#yes Link does like Yona

[sunset-peril]

Social Relationships - Link Imperial Hyrule (HFS, TotK)

Key -

❤️ - Immediate Family 🩷 - Extended Family 🧡 - Friends 💛 - Working/Business 💙 - True Neutral 💚 - It's Awkward 🩶 - Dislike/Avoid 🖤 - Get out of my life by any means possible (may be willing to kill or severely harm)

Relationships -

Hometown

Check the Hateno Village Social Makeup for a Who's Who

Zelda (Esmerelda) Hyrule - ❤️ (wife, "queen" of pack)

Zelda Ivee Hyrule - ❤️ (daughter)

Reede Imperial - 🩷 (great-grand-nephew)

Clavia Imperial - 🩷 (great-grand-niece, by marriage)

Karin Imperial - 🩷 (great-great-grand-niece)

Sophie - 🧡

Cece - 🖤

Ivee (East Wind) - 💛

Pruce - 💛

Amira - 🩶

Tamana - 💙

Teebo - 💛 (mentee)

Medda - 🧡 (neighbor)

Aster - 🧡 (neighbor)

Dantz - 💛

Koyin - 🧡

Sayge - 💛

Senna - 💙 (nice lady but kind of scary-looking)

Sefaro - 🧡

Prima - 💙

Warten - 💙

Uma - 🧡

Traveling

Riju - 🧡

Buliara - 💛

Sidon - 🧡

Yona - 💛

Yunobo - 🧡

Teba - 🧡

Tulin - 🧡 (has a family-like relationship, but are not related)

Kass - 🩷 (great-grand-nephew)

Impa - 🧡

Purah - 🧡

Robbie - 🧡

Paya - 💚💛 (relationship was awkward for some time, then became a stable working relationship)

Hudson - 🧡

Rhondson - 💛

Kohga - 🖤

Memory

Rhoam - 🩷💚

Urbosa - 🩷🧡

Mipha - 🧡

Revali - 🧡💛 (Link's still not sure if they were friends or not)

Daruk - 🧡

Hyrule's Final Stand Masterlist

[the-knife-consumer]

"Yona was just added bc Nintendo wants people to stop shipping sidlink!" Literally what the hell are you talking about

[powerpolyculeshowdown]

Mod's Self Indulgent Polyship Poll Masterpost

Hello and welcome to the poll where I cannot lose! As the winner of the next-poll poll, we mark the return of powerpolycule showdown with my own self indulgent poll, where every contest is a polyship I like so whoever wins I also win 💖

While the premise likely sounds a bit selfish, I hope you find something among the contestants that speaks to you, and maybe you'll have yourself a new polyship or even just a new piece of beloved media even if you disagree with me (which is fine!!). Do keep in mind the ships vary from canon, to personal headcanons that will never happen to "the creators were onto something here I swear but they were cowards".

Now, the rules!

Vote for whoever you like best, if you don't know them, please check out their descriptions! I worked very hard to write those.

Don't be an asshole in the notes section. If I see a fandom being particularly toxic I will disqualify that ship. You don't need to like everything, just don't be rude.

Propaganda is welcome and encouraged!

As a personal rule to myself, I left out 3 of our beloved polycules from last year because the next poll will be rare polyships, and I believe they fit that category. They will be returning there!

There will be revival rounds because I was unable to narrow the list down to 16, and I didn't want to exclude any other ships. So if a polyship you like loses their first poll, not all hope is lost!!

Not a rule, but a reminder: The inclusion of a polyship does not mean I support or condone statements from any of the cast members from the source media.

Tags:

#selfindulgentpoll - all posts relevant to this poll

#siround[n] - every post for each poll will be tagged this way, [n] representing the number correspondent to each round (#siround1, #siround2, etc)

#sirevival[n] - revival round polls, [n] representing the number of the revival poll (#sirevival1, #sirevival2, etc)

#sipropaganda - any propagabda posts/reblogs/asks by other people. if u like any of the ships, make sure to campaign for it so it has higher chances of winning!!

#polypoll or #bonus poll - any poll made by me not directly related to the competition

#poll boost - self reblog of the polls for visibility, for people who might want to block those.

Relevant links:

Match Ups

Round 1 (finished!)

@tournament-announcer

List of contestants under the cut!

Roy/Keeley/Jamie (Ted Lasso)

Gwen/Miles/Hobie (Spiderverse)

Wu Zetian/Li Shimin/Gao Yizhi (Iron Widow)

Julien/Marnie/Roman (Charity Case)

Eddie Munson/Steve Harrington/Nancy Wheeler/Robin Buckley (Stranger Things)

Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson/Chrissy Cunningham (Stranger Things)

Kayla/Elise/Hotaru (Shootaround)

Oikawa/Iwaizumi/Matsukawa/Hanamaki (Haikyuu)

Akaashi/Bokuto/Kuroo/Kenma (Haikyuu)

Ennoshita/Tanaka/Kanoka (Haikyuu)

Midna/Zelda/Link (Twilight Princess)

Zelda/Link/Sidon/Yona (Tears of the Kingdom)

Geralt/Jaskier/Yennefer (The Witcher)

Martin/Jon/Tim/Sasha (The Magnus Archives)

Georgie/Melanie/Rosie (The Magnus Archives)

Jon/Martin/Gerry (The Magnus Archives)

Georgie/Melanie/Basira/Daisy (The Magnus Archives)

Georgie/Melanie/Helen Distortion (The Magnus Archives)

Jon/Martin/Tim (The Magnus Archives)

Sam/Celia/Alice/Gwen (The Magnus Protocol)

Stede/Blackbeard/Izzy (Our Flag Means Death)

Black Pete/Lucius/Izzy (Our Flag Means Death)

Penny/Sam/Sebastian/Abigail (Stardew Valley)

Farmer/Leah/Elliot (Stardew Valley)

Zack/Cloud/Aerith/Tifa/Jessie/Briggs/Wedge (FF7R)

Edward/Winry/Paninya (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)

York/Rosé/Grendan (Drawtectives)

Megaera/Zagreus/Thanatos (Hades)

(yes a huge chunk is magnus archives and i will not apologize)

[cakeinator]

Zora’s domain spoilers for TotK

So people are sad that Sidon is engaged to Yona because they want him to be with Link but honestly I feel like this is AMAZING SidLink fanfiction fuel. Like if we just forget about the fact that yes he does seem to be in love with Yona, we’ve get good food left over. Sidon clearly talks about Link all the time and tells everyone that they’re best friends. We didn’t know that Sidon cared that much about Link in BotW. For all we knew he was that compassionate to everybody. He put a STATUE of him and Link in the middle of the domain. We didn’t know he cared so much about him and it’s obvious he’s very dear to him.On one of the stone tablets Sidon amended, he even states that he used to view Yona as a big sister and that his dad told him that he was to be wed with her. It was canonically an arranged marriage (though one he was happy to do).

Now get this: headcanon where Yona and Sidon use each other as beards and to produce an heir but both have their own respective relationships. Sidon is forced to marry a woman because they obviously need an heir and might as well be someone he was once close with than some stranger. Is all this just me? I want more beard best friend content

[galahadenough]

I keep thinking about Sidon, and how totk handled him. I really can't help but wonder if one of the higher ups at Nintendo stumbled onto a fic for which he was very much not the intended audience. Because while no individual thing feels like it's horrendously bad, when it all comes together something does seem a little... fishy.

First and most obviously, there's Yona. At the most basic level, that is a classic reaction to having too much shipping. Throw a fiancee into the mix. And her design is interesting. It ended up working for a lot of people, it seems, but the head shape is almost edging into a cartoony look in comparison to the other Zora, and there are no other Zora with that vivid of a color. And for me personally, the english verbal aspects (yes, yes; sure) was somewhat grating. Sidon is also a distinct color, though, and it could be an indication of royalty. But it is still such a vivid green. But she is also lovely, helpful, supportive of both Link and Sidon, and really stands on her own as a character. All of these things ended up working really well for her, but it makes me wonder about the intentions behind the design.

So, we have tick one in the fishy column. By itself it wouldn't really stand out to me, but it keeps going.

With every other sage, you find the sage and proceed to work together. It is such a feeling of companionship, and support, especially in a franchise such as Zelda that is built on solitary questing for the most part. With Sidon, he sends you off on your own for nearly every step of the way.

He sends you off to talk to Jiahto at Toto Lake.

He sends you off to find the king.

He sends you off to figure out Floating Scale Island.

Oh! Finally! He goes with you to check out the beam of light... but he stays behind when you go through the whirlpool to the Ancient Zora Waterworks. Nevermind.

He goes with you to Wellspring Island, but immediately suggests splitting up until you reach the Water Temple.

So this is fishy point number two for me. It doesn't really fit his personality and actions in the last game, and it feels very distinct from the other sages. By itself, not too weird, but we're doing math here.

The water temple feels kind of off to me too. With Tulin, you have the Stormwind Arc, a Rito myth and children's tale come to life with a thrilling ascent into the sky. With Yunobo you have the Fire Temple, a gorgeous monument to the history of the gorons, rooted in the very depths of Death Mountain itself, buried among the rocks and lava of the earth, feeling so symbolic of the earth the gorons come from. Even with Riju, with the game not quite committing to the contentious history that the Gerudo have due to their association with Ganon, you have this epic and ancient temple rising from the sand, a monument to the Gerudo's past, a part of their history consumed by the very desert they call home.

The water temple is... pretty enough. I might have been a bit more impressed if it were my first sage. But it's not that big and it doesn't feel very connected to the Zora. It's in the sky. They are fish. It uses the low gravity mechanism. Which is fun. But why?? Why here, why for the Zora who are built for water more so than running and jumping? There isn't even that much water involved outside of the vases you fill to dump on the muck. No rivers. Nothing very deep, nothing with currents, nothing involving large or natural sources of water. Just. Water facets. And weird Zonai (Zonai, not Zora) water bubble machines.

