The inspiration fairy has visited me, and the result is a scene from Hidden in Shadow that I now want to share. Purah and Robbie are reflecting on their recent adventures in a Goron mine.
Somehow, amidst the shouting and laugher, Robbie noticed that Purah had disappeared. It wasn't like her to vanish at the start of a party. He saw Impa speaking amiably with the elders, and slipped away before anyone drew him into conversation. Hopefully, no one would notice his absence for a little while.
He found her not far from the main entrance to the chamber. She sat against the cliff wall, deep in thought.
"Hey P."
Purah glanced up at his voice, but her expression didn't change.
"Hi."
There was no emotion in her voice, and he knew it was serious, whatever it was. He sat down next to her.
"So, what happened?" he asked.
"Don't worry about it. It doesn't affect you."
"It's affecting you, though."
"Yeah." She gave a pained half-smile. "But I'm fine. I just need to think."
He frowned. "If you were fine, you'd be back in there enjoying the party. You never need time to think."
"Yeah, that's my whole problem," she said, scowling. "Not thinking. Like an idiot."
Now they were getting somewhere. "I don't think you're an idiot."
A myriad of emotions crossed Purah's face before she returned her gaze to the ground.
"I know," she sighed. "Look, it's nothing you did, okay? We don't have to talk about it."
"Right, I get it." He prepared to stand. "You probably want to talk to Impa instead."
"No!"
He froze at her cry. There was a flash of fear on her face before she looked away.
"I mean, I don't want to involve her. it's just…"
Robbie moved a little closer. "P, you can tell me anything. You know that. And it couldn't hurt to get this out of your chest."
Purah nodded. Several seconds of silence passed.
"…I screwed up,' she said, softly. "She got hurt because I thought I knew better. I should've listened to you both, but I had to be the smartest one in the room and try my stupid plan."
So that's what this was about. "Hey, it's okay-"
"No it's not! She almost lost her arm because of me! Gods, what the hell is my problem? Why can't I just think things through for once? I'm always screwing up because I won't slow down! What if the next time is worse? What if-"
"Purah!" snapped Robbie, shaking her shoulder. "Get a grip! You can't tear yourself apart over this."
She jerked herself away. "Why shouldn't I? I screwed up!"
"But you're losing yourself in it!" He shifted to look her in the eyes. "Look, you made a mistake. But you know what you did wrong, you apologized, and you're not going to do it again if you can help it, right?"
She gave a sardonic laugh. "I guess."
He leaned in. "And you're not going to dwell on this anymore, because then you'll be useless for the rest of this trip, and I know you hate feeling useless."
She sighed, but the tension in her face left with it. "You're right; I do hate it."
"Of course I'm right. I was right about you needing to talk about it, too." He nudged her shoulder with his. "And we didn't even need to talk to Impa!"
He gave her a bright smile, and she returned it.
"How do you do that?" Purah asked after a moment.
"Do what?"
"Pull me out of my own head when I get stuck in like that. You're the only one who can do it."
He shrugged. "Just one of my various talents, I suppose."
"One of your best." She rested her head against his. "Thanks."
He patted her arm. "Anytime."
They sat in comfortable silence for a while. He might have been imagining it, but the afternoon seemed a little brighter to Robbie, now that Purah was in a good mood again. There was a shout of laughter from inside, followed by cheering.
"I hate to spoil the moment, but they are throwing this party for us," said Robbie. "Maybe we should head back in."
"You can if you want," said Purah. "I don't think anyone will miss me in there. Especially if you're making excuses for me."
"I could," he said, stroking his chin, "But you'd be disappointing those young Gorons who were hoping for a sumo rematch."
"A rematch?" Purah brightened and jumped to her feet. "Why didn't you say so? I'll show those little brothers what's what! Where are the iron boots?"
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Ok i have many issues with hwaoc despite it being so fun and so stupid anyway AHEM
❗️❗️ this is incoherent because it is 1 am for me lol❗️❗️
In botw its so beautiful as a demonstration of Zelda letting go of her anger (simplified, its more complex than hate but im too tired to explain) towards Link, her father, and her godly ancestor. She doesnt accept or get over it, but she learns to use her grief and anger as a conduit for her divine power. It gives her a way to believe in herself, because she is literally the only person left who can (and shes also the only person left who could tear herself down). Shes a one-woman religion.
In hwaoc she knows Link is in an impossible situation. They (Z+L and 3rd gen Champions) just saved all of the 2nd gen champions from the Blights, but it was tough for them. Now she sees Link fighting alone against five powerful opponents and she rushes in to save him with her newly granted divine power. Theres no real reason to do this, or even have this scene at all? By the time you get to this point in hwaoc, youve gotten used to stunlocking Guardians with element rods, so they arent a threat. The mission the scene plays in, Each Step Like Thunder, is absolutely brutal even on normal difficulty, because it throws high level lynels and elemental guardians at you in groups. But even if youre struggling, it just doesnt feel like theres any weight to Zeldas Awakening here. Was it not enough to save the champions AND grab four more?? AND the Yiga + Rhoam + Purah and Robbie??? OKAY i know its because they needed to reference that beautiful botw scene, but its just emotionally flat. If you were to put it anywhere, it should have been before the 3rd Gens come through the portal...
ok goodnight
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WIP Wednesday
it is 7:30 am and this is Not Zelink actually wow
it’s a ship that grabbed me by the ankles and has yet to let go so i can’t see this gaining much traction
have some purobbie
“You know your name means ‘cherry’?” he asked, avoiding her question entirely. Purah blinked in surprise, furrowing her eyebrows. “Your last name.”
“Yeah, and? How much research did you do on me?”
“Enough.”
“That’s not concerning at all,” she replied with a roll of her eyes. “I’m kicking you out of my tent.”
“You can’t kick me out if I leave first,” he challenged, as if that was supposed to stop her?
“Then leave,” she argued, crossing her arms and lifting a foot in threat. “I want to get some sleep before the dig tomorrow, so go.”
“Alright, alright.”
Robbie shuffled to his feet, though he had to crouch so he didn’t hit the top of the tent. Just his hair was big enough to take it down.
“Goodnight, cherry,” he said.
“Do not call me that!” Purah argued, crossing her arms over her chest. He had his back to her, which she was grateful for with her flushed cheeks. How dare he come into her dig and embarrass her like this?
“Sure thing, cherry.”
She picked up a stray rock beside her bedroll and threw it at him, but he was already gone and it only bounced harmlessly off of the fabric of the flap, so she quickly fastened it shut so he couldn’t come back in. Gods, he was infuriating.
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