At the Graveyard.

[blindcourage]

[The skies are dark and overcast, and chilled snow drops quickly from the clouds above, down onto the Kakariko Graveyard. It's fitting, perhaps, for a place of the dead. Living souls, however, are not too terribly fitting for a place of the dead.]

[A man walks slowly, carefully, across the graveyard, snow crunching loudly beneath his worn,

Comments

[twilit_scholar]

[Shad does not frequently come to the graveyard; it gives him an uncomfortable sensation. But he has come across, in his readings, mentions of this or that tomb that has him curious, so he comes there today to see what he can learn.

It is not readily apparent to him that the stranger can't see. The way the man is walking looks, from Shad's angle, like he may be ill or injured.]

I beg your pardon; are you all right?

[blindcourage]

[The man turns slowly in Shad's direction, instinctively shutting his eyes at the sound of another person's voice. No use showing off his highly unusual eye-color to someone he's only just encountered, after all. He lifts his right arm to scratch uneasily at the back of his neck.]

I wouldn't exactly say I'm 'all right'. I'm uninjured... but disoriented, I'll have to admit.

Could you tell me where I am?

[twilit_scholar]

Certainly, good sir. You're in the graveyard of Kakariko Village.

[Of all people in this Hyrule, Shad possibly comes closest to relating to this Link in his blindness. As was discovered during the clothing swap of several weeks back, Shad is nearsighted almost to the point of blindness if deprived of his spectacles. He still isn't quite sure what's wrong with this gentleman, though the closed eyes make him wonder.]

Perhaps I can offer you some direction to where you seek to go?

[blindcourage]

Kakariko Graveyard...

How can this be? [He extends his palm, allowing a few snowflakes to drop into his hand.]

It's not even wintertime.

[The man's brow furrows, and his expression seems questioning.] I don't seek to go anywhere... I'm only seeking to discover the answer to the cause of my confusion.

[twilit_scholar]

Ah. I think I understand...you're new.

[Shad moves closer to the other man.]

This Hyrule is not the Hyrule you know. All of we who dwell here have come from different versions of Hyrule -- some in the future, some in the past, some which are copies of another. No one is certain how or why. But here we are, and here we must remain until the powers that be deem it otherwise. I'm sorry, I do realize this is confusing. My name is Shad; would I be correct in guessing that yours is Link?

[blindcourage]

...Is that so.

[It's not phrased as a question, more of an admission of defeat. He folds his arms, and taps his foot as he thinks.]

This isn't good. I need to return to my own time very urgently... You're certain there's no way to return?

[And in his sudden worry, he forgets to keep his eyes shut, revealing their bizarre color combination for Shad to see.]

[twilit_scholar]

No, I know of no one who has found one as yet -- and believe me when I say many have tried.

[He tries not to stare at the other man's eyes.]

Can I be of any assistance? I can't return you to your own Hyrule, but I can at least offer you hospitality while you decide what to do next.

[blindcourage]

Hm. Seems I'll have to assist them in searching for a way out.

[He takes on a thoughtful look, and idly drums his fingers against his arm.]

I'm unwilling to impose, but some hospitality would be appreciated.

[He smiles self deprecatingly.] It's probably stupid for one such as myself to be wandering aimlessly around an unfamiliar land, after all.

[twilit_scholar]

You are more than welcome, if you'll accompany me back to the village. I share a residence with a few friends, and there's always room for one more.

[He studies the strange eyes for a few minutes, and nods to himself, realizing that they can't see him -- after all, the man would have commented by now on the fact that Shad is staring.]

Will you take my arm?

[blindcourage]

[He nods, gratefully.] I appreciate your generosity, Shad.

[Link reaches out slowly to take the man's arm.]

I apologize. I figure guiding a blinded man isn't something you expected to be stuck doing today. [He manages a small laugh.]

[twilit_scholar]

No apologies necessary, friend.

[Shad waits to make sure Link has a firm grip on him before he starts moving.]

I wear spectacles, myself, and I can barely see without them. Some time back I had the misfortune to lose them, so I required assistance in moving around much like this. It's only fair that I do as much for someone else.

[He guides Link carefully away from the tombs.]

Which Hyrule is yours, if I might inquire? What has happened there, prior to your arrival here?

[blindcourage]

I can imagine that must have been a stressful experience for you. I'm still getting used to my...condition, myself.

[Link takes on a pensive look, and his eyes seem to waver again.]

I can't say which Hyrule is mine, for I wouldn't know in comparison to this one. As for what has happened... Darkness threatens my land, and I have been searching for a mythical blade to defeat it.

[twilit_scholar]

[Shad nods thoughtfully, then remembers that his new friend can't actually see that.]

You say darkness threatens your land? Is it by chance called the Twilight?

[blindcourage]

[Link frowns, trying to remember. No...he had never heard anything of that nature mentioned in reference to the evil assaulting his Hyrule.]

It isn't... The only Twilight I know of is the time of day.

[twilit_scholar]

(ooc: Sorry for the delay, I've been sick.)

Hmm. I wonder what the nature of the darkness which attacked your Hyrule was, then. You see, in my own time, the land was besieged by a magical darkness called the Twilight, and it was a lengthy effort -- largely by the hero, a man who greatly resembled you and shared your name -- to restore it to rights. So when you mentioned darkness, I thought perhaps you came from a Hyrule like my own. But it seems we are from different times.

[He guides Link carefully past the cemetery gates, mindful of stones in the road.]

[blindcourage]

[ooc: N-no problem, I was certainly later than you. DDX]

[Link nods in response, walking slower than usual at the stones. He wasn't clumsy, per se, but he'd rather not trip and receive any unfortunate injuries.]

Hm, I see. The Twilight seems like an appropriate name for a force of darkness, nonetheless.

[He bites on his tongue, thinking.]

The source of the darkness in my own time was one we all called the Assassin Lord. Though I believe him to possess another name as well.

[Ganon.]