That makes fishy point number three, and in my opinion the worse point against it (tying with my next point, perhaps). A lot of this post is based on opinions, and things that could be explained away. But it feels wrong that this temple is so disconnected from the Zora.

Fishy point number four. The Mucktorok. It... I have no real issues with it existing in a Zelda game. It wasn't my favorite, and I can see how people could enjoy it. I've enjoyed hearing other's perspectives on it. It's goofy and silly. It's interesting, in a way. But it's placement in the game is what makes it feel like a deliberate snub at Sidon and the Zoras. It is the only boss that isn't cinematic. It isn't dramatic or epic, and it doesn't give a sense of danger as much as a sense of comedy. We've had enemies like that before, but they are mini-bosses. On top of that, from what I've heard, you don't even get a cool fuse weapon when you defeat one in the depths. That, to me, feels a bit deliberate.

My last point doubles as an idea for improvement, and is somewhat connected to my issues with the Water Temple. And that is Sidon's sage power. Outside of the temples I get the most use out of Tulin's ability. Then Yunobo. I don't really use Riju's ability often, but I can really see the use. But Sidon's ability really doesn't seem that useful. The shield feels like a worse version of Daruk's Protection due to the fact that you have to activate it by tracking down Sidon's shade (and I think it expires if you don't use it quickly enough?), and while not useless, I don't think a lot of people plan to be hit. And the water projectile probably isn't useless, but it seems like more trouble than it's worth when you can use an arrow, or just throw something.

Inside the Water Temple it feels even worse since that is where the ability is supposed to be showcased. I had so many splash fruit, and that was so much easier than remembering to talk to Sidon and waiting for his ability to reset. I think I only used his ability for the water spout wheels. Maybe a couple of times in the boss fight, but that felt more difficult than using the splash fruit, too.

My idea for improvement is a bit of a rework of the temple and a different ability. Sidon is shown to be able to manipulate water and currents, so his ability could be the ability to do just that. He could create a current that runs up or down a river (or through still water), the current could be a stream of water that rises up above the water, straight up or at an angle. That could be a method of travel in the temple. Instead of using those odd Zonai bubbles to travel it would be a Zora ability in the Zora temple. That would also give more of a reason to have more or larger bodies of water. You know. Having water in the Water Temple. And this is all without even considering adding some mechanic for going underwater, like is so common in Zelda games. But that is another option that would have fit so well.

I could see this temple being either in the sky or on/under ground. And this ability would be so useful outside of the temple. You could travel more easily in the water. You could use it to travel up into the air above water to get a boost up, and that could fill a little bit of the gap from the lack of Revali's Gale. It would be interesting, it would fit the character, it would be useful.

So that's five fishy points. That.. kind of got away from me, but it's been cycling through my head for a while now. And like I said at the beginning, all of these points feel fairly innocuous by themselves. It's just so many things that add up to the feeling that someone in the creators really didn't like Sidon. And that bothers me because I really like Sidon.

Despite this (not) small rant, I truly love the game and so many things about it. And the funny thing is, I don't think I would have gotten so worked up about it if I hadn't gotten the thought of some horrified high up Nintendo executive reading shark-dick porn stuck in my head. I still find that thought hilarious.

And with that, I'm off!

[elliethecat]

Okay y'all, here's my next Zora May entry!

If you don't know already, Zora May is hosted by the amazing @prisiidon, and this propt was "formal ball"!

(Sidenote I was listening to Aphex Twin while writing this to take that how you will)

There was a very important event in Zora's Domain, and Sidon was fretting most of it. That night was a very important ball—one that happened every few years—and it had to be perfect. Sidon had already finished planning everything, but there was something else that was bugging him. Link.

How could he be seen eating with and dancing with Link? Who would Yona dance with? What would the people of the domain think? What would he do?!

Sidon was eventually snapped out of this state of panic by a certain silly-yet-stoic knight grabbing hold of his hand. Link was having the exact opposite emotions as Sidon was. Link had a small smile on his face and was excited to dance with his king. Even though Link was nervous about the ball a bit as well, Link was ready for everything that might happen. Link nuzzled Sidon's arm as he held the King's hand and smiled.

“Sidon, everything's gonna be fine. If anyone wants to talk bad about us then they can fuck off!”

“Link! While I agree with what you said, you cannot cuss out our citizens!”

“But what if they deserve it?” Link said in mock disappointment.

“Link, even if they deserve it, that's not a royal thing to do!”

“I guess… You do know that I wasn't really gonna do that, right?”

“Yes, Link, I do. I can easily tell when you are joking.”

Link let out a soft laugh and hugged Sidon, a sweet smile on his face. Sidon can easily read Link like a book, and Link knew this.

“Now, my pearl, I sewed an outfit for you for the ball tonight,” Sidon said, a soft smile on his face.

“Ooo! Can I see it, Sidon?” Link responded quickly.

“Of course! I shall go and get it. I intentionally set it with my more elaborate regalia.”

Sidon quickly walked over to where he kept his regalia and got a beautiful white and silver suit and an equally as pretty white circle skirt with blue accents. The fact that there wasn't any trousers or a blouse showed that the two items were meant to be worn together, and it was a tad surprising for Link. Link didn't mind, though, as he was fine with wearing a suit or a dress. The ball was in a couple hours, so there was a bit of time for Link, Sidon, and Yona to work out all the kinks of the ball together.

Once Yona got back from doing queen stuff, she sat down by Link and Sidon and smiled at them. The smile wasn't just because she was happy to see them, no no, it was also because Link was sitting in Sidon's lap and was clearly happy to be with his king.

“Hello Yona. Link and I have discussed the ball and have decided that we do not care what anyone says about us, but we still have a problem. Who will you dance with? I do not mind you dancing with anyone, I just don't know how you would feel,” Sidon said.

“Oh, I'm fine with that arrangement, Sidon! There's this Zora woman that I have seen around the domain, and I was hoping that I would be able to ask her to dance with me!” Yona responded.

“I hope that she says yes, Yona!” Link chirped.

“Thank you, Link. I hope she does too…” Yona mumbled, clearly thinking about this woman whom she wanted to dance with.

Link and Sidon just smiled, and Link quickly got back to snuggling with Sidon. Link is quite the stubborn Hylian, so if he wants snuggles, you're gonna have to give them to him if you don't want to deal with him bugging you all day! Link's snuggles are wonderful to Sidon anyway, so he really doesn't mind at all.

Several hours later, it was time for the ball. Sidon was dressed in his full kingly regalia—a beautiful thing made with beautiful jewels, shiny silver, and beautiful fabrics. Yona was wearing a similar outfit to Sidon, but the person with the most eye-catching outfit was Link. The Hylian was wearing the beautiful skirt suit that Sidon sewed for him, and it made him look stunning. The skirt segment didn't restrict Link's movement, and what makes it better is that the skirt had pockets!

The three went to the banquet table to wait for the rest of the attendees. One after another, Zora of every status in society—the unemployed to royal guards—came into the room and sat down at the table. Link's outfit and seat right next to the king got a few stares, but Link didn't mind. Once everyone was there, the food was passed around, and every person at attendance got a good portion. The only variable that could have gone wrong was that Fronk and Mei brought their children, but they were very well behaved.

Once the feasting was over, everyone filed into the ballroom to dance. Before Sidon got the ability to ask Link for a dance, many Zora swarmed him to ask about whatever they needed.

“King Sidon,” Tula started, “Are you going to dance with Queen Yona? You two would be perfect dance partners!”

“Actually, Tula, I was going to dance with Link. Yona told me that she wanted to ask for another Zora's hand for a dance,” Sidon said.

“What?! But you and Yona are husband and wife! You two should dance with each other!”

“Well, we do not want to dance together. We both gave permission that we could dance with other people, and the person I want to dance with is Link.”

“But—”

“I will dance with him no matter what anyone says. He is my dearest, and I shall be by his side as long as he wishes for me to be.”

This shut Tula up quickly, and Sidon quickly got through every other Zora who needed to ask him something. Once that was done, Sidon turned to Link and extended his hand.

“May I have this dance, my pearl?”

“Pshh, obviously. You don't even have to ask, dummy,” Link said in response.

Sidon chuckled in response, and he gently grabbed Link's hands. Before they started dancing though, Sidon and Link spied Yona asking her attendant Khira something, and by both of their reactions it was clear that Yona asked her to dance. It seems like King Fasolla, Yona's homophobic father, gave her the wrong attendant in his eyes. He would be mortified if he found out that his daughter is dancing with one of her attendants. He doesn't need to know, however, and Link and Sidon won't tell anyone.

Now, it was time for Link and Sidon to dance. The two slowly danced together, though at times their dancing got a touch faster. The two were dancing beautifully, and the gentle spin of Link's skirt as they moved as one accentuated their beauty. Link and Sidon looked like a proper king and queen, but in this case it could be considered that they were a proper king and prince.

Most eyes were on the pair as they danced, and Sidon and Link noticed this. Sidon then spun Link around in his arms, though Link was a bit clumsy and almost fell. Sidon, luckily, was there to catch the Hylian in an accidental passionate move. Link was incredibly embarrassed, as was obvious from his face being smothered in a deep pink.

“Careful there, my pearl. I wouldn't want you to fall!” Sidon teased.

“Shut up, you handsome fish! You weren't the one who was spun around, were you?” Link rebuked jokingly.

“That is true, you handsome devil.”

“Stop complimenting me in front of the entire domain!”

“What if I don't?”

“Then I'll… I'll bite one of your fins off!”

“Violent much?”

“Just… Keep dancing with me and shut your mouth!”

“Well I can't resist orders from my dearest Hylian, can I?”

