years from now when the world heals, it'll actually be able to admit that to itself.

[hyruglyphics]

[ She did go too far, it's... yeah, it's clear. Her own emotions running too raw. Zelda inhales and tries to hold back from crying a little, but honestly being validated by Rin just runs through her in such a way that she brings a grip behind the other girl, holding her closer and some tears going down her features. She inhales sharply.

It still... ]

I'm still- [ How does she even... ] I believe it did already back there, a little. [ ... ] I'm cross with myself that the one of knowledge I could not get along with, as a scholar.

[ There, she just blurts out her most petty complaint. So much of the rest of it is addressed or unsaid. ]

[heritrix]

[—okay, that's actually going to make Rin laugh, short and cut off like she's trying to stifle it. I'M SORRY, ZELDA.]

[hyruglyphics]

You weren't praised either! Only Kayneth!

[ :T ]

[heritrix]

The last two months is probably the most time Kayneth's spent outside in his entire life. Mages like him don't just study knowledge, they worship it. Of course a shut-in like Uxie would like him.

[Also, Kayneth probably deserved a win for once in his damn life.]

[hyruglyphics]

Even so - I do not think him undeserving but it was embarrassing.

[ The least embarrassing thing, but... still. It's a worthy distraction to only be mildly annoyed about something minor. ]

[heritrix]

I know; that's why I couldn't help but laugh. It's a rare sight, to see you embarrassed.

[She can't help but grin again, honestly, just thinking about it.

Rin will release Zelda from the hug here, however, if only so she can better see her face. She does keep one hand on her shoulder, though, for continued support.]

Still, you shouldn't let that wound your pride as a scholar, Zelda. You're mistaken about Uxie's nature.

[hyruglyphics]

[ She steps back them, to better allow them to see each other. Zelda locks eyes with the other, her green eyes wide with... interest? Perhaps a desire to have some sort of a win today, following that embarrassment (is it rate?) but she nods all the same. ]

Am I?

[heritrix]

[Rin nods, and holds a finger aloft in the air.]

Knowledge isn't the same thing as intelligence.

[Candice's condition made that perfectly clear to her, though the thought makes something in her chest tight again. She doesn't use that as her example.]

You're clever, and like me, you enjoy and understanding and learning new things. That's different from a creature like Uxie, who deals primarily in what it already knows.

[hyruglyphics]

[ Oh.

... You know, that does make her feel a lot better. She's now sure how much of it is semantics or not, but she grins. She even smiles more genuinely at it all, humming, ]

... Knowledge is not one of Hyrule's three virtues embodied by the golden goddesses, you know. Wisdom is.

[heritrix]

[She's glad. She had hoped that would help.]

I shouldn't have been surprised dealing with Uxie would be so jarring. You've always had a spiritual side.

[Rin smiles warmly.]

The three golden goddesses... Those are the deities you revere, then?

[hyruglyphics]

More distantly, I suppose. [ But yes, she has been spiritual. She had to be spiritual. She smiles softly, brushing her hands together. ] The three golden goddesses - Din, Farore and Nayru - formed Hyrule itself in ancient times. But they have left it to other gods, and to the mortals on it, leaving behind the golden Triforce. ... For the day to day world, and for myself, Hylia would be the goddess who actually watches over us more... actively.

[heritrix]

They have a lot in common then, with the Lake Guardians of this world. Not just in being a trio, but for being comparatively minor deities to another.

[Though there's apparently like three or four major ones in this world, so who knows how the hierarchy goes.]

[hyruglyphics]

Minor-- Minor, oh heavens no, Hylia might well be considered minor by comparison. Rather, they simply aren't involved in the affairs of the world... anymore.

[ It's actually with a little gasp she says this, that she might've implied otherwise. ]

[heritrix]

—pfft. And you said you only worshipped them distantly.

[Rin chuckles, but that's not at Zelda's expense or anything. It's just a funny reaction from the princess... and an interesting one as well. But Rin quickly raises her hand.]

Sorry, that was my blunder. But if that's the case, the relic they left behind must be incredibly important. You called it a Triforce?

[hyruglyphics]

Well-- I did, yes, but can you truly say that a deer worships the grass? [ SIIIGH. But... okay, ]

-- But yes, it is. The Triforce is... well it is the ultimate providence of Hyrule. A relic which can grant the wish of any who holds it, and whose power influences the form of the Sacred Realm. It is through the light of the Triforce that Hyrule still stands, but also through the corruption of that light that Calamity Ganon was born. It is a golden triangle formed of three triangles representing the virtues of the golden goddess: Courage, Wisdom, and Power.

[heritrix]

[So you... eat them??? But no no, Rin thinks she gets that deer analogy. A normal sight taken for granted since time began, life flows through it, and therefore throughout the world.

But alright, so it's a triangle made up of three other triangles... Wouldn't that leave a fourth at the center, connecting them? Rin wonders at the meaning of that, but it's a trivial matter.]

And Calamity Ganon... That's a threat that could jeopardize all of Hyrule, I take it.

[Just based on some of the things she said today.]

[hyruglyphics]

... It is. [ . . . Mmm ] Calamity Ganon is an ancient evil which has threatened Hyrule again and again through its long history.

[heritrix]

[...]

And it's what killed your friends, and your father.

[hyruglyphics]

Yes.

[ It is. It ... it basically did everything. ]

[heritrix]

I see.

[This is something she wanted to talk with Zelda about too, after her outburst earlier. Now seems as good of a time as any, though it gives Rin pause.]

I don't see how any of that can be your fault, though.

[hyruglyphics]

[ . . . Here we are, then. She frowns, and she hangs her head somewhat... ]

The princesses of the royal family have an important role and destiny. Power handed down by the goddess Hylia - the power to seal the darkness. By the time that the Calamity rose, I had not mastered that power.