Do you wish to see a real magic trick?
It all moved a bit too fast for Archer, gathering his cards still, to follow with any sort of coherence. Some haughty voice chiding from somewhere beyond the corner of his eye, and the cracking of a whip: separated from his nose only by his brother’s intervention. A gentle waving of the hand, a gust good for a few steps back.
Whatever had happened, Archer didn’t like – and he didn’t like that whoever had tried to strike him was still talking, either.
"The masked person isn't…”
Archer felt his ears ringing, as the blood in his gut came rushing to his head. In his palms, heated fists burst into calcium flame, gloves of ragged fire crackling and spitting about his hands.
“Sorry, pal – can’t quite make out what you’re sayin’ on account of all the teeth I’m about to punch down your throat,” he replied, cracking burning knuckles against his live palm and motioning to step forwards, “Speak up, open wide for me.”
Zephyrus was between them before Archer had covered half the ground, face straight, eyes full and judgemental.
“I think that’s far enough, brother. We aren’t here for a brawl.”
"Relax, I’m just gonna show him a magic trick.”
“Archer.”
"It’s like fire swallowing but in reverse.”
“Archer...”
"’cause I’m gonna ram it up his a—”
“That is enough. We are here in company, including that of children.”
"Can I at least shove him into an open grave?”
“Please find your centre.”
"I’ll only bury him a little bit. Like, the bare minimum of burying.”
“Bare him no mind, and retain your dignity. Magic is no toy, and is worthless without discipline. ”
"How about just a really shallow hole?”
“Archer. ”
A tense moment passed between the two, before Archer murmured bitterly under his breathe, and unclenched his fists. The fire tethered therein dissipated, leaving nothing but the residual heat behind. Archer felt it throbbing in his palms.
"What good is a trained Sheikah warrior that doesn’t fight, anyway?”
“I fight when I need to. That’s the difference between a trained warrior and a conman.”
"I always figured it was my ability to smile. Laugh. Feel emotions in general, really.”
Zephyrus opened his mouth to riposte, when a new voice drew his attention. A voice which chimed distinctly. Zephyrus was pleasantly surprised to find it was a fairy: small and agile. Radiant, and wise.
He had a great respect for them, size aside. He had heard many a legend of fairies guiding children through the woods, and heroes towards their conquest.
Archer, however, had great respect only in the monetary sense. He knew a fairy sold well in the darker recesses of Castle Town.
As she spoke, he cursed himself silently. Not a net, not a jar. Not even a water skin.
"Today of all days, I leave my water bottle at home…”
"I am here to tell you that Ganondorf is coming." gαηση∂σяƒ ιѕ ¢σмιηg... gαηση∂σяƒ ιѕ ¢σмιηg...
"Mmmwhat now?”
"--but the Hero of Time... is not." нєяσ σƒ тιмє ιѕ ησт... нєяσ σƒ тιмє ιѕ ησт...
"Buh-yyyye,” Archer turned on his heel, and walked briskly past Zephyrus, before being caught by the sleeve of his jacket.
"Wh- I- c’mon Zeph, this isn’t spooky enough yet?”
"I’m not going to lie to you. This will be a dangerous undertaking and I cannot promise your survival. The choice is, as always, yours.”
"You hear that? Optional! Let’s go get some grub and some shuteye.”
“I can’t. My duty is to the royal family and their Kingdom.”
"You can’t expect me…”
“No. Just as I can’t ask the river to run uphill. You are welcomed to whatever path you should feel best suits you.”
"But?”
Zephyrus tilted his head forwards, indicating to Griz as they stepped forwards to swear themselves loyal to the cause.
"Oh, that is dirty.”
Zephyrus released Archer’s sleeve, and folded his arms. Archer looked longingly towards the gates, and Kakariko village, before slumping his shoulders.
"Fine. But I’m your favourite brother, right?”
“You’re my only brother… but still no.”
The two smiled wryly at one another, before Zephyrus stepped forwards, and bowed humbly to Lethe’s tiny figure.
“There is no death better befitting a Sheikah, than in the line of duty.”
"I’d just like to make it clear now that I intend on living forever.”
ButtsnBalls