[center][img]https://txt-dynamic.static.1001fonts.net/txt/dHRmLjcyLjE5MWNmMC5TMjlxWVEsLC4y/still-time.regular.png[/img] [color=0072bc][b]Deity:[/b][/color] Nayru [color=0072bc][b]Time/Date:[/b][/color] Day 1, Morning [color=0072bc][b]Location:[/b][/color] Next to the Inn, in the back of a wagon in a tank beneath a cloth tarp [color=0072bc][b]Tagging:[/b][/color] Open[/center] As the sun peaked the mountains, bathing Hyrule in its sacred light, at Dueling Peaks Stable, the cuckoo crowed to inform the residents that it was time to rise. As routine, the fire at the Inn was started, Tasseren with the excitable boys, Darton and Shibo, went outside to tend to the painted steeds. Treasure hunters and traveling merchants started to pour out of the Inn, the merchants setting up shop hoping to catch the eye of a wanderer. It was another morning at Dueling Peaks Stable, and another night survived. Every night, when the sun went down, the land was haunted by undead beasts. With Hylia’s light set for the night, the demons sprouted from the earth eager to take as many souls before the night ended. Stepping out of the Inn, stretching his brown arms high into the air, was one of the traveling merchants—a connoisseur of exotic animal ingredients. He had so far stayed at the stable for two days, selling his products, and most especially, putting on display his most exotic of creatures. The man in a simple dark-gray tunic and blue trousers approached a wagon loaded with sacks, crates, and jars. In the center of it was a tall, rectangular shape beneath a beige cloth tarp. Bugut rested his hands on the back of the cart and climbed into the back of the wagon. Stepping over to the tarp, he stooped to grasp it and throw it over, revealing the glass tank and the red creature curled and sleeping upon the floor. “Rise and shine Koja!” Bugut called. The Zora’s right eye parted in a golden slit as he groggily peered up at the merchant. A flurry of bubbles left his gills as he pushed off the tank bottom to drift upright. Stretching his own arms, Koja yawned, showing a maw of shark-like teeth. [color=0072bc][b]“Morning,”[/b][/color] he sleepily greeted. “Did you sleep all right?” Bugut asked as he opened one of the crates to remove some salted Hyrule Bass. Koja frowned softly at the ground. He was always left outside when night fell, and beneath the tarp he often heard scary things that kept him up. While everyone was safe inside the Inn, he was outside at the mercy of whatever it was and he had no way of finding out if the noises he heard were monsters. He didn’t want the monsters to find him. Hesitantly, he answered: [color=0072bc][b]“…yeah, I guess.”[/b][/color] Bugut reached up and dropped three fish into the tank and smiled as Koja swam over to them, catching the fish between his teeth and chomping them down. “Don’t worry; we’ll only be here for one more day, and then we’ll go somewhere different.” With full cheeks, Koja’s eyes widened a little in fright, [color=0072bc][b]“But I like it here. I don’t see too many horses.” He also refrained from telling him that Darton and Shibo had actually been visiting him in secret and telling him many horse stories. “It’s small and quiet. The fields are pretty (when I get to see them). It’s nice.”[/b][/color] Bugut nodded as though he were listening but his mind was still set on moving on. “There are more stables. I’m planning on going after a rumor.” Koja tilted his head. [color=0072bc][b]“What rumor?”[/b][/color] “The one about a hidden village north of here. They must not get much business, so they’ll be starving for whatever I bring. Doesn’t that excite your inner adventurer?” A hidden village? What if Bugut never found the hidden village? Then they would be at the mercy of Bokoblins or running out of travel rations. Koja tried not to look so glum. [color=0072bc][b]“It may be dangerous. Maybe we should hire some protection?”[/b][/color] Bugut reached up to grasp the tarp and guffawed, “Ha! Protection? I am your protection. I’ve kept you safe this far haven’t I? We’ll be fine. Besides, bodyguards cost money! I’m going to go get some breakfast at the Inn. I’ll come back later when it’s time for your performance.” Koja nodded. [color=0072bc][b]“Okay.”[/b][/color] Under the tarp again.