Malon rides her horse down the slope from the South market with two guards. She glances back across the field to the Gerudo camp breifly, but turns, picking up the pace. The three pass through the gate, into the clearing of Lake Hylia quickly - Malon holding her hat as they slow and turn left toward a few gray tents.
Emblazoned on the side of the nearest tent, a gold trim frames a deep maroon triangle – in it, at the bottom, an arch with three spikes above a diamond. At the top, a smaller diamond, underneath it a strange conical shape.
Malon looks at the emblem, then to a man standing outside and facing into the tent, seeming to talk with someone inside.
Malon and the guards approach quietly.
The man turns, waving a bit awkwardly. "Oh hello! I was just about to head back home."
He says, scratching the back of his neck and bowing deeply, rising and turning, although he stops and turns back after a few steps."The pond will be closed for the evening, sorry to say!"
He gives a nervous smile.
Malon looks back at one of the guards.
The guard says to her, "He's run the fishing pond there for many years. For a toll folks can fish all day there."
The guard turns to the man. "What is the rate nowadays? I haven't been for a while."
The man bows again."Hasn't changed! You ought to come, bring some friends as well!"
he says. "Who knows, you might catch a Hyrule Loach!"
Malon turns, looking at the man, who folds his hand and raises his shoulders, smiling awkwardly. "Moonfish?"
She asks flatly.
The man looks to the guards, then Malon. "Ah, yes, of course - moonfish is what I meant, of course!"
A cloaked figure emerges from one of the tents.
It approaches Malon and the fisherman."Is there an issue?"
The cloaked figure asks, two glowing eyes looking to the fisherman, then to Malon.
Malon smiles. "No issue. Just came to chat."
The cloaked man lingers on Malon, although she turns to the fisherman. "I do think your toll is a bit unkind."
The fisherman cringes."Ma'am, with all respect, it is a modest fee. I do have to keep things running, here…"
Malon clears her throat.
The fisherman bows again quickly. "I could make an exception for you and whoever you like, of course! No fee!"
He holds his bow.
The cloaked figure looks to Malon, who reaches to her side and unhooks a bag, throwing it down at the fisherman's feet."A proposition for you."
she says.
The fisherman, wide eyed and holding his awkward smile, looks up, looking at Malon, who yawns. He picks up the bag, seeing within it many rupees, mostly silver and orange.
He inhales deeply, looking up to Malon."I…"
he trails off, looking back in disbelief."Sell the pond to me. I'll hire you to run it. Two hundred rupees each month pay. Either way, I do hope you do away with the toll."
The fisherman looks up at her, beaming."No toll at all! I'll gladly take the wage!"
He says, nodding.
Malon looks at him, rather bored."A great deal, you are too kind, lady…?"
"Malon."
she says.
The fisherman bows."Lady Malon! Of course. I thank you again, I thank you!"
"You were just leaving, weren't you?"
Malon says flatly.
The fisherman immediately turns, walking quickly south toward the building in front of the pond without a word.
Malon turns to the cloaked figure."How is the lake?"
The cloaked figure watches the fisherman walking back."Swell."
it says."Will you stay?"
Malon asks, looking to the sky which has begun to turn orange."Aye."
"Well, don't be shy to visit the town any time."
she says, turning her horse, the guards turning as well.
Malon looks over her shoulder breifly. The figures turn to eachother, although she doesn't hear them speaking.
Malon and the guards head out toward the gate.
Through and into the field, as they make their way northeast in silence, past the gate to the lake, Malon glances to the west, toward the canyon entrance.
Her gaze lingers for a while.
In the trees south of the canyon, she sees movement.
A Gerudo from the Fortress emerges from the woods alone. From the distance, Malon can't make out much, although she can tell it is not Yorai. She pretends to ignore it, but picks up the pace slightly, glancing to the guards, who don't seem to notice.
Malon looks back, approaching the market.
The Gerudo simply stands.
Reaching the market gate and slowing down, she watches the figure turn and slowly wander back into the trees.
She stops, calmly dismounting.
The guards wait, then slowly follow her on horseback as she walks through. They each turn to one side of the gate, releasing levers which allow a wooden door reinforced with iron bars to slowly close.
At once,
across the top perimeter of the tall stone walls,
purple flames flicker to light.
Nabooru and a few other Gerudo sit on scaffolds finishing the frame for a new home. Most of the time, they have been working alongside former Kakariko Village residents and Goron. The village folk return to their shanties in the main ranch in the late evening, although Anju and a dozen others shared finished homes.
The Gerudo working alongside Villagers has worked well, a dozen each, working on row houses Anju and Malon designed. Each having four small bedrooms, the houses being built with regular timber as well as Deku wood and a first floor of stone, the homes were very sturdy and efficient.
Nabooru, looks around at unfinished foundations laid by the goron, the few finished homes, a couple Gerudo tents that workers used and a couple had even taken to sleeping in. She notices Malon walking to Anju's home. Nabooru looks back across the scaffolding to Dreza, who is focusing on work.
Nabooru climbs down the scaffold. She thinks for a while, not able to see Anju's home in the corner behind some stone ground stories constructed earlier in the day – forming an alley in front of the homes against the wall. She walks around them, approaching Anju's home.
Seeing nobody outside, she walks up to the door and knocks. For a while she stands there, but no response. She stands a while longer, looking up to the second floor windows, although nobody is there.
She turns around to see Malon and Anju leaving the building next door, just behind her. Anju locks the door and the two of them, seeing her, turn."Hey."
Nabooru says, a bit awkwardly."How are things?"
Anju asks."Good. I guess I just wanted to ask, well."
she trails off.
Anju and Malon look at eachother.
Anju asks, "What's wrong?"
Nabooru hesitates. "Ah, nothing,"
Nabooru starts, but Malon interupts, "Do you want to talk to me alone?"
Malon's bright eyes stare ever intensely, although her expression is light. "I guess, yeah."
Nabooru says.
Malon turns and bows slightly to Anju. "I'll talk to you tomorrow, thank you."
to which Anju nods and passed Nabooru without a look, returning to her home – Nabooru just now noticing a stack of books under Anju's arm.
Malon hooks Nabooru on her elbow, hooking her as well with her eyes and before Nabooru can think they are rounding the corner of the alley and walking to farmhouse's north gate."I'm glad things are progressing so well."
Nabooru walks, awkwardly shifting her elbow in Malon's."You aren't scared of being seen with me, are you?"
Malon asks. Nabooru breathes deeply as they get to the door beside the large gate.
Watching Malon open it, letting go of her arm, Malon stepping in, Nabooru's mouth hangs open slightly, not really knowing what to say."Well, come on."
Malon says, smiling. Nabooru stares at her for a bit. "Alright."
She says, joining Malon and closing the door behind them. They walk up to the farmhouse and Malon opens the door, walking in. Nabooru follows.
Malon closes the door behind her, Talon and Baron sit in the kitchen. Baron looks over very breifly, lifting a finger from a book to wave, while Talon does wave.
Nabooru blushes noticeably, but Malon walks to the stairs, saying "My room is up here."
and starting to walk up. Nabooru glances at the two large dining tables pushed together, and at Talon and Baron. Various notes, maps, blueprints and the like laying out, Talon eating dinner in the nest of papers. She follows Malon up the stairs, though.
Reaching the top, Malon produces a keyring and unlocks her door, opening it and stepping in. Nabooru follows around the corner into the room, stepping aside and looking around as Malon closes the door and hangs her keys. "Its a bit messy right now, sorry about that."
Malon says. Nabooru looks at the shelves and shelves of books and ornaments and artifacts, the massive table with maps, more books and notes.
For a while, Nabooru just looks around at all the stuff."How old are you?"
Nabooru asks, realizing she doesn't know. Malon, turning and putting a hand on Nabooru's arm, winks and says "Old enough,"
before going to sit on one of the four large chairs – the one nearest facing Nabooru.
Nabooru gives her an annoyed look, coming over to sit across from her. "Really, though."
Malon is untying and taking off her boots."Any age you want."
She says, looking up – seeing Nabooru annoyed, she says, "You're no fun tonight. I'm twenty five. Want to know my shoe size as well?"
Nabooru raises her eyebrows, unamused, and crosses her legs, leaning back in the chair. Malon continues taking off her boots and socks, setting them aside. She stretches her own legs out, crossing them and setting her feet on the table in front of Nabooru."If only I had someone to give me a massage."
Malon says, throwing her head back, dramatically putting her armbehind her head and leaning deeper into the chair, pushing her feet over the edge of the table.
Nabooru is silent, looking away. Malon sits back up, looking at her and resting her head in one hand, elbow on the armrest of the chair."Well, you seem to have something you want to talk about."
Malon says.
Nabooru sighs. "A lot, really."
Malon looks at Nabooru and they hold eachothers' eyes for a while. Eventually Malon says, "Well, if we have a lot to talk about, I'd like to get a bit more comfortable."
Nabooru sighs again. "What do you mean?"
Malon sits up. "Well, maybe we could lay down and talk."
she says, gesturing to her bed.
Seeing Nabooru not intending to respond, she adds, "I do mean that, I'm really sore. We can just talk."
Nabooru stares at the bed for a bit, eventually saying "Fine."
Malon, getting up and walking to the bed, pouts "What happened, Nabooru? Don't you love me anymore?"
and flops onto the bed, rubbing her eyes and stretching.
Nabooru gets up and walks over to the bed, shaking her head."I may have made a mistake."
Malon looks up at her, putting her arms behind her head again. They look at eachother for quite a while before Nabooru eventually sits at the end of the bed, one leg lifted and crossed over the other, her shoulder facing Malon, who scoots back further onto the massive bed."Come on, lay with me. I do just want to talk, I promise."
she says.
Nabooru looks at her, and, feeling sore as well, slides her shoes off and joins Malon, the two of them laying on their backs.
Nabooru just breathes for a while – the bed is magnificently comfortable. She props herself up with a pillow, trying to stay awake."Malon."
she says, Malon rolling onto her side and looking up at Nabooru with those piercing green eyes. Nabooru sighs and rubs her forehead. "Yes?"
Malon asks."Do you,"
Nabooru pauses. "I know you have talked a lot with the Deku scrubs, and they have told me the Kokiri are in hiding, but safe. Have you talked to any Kokiri?"
Malon shakes her head."Not what I was expecting you to ask about – but no, I've never talked to any of them."
Nabooru thinks. "Ganondorf told me to ask the Goron about the Sheikah and Kakariko. Why do you think that is?"
"Hmmm…"
Malon doesn't seem like she will answer.
Nabooru lightly glares at her."I don't know."
Malon says, shrugging. "He never mentioned it to me, but I'm not very interested about the Sheikah."
Nabooru looks at her indignantly."You…"
Nabooru trails off."What?"
"You aren't interested in the Sheikah? That entire town was destroyed. They clearly had something to do with all of the natural disasters, the monsters."
Nabooru sits up more, looking at Malon, who lazily stretches."Maybe. I have heard all kinds of rumors."
Nabooru sighs. "Well. Impa and I went to the Goron. We went through the Kokiri entrance. The forest was completely empty."
Malon tilts her head, looking up and thinking.
Nabooru looks at Malon, who looks down the bed at the drafting table across the room.
After a while, Malon says - "Under Kakariko, there is a lot of old Sheikah things. Anju told me about it, so I found a way under the rubble. I recovered a lot of old books for her."
Nabooru sits up straighter, "You what?! You brought them here? They are probably cursed and dangerous, Malon."
She scolds."They're just books."
Malon says, waving a hand. "There is a lot of interesting things down there though, some kind of Sheikah temple."
"I thought you said you weren't interested in the Sheikah."
Nabooru stares at her."I like collecting things."
Malon says. "There's all kinds of weird stuff down there, its fun."
Nabooru sighs. "I…"
She just stares at Malon, dumfounded.
After a while, she just asks, "Its fun? That's it?"
Malon shrugs."You expect me to believe that?"
