Unnecessary Attention... [Vincent]

[Aereth]

Lake Hylia. A place of flowing, graceful and elegant beauty. Well, most days...

Today was one such glorious day, though. The water glittered and glistened with such a cheer that might make any stop to stare. Who could take their eyes away? It was such an absurd notion. Not only was the water beautiful, but the weather was perfect. The breeze twirled around the bridge that hovered over the massive lake like a comforting blanket. It was slow and cool, counteracting the heat of the sun perfectly. In contrast to the cool air, the warm kiss of sunlight on her skin was simply delightful.

While strangers simply walked the bridge to get from one place to another, Aeretheryn stood still – enthralled. She leaned over the side wall, peering down at the lake as if she simply wanted to become it. Her hair fell before her face, hiding her cheery expressions as she looked down. Her elbows had become slightly sore from holding up here weight against the stone for so long, but she did not care. She was too simple. Too easy to please.

Finally, she could not take it anymore. Standing atop the bridge was too far from the beauty she was so suddenly infatuated with. The lake had eroded since the bridge was built, and so it was much farther away than it might have been years ago. Ignoring the rest of the world she pulled her body up over the ledge, planting her feet firmly on the edge of the wall as she leaned forward to peer downward. It was only a few feet more than before and yet it seemed to make the lake a great amount further away. Such a drop it was... A drop she soon leaned further toward.

Before she took another breath, she leapt. As her wings had been hidden and she would have appeared as any other Hylian, it would look to passers-by that she took a leap from life. Drawing attention was certainly an unintentional effect, but she did not waste a single moment of thought on it. Her arms and legs spread as she fell, feeling the wind whip against her flesh every inch of the way. It was delightful. Sure, she could fly, but falling had such a different thrill to it. It felt free and unhindered. It wasn’t until she was nearly out of time that she made the effort to avoid a destructive landing. Her body suddenly reduced to a size only a couple inches tall. Still, she was falling too rapidly. Her wings beat rapidly against the wind to fight against the pace. She came to a stop just in time to be under a new threat. She had been spotted and apparently identified as food to a common fish that now raced toward her – clearly about to leap out of the water to gobble her up as if she were a bug hovering over the water. With a squeak, she flew upward and again...just in time. The fish’s mouth came dangerously close to catching her legs. Too close.

[Vincent Delaware]

Vince had planned on going hunting that day. He came suited and booted with only his bow and his long blade. He didn't think he'd fight anything but it was just in case. With his long blue coat billowing out all epic-like, he came to the bridge that crosses over Lake Hylia. Fortunately for him, today would not be a boring day as he saw someone leap over the edge to the lake below.

Was this person crazy?

Dashing over to the side, he looked down over to see someone falling then disappear. At the height he was at, Vince couldn't see her became a tiny fairy so he assumed the worse. Running his fingers through his hair, he grunted in frustration. How was he to get down there? As he turned around, a merchant's cart was rolling by...and it had a tarp on it. Acting quickly, Vince removed the tarp, ignoring the merchant's protests, wrapping around his arm then jumped off the side.

What the hell was I thinking!!!

Vince intended to use the tarp as a parachute once he got to the right altitude. With it rolled around his arm, it wouldn't catch air, so it wouldn't mess up his plan. Deciding it was time, he shifted his body, flipping through the air and opening his arms. Each hand held two corners so when the opened tarp caught the air, it acted as a parachute. Normally this would not have worked as the force would pull the tarp from his hand but he was super strong and wearing gloves, so none of that.

Floating down slowly, he swung he body back and forth, changing his falling pattern. Soon enough, he landed safely on land. Dropping the tarp, he spun around, looking out at the lake and saw nothing. Did he imagine someone jumping and falling? Was there some monster in the lake that ate the her if she did jump? Rubbing his eyes, Vince sighed in frustration.

[Aereth]

The fall had been tremendously exhilarating, but the fact that she had nearly been gobbled up was somewhat startling. Not that it mattered much. She didn’t, so there was nothing to worry about! With a new pep influencing her cheerful smile she looked up at the bridge she had inhabited just moments before. Even more surprising than her close-call to being food was seeing a body...parachuting down from above here, slowing drifting its way over to a shoreline.

How peculiar, this was. How curious! Perhaps he saw what fun he could have in following in her footsteps. He did not have wings, that was clear, so he had to resort to clever engineering of a sort. It seemed he was holding some short of sheet that was catching the air rather well. Perhaps, instead, he saw her jump and thought she needed saving, but what good would he have done by the time he got down there? With his makeshift parachute, he fell at a much slower rate than she did. Had she not been what she was, the impact of her body meeting the water would have been devastating already. No, he had to be enjoying his descent too!