“Sidon!”

Sidon let out a soft chuckle at Link's possibly-faux anger. Well, really probably-faux anger, as Link doesn't sound so giggly when he's really peeved at something.

Sidon and Link then went back to dancing, and they danced just as beautifully as before. Yona and Khira were dancing as well, and they looked as beautiful as Link and Sidon as they slowly moved in each other's arms. Yona, Sidon, and Khira were definitely more graceful than Link, but Link was doing his best, and was still quite graceful all things considered. People were still staring at Link and Sidon, but the two could hardly care about anything other than their moves, steps, and each other. It's as though they were linked together with a thread at the heart and hands.

Link then tripped again, but this time it was on purpose. Once Sidon steadied him in his arms, Link was ready to put his plan into action. Link pulled Sidon's face in the last few centimeters and kissed him. Link kissed Sidon on the lips then and there. If their dancing already didn't cause a scandal, then this must have! Luckily, though, it was never more than a surprise to most Zora. The elderly Zora on the other hand were much more angry about this kiss, with them saying “Our King can't be gay!” and other such bullshit.

It was Sidon's turn to be embarrassed now, the King of the Zora's face becoming an almost as vivid red as his scales.

“Link! What was that for?!” Sidon asked.

“Payback,” Link simply retorted.

"Ah, well I guess I cannot find any flaws with that logic.”

Sidon then went to sit down with Link, so that he wouldn't faint.

Eventually, the ball was over, and everyone left the palace. Yona kissed Khira on the cheek before she left.

“Khira, thank you for dancing with me. I would happily dance with you again,” Yona said sweetly.

“No, thank you for dancing with me! It was a blast, Yona—and if you would like, I would happily think about courting you if King Sidon was fine with it,” Khira said in response.

“I'm sure that he would be fine with it. The only problem is that my father would raise the wrath of Ganon on us if he ever found out.”

“He would, so I must assume courting you will be for some other time.”

“Yes, it will be, but I cannot wait.”

With that, Khira left the palace, and Yona went to join Link and Sidon.

Sidon and Link didn't ask about anything, but they told Yona that they were proud of her for asking Khira to dance. The three eventually got back to the room that they shared. Sidon had a really comfortable water bed, and all three of them had to share it.

Link kicked off his shoes, changed into the undershirt of his Champion's Tunic and some comfortable trousers, and hopped into bed. Sidon and Yona took off their regalia before joining Link, as metal poking into your skin as you sleep isn't very comfortable. Link quickly started cuddling with Sidon, and Yona grabbed a book for her to read. Link made a few mumbled “Good night”s to Sidon and Yona before falling into the arms of slumber. Sidon very soon joined him, leaving Yona as the only one awake.

Yona couldn't help but think about Khira for several minutes before she fell asleep. Once she did, her dreams were filled with dreams of courting Khira and becoming her loving wife. Sidon, on the other hand, dreamt of the beautiful blond-haired Hylian in his arms.

[cozymoko]

Hi!

I’m not sure if this is how you request things as Ive never really done it before so I hope this is ok😅

I saw you write for yona and so I was wondering if you could write A L and U for Zeno and Kija from the yandere alphabet?

Yandere Alphabet

You did it right, no worries!

Letters: A, L, U

Includes: Yandere Zeno and Ki-Ja from “Akatsuki no Yona”

Format: Headcanons; 2nd person

WARNING(S): Yandere themes

LINKS: Akatsuki no Yona Masterlist

ZENO

Affection: How do they show their love and affection? How intense would it get?

⠀⠀Love with Zeno is an emotional rollercoaster in itself. If you hadn't known any better you'd say he's never truly been in love, at least not this way. Anything that gets his hands on you is a “yes!” for him. Physical affection i s the quickest way to get his heart drumming against his chest, so if he kisses or hugs you; don't be surprised! He swears he can hardly control himself.

⠀⠀Truthfully, he wishes to live in your skin, melted and merged into one. Lulled by the gentle beating of your heart. There's not a moment he's not yearning for you wherever you may be, for every moment he spends without you feels like an eternal hell upon his being. You could say it's suffocating; I mean, you have no personal space! It's as though no matter where you look, the paths you turn, Zeno will always follow.

Love letters: How would they go about courting or approaching their darling?

⠀⠀One thing for certain, he’s not exactly subtle with his advances. He's all for being in your personal space, even when you aren't together. Sitting a bit too close to you when you spend your time by a running stream. Subtly wiping the sugary cream of pastries off your pretty lips, hastily licking it off his thumb.

⠀⠀Being the glutton he is, sharing food isn't always his cup of tea. However, he loves you so take as much as you want! Whenever he’s craving your touch, he’s quick to find it. So if you don't notice by then, it'll only get more and more extreme by the day. So pick your poison.

Unique: Would they do anything different from the classic yandere?

⠀⠀Not exactly, but that depends on your opinion of a “classic Yandere”. Zeno's awfully dependent on you, requiring your time and attention to function in his daily life. With the time he’s spent in this wretched world, Zeno has plenty of emotional baggage to go around! Whenever he’s consumed by sorrow, he seeks your comfort. When he isn’t by your side, a genuine smile does not dare overtake his features. It’s insane!

⠀⠀Zeno is also manipulative, unintentionally. He’d never want to make you uncomfortable, heavens no! Puppy dog eyes are quick to make you falter, weighing you with ineffable amounts of guilt for telling him off. Catering to a man thousands of years old must be exhausting, especially if you are unable to convey your displeasure. In this life, escaping Zeno will never be an option. If you do, guilt will forever be eating away at your sanity.

KI-JA

Affection: How do they show their love and affection? How intense would it get?

⠀⠀He's not the worst. But if you enjoy people extending themselves to please you, then perhaps he's the best. Ki-Ja is so terribly shy so anything physical is rather difficult for him to approach. His usually pale skin would practically erupt like a volcano, accompanied by a soft mist emitting from his skin. Even as your lover, he's still unable to approach you. (Non-akwardly)

⠀⠀Even Ki-Ja knows his boundaries. He's delusional, not stupid. He can grow quite hysterical at times, admittedly so, however there is a line he is not willing to cross. That being said, he'll likely start competing amongst his peers in order to win your attention over. It's unnecessarily, honestly, but once his mind is set, there's no stopping him.

Love letters: How would they go about courting or approaching their darling?

⠀⠀It’s a long and painful process to witness. Ki-Ja feels like a blundering fool the way he stammers in your presence, it's like every ounce of composure and elegance he’s tried so diligently to keep up, has slipped from his grasp like water. It’s just that…you make his heart beat so wildly he can hardly control himself. In all honesty, he's a virgin to feelings like these so cut him some slack (no, don't).

⠀⠀Ki-Ja is quite literally tripping over himself when he finally approaches/confesses to you. The loud thumping that reached his ears whenever you’re in his presence makes him come undone. The softness of your voice turns him to mush. Oh how badly he wishes to kiss those lips, practically begging for his touch. Whoops, he said that out loud!

Unique: Would they do anything different from the classic yandere?

⠀⠀Again, it depends on your definition of a “classic yandere”. His loyalty is undeniable. He wishes to serve you and you alone. Much like Zeno, Ki-Ja would never actively try to make you uncomfortable. But it seems it’s inevitable with his unhealthy way of loving you (hovering over you.) Yes, he's extremely protective of you, but it can't be that bad right?

⠀⠀Not to mention, he's a sucker for praise, he can't get enough of it. Everything he does is to please you. He gets so flustered by the thought of your praise, it's nearly laughable. He's honest, I'll give him that. But it seems like the sweet, harmless man you cared for is not what he seems. But the lengths he'll go to please you are truly outrageous. Oh, you want to know how far he'll go? I'll leave that up to your imagination.

[bugcatcherwill]

Sees sidon trying to scheme how to surprise link at akkala lab in the recent chapter: Sidlink?

I mean Sidon does have two hands~

My readers when I include a crumb of Sidlink pining in my recent chapter:

Joking aside, I am a Sidlink fanboy through and through. I'm trying not to make my main fic ship-centric since it revolves around my monster OCs, but I love adding in little bits like Sidon being disappointed he missed Link by a day and plotting how to surprise him when he gets back hehe.

But also YES Sidon does have two hands. What I'm really excited for when I get to ToTK is how I could potentially make Link and Yona bond by the possibility that both of their marriages were arranged. With Sidon's and Yona's, he just flat out states that Dorephan told him he's marrying Yona in one of those stone tablets around the Domain. So it's reasonable to assume that Link and Mipha had something similar going on - knowing Zora royalty in every other game too. I know that isn't how the events actually played out Pre-Calamity but oh well I've changed enough canon in my fic I'll do it again!

They really are two sides of the same coin if I take this route: Link grew up around Mipha and then suddenly had to marry her. While Yona knew Sidon when he was a child because she was friends with Mipha - and is then told to marry Sidon when she gets back to Hyrule post-BoTW. I feel like they could both have a really heartfelt conversation over how they felt through all that.