Malon sighs heavily."If you don't trust me, nothing I say will make you."
She looks at Nabooru, smiling."You seem like you want to, though."
Nabooru sighs and looks away.
They are quiet for a rather long time.
Nabooru, having leaned back again, looks down at Malon, who just looks up at the ceiling."Do you think the Gerudo at the fortress will ever reconcile with your group?"
Nabooru looks out the window.
The sun is setting, the sky turning orange.
Some cuckoos can still be heard from outside the window.
Occasionally, a guay calls."Sorry."
Malon says.
Nabooru breathes deeply. "No, it is a concern. I guess…"
"I don't really know. The Gerudo that came with, wanted to leave. There have always been some of us who wanted to move inland, not just because of Koume and Kotake, but… for a change, I guess."
Malon glances to Nabooru, who stares out the window."That makes sense. It always seemed odd to me how I never saw any visit. I know Hylians are a bit… you know. But still."
Nabooru looks to Malon finally, making eye contact."Koume and Kotake wouldn't let anyone leave."
She looks away again."I think…"
Nabooru struggles."It's complicated."
she says, shrugging.
Malon scratches her nose."They got even worse, during the time I was… In that armor. I am pretty sure everyone who stayed, they may never accept us and might want us all dead – but they can't really do anything."
"How long were you…?"
Malon asks quietly. "Five years."
Malon stares at her."That sounds… terrible. I'm really sorry, Nabooru."
Nabooru's brow furrows, looking down to Malon."You are so strange."
"What?"
Nabooru shakes her head, sighing. "You seem so cold and indifferent most of the time, but other times-"
Nabooru pauses, "other times, not, I guess."
Malon looks ahead.
Nabooru looks down at her."There's a lot of things I'm not going to ever tell you, Nabooru. That I won't ever tell anyone. It frustrates a lot of people."
Malon says. "But that's the way it is."
Nabooru yawns. "I suppose one of those things is why that Carpenter couldn't kill you, huh?"
Malon breifly glances up to catch her eye then looks away.
Nabooru takes a deep breath, then lies down next to Malon.
They lay on their backs together for a while there in silence, the cool air of the night now blowing through the windows.
After a while, Malon slides a hand under Nabooru, wrapping another around her and sliding up, resting her forehead on Nabooru's chest just under her neck.
Nabooru wraps an arm around her, stroking her hair.
For a while, they lay like that, Malon rubbing Nabooru's back with her thumb, Nabooru stroking Malon's hair gently.
The sky orange, sitting on the small flat section of the townhouse roof of her home, Anju sees the purple flames flicker along the stone walls of the old ranch. She doesn't react, focusing on tying a knot with some kind of root and dropping it into a plain brass beaker.
Reaching into one of a few bags next to her, she pauses, looking down to the partition below.
The shorter walls have been completed, being made of a deep brown rock, making it seem much darker than the gray stone surrounding the old ranch. Two separate bonfires burn, one outside the Gerudo's kitchen tent, one diagonal to it, past a few lean-tos and stacks of crates and tools, at the edge of the alley of the townhouses.
Some townhouses to the east end have been finished, and the steady glow of firefly lanterns illuminates the top window of one, the others still only being foundations – some with frames started for the top floor, others without.
Several Gerudo who had taken to staying overnights in the partition for their construction work. Two pregnant women and a few others had moved, likely permanently, as well as two elders and a few of the younger adults.
By the east fire, three Gerudo sit around a table with two Kakariko refugees – although now all former Kakariko residents are simply called Sheikah, despite that some wished to distance themselves from their past. Two Sheikah kids and the Gerudo seem to be running around behind crates, hiding and shooting slingshots at a table toward the center of the partition.
The fire at the alley is smaller, and a lone Sheikah grills food – an older man who Anju had never really talked to until recently. He is the husband of the potion shop lady, and, despite their age, he insists on grilling food on an open fire outside the house. He had mentioned to Anju that he wanted to take advantage of the fact that in Kakariko, open fires were prohibited, while in the partition only a couple people complain.
The prohibition had mostly been due to the drier conditions at the foot of Death Mountain, though, and were a bit of a formality anyway as Talon had, years ago, rather surprisingly, thrown a few bonfire cookouts without much protest.
Anju breathes deeply, smelling the bonfires, looking up at the purple flames protecting the central ranch. She produces from her bag a pouch and, lifting a long delicate spoon into it, turns to the beaker, adding a small amount of a fine purple ash, tapping the spoon and wiping it off on the inside of the pouch before cinching it, dropping the spoon into a metal box and closing the lid.
She picks up another root from in front of her, but pauses.
She stares at the deep red scar on her palm.
For a long time, she stares.
Looking up, a few stars now visible to the dark north, she intends to glance at the black tower, which has daily receded further toward the horizon.
Instead, atop the north wall of the partition, she sees a sillhoute.
A tall figure with sword and sheild, standing next to the half-finished guard tower and nest built against the north wall. She doesn't flinch, although squints slightly. A few rags on the figure blow in the crossbreeze, and her eyes adjust.
A stalfos. It stands staring at her.
She feels suddenly cold, nearly freezing,
her skin tingling, muscles tensing.
The two stare at eachother for what must only be a few seconds, then, uncerimoniously, the Stalfos jumps backward, falling and disappearing down the outside of the wall. Anju, her senses returning immediately to normal, quickly climbs onto the outer wall, running up and quickly turning, not caring about the occasional strain of her ankles due to her heeled clogs on the uneven surface of the wall's top. She quickly makes her way to the guard tower, looking down, bracing herself against the wall of the guard nest and scanning the perimeter of the wall, then looking out to the field below.
She sees nothing. Heart racing, muscles aching, mind racing, eyes tearing up, she tries to slow her breathing.
Looking down at the north partition, no one below seems to have seen the Stalfos, or her running across the wall.
She catches her breath, looking out to the northwest woods.
Approaching from the forest, Dreza rides quickly. Another Gerudo about the same age, maybe taller, and whom Anju has not seen, is holding onto Dreza as they make their way back to the camp.
Anju looks back again at the Gerudo and Sheikah below, the kids laughing and chasing eachother now. The old Sheikah man walking back into his home. A lump forms in her throat. She breathes slowly and deeply, the air cool, looking past the purple flames at the orange and pink clouds on the horizon.
The sun this evening sets without fanfare.
A vast, cloudless sky serves as a blank canvas, painted by the thick forests south of Death Mountain and the eastern mountain range.
On the ridge of the mountain, Impa sits on a rather oversized chair of canvas over a metal frame, meant for Moblin.
By her, Darduk sits, eating quartz from a pouch.
Impa spits a few sunflower seeds.
Darduk scratches the back of his head.
He puts his hand to his chin thoughtfully.
Impa unscrews her canteen, drinking some water."Ever since the demolition,"
Darduk starts, but stops."We appreciate the Moblin, but, without them, we would likely be overwhelmed by dodongo and skulltula. I don't know if the demolition caused it, we did see one poe a while before. One miner I know, says he's seen poe and gibdo in the mines."
Impa looks sternly at the ground."How many?"
"A few poe. One gibdo."
"They attacked?"
Darduk shakes his head."The Elders said it must have been his imagination."
Impa clears her throat, leaning back."Why has nobody brought this up?"
Impa asks.
Darduk is quiet."At the plenum, you never mentioned it. It seems to worry you."
Impa stares at him.
Looking down, he breifly glances at Impa."I saw Malon go down into the ruins."
Impa scratches her head.
After a while, Darduk stands.
Impa stands as well.
They both look out to the horizon.
Impa tilts her head."What's down there?"
Darduk asks, crossing his arms.
He stares at Impa, who just looks toward the sunset."I don't know."
she finally says.
She looks at Darduk. "Really, I have no reason to lie to you. I want to know just as much as you do."
Darduk rubs his chin."She's got some kind of spell,
she got from under Kakariko, huh?"
Impa is quiet."Have you asked her about it?"
Impa looks up. "No. I guess... I assumed, if Nabooru or Dreza or anyone heard anything more about it, they'd mention it to me."
Darduk glances at her."Don't sound so sure about that."
Impa's brow furrows, looking down."Not sure why I was."
After a while, she shrugs."Well, I'll see you around."
Darduk gives a half wave as they both turn, Darduk heading back to the city in the mountain, Impa to her horse at the gate.
"I don't know how you can just sit around playing cards."
Nabooru looks at Dreza, Impa, Sahran and Malon.
They sit around a table in the pavilion, Nabooru standing.
None of them look up.
Zarah stands a few feet from Nabooru.
Malon lays down a card. Impa groans."You're not human."
Sahran says.
Malon looks up at Nabooru.
Nabooru looks out to the field.
Malon looks back to the cards, beaming as Impa and Dreza glance at her, then back to their hands."Just take her with."
Dreza says, laying down a card.
Nabooru looks at the cards on the table."I don't want distractions."
Impa raises a hand to her mouth thoughtfully, then lays a card.
Nabooru looks at Zarah again.
Dreza looks up."Nabooru."
Nabooru's exhales sharply.
Dreza lays down a card, shaking her head.
She rubs her eyes with one hand and turns to Zarah."Lets go."
Nabooru and Zarah, on horseback, slowly cross the north plain between the two capitals; one old, one new.
Dark blue clouds to the north hang, not ominously, as black ones once did above the ruined city. More as a requiem, the tower is now barely visible - just a short, barely-noticeable splinter peaking out from the top of the white walls.
From quite a distance to the south, a capital guard watches them from a nest above the north partition. Neither of them look. They continue west without words, eventually turning north."She's just using you, you know."
Nabooru says after a while."She's not."
Nabooru shakes her head."She's not using you either."
Zarah adds.
Nabooru scratches her forehead, quiet for a while.
The two continue silently.
Zarah looks ahead, scanning the area.
Nabooru stares off to the west."They said its right in the woods past the boulder."
Zarah says as they approach the stream flowing west.
They stop, dismounting."We almost never come out here."
Nabooru thinks aloud as they both approach the stream closer, ankle deep. The stream runs somewhat quickly, but Nabooru judges it to be likely barely more than waist-deep.
Nabooru begins wading in, and Zarah does as well. They do have to breifly swim, only a few strokes before their feet touch the other side and the make their way up."It is kind weird they even came over here, I guess. Dreza barely ever leaves camp."
Zarah says, the two walking toward the boulder. Zarah looks back to Nabooru, who walks slower.
Zarah slows, and stops. She reaches up, taking out her clasp and letting her hair down, hooking the clasp around her belt and running her hands through her hair.
Nabooru passes her, heading toward the treeline.
Zarah looks back to their horses."Hey, wait."
Nabooru does stop, turning to look back to Zarah.
Zarah scans the treeline, looking west, southwest past Allon, then walks to Nabooru.
The two of them turning, reaching the treeline, a few paces in, Nabooru stops in front of a long trench dug in the ground.
Looking down into it, she sees the sticks and leaves used to conceal it. The trench is maybe a yard and a half deep, even having branches supporting its walls. Zarah looks down into it, and Nabooru glances past her to one end of the trench, where Dreza and Opal had likely dug their way up and out.
Nabooru's eyes look up to Zarah, who turns."It must have been laid by some mad Hylian."
Zarah just looks at her. "Before everything?"
She asks.
Nabooru stares down."No, it is recently made. Look,"
Nabooru points."The branches aren't old."
"Huh."
Nabooru continues, "It's probably for animals,"
she begins walking around the trench."Some lazy Hylian who doesn't want to hunt for themselves."
Zarah follows closely.
Nabooru picks up a branch, looking at it."These branches aren't from here."
Nabooru pauses.
Zarah looks at Nabooru, then down to the branch she holds. Zarah picks up one of the branches as well and looks at it.
Nabooru seems to be about to say something, but stops.
They look into eachothers eyes.
Zarah drops the branch, looking down.
Nabooru eventually takes a deep breath,
looking down the trench."I'm sorry."
Nabooru says.
Rather quickly, Zarah responds."I'm not."