Aereth grinned as she watched him. Her curiosity, that often drove her into odd predicaments, now influenced her to follow him. Just out of sight, she sped after the floating man. She arrived from behind, as his back was to the lake as he landed. Grasping on to his collar as he was tossing the tarp to the side, the fairy had to hold on tightly as he whipped around to look at the lake. Her miniscule and lightweight body could hardly be noticed in her current position. She could be perceived by the senses as a common bug.

Carefully, pulling herself along by the fabric of his clothes rather than flying, she climbed her way to his shoulder and peered over at his face. Surely by now he would feel her tramping about, so she did not waste time waiting to analyze him. “Wasn’t it just magnificent?” chirped her tiny voice. “Surely, you could not feel the luxury of the wind with all of those clothes on,” she commented as she pushed the material with her foot. He wore so much, while she wore so little. Certainly, she would have enjoyed it so much more than he.

[Vincent Delaware]

Adjusting the quiver on his back and bow on his shoulder, he muttered something about jumping off a bridge under his breath. It was a slightly insane thing to do. If it wasn't for the tarp, he would of been in serious trouble. Although, he probably would of found a different way down if the merchant's cart wasn't there at that moment. Deciding it was time to move on, since he didn't see her anywhere, he was about to turn and move when a tiny voice spoke into his ear.

Standing completely still, he assumed someone had sneaked up on him and was now behind him. He decided that making any sudden movements would be bad, in case the person he believed was behind him would strike. So instead, he responded in kind.

"Uh, it was just fine. I felt pressure as I descended and a weird feeling in my stomach as if I was about to throw up. Not much a sky diver." The feeling of something small poking his shoulder was strange. If someone was behind him, how big would they be to have a tiny voice like that and touch him with such a small object that had to be a body part? "May I ask who you are?"

[Aereth]

The girl could not suppress her giggle. His reactions were adorable. The body she was perched upon had suddenly become stiff after she had spoken. It was as if he did not know she was there. Or, that he knew how fragile a tiny body like hers might be and that she was currently at risk of being struck by his chin were he to turn his head in the direction of her voice. Either way, Aereth was amused. Oh, how easy it would be to toy with him, but should she? Maybe...just a little.

The little woman flew up from his shoulder and pulled some of the long brown hair away from his ear. Oh, and how soft it was...for a man. "Perhaps, you just need more practice!" she chuckled into his ear. She then fluttered over to the other side of his head to speak again. "One becomes accustomed to that gut-wrenching sensation, I assure you.”

Then, she flew backward to give herself even space to change again. Perhaps he would be more comfortable with a form more his size... In a haze, her body grew within seconds to amount to that of the average hylian woman. Her feet still hovered over the ground as she leaned over his ear to speak again. “It is Aeretheryn of Faron to whom you speak,” came a more wholesome voice, cool and calmer than the cheery voice heard before. “For what purpose did you follow me, I wonder?” she thought aloud. Was he adventuring for a thrill as she was?

As her feet finally met the ground, her wings folded then were absorbed by her magic – hidden once again to make her appear as any ordinary hylian. “Surely, you did not go out of your way in hopes of rescuing me...”

[Vincent Delaware]

Something pulled at his hair and spoke into his ear. It had to be a tiny being. Then the same thing occurred on the other side of his head. Definitely a tiny being. Was it a bug? No, bugs don't talk. Then what could it be? Lost in his own thoughts, he didn't become aware of what she was doing until she spoke to him again. Aeretheryn of Faron? A beautiful name. Faron as in Faron Woods? An inhabitant most likely otherwise why would she take the name?

Turning towards her, he took a step back to get a good look at her. She looked Hylian but she couldn't be. Doing what she did, to become tiny, she was either a Minish or a Fairy. Most likely the latter. Crossing his arms across his chest, he went over the information she gave him before responding.

"Well, to be perfectly honest, I didn't go out of my way to rescue you. I was just going to go hunting. Probably find some game on the fields or enter the mountain passes and lower the Bulblin population by a vast majority. Nothing really important to force me to choose. By the way, I'm Vincent Delaware, it's a pleasure to meet you, Aeretheryn of Faron." He said with a smile.

[Aereth]

Her eyes sparkled happily and her smile widened as the man turned to face her. She leaned to one side, placing a hand on her hip as he looked at her – probably assessing what she was. But, how could she know what was going on in his mind? The first things humans tended to look for was beauty, but the thoughtful expression he bore did not speak of such a mindset. He was too calculating it seemed. His words confused her a little, though. He claimed that he was simply going hunting, rather than following her to save her. Yet... why would he have followed her down from the bridge in such a way, then?

