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Big, fat snowflakes fall lazily from the sky which only reminds Teba far too much of the blizzard from a couple of years ago.
Most of the village is being covered by Medoh - who had returned at some point after that whole disaster - along with the Stormwind Ark. However, neither could fully block the chilly winds and snow that followed it but they did their best.
Teba still doesn’t quite understand much of what happened, especially not what Link and Tulin had told him. The world is falling apart, some great evil from the past, time travel, and even the Sage of Wind Storm Wind. Teba decided to accept that Hyrule is strange and move on.
The Sage of Wind tends to hang around his ship or at the top of the center rock with Medoh. A strange Rito that reminds him of both Revali and Tulin. This makes sense if they go down the ‘Storm Wind is their ancestor’ route, maybe not Revali’s ancestor as far as they know, but Teba can’t say much about the matter since he doesn’t even know where he came from.
(Apparently, Storm Wind isn’t even the only Sage to return back from the dead either. Much like how the Champions did; even though Revali refuses to look at it that way. There’s even a plan for everyone to meet up at Lookout Landing at some point.)
Life can be crazy sometimes.
Maybe not right now.
The whole family is at home in Rito Village and planning on riding out the storm together. Tulin and Revali are working on Tulin’s homework at the table; though Teba doubts that either one is understanding what’s being taught with the way their conversation is going.
Saki has taken it upon herself to make some dinner with Link’s help. Their son has found some time to come visit from Tarrey Town. Link talked about how much he missed them and how it felt weird not having them around as much anymore. However, both Saki and Teba always point out that Link is welcome to come back home whenever and that he has a really good job as well. Saki had changed the topic to something that had happened earlier today.
Teba has been working on some paperwork that needs to be done. He has been working on a few trade deals with others around Hyrule but also some places outside of Hyrule as well. It’s stressful and Teba does not know how Kaneli didn’t have graying feathers before he got old. He’s also not looking forward to the business trip during the summer to a neighbouring country.
Link has expressed interest in tagging along and Teba wouldn’t mind making the trip a family one instead. None of them had the chance of leaving Hyrule so it would be nice to do that. Teba will have to talk to Saki about it first though.
“Seems that we’re going to be snowed in for the night,” Revali said; having looked outside. “You think everyone is buckled in alright?”
“I’m sure everyone is just fine.” Saki was in the middle of cutting some vegetables when she answered. “It won’t be our first big storm.”
“Save for the blizzard!” Tulin accidentally smacks Revali in the face; sinking back and making a quick apology. “I mean, it was the biggest storm that we have ever seen and hopefully the only huge storm we’ll see.”
“Don’t get your hopes up,” Revali said. He pushes Tulin back down when the younger Rito jumps to his feet. Tulin huffs and knocks Revali’s wing away. “This land holds so many secrets, maybe another blizzard is on the horizon.”
“Alright that’s enough, Rev, we don’t want to scare the poor kid,” Link said over his shoulder, smirking when Revali looked over him. Link brought over a plate of cookies that he and Saki were working on before deciding on dinner; he held it out for his brothers to take them. “The Wind Temple has done enough damage for that.”
“Ha, ha very funny Link.”
Teba and Saki share a look between them. They are very proud of their sons and can’t wait to see what the future has in store for them. Link has been working at the Lucky Clover Gazette as one of their top reporters, Tulin is working on finishing school and maybe continuing schooling in a college outside of Hyrule, and Revali has taken over as the flight school teacher and training the future of Rito Warriors.
Each of their sons has a bright future ahead of them; doesn’t mean that their parenting job is over but a little less stressful at least.
That’s when the sounds of heavy wings startled everyone.
It’s long since gotten dark and most of the lights have been placed on low but Teba can make out the shape of a Rito. A familiar Rito. Teba steps away from the door when Storm Wind comes into the light and takes off his hood; shaking off the snow and taking a moment to adjust to the warmth of the house.
“Let me tell ya, don’t go flying in a snowstorm unless you don’t want frozen feathers.” The ancient accent is still jarring and very out of place; similar to Link’s own voice before it died away which Link did express that he was sad about but moved on after a while. “How’s the family?”
“Grandpa Storm Wind!” Tulin hops up and happily wraps his wings around Storm Wind, with the Rito quickly scooping the kid up and swinging the two of them. “I thought you weren’t coming down?”
“Thought about it but decided that I rather spend time with my family.”