Zarah tilts her head, looking at Nabooru.
Nabooru is still, looking down.
After a while, she looks at Zarah, meeting her eyes, her gaze wandering down, to her lips, her neck, midriff, thighs.
Nabooru sighs.
Zarah, Dreza and Sahran ride their horses into the clearing of Lake Hylia. Zarah looks down at the swamp, still fed by the north falls. The lake's water is now almost fully covered in green algae, with strange plants she has never seen of all shapes and sizes bordering the edges. Dreza and Sahran pull ahead, looking alert, although along the way they had talked and laughed, Zarah remaining quiet.
Ahead, they see the gray tents of the Garo, across the lake from the old abandoned lab building. The Garo seem to have actually picked up tilling more of the land along the side of the swamp. Three Garo sit outside a few yards down the hill from the tents, cross-legged and looking out to the lake."I'll go first."
Zarah says, Dreza and Sahran slowing."You sure?"
Dreza asks. Sahran looks down to the swamp water.
Zarah pulls ahead as the two others stop, turning back to look at Dreza but just tilting her head a bit and not making eye contact. Dreza and Sahran dismount and stand together between their horses half way toward the Garo as Zarah rides toward them.
None of the Garo respond, although they must have seen the three coming at some point. Zarah slowly approachese them, stopping by the three who sit in a line simply staring out at the lake.
For a while, she just sits on her horse looking at them.
She looks back at Dreza and Sahran, shrugging.
She dismounts, rubbing Epona's shoulders the offering the girl some apple slices from a pouch. Epona seems worried about the unfamiliar figures.
After petting her again for a while, Zarah walks in front of the Garo, seeing nothing but black underneath the hoods. She stops in front of them, glancing back to Dreza and Sahran, who have moved just slightly closer, looking on with their hands on their weapons.
Zarah waves at them, gesturing to take their hands away from their weapons as she unbuckles her own sheath and drops it next to her. Dreza and Sahran look at eachother uncomfortably, but fold their arms and watch.
Under the hood of the Garo to Zarah's left, two white orbs slowly light, and it turns slightly up and toward her."What are you doing here?"
It asks.
Zarah puts a hand on her hips."I ought to ask you the same."
The other two Garo wake up slowly, rolling their heads."We are praying."
Zarah purses her lips, looking at the one who speaks."You like it here?"
She asks lightly.
The Garo looks to the two others, then back to her. They nod in unison, although the other two don't look at Zarah. "We do, yes."
"Very peaceful. Quiet."
The right Garo says.
Zarah smiles a little. "I like it too. It smells a bit weird, but its very pretty still. I like to come visit a lot."
The middle and right Garo look at eachother, then to the leftmost Garo, who says, "That is no problem to us. We just want a place to pray and meditate. This place is ideal."
Zarah's head tilts just slightly. "Well, sorry to interupt."
The three Garo all stare toward the lake, not responding.
Eventually, the middle Garo says, "Not a problem."
The right Garo says, "You must have more to say, though."
the left Garo tilts its head.
Zarah looks to Dreza and Sahran, who both look befuddled."Ah, well…"
Zarah trails off."I suppose, I don't want to disturb you. Just wanted to meet you."
She inhales slowly, a breeze wafting up from the swamp carries a mild smell of sulfur and a strong scent of wet vegetation.
A strange, almost echoing click, like the tick of a clock, comes from the middle Garo."You shouldn't leave without what you came for."
It says.
Zarah sighs, scratching her forehead."Well, its kind of a long story. We Gerudo have been split. Me and my friends there,"
she gestures back to Dreza and Sahran, "We left the desert fortress. Two cruel witches took control of the Fortress some years ago. We escaped with some others."
Zarah pauses."To the North,"
she points, "Up the river, in the canyon, the Fortress Gerudo, we worry, might be planning to come after us. They are angry at us for leaving."
Zarah says.
The Garo are silent.
Zarah adds, "I just wanted to meet you. We don't have any issue with you."
The Garo are silent.
Zarah looks to the three of them, who stare at her. She feels a smile across her face. "I like you guys."
she says.
The Garo to the left bows."You're a clever girl."
It says.
The rightmost Garo stands, saying, "We will investigate the canyon in the night. If you'd like, stop by tomorrow."
Zarah can't help but beam a smile."I will! Maybe you can teach me to meditate the way you do."
The standing Garo laughs.
Zarah smiles.
Dreza and Sahran look on, perplexed.
It is late outside of Malon and Talon's home.
Malon sits on one of the dining room chairs outside the door.
Nemek floats above the barn next to a lantern that is suspended from the barn, looking out across the night sky to two figures approaching, flying across the sky from Gerudo Valley. Malon looks up as she hears a rattling sound, but Nemek is gone.
Seeing the two figures approaching, Malon stands and watches them near. They approach quickly, stopping just short of the moon which hangs directly above, and descend."Good evening, Koume, Kotake."
Malon says quietly as the witches descend in front of her.
They look at eachother, then back to Malon."Is Malon here, girl?"
Koume asks.
Malon sighs, "I am Malon."
The two witches look at eachother again."We did not come to be made fools of, girl!"
Kotake says. "If the leader, Malon is not here, or if your people think you can play tricks on us, we will wipe this entire town from the face of the earth!"
Kotake lifts an arm, blue fire blazing from her hand."I am Malon,"
Malon says, holding up her hands, "I sent for you to speak about Nabooru and Ganondorf."
Kotake eyes her skeptically, the blue flames crackling. After a moment, Koume slaps Kotake's arm, yelling, "Kotake, lets see what the girl has to say."
Kotake, floating back, having been destablized by the blow, faces Koume, "Koume, I'll destroy you along with this entire village if you slap me like that again!"
she yells, blue fire now emanating from her entire body as she rears upward on her broomstick, pointing at Koume. Blue fire falls like drops of water onto the ground beneath Kotake, burning the grass then extinguishing."Kotake, you miserable crone, you know you can't kill me! Calm down!"
Koume yells. Kotake, still angry, although the fire around her flickering and fading, retorts, "I can and I will, you old whore!"
Kotake flies at Koume, who dodges her tackle, the blue witch smashing into the wall of the barn, shaking it and cracking the planks, nearly flying through the wall.
Malon cringes, putting her palm to her face."Ladies, come in, please. I have some chamomile tea at the table, and some Baklava."
The two witches look at Malon, Kotake awkwardly almost falling from her broomstick as she pulls next to Koume. "Baklava!?"
Kotake jeers, "Are you sure you haven't just made some soggy scones, Hylian? Show me them!"
Koume adds, elbowing Kotake, "You'll be needing the tea."
Kotake starts to retort, although she pauses, looking into the farmhouse window, saying thoughtfully, "I do love chamomile. Reminds me of being a young girl."
Malon, picking up her chair and turning to open the door, hears Koume say wryly, "Your nose is the only part of you that remembers anything. I'm sure you picture yourself having been a dainty piece, but you've always been just as ugly as you are now."
Malon turns as Kotake flies up, having now tossed Koume to the ground. Kotake again glows with blue fire, "Koume!"
Malon runs over, standing over Koume and trying not to yell, says "Kotake, come have some baklava."
Kotake again seems to blank and descend. "We will see! If whatever rock you've baked even deserves to be called baklava! Koume, come on!"
Kotake yells, diving to the door and bumping into it a bit hard with her broomstick – Malon cringing again as Kotake opens the door and goes inside, hearing the blue witch yell "What a dreadful hovel you live in, girl!"
Koume gets up, floating over and heading in as well, saying "It reminds me of your chamber, reeking of cuckoo!"
Malon puts her hand to her face again, although she does smile a bit, setting down the chair and walking in as Kotake yells, "What? Speak up, hag!"
Malon sits at the dining table as the two witches circle around the living room. She loudly taps a spoon to the kettle, and the two pause, coming over. "Well, girl. You claim to be Malon, then? What do you know about Nabooru?"
Kotake asks as Malon pours hot water over the teabag in the cup in front of her.
Turning to pour some for Koume as well, Malon says, "She is still alive, and from what I have heard she is planning to take on Ganondorf – in fact, this very upcoming morning."
Kotake sips the nearly boiling hot tea with no response. Koume fiddles with her teabag, saying, "This evening, you say?"
Malon pauses, watching Kotake finish the entire cup of barely-steeped hot water and burping. Kotake corrects her. "This upcoming morning, she said."
Kotake now speaks, "Well, it is in line with that foolish girl to try it on her own."
turning to Koume, "We can kill the both of them, they'll be distracted with eachother. It would be very entertaining."
Malon and Koume nod.
Koume fidgets with her tea, but asks, "What do you want from us, then? There is always a catch with you Hylians."
Malon glances to the side, "I'm not a Hylian. Being rid of the two of them is my own goal as well, but I can't do it."
"Certainly, you can't."
Kotake says, pouring more hot water into her cup. Koume asks, "You are not a Hylian?"
Malon pauses, watching Koume squeeze her teabag."My family immigrated here during the war,"
Malon says, although Kotake loudly says, "A fine time to immigrate! This tea is poor!"
Koume retorts, "You haven't even steeped it, senile wench."
Kotake doesn't respond. For a while the three are quiet."By the way,"
Malon says, "Do you know anything about the lake down the river from the canyon? It has turned to a swamp practically overnight."
Malon backs away as Koume coughs and hacks rather loudly before waving and saying, "The girls are trying to irrigate and see if they can grow rice in the canyon. It isn't going well, the whole thing has been a waste of time."
Kotake defends the move, though, saying "It has barely been a month! The paddies have barely been built. You won't be having any rice if I have anything to say about it!"
Koume waves her hand, "I hate rice!"
Malon cringes, but neither witch escalates the topic. Koume simply turns to her, "Well, lets see how your baklava are, then."
Malon nods, fearing a retort from Kotake although the blue witch is quietly sipping from her cup. Bringing a tray over to the table, Kotake starts at it, "Have you stolen these from the fortress, girl!? Surely you didn't make them!"
Koume also starts a bit and looks at Kotake. The two raise their eyebrows a bit at eachother, Koume grabbing one and inspecting it. "You're no Hylian, to be sure. They make a mockery of baking!"
Koume says, taking a bite.
Kotake grabs one as well and inspects it breifly before tossing the entire thing in her mouth and chewing loudly. "Quite good, actually."
Koume says. Kotake, swallowing loudly and smacking her lips, says, "Too much sugar, just as you always do, Koume."
Koume glares at her, but finishes eating hers as Kotake turns to Malon. "Well then, tomorrow morning you say?"
Malon nods.
Kotake turns from the table, heading to the door.
Koume yells at her, "I'm still eating!"
With a loud thump, Kotake collapses, Koume not paying any mind. The door opens and Koume yells out again, "Fly back on your own then!"
she says, grabbing another.
Nabooru walks in, looking down at Kotake then at Malon, who stays still but glances to her. "I'll take some with me, you bake them almost as well as me."
Koume says, about to take another bite but pausing.
The witch turns around as Nabooru stabs Kotake, who is splayed on the floor. No blue fire, no burst of magic. Koume looks on without much reaction.
Nabooru approaches Koume, who simply looks at Nabooru and eats the baklava whole.
Koume swallows, then falls forward onto the floor.
Nabooru stabs Koume through the back as well. Malon, already having turned away, places the tray carefully into a canvas bag, saying, "For two powerful witches, they really were idiots."
Nabooru glares at Malon, although she doesn't see it.
The witches bodies glow and begin to emit a purple smoke which eventually turns into a fire, their flesh turning black and breaking to pieces, clothing untouched. After a few seconds, there is nothing but two brooms wrapped in robes.
Malon walks over, picking up the robes and shoving them in the canvas bag, Nabooru heading to the door and leaving wordlessly. Malon looks up as the door closes.
She turns back to Koume's robe, looking down.
She sees the red gemstone from Koume's forehead, picking it up and pocketing it, picking up the broom and heading to Kotake's robe. She pockets the blue gemstone as well, putting the robe in the canvas bag and holding the brooms together, wrapping the bag around them like a bindle.
