???
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???, also known as Phoeni in the Prima Games Skyward Sword Strategy Guide,[3] is a mysterious hand that first appeared in a minor sidequest in Majora's Mask, and has appeared in both Oracle of Ages and Skyward Sword since.
Origins
"In the original Legend of Zelda game, a gigantic hand appears and grabs you at the entrance to a dungeon. Actually, that has nothing to do with Skyward Sword. [Laughs] It's actually something from a Japanese ghost story. Not a specific ghost story. There are some ghost stories in Japan where — when you are sitting in the bathroom in the traditional style of the Japanese toilet — a hand is actually starting to grab you from beneath. It's a very scary story."
Appearances
Majora's Mask
??? made its first appearance in Majora's Mask. It can be found inside the toilet of the Stock Pot Inn in Clock Town.[2] ??? appears as a dull-colored hand that stretches out of the toilet asking for paper. Link can give ??? a Title Deed, at which point ??? thanks Link by giving him a Piece of Heart. Additionally, Link can give ??? any of the various letters he acquires throughout the game. This is the only sidequest ??? is featured in.
Oracle of Ages
??? resides in the Toilet in Western Lynna City in the Past in Oracle of Ages. Its hand reaches out and Link can drop numerous items into the hole, including various Mystical Seeds, a pot, Bombs, and Bombchus. Depending on which item is dropped into the hole, ??? responds differently, giving a reaction that relates to the item dropped in.
??? plays a pivotal role in the Trading Sequence. After Link acquires the Stationery from the Postman, he can give it to ???. After apparently using it to wipe himself, ??? gives Link the much less desired Stink Bag. Link later uses the Stink Bag in order to clear the sinuses of a Tokay cook.
Skyward Sword
In Skyward Sword, ??? has a slightly larger role than in previous titles. Additionally, it was confirmed to be female by Fi,[1] and looks more like a glove than a hand. Just like in Majora's Mask, ??? in Skyward Sword is asking for paper from within a toilet;[5] the toilet that is inside the Knight Academy on Skyloft. After speaking to ??? for the first time Link can find Cawlin just outside the toilet door during the day. He asks Link to deliver a love letter to Karane.[6] At this point the sidequest can go in two different directions.
Firstly, Link can choose to give the letter to ???; this causes ??? to fall in love with Cawlin after reading the letter.[7] If Link visits Cawlin in Groose's room at night, ??? can be seen stroking Cawlin's back, giving him nightmares. Since ??? is so happy at this new found love, she rewards Link with 5 Gratitude Crystals. Unfortunately, Cawlin is unable to sleep for the rest of the game, as ??? stays with him every night.
The second option of this sidequest is to give the letter to its intended target: Karane. After reading the letter, Karane becomes unsure of whether or not she wants to go out with Cawlin. Speaking to Pipit upstairs makes him realize how much he really loves Karane. Going back downstairs triggers a cutscene, where both Pipit and Cawlin ask Karane out, and Karane chooses Pipit. Cawlin runs off crying. Because the letter was not delivered to ???, ??? is not seen for the rest of the game. However, Link does receive 5 Gratitude Crystals from Pipit.
Trivia
- In Oracle of Ages, Link can tease ??? by throwing different kinds of Mystical Seeds and bombs into the toilet.
- Link cannot survive the fall into the toilet in which ??? is found in Oracle of Ages.
- ??? is referred to as Phoeni in the Prima Games Skyward Sword Collector's Edition Strategy Guide.[3]
Gallery
??? model from Majora's Mask
??? in the Stock Pot Inn in Majora's Mask
??? from Oracle of Ages
??? inside the Toilet in Oracle of Ages
??? from Skyward Sword
??? with Cawlin in Skyward Sword
References
- ↑ 1.1 1.2 "This is the hand of a ghost. Identity while alive is unknown. Judging from the look of this hand, the probability that it was a young girl's is 90%. Master, the letter you gave her from Cawlin has inspired feelings for him. The ghost's original purpose for the letter is still unclear." — Fi, Skyward Sword.
- ↑ 2.1 2.2 "??? (Person living in the inn's restroom) Details are unknown." — In-Game Description, Majora's Mask.
- ↑ 3.1 3.2 "No, it's not for Phoeni, it's a (probably doomed) love letter for your classmate Karane." — Prima Games Skyward Sword Collector's Edition Strategy Guide, pg. 231
- ↑ Shigeru Miyamoto, Entertainment Weekly, February 10th, 2012
- ↑ "Oooh... Paper... Please... Somebody bring me paper... Bring me some paper... Any kind of paper at all... Ooooh..." — ???, Skyward Sword.
- ↑ "You fool! How dare you! This is no ordinary piece of paper! It's a letter! A very special one at that! I put my heart into every word... I guess you could say it's sort of like a... All right, fine! It's a love letter! And that is why you will not, under any circumstances, EVER allow it to be used as toilet paper! Do you hear me?! So listen up! The person you must give it to is a girl... An upperclassman... Her name is Karane. You know who I mean, right? She's the one with the round hat. She's really cute. You know the one. And don't you dare...not even by mistake...even think of giving it to that weirdo in the restroom! Swear it!" — Cawlin, Skyward Sword.
- ↑ "It's good to see you again... Actually, thanks to you, I met my true love... Yes, him... It all started with that letter that you gave me... Those beautiful words of affection caused me to fall hopelessly in love..." — ???, Skyward Sword.