After feeling empty from being denied my only purpose in life (apart from being a kickass train prodigy of course), I wandered around in a daze. It must have been hours. What I was doing I do not know.
...but I snapped out of it when one of the guards made another flirtatious remark about the princess. Damn, I hope I get a weapon soon. Even though every person ever in Hyrule is immune against physical harm, smacking them should at least give me SOME satisfaction, right?
Ohey, at least something good seems to be coming out of it though. We can wander around freely. Maybe the castle staff is feeling generous today?
...but not too generous.
I might as well explore what I can, then. This here is the break room.
Except for one guard, this room is empty. This is a testament to the dedication of Hyrule's soldiers. I don't know why they get this much flak. These guys are obviously very hard-working and eager to arrest me, I mean, scoundrels.
They have a bunch of spears on the wall here.
I always wanted a spear. It strikes me as a very elegant weapon. Alas, for some reason, me and my countless iterations through history have always been stuck with swords.
Well, I guess the Hero of Wind carried a spear occasionally, but that didn't really count.
Oh well, moving on.
There is four beds here. Since I assume there is more than four guards, I wonder how they sleep? Like, do they pile themselves up? Or maybe only the good guards get beds, and the others have to sleep in the buckets? Maybe they tie the new recruits together as makeshift beds?
The world will never know.
This rookie is complaining about the dress code. Yeah, as if the elite guard uniforms look any less dorky.
And besides sonny, with a shnozzola like that, you make every getup look goofy. I recommend going to a mask salesman.
This is the training room. Soldiers are eagerly honing their spear-thrusting skills here. It is a sight to behold.
Let me take a closer look.
AAAARGHBL!!!
I'm bleeding! I'm bleeding heavily! Help!
It has nothing to do with being an engineer you insensitive prick! Everyone would be in severe pain when a SPEAR went through their NECK!!
I'm not getting through to this guy at all!
I went upstairs to get my wounds treated elsewhere, but after a while, the bleeding stopped.
The body can only take so much frequent abuse. After a few decades, it just goes "Eh, whatever" after the initial shock wore off.
With a spear wound? I actually agree, but here's a suggestion for the future:
HELP PEOPLE WHEN YOU SEE THEY HAVE SPEAR WOUNDS GODDAMMIT!
Even the inanimate objects don't want you to explore. What's with this castle?
That's nice.
Ok, ok, geez! I get the hint! Exploration is banned!
I'm beginning to feel sorry for Zelda. Life here must be boring.
Feeling sorry for someone other than ourselves is a rare occurrence for us people from Aboda Village, and it usually fills us with great confusion.
In my dizziness, I came across this somewhat hidden entrance.
I know I shouldn't explore, lest I have the law crashing down on me again, but you know what they say about forbidden fruit...
...
...maybe just a nibble.
Gorging on this mad exploration fruit buffet, I happened to find this fancy door.
It doesn't open, though. Tough luck.
Aww snap! Caught red-handed, fruit bits falling out of my mouth. You know what? Let's ditch the fruit metaphors.
I am the apprentice of Alfonzo, the Master Engineer.
After hearing me say that, he violently soiled his leg garments and then he just went catatonic. I decided to not bother him further and move on.
There's only two ways that lead out of this area. I'm going to take the one I didn't arrive from.
Entering this room, I could hear someone getting their flute skills on.
I always wanted to play an instrument. Music makes you happy, though, and therefore it is punishable by death in Aboda Village.
...
Why does she get to do that, and I don't?
I'm sorry I just barged in here. I mean, I haven't even read your letter yet. I just wanted to get the exploration done before doing that, and so I... uh...
You know, if I was able to just stumble into your room without even intending to, you might want to tighten up security a little bit?
Yes, one did, actually. But some mysterious force prevents me from telling her that.
This is just great. Here I am, talking to my might-be-sister, might-be-love-interest for the first time, with no one bothering us, and invisible dialogue pixies force me to start off our first actual conversation with a lie!
She knows I lied. She can sense it. I hope she can sense how miserable I feel about it as well.
Wait, maybe I have a chance to make up for it here? I mean, it wasn't really my fault, but it's the thought that counts, right?
Yeah, my balding roommate told me about it.
He is an ex criminal, and yet everyone has the evil eye for me alone. Can you believe it?
Yeah, you don't really need to explain all of this to me. I am an engineer, so chances are I know more about this stuff already than you do. For example, do you know what they do to the tracks to keep wild animals away from them? They--
This isn't funny! Please don't joke about things like this.
MY FUTURE DEPENDS ON THESE TRACKS EXISTING! DON'T JOKE ABOUT THEM VANISHING! IT SCARES ME!
IT ISN'T FUNNY!!! TAKE IT BACK!!!
Yes, and he has a very good point there, honey. Do you know what happens to princesses who walk around outside unsupervised?