So in short, they ALL have two hands :)

[abyssal-cryptid]

I keep playing Tears of the Kingdom (SPOILERS)

The Like enemies are the worst

I hate them

Yona is such a sweetie

They wrote Sidon and Link's relationship to be romantic in this and added a girlfriend to Sidon for deniability

Yona even calls me Sidon's 'true companion'

The people making tutorials for every little thing have my heart because I am dumb of ass

I cant be the only one who avoids the depths like my life depends on it

Its not even the depths, the chasms just make me almost have panic attacks

Anyways there is a chasm under Zora domain

Its free on enemies and has a forge

Im terrified of the dark

Also there is Zora statues

Why is Link dick sucking height for everyone

Sidon, Rauru, Ganon

I mean

I dont write porn someone else do that for me

I write sad Link

Not that sad Link cant suck dick I just cant write it

Anywaysss

I would go to the Tulin air temple but there is an ice spider there

FUCK I FORGOT TO TAKE A PIC OF THE BOSSES IN WATER TEMPLE NOO

MY COMPENDIUM

Also the boss bokoblin marches are so scary wtf

I saw group of black bokoblins paradin around and immediatly dipped into the ocean

Safety

Cant follow me

I was excited for pirates

But no its just monsters

Uhhhh quick tip dont sleep in the middle of killing the Lurelin village pirates

You bet your ass Im spending my precious time fixing up the village with Bolson

Its so fun

Im helping

I love these types of quests

In going to Hestu after this

I dont want to

I so dont want to

WAIT I WAS LIED TO

HESTU MY DEAREST

HE'S AT THE LOOKOUT TOWER

BABY BOY

I hate the depths

WHY IS THERE LIGHT EATING ENEMIES

But I need bombs and theres a lot of them here

Stop making me go down there

Let me be

Back to rebuilding

Im sure I was doing something but I cant remember

I need more space for meals

YAY WE DID IT

REBUILT

Roman is now 4*-5*-4*-3* horse and I love him so much

He looks like Epona and has flowers in his mane

Ive gotten like 9 memories

I love the animation for Link gaining hearts or stamina

Why cant the musicians walk

I love Mastro

His little ya yahs

Their band is really good

Makes me want to run in the woods

Anyways more great fairy!

Why is there no great moose

Why do I have to pay the great fairy

HOW DO I KEEP PREDICTING BLOOD MOONS TO A TEE

They gave Link so many slutty slutty outfits

Making Link wear the hylian hood when he opens a memory looks funny

LEAVE ZELDA ALONE

Why doesnt Master Sword ever talk to ME

Why does it only talk to Zelda

Maybe there was a mix up because goddess Hylia only talks to Link

Imagine

NO ZELDA NO DONT DO IT

ZELDA BABY PLEASE

ZELDA

NO

ZELDA DONT

ZELDA

Im going to write Zelda-Link fanfiction about this

Typhlo ruins being visible is kind of strange

Wait I can have a whip

Okay I admit I like the vehicles

All great fairies opened

Stable Trotters play so beautifully

The scales on the great fairies clothes are so pretty

Sidon's avatar has scared me so many times

Can I please get the ancient saddle back

YIGA FIT AQUIRED

I slayed

Literally

Got all the rewards possible from the hideout

Rauru is dumbass a little bit

Ganondorf is so hot here

Ganondorf is a liar but my god

Sonia is so beautiful my god

Zelda looks kind of like Sonia's daughter and I wonder if Ganon thinks she is

The Zonai clothing is stunning

Why does Ganondorf have to be so evil

I GOT THE HYLIAN SHIELD

OMG

I NEVER GOT THIS IN BREATH OF THE WILD

Slip resistance is like the most useless thing in this fucking game

Because it does nothing

Even on level 3

Nothing

NOTHING

WHY DID YOU PUT THIS IN GAME THEN

The Dream Homes are so cool

They cost so many coins

But Im so excited

Its so cute

I CAN HAVE ROMAN IN A PERSONAL STABLE

I got a kitchen too

And a study

And weapons room

I love it

Is it time for Gerudo town clearing? Yes yes yes

I hate this sandstorm and love the desert so

The Lightning Temple is so cool

WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT

WHAT

WHEN DID THIS BECOME A HORROR GAME

I HATE THAT

The puzzles are hard, I have so little brains

Boss battles are so hard

The Lightning Sage is majorly hit

Why is Demon Ganondorf so hot

WAIT DAYBREAKER WAS HER SHIELD

Is this like a traditional shield and weapon of the Lady of Gerudo?? I thought it was just Urbosa

Btw Urbosa is my favorite Champion and I adore her

Simple lesbian brain

Once again Zonai Zelda is the prettiest person in any room

Please Can I Marry Her

Why does Zelda have tear tattoos? Like did she just get them to complete her fit

Iconic

Why cant we see the faces of the Sages

Me every time they call Zelda the Sage of Time

Riju is adorable

She's grown so much

I intended to write a long fic about BOTW with my interpertation of Link and all

But then TOTK released

I do keep thinking about it

There is so many ideas and headcanons I have

I do miss dressing Link as a girl

He has slutty outfits but like let me explore Link's gender

RIJU'S AVATAR IS SO PRETTY

LIKE PRETTY AND FIERCE AND SCARY

I LOVE IT AND HER

I so had a crush on Riju in BOTW I was just dumb and in denial

GERUDO TOWN IS BACK TO NORMAL

MY BELOVED

FAVORITE CITY

I want to write a desert civilization inspired ny the Gerudo and also real desert civilizations

But idk where to start

Oh I need to take a picture of Mattison for Hudson

I love Patricia

*feeds fruit to her*

I love that Padda also loves her despite her puns

WHY IS BOZAI STILL HERE

HOW DO I GET RID OF HIM

A VOE IN THE CITY

I really like the custom they have of the vai coming to live and grow in the city after certain age

FINALLY I CAN HAVE A NOBLE PURSUIT

I love the thunder helm

Haha you cant touch me

Its 3.30am rn

I should sleep soon, the sun wakes in like an hour

Impa, staring at me publicly in Gerudo town: I did not expect to see you here

She has the same energy as Yoda

[triforceangel13]

A Service to the King Ch 6 (A SidLink Omegaverse Story)

Chapter 6: Can't Stay Away

Link stared down at the untouched cup of tea sitting in afront of him on the table. He had been asked there personally by the former King Dorephan in his study.

And despite that the former king had done nothing wrong or said anything wrong other than normal pleasantries, Link knew exactly why he was there.

And he wasn't sure what to do. What did he tell him? Did he tell him the truth? But that whole truth could get him in trouble.

And the jars he had to deliver was something the former king still should not know.

He would need to lie and that in itself just made him feel worse.

He hated lying. This whole thing was turning into a web of lies and Link was right at the center waiting for it to come crumbling down.

But he was too desperate for Sidon's eye to give it up. Sure enough Zelda was going to take him away at some point.

He just hoped it wasn't until he was ready.

“I do want to thank you for this,” Dorephan had said. “I know it's been a little while sine we last spoke.”

“You're welcome sir,” Link said, reaching for his tea and he took a slow sip of it, wincing from the still heat that came off of it and nearly burnt his tongue. “It's always a pleasure.”

“Now I am sure you know why I have asked you here this day. I know you are a very busy man so I hope not to keep you too much longer,” Dorephan continued.

Link swallowed, setting his cup down that slightly shook in his hand. Using a bit of Ultrahand he made sure it settled in gently.

He had to keep control over his emotions.

“Yes, I have an inkling of what it is you wish to discuss,” Link said, leaving it open for Dorephan to speak about it.

“Well,” the former king said. “Do we know what it is that is bothering my son so much? Why he is not trying to produce an heir?”

Link swallowed a bit. He had to pick his words carefully.

“Sort of,” Link said to him. “It's mostly that uh...he isn't attracted to his wife and while he does love her there is another.”

Was that too much? He hoped that wasn't too much. Would Sidon be upset if Dorephan approached him about what he had learned.

“Hmm...I see. I had a feeling that was it,” Dorephan said. “However he is married to Yona. He must produce an heir....But I do want him to follow his heart.”

Link gripped his knees through his pants. He had to ease the former king's worries a little bit.

“I don't know the details but I believe his majesty has said that he had found a solution of that very problem with Yona,” Link offered.

“Well that does change some things,” he said thoughtfully. “However...Link you are very close with my son. There is no reason for such formatlites like that right now.”

“Just trying to show respect,” Link said with a heavy flush on his cheeks.

“Now Link I believe we both know who my son has feelings for,” Dorephan said, giving Link a knowing look which he didn't pick up on. “Just the way my son lights up it does make it very obvious who's company he enjoys.”

Link opened his mouth, ready to ask when the door to the study opened up to reveal the man in question.

Link flushed, his own eyes lightning up at the sght of Siodn.

“I see the feeling is muttual,” Dorephan said more to himself and turned to his son. “Sidon my boy, how are you?”

“I am well father,” Sidon said. “Have you seen- Link there you are, I have been looking for you everywhere!”

Link flushed a bit. Why was Sidon looking for him? He was surprised that he was.

Honestly he wasn't sure how things would go forward after the night and the morning that they had days and days ago.

Link had to admit that he may very well have been avoiding Sidon.

He was nervous about what would be going on between them now. He had been avoiding Yona as well after the day she had caught him in her bed chambers.

“H-hi your majesty,” Lik said with a swallow. “I've just been busy with different things.”

“Now Link, what had I said about formalities,” Dorephan said. “Our discussion I would say is pretty much done.”

Link picked up his cup again and swallowed down the rest of the cup that he had in front of him. Sidon smiled though was confused when Link seemed nervous.

“Thank you,” Link said, giving a small bow to the former king.

“You are quite welcome and let's have tea again some time soon,” Dorephan offered to Link. “Perhaps we could speak again on this topic.”

“Of course,” Link said, his throat feeling a little tight. This wasn't good. How long was he going to be lying to Dorephan about this whole thing?

“Come Link, I wanted to show you something,” Sidon offered with a smile, his hand reaching out but pulled quickly in when he realized his father was still sitting there observing the two of them interacting with one another.

“Lead the way,” Link offered, rubbing his arm a bit as Sidon led him out of the room. Link sighed softly, putting a little distance between the two of them.

Now that they had done things together he really felt a little different.

His inner omega screamed to be touched and claimed by this alpha but right now he had enough sense to keep a tight lock on it.

If he acted like nothing was going on no one would suspect he had touched their king so intmately and had nearly spread his legs for him.

