Although Vaati's attitude improved that day, all of it was to waste, for he went right back to his dead state when he returned to his bedroom, much to Zelda's disappointment. However, she understood it wasn't as if Vaati was going to get better just like that, but she had hoped he might have changed a little. Maybe he would actually get out of bed, or maybe make their walk a daily thing. She had hoped so hard, but all for naught. When she returned that night, he was exactly as he was beforehand. He barely responded to her, and he actually seemed to be distracted. However, by what, she was unsure. When she mentioned it, he didn't respond. Of course, it was to be expected, but Zelda thought she could give it a go, after all it would hurt to ask.
After Zelda left, Vaati allowed himself some time to think, something he hasn't actually done since that day. To himself he thought, 'There was no way that was an animal, it moved to quick. And no demon dared attack anymore after his angry outburst proved to be too much to handle. However, it couldn't be Ghirahim himself, like he would have liked. Vaati held him in his arms as Ghirahim drew his last breath. No matter how Vaati looked at it, he couldn't seem to figure out what it was.
"Perhaps it was my overactive imagination…" Vaati muttered quietly. He drew his blankets closer to him, trying to gain any sort of comfort right now. He would have liked if Zelda stayed, but no way was he going to ask something like that of her. It would be just plain rude. He knew she would come back in the morning, which gave him only a sliver of comfort, but it simply was not enough for him at the moment. He considered visiting Zelda at her castle, but figured it was late, and it would be unreasonable to just expect her to keep him company. Normally, when he was feeling like this, he would have just gone to sleep, but he didn't. Vaati didn't wish to suffer from the nightmare, especially tonight. He would stay up for the rest of the night just to elude it.
His ears perked up when he heard a slight knock at the door. 'Who could that possibly be?' he thought to himself. The person must have expected no response as they open the door. To Vaati's surprise, it was Link. What was he doing here so late? Shouldn't he be sleeping. He lifted his head slightly, letting Link know he was awake.
"Sorry, Vaati, I don't mean to bother you so late at night, but would you mind if I stayed here?" Link asked. Vaati gave him a questioning look, prompting Link to continue, "Had a bit of a falling out with Zelda, she won't let me stay right now, and I don't have my own place, actually. Would you mind?" Vaati was still a little surprised Link was here, but he still listened to his explanation, and when he finished, he nodded his head.
"You're a lifesaver, Vaati. Really, I owe you. Could you point me in the direction of the spare bedroom?" Link asks. Vaati was about to, but then he realized, he didn't actually have one. When he had got the house in the beginning, it was picked out just because it had one room. He didn't really care about the rest.
"I...don't have one," he said a little quietly, but just loud enough for Link to here.
"Oh, well, I can just sleep on the floor in here! If that is okay with you…?" Vaati didn't say anything, but he scooted over on his bed. He didn't like the idea of making him sleep on his floor. He was willing to share his bed, and he wouldn't say this, but he felt comfort in Link's presence currently. He did not want to be alone right now. Link seemed to get the picture when Vaati moved over, and he hesitated for a second.
"Are you sure? I don't want to be any more of a bother," Link said. Vaati, however, nodded his head as yes, and rolled over to face the wall. Perhaps with a presence at his side, just maybe, he could sleep at least a little peacefully tonight. He felt Link slide into his bed, and he said, "Thanks, Vaati. I really appreciate it." Vaati said nothing in return, but he was a little happy he could be of help. He honestly felt so horrible that he was rendered so by Ghirahim's death, but he just couldn't help it.
In just a few minutes, Vaati could hear Link snore lightly. However, sleep eluded the sorcerer, it seems. It wasn't as if Vaati was upset about it though. He sincerely doubted that he would sleep peacefully anyways, and he would rather not wake Link up with his screaming and tossing. Vaati laid still for the rest of the night. He did not want to think right now, afraid his thoughts would take a bad turn, and he didn't want to sleep even if he could. After a long while, he could begin to feel the warmth of the rising sun's golden rays shine themselves upon his bed. While he didn't get up to watch the sunrise anymore, he did enjoy a little bit just feeling the morning sun.
Once it was up fully, he felt Link begin to stir. He didn't know if this was his normal waking time, or if he was only awakened by the sun beaming in his face. He suspected the latter. He always took Link to be lazy, that including rising up late. He could tell Link was fully awake when he got out of the bed. He didn't turn around to face him, just listened.
"Vaati, are you awake?" he asked in a quiet tone, just incase Vaati was asleep. Vaati nodded yes.
"Thanks again for this. I really owe you. I'm going to head out before Zelda makes her way over here, I don't want to run into her and make you listen to the argument that would probably happen. If there is anything I can do, you let me know." Vaati nodded once again as an indication that he heard, and listened as Link departed. Not that long after, Zelda arrived, knocking before entering as a signal of her presence.
"Hey, Vaati," she said, walking up to his bedside, already knowing that this is the time Vaati usually woke up. He turned to face her, and she smiled at him.
"Have any nightmares last night?" she asked, starting her daily routine of asking him check up questions.
"I didn't sleep last night," he said quietly. She took on a look of displeasurement, obviously not happy he didn't get any sleep last night. However, she understood his reasons, and didn't need to ask why he didn't.