She opens the door and leaves.
Outside, Nabooru rubs her eyes and stretches, looking out to the Gerudo camp in the distance where a few lamps have come on, the camp having been instructed to stay quiet and dark until Nabooru started the pyre. Nabooru unscrews her flask."The poor Gerudo king's soul will never rest, now."
Nemek speaks from behind her."Good."
she says, drinking water and staring into the fire.
Nemek rattles."How easily mortal love turns around."
Its voice echoes, transforming into a laugh."Fuck off."
"I hope everyone is looking forward to the celebrations tomorrow. We've all done incredible work."
In Malon's kitchen, the council has convened: Dreza, Baron, Makaru, Darduk, Impa, and Kyruk the Deku scrub. Most of them look over notes or eat. "Lets hear everyone then. Impa, you are the acting Sheikah representative so maybe introduce yourself?"
Malon says. "Although we should stay focused on goals and action."
She adds.
Impa looks around the room to everyone before her eyes rest on the pitcher of water in front of her. "Well, you've all met me, except for Baron,"
She waves to him and Baron nods. "Anju…"
She pauses.
After a while, she looks to Malon, who is looking down and writing. "Anju decided to leave. I suppose I'm not too surprised. She was-"
Malon interupts, saying "Stick to goals and action, please."
Impa for a few moments stares at Malon, who doesn't look up. She takes a deep breath. "Well, I don't have too much to talk about. I am only moving into the north partition after all the current homes are done, but things seem to be going well. Construction is nearly finished."
She pauses, looking down and rubbing her chin."I suppose that's all."
Malon looks up, although not to Impa, nor anyone. "It might be good to organize some hunting trips, Sheikah and Gerudo of the north partition working together. That would be fun, wouldn't it?"
She asks, expression flat, as if fun were some form of surgical treatment.
Impa exhales a laugh. "Sure. That is a good idea."
Malon looks to her and smiles proudly, hearing this.
Makaru shifts in his seat next to Impa.
Impa looks to him, gesturing."Ah, well."
Makaru says, looking around the table at everyone. He says with his soft, quiet voice, "We are looking forward to the new Market being completed, and we have begun a few classes with the Gerudo camp. They have gone very well. We will-"
He pauses."Actions and goals."
Malon says.
Makaru nods, but also shrugs. "We'll continue experimenting with the Gerudo on crops and soil. We will also work toward…"
He pauses again. "Cultural exchange?"
Malon asks.
He nods."Very good. You are optimistic?"
Malon smiles at him a bit too gently.
He can't help but smile back and nod. "I am, yes."
Makaru turns to Darduk, who sits on the couch, head back. Baron and Dreza turn as well, Malon returning to notes. "Darduk?"
"Huh."
Darduk grunts, his head forward.
Malon looks across the table, glancing at Baron."Darduk, how are things with the Moblin and Goron?"
She asks.
Darduk rolls his head. "Good."
Malon, putting her elbow on the table and holding her head with her thumb, forefinger at her temple, asks "Not working too hard, are you?"
Darduk snorts. "Bah. We're glad to be stretching our legs."
Malon folds her arms, leaning forward. "I do think the Moblin should have a bit more of a role outside Death Mountain, don't you?"
She pauses. "You need some space, maybe?"
Darduk finishes stretching and looks back flatly."Don't know what makes you say that. We get along well"
Impa and Makaru turn to Malon, who scratches behind her ear."Well, they are welcome in the town and anywhere they'd like to visit for work or trade."
She says.
Darduk shrugs. "They're not ambitious."
After a few moments, Malon leans back, returning to her notes.
Darduk waves toward Baron.
Baron sits up straight, folding his hands on the table."Well, we have been able to accomplish a lot. The walls and gates are done, the Market is coming along well and we are glad to see interest from outlanders. We'll be addressing some internal petty disputes in Fallow but I don't foresee any issues. We will carry on with establishing farms and trade."
"Well, let's hear from Kyruk then."
Malon says, pouring herself water. The deku scrub snaps to standing up straight."Yes, ma'am-"
he starts, although Malon interupts, correcting him by muttering "Council"
. He twitches."Well, to the council, I do have to say, the Fortress Gerudo have cut off contact with the business scrubs. We have been happy to serve as advisors but…"
He pauses. "With this loss of contact and trade, hopefully we can still be of use to Malon-"
He flinches, Malon glaring at him. "Of use to the council and to Allon!"
Malon taps her pen."Of course, Kyruk, you are not merely useful. The Deku are sovereign people we all respect as equals. The purpose of this council is to ensure that all of the people can work toward their own goals alongside and in cooperation with one another."
Kyruk bows. "Of course, yes. We Deku scrubs are content, however, I admit. We freely travel and maintain contact with family and friends all around the continent. As for the Kokiri, they have not indicated any desire other than peace and solitude."
Malon nods. "We all can assure them of that."
Malon turns."Dreza?"
Dreza looks up thoughtfully.
It is a cool night in the camp, the fog having grown dense. Dreza and Impa sit together quietly playing cards. Impa lifts her head from her hand, hearing footsteps. The two look, seeing Nabooru walking her horse toward the camp. They look at eachother breifly, Dreza almost immediately looking up at the ceiling. Impa lays down a card, and Dreza looks, sighing.
Nabooru quietly walks along the forest behind the camp, taking her horse to the stable."I don't know, Impa."
Dreza says, looking down at the cards.
Impa shifts."It's not that bad. Don't give up on me."
She says.
Dreza looks at her, breathing deeply then looking back to her hand."Ah."
She says quietly.
She draws a card.
Impa drinks some water from a glass.
The Deku scrubs had sold her a set of odd, large glass mugs with odd geometric patterns and strange dyed whorls. Impa thought they were terribly ugly, and everyone agreed, but also found their bizarre design endearing.
Dreza sits quietly thinking, eventually laying down a card.
Impa immediately lays down another on her side.
Dreza sighs again. "You aren't making this fun."
Impa laughs lightly.
For a while they play back and forth, the tables under the pavilion now lit by jars of fireflies, Zarah and Dreza having found out how to keep them alive and bright.
Eventually, Nabooru approaches.
She looks at the cards layed out on the table, recognizing the game."Oh great, you've started playing it too?"
Dreza shrugs.
Impa sips water."I guess I'll head to bed."
Nabooru says.
Impa doesn't move her head, but looks up at Nabooru, seeing she hasn't moved. After a while, Dreza lays down a card, Impa glances at it, then back at Nabooru. "Not tired?"
She asks.
Nabooru shrugs, sitting down to Dreza's left.
Impa plays a card, and Dreza immediately follows up."That was good."
Impa says, breathing deeply, stretching her shoulders back a bit and folding her hand, setting down her cards."You should try some time."
Dreza says, looking at Nabooru who stares at the cards. Nabooru's mouth shrinks to one side, looking at Dreza then back at the cards. "You should ask Malon to play, she'd probably love it."
Nabooru says, scratching her nose.
Dreza looks at Impa. Impa looks back, then at Nabooru."Sure, that'd definitely be interesting."
Impa says.
Nabooru sighs."I know it is something that should wait until the meeting tomorrow, but-"
She starts, although Dreza shoots her a look."Hey, I'm not on the council, I can say what I want."
Dreza cringes a bit. "I'm going to go to bed."
Nabooru glances at her, then at Impa, who sips water.
Dreza stands up, saying, "Goodnight."
Nabooru and Impa echo in unison, "Goodnight."
Dreza waves back as she walks into the camp.
Nabooru shifts a bit nervously."What's the gossip, then?"
Impa asks, picking up the cards.
Nabooru watches her quietly.
Impa neatly faces them and shuffles them a few times, placing them in a box. Nabooru grabs the pitcher and one of the glasses that hangs upside down on the pole of the table, scooting over to where Dreza was sitting and pouring herself water."Koume and Kotake are dead."
She says, taking a long drink of water. Impa pauses for a moment before turning, resting her elbows on the table and folding her hands. She pokes her thumbs together listlessly."Well, that's good."
Impa says eventually.
Impa watches Nabooru pour herself more water and drink more, although Nabooru doesn't look at her.
Nabooru breathes in and out deeply, running a hand across her head and, reaching her ponytail, she reaches up and releases her hair clasp, stowing it in a bag and fanning her hair a bit."Maybe I should cut my hair. What do you think?"
She asks, looking at Impa, who looks back, a bit bemused."What, like Dreza's? Or mine?"
Impa asks, smiling a little.
Nabooru rolls her eyes, shaking her head "Not that short. Just so I can have it down without it getting caught on everything."
Impa shrugs. "Change is good."
Zarah sits outside the barn, the basket sits open in front of her. She stares at the Skulltula, having left the basket, climbing above Malon's door and perched above it, still.
The air is muggy but cool, the mist almost wetting Zarah's clothes, although a few sparse raindrops also occasionally fleck her legs, neck and shoulders. It is silent.
Zarah looks down. She hears a creaking from the farmhouse, near the door, then quiet, although doesn't look up.
After a few moments, the door slowly cracks open, a faint plane of orange light cutting through the bluish-green mist of the night, hitting the wall of the barn and dissipating as the door opens fully."I'm sorry."
Malon says.
Zarah looks up, although past Malon, standing slowly."Its okay. I…"
Zarah trails off.
The skulltula scuttles faintly.
Zarah looks up at it, then down to Malon.
Malon glances to the side, but walks over.
They look at eachother for a while.
Zarah nods her head down, saying "I wanted to be here, if you needed me."
she says. Malon looks at her, tilting her head.
Malon lifts her hand, but drops it."I do."
she says, looking to the side again.
Zarah steps forward, close, tilting her head as well. "I'm here for you, then."
she says.
Malon is still.
Eventually, Malon looks at her, Zarah guides her head up, leaning closer.
They look into eachother's eyes and Zarah smiles lightly, placing a hand on Malon's waist, her other hand stroking Malon's hair gently, then curling behind Malon's head.
Nabooru, Impa and Dreza sit around the pavilion on another overcast, muggy day. Impa and Dreza play cards, Nabooru reads. Impa, hearing some younger Gerudo laughing looks down the main aisle of the camp, seeing a few young Zora and Gerudo talking outside the stables. Dreza lays a card and knocks on the table. Impa looks back, then up to Dreza. Dreza raises her eyebrows and smiles.
Impa grumbles. "Good one…"
They hear clanging of pots and pans from the kitchen. Impa and Dreza had turned the open tent into an even larger wood structure with three walls and an overhang. It had been a way for Dreza to teach Impa construction.
Impa didn't smell lavender incense from Nabooru's tent. Zarah and Impa had finally begun making soaps and distilling oils from juniper, chamomile and sage.
Impa looks to Nabooru. "Do you know how to make incense?"
Nabooru pauses from her reading, looking past her book."I make my own, yes."
She says.
Impa lays down a card. "You should teach Zarah and I how."
Dreza lays down a card, then draws one.
Nabooru looks over at Impa, then away. She sees someone on horseback rounding Allon town south. "Sure."
She says, looking thoughtful for a moment but returning to reading.
The group of young Gerudo and Zora, six or seven each, make their way through the camp and into the pavilion, heading north and out. Dreza and Impa both turn."Where are you all going?"
Dreza asks.
One of the younger Zora girls stops, turning back to Dreza.
Looking a bit hesitant, she says, "They want to meet some of the Moblin. I guess to buy jerky and to see if the Moblin will show off blowing up some bombs."
She seems worried.
Impa looks at Dreza, Nabooru ignoring it all.
Dreza shrugs. "They're all trained, maybe they'll have some fun."
she says to Impa. "You'll be fine, you should go have some fun."
Dreza says to the Zora girl, who has stuck behind.
The Zora girl looks down the aisle of the camp, as does Impa.
Zarah is walking down with her basket."I don't know."
The Zora says, looking down.
Dreza tilts her head at the girl.
Zarah approaches the table, looking around and out to the group heading toward Death Mountain's new trail. "What's going on, Aika?"
Zarah asks, looking at the Zora girl. Nabooru glances up brefily. Aika explains, "They want to meet Moblin and watch them blow up some bombs."
Zarah starts walking north out of the pavilion. "Well, lets go then, Aika. Sounds fun."
Aika looks down. "Idunno."
She says. "I kind of just want to go back home."
Zarah stops and turns. "Aika, you know you never have a chance with him if you're never even around."
Zarah says the words gently, but Aika seems hurt.
Zarah looks to Impa and Dreza, who just look at them."If you don't want to go, that's alright, Aika."
Dreza says.
Aika looks up at Dreza and takes a deep breath."I guess I'll go. I don't have anything else to do."
Aika says.
Impa looks at Dreza, then Nabooru, who reads."Should we go make sure everything's safe?"
Impa asks.
Dreza shrugs. "They'll be fine."
"Nabooru?"
Impa looks at Nabooru.
Nabooru looks up breifly, although she just raises her eyebrows and looks back down, saying "They're trained."
Impa looks back, seeing Zarah and Aika walking away, the group just visible approaching around some of the Moblin shanties."You still playing?"
Dreza asks.
Impa turns around, looking down at the cards on the table.
She stares for a while."Idunno. I kind of want to go out and do something. I'm bored."
"So you forfeit?"
Impa shrugs, laying down her hand."Nabooru, do you want to go…"
She looks at Nabooru, but trails off, looking down the camp aisle.
Nabooru looks up. "Want to go to the woods or something?"
Impa tilts her head. "Idunno."
Nabooru closes her book.
Dreza picks up, faces and shuffles.
Nabooru stretches. "Fishing?"
Impa looks up to the pavilion ceiling."Sure, probably good weather for it."
she says.
Sahran walks down the camp aisle as Impa and Nabooru stand, picking up their bags. "Hey Sahran."
Impa says, as Sahran approaches and sits next to Dreza, putting a hand on Dreza's back. Dreza smiles, although focuses on shuffling. "Who won?"
Sahran asks."I forfeited."
Impa says, shrugging."Ah."
Sahran says, pouring herself some water from a pitcher on the table and drinking.
Impa and Nabooru look at eachother for a bit, then start walking to the stables to get their fishing rods.
"We have council business."
In the pavilion, Malon stands looking at Dreza and Impa. The day has been sunny, although the shadows of occasional clouds have rolled across the field all morning.
A guay caws from above the forest, and Malon's head twitches left slightly. Impa drinks water, turning a page in her book.
Dreza stands, slinging a bag over her shoulder and walking to Malon, who turns. The two head down between the camp and the forest, to the stable. Malon stops, seeing Zarah returning on horseback, just passing through the south gate.
She stares at Zarah's horse, her eyes widening.
Zarah rubs an eye with her middle finger as she makes her way to the stable, dismounting and looking at the two breifly before leading Epona into a stall.
Malon puts a hand to her forehead, and Dreza looks at her."You alright?"
Malon's brow furrows and she looks down.
After a while, she smiles, looking back up and nodding to Dreza, walking over to her horse. Dreza follows and approaches hers. The two quietly climb as Zarah walks over, looking down the aisle between the forest and the camp, toward the new trail to Death Mountain, where a few more Moblin shanties can just barely be seen from the distance.
She looks at Malon, then Dreza."I'm gonna go see the Moblin."
She says, starting to walk up the camp's perimeter. Dreza watches Zarah, the girl carrying the round basket, probably with her Skulltula."Bring Impa."
Dreza says."Alright."
Dreza takes a deep breath and leads her horse up behind Zarah. Malon hesitates, glancing toward the stable, although she can't see Epona.
She turns and follows Dreza, watching Zarah head into the pavilion to talk to Impa. The two round the camp's end and head toward the bridge quietly.
The river murmuring softly, the field speckled with clouds, they hear Zarah laugh – their horses' hooves clatter gently across the stone bridge. Dreza glances back to Death Mountain for a while as they make their way across the field toward the open gate of the North partition.
Outside the gate which faces east toward them are two Goron finish a raised garden, a Sheikah adult and kid, a few Gerudo with kids playing. The two Goron had decided to move into the North partition as well, and nobody expected how large it would turn out to be. Malon and Dreza make their way up past them all, passing through the gate and a few Hylian guards gambling at the entrance, another guard posted up in a lookout tower on the northeast corner of the wall.
Nobody reacts to Malon and Dreza, a relief to both of them. They just make their way through the partition toward Anju's home.
Reaching the alley, the two dismount, guiding their horses to a pole barn to their left. Three Gerudo horses already there, it is a bit crowded. "We probably should have a bigger barn near the gate."
Malon says.
Dreza, petting her horse, shrugs. Malon sighs.
Malon looks down the alley to Anju's home, then back to Dreza.
Dreza looks around at the buildings and people, waving at one of the Gerudo and smiling."We can always expand it. Once the Gerudo camp joins."
Malon says, although her sentence seems unfinished.
Dreza looks back at her, looking a bit skeptical."Why do you think we will?"
Malon looks past her. "I meant, if you ever want to."
She takes a deep breath and turns, starting to walk down the alley. Dreza pauses but follows. Malon clears her throat as she approaches the door and knocks. Dreza stands a yard or so behind.
Malon looks back at her and gestures for her to come closer.
Dreza does, and, standing by Malon's side, Anju opens the door.
She looks pale. The house inside is dark."Come in."
She says, turning and disappearing into the house.
Dreza looks at the back of Malon's head, but Malon walks in.
Dreza joins.
Inside, Anju sits at a desk, facing away from the door toward two chairs that Malon and Dreza sit in. The curtains are closed and the house is dark, except for a single lamp on Anju's desk."I'm sorry, I couldn't wait for the meeting."
Anju says.
Dreza frowns, looking to Malon, who just looks at the stack of books and rack of jars agains the wall on Anju's desk."It's alright, Anju. I know this is urgent for you."
Malon says.
Anju nods, looking to Dreza.
Dreza swallows.
Anju's hair is a bit messy, her eyes look as though she hasn't slept.
Dreza breaths deeply."I just have to go."
Anju says, looking down.
Dreza at her, then down. "Go where?"
"To my husband."
Dreza shifts. "With the carpenters?"
Anju nods.
Dreza, stretching and straightening her back, scratching her cheekbone, looks to Malon, who looks at Anju with a blank expression."You know I will have to blindfold you, I can't let you see the way we take."
Malon says.
Anju nods. "I won't return, or try to lead them back. I just…"
Anju is silent."I just want to be with my husband."
Anju, still looking down, closes her eyes.
Malon watches, and Anju keeps her eyes closed. Malon rubs her eyes with one hand then turns to Dreza, her expression a clear mixture of annoyance and pity. The lamp flickers."What about all of your things?"
Malon asks.
Anju, quiet for a while, coughs."You can give them over to Impa."
Dreza rolls her hand, cracking her wrists and knuckles."I think…"
Anju starts."I've learned the things I needed to. I might return someday,"
she says, looking to Malon. "A long time from now. Maybe some years. You trust me, don't you?"
Anju asks.
Malon nods. "You have done so much for us, for the city. With your protection spell, we will be safe."
Dreza looks at Malon.
Malon, having turned to her, can tell Dreza is wondering, but looks back to Anju. "I wanted Dreza to be here, just so the council has a first hand account. I don't know if there is anything you need to tell Dreza, or ask."
Malon says.
Anju looks to Dreza, then past her."Just… Let Impa know, I'll be back some day."
Anju says.
Dreza shrugs, flinches a bit, then adds, "Of course."
Malon stands up, wiping her shorts and thighs as if they were covered with some kind of invisible soot. Dreza looks up to her, then to Anju, who stands."You're going now?"
Dreza asks, standing as well. Anju nods as Malon walks to the door. Dreza walks over as she opens the door, standing back. "Thank you, Dreza. Someone else will be appointed to Anju's seat in time for tomorrow's meeting."
Dreza looks at her, then back to Anju.
She leaves without a word.
Seeing Epona and Nabooru's horse by the stream, riding quickly, Malon leads, giving a gentle rub on Missy's shoulder. The horse leaps confidently across a narrower section of the river north of the city, west of the old capital. Her gaze for a while lingers on the two horses, but she turns ahead as they quickly ride between the walls of the old capital and the forest.
Holding onto her from behind on the horse is a tall figure covered in a purple cloak.
The sun is setting, and Malon gently nudges Missy with her boot, who gallops just a bit faster. The aisle between the forest and the old capital walls narrows, although as far as can be seen North it doesn't fully close. They ride for a very long time in silence, aside from the occasional guay and the sound of hooves on dirt and grass.
After a long time, the new capital long having faded behind, yet the old city's walls stretching north seemingly for miles, Malon tugs gently and Missy slows. They approach two boulders along the wall, slowing almost to a stop. Malon rubs the side of Missy's neck, blowing her a few kisses as they turn toward the forest. Missy stops at the edge and Malon climbs down.
Leading Missy, Anju sitting still as a ghost on top, Malon leads them slowly in a snaking path west. Occasionally, Malon checks a compass. They continue on for a while, eventually reaching another vast plain to the west. The large plain is surrounded by more forest, some mountains northwest. In the middle, a wooded area and, along the south border there is a long stretch of woods enclosing a wide river heading west. Malon gets back on, petting Missy and leading them to the river.
Approaching it, they take a natural path between the narrow wooded corridor and the river, eventually turning north at the end, facing the island of trees in the middle of the plain. It stretches toward the mountains northwest, and they ride a bit quicker up to it.
Malon again dismounts, Anju silent the entire time. Malon leads them into the woods slowly, Missy stopping a few times. The sun has set, although there is still plenty of light. Still, in the woods, Missy stops a few more times before they approach a small clearing. Malon reaches into her bag, pulling out a few slice carrots for Missy and feeding her. "Sweetie."
She says softly.
She looks up at Anju. "Almost there. I can walk you from here."
Malon walks over, grabbing Anju's hand and guiding her down.
Malon looks at Missy, then Anju. She takes a deep breath, rubbing Missy's neck."Stay here just a bit, okay Missy?"
she says.
Looking at Missy for a while, then checking her compass, she takes another deep breath. "You can take it off now."
Anju reaches up slowly, reaching into the hood and untying the blindfold. She looks straight ahead, then down, handing the blindfold to Malon. Malon waves her hand, then turns. "This way."
Anju approaches and Malon begins walking.
The forest floor is pretty clear, as they've come deeper in the trees are thicker and taller. Most of the floor is dirt, moss, some stones and ferns here and there. Malon looks back, still able to see Missy's blonde figure just barely. Anju just looks ahead, the large purple cloak's hood pushed back. Malon turns right slightly, around some fallen and thicker trees around a hill of stone. They can see a fire burning up ahead.
It isn't dark yet, but the dense canopy now makes it feel much later. Malon stops, and Anju approaches her side. They both look ahead toward the fire, hearing chanting.
Malon breifly looks over, not to Anju's face, but down to her hands, which are folded in front of her. Anju looks ahead."I do thank you, Malon."
She says, nodding and taking a few steps forward before stopping.
Malon looks at the back of Anju's head for a while."I should tell you."
Malon says.
She puts a hand to her chin."I'm the one who cast the protection spells."
"I did hope you would be of more use, so I let you think your spells worked."
Malon says, turning back the way they came.
Anju stands silently.
Malon calls back to her,
turning the corner of the stone and fallen trees."Don't look up."
Anju does.
Her husband hangs from a tree, tied. Three Hylian spears through his chest, his flesh a bluish purple and white, eyes wide open, lifelessly looking down at Anju. On his forehead, an upside down triforce is carved – on his chest, a Sheikah eye. Blood having spilled from his wounds and down his chin, now long dried, Anju stares expressionless and still.
Malon's footsteps have disappeared.
The chanting grows louder.
The sun beats down on Malon. She stands in a dirt hole, outside the east wall to the ranch. Her hands are sore, a splinter she removed from in between her left thumb and forefinger having left blood trailing down which she wrapped in a torn piece of her skirt. She stares at the dry, light brown grass just below shoulder height."Hurry up."
Ingo caws from the other side of the tall fence."The stalchilds will get ya if you don't, you know that!"
He mocks.
Malon continues staring at the grass but sees him step down from what is probably a crate behind the tall fence, likely walking back to the farmhouse.
She swallows, ignoring the pit in her throat, and climbs up, for a while staring down at the pile of dirt. She looks North to the old capital city, seeing Ganondorf riding his horse toward the ranch entrance.
A fly lands on the side of her nose.
She flexes her cheeks and it flies away.
Turning back to the cart and horse, she grabs a rope.
With some slack, she circles around the hole, and faces away, slinging the rope over her shoulder and pulling until it is taught. She leans forward, but the rope resists. Sighing, she pushes with her legs, the rope barely moving forward with her.
She breathes deeply, kneeling down and pulling again as hard as she can. She feels the rope give just a few inches, but a fly landing on her cheek distracts her, the rope burning her hand as it pulls back.
Tears come, although her expression is flat.
She turns, dropping the rope and walking around the other side of the hole toward the horse drawing the cart, grabbing the reign and slowly guiding her forward and toward the fence.
Stopping to eye the position, she guides the horse to back up, then stops her, petting the girl's snout but looking at the hole.
Approaching the cart, she leans over, unlocking it from the frame that the girl had pulled carefully, although she stops, thinking better of it. She takes off the sash belt around her waist, knotting it around the key to the cart, and, bracing, she takes a few steps back and pulls it.
The front of the cart violent shifts upward, the key propelled enough that it tugs at the sash in her hand. The back of the cart forms a ramp downward, and the dead horse's body slowly slides halfway over the edge. She sighs, looking into the hole.
She looks back at the poor girl who had moved the cart, although just breifly, then walks around the grave. She repeats the failed method from earlier, but with the cart now ramped, the body slides down and into the hole. Without turning, she tosses the rope back and stares into the distance, swallowing again.
She turns, looking into the grave. The dead horse is covered in whip scars. Some old, some still fresh, some rotting.
Malon, feeling faint, swallows again, sitting down with her legs hanging into the grave. The horse's nose almost still above ground, she pulls her canteen around and drinks. She drinks nearly the full half of the canteen, closing her eyes and pouring what remains over her head.
After a few moments, the water dripping down her face grows salty. Saltier than her sweat. She looks down at the horse.
A fly lands on her dress in her lap.
Then another.
Then a third.
She stares at them.
She watches one fly approach the other and attempt to mate. The third joins them.
She flicks her dress, launching them away.
Lifting her hand to drink from her canteen, she remembers it is empty. She caps it.
Staring at the horse in the grave for a long time,
she jumps down into the hole and stares for a few moments more.
She starts to tear up again,
and approaches the corpse,
wrapping her arm around the dead horse's neck.
She cries, rubbing her head against the poor old girl's neck,
hugging her tighter, she sobs.
Goron drumming echoes up the walls of the capital, joined in by a Sheikah playing clarinet, an ex-Hylian playing saxophone, and the old Kakariko windmill organ grinder playing a bit percussively. The sky is still a dim blue, now cloudless. Purple flames sparkle atop the walls.
Outside the newly-finished Plenary building in front of the old farmhouse, Baron, Talon, a few Goron and two younger Moblin stand handing out freshly grilled kebabs. Seasoned peppers, okra, mushroom and sweet potato with one or two pieces of steak. A few Deku scrubs stand under a temporary lean-to that separates the east homes of ex-hylians, having brought a strange desert: dense purple yam cake topped with candied fern tips, glazed with an odd green-tea icing. One Moblin somewhat awkwardly stands with a few Zora girls on the west side of the farmhouse near some kegs and a few small crates filled with loose dodongo jerky.
Gerudo, Sheikah, a few ex-Hylians as well as Zora sit around tables in the west half of the ranch. Below the east gate, some older ex-Hylians and a few Sheikah watch after kids of every race, having built a temporary pool, sandbag games and having their own grills. One odd Gerudo out on the east side talks to one of the ex-Hylians over the grill.
Behind the Plenary, one of the Zora girls looks to the Moblin who sits on a crate just staring out. "You should salt the jerky, spice it up a bit, don't you think?"
she asks, leaning toward him. He gives her an inscrutable stare. "I don't like salt."
He says. The three Zora girls all laugh, one of them whispering in the others ear. "Do you Moblin know how to swim?"
The girl who had been talking to him asks. He grunts. "Why, should I?"
He says, looking off. The two Zora behind giggle. "Well it might help you cool off after a long day of work, don't you think? I could teach you."
She says, leaning in a bit more. The Moblin looks at her, again with a blank expression. "Hum…"
Talon rather quietly walks past the three Zora girls and the Moblin, toward one of the kegs with a glass. "Oooh,"
the taller Zora says loudly, "They're allowing beer now are they?"
Talon, pausing before tapping the keg, looks over his shoulder and smiles his usual bashful smile. "Special occasion."
He says, filling his cup."Where are our cups, then, handsome?"
The Moblin looks back and forth a bit awkwardly.
Talon stammers, "Ah, well, you'll have to ask my husband…"
The three Zora girls giggle, turning and walking around the Plenary to find Baron. Talon sips, looking at the Moblin, who now looks mortified. "Maybe you oughtta go dance for a bit, Eamond."
Talon teases.
Eamond looks down, snorting. "Don't see you dancing."
Talon laughs, walking back around the corner, patting Eamond's shoulder.
Massive paper lanterns float above the tables on the ranch grounds. Against the west wall, Allonians, Fallowers, all races, fiddle with instruments on and off stage while Goron drum away steadily.
Mostly Zora, Gerudo and a few younger Sheikah dance and laugh, some sipping beer, a few Gerudo showing off twirling flaming spears on stage. Impa, Dreza and Sahran sit at one of the tables close to the stage, playing cards calmly in the din of voices and odd fusion music.
Nabooru comes over with a glass of beer and a plate of the strange Deku dessert. "Just going to play cards all night?"
She says light-heartedly, nudging Impa, who remains focused on the card game. She sits and starts to eat.
Dreza stares. "Beer and cake?"
She says, looking disgusted – although as everyone knows, anytime Dreza's expression isn't flat it means she's having the time of her life.
Nabooru shrugs."Won't feel great tomorrow, but I am curious what the Deku made. It looked too weird to not try."
She smiles. Dreza does too, returning to the card game.
After a while, Makaru, also with a glass of beer, wanders up, sitting rather close to Nabooru. "That stuff needs more sugar. It's not much of dessert."
he says. She glances at him, looking him up and down a bit obviously. "Probably better it's not too sweet, I do still want to dance a bit tonight."
Makaru looks a bit thoughtfully up at the purple flames along the top of the west wall. "We should paint a big mural all over that."
He says. Just as he does, Malon and Zarah approach behind him, having walked over from the farmhouse. At the same time they walked over, Makaru happens to turn around."We should paint a big mural all over there,"
He repeats to them, gesturing toward the stage. The two look at eachother, Zarah giggles."You gotta be kidding me."
Nabooru groans."What's the matter?"
Zarah says, leaning forward and smiling deviously.
She is dressed in a black leotard with bunny ears on her head. Malon puts a hand on Zarah's back, although she laughs somewhat nervously, looking to the three women playing cards. Dreza shakes her head, Sahran looks mortified. Zarah beams. Impa ignores everything.
Malon is wearing a short frilly purple skirt and corseted top, her hair cut a bit shorter than shoulder length in a tight ponytail with long bangs down - sort of like Zarah's style, although Zarah now lets her hair down often.
Nabooru shakes her head."It was her idea."
Malon says to no one in particular.
Makaru just dumbly stares at the two of them."You got good ideas."
He says, looking at Zarah.
Zarah does a flirty twist and hugs Malon, whispering in her ear. Nabooru raises an eyebrow, noticing Malon looking embarassed, although she continues eating.
Malon steps over and leans between Nabooru and Makaru, "The Moblin are going to be setting off fireworks. Its so exciting!"
She says, smiling genuinely now. Makaru stares at Malon's cleavage while Nabooru chews, shrugging."Just figured I should tell everyone. Some of the old Hylians might be little bitches about it."
Malon says.
Nabooru laughs and they exchange a smile that lingers rather long."Wanna join us in the house? To freshen up?"
Zarah asks, looking at Nabooru impishly, stepping closer and putting her hand on Malon's back now, Malon glancing back at her."I would."
Makaru says, taking a drink.
The three laugh."You're drunk."
Zarah says.
Makaru shrugs. "Just saying. I would."
He stands up, "You oughta paint a big mural on that wall."
He says, leaning forward then turning, walking over to where Talon, Baron and a Moblin are grilling.
Nabooru looks at the two as they watch Makaru wander off. She sets her fork down. Zarah turns back first, her eyebrows raised. Zarah tugs on Malon's shirt and they both stand up straighter. "Well, we are just going to go freshen up, you're welcome to join us."
Zarah says, Malon looking a bit dazed.
Nabooru pretends not to see Zarah's hand move lower."I'll wait and watch the fireworks. A bit worn out tonight."
She says, glancing over at the three playing cards and the stage.
Nabooru turns, seeing Malon having wrapped her arm around Zarah's back again and smiling. "Don't want you getting lonely."
Malon says, smiling although Nabooru just waves her hand."Seeya later then."
Zarah says, walking around Malon and tugging her by her corset. Malon follows without looking back.
Nabooru watches them walk toward the farmhouse gate.
Nabooru shakes her head and turns back to Dreza, Sahran and Impa, who all stare at her."What? You all look like you just saw Ganondorf's ghost.
"Let me play next round?
" Nabooru asks.
Dreza, Sahran and Impa all look at eachother.
Dreza, smiling, shakes her head, making a play that Sahran and Impa both groan at - its a rarely possible, horribly cruel play that almost ensures the game will go on for dozens more turns with very little happening. Sahran nearly folds, but Dreza whispers to her. "Don't quit
", gesturing with her head to Nabooru, who, having finished the cake, and seeing the game will last a long time, stares at her full glass of beer with her head resting on a backward fist, then just stares across the Fallow.
Sahran looks at Dreza and leans back a little, playing a card.
Impa draws one.
After maybe a minute, a couple young Moblin having joined in drumming with the Goron and an adult Moblin now playing trumpet, clearly a bit drunkenly but very well, a massive flash of light followed by a loud bang covers the camp.
Everyone, looking up, sees as another three massive explosions of fireworks dazzle: purple and green explosions, orange streamers, a flurry of small blue pops.
A lot of the camp cheers, applauding and laughing. The table all looks up expectantly, and another, slower four come: neatly timed, four dense, incredibly bright clouds of alternating pink and yellow sparks with more blue pops, the smoke in the air now adding to the show.
As Sahran, Dreza and Impa all look up, Dreza resting a head on Impa's shoulder and Sahran with her hand on the small of Dreza's back, Nabooru looks down at the cards.
She sighs, standing up and turning. A few more volleys follow, although she just looks down and to the side for a while. Looking out to the pole barn, she sees a Deku scrub handing an Fallower kid who just won some sort of game a giant stuffed bunny which the kid dances with, to the amusement of her parents and the Deku scrub.
Nabooru stares for a while, the parents and kid leaving.
The Deku scrub turns to another and they bicker lightly, although they do smile back at the kid and parents.
Nabooru turns, looking down as more fireworks explode overhead. After a few moments, she looks out at the farmhouse. She doesn't see any lights on in Malon's room – not even the faint glow of a firefly night light. She takes a deep breath, though, walking toward the farmhouse, seeing bright light pouring out of the living room and kitchen windows.
Walking up to the gate, the band now playing a rather loose but sweet ballad, she hesitates a bit before opening it and slowly walking to the door of the house. Looking up, she sees a gold skulltula near the roof of the second story. Stopping, she notices movement in the window to the living room, which she is surprised has the curtains open.
Zarah stands in front of Malon, seemingly alone together.
Nabooru takes a few steps closer, looking in as Zarah fixes Malon's makeup. Nabooru shakes her head again, seeing the puffy bunny tail on Zarah's leotard.
Malon closes her eyes, Zarah holding a hand mirror and producing lipstick. Zarah leans over Malon, who, although her nose scrunches, smiles, eyes closed as Zarah lightly draws a red diamond on Malon's forehead, then shows her with the mirror. Malon laughs, pushing Zarah's waist playfully and wiping the lipstick from her forehead.
Nabooru steps back as more fireworks ring out. The backs of her eyes tingle and she puts a hand to her mouth. After a while, looking away, out of the corner of her eye, she sees Zarah recline on the couch, her feet in Malon's lap, Malon now using the handmirror to look at her own makeup. Nabooru shakes her head.
She looks at the door for a few moments and walks over, pausing, but opening it and walking in. She closes it behind her quietly, the music and cracks of fireworks dampened. Malon looks over, smiling gently, relaxing her corset a bit.
Zarah reclines on the couch, tying a knots listlessly into one of the paper streamers. "Need anything?
" Malon asks, looking at Nabooru and adjusting her skirt pointlessly.
Nabooru gives a restrained smile, walking over.
Nabooru shrugs, looking down into Malon's eyes, her gaze wandering to Zarah's bare feet in Malon's lap, then to Zarah, who ties knots. "Drank too much?
" Zarah asks.
Nabooru lets out a light laugh. "Nah, I decided against drinking.
"
Zarah finally looks over at Nabooru, eyebrows raised just slightly. "Thought you said you wanted to dance tonight.
"
"Ah, well…
" Nabooru says, looking back down to Zarah's feet. Nabooru's brow furrows a bit. She looks at Zarah again, who has returned to knotting the streamer.
She takes a deep breath and exhales.
Malon looks up at her.
Nabooru, glancing at Zarah breifly, leans down to Malon, who leans up, grabbing Nabooru's hand. They kiss.
The humidity of the summer night a bit tacky on their skin, Nabooru's hand slowly reaching up to the side of Malon's head – they kiss slowly, eyes closed, as if they hadn't seen eachother in years.
Malon lets out a hum or a moan, Nabooru pulling back slightly and rubbing Malon's lips with her thumb. Malon's eyes closed, Nabooru watches her, the two dimly smiling.
Nabooru's eyes drop from Malon's face, looking again at Zarah's feet, then up Zarah's legs, up her midriff, up to her face, where Zarah smiles and tilts her head back and forth, her silly bunny ears wobbling. Nabooru laughs, and Malon, having opened her eyes, gently pushes Nabooru's wrist away.
"You don't have to do anything tonight.
" Malon says.
Nabooru looks at her. "Well, I came because I want to.
" She says, as her hand wraps around Malon's.
Zarah taunts lightly, "You'll come when we want you to.
"
Malon snorts and Nabooru laughs, standing up and putting a hand to her face. Zarah swings her legs over the couch, throwing the streamer behind it and standing, walking over to Nabooru.
"Bunnies should be the sages of the new Kingdom.
" She says, jeering and wagging her bunny tail. "What do you think, Nabooru?
" Malon and Nabooru both laugh. "You're insane.
" Nabooru says, shaking her head and, stepping back as Malon stands up.
Zarah is already walking up the stairs to Malon's bedroom.
"We can all be insane. It's better that way." Zarah says.
What did I do to deserve this.
Malon and Nabooru look into eachothers eyes. Malon shrugs, walking around Nabooru but hooking a finger around her belt.
Nabooru follows Malon up the stairs a few paces behind, now shamelessly looking up Malon's skirt and admiring the view. Malon turns at the top, walking into her bedroom and Nabooru follows.
Zarah has a few candles lit on the windowsills near the bed, a few firefly lamps now illuminate the shelves. Zarah reclines on the bed, watching the two come in, Nabooru walking toward the bed and Malon closing and locking the door.
Nabooru sits at the foot of the bed, taking off her sandals, then leaning back and sliding up.
Zarah immediately wraps an arm around her right leg, and Nabooru lets out a laugh and a sigh as Malon joins, wrapping an arm around Nabooru's other leg, the two of them looking up at her breifly, then making out.
The two tightly squeeze Nabooru's thighs. Malon sucks Zarah's tongue, her hand slowly wandering to Nabooru's sash.
"" Nabooru says after a while, taking a deep breath as Malon unties her pants' sash.
Zarah glances at Nabooru, smiling.
Nabooru doesn't react really, just closes her eyes and crosses her arms behind her head, taking a slow, deep breath.
"
"Zarah slowly lifts and then plunges back down.
Zarah blows a bubble of spit and pre.
"Zarah, I can't…"
" Zarah asks, looking down at Malon.
"
" Zarah taunts.Leave some for the queen…
grinding forward.
"
"Look what you've gotten yourself into.
"
"Thank you, thank you- Thank you, thank you so much, so much-
her fingernails digging into Zarah's inner thighs
"
"Please, more, please…
"
"I'm a cute little bunny – cute little bunny….
"
"Make mommy proud.
"
"Be a good bunny.
biting harder
"
"Mhmmmm… Bad mommy…
"
"Good bunny."
"
Tears.
"I do have to go talk to the Moblin today."
Malon says, tapping a pen while looking over some notes. Nabooru is cooking in one of Malon's crop tops. Malon looks over to admire Nabooru's ass, the gerudo having borrowed a somewhat awkwardly fitting pair of Malon's shorts. Nabooru doesn't respond, but they both look back at the sound of Malon's door opening, Zarah walking down the stairs yawning."How's miss bunny this morning?"
Nabooru teases. Zarah sits next to Malon, leaning to her as she puts an arm around Zarah, who rubs her eyes with one hand. "Good."
she says a bit flatly, grabbing the pitcher of water and pouring herself a cup of water. Malon scrawls some things as Nabooru comes over with a plate of eggs and toast.
Zarah, having glanced at Malon's notes and map, offhandedly says, "The Garo already did that. Last night."
Zarah drinks water, then stands up and stretches. Malon and Nabooru look at her confused.
Zarah looks at them. "I told the Garo about it. I said it'd be helpful, and so they did it."
She picks up her cup, drinking more water.
Malon stares at her blankly. Nabooru leans over, looking at the notes Malon scrawled on a map of Gerudo Canyon. Some red circles indicate Moblin positions, some calculations on amounts of bombs.
Nabooru stares at Zarah too. "The Canyon is totally blocked?"
she asks, surprised as Zarah sits back down, drinking water."What, aren't I a good bunny?"
she asks, looking at Malon, who turns to Nabooru, blushing oddly.
Nabooru laughs, turning around."Maybe a bit too good."
she says, "Egg, or do you want steak and vegetables?"
Malon slides her map and papers away, pulling her plate in front of her."Steak please."
Zarah says cheerfully, drinking water. Malon, starting to eat, is silent. Nabooru brings Zarah a plate of steak, veggies and buttered bread. Zarah leans toward Malon, maybe trying to kiss her cheek, although Malon pushes her away gently, eating. Zarah lets out a "hmph!"
.
Nabooru, turning and walking back, quips, "Well, good thing you don't like eachother TOO much. Don't think anybody would survive if you did."
Zarah grins, picking up a fork and knife. Malon, swallowing and wiping her mouth, grumbles, "Good bunny."
Zarah gently kicks Malon's foot.
The three finish their breakfast, and for a while, Nabooru sits braiding Zarah's hair while Malon scrawls and turns through pages of notes. "Where were the detonations?"
She asks flatly.
Zarah, not looking, and reaching to stroke Nabooru's thigh, says, "No idea."
Nabooru, initially glaring slightly at Zarah's hand, plucks a few hairs and Zarah squeeks, folding her arms. Malon sighs."I had planned this out very specifically, Zarah. If the detonations weren't placed just right, its very likely that we'd cut off the lake and hand them a massive cistern and even protection from any threats."
Malon says, looking at her notes. "Sure."
Zarah says.
Malon glares breifly. "We can't have them isolated completely like that. Besides, it would have been a way to show Allonians that Moblin can be trusted to defend the lowlands."
"Thought you said good bunny."
Zarah pouts.
Malon looks at her, unamused. "Zarah…"
Nabooru, finishing braiding Zarah's hair, stands up, grabbing their plates. "You don't have to do everything perfectly, Malon."
She says, taking the dishes over and beginning to wash them.
Malon glares lightly at Zarah. "I don't have to, but I'd prefer to."
Zarah stands, shrugging. "Well, I can go ask the Garo how it all turned out. Maybe they did exactly what you were planning on anyway."
She stretches.
Malon glares at Zarah's midriff, then tugs her by the belt, her hand groping Zarah's dick. "Didn't get enough last night?"
Zarah says, smirking. "Must be why you're crabby."
Malon squeezes Zarah hard and Zarah lets out a light moan. Nabooru turns, although Zarah quickly steps back and Malon pretends to look back at her notes as they hear Talon's door opening.
Baron walks out, yawning and rubbing his neck. "Coffee…"
He mutters, walking toward the kitchen. Nabooru exhales a laugh. "Coffee press has been done for a while,"
She says, pointing to the table, "its probably strong as an Iron Knuckle's piss though, might want to water it down."
Baron, walking over, gives a disgusted look to Nabooru, who hands him a mug. "Please never say that again…"
Baron mumbles. Nabooru and Zarah laugh."Well, we have to find something for the Moblin to do other than shoot off fireworks every other week."
Malon says. "Any ideas?"
Nabooru and Zarah look thoughtful. Baron, walking back to Talon's room, says back, "Make them barbers and teach them to knit."
He yawns, closing the door behind him.
The three look at eachother. Malon frowns thoughtfully. "Something like that, yeah."
Zarah walks back to the stairs. "The queen seems occupied. I'm grabbing my bag. Nabooru, you wanna go see what the aftermath looks like?"
Nabooru looks to Zarah, then to Malon, who is back to scrawling notes."Sure, my horse is at the camp though."
she says, walking to join Zarah upstairs to get ready.
Zarah giggles. "I meant outside the Plenary."
Nabooru looks confused for a bit."Oh…"
She says, following Zarah up the stairs, shaking her head.
Nabooru and Zarah wander out of the farmhouse, letting Malon scrawl notes and pour over her papers. "She's so cute when she's busy."
Nabooru says. Zarah smiles, "She is."
Zarah drinks green tea from a large glass, while Nabooru walks with a mug of coffee. She didn't water it down like she had recommended Baron to.
They walk toward the gate to the old ranch. A few people sit at the tables still. Just before they open the gate they hear the barn door open. Stopping and looking at eachother, they both turn around. A Moblin turns the corner and jolts seeing them. "Ahm!"
He grunts, looking around. "Good morning,"
Zarah says, glancing to Nabooru, they both snicker, "Hope the hay was comfy."
The Moblin just stands for a while, then turns, his back indeed covered in hay, as he quickly and awkwardly makes his way down the slope toward the North partition gate, likely to head out the east exit back to Death Mountain.
Nabooru shakes her head, taking a sip of coffee. They turn, Zarah saying, "Something tells me that might not be the weirdest thing we'll see."
Nabooru snorts, grabbing the gate and pulling, although they both turn again, hearing the barn door open and some girls talking. Three Zora girls emerge from the barn, giggling. Nabooru nearly spits out her coffee and leans against the gate, laughing hysterically."He went that way."
Zarah says, pointing down to the north gate. One of the Zora girls blushes, the other two laugh and drag her along, half running, half skipping to find the Moblin. Zarah turns to Nabooru, who is almost in tears from laughing. "Well…"
Zarah says, opening the gate. Nabooru tries to collect herself, wiping tears and rounding the gate, walking past the barn and Plenary with Zarah.
They see Dreza and Impa bussing dishes from the tables, Impa waving a bit formally, Dreza glancing but rather quickly walking over to bring the dishes to a basin outside the Plenary. Nabooru and Zarah exchange a look, although they also turn to Sahran and another Gerudo, who are sitting at one of the nearer tables. Sahran, facing away and leaning forward, says something that makes the Gerudo blush, pointing to Impa and Dreza.
Nabooru and Zarah exchange another look. "You think?"
Nabooru asks. Zarah doesn't respond, instead quickly walking toward the stage. Nabooru follows, Zarah climbing up and sitting cross legged between a bunch of tall Goron drums. Nabooru sits next to her, half behind the drums. "Let's see."
Zarah whispers, taking a long drink of the green tea. Nabooru sips her coffee. They both look at Sahran and the Gerudo, who clearly have something going on, then to Impa and Dreza, Impa leaning a bit close to Dreza and saying something to her.
Eventually, they watch Dreza and Impa walk to the table, pouring themselves some water and leaning in, chatting with the two and seeming flirtatious. "Oh. They did."
Nabooru says, snorting.
Zarah looks back at her, "Shhh, look!"
She whispers. The Gerudo leans over and whispers in Dreza's ear. Dreza blushes again, Sahran laughs, after a few moments the Gerudo puts a hand on Dreza's on the table, leaning in – Dreza hesitates, looking around, but accepts a breif kiss before standing up, saying something and heading back to the basin outside the Plenary."Finally."
Zarah says, out loud now.
Nabooru takes a deep breath, shaking her head."Hey!"
Sahran yells out to them, they both jolt.
Pointing with her glass of water, but, flinging the water out of the cup, nearly splashing the horrified deku scrubs sitting at the table closer to the stage. Nabooru recognizes the two as the ones who had ran the game tent the night before.
Impa, seemingly assuming Sahran was refering to the deku scrubs, just shakes her head, saying something to the Gerudo, who Nabooru can't remember the name of, who is closer to Malon's age. Impa walks toward the Plenary, Sahran and the Gerudo head toward the east gate, likely to walk around the outside to the north partition.
Zarah stands up and jumps down from the stage, heading over to Impa and Dreza, although Impa has wandered behind the Plenary, seemingly going into the barn looking for something. Nabooru follows Zarah a ways behind, waving at the Deku scrubs who still seem genuinely horrified."They want to do this *twice a month*."
Dreza says, sighing."Seems reasonable to me."
Zarah says, sipping tea.
Dreza glances at her."You aren't the one washing dishes."
Zarah purses her lips, looking over as Nabooru joins, grabbing a towel and reaching into the basin to start drying dishes. "I do think twice a month is a lot."
She says."We need more bunny ears."
Zarah says thoughtfully.
Nabooru and Dreza shoot her a look."What? We could make the whole festival bunny themed. It'd be so cute!"
Zarah says.
Dreza shakes her head, passing a few plates to Nabooru."Sure."
Nabooru says, her tone flat but she does smile lightly.
Dreza smiles a bit as well, saying"I'll do dishes myself for the whole festival twice a month as long as it isn't bunny themed."
Zarah steps back, "What, didn't you feel the bunny magic last night too?"
She asks, smirking. Dreza blushes."Zarah…"
Nabooru groans, glaring. Dreza flicks water at Zarah, who squeels, "Fine! Fine! Sorry!"
She starts walking around the building back toward the farmhouse gate.
Nabooru casts a devilish look to Dreza, filling a cup with water and rounding her way behind Zarah. Impa, rounding the corner of the building, immediately takes two steps to her right and Nabooru dumps the water on Zarah, who shreiks.
Impa continues to walk back to the basin with some towels, shaking her head. She turns her head, seeing Zarah fuming."If you two are going to get rowdy at least take it to the barn."
Impa says.
Zarah, frowning, grumbles, "She started it."
Dreza looks up thoughtfully. "She did, actually."
Outside, in one of the Allonian apartment buildings' backyard – there being two constructed with rather small efficiencies as some ex-Hylians had gotten impatient and were willing to sacrifice larger living areas to stop having to live in shanties or tents – a man sits at a bench along a desk, facing a tall fence. He is painting a sign."Happy Masks"
- He carefully paints intricate dot patterns along the border of the words. A bead of sweat falling onto one of the dots, causing it to merge with another, he slams his fist down on the unpainted surface of the sign."How are you today, Miyo?"
He turns with a glare, as if ready to snarl - his hands recoiling close to his chest in a rather absurd, defensive pose. He relaxes a bit, seeing a Zora girl, although he looks up at her head, seeing bunny ears."You..."
He hisses.
The Zora looks at him a bit perplexed and maybe slightly a bit disgusted at his gnarled expression, one of her eyebrows raised. She realizes he had stared at her bunny ears. She takes them off and picks at some of the fluffy pills on them."You ought to all be paying me for designing those!"
Miyo says, angrily. The Zora girl looks at him again. "Um… okay..."
"Well,"
she says, putting the ears back on. "I just wanted to say your always welcome at the river. You seem like you need a swim."
Miyo turns back to his painting, hunched forward, grunting."I don't need to do pointless things like that!"
He hisses.
She just looks at him, shaking her head slightly and turning to walk away, although as she does, Malon turns around the corner of the fence as well. "Miyo, how are you?"
She asks with a smile, as if she hadn't been standing around the corner the whole time.
Miyo turns, looking at Malon in horror."I am well, madam!"
He says with a shrill tone, knocking over his palette and glass of water."Fuck! Everything!"
He screams, breaking down into tears and slamming his fists on the painting. He swipes his arm across the painting, intending to smear it all, but in the direct sunlight it has dried quickly, the stupid man instead merely fills his forearm with splinters and yelps.
The Zora, having started to walk away, looks back at Malon and, clearly trying not to burst out laughing, quickly walks toward the east gate. Malon, having watched with a blank expression, walks up to Miyo, who has rested his head in his hands, sobbing. "Miyo, I did just happen to overhear you seeking rent from the gentle, good-natured people of Allon."
Malon says, folding her arms. Miyo just continues to sob."I pour my heart and soul into my designs!"
He wails, Malon unamused. "To be an artist, working all day for years, and seeing one's very essence turned into a cheap, stupid toy, my lady..."
he sobs."You can't comprehend how humiliating it is, to see my life's work turned into a mockery of art!"
Miyo laments on. "They're stealing the only thing near and dear to me!"
Malon, arms folded, rolls her eyes, letting Miyo continue. "I spent the past half decade, toiling away to develop the perfect bunny ears! I tested them with the children, carefully documenting each microexpression to ensure the absolute maximum of joy and pleasure! My design was nearly flawless! Just enough bounce, just enough softness, just the perfect shade of yellow…"
Miyo eventually collapses forward, head in his folded arms.
Malon stares at the man for a while, then looks around. She sees Zarah had been watching for some time, wearing a pair of the knockoff bunny ears, a hand to her mouth, trying not to laugh."I see…"
Malon says slowly, although definitely sounding rather inauthentic. "That must be very hard for you, Miyo."
Miyo lifts his head, turning to Malon."You understand?"
He says with a pathetic smile, a few tears still flowing down his cheeks.
He stands, outstretching his arms toward Malon, who backs away. As he turns to face her more, he sees Zarah. Zarah puts her hands on her hips, smiling, and does a little dance."Bunny bunny!"
She says, laughing.
For a few seconds, Miyo's eyes simply widen in horror, his arms recoiling and smile fading. His eyes roll back and he faints, falling backward, his head loudly knocking against the fence.
Malon and Zarah look at eachother, wincing.
They both walk over to him, Malon reaching down to prop him up.
Zarah laughs, pointing at Miyo's chest.
The man's dropped glass of water, having shattered on a rock, had pierced his chest when he fell. Malon, quickly pulling her hands back and letting his head slide limply down the fence, looks at her hands, finding them covered in blood.
Malon shakes her head solemnly.
Zarah laughs.
Malon looks up at her, wiping the blood off on her dress.
Zarah puts her hands on her hips and does a little dance again."Bunny bunny!"
Zarah stands on the bridge between the two hollowed log gates to Kokiri forest, looking down at the sea of fireflies. After a while, she looks up, the pale green fog of the forest filtering the sunlight, making the whole forest feel like an indoor space.
In her basket, the familiar crackling of the wicker as her skulltula adjusts doesn't bring any response from Zarah. She looks into the black of the gate, then down to her shoulder bag. On her back, a quiver and bow, and a large sheathed machete.
She folds her hands, rubbing her palms slowly and closing her eyes, breathing slowly. She counts her breaths, feeling her palms with her fingers. The forest is completely silent, enough that she can almost feel her slow, gentle breaths.
…
Fado and Fiona look down, on the outskirts of the canopy town, where the wood bridges no longer intersect, but one path sprawls out northward. The path reaches down lower, toward the old Great Deku Tree, where the new Deku Tree grows in a sealed meadow. They see the Gerudo girl walking through the forest below, looking at eachother concerned. For a while, they follow her, until eventually she stops.
Drinking from a canteen, looking around, after a while the Gerudo begins to look up to the canopies. Fado and Fiona watch from behind a tree, although at this point the Gerudo sees the wood plank bridges above. Fado glances to Fiona and steps forward.
The Gerudo follows the bridges through the canopy, eventually looking at Fado, although the two just stare at eachother."Hello,"
Fado says politely, paying attention to Fiona's position in her peripheral vision, "You should be careful. People who are not Kokiri almost never leave. I can show you the way back, though, if you are lost."
The two look at eachother for a while."My name is Zarah, I -well,"
Zarah pauses. "I don't really know why I came here. I guess I was just curious. What is your name?"
Fado hesitates, but replies, "I am Fado."
Fado is quiet, keeping an eye on Fiona, who hides.
She eventually walks toward a tree, entering an opening and descending a ladder inside, turning around the tree to look at Zarah, although she doesn't approach. Zarah tilts her head."How many other Kokiri are there?"
Zarah asks, "Are you safe?"
Fado shakes her head."We are safe. You shouldn't be here though, you will get lost. People who get lost in the woods turn into Wolfos."
Zarah scratches her cheek, looking down."I think I'll be alright."
She says.
She looks at Fado and her fairy. "Its nice to meet you. I hope you aren't offended that I came here."
Fado's brow furrows, "I'm not, it is just strange. Nobody ever comes into the forest."
Zarah looks down.
They stand for a while.
This deep in the forest, bugs hum and chirp steadily."Why don't any of you ever leave?"
Fado takes a step back, holding the collar of her shirt and looking to the path Zarah had walked down."If we leave…"
She says.
She stands for a while, looking off.
Zarah watches her."We can't leave."
Fado says quietly, looking down."The last boy who did, never came back."
Zarah breathes deeply and slowly, feeling her palm.
Her skulltula is silent. "I'm sorry, Fado."
Fado just looks down.
Zarah watches her."I'll go."
Zarah says. "I can find my way back."
Fado looks up. "Oh, I'll go with. I don't want you to get lost. There are also some safer paths to take, I can show you them."
Zarah smiles. "Alright. I'd love to see more of the forest."
Fado puts a half-closed fist to her mouth, looking up to Fiona."Fiona, I'll be back soon, alright?"
Fiona steps out from behind the tree."Alright, Fado. I'll let the others know."
Zarah looks up, waving to Fiona, although Fiona just quickly walks back along the bridges.
Zarah turns to Fado, who now joins her."I really am sorry if you don't want people visiting."
Fado tilts her head, "Its alright. It is nice to meet you. I don't want you to get lost."
Zarah nods.
They turn, making their way back through the forest to the entrance.
…"Do you mind if I visit again?"
Fado looks down.
After a while, she looks up."That would be okay."
she says lightly.
Zarah bows. "Well, I will some time. Thank you for showing me around."
she says with a smile. Fado smiles gently as well."Nice to meet you, Zarah."