Ruairi

Name: Ruairi
Race: Rito
Age: 24
Gender: Male
Place of Origin: Southern Hyrule
PWC: 1/3/5
Treasures, Kinstones and Rupees:

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Rupees: 161

Kinstones: Green Triforce, Blue Clover, Red Rupee, Violet Clover, Violet Rupee

Traits:
Valiance Racial Perk

While lacking the teachings of Dragon Roost Island, Ruairi has courage to spare. He has basically grown up on the stage, after all.​

Scent 50 Rupees

Not a trait one would expect to see on a Rito, but Ruairi's sense of smell is extraordinary. He does place great importance in good smells, while disliking ones that are too strong or just foul to the point of being unable to function. What makes his sense of smell go from exceptional to extraordinary is that he can pick up traces of magic from the smell alone – though it is still a skill that requires further training.​

Business Profession: Operetta Performer (Lv. 6) Racial Perk Lv. 1, Lv. 4, Lv. 6

Alright, maybe musical theater performer would be closer to the mark, but Ruairi wants it to sound like he's closer to an actual opera singer. While his training has included acting and dancing, that acting is more overly dramatic and fit for theater. He is quite limber and has good sense of balance, but singing is what he's worked on the most and is the best at. He has a strong voice, rather high in pitch though his range is wide enough to hit those deeper notes for dashing young heroes.​

Languages: Hylian (Native), Ancient Hylian 10 Rupees

Born and raised in mainland Hyrule, Hylian was the language he learned to speak from birth. Ancient Hylian was something Granny Andma taught him when he was young, though he is not amazing at it. He can read it well and usually understand spoken words alright, but he's not as good at actually speaking it himself.​

Treasures:
Hookshot Racial Perk

One tool that his theater troupe used for aerial acrobatics, something even the young Rito did before focusing more on the singing and acting part of shows. Perhaps fittingly for a birdlike person, flipping through the air is enjoyable to him. Ruairi has kept one hookshot with him to aid in his travels. It attaches to his forearm so he doesn't have to use his strength to hang onto the actual device, though he does still require a hand to manipulate the trigger that can be pulled out when needed.​

Boomerang 20 Rupees from Valiance

A souvenir from one of the many stopping points the troupe has had – Ruairi can't even quite remember where, but it was a gift to him. It is old and the blue paint has chipped in some places, but it has managed to hold very well through the years. It has been decorated with various paintings and a small red stone.​

Magic:
Song of Healing 10 Rupees

Magic of songs is the kind of magic Ruairi is the most familiar with – and the most comfortable. He has a strong voice and can control magic with it alone, not needing another instrument. The song to heal objects and the soul was the first one he ever learned. The melody is somber, but accepting.​

Sapling's Song 10 Rupees

This song was the first one Ruairi learned that actually affected something living, a stepping stone of sorts to get the hang of it. The melody feels light and almost fragile when it starts, like it waits for the plants to join in the song.​

Farore's Courage 20 Rupees

A more advanced song that actually affects creatures that hear it. Lighthearted and cheery, not one would initially expect to induce bravery, but one could see it as a song that doesn't see anything to be afraid of in the situation and infects others with a similar mood.​

Yaka Whistle 20 Rupees from Valiance

Ruairi is not very good with the boomerang he has. He has learned a magical whistle to move it as he likes, so it actually acts like a boomerang.​

Spark Reward from No Poultry, Guaranteed

Ruairi's first ever spell! He can create a whole spark of actual, real fire by snapping his fingers! He is very proud of his achievement, even if the scroll he learned it from came from a souvenir shop and was most likely intended for children with its simple, colorful instructions. But it totally means he's a real mage now.​

Light Holiday Moblin 2022

A spell that Ruairi learned in a strange manner, out of nowhere. It just existed in his head one day, after a strange event. He is still a bit rusty with it, but he is able to shoot out a ball of light to illuminate his surroundings by concentrating on some sort of an implement, like a stick. Definitely a real magic spell!​

Water-Walking Reward from Showdown at the Shokay Corral

Ruairi had seen Granny Andma's water dance when he was just a child. By tapping into that memory, he was able to remember how one could dance their way across the water, with slow, fluid motions. Without getting wet!​

Reflect Holiday Moblin 2023? Or Valentine 2024...?

A defensive enchantment that can be cast on an item, giving it a reflective sheen that can bounce off both light and magic. Makes fragile items as strong as shields, too! Necessary to protect one's self from unwanted moblin interest. Or so Ruairi claims, after unwanted attention and sleepless nights that involved plenty of spell practicing. For once.​

Equipment:

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To ask for what Ruairi might wear in his day to day life would require coming up with probably hundreds of outfits. He has lots of clothes and if he just can, he'll make sure he's wearing different ones every day. He has a lot of shoes, too, forced to hold onto any that have been custom made for his feet as he's not able to just walk up to any old stall selling shoes and expect to find something that fits him. He loves elaborate and flashy outfits, but he is smart enough to wear what is actually needed considering the job. He's not going to try to climb a snowy mountain wearing a sparkling stage costume – even if that would be fabulous.

Ruairi usually tends to carry a small pouch with some items he considers essential, hanging from a belt on his hip. Aside from some pocket change, there's also a pocket mirror and some emergency makeup, a small pocket knife, a wooden whistle, and some chalk and charcoal in separate tubes in case he needs to write something.

He does have some actual camping gear as well, if needed, but he stashes those in his wagon when he doesn't need them.


Residence:

Ruairi lives in a wagon – it's not terribly big, but it's more than enough for one person. Especially if that person is already used to living on the road and doesn't need too much space. It is a wooden-framed bowtop wagon – that is, its roof is rounded, almost barrel-like in its shape, covered in a blue-ish green waterproof canvas. It very much looks like it belongs to Ruairi, most of the wagon painted a burgundy that might have been just muted enough to still look normal, if it wasn't for all the brighter decorative painting and carvings done just about anywhere there was space. The door is on the back of the wagon and has one of the only two windows to let some light in, a round one covered with metal lattice. There is also a very small covered porch in front of it and stairs that can be flipped onto them when on the move. The other side is where the driver gets to sit, the roof of the wagon extending just enough to protect them from rain. This side is also where the second window is, this one larger and one that can be opened, but similarly covered in a metal lattice with chipped red paint.

The insides are just as small as one would expect, only really light when the sun is up and the windows are uncovered. It is just as colorful as the outside, however, though the predominantly darker colors aid in making the wagon feel smaller than it is. Ruairi says that is the feel of sophistication. The floors are wooden, though most of them are covered by colorful carpets. The ceiling is curved and the highest point is high enough for most to stand, but anyone very tall will quickly hit their head on it. When one steps inside, they'll have some space to hang their clothing on both sides of the entrance, between the space of the end wall and some closets and cupboards – the only space for actually important items one needs to live. The kitchen is basically a very short hallway with very limited storage and counter space, but Ruairi is also not a very good cook and doesn't really put much worth into that. There is also a small copper sink with a barrel of water on the counter next to it, for washing dishes or brushing teeth if the weather outside is too cold. There is a small wood-burning stove that is mostly meant for heating, but it is possible to heat food on top of it.

The area after the kitchen is basically Ruairi's bedroom, but also the only area that works as some sort of a sitting room. There is one large closet on the right – as big as the space allowed – to store most of his clothes, with a hanging mirror on one of the doors. On the other wall he has a low table – the only proper table in the wagon – that one has to basically sit on the floor to use, either for eating or putting on makeup. Makeup indeed was the main reason for the table, looking at the many boxes of cosmetics and perfumes around it. There is a larger mirror he can put on the table in one of the drawers. His bed is at the end of the wagon and in front of the larger window, just large enough that two people could sleep on it if they wanted to be right next to each other. It is raised off the floor to give some extra storage space underneath, which of course is mostly wasted on more clothes. There are curtains that can separate the bed from the rest of the space. Around the bed, there is some leftover space for some extra items and decorations – but as a wagon is meant to be moved, it's pretty difficult to have any lose items around…

The wagon is pulled by a brown ox named Daffodil. He is a large one with long, curly fur, his eyes covered by a thick mop – it's a miracle he can see through it. He has very big and intimidating horns, wide set, thick and tall, but with his mellow nature, he's unable to really harm anyone or anything. Sometimes he too gets to be decorated with colorful blankets or whatever ornaments might be able to be affixed to his horns – sometimes that can be something as simple as flowers. He doesn't seem to care.​

Appearance:
Image for your viewing pleasure. Or not.

An adult Rito standing at about 5'7" (170 cm), with a svelte build that's more androgynous in looks, his shoulders narrow and his hips wider – and it is not unheard of others to assume he is a different gender. His movements and poses are graceful and controlled with long limbs and slender neck and fingers, the nails of which are usually painted. His legs are quite long compared to the rest of his frame, accentuated by his digitigrade pose. Ruairi's legs end in more birdlike feet with bright yellow scales that run along his lower legs, though to call his toes talons would be pushing it. Perhaps a lifetime of wearing shoes has restricted and molded them into rather small and dainty ones, even the toe that would normally point backwards pushed to face forward. The claws on those toes are very small and usually clipped and painted. His very unique feet do require custom shoes – and Ruairi absolutely wants something to protect his feet, like a civilized person! He lacks wings, though he is covered in very fine dark brown feathers, soft and downy.

His facial features are youthful and feminine, with a pointy chin and high cheekbones. His eyes, as is common with other Rito, are red in color, framed by very long white lashes and two white dots to serve as eyebrows. And just like other Rito, Ruairi too has a beak. His is more of a beak-like nose than anything, starting at about where a nose would start with a low bridge that rises up into a ski slope-like shape once close enough to the tip. He does have actual lips, full and pouty, and normally colored dark. Ruairi is a fan of makeup, usually dusting his cheeks with redder powders and giving some color to his lips and eyes – but he does prefer more subdued looks than something garish.

Ruairi's hair is white and very full and poofy, and he does have bangs covering his forehead. When let down, it reaches to about his shoulders, though it does get wavy as it goes on and the ends curl harshly inward, so there most likely are some missing inches from that. His hair is pretty much always styled in some way, often in many various styles of messy up-dos, braided or not. He does enjoy having some longer hair to flick, so he usually has some bangs or braids hanging on either side of his face, his small, pointed ears poking out from behind them.

While he looks slender, his taste for treats has left him with a layer of pudgy softness all around him, especially noticeable with his hips and thighs, though his stomach hasn't managed to escape it, either. Though if one pokes deep enough, they would feel some resistance; Ruairi's life has required quite a bit of physical activity, giving him a hard core and strong legs.​

Personality:

Despite his not very imposing stature, Ruairi is the kind of a person who can walk into a room and just have his presence take up the space – some would say that is the minimum size of his ego. He commands the kind of larger than life aura and a strong voice that makes it quite difficult to ignore him… And he certainly expects to be seen and heard, as well! Something of a diva with lust for fame and appreciation, the young Rito manages to be rather demanding and difficult to cater to, with a posh attitude that demands service and a taste for expensive luxury goods, to boot. If things can be made dramatic, he often makes them so.

But it is obvious to most who spend time with him that he most definitely is not of noble birth, even if he sometimes puts on the airs. Ruairi does not know the finer details of etiquette, and he is rather crude and blunt with his words, not one to consider time and place when he wants his opinions heard. Oh, he certainly has a sharp tongue and he's not afraid to use it. And, surprisingly enough, he's not as fussy as one might initially expect. Certainly, he preens himself and wouldn't dare to step outside without doing his hair and putting on make-up, but he is willing to get dirty and work hard – assuming he's not wearing his best – and he holds much sympathy for the poor and unwanted, the ones abandoned by society.