"Do you want to go out today? It is yet another lovely day." Zelda asked. Vaati thought about it for a moment. He was about to say no, but he stopped himself. He did feel a little refreshed after their walk yesterday, despite when he thought he saw Ghirahim momentarily (and later reasoned that it was nothing), and he did crave Zelda's company. What is the harm of taking another walk with her? As long as they take the same route anyways. Zelda was a little confused at his silence, and he decided to finally speak up.
"Yes." He could see Zelda become surprise at his sudden change, but after a moment, looked pleasantly happy.
"Okay! Where do you want to go today?" Vaati slowly lifted himself up, and threw the covers off of him. He was getting a little warm anyways.
"Same as yesterday," he replied. Zelda nodded at him, and like yesterday, they walked side by side. When they exited, they once again took the back way, not wanted to go through the town. They walked together in a comfortable quietness, both taking in the gorgeous scenery of the dew covered forest, listening as the birds sung their good morning songs. Like yesterday, a variety of animals approached them, and Vaati gave each one a little smile. At some point, the same bird Vaati befriended yesterday joined them, taking perch on his shoulder as he chirped happily at the presence of his new friend. Zelda smiled widely at the scene, not caring if Vaati saw or not. She thought it was absolutely adorable he found a little bird friend.
They occasionally stopped here and their, Zelda asking questions about what a specific plant or flower was that she thought was pretty, to which Vaati answered simply with the name. It honestly surprised her that he knew so much on plant life, but she didn't bother question why. She figured he just learned it for the hell of it, probably too much free time. She knew he had a lot of that before. Along the way she picked up various flowers, forming herself a little bouquet. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see her fiddling with them, but didn't care to learn what she was doing. It was when he felt Zelda put something on his head that he stopped in surprise.
"What did you do?" he asks, and she laughed.
"I made you a flower crown! You've been so dreary lately, I thought maybe bright and colourful flowers would help you!" she exclaimed. Vaati was a little touched at the thought, despite for Zelda, it was just a little joke for her. He really did appreciate all she did for him, and this small gesture brought a small smile to his face, though Zelda didn't see it. Without even thinking about it, he drew her into a hug, to which she stopped laughing and took on a look of shock, not expecting a hug, especially from Vaati.
"Thank you," he said quietly, and Zelda's face melted into a heart warming smile. She hugged back, understanding why he was doing so without having to ask. They remained that way only for a moment when Vaati withdrew. He didn't like physical contact like that, but it was the only way he could express it gratitude right now. They stayed quiet, both enjoying the sound of the forest in the early morning. Occasionally Vaati's bird friend chirped for attention, to which Vaati gently petted him, and whistled a tune for him to whistle back for a little bit. The bird reciprocated the song with its whistles.
"What song is that? It is so pretty," Zelda asks. Vaati takes a moment to recall the name, and responds, "If I ram remembering correctly, it's called Nocturne of Shadow. I do not remember where I heard it, but I do remember the melody." Zelda seems satisfied enough with the answer, and listened to the white bird whistle it over and over, Occasionally Vaati would whistle a new song for it to whistle back, and Zelda recognized the rest of them. For the rest of their walk, they listened to the song's beautiful voice, and after a little bit, they circled around and made their way back to the beginning, seeing the light shine through the opening of the forest. The bird flew off when they approached the entrance, and Vaati watched it until it disappeared into the trees. Although he missed it, he didn't think it was right to try and capture it as a pet. It deserved to remain in its natural home.
"Vaati…" a voice whispered. Vaati stopped mid step, as did Zelda. He wasn't sure if she also heard it, or just confused on why he stopped.
"Did you just hear that…?" Zelda questioned. He nodded his head, and whipped around, expecting to see some sort of intelligent monster that could speak, or a demon, but he saw nothing. Both Zelda and Vaati remained absolutely still, both ready to attack or defend. They remained so for several minutes, both expecting some sort of attack, however, not even a breeze came, and all was silent. There was no way any being could be around right now without making noise, and neither of the magic users could sense anything near by. They didn't hear any voice again.
"Let's get out of here, and go back, Vaati," Zelda said, and he agreed with a nod of his head. There wasn't anything here, but he didn't want to say anything just to make sure. He walked back with her, still keeping his guard up until they walked into his house.
"I don't know what that was exactly, Vaati, but no way was that natural. I couldn't sense a living being nearby besides us. Not even the animals were nearby," Zelda said.
"I know, I didn't either," Vaati responded.
"Its obvious to say that the being knew you. Can you think of anyone you know that is able to evade detection by magic," Zelda asked. Vaati shook his head.
"No, not at all. It couldn't be a monster, and not a demon as well. Neither can evade such detection. I do not know anything else that could do so. However...I can't place my finger on it, but I thought the voice was a little familiar…"
"I was actually about to say the same thing…" Zelda said much to Vaati's shock. So they both somehow knew this being if they both somehow know the voice.
"I have to attend to my duties right now, however I will do my best to research whatever this thing could be," Zelda said.
"I shall do the same," he replied, and she nodded. Zelda departed, and Vaati immediately left the main living area for the library. Figuring out what this thing was was more important than sulking and feeling depression, Vaati thought. Well, at least it kept him out of his bed at the moment. He finally had something that got him out of phase, at least he hoped.
