<a href="http://desertcolossus.com/adventures/vi ... -------->A Cloaked Goron Guard - Parapa Desert</a>

It's Thursday. The sun is shining brightly, and the wind is blowing just slightly. Unlike most days, the courtyard is relatively quiet. A Goron kid and two Hylian boys are playing near the enormous fountain, having finally been given the open space to play their games.

A strange figure shrouded in mystery, and a deep black cloak, is standing by the fountain. His presence sends off a wave of foreboding. One of the children, a Hylian boy, runs into the man's leg while being chased by his counterparts. Falling back, the bot lets out a surprised yelp before looking up at the stranger.

Uh... Sorry, mister. Didn't see ya there.

The cloaked man does not move, it is as if the child's presence does not even phase him. Bewildered, the boy scampers off to play with his friends, not even considering the danger he has put himself in.

Inside the hood, the man thinks to himself, still unmoving. He'd be dead now had the scholar not asked me to hold my weapon. These... people... They are so undeserving of what they have.

The man, still unidentified, remains in the same position, observing his surroundings. Only once does he move, only to cross his arms with a sense of impatience. It is clear he is watching and waiting, but for who? Perhaps it's worth investigating. Do you approach him?

OOC: Of course you approach him!

IC: Taking one of his usual strolls through the courtyard, Victor smiled as he saw the children playing happily. He began to yearn for his childhood once more, to be one of those children, without a care. Sure, he was still relatively young, but he was an adventurer now. He had no time to play. Sighing with nostalgia, the Bard then spotted the cloaked man.

Deciding to make an attempt at friendliness, Victor walked up to man with one of his warm, hearty smiles on his face. Extending his hand for a shake, the Bard dismissed the man's shroud of mystery, as was his wont. Always seeing the good in people, Victor thought of the man not as a stranger, but a friend he hadn't met yet.

"Hello sir! My name's Victor, and I'm a bard. What, may I ask, are you doing here all alone?"

The man's voice has one tone. An empty, amost melancholy sound. Under the cloack and hood, the man was actually scowling at Victor's odd style of friendliness.

Why, I don't believe that it's any of your business. But you're an interesting fellow, Hylian. I can tell you're a cheerful person. You enjoy the persuasions of music, don't you? Hahaha, yes, I know many things that most "normal" people of my race should not. I tell you what, why don't I just go ahead and tell you what I'm doing here?

Because it's a secret, that's why! Hah! Just like you pompous Hylians, always finding some way into the business affairs of others. Very well then. I'm waiting, bard. Waiting for he who will ultimately seal the fate of this country. Yes, it does sound odd, doesn't it? So tell me, Victor, would you have me as an enemy, or an ally?

OOC: This is definitely going to go somewhere important, but little events like these really make up the big picture

Caught a little off guard at the man's monotone voice, Victor frowned a dissappointed frown when the man dismissed his handshake. Dropping his arm to his side, the Bard listened intently at the man's odd story. The 'pompous Hylians' statement stung a little bit, but in all Victor could see no reason to dislike the man, and so he offered his hand once again:

"Well, I'm certainly not looking to make any enemies! Consider me an ally in... whatever it is you're talking about. But... one thing, though. What is your name?"

My name is of no importance. Perhaps if you are lucky enough, and if you prove your worth, you may hear of it. Unfortunately for you, however, my real name is of highly classified. Should my identity be known of, it's all over. But you at least deserve to know just what race I am born of.

Grabbing the hood in his hands, the mysterious man reveals his face. The scales glimmer in the sunlight, but this Zora's sleek blue skin is a grim contrast to the normally graceful appearance of the waterfolk. Twisted scars and injuries form their way down the Zora's face, leading to his deformed features. And yet, as horrible as the burns and scars on his face are, one could easily tell the difference between this man and a "Mad Zora" of the riverways. While his face is a grim picture of battle and death, it still houses that undisputable Zora charm.

His left eye is slightly smaller than the right, and the veins are clear and visible. His mouth looks as if it has been untouched, but it still portrays a feeling of uncertainty.

So, Victor... you say you are an ally, not an enemy. Of that I am still uncertain. You must be tested, and of course, only one man has the power to grant you complete access to the secrets my organization holds. It's a shady deal, bard. Shall I continue?

Victor found himself staring at the man's wounds and deformities, hypnotized by the scars and wondering how they were acquired. He pulled himself out of this trance, however, just in time to hear the Zora's last question.

"Hmm? Oh, oh, yes. Please... continue."

Pulling the hood over his head as Victor answers, the laugh that the Zora barks out causes his face to jerk forward, and the hood falls off again. Pulling it back over, he lets out a few quieter laughs.

Ha, typical Hylian. Rushing into adventure without checking to see which side he's on. I will tell you, Victor, that I fight for the "good guys," but you yourself must decide whether our ideals are truly "righteous." What are our ideals? In time you will know. But first, you must head to the base. It's, uh...

The Zora looks around, as if his next statement is confidential.

It's in Parapa Desert. A man will be there, he will accomodate you. Look for the boulders. The password is "Selerovisk."

The Zora resumes his silence, and continues to wait for the man he had mentioned earlier.

Nodding his head slowly, Victor listened carefully to the man's whispered words. He thought it a bit strange that the man would redirect him elsewhere, but Victor did not argue. The Bard was now itching to find out what the big secret was.

"So, I should head to Pa- err, I mean, the place you said? Well then, I guess I'll be seeing you..."

And with one final glance at the man's hidden face, Victor left for the base, wondering what he had gotten himself into...

The Zora watches Victor depart, a malicious grin spreading across his concealed, scarred face. A second man in a dark cloak appears beside him.
Are you sure our leader would approve of you giving away the password so freely?

Of course. We need allies. I can feel a strong light in Victor. He'll be invaluable to our cause.

The Zora stares after the bard. Thoughts fill his mind, thoughts that are deep and disturbing. For this Zora's mind is as scarred as his face.

Go, Victor. Find the rest, you have no idea what you got yourself into today.

A rare sigh escapes his lips. If only he had been less like Victor when this had happened back then...