sapientiiae

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Mun Speaks!:

So some things came up this week, and I don’t think I’ll have the chance to touch the blog since I’ll be traveling back home Friday evening as soon as my husband is off work. But I’ll spend the next few days at least mulling over how to proceed? Or maybe I’ll be around if a miracle happens and I have downtime this weekend?

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Mun Speaks!:

Haha so….it looks like Sleep Token releasing their new album three days before my birthday has really done something to my brain. I mentioned a while back I wanted to start writing again, but listening to this new album has done a lot for my muse so….

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Mun Speaks!:

So….I’m around, I guess? I’ve really been in a funk these last few months between being busy with the holidays and having very little motivation for things outside of reading to submerse myself in other worlds. On one hand….the reading makes me want to write, but time and motivation are weird things. Especially when I know for a fact I’m not getting nearly enough sleep anymore thanks to work.

I still love and adore Zelda, but I don’t really know what to do with this blog at this point. I know I would be ridiculously slow, and I’m not sure who is still around/still wants to interact. And if people want to interact, I don’t know if it’s better to start from scratch or dig up old threads.

Ultimately, I’m stressed 90% of the time and need a new job. Yay adulting.

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In what subtle way do you say 'I love you'?

"are you sure you're okay?"

you wear your heart on your sleeve. you're probably the first to tell a person you love them in an unsubtle way – because you love them, and they deserve to know it! maybe you're not entirely open about what you feel all the time ( it depends on the situation and the person you're with ) but you're generally comfortable around emotions. your own and others' – and you'll make sure to encourage the people you love to be honest about how they feel, too.

you'll check in with them to make sure they're okay, and you know your closed-off loved ones well enough to check in with them again when they've assured you that yes, they're fine, don't worry. because guess what? you'll happily worry about them, and they'll get it in the end. your love is the healing type; you're patching up scars you might not even know exist.

Tagged by: @casketdweller (this was sitting in my drafts for weeks. oops.)

Tagging: whoever hasn't done this already! uvu

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It was settled then, which meant there was no point in continuing to go back and forth on the various thoughts or possibilities. Link was the one to offer his aid rather than her asking for his assistance. It seemed he thought her capable in at least some sort of fashion, and he’d also made it clear he wasn’t the type to offer to do something he wasn’t keen on. For now, she would have to accept things as they were instead of endlessly over-thinking the situation. 

She would need to prepare for the journey to Kakariko. Luckily, the village was close by, which meant she wouldn’t need an extensive list of supplies to ready ��� Kakariko was less than a day’s journey. If they found themselves in need of anything they didn’t pack or utilizing their own resources to empty, there was a good chance they could also restock while in Kakariko.

If nothing else, she would at least need to change to more appropriate riding clothes. 

Yet her gaze lingered on Link, looking him over for what certainly wasn’t the first time today. “I am not trying to be rude but…why are you back here?” It wasn’t that she was unappreciative of his company or his offer to help, but she couldn’t quite make sense of it. “I still find it hard to believe that you are here, yet you are standing before me clear as day. Are you…forced to be here? Cursed to only roam the land of Hyrule? Or do you have unfinished business?”

"An' if I thought I was gonna be strictly baby-sittin' you, I wouldn't be comin' along." He knew he'd be able to find something to do in the village, and if Link thought he'd be actually having to hold Zelda's hand and guide her the whole way then he wouldn't be volunteering. It wouldn't hurt for her to have just a little extra support, though, and if anyone thought of getting the bright idea to cause trouble, they would find themselves sorely mistaken when they realized she wasn't alone.

"I wouldn't have offered if I minded."

There didn't seem to be much else worth discussing. What was left now was simply saddling up their horses and heading out. Link's own mare was nothing special; he found himself drawn to the difficult ones who practically balked at the very idea of being ridden but never wanted to do much else. It was a bit grim to say that there wasn't much choice for them in the matter; a horse that didn't do anything was just going to wind up as food. At least he was giving her a purpose, even if she huffed and grumbled and did her best to follow his instructions as slowly as possible.

[sapientiiae]

Mun Speaks!:

Life has been busy, and I’ve been stressing over interview prep for the interview I found out only three days before I would be participating in. I’m headed on a spontaneous trip to be with family this weekend, and I don’t think I’ll be logging on at all so I can clear my head.