In perfect honesty, it disturbed her somewhat how he expressed his intentions for the Bulblin population. She could perfectly understand the hunting of game for food or financial reason, but to purposefully target a population? It seemed cruel... He seemed too nice. It couldn’t be true.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Vincent Delaware,” she murmured softly as she bowed her head respectively. Aereth then took her own turn in eyeing him. It was clear from the beginning that he was human, even without seeing his ears through his long hair. What she looked for now was for indicators of other sorts. Indeed, he had a bow for hunting, but he also carried a sword. Was it ceremonial or necessary? Sticking her foot out to lightly nudge the side of the blade, she spoke again, “Expecting trouble?”

She beamed a smile and lifted herself onto her toes. “What if the Bulblin population fights back!” she joked. Her giggle then could not be contained, thoroughly amused with herself. She was aware they could be dangerous, though she did not understand why one would seek them out.

[Vincent Delaware]

He glanced down at his scabbard when she poked it...with her foot. What an odd way to poke something and with her bare feet too. She had to be a fairy, since she didn't seem to possess any animal features pertaining to a respective animal if she were a minish. As for her question, trouble was everywhere, no matter the form it took.

"In my line of work, one must always expect trouble."

Which was true. In both aspects of his job, he must always expect trouble. Being a Warden, fighting for the side of Good, the minions of Evil would try to get rid of him. Being a Dragon Slayer, dragons might try to eliminate him. So trouble usually always happened.

"Well, if the Bulblins fought back, I'd continue on with the fight and eliminate them. Reason for doing such an act is because I've heard reports that multiple tribes have infested the mountain passes and have been harassing adventurers. I think it's time to depopulate them a bit. Plus, destroying the Emperor's minions would surely piss him off if a big enough chunk is taken out of them."

Adjusting the quiver on his back, he turned his head to scan the lake and the surrounding area. Vince had never been down here before, so he wondered if there was a way back up. Turning back to her, he smiled again, finding her hysterics amusing.

"So how are you doing on this fine day, Aeretheryn of Faron?"

[Aereth]

“In your line of work?” she repeated curiously in a mere murmur as he spoke, not truly wanting to interrupt his speech. Her hands folded behind her back as she listened to his response and she leaned her head forward as if she could not hear. She wondered what his line of work might be. He seemed the adventuring type... Not afraid to get his hands dirty, though laden with a sort of dignity that might drive him to always be presentable.

Her head tilted as she analyzed his words. “Harassing adventurers...” she muttered in a disappointed tone. Her smile faded into a frown and she shook her head. “That is a shame and quite threatening, I cannot disagree. But...”

The woman’s smile slowly curled back into the corners of her glossy lips. “Has there been any attempt to speak with them?” she asked in a sort of motherly tone. “To question why they might be moving into these areas. One must wonder if these adventurers have not also been in the wrong. Men are not always the innocent. Perhaps the Bulblin have a reason worth hearing.”

The fairy’s eyes wandered away for a moment, looking up at the sky as if it held answers. In reality, her mind was wandering about the possibilities. Her emerald eyes returned to take in his expressions before she continued. “If they do not, what would be the purpose of angering the Emperor by slaughtering his minions without first establishing oneself as a seeker of peace? Would that not provoke him into war?”

Her smile brightened again and her body lifted up onto her toes, almost in a playful manner. “It is merely a thought. I mean not to scold, I assure you. It is indeed a fine day and I am doing quite well. There is not a thing in the world I have to complain about...” Her body turned slightly to face the body of water behind him. Her final statement was mostly true.

[Vincent Delaware]

"Talk with a Bulblin? For one they are uncivilized monsters that attack others in sight. So it would be nigh impossible to strike a conversation while trying not to get killed. That alone is reason enough to place them on the headsman's block. Attacking adventurers unprovoked is justification for their deaths."

He finished with a sigh. She was too innocent. Bulblins were monsters and as monsters, they needed to be exterminated. Well, that's how Vince saw it. The human race needed to be protected and the best way to do that is to get rid of other lesser races. The monsters were the best choice since they consisted of a lot of different creatures.

"As for pissing off the Emperor, that's for my personal gain. We would inevitably have to face off against him and his minions, so why not level the playing field? Anyways, it's good you are doing well. I apologize if my intent towards the Bulblins have distressed you or something."

[Aereth]

“How do you know they were unprovoked? Were you there to witness?” she retorted quickly. Though she did propose arguments, she somehow managed to maintain a cheery tone. She still represented an ever-present happiness that was nearly impossible to stir. “If they are so uncivilized, why is it they have a hierarchy? If so barbaric, why not simply run rampant without any organization?”