Sidon led the ways through the Domain, greeting others as they passed who greeted Sidon properly and Link as well, ever so happy to see him.

If they knew what they had done would they still be so happy to see him?

He really should talk to Zelda about these thoughts. But then he would need to come clean about what had happened between him and Sidon...She knew most of the truth but not the finer details of what exactly happened.

Not that he was one to kiss and tell.

Eventually others they passed seemed to come to nothing and Link looked around at the familiar sight of the walkway up the stairs to the resevoir.

He smiled a little bit as he follwed him up to the expanse of water. It looked so much bigger now that the Divine Beast no longer resided there.

And hardly anyone ever visited here except Sidon himself. They believed it to be the final resting place of Princess Mipha despite she had a whole area dedicated to her.

Others didn't want to disturb it.

“So..what was it that you wanted to show me?” Link asked curiously, looking around the expanse of water until he felt a hand on his shoulder.

Link turned around just in time to feel Sidon plucking him up from the ground and presing him against one of the pillars, his body pinnning him there.

Link's cheeks flushed, now more eye level with the king than he ever had before.

“Sidon?” Link asked softly.

“Link,” Sidon mumbled. “Why do I get the feeling that you are avoiding me?”

“I...I um...” he said at a loss of words. How did he ever begin to tell him about what was going on? Why was he so concerned about it.

“So you are...” Sidon said, not phrasing it as a question but rather a statement, a sadness crossing his face but he never once went to put Link down. “Have I done something wrong? Had you...not enjoyed yourself the last time we were together?”

“What?” Link asked softly and swallowed. “It's not that. I thought this whole thing was just transactional.”

“Link...”

“Think about it. Why would you even want to with someone broken like me? We are close but there's no way that you could ever want to be with someone like me. And you're married already, AND you're the king. It would probably be seen as a form of treason or something if we were caught and-”

“Link,” Sidon said more sternly, leaning in and pressing his lips against his firmly. Link froze at that and then relaxed, slowly kissing him back.

He knew this was his mind going to a million different places with how bad he felt. There had to be something between them for Sidon to open up like that.

If it was just transactional he wouldn't have even been cuddled next to him in his bed until the next morning.

This was different but he was so scared that it wasn't going to go well.

He didn't want to get hurt. He didn't want Sidon to get hurt. But he still couldn't help himself especially if Sidon was kissing him like this.

Pulling away slowly the king stared down at him, Link breathing heavily as he gazed up into that golden gaze.

“You do not have to worry about me not wanting to. It isn't just getting my esscene to my wife. I had wanted to do those things with you,” Sidon explained to him. “And not even because it felt amazing. It did, but there is another bigger reason.”

Link felt his cheeks heating up as Sidon leaned in again, his lips a breath away from the blonde's. Link shivered, swallowing heavily.

“What's that...” Link asked, his voice barely a whisper.

“The fact that I want you. Body and soul. I want you to be mine,” Sidon said. Link's breath hitched and he swallowed, unsure if he should lean in to kiss him yet.

“I love you,” Sidon finished.

That was the courage Link needed and he pressed his lips against Sidon's firms, hugging him tightly. Sidon held him against his body, his body blocking the smaller hylian and devouring him as if he was a straving man.

He sort of was. He wanted to just drown in Link.

The king pulled away with a breath, Link trying to go after him with a whimper but the king pressed his figners to his lips.

“I take that you feel the same?” Sidon teased.

“Goddess above yes,” Link said sternly, playfully biting his finger. It was Sidon's turn to have his breath hitch and Link stared up at him with hooded blue eyes.

“I want you to take me,” Link said to him. “I want all of you.”

“Link are you sure?” Sidon asked.

“More than anything,” Link said. “And if anyone comes you can hide me easily.”

The king inhaled slowly and he pressed closer to Link again, the pupils of his eyes seeming to grow wider the more he stared into Link's blue orbs.

“I have been dreaming of this moment for so long,” Siodn said. “I cannot believe you fell in love with me.”

“I can't believe it either that you would want me even after being wed,” Link said softly.

“It's always been you Link.”

I’m open for written commissions

want to support? my patreon (triforceangel)

my a03 (triforceangel) as another place to read my fics

[moinsbienquekaworu]

@ivory-coronet I've kept playing TotK and oh my god do you want to hear literally every thought out of my head on the topic?

BEWARE OF TOTK SPOILERS ALL YE WHO ENTER HERE

First I love all the little newspaper quests they're silly but they're fun and it's pretty nice going everywhere doing random shit that in like a third of cases are just the Yiga trying to fuck with you. I'd say Penn is useless but actually I think we're splitting the work pretty well: I do all the fieldwork and he writes the articles and gives them to Traysi! Great partnership. I just need the Gerudo Stable and I'll be done, but Ihope you can do stuff with him once the questline is over.

Also I can't help but notice you have way more of an impact on the world in a way? The NPCs remember you, they know who you are more often, I saw the two horse researchers and since I'd already talked to Malanya I got to tell the one who was interested in him that he did indeed exist, it's really really cool. And the rebuilding quests!! The Rito Village bridge! The Lookout Landing mini-stable!! The monster-control crew stuff!!! I really feel like I'm not just doing random sidequests for a reward but that I'm actually contributing to the world and the world knows it.

On the topic of the Wind Temple: it was great, you were right it didn't feel like an annoying dungeon! More like a traditional dungeon but not annoying like they usually are to me. It took me uuuh humiliatingly long to realise you had to use Tulin's gusts of wind on the turbines even though the Sage just straight up tells you to do that lol. The Sages stuff is incredible and I'm absolutely delighted by the fact that I've done a quarter of what was the main quest in BotW but I still don't know what's going to happen at the end of the game. In BotW you just knew where the final boss was and how things would more or less go from the end of the tutorial but here I'm still kind of at a loss. Like there's the Sages but there's also the Depths and the ruins in Kakariko! That said one of my friends who's also playing it said he stumbled upon the Mastersword and the final boss at random just exploring so uh. That must have been weird.

Plus on the topic of the Rito I need to be insane about this to as many people as possible because I was a Revalink kinda girl and I won't forget my roots: when Tulin gets the Great Eagle Bow after the temple... Babe that's MY bow!!! Give it to me it's MINE!!! It does 3x28 damage and it has a great design!!! I got it by beating the dungeon and saving your village almost alone last time!!!! I knew Revali and I wam/am a Champion too!!!!!! IT'S MY BOW GIVE IT BAAACK!!! Make your OWN bow Tulin!!!!! No for real I would be so happy to make a new group for the Sages and Link and make some fabric we can all wear and he can put it on his own bow someone made for him/helped him make but you gotta hand that back baby it's mine!!!!!!

Also I've been to see the Zoras as well and I'm at the entrance of the temple but not there yet so I won't say anything about the dungeon itself but 1) god Sidon.... dreamy sigh. Also 2) Yona isn't that ugly people are just mean. She's great she's sweet and she grew on me real fast. And 3) I really do not care about Finley's appearance relating to her quest in BotW I think it's some fun background stuff but I'm disappointed they didn't give her an older model like they did for Kass' kids. Like she's been waiting for that growth spurt for years now Nintendo just let her gain a few inches!!

Anyway what I want to talk about is the way they handled BotW's existence & a little bit its themes, which I personally think is the biggest flaw of the game. No mention of the Divine Beasts no mention of the towers or the shrines there's some stuff about the Calamity but it's rare I'm sooo mad like I was there for all of it!!! Why are you not saying anything!!!! We can't be forgetting history like three-five years after it happened!! I know they didn't want new players to the franchise to be lost but it's offensive Purah doesn't mention Sheikah tech when explaining the towers it's offensive the Zora chest armour's description just goes 'made by a Zora princess for her future husband' like the Zora princess in question wasn't Link's childhood best friend and he wasn't supposed to be the future husband it's offensive there's no mention of Revali anywhere except the landing is still called Revali's Landing when he had extremely similar powers to Tulin and Teba spent his childhood talking about the legendary champion to him and he has his damn bow in his back!!!!!! I'm so mad!!!! Why Nintendo why!!!

And when I said themes I meant that I'm sad the Sages are all descendants of the original Sages. Cause see the new champions all occupied the same roles as the old champions (greatest Rito warrior, Zora royalty, Gerudo chief, Goron boss (to be)) but while the others all were descendants of the OGs Teba wasn't. It said something about the characters and their villages and what they all valued. And now we're totally forgetting Revali when he's relatively recent (100 years compared to like 5 000) and had similar powers because "what if the player hasn't played BotW". Honestly it made me feel like the shitty 180 the Star Wars sequels pulled with Rey where the message was that whoever her family was didn't matter because she got to decide her own path and - oh wait no her grandpa was Palpatine it was always meant to be fuck off. Like none of them need to be related to the OG Sages but if Sidon or Riju are it's at least coherent with the fact their tribes (?) both seem to have a hereditary thing going on with their leadership. But Tulin really doesn't!! The Ritos don't work like that!! The point was hard work!!! I'm so mad about this one. Note that I don't say anything about Daruk and Yunobo because Yunobo is sweet but Daruk's personality is flatter than a sheet of paper in BotW, especially compared to AoC. I guess at least Mipha's statue is still there and they namedrop her once really badly :)))

Anway I also went to the Depths because I need that camera and it caused me worse stress than walking around Central Hyrule at the start of BotW. So. Not hyped to have to go there more.

There that's it I think but if you have more stuff to chat about don't hesitate to answer or to hit me up 👀 👀👀

[malulurivers]

Who is your favorite tears of the kingdom character?

hey now~~~

that's a big old question you're asking there!

that's a really hard one to answer!

with so many options, an argument could be made for all of them.

how i adore link even if i scold him for constantly doing things i dont ask him to how i yearn for zelda and cherish every moment with sidon how i long to know more about yona to the point of planning fics to detail more of her life and history how i beg the game to give me more of tauro and plan to write things for him too to sate my curiosity and as a fellow linguist how could i not love him too?

with so many options, could there ever be a wrong answer?