I didn’t end up getting the promotion. And while I told myself that was okay and I didn’t care, I’m just frustrated right now. It wasn’t because I wasn’t qualified, didn’t deserve it, or didn’t interview well. My feedback session was pushed back so I couldn’t leave the office when I planned, only to be told the interview was really a formality. The manager had his person picked already because he’s been interviewing with them for over a year. He told the rep it would take someone coming in and blowing the interview out of the water for him to give the position to someone else. And apparently I did that. He wanted to pick me to be on his team. But he “had to do what was right,” and he “hopes he doesn’t end up regretting his decision.” He still wants me to be on his team and thinks I belong there, but he went with the other candidate.

I know that’s how the corporate world operates, but it just fucking sucks. I could do everything right (and apparently did?), yet I never actually had a chance. And I’m bothered by this even more because I didn’t apply for this job/position. The manager approached ME. He asked ME to interview even though he knew he already had his pick. So…I’m stepping away to give myself time to clear my head. I’m sure I dodged a bullet in the end, but that doesn’t make it feel any better.

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This new calculation had Zelda’s ears perking with delight at the news that came as a pleasant surprise. While a 75% chance of winning wasn’t quite the odds she would have liked, it was higher than what Fi had previously predicted. She could accept a three-fourths chance of winning so long as they had a contingency plan for the army to escape should things take a turn for the worse.

She’d just been about to remark on that new prediction when she noticed the spirit’s brow furrow only a second before she was rattling off new statistics. “If the enemy intends to follow us regardless, we have no choice but to stand and fight. There is no escape plan to get the warriors out without at least a portion of the army drawing their weapons as a distraction. My guess is your calculations would show an unfavorable outcome if only a portion of the army were to fight while the other flees,” she presumed, believing sending only a portion of their army (weakened by their smaller number) would end poorly. Her own knitted brow and stern expression suggested she wasn't quite ready to hear how disadvantageous that plan would be.

“The people from Skyloft have a strong bond with the Loftwings and have flown with them for years. Their bonded Loftwings trust them wholeheartedly. Surely they must have some sort of plan or protocol in place for fighting if needed.”

Even during times of peace, there was always a backup plan or army ready for extreme circumstances, regardless of the land or kingdom.

Zelda posed her a question and Fi looked at her and then stared down at the map, seemingly running calculation after calculation in her head. A sound resembling a sigh escaped her.

"If Your Majesty is set upon this plan then according to my calculations, the chances of success with an ariel army would be about 75% should conditions remain the same and the beasts you use amenable to the battlefield."

Fi's brow than furrowed.

"However, if the beasts are not ammenable, you would be risking a loss by nearly 50 percent. It is up to you whether or not the risk is worth the reward. I can cslculate with 100 percent certainty that the army will follow you into battle regardless."

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While she may not have been the Sage of Shadows, she was the Sage of Time and the leader of the Sages on top of being Hyrule’s Princess (and the only surviving member of the Royal Family). While the temples were technically out of her specialty, it was still her responsibility to ensure nothing was amiss in each of them, just as it had been her responsibility to lead Link to each temple during his mission to save Hyrule. 

She couldn’t quite explain what it was that had lead her to the Shadow temple. An overwhelming fear that something may be wrong? Dread that coiled like a serpent in the pit of her stomach, brought about by ominous nightmares she couldn’t quite remember the following morning? Morbid curiosity? 

Whatever it was, she’d come here on her own accord. It was her decision and hers alone to venture into the forsaken temple — just as it had been her decision to enter the aforementioned location alone rather than subjecting someone else to the horrors that lay within the dark. 

If Impa had been here to witness it, she hadn’t any doubt that she would have gotten an earful about her lack of proper judgement. 

Though, as far as Zelda was concerned, it seemed only fair that she would enter the temple now just as she had once asked the Hero of Time to do. If he’d been meant to endure it, it seemed only right that she should too…even if she was visiting it well after his time. 

Having obtained possession of the various items Link had used during his journey before he was returned to his childhood, Zelda had been able to use the Lens of Truth to navigate this far into the temple (though not without various levels of difficulty). 

