It was [I]touching[/I] him.

Maryev turned to face what he had initially expected to be a morally indignant mother or righteously emasculated man. Instead he found himself nearly eye-level with one of the largest Hylians he had ever seen. The man was blackened by soot, a mere labourer for warriors, but had an impressive physique of a man who was doubtless powerful, but Maryev reminded himself that a plow ox was also a powerful animal and peerless at its singular purpose, but not an intellectual or a fighter. Maryev was facing a man who likely used his physique to intimidate people before physical confrontation could occur. While coward was perhaps an incorrect term, the man likely never faced a life or death situation in his life. Maryev’s accuser was little more than a servant who was acting above his station. He paid little heed to the sword resting on his shoulder, but a mere toy at this close proximity. Had it not been for the prospect of offending every guard in the wretched village, Maryev would have gladly taught the uppity servant his place in the world- groveling in the mud alongside the child.

Instead, he replied, “I had suspected I caught sight of the Hero of Time and grew excited and forgot myself in my haste. The child was below my line of sight.” Maryev said dryly, firmly removing the offending and disgusting hand from his shoulder. Perhaps the servant would fail to see the sarcasm in the fact that nearly everyone in their adolescence was dressed like the Inquisitor, including some adults in an embarrassing display of immaturity of those who were supposed to be guiding and raising their insolent pups. One notable exception was a portly Hylian man who dressed up like a fairy in a costume far too tight to be dignified. Maryev did not care for the children, but he suspected having a man of such moral failings among them was a sign of the failure of Hyrule to protect its young. Disgusting. 

“I am but a humble entertainer, here to give the children pretending to be the Hero of Time a pretend monster monster to fear and heroically slay.” Maryev continued boorishly, the scent of charred meat driving him to disengage from this lout as quickly as possible. “Once I am paid, of course. I do not work for free. Now, unless you’re here to offer me my gems, then begone. I have no time for your insolence.” He growled from behind his helm, his features concealed. The Darknut had already discovered Hyrulian hospitality when he wasn’t able to disguise himself; more than a few fools had tried to drive spears and arrows into him. It was most inconsiderate. 

The Darknut considered the fact the Ox standing before him was going to continue to try to protect the virtue of the bratty child who was in serious need of discipline. It was [I]never[/I] too early to be taught the harsh realities of life, Maryev knew. The children here didn't even have to battle their fathers nearly nightly to earn their place at the dining hall. Of course they were fat; they never had to work to have their shrieking maws filled with excessive quantities of gruel. And yet, here was an Ox, staring dumbly at a man who'd killed likely a dozen or more better than he was. The Darknut pondered if Ox would be more or less grotesque with a few missing teeth.