...yes, yes there could be--

my favourite character is obviously master kohga.

is he the best written character in the game? no.

do i endorse his behaviour or want to be friends with him? absolutely not.

do i want to be part of his clan? see above.

do i write for him? no.

but does his theme go the hardest? ABSOLUTELY

is he a riot to see on screen? ABSOLUTELY

is he a trash man? ABSOLUTELY HE IS!

ok, all jokes aside, i'm not in love with kohga (i have a soft spot for tragic men, not pathetic men unless it's reigen, who is the most pathetic man to ever pathetic and of course i adore him). but he is my favourite from the totk roster. or at least, my emotional favourite.

there's something just so fun about him. he's so stupid, so incompetent and yet still so successful somehow that i just find him hilarious.

he's not very multilayered, and though i think there's stuff to be discussed about how the yiga operate, how they're effectively a cult and how it makes sense that they're there, and how they affect the world around them... there's not much i want to discuss about him, actually.

normally this is something i don't like in a character, he lacks depth, that's not very compelling. but when he's on screen, when his soundtrack goes (and it goes hard) it's impossible to not get hyped and just have a banging time. also his fights were just so fun, so ridiculous!

he really provides levity to tone too, especially in the depths where it's actually quite lonely down there (kudos to the sound developers especially for that one!). i can't tell you how special the weird euphoria felt when i finally saw movement in the depths (which is just an innately hostile environment no matter how strong you are) and it was his dumb ass.

i was genuinely laughing but also very sad when (mild spoilers for later game:) he basically shot himself into the sky because that was probably going to be the last time i would see him. to be fair, i haven't finished the story yet so i still have a sliver of hope.

i think he's a bit of a hidden gem of the game, and i'm still cross with nintendo not giving him any voiced lines and cutscenes like with other characters. his va from age of calamity gave it his all and absolutely made this character fantastic to me, and he would've gone to town with these scenes! a massive missed opportunity!

i have more i could say but i think i would have to explain my opinions on tears of the kingdom as a game, and that would get really long as i have many many opinions on it. somewhat mixed opinions, and that's not the vibe for right now!

tldr: in terms of favourite character, in one way it's master kohga lmAo

in terms of 'favourite to talk about/write about' it is probably link, by virtue of spending so much time with him in game. though i genuinely like pretty much all the characters to a very similar level!

i don't really have a standout character that i'm attached to like i do with arcane, and i'm... not really sure why? i mean, i do have some ideas but i'm not sure exactly. it's probably more of an arcane thing though rather on the totk end XD

anywho, thank you for the question anon! i had a lot of fun thinking about it and trying to work out my answers because i genuinely hadn’t thought about it before! i hope your curiosity is sated XD

[saffronapplemanga]

Tenjou Renka: Kin no Oujo to Hi no Kusushi - 天上恋歌～金の皇女と火の薬師～

HISTORICAL, ADVENTURE

Tenjou Renka ~Kin no Oujo to Hi no Kusushi~ by Aoki Tomo

(6 volumes, ongoing)

JP only - English summary in this post

Links to my other manga posts here

I can't remember where I first saw this, but Tenjou Renka caught my eye a while ago with this cover. Look at it — it's gorgeous. Like I said in my Tenmaku no Jadoogar: A Witch's Life in Mongol post, I've been really getting into historical fiction so this manga looked like something I'd enjoy. I'm currently reading Yona of the Dawn, which Tenjou Renka has some similarities to (ye olde Asia, princess on an adventure, etc.), and I've been having the best time! I plan to give my thoughts on that too, but there's a lot more content with that series and I've been taking my time reading it.

The full title of Tenjou Renka roughly translates to Heavenly Love Song ~The Princess of Kin and Medicine Man of Fire~. I was excited to read this manga because it seems we have a cool falconer princess with some lovely art! So, how did it do?

Twitter reading thread here. Thoughts after the summary.

***SPOILERS FOR VOLUME ONE***

*

*

*

In the first few pages, we see a precession from the country, Kin, making its way to the allied country, Sou. Here we meet our nomadic princess, Aira.

There are rumors that Aira is to wed the prince of Sou... except she herself doesn't know this??? Awaiting the arrival of their allies, Sou greets them with a show of fireworks. Aira, however, runs straight over to one of the fireworks craftsmen and gives him a big old hug... before saying a word to the royals... when she's supposed to be an ambassador of sorts from Kin... and there are talks of her marrying the prince that's literally standing right there... uh...

What are you doing... She said, "I didn't get the chance to thank you! I'll never forget that night!" GIRL, YOU'RE GONNA GET THIS MAN EXECUTED!!! He's gonna get guillotined! He's gonna get the noose!!!!!!!!!!!

We go back in time a few days, and long story short, Aira and company got attacked mid-journey which led her to fall off a cliff and into a river. The fireworks craftsman, Hakurinshi (or as Aira calls him, Rinshi) finds her washed up. He takes her to his hut to treat her and her falcon. When she wakes up and says she needs to meet back up with her brother. Rinshi tells her to follow him so he can show her something. He lights a firework, which Aira had never seen before, and signals her brother to their location. Reunited, Aira turns to thank Rinshi, but he's already gone. Flash forward to the current day, she sees her savior and takes the opportunity to finally thank him... by aggressively hugging him... in that situation. *sigh*

If you see me spell something wrong, no you didn’t. Twitter, where’s my edit button???

Unsurprisingly, this is bad. Rumors start spreading, some Sou royals and citizens are not happy, and Rinshi gets called in by higher-ups to explain himself. Aira has completely fallen for Rinshi but ends up getting scolded by her brother Uju. He tells her to forget it and that Rinshi is from a different country and class. And he FINALLY tells Aira that there were talks of her being wed to the Sou prince, Kouou, but it's been tabled for now. (Why tf was Aira the last person to find this out?!) She's shocked at this information but Uju says that they wouldn't go through with it if she didn't want to. It isn't until she mulls over the new information and what she did at the palace does she realize, "Oh no, I was super rude to the prince and made an awful first impression!" ...UM, DUH?

*Deep breath*

Prince Kouou shows Aira and Uju around and he reveals that he's a two-faced jerk to only Aira just like I expected. (Aira, why didn't you tell your brother that Kouou wasn't to be trusted?! WHY WON'T ANYONE COMMUNICATE???) Apparently, he thinks the marriage is still on and that it doesn't matter what they want. It's their duty to go through with a political marriage if that's what's decided. Aira has to continue doing ambassador/goodwill duties for the next few days at the Sou palace so they'll be in town for a bit longer.

The last bit of volume one has the people of Kin falling ill from poisoned food. Aira is one of the few who hadn't eaten yet and was spared, thus leaving her to take charge and care for the sick. She goes looking for Rinshi for help since he was able to take care of her and her falcon before. What was weird to me was that she asked him to teach her how to care for the sick instead of asking him to come with her to where they all were. Rinshi is the one who said he was coming with to help, and Aira was surprised by this...

Instead of wasting time at his place learning how to play doctor, take him with you dummy!!! Also, the Sou palace knew what happened but they were like, "Oh no, it's getting late and it'll be morning by the time the doctors come to help!" DON'T YOU GUYS HAVE DOCTORS AT THE PALACE??? WHAT??????

The resolution to this section of the story was also annoying. Plus, no one was at risk of dying. They just threw up and felt sick.

Why THE HELL would you, the cook who prepares everyone’s food, including the Kin royals, use some random plant you don’t know??? Fire him immediately. This isn't poisoned food, this is food poisoning smh.

*

*

*

***END OF SPOILERS FOR VOLUME ONE***

I usually try to give manga a few volumes, but honestly? I made it halfway through volume 2, skimmed the rest of the volume, and gave up. I'm going to mention minor spoilers here btw.

It doesn't make sense. The setup for the drama doesn't make any damn sense. I can't even be mad at Aira, at least not completely, because I blame her family/handlers for not teaching her ANYTHING before sending her off to be an ambassador and putting her in these situations! Literally, her handmaiden was teaching her things about the Sou royals she should've already known while they were at the Sou palace... Like... excuse me? I also don't like how there are info dumps.

Aira's handmaiden is teaching her info about Sou AFTER she just did a ceremonial thing at the palace. You should have taught her this stuff before!

We do find out that Aira's tribe recently won independence 8 years ago, so they're kind of "new royalty" but they should still know to tell her to watch herself in Sou. If there was some Sou custom they weren't familiar with that she messed up, or was awkward because she wasn't a princess from birth/comes from a more "primitive" country, then okay. But that's not what's happening here. I mean, even if you weren't promised to the prince, YOU'RE A PRINCESS WHO'S AN AMBASSADOR IN AN ALLIED COUNTRY!!! You didn't even greet the prince and king!!!!!!!!! That's just Manners 101!

And I’m a nobody!

I don't want to compare to Yona of the Dawn, but it's a little hard not to. I'm very early on in Yona of the Dawn (mid vol 5) but even then we see that while Yona is extremely naive, scared, and sheltered, she's not stupid. And in her case, she wasn't prepared for the events that resulted in her life being turned upside down. For Yona, it came out of nowhere. But for Aira, they planned to go to Sou. They knew this was happening. She should have been more prepared to do her duties as the princess of Kin, yet she fumbled it within seconds of her arrival at the palace. It doesn't make her funny or charming. It just makes her look dumb.

There are some parts that DO make sense. Aira being able to stand her ground adds up because she comes from a nomadic tribe.

Action scenes!