She’d just entered the new chamber, one that appeared to be a dead end, when she noticed the sinister being that lurked in the gloom — having felt his presence before she saw him. A biting and unsettling chill seemed to nip at her, and the feel of being watched by an extraordinarily malevolent spirit made her skin crawl. The shift in the dirt was the first visible indicator she was not alone (as she had not been alone for most of her journey through the temple), but quick reflexes and instinct had her dodging the treacherous grasp of the bone white arms that were marred with discoloration that resembled bruising. 

What finishes manifesting before her is a grotesque creature that has been dragged up from the deepest pits of hell that are even worse than her own nightmares and premonitions. Its voice is both grating and chilling as it sends tremors of dread pulsing down her spine whilst the hair at the back of her neck rises. 

But it is speaking — actually speaking — to her.

The princess is quick to draw two kunai knives from their holsters, defensively clutching one in each hand as she prepares to fight her way out, should it be necessary. Sharp sapphire eyes narrow into slits as she squints, attempting to peer through the dim lighting, eyeing the creature with both caution and skepticism. “What do you mean ‘returned’?”

DEAD HAND. it was only a matter of time before the temple was visited again by the royal family . interesting , how the aura seemed to shift in a matter of seconds as soon as the kind princess stepped foot into such rotten place . her presence was felt throughout the shadow temple , near instantly ; and of course that includes the misshapen torturer within it .

she could be well guarded or not , either way dead hand waited for the perfect opening to lock her away as he needed a sense of privacy for such a reunion .

with no place to run , the fallen sheikah begins his spawn by rising from the ground . a wave of dirt and broken bones rising with him and until he could , as it was possible , stand in front of the princess .

limbs that spawn independently from the creature move quickly to grab hold of the princess , completely up to her own reflexes should they be successful or not . it doesn't change how dead hand starts lowering his head .

blind as he may be , he hasn't forgotten his manners . deformed face right in front @sapientiiae now . " you . . . you have . . . returned . . . "

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day 22: favorite character

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While it was clear he was making a genuine effort to please her, she hadn’t been able to suppress the sigh of resignation that slipped past her lips as he stumbled over his words while dipping into a bow that was too formal for her liking. Old habits died hard, which meant it would likely be quite some time before things started to feel more casual between them, try as he might to obey her requests.

Of course, there was a part of the princess that doubted things would ever truly be casual between them. She was Hyrule’s only ruler — the lone heir left of the Royal Family — and he was one of the few remaining Sheikah. The Sheikah had always been loyal and subservient to the members of the Royal Family, even if certain members of that lineage (herself included) hadn’t been entirely fond of the idea. Despite her distaste for the situation, the reality was that he would likely always hold her in a higher regard that required formality on his part…even if it meant actually ignoring one of her requests for once, albeit subtly. 

“Shi—“ Her voice falters; the words die on her tongue as she gives a shake of her head and dismisses the thoughts from her mind. Petitioning that he not be so rigid or quick to serve her even now seemed pointless, and there was no point in further drawing attention to her disgruntlement when he was at least trying.

With lips pursed, Zelda began the tedious process of removing her accessories before beginning to peel off the various layers of wet fabric, each piece making a slop sort of noise as it was dropped unceremoniously to the floor. The fine fabric was already a bit heavy, and the weight of the material had only increased as it retained the water from the storm they’d been forced to run through. 

A task she still felt guilty about having caused, even if he was now dry and dressed in a change of clothes.

“I truly am sorry about today. I should have paid more heed to the rapid darkening of the sky. It is my fault that we were caught out in that storm.” Her fault that he’d required a change of clothes — clothes that were not his own — in the first place. Yet Shi had been kind about it; he hadn’t made a scene or scolded or blamed her about the unfortunate situation. If only the stuffy older gentleman of her court could have half his patience. 

With each layer of wet fabric removed, the brunette's features naturally morphed into one of more comfort as she reached out, plucking the chemise from the back of the chair before beginning to work the thicker and warm fabric over her head, a contented sigh of relief escaping her lips as she did so.

Baby steps. That's what they were. He wanted to be everything that Zelda seemed to imagine he was - a brave, fearless Sheikah who wouldn't hesitate to defend her or her kingdom. And he was, or at least he hoped he could be.

When the Twilight had invaded, he hadn't even done much at all. Just stayed in the village to help protect Impaz and Ilia. Once that had been taken care of, and with there being no reason for him to stay in the village any longer, Shi had ventured to the castle to start his actual duty. But the Hero had already gotten rid of the threats that plagued Hyrule; there wasn't really anything left for a hapless Sheikah to worry over.

