The Legend of Zelda: Shackles of Memory
Chapter 4: The New Fifth Indigo-go
Originally thought to be a minor nuisance, that self