A lot of people in Sou, both noble and peasant, call the people of Kin savages/barbarians. Some nobles ask ignorant questions like, "I heard your people live in caves? Is that true? What, you can move your homes? How strange." And honestly, that's realistic. I cannot tell you how many times I've been asked if my family lives in tents and rides camels to school/work.

The start of the show here is Rinshi, hands down. He's known as the local weirdo who collects random plants and rocks and the like.

Mood, tbh. Throwback to my Yotsuba&! post about how me and my friend drove all the way from Tokyo to the Sea of Japan just to go rock collecting.

In reality, he's just a quiet guy with unbound curiosity. He wants to travel and see new things, learn new things, and collect new things so he can learn about those too. Rinshi wears tinted glasses to protect his eyes from light damage, which happens to a lot of craftsmen. But they’re are an unusual thing that no one's ever seen before and just adds to his "weird" status. I swear this man is ahead of his time.

Dreaming of all the cool stuff out there in the big wide world. I'm rooting for you buddy.

He also just seems like a genuinely sweet guy and would make for an awesome male lead!

The author, Aoki, clearly has a great love for Chinese history. This isn't even their first manga with this setting. On Aoki's Twitter, you can see all the research they do. They even get recreated armor/clothing to take reference photos!

Mad respect.

Remember kids, reference is important!

Tenjou Renka is amazing for seeing historical clothing and settings, as well as culture. However, I feel like these things take priority over the actual story.

We love well-researched historical fiction!

I was curious to see what other readers thought of the story, and while unsurprisingly there were people who really enjoyed it, some reviewers share my sentiment.

This reviewer is basically saying how Aira doesn't realize her own position/the situation she's in and just causes so many problems.

This person says that the girls feel immature/juvenile and it's a real shame because the historical aspects are well-researched.

But yeah, this was a title I was excited to get into, but it just left me frustrated and disappointed. I mean, listen — a foreign princess betrothed to the prince falls in love with a local weirdo and they both want to travel the world and learn new things? It’s so frustrating because this manga has the recipe… Tenjou Renka had so much potential, but the contrived drama annoyed the hell out of me. So much didn't make sense or could have been avoided, and that really soured any good it had. I can see a lot of people enjoying this, but unfortunately, it's just not working out for me. I would like to flip through the later volumes if only for the clothing and setting design.

Not even best boy Rinshi can make me keep reading. I hope you collect all the stuff your heart desires.

-----------------------------

If there's any Japanese-only manga you want me to check out, let me know! No promises, I'll only read what I'm interested in, but I'll take suggestions into consideration. Preferably, shorter manga or newer manga with a few volumes out since I like to take breaks from longer series I'm reading :)

[ladyloveandjustice]

My Top 10 Anime of the 2010 Decade

When choosing anime of the decade, I decided to limit it to either a) anime that began airing in the 2010 decade or b) complete individual seasons that aired in that decade (as in the season actually has its own separate name and all that). I decided not include any continuous ongoing series from previous decades that don’t separate into named seasons, which yes, eliminates 2009’s Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, but ya’ll already know that’s an all time anime fave of mine. Basically, these ‘anime of the decade’ posts cover anime that comes up as belonging to the 2010 the decade when I search my personal MAL.

Best Anime Started in the 2010 decade: March Comes in Like a Lion. I wrote a full post breaking down why I chose this beautiful anime about found family and healing as my top pick here, with links to my in-depth liveblog, some great video analysis and more!

Best Anime Seasons Aired in the 2010 decade: Natsume’s Book of Friends San and Shi. I wrote a post explaining why I chose this lovely show about a boy and his monster friends here, with links to all the extensive writing I’ve done about how much this show means to me.

And here are my other picks!

Kyousougiga- A colorful and inventive tale about a magical mirror Kyoto that features lots of action and humor while also being heartwrenching in its exploration of complicated family bonds and suicidal depression. The story gently lets you know that it’s enough just to exist. On top of all that, it has a great protagonist who's a ton of fun while still having plenty of character depth. She even calls out the adults around her for expecting her to be some energetic little girl who heals their souls with her smile without considering she has her own problems to deal with! 

You can read a full review I wrote for the show around when it came out, which I did as part of an ancient, cringe-inducing review series, here. Though I may cringe a bit at past me, my love for this show remains!

Nichijou-  A wildly bizarre, hilarious show about the ‘ordinary life’ of weirdo teenage girls, a pint-sized child scientist, a robot, a talking cat, and more. It features gonzo animation and tons of unforgettable moments.

 Dee Hogan wrote a great article on what makes it special: Nichijou: Everyday Epics of High School Girls. 

Chihayafuru- A show about one girl’s determination to be the best she can be at a Japanese poetry-based card game! Chihayafuru sucks you into a niche competition with its sharp writing, varied character dynamics, graceful visuals and wonderful sense of drama. It stands out from other sports anime by having men and women from a wide age range and variety of backgrounds go up against each other as serious rivals and does a great job exploring the different ways their lives shaped their passion for karuta and vice versa. 

You can read my liveblog of the series here. Lauren Orsini wrote a great article about how the most recent season explored the often overlooked struggles of new mothers here: How Chihayafuru frames breastfeeding as an early parenthood challenge.

Yona of the Dawn - A princess is horribly betrayed, chased out of her castle and left to fend for herself...so she decides to find some mythical dragons to be her allies! This a fantastic adventure story with a protagonist who goes through some impressive character development and she’s surrounded by a fun and enthralling cast with entertaining dynamics. It’s really one of anime’s greatest shames we’ll likely never see a second season. 

I wrote a couple of reviews of the show back when it was first coming out. I wrote a review for the first cour of the series here in my fall 2014 anime review and review of the second cour in this post here. You can also see my liveblog of the show here!

Mob Psycho 100- A story of a shy psychic boy and his con-artist mentor. This show’s bombastic animation, entertaining characters and awesome action all come together to send a simple but strong message: if everyone is not special. you can be what you want to be!

I wrote a short review of the show here in my Winter 2019 Anime Overview. Anifem has a good breakdown of what makes the show work in their Winter 2019 Recs.

A Place Further than the Universe - A gorgeous heartstring-pulling show about high schoolers on an expedition to Antarctica is packed to the brim with beautifully developed characters. It explores grieving and growing up with nuance and grace. The girls are alright!

 I wrote a full review of it here.

Bloom into You- A well directed and thoughtful romance between two young women that explores the identity issues and self hatred teenagers can wrestle with. The show also takes a nuanced look at the struggles young wlw face, while showing the support and inspiration adult wlw can lend them. 

I wrote a full review of it here.

Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun/Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun-  a sidesplitting comedy about a high school shoujo manga artist that features a lot of awesome twists and clever subversion of old clichés. 

I wrote a rough review of the show back in the day as part of my Summer 2014 anime overview.  I wrote a more polished article about it and the author’s other work here: From Evil Twins to Monthly Girls: The evolution of Mangaka Izumi Tsubaki.

---

A few of the honorable mentions I considered: Given, Little Witch Academia, Silver Spoon and Descending Stories: Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju.

[petri808]

Will we be seeing anymore Hakona fics from you anytime soon?? 0.0 Love your writing and your Kyoru fics lately!

🥰 thank you anon! I write when I can or when I get inspiration. And I’m really sorry for the late response, it’s been crazy irl, but I whipped this up for you :)

Together As One, Not Alone

Hakyona drabble

Since they would be near the area, Yun asked the group if it would be okay to check on Ik-Soo. Of course it would be, Yona had responded to the question. It had been quite some time since Yun had seen the soothsayer and besides, a short break in a relatively hidden place would be wonderful after all they had been through recently.

As expected, the place was in a total disarray, but even more surprising, Ik-Soo was in good health and spirits too. He almost seemed stronger than they had remembered. But when questioned, he just smiled, saying the Gods have been kind to him and that the future was bright for their Kingdom.

Hak scoffs, how could he be so sure when their enemies still held the throne.

“After a meal,” Ik-Soo smiles, “I will tell you more.” Then he bursts into tears and hugs Yun. “I missed you and your cooking!” Ik-Soo sobs unabashedly as the surprised young man grumbles and everyone chuckles. Stronger yes, but still the same ‘ole Ik-Soo.

A small feast was made with everyone pitching in. Jae-ha, Shin-ah, and Hak secured game and fish. While Yona, Kija, and Zeno find a few edible plants for Yun to cook with. Topped off with some high quality baijiu Jae-ha had managed to secure, it was turning into a very relaxing evening.

With everyone sitting around the hearth full and satiated, Hak brings up the last topic. “So, tell us more,” he sips his drink, “what did the Gods say to make you so happy?”

“It was of a destined tale full off heartache and strife...”

“Sounds miserable...” Hak mumbles and is quickly elbowed by Yona to keep quiet.

“... but also of strength and a perfect love that would guide this Kingdom for another century or more.” Ik-Soo grins. “I knew of much of the events of your lives, but the Gods have finally revealed the entire scheme to me. I cannot tell you everything, but now that you’ve realized your feelings for one another, I can tell you a little more of your tale.”

The rest of the group snickers, but Hak and Yona just sit there bright faced and in shock. How the hell did Ik-Soo know?! It’s a dumb question considering he knows all, but still the young couple were taken aback by it.

Zeno pipes in absolutely giddy. “Please, please tell us more!”

Again, Ik-Soo smiles and calmly continues. “Everyone’s paths are set into motion, a destiny if you will, that even when diverged from for short periods of time, will inevitably resume its course once more.”

He turns to Hak, staring the young man dead in his eyes, “though tragic it was to lose your birth family, it led you into the Wind tribe and Mundok’s care. This in turn led you to Yona,” he smiles at the Princess now, “as a protector, a partner, and eventually as the one who would sit beside her to bring peace to the people of this Kingdom.”