No?
I should get you in contact with another princess then. Her name is Peach.
No, he wants to keep you from getting abducted, or worse, assassinated.
He is doing his job!
No! He is just a man trying to make a living. You are railroading him into the role of an antagonist, which, if he decides to embrace that role later, will make everything that happens your fault entirely.
Please listen to me, I know about railroading! I am a certified engineer for Farore's sake!
Have you even been listening to me at all?!?
Do you know what will happen to me if I, a commoner, remove the princess from the castle against the chancellor's will? I want to have children some day!
Not the chancellor again. Give the guy a break!
Oh no, she is doing the puppy eyes thing! Stay strong, Ol' Chuffy! Stay focussed!!!
Oh who am I kidding. Alfonzo's constant abuse may have made me immune to any sort of physical harm, but I have never learned to withstand the sorrow of a maiden.
I'll do it.
Yeah, but you must bake me a cake with a file in it later. On this much I must insist.
What? Now I have to become a recruit too?
That was not part of the description. Is it too late to reconsider?
Oh, I get it. We're going to mess with their heads. I like that idea!
I'm smiling to make her feel happy. On the inside, I am dead.
Wait, you mean like, here? Right in front of you? Isn't that incredibly indecent?
'k.
Ok, how do I get out of this thing? Like, unbutton this, pull that... What the... uhm... you don't happen to have a welding torch or something handy, right? No? Thought so. Hm...
It is a pan flute, and there is absolutely nothing strange about those. Don't be so xenophobic and judgmental, Mr. non-corporal narrator voice.
I just realized that staying in a girl's room after she left and looking at her stuff is incredibly creepy. I can already hear Zelda staring at me from downstairs.
Yes, Hylians have good ears. They can hear light. They can also hear death. Death sounds like *beebeep* *beebeep* *beebeep*.
I spaced out again. Onwards, downstairs!
Do I have to empty my bowels too, like that recruit I talked to earlier?
We already went over why that is, and you're not listening to me anyway, so I won't bring it up again.
I don't have any choice, do I?
That sounds unreasonably elaborate and more complicated than just you following me, so sure! Let's go with that!
But first, while Zelda is busy inspecting the wall over there, let's take a look at her letter. There's probably secret info in there and it's good to know that, so I dont get excluded from any in-jokes and similar shenanigans later.
Oh god, good thing I didn't do that. I don't want any ugly markers on my map. I prefer my maps clean and functional.
Guess I completely screwed the pooch on that one.
Wha? Uh. Ich no Englisch, ja? Ich niet understand...! Por favor have you no aller moi jetzt desu ne. Meinen Eisenbahn wird gekommen um acht o' clock. Hasta mansa hansaplasta!
Ok, let's do this! Luckily, I can hear what the guards see, and see it on the map to make sure to remain unseen and unheard. You heard me. Now let's see...
Stealthy, like a malfunctioning brake.
I know a lot about those.
I usually get them when I drive the train after Alfonzo's "maintenance".
Yes, some guards do that. It improves your awareness of your surroundings if you don't have to concentrate on moving around.
"Distract him somehow"?
Hey Mr. Guard man, I've been watching you from the bushes over there, and I've struggled with myself whether to tell you or not, but I think I have no choice but to do it.
I love you... °_______°
I'm starting to get an idea where the rumors are coming from.
"I say, Mr. Chuffy, I don't know who you are, but you are right. There really seem to be three knob-like protrusions on this wall. I never noticed before, nor knew what they are supposed to be. I am glad you have decided to share this highly interesting fact with me, so I can stand here and discuss this with you, instead of looking to the right right now."
This guard refuses to look the other way. He doesn't even flinch when I blow in his ear.
Look at me! Look at me! I am Rockman!
"Aren't you the wrong color to be Rockman?"
...
._.
He let us pass out of pity.
Oh god, she's staring at my map! And now she's blushing and staring the other way! I knew I should have erased that thing before coming back here!
Eek!
Yes Zelda, you talk to him. Distract him while I just sort of curl up behind you.
Alfonzo was in the castle guard?
Phew, good thing I didn't go along with that "move into the castle" plan. How safe could it be there if Alfonzo is allowed to walk in and out freely?
"Although I am not sure if you could even hear me over the bloodcurling screams of the other recruits. Tee hee hee."
Oh crap, he caught on!
...
._.
This is Alfonzo's specialty. Making these seemingly innocent statements that are secretly meant to undermine my value as a person.
He is going to stuff me down the chimney later.
Damn, Zelda. Now you're implying I am a terrible escort too? I got you past the guards. I even had to fend off the one I confessed my love for because he actually considered it!
What does a guy have to do to get a little acknowledgement?
Yes, we do. The longer we discuss this, the more time I get to spend where there are witnesses.