Ruairi knows the feeling, after all. He knows how it has been to feel hungry, how it feels when others stare down at you, what it's like to be different. He's quite open-minded and accepting of others, no matter how strange, as long as they aren't completely irredeemable – and he's willing to step up and speak for them, if needed. He might not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but luckily he does recognize his shortcomings and strengths. He's good enough at reading others to be able to try and manipulate them… Even if he would prefer to not have to put himself in the position where he has to sweet talk others, much rather being the target of such activities. But the Rito does know that it can't all be about him, deep down – even if he would rather not admit it.

He is headstrong, if one wants to word it nicely. If not, stubborn is the word of choice. Ruairi is not a fan of quitting or giving up, which in some cases might even be admirable – and he doesn't want others around him to give up, either! Showman by trade, he's not one to freeze from fear when he has eyes upon him, always forcing himself to keep his chin up and his lips curled into a smile when the situation takes a turn for the worse. Bravery is not the way to describe that, but Ruairi is the kind of a person who can fake it until he makes it – or dies trying. It is a feature that makes him surprisingly dependable in the toughest situations.

The Rito just loves the spotlight and basking in it. Praise and other niceties are a quick way to get to his good side, while a healthy dose of reality does very much the opposite… But the pouting might be worth it, if it leads into a learning experience. The troupe is his family and even though they don't always see eye to eye, he does care for them more than words could ever express. He does also very much appreciate those who happen to be fans of his, though, knowing that people with such good taste can't possibly be all bad. Unfortunately, Ruairi has an expensive taste, so finding him gifts he appreciates as much is easier said than done. In addition to being a lover of fashion and shiny things, he does have quite the sweet tooth and enjoys the fancier drinks, something which can put him in trouble from time to time as he often doesn't limit himself.

Ruairi is a dreamer with many dreams. And he's willing to work hard and push himself to get there – he does take his dreams seriously, after all!​

Background:

A story Ruairi had to hear way too many times in his youth was how he almost ended up as an omelette – something that he does not quite appreciate, the thought of his story ending so unceremoniously. How exactly a Rito egg ended up in the traveling theater troupe's food storage was never something they heard an explanation for, but the larger than normal egg had attracted attention and was almost broken into a bowl for a hearty meal – before someone with enough sense to actually want to take a second look stopped them, just in time. It was obvious it was no normal cucco egg, but figuring out that it was actually a Rito egg took a bit more time and effort. A surprise, that. While Troupe Girasole had ended up with many, well, unwanted children left to them throughout the years, someone that was still an egg was the first. They did try to ask around, in case it was a mistake, but no one stepped up. And the egg had still been warm, too…

The troupe didn't have too many options left at that point. The egg joined them for their journey through various parts of Hyrule, joined their family, and eventually hatched into young Ruairi.

A merry band of weirdos and recluses of society, is probably what they would call themselves. Troupe Girasole consisted of many strange faces from all over Hyrule and beyond, putting on various performances as their line of wagons traveled through the lands. For the most part, their shows could be called musical theater, with plenty of song and dance to pepper the acting – and of course, the occasional more daring feat from the more acrobatically capable members. Southern Hyrule was their homeland and Kakariko Village was a frequent stopping place, perhaps enough to be called as a base or even home of some sort, to a group of constant travelers who never settled. Always the strangers and odd ones out – Ruairi especially in the eyes of other children, what with him being a Rito and all on top of belonging to such a strange group, so he never really was that upset when they had to leave on another journey. He much preferred the company of his family.

He was always a curious one, often tagging along with the other members of the troupe to see what they were doing and learn from them. Being the only Rito among them, there was no one who could teach him anything particularly in-depth about his kind or their culture. But there were many, many other things for him to learn. Performances were the bread and butter of the troupe, and it would have been impossible for him to not have been sucked into that kind of a life from a young age. Acting wasn't Ruairi's forte when he was young, much better at the physical feats, dance and occasional aerial acrobatics to awe the audience – until he found his voice later on, of course.

Granny Andma, funnily enough, ended up becoming his favorite as a youngster. She was old even back then, never really taking part of the shows – it wasn't like she could even move well enough to partake! But she had knowledge of many things, handling many things in the background instead… And Ruairi is quite certain that she is a witch. Both in her skills and her personality, he would say, these days. Back when he was young, their relationship was good and he even was something of a disciple of hers, learning many strange little skills from her – even some that were magical in nature. She had so many amazing stories and old books that he barely learned to read when Andma taught him, so different from normal text.