At this point everyone was just completely enamored with what Ik-Soo was telling them. Granted, it wasn’t surprising, except to maybe Hak and Yona who still denied much of their relationship’s reality.

Hak scoffs, destiny? Really? The idea of his life being led by something intangible was hard to fathom for his logic based mind. It’s as if he’s being told he was born to...

“Yes,” Ik-Soo cuts through Hak’s internal monologue. “Son Hak, your path has always been towards the two loves of your life, this Kingdom and the Princess.”

Jae-ha snickers and punches the thunder beasts shoulder. “Time you two get with the program! You love her, she loves you, we’re gonna take back this Kingdom, and everything’s gonna be great!”

“It will be wonderful again...” Zeno rocks his body with his arms weaved around his knees, reminiscing of a long ago time. “I’ve lived long for this moment.”

All throughout the story, Yona had sat quietly. She no longer doubted any of it, but was she really ready for what Ik-Soo was telling her?

“Princess Yona, do you remember when we first met and you felt you needed to figure out who and what you were before you could really do anything for your people? Since then, you have grown so much, have learned so much.” Ik-Soo smiles, “the strength you have now, shows you are ready. And remember you are not alone. They,” he gestures to the others, “are your support. Together as one, not alone, is how you will save this Kingdom...”

Later that evening, after everyone goes to sleep, Hak sneaks away into the surrounding forest to the river. It had been a lot of information to take in, in one night and he needed to think. He didn’t want to believe that this was all some grand plan, but he couldn’t deny how everything really did lead to this moment. Even the pain had a purpose.

He sits down near the waters edge, stretching out his legs and closing his eyes to the moon’s rippling glow. Hak sighs, it had never been his intentions to become a King, only to be Yona’s protector. To love her, even if it had been one-sided, for the rest of his life. Was that really something he was ready for?

A crackle in the brush alerts him. Hak turns to see Yona walking out of the tree line. “Couldn’t sleep either?” She queries with a small smile. He shakes his head and goes back to staring forward, reclined, propping his body up with his arms behind him.

Yona sits down next to Hak and closes her eyes briefly to let the soft white glow bathe her. “Hak, do you... do you think I’m really ready like Ik-Soo said?”

“I’ve always thought you were. But he’s right, you’ve come so far since leaving the castle...” Hak tilts his head, side-eying her with a glint, “You’re no longer that spoiled brat.”

“Oof!” Yona punches his arm. “Yeah, w-well you loved that spoiled brat too!”

Hak leans over and grabs her hand for the second blow, “you’re right, I did.” He narrows his eyes, “But I’ve come to love this stronger Princess even more.”

“Yona...” she breathes out as her cheeks flush, “call me by my name, I-I wanna hear you say my name.”

He moves into a full upright sitting position. “I thought you didn’t want me to forget...”

Her eyes crinkle at the edges as a sweet smile graces her face, “that was then. I know in my heart you’ll never forget my father and who I am. But now, I just want you to see me...” Yona looks down, “as a potential wife. I might not make a good one,” remembering his jokes about her, “but I’d do my best..”

Oh wow, was that still bothering her? Hak runs a hand down his face and laughs, “Yona, you’re the only girl I would ever marry.” He lifts her chin and chuckles, “whether you could do laundry or not. You’re stuck with me.”

“Does this mean I’m your betrothed now?” Yona asks meekly, her face flushing a deeper red. “If we really do get back home... I want you to be the King.”

That word causes Hak to pause again, ‘King,’ how is he really King material? Would he do a good job? His brows furrow in contemplation. He still wasn’t sure of that burden.

But Yona, sensing Hak’s trepidation, grabs his hand. “Stop doubting yourself! Destiny aside, Hak I know you’ll be great! You’re a natural leader, look at how the men on the battle field love you! Even my father...” moisture clouds her vision, “trusted you with his most precious thing. That alone should tell you how important you always were to this Kingdom.”

Hak is taken aback by Yona’s outburst. She really believes in him! He grabs her hand back, “Fine! If I have to stop doubting myself, then so do you! You‘ve become every bit the Queen I knew you could be!”

As they stare each other down, willing each other to just believe, it’s Yona that cracks first. She laughs and leans her forehead against their joined hands. “Hak did you ever think this is where we would end up one day?”

“No,” he mumbles.

Yona looks up, cupping his cheek with a soft smile. “Me neither, but I’m glad we did.”

Links for more stories found here:

@petrischronicles @petrisficlets

[ahumanintraining]

the promises I keep it doesn’t matter that you’ve lost track of how many years have gone by. 

zeno-centric. written for @akayona-zine! thank you mods for the opportunity and for the friends i’ve made along the way! [ao3 link]

Zeno doesn’t count the years anymore, and moreover, he doesn’t even remember the last time he ever counted in the first place.

The sun rises and falls, the moon waxes and wanes, and the stars spin endlessly around the night sky — no end or beginning to their journeys.

The seasons come and go: the snow melts into pink and purple blossoms before collapsing into the wind after their leaves turn to dust. Forever becomes finite: the river carves its current into the stones of its banks but shrinks as its land goes dry, the forest grows green but burns red, and the mountains climb high into the clouds but crumble into the ocean before it is too long.

But Zeno does not change — not with the days, not with the seasons, not like anything else that exists under this vast blue sky he has spent more than several hundred lifetimes watching. Time passes, but he does not move with it. There is no past, and there is no future. There is only the present, and he is always, only, and ever present.

He is the constant in the universe. He is the one thing that will never fade. He is the immortal river, the strongest rock, the unforgiving forest that persists beyond the cycle of life and death.

Sometimes this makes him feel like a god; other times he feels no more than a monster.

He’s thought every thought to think, and he’s lived every life there is to live. He’s seen all the very best versions of this world and experienced all the very worst of them; nothing surprises him anymore — which is why one day he is surprised when suddenly his midday contemplations are interrupted as a small paper falls past his nose to the ground by his feet.

“What’s this?” he asks himself, picking the slip swiftly between his fingers.

He reads it slowly, or at least attempts to. If there is something he still hasn’t learned to do despite his thousand-year life span, it’s how to keep up with the written language…  

Look behind you!

And then at once behind him —

“Surprise!”

Zeno blinks. Yoon holds out a large circular cake, Kija extends a claw of a large bouquet of flowers, Jae-ha wears a large mischievous smile on his face, Shin-ah and Ao lingers unapologetically close to him, Hak musters something more than a frown, and Yona carries a small box in the palm of her hand.

He still cannot determine what’s going on.

“Surprise?” Zeno asks, incredulous and — given the number of recent pranks — just as equally suspicious.

Well, they would certainly have him this time.

“Yes!” Kija exclaims.

They look at him as though they expect him to know precisely the situation, but Zeno knows that even with at least two thousand years of existence, there is still no amount of wisdom ever enough to comprehend everything that happens around him.

Still, he plays it off like he completely understands — after all, that strategy has worked successfully for the last several centuries.

“Ah, yes!” he shouts, throwing both hands up to the air. “Cake! I love cake!” He nods to the bouquet in Kija’s arms and the box Yona offers him. “And I love flowers and presents!”

Yona’s warm smile grows wider, and she giggles with a shake of her head. “I don’t think he gets it,” she remarks to the others.

“Idiot,” Jae-ha murmurs.

Taken aback, Zeno’s eyebrows furrow. “What don’t I get?” he asks.

“It’s your birthday!” Yona explains brightly.

“Birthday?”

Hak sighs loudly. “I told you he’d forget.”

“It’s August 30!” Kija reminds him. “Your birthday!”

Birthday. Ah, yes. His beginning.

Zeno laughs, embarrassed, shaking his hands out in front of him in defense of his ignorance. “Oh, no, no,” he explains. “I just didn’t realize that was something to still celebrate.” He looks at Yoon’s elaborately decorated cake, which — now that he looks at arrangement of the fruit, he can read that it spells out happy birthday in kanji — and smiles. “Thank you.”

“Of course, it’s something to celebrate!” Kija exclaims, bewildered as though that was the most preposterous things he’s ever heard.

Zeno gives them a small smile, taking the flowers from Kija and settling them onto his lap. “I barely remember how old I am,” he says softly.

And maybe the gravity of what he says suddenly settles over the group, but the silence afterwards is uncharacteristically loud.

Yona returns just as complex of a smile to him. “It doesn’t matter that you’ve stopped counting,” she says, ever remarkably wise for how little time she’s stood on the earth. “How long you’ve been here doesn’t matter. What matters is that you’re here with us.”

She opens the box in her hands. Inside, there is an intricately woven bracelet — braided red, gold, and black twine in spirals of patterns.

“I know you don’t like to own things,” she continues, taking both ends of the bracelet in her hands and holding it out to him. “But I hope this will remind you of all our friendships.”

He gives her his wrist, and she ties the bracelet securely around.

Over time, his birthday has become less of a celebration of his life and more of a reminder of his curse. In the past when he’s tried to enjoy the passing year, he’s lied to himself that he is mortal. But that has brought him more lasting pain than hedonistic pleasure, and after generations of trying to make the best of his situation, he’s learned the only way to cope with his immortality is to simply accept it.

Again and again. Reminding himself to look forward to nothing — because there is nothing to look forward to. Not for someone that doesn’t change, not for some life with no direction.

But now — as he looks at the happy faces around him — he thinks maybe there is something to anticipate with the passing years.

And he supposes this is what he appreciates the most. Time comes and goes, things live and die. Everything is predictable and expected — yet at the same time, always new friends provide him a new perspective in life, and suddenly the world around him looks new and unexperienced once again.

He knows this bracelet will eventually wear down — all the threads that hold it together will break and the friends whose memories it represents will pass — long before his undying body.

But yes, he will wear this for as long as time permits him. If there is one thing immortality grants, it’s the power to keep promises. For eternities.

He smiles. “Of course,” he replies.