"What if Ol' Chuffy here was to 'fall' into the furnace while we are on our way?"
Please stop giving him ideas!
I need to write a note or something! Something to let everyone know who murdered me.
Zelda and Alfonzo went into the passenger car and dumped the driving on me. Figures. Alfonzo is probably getting a kick out of showing Zelda his secret collection of humiliating pictographs right now.
One day, taking those pictographs will come back to bite you, Alfonzo. One day I will find out where you stash them, and hand them over to the authorities. As evidence.
Oh god, they're laughing. That means they got to the powder keg incident already. >_<
I should probably pay more attention to driving. Although there isn't really much to pay attention to. You just... follow the rail, actually.
Now the rail is gone. Huh.
Strange.
...
WAIT A MINUTE!!!
TRAINS NEED RAILS TO DRIVE!!!
NOOO!!! WHY WHY WHY!!!
The one time I need the brakes...
Well, at least I am hurt so badly that I will pass out before...
"Damnit Ol' Chuffy, did you screw up again?!? Why do you have to be such a liability!"
Why can't I sustain nearly fatal injuries in peace for once?
Anyway, luckily, we crashed near the Tower of Spirits.
It's right over there.
Huh? What are we staring at?
Oh...
...crud!
A purple energy octopus is fondling our tower.
Hey, this could be a good thing, right?
Maybe this is just a normal thing that happens to magical seal towers occasionally?
Yeah, I didn't think so.
He is going to find a way to blame this on me, I just know it.
More crazy stuff is happening over there.
Looks like a swirly black hole in the sky.
Maybe the goddesses are having a giant spring cleaning fit and are dumping all their garbage on Hyrule?
Huh. Why would they throw that away? That's a nice train.
I want to drive it. I can see in Alfonzo's eyes that he wants it too.
Tough luck, Al. I'm standing closer!
Aww, dang it! It got away!
What? Who said that?!?
Show yourself, or taste the wrath of my... uh... Engineer Certificate!
Chancellor Coal! Buddy! I'm sorry about taking the Princess. Are we still cool?
By the way, there's a bawdy space octopus on the loose here! Be careful!
Dangit Zelda, your constant judging has turned him into some sort of demon! The poor man!
Quick, apologize! Maybe it's not too late yet!
Wait, who's this? I thought I was going to be your sidekick...
Is this to make me jealous? That's really not necessary man, I think you're awesome! I'm just going through some things right now, please understand!
I know, I tried to tell her multiple times, but she wouldn't listen.
He completely snapped. This is so sad.
You know what he's talking about. I told you. Don't lie.
He is a shadow of his former self, consumed by the hate that formed by being exposed to years of prejudice.
I can't look at him like that. It hurts...
Alfonzo, you take over from here.
"I am not a man to shy away from gruesome displays of unnecessary violence both physically and mentally, although I tend to at least try to restrain myself when young women are watching, with varying success."
How terrifying.
"He really is pants-crappingly terrifying."
Are you absolutely sure about that?
"No."
Oh ._.
"But it doesn't matter anyway."
Alfonzo uses an old sword with an edge he deliberately keeps dull and dented, to make the cutting as inhumanely painful as possible. He also polishes the blade with engine oil, so there won't be any chance of survival should he manage to draw blood.
I already feel sorry for this Byrne person, whoever he is. His death will not be pleasant.
"And you stink too! When was the last time you took off that bandana?!?"
"...bandana?"
Alfonzo!!!
Alfonzo!
Al...fonzo?
He can be defeated???
I don't... what? What is happening?
Who am I again?
Oh, Ol'Chuffy, right! Ol'Chuffy to the rescue, ma'am!
...
Yeah.
We all had a good laugh about this.
We laughed, and laughed, and laughed.
Then the punchline came...
...and I was literally on the floor.
But anyway, then we went back to being serious.
How am I even narrating this?
I am unconscious.
I wish Zelda would have listened to me.
All of this could have been avoided.
But nobody ever listens to Ol'Chuffy. Everyone always just calls the guards.
This is all the fault of that map in the throne room I couldn't draw on.
If I had drawn that picture of Coal and Zelda shaking hands...
...none of this would have happened.
I'm sorry, Zelda...
I'm sorry, Coal...
I couldn't do a thing.
I let you down...
I failed you...
I will make this all better somehow! Just wait, I am already on my way!
Eeek! Have you been standing there all the time???
Bathroom! Bathroom! Bathrooooooom!!!
What? What do you want??? Leave me alone, aaah!
Ok, fine. I'll talk to you, Mr. lonely old man.
Pretty much that, yes. I was lucky the train didn't fall on me. That would have made for a pretty short adventure.
Everything is fine, nothing is ruined.
There is no fooling this old goat, though. He is onto me like a fare dodger is onto the lavatory.