He was quite young, but he was there when Ganon's army attacked Kakariko Village, him and the rest of the group. Young, yes, but he remembers it still. It was a miracle they managed to escape – mostly intact. In a way, the world needed something to take their mind off things more than ever, but at the same time, it became quite difficult to make a living out of performing when the land was ravaged by war. Now they were not only a traveling theater troupe, but also refugees once they managed to make it to Northern Hyrule. Still, life went on. Any performer worth their money knew how to keep a smile on their faces, after all.

Perhaps that could be a reason why Ruairi's life could be happy and peaceful after the tragedy, like nothing had happened. Like everything was almost back to normal. Almost. It always loomed back there somewhere, but he too learned to push it away and be cheerful to bring cheer to others.

He loved the stage. That love pushed him to the front, where he felt he could better connect with the audience. A place where they'd remember his face. He had to work hard to be able to get those roles as dashing protagonists – had to do a lot of growing up, too. But once Ruairi got there, he felt like he was at the top of the world. He loved the attention, he loved it if people came to watch them just because of him. His ego certainly grew with him, and while most of Troupe Girasole either knew to stay out of it or allow him to bask in glory that was at least somewhat deserved, Granny Andma never was one to roll over and let a rookie walk over her. Both her and Ruairi were quite stubborn, argumentative and had a way with words and insults. To say they hated each other would have been a bit too harsh, but their relationship definitely was… Unique. Even if he asked, the Rito no longer received any secrets from her, the older woman usually saying his rotten personality had bloated his head so badly nothing worthwhile would stick and it'd be a waste of time. Ruairi, upset, would of course retort…

While he was annoyed that he no longer was gaining any knowledge about magic, it wasn't what made the Rito want to spread his metaphorical wings and leave the nest. Well, it wasn't the only thing. His dreams and desires grew with the years, and he started to realize that Troupe Girasole was just… Too small for what he wanted. He didn't just want to be a nobody of a theater troupe no one had heard of! He wanted to get big – and respected! A proper opera singer of those fancy opera houses with important patrons, that was what he could become. That was what he wanted to become! And magic, oh, he'd show that wrinkly old bag of hot air! He could learn so much on his own when the only information he could access wasn't guarded by someone who wasn't letting him to see it. Ruairi had also heard of how his kind should be having wings and could get them by traveling to a certain island. Who didn't want to fly? And, and…

He had so many dreams. So many goals. And they all could only really be achieved if he left and went to grab them. Even if it was what he wanted, saying goodbyes wasn't that easy for Ruairi – or the rest of the troupe, but of course they all kept their tears out of it. It wasn't like they would never see each other again. But the new-found freedom was also new and exciting, a new start for his solo career, a whole new beginning to a better Ruairi!

But where to start was always the most difficult choice to make…​

Thread Tracker

Ongoing Threads:
Sowing the Seeds of Sentience | Plant
Belle of the Ball | Belladonna Threshrow | Dancing Dragon Dungeon (Oracle of Seasons)
Just Guys Being Dudes (In a Hot Spring) | Lamont Liesmith
Ambiguously Polyamorous Tongue Demon Hunting for Dummies | Ulivali | Skyview Temple (Skyward Sword)
Grand Theft Oxen | Maev'oria
Cold Cocked by the Cheating Enchanter | Evelyn Bagu | Snowhead Temple (Majora's Mask)

Finished Dungeons:
No Poultry, Guaranteed | Evelyn Bagu | Temple of Courage (Phantom Hourglass)
Showdown at the Shokay Corral | Evelyn Bagu | Thieves' Town (A Link to the Past/A Link Between Worlds)
Frozen Poultry on Aisle 2 | Evelyn Bagu | Bottom of the Well (Ocarina of Time)

Finished Threads:
When the Goose is Hangin' High | Evelyn Bagu, Yuku Altamont
Free as a Bird | Ulivali​