Her head turned the other way, narrowing her eyes playfully – as if challenging him. “If you alone are capable of eliminating such a large portion of the Bulblin population that would cause their Emperor stir, how is it leveling the playing field? You have made it sound as if it would be easy to take them down. Why then are they a threat? Would it not be easy to simply push them back away from human territory? Besides...”

Her hand reached out, daringly grasping on to his jacket, before she moved around his side and tugged him to follow by turning around. Her free hand pointed out toward the lake before them. “Why fight when such beauty possesses our world?” Her shoulders turned just slightly so that she could look back at him. “That is a thing I will never understand of you creatures... You depend so greatly on your blade, when all it brings is harm to the world that bore you. Can not a lesson be taught without death?”

As much as she agreed with her words, her curiosity still guided her mind too wildly. As evil as she found weapons to be, she also found them profoundly interesting. It was exciting in a way... She felt a strong urge to follow him... To go with him on his hunt and see how he held his bow, or how he swung his blade. How interesting men were...

“Never mind that, dear. I am simply keeping you from your duty with this debate. Were you not on your way to hunt?”

[Vincent Delaware]

He slowly raised his hand up and performed a classical facepalm. It was starting to get annoying. She just doesn't understand. Well, fairies are neutral in all these affairs, so they wouldn't see it. Vince already explained himself, he wasn't about to go into detail since it wouldn't change anything. She'd still be against what he wanted to do and he'd be back to square one.

"I was on my way to hunt but then I jumped off a bridge after you. Is there even a way out of this place?"

Looking around, there had to be a way out of this place. Hopefully the way up to the Zora's Domain wasn't the only way. That would be one hell of a climb. Well, maybe he could scale the lake's mountainous walls but not without a grappling hook at least.

[Aereth]

It was obvious that the man was not as amused by her arguments as she was. She knew that humans would not see eye to eye with her and she did not exactly expect him to, she was simply putting it out there. How irritated he seemed...and how amusing that was!

Aereth's eyes wandered to follow where his gaze seemed to point. Certainly he was noticing the same issue she figured he was posed with. The lake was surrounded with cliffs. It was likely his only way back up was to climb. The cliffs were rather steep, which would seem daunting to any less fortunate than she - to be born without the luxury of wings. There was another route, but it was a rather long one.

"My way from here is rather simple. For you, I imagine it would be much more complicated. You have two choices," she started, turning toward the bridge and pointing toward the cliff wall. “Dare to climb your way to the top, or...” She turned again, this time in the opposite direction. Her finger now pointed off to the opposite end of the lake that was hardly in view. “There is an opening where the lake becomes a river. The land softens as you go, and will allow you to backtrack over these very cliffs.”

She turned back to him then with the same happy smile, despite his discomfort. “If you choose the cliffs, I swear to assist you. My kind are quite adept in white magic. You need not fear injury.”

[Vincent Delaware]

Turning back to the wall, he grimaced. That would definitely pose a problem. Even with her white magic, it would take quite awhile. Not that he feared injury, it was just a long climb. No doubt he could do it without a grappling hook but it would be difficult and he wasn't out here today to do hard work, he was out to have some fun and relax. Turning to look the other way, he could hardly see the way out but didn't doubt she was telling the truth. That would be the way for him to go.

"Well, it seems I'll be taking the easy way out. You're welcome to join me if you like, I wouldn't mind the wonderful company."

And with that, he set out to walk the shoreline in the direction she had pointed out. He wasn't sure of the exact way out, so having her along to act as the guide would be helpful. Well, he probably could find the river but why do it alone? If he could veer the conversation away from violence, he could probably find the finer aspects of having her as a chatting companion...or something like that.

[Aereth]

Aereth simply watched the changing expressions of her new acquaintance as he looked around. Whatever he chose, it would be an adventure. Either he faced the challenge of the cliff wall, or trekked along a route she figured he had never traveled. Based on his expressions it certainly seemed like he leaned toward walking and his speech said the same. What surprised her, though, was the invitation included in it.
Wonderful company? She felt so flattered! So far she had gotten the impression that he simply wanted away from her. She was delighted to be told otherwise.

“Oh!” Aereth moved to follow. Just as soon as her foot began to crunch into the sand, it pulled away. Her body rapidly lost mass, transforming into a two-inch woman encased in glittery light once again. Declining his invitation did not seem an option in her mind. So, she zipped toward the exiting human in a hurry. Once she caught up, she fluttered around his shoulder then matched his speed to float but a few feet ahead of him.

“It is quite a long walk, you see. The hunt you had planned will surely suffer. I feel I must apologize for that.”