Link came over and offered out a cookie. “Good to see you again, Storm Wind.” Link wasn’t expecting Storm Wind to ruffle his hair and duck down a bit.
“It’s Grandpa Storm Wind if you want, kiddo.” Storm Wind takes a cookie and nods at him. “We’re family after all, isn’t that right Revali!” The Sage turns to Revali, who had stood up at this point. “Oh come on, give old grandpa a hug.”
Revali gives a look at Teba - mostly playing up the whole distance Champion that long been out of use - but the Chief playfully motions for Revali to go ahead. His son is old enough to decide what he wants to do and doesn’t need Teba saying anything.
It’s a brief hug but it’s enough for both Storm Wind and Revali.
Storm Wind suddenly traps Teba in a hug as well. It reminds him far too much of Tulin when the kid was younger; not a bad thing but can be a bit much. It’s good that the Sage didn’t try pulling Saki into a hug since she’s still holding a knife.
“What brings you here, Storm Wind?” Teba asks after the Sage pulls away.
It’s awkward to call Storm Wind ‘grandfather’ since Teba never actually knew his family, and does not view this random Rito as family. Orphaned at a young age and forced to grow up mostly by himself. Luckily, he had Harth, Kaneli, and a few others as saving graces and Teba will always be thankful for them.
Having Storm Wind come throwing himself into Teba’s life has been a learning curve.
“What? Can’t I come to see the family?” Storm Wind question, almost like he’s questioning Teba’s authority or something. It’s very undermining and Teba hates it. However, there’s a brief moment where it looks like Storm Wind is scared of what Teba is going to say. “Anyways, it doesn’t matter.”
Saki had put the knife down after Storm Wind went back to the kids and placed a wing on Teba’s shoulder; trying to get him to calm down. However, the anger that’s been building up feels like it’s going to explode any moment. He doesn’t want to do that in front of his children and decided to push it down for now.
…
Dinner was going quite well, actually.
Which is why when Teba suddenly blows up it felt like it came out of left field. Even though it’s been a slow buildup over the last year or so since Storm Wind came into their lives; almost like a blizzard. Teba decided it was best to leave before he said anything else that he’d regret.
None of his kids were surprised by his outburst.
Teba went straight into the snowstorm - barely noticing the difficulty of walking through the built-up snow - and made it to the goddess statue at the bottom of the village.
With a heavy sigh, Teba sat down on the stairs and tried to ignore the child that threatening to consume him now that he had stopped. He wants to focus on his anger and the building hatred, but it all disappears and he is left feeling empty and cold.
The winds suddenly got cut off and Teba grabbed the edge of a Snowquill Jacket, not sure what had just happened.
“I guess that I messed up, huh?”
Teba looks over to see Storm Wind leaning against the railing; suddenly looking so much older and tired than Teba was expecting, completely forgetting that there’s a reason why the Rito is called the Ancient Sage of Wind.
“Wouldn’t be the first time.”
“Yeah, well you came in and forced yourself into our lives.” Teba sounds so much like a child right now but stops and realizes that's basically what happened with Revali and Link. They kind of forced themselves into Teba’s life, with the help of Saki and Tulin. “I – We never asked you to be part of it.”
Teba didn’t have a lot of time to be a child so he hates that he’s acting like this. He’s the Chief of this village, a father, a husband, and a Champion. Teba should not be acting like some child who didn’t get what they wanted for their birthday or something.
Storm Wind nods; agreeing with what Teba is saying. “I didn’t have anyone, I was alone until I was an adult and met the other Sages. I was a terrible father because I didn’t know how to be one.” There’s guilt or something close to it but Teba really tries not to focus on the older Rito. “I focus heavily on my duties of being a Chief and a Sage and I regret every moment when I look at you and your family.”
Storm Wind looks over at him and seems to be really looking at Teba for the first time. “You remind me so much of my son, Teba.” The Rito sighs, patting the rail, and pulls away. “However, that doesn’t excuse my actions and for that I am sorry.”
Teba wonders briefly if he could have ended up like Storm Wind if Link didn’t come along. Focusing so heavily on stopping Medoh and pushing his family away in the process.
“I’ll get out of your feathers.”
With that, Storm Wind left before Teba could get another word in.
The snowstorm whips against Teba and it reminds him that it isn’t safe for anyone out there right now. Even though Storm Wind is a Sage of Wind, does not mean that he could deal with a storm like this.
But Teba just went back home instead.