That's good. Even if he found himself feeling frustrated, and like he had lost his one and only chance to prove himself, it was still for the best.

-- if Zelda had started to change, he wouldn't have noticed either. Not at first. It wasn't until he was fully dressed and Zelda had started her agreement to the new title, one in the old Sheikah tongue instead of Common or Hylian, that he glanced back, and her dilemma seemed apparent to him almost immediately. Shi found himself flushing, though it wasn't like there was anything to see; she was still fully dressed in her wet clothing, which had to be beyond uncomfortable now.

"I, I'll keep watch, Pr- uh, Hime." Shi found himself stumbling over his own words as he sank into a stiff bow. Despite the idea being his own, it would still take some time to get used to. But the attempt was still there, and he turned quickly to walk to the doorway of the room, hands clasping together behind his back as he studiously peered out to make sure no one would happen to just come by while the Princess was getting changed.

Princess.

She was going to be Queen soon, wasn't she?

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queen of shadows

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It appeared they had underestimated Ganondorf’s strength, which was only heightened by the Triforce of Power. That power had allowed him to weaken the seal much quicker than any of them ever would have anticipated. Link, however, no longer existed in this timeline, having been returned to his childhood by Zelda herself. And with the other Sages occupied and nowhere to be seen, there was no one to face the King of Evil save for herself.

If she didn’t act fast, the Gerudo King would enact his revenge, and the Kingdom of Hyrule and its people would once again succumb to the demon’s darkness. 

“Zelda!” 

Her name being called had the Hylian Princess pivoting to look past the large stone doors of the Sacred Realm, though she didn’t dare to pull her gaze from Ganondorf entirely. With her attention split, she watched as Clive rushed through the first set of doors that granted entrance to the Temple of Time. She hadn’t anticipated Clive would have seen her during her mad dash from the palace, and she certainly wouldn’t have imagined he would have followed her here.

And by the Goddesses she wanted to weep at the sight of him. There was a part of her that was grateful to realize she wouldn’t have to battle Ganondorf alone, but a bigger part of her was overcome with a feeling of panic. Dread churned in her stomach at the realization that Clive had just rushed into a very dangerous battle — likely without realizing what he was getting himself into. 

“Clive! Wait! He—“ The flames that danced along his blade appeared to earn Ganondorf’s attention as the Demon King turned to face the other man, a sinister smirk coiled onto his lips before he let out a reverberating laugh of amusement. 

The heat the royal already felt from the blade was only intensified as she watched Clive disappear into a burning blur before reappearing much closer to her now; he’d positioned himself perfectly between her and the Gerudo male, as if he intended to act as her shield in this battle. 

The outlaw was certainly fast, but Ganondorf seemed unfazed by the display of speed and strength. Nayru no. The male did nothing more but laugh before he began to levitate before them, rising out of the way of the initial swing of Clive’s blade before he pounded his fist into the floor hard enough to emit a wave of energy meant to knock them back. 

The attack was effective against Zelda as she stumbled back onto the floor, watching in horror as Ganon once again rose into the air. 

It wasn't as if they spent every moment together, even as close as they had become. No, they took time apart so that meeting again could be so much sweeter. While Zelda took to her study to tend to the tasks of governance, Clive was working his swordsmanship in the yard. Steel clashed against steel as another guard worked forms with him, a friendly duel that would see them both better at the end of it. Control was the most important thing to a bladesman, and learning how to swing the blade but not follow through would teach that! It certainly helped they were both fully armored, prepared for any mishaps that might occur.

However, they were interrupted as his dueling partner suddenly froze mid-swing, gaze off on something that wasn't Clive. Rather than chide the man on looking away, Clive's gaze followed, if only because he had begun to understand that very few of the guard were green enough to make such a mistake unless it was truly something that required attention.

And he was greeted to the sight of Zelda sprinting across the courtyard for his trouble.

"We'll pick this up later!" Clive was already speaking as he put his back to the guard, a few steps away before his blade was stowed across his back, where it belonged. It wasn't long before that black cape was billowing behind him, running full tilt after Zelda, though she was running as if hell itself were at her heels. Whatever possessed her, he was struggling to keep up as she rushed through Castle Town. He would have found himself lost if the stunned crowds weren't blatantly pointing the way, looking after their Princess with confusion and concern.