I would like to tell you a story about how Alfonzo's cooking is so bad that it knocks people out and dissolves matter...
...but the dialogue pixies think this is serious business and don't allow humorous anecdotes.
They are also condescending and make it so that my only options are spluttering like an imbecile.
No, he isn't. I mean, technically he is now, but it is the fault of society, pretty much. Don't worry, though. I will save him.
...oh, and the princess too!
You got me there, pal. The extremely likely story that explains absolutely everything beyond the shadow of a doubt was just a joke. In reality, Zelda and the chancellor just went to the bakery together, and they will be back in twenty minutes. Meanwhile, Alfonzo and I went to sleep on some random field because we were tired, and we thought derailing our train would make a strong artistic statement about the futility of life.
But I'm fourty-two!
Ok, whatever man. I'm out!
What? You still won't leave me alone?
Ok, fine. Have your truth-sandwich then. Bon appetit.
Truth is apparently high in cholesterol.
Yes. You catch on fast.
Uhm... ok?
Well that served a lot of purpose?
You know what, let's just get out of here. I don't want to be around when Alfonzo wakes up and realizes he was knocked into submission. He'll want to re-establish his dominance, and I'm not willing to assist him with that.
...
...hee hee hee, wimp.
I said "Take your spear out of my face, I can't breathe!"
I know, I'm saying that all the time. I don't get what's wrong with these people.
Glad you see it my way, though.
Ok, we're back in the castle. I'm not sure what we can do here now, but let's find out!
Huh? My field of vision is developing a will of its own!
That ball of light looks familiar.
It's Zelda! Although something is different about her. Is it a new haircut? Oh god, I better find out what it is before we meet again, or else she's going to be so offended.
It seems like nobody but me can see her, though.
That isn't really surprising, though. Being forced to look inward by constant judgment and abuse by the hands of my peers and superiors, I developed the ability to pick up nuances that are usually overlooked, and see what others don't see.
...or maybe it's just some godly predestination bull. <_>
Oh, so this guard could actually hear Zelda, but he chose to ignore it.
You are a jerk. The poor girl.
Let's ignore Zelda for a while and visit this douchebag instead! :B
...and stabbing innocent bystanders in the neck with spears?
Yes, I haven't forgotten. Maniac!
"Be sure to stop by here later to polish those spears...with your flesh. I always find that hilarious! Oh wait, I meant skills! Polish your skills! Yeah! Ho ho ho!"
Man, I sure hope Zelda does actually turn out to be my sister. One I become a prince, firing this guy's butt is the first thing I'm going to do.
Ok, we're back in the throne room. Luckily, Zelda waited for us to stop procrastinating. She can be very considerate.
The guards are not, though. They are still ignoring her.
What, you mean like how all the floors look like faces? Or are you referring to that sadistic guard captain? If so, he isn't creepy, he's just a sociopathic jerk.
Oh, look. Now you can open this door!
It was the backside of this door all along! The more you know...
Let's check up on Zelda.
Yes, although I am still split on whether it is for a really deep or a really lame reason.
Sure, apologize to Alfonzo, but not to the guy who suffered pain and humiliation. And that was just BEFORE the train derailed.
...I feel bad now. ._.
Still feeling too bad to object.
Finding out who is to blame won't do us any good, especially since it's the fault of society!
You mean that space octopus? Yeah, that looked pretty dark alright.
Again, we don't know that for sure. People making such lapses in judgment without any evidence to back it up has screwed me over so many times already. Just ask around among those people called "law enforcers".
Getting recognition for who they are, rather than what society wants them to be.
Uhm... Zelda? You're kind of floating away.
Do you need a sand bag as an anchor of sorts?
Oh, wait! I get it!
You don't have a new haircut!
You're a ghost!
Ok. Do you have any trains? I ran out yesterday.
Oh, uhm, ok?
Yeah, I already saw that.
Did you know that some ghostly narrator voice that I hear in my head sometimes called it "strange"?
What? Why are you looking at me like that?
Does that mean it was in The Wind Waker without anyone noticing? Man, that's one stealthy flute.
It's pretty nice. I have a personal treasure too. It is a specially made clay pot that was given to me by my fath... ooooh god, I smashed it to get a recovery heart! What have I done?!?!?
Yeah, I agree. A ghost holding a flute would look rather silly.
What, you mean this is one of those flutes that can shoot energy balls at people? That would be pretty handy, because I could really use a weapon.
Wait, it isn't?
Oh. ._.
Ol' Chuffy never says no to free loot!
Especially if the loot is also a floot.
Woot!
It took Zelda some time to recover from this awful, awful pun, but eventually, she snapped out of it.
Ok, but the puns will only get worse from here on out.
My god Edo, thank you for existing and keeping this Let's Play updated with hilarious yet thought-provoking insights on the world of The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks for everybody to see.