…
The snow had built up far more than Teba was comfortable with and only reminded him that Storm Wind was out there instead of inside somewhere. Everything is telling him to not go after that old, stubborn bird. Teba has been standing in the doorway longer than he should have.
Dinner was cleaned up while Teba was gone with an apple pie that hadn’t been touched. It has been moved to a heating plate and Teba knows that his family is waiting for Storm Wind to come back.
His family - warm and comfortable - are playing a card game. Tulin and Link are cheating against Saki, who actually winning, while Revali plays as the dealer. It’s a game that Teba had taught them during a slow day during a meet-up between New and Old Champions.
“Don’t peek,” Saki said as she laid her cards down, leaving them with Revali. “I mean it, boys.”
His wife came to stand by him and stared out into the worsening storm.
“You really going to stand there and not go after Storm Wind?” Saki question. “I do get it, Teba. It was just my mom and I growing up then suddenly my mom met my stepfather and it felt like a betrayal.” His wife looks saddened at the thought of her parents. “Storm Wind reminds me a lot of my stepdad and how much he tries to be a part of the family.”
“But he’s not.”
“Storm Wind has been getting to know us for the last year, you were too busy being Chief to notice.” Saki gently takes Teba’s wing, smiling softly when he looks at her. “Our family has always been a big mix of people. You of all people should know that. Revali and Link are good examples of that.”
Teba wants to fight back that Storm Wind has been forcing his way into the family but his point doesn’t have much standing right now.
“You’re afraid to be hurt again,” his wife said. “You’ve been abandoned by people that you should’ve been able to trust the most. Maybe you can learn how to trust again.”
Teba stepped back into the snow - grabbing one of the thick scarfs from the coat hanger - and went to the first spot he could think of; Medoh.
…
The snow and wind just got worse the higher up Teba went; he thought it wouldn’t be too bad since Medoh was right there but that’s not the case. Luckily, Teba didn’t have to go borrow Link’s slate to get up to the Ark because Storm Wind is right here; shivering and covered in snow. Teba summons the scarf from the Purah’s Pad and drops it on the Rito’s head.
“The boys would be disappointed if you froze to death.”
Storm Wind didn’t say anything; just wrapped the scarf around himself and tried to bury himself into. The winds are a bit calmer around the Rito, which must be his doing, but they still have a biting chill to them.
“You’re not the only one that lost family,” Teba said as he sat down next to the Rito. “Though I think what set us apart is who we had backing us. I had my best friend and his family along with Kaneli being there for me.”
Even though Teba and Storm Wind weren’t related through blood, doesn’t mean that they aren’t family. Especially since Teba isn’t sure how related Tulin and Storm Wind really are. Doesn’t matter to any Rito in the end because it’s a community effort to work together and raise one another up but it’s still a thought that Teba has.
Teba looks over at Storm Wind.
“You shouldn’t be out here and we still have plenty of sweets that Link had brought.” It’s an open offer that Storm Wind can take or not take. Just like how Teba had dealt with Revali all those years ago. Don’t push but make sure his boys always know that they are wanted.
“I guess we’re more alike than I hate to admit,” Storm Wind said.
Still jarring but Teba is surprisingly getting used to it. If Storm Wind hangs around more with the family then it’ll be the same kind of background noise as any other accent that people have. Something that Teba wouldn’t mind getting used to.
“Oh, how come?” Teba couldn’t help asking.
Storm Wind threw a wing around Teba’s shoulder and pulled the Rito down; something that Teba had witnessed with Harth’s dad and him a few times. “Because we’re family, Teba.” And there it was, the final nail to be hit and Teba couldn’t deny it anymore. “More of a son to me than a grandchild like the boys, though.” Storm Wind lets him go and stands up. “Hope you don’t mind.”
There’s only one person that’s willing to call Teba their son. Kaneli never pushed on the matter and was willing to wait for Teba to figure himself out. However, having Storm Wind come out and just say it was weird and Teba is far too old for someone to do that with him also strangely warms his heart. Not the worst thing to happen tonight.
“I can’t stop you,” Teba said as he took the offer wing and stood up. “Come on, their cards and I’m sure the boys will teach you how to play.”
“Lead the way,” Storm Wind said, following Teba back down to the village.
Teba still has to get used to Storm Wind but it’s not a bad thing. Almost nice to have someone older worry about him so much. Making a hole he didn’t notice was there felt a bit fuller than before. Maybe having Storm Wind hanging around wouldn’t be a terrible thing after all.