When it comes to story, A Link Between Worlds will always be blessed for one particular new character: Ravio. This silly looking character find of 2013 will always be a favorite of mine because of the duality of the character. At first, it seems like he is just a silly little guy wearing a body hood and trying to make some money. He rents and sells items to Link throughout the game and can eventually retire and just spend his days just chilling in Link’s House, thinking big thinky thoughts. It’s this freedom from retirement that Betty Kwong captures in her art “What are you up to now, Ravio?” This art shows an optional side business or hobby Ravio may have tried prior to his long rest.
In this art, Ravio sits on top of the roof with his new infatuation: Cuccos! Having built himself a little nest of fluffy friends, Ravio shows his newfound affection through a simple heart. Looking more closely, you can also see that our purple-clad friend has wrapped his Cucco friends in his scarf. He’s built a little nest to keep his feathered friends as comfortable as possible. While Ravio is on cloud nine as he sits among his cucco chums, Link has quite different feelings.
As the hero approaches his house, he looks up and sees an unexpected sight: Ravio and Link’s worst nightmare. It’s clear Link isn’t returning home to a place of comfort. Few people feel the need to have their sword unsheathed when coming home. Beads of sweat also fly off of the warrior’s face. He fears the furious fowl. We also see Link’s surprise as his mouth hangs open. Why would Ravio invite these feathered demons to his house?
Returning to the topic of Ravio’s duality, this piece focuses more on his role as silly shopkeeper. Or does it? Link wonders why Ravio would bring the Cuccos to his door, but maybe it’s all a part of a master plan; after all, what more ferocious backup could the hero have than a clucking infantry ready to take on Yuga and free Hyrule? Because despite his supposed cowardice and greed, Ravio is actually a hero in his own right. His feathered friends just happen to be his secret weapon.