When he found himself before the Temple of Time, Clive bounded up the steps, reaching the doors only to find himself seeing a giant of a man standing before Zelda, and hearing the threat spoken. She had mentioned something of this before, someone who was sealed away in a separate realm for their deeds.

Ganondorf.

He didn't need anything other than that threat of extermination to step in, his blade flying from his sheathe. "Zelda!" Her name roared from his lips, just as the crackle of flame sang from his blade, the length of steel wrapped in fire as he charged forward.

He hadn't had to call on his gifts since coming to Hyrule, the land surprisingly peaceful compared to his home. Part of him was worried the Phoenix wouldn't answer his call, right when he needed it most. But it did! His next step forward had him disappearing in a flicker of flame, only to reappear between her and Ganondorf in another! With a roar, Clive didn't waste time looking for answers, explanations, or anything of the sort. That flame-wreathed blade was swinging for the giant before him.

And Clive wasn't holding back, that blade swinging for the man's neck immediately.

[sapientiiae]

My Zelink week 2024 in one post ✨

Thank you for the prompts @zelinkcommunity!!

Day 1: Under the stars

Day 2: Fading

Day 3: Blooming

Day 4: Enchantment

Day 5: Spellbound

Day 6: Sealed fate

Day 7: Reunion

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Things had been amiss for a while, though they had both ignored the signs and chalked it up to mere coincidence. Things were seldom normal in Hyrule as history (and their own experiences) would prove, but it was hard to willingly accept that you and those you held most dear to your heart would once again be in grave danger.

Especially when you were the lone heir to a kingdom and had all of its people looking to you for guidance and protection. How was she to look them all in the eye and proclaim a threat lurked again? That they may enter a very dark age? One that might even resemble that alternate time when Ganondorf ruled, should their enemy grow powerful enough?

The storm that brewed over Hyrule was more intense and destructive than anything that could be conjured by the Song of Storms using the Ocarina of Time. The magic that crackled through the air was as electrifying as the storm’s lightning, making the hairs at the back of her own neck and along her arms stand, just as it did with Link’s. That magic around them was a palpable thing, and it made the magic that coursed through her own veins surge in response, tingling throughout her limbs as it seemed to ready itself — as if it knew a battle would ensue at the end of their path. 

Zelda believed they both had their guesses as to what exactly was waiting for them at the end of the darkened tunnel, though neither of them had dared to vocalize such thoughts aloud majority of the way. It was Link, however, that took a chance at breaking their silence, her stormy gaze flicking to Link and noting the way he clutched tightly at the torch that served as their only source of light. “Do not suggest such things,” she cautioned, as if merely speaking such an idea would cause such a situation to manifest. 

Never mind that there was likely truth in his words. 

Her gaze shifted ahead once more, watching the shadows that writhed across the masonry as the torch naturally flickered. “Yes, we will go slow, but we must pray that the Goddesses are on our side. That seal...it..." Would almost rival the one the Sages had created to seal Ganondorf? Sages that technically did not exist in this timeline? "The power someone would need to break through it…”

She found herself not wanting to finish that sentence.

Season appropriate starter call | @sapientiiae

The signs were all there, causing both royal and hero to grow more and more wary as the days wore on. Only once the STORM had hit did they realize all too late just what those signs were. Despite what the people saw as the downpour hit and lightning cracked across the darkened sky, both he and Zelda could FEEL what it truly masked: Magic laced heavily within near black clouds, bringing forth a rise of tension in the air that made the blond's hair on the back of his neck stand. Gifted as he was to wield magic himself, he knew his feelings would be nothing compared to what Zelda herself could feel.

Something needed to be done.

"I have a bad feeling, Zel..." He murmured, having taken the lead on their excursion, torch in hand providing much needed illumination in the midst of such a TERRIBLE storm. "What if we're too late...?" The devious mage of the books would surely be returning with a VENGEANCE. "We have to be cautious about this, so we'll go slow... if he's already out and we're taken off guard..." He trailed off, not wanting to speak of the horrific possibilities.

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Mun Speaks:

Yesterday I wanted to write. Today, I've had an on-again off-again headache, felt low energy, and wanted to just exist. But I'm going to try to get at least a reply or two done before I go lay down and put on my audiobook. To everyone I owe replies to, I'm sorry I'm so slow.