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"Hey! Listen!"

Sometimes the most unexpected things happen, and they turn out to be the most memorable - even on the first day of Emerald City Comic Con after you've been preparing for it and perfecting your schedule for months. This was the case for me on this year's Thursday opening of Emerald City Comic Con. Cosplay is something we love celebrating and one of the first people to catch my eye was an incredible Link from Zelda: Breath of the Wild. After I took their photo (which you can find in our cosplay gallery 🤩💗), like a true video game lead, produced a gift! A box of Koroks I to choose my very own 'little guy' from! From handmade props to detailed costumes, this community never ceases to amaze me.

As we all celebrate the joy and magic of pop culture together, this unexpected act of kindness has made a huge difference in my day. The first day of a convention may be the day I have the most energy, but it's also the most nerve wracking. It's moments like these that make conventions like ECCC so special and unforgettable.

According to the young cosplayer (who declined to share their name or socials), they make and share Koroks with the Zelda fan community as a hobby and way to bring themselves joy. As a millenial, I suggested opening an Etsy store and immediately monetizing their hobby, so there is a chance you'll be able to get your hands on a beautifulyl original Korok of your own in time for the holiday season! Or perhaps they will keep celebrating their fandom through multiple forms of art, craftsmanship, and creativity. Either way they exemplified the goodness at the heart of the convention experience. I am going to carry their generosity forward and I'm going to carry the Korok in my pocket. If you see me - ask for a photo with my Little Guy!

Meet my Korok in this short video: