The Heroes Ball

A/N I do not own Legend of Zelda... Reviews appreciated. =D

"No, I'm not going."

That proclamation hung in the air a few moments before Telma frowned. "You have to. It was very gracious for Princess Zelda to invite the members of the Resistance to this ball. Even Link's going, and he's not the most social person either."

"The ball was thrown in Link's honor," Ashei argued. "He's only going because he has no choice. I, however, do have a choice, and that choice is no."

"The other members are going. I'm going to be there. You don't have to worry about being alone."

"I'm not worried about being alone," she countered. "I just don't want to go, yeah?"

"Why?" Telma asked, folding her arms. "You know, it would be a good way to meet a nice man for you..."

Ashei snorted. "The only man I'd meet there is one of those cowardly soldiers."

"They're not so bad..."

That caused her to snort again. "Please. Shad has more guts than the lot of them combined."

That caused Shad to look up from his place at the back of the bar. He frowned slightly, trying to work out if that was a compliment or not before returning to his drink, eying the two arguing women thoughtfully.

"Besides," she continued. "I don't know if you've noticed, Telma, but I'm not exactly one of those pretty girly-girls, yeah?"

"That's not true, honey," the barkeeper replied. "You're very pretty..." Her eyes scanned the room until they fell on the scholar. "Shad, don't you think Ashei is pretty?"

That caused him to spit out his drink, coughing furiously. "M-me?"

Ashei rolled her eyes. "Thanks Shad."

That caused Shad to become flustered. "Ashei- I didn't mean- of course I think- er..." His face reddened at the sight of Telma's glare. "Oh my..."

"Forget it. I know that I'm no Princess Zeda, yeah? I don't even own a dress, so I don't see how I could possibly go any way."

"You don't own a dress?" Telma echoed, blinking. She suddenly smiled. "We can fix that right away! Oh, this will be so fun! We can get you a dress, and some jewelry..."

Ashei sighed. "Telma, I don't think-"

"Nonsense! We'll get going right away! Shad, watch the bar, will you honey?"

The scholar blinked before replying. "I suppose..." His eyes met Ashei's and he simply shrugged as she mouthed him a 'help me'. Perhaps this shopping excursion would be good for his friend.

"Great!" Telma began half-leading, half-dragging a protesting Ashei from the bar.

"See anything you like, honey?" Telma asked. They had arrived at Castletown Tailors, the place where simply everyone bought their gowns.

"They all look the same to me, yeah?" Ashei replied flatly.

The older woman sighed. "Fine... Let's start with a color then... Pink? Wait, no... Princess Zelda will be wearing pink. We don't want to look like we're trying to compete with her, now do we?"

The warrior just stared at her for a few moments. Did who was wearing what color matter so much? When she noticed the other woman staring at her expectantly, she sighed and chose a color at random. "Red."

Telma clapped her hands together. "Good choice, I really think that red would suit you... Now let's see what we have..." She began searching through the dresses while the warrior just leaned against the wall with her arms crossed, looking bored. After what seemed like eternity, Telma picked out a dress, looking triumphant. "Aha! Perfect! What do you think Ashei?"

"Looks great," she replied without really looking at it.

The older woman missed the disinterest in her voice. "It does, doesn't it? When I was young, I would love to wear a dress like this... Come on! Let's get you fitted!"

"Fitted? Oh great..." Ashei sighed as she followed after Telma.

"Ah, an excellent choice, Telma," the tailor said with a bow. Ashei was not surprised he knew of her- Telma was well-known. "We already have your measurements on files, so we'll just have to let it out for you and-"

"Oh, it's not for me, it's for my friend here." She motioned toward Ashei.

"Oh?" he looked at her for a moment. "We will have to get your measurements, miss... If you would remove your armor?"

The warrior opened her mouth to refuse, but after a sharp jab from Telma relented, first removing her scabbard, then allowing Telma to assist her in removing the armor. The tailor eyed the pile of armor with a bit of contempt, not deeming fighting to be a proper womanly pastime. Stepping around the pile, he took out his measuring tape and began to take her measurements. She felt strangely vulnerable as the man's measuring tape was wrapped around her body in numerous places.

"Alright," the tailor said after what seemed like forever. "We will have this delivered to the bar later this afternoon."

Ashei was already putting her armor back on when she was nudged by Telma. "Eh? Oh... Yeah, thanks."

Telma smiled and gave the tailor a wink before turning to Ashei. "Aright, now for some jewelry."

"No way, Telma, this is where I draw the line..." Ashei crossed her arms, glaring down at the offending pair of earrings.

"Aww, but they would go so great with the dress," Telma replied, holding up the small pair of golden triforces next to the young woman's ears.

"I've spent my entire life avoiding someone stabbing holes in me. I'd like to keep it that way, yeah?"

The older woman sighed. "Very well then... I suppose its enough that I've convinced you to come in the first place..."

The pair left the store, heading down the alley to the bar.

"I hope Shad doesn't mind that we've left him here for so long," Telma mused, opening the door to the bar.

"Now, sir... I really don't think we need to resort to fisticuffs...." Shad held up his hands to placate a drunkard who was leering over him. "I just really think that you've had enough..."

"I'll tell you when I've 'ad enough!" the drunk roared, raising a fist.

Without a second thought, Ashei slammed into the drunk, knocking him to the floor.

"Oof... What's this? A woman?" The drunk stared at her, bit surprised. "What're ya doin'?"

Without replying, she forcibly threw the drunk out of the bar. Smiling, she walked by and gace the scholar a pat on the shoulder. "Thanks, Shad. I needed that."

Shad just stared after her as she went to her customary place in the back of the bar. "Er... You're welcome?"

a/n Yeah, first chapter is kind of lame, but it'll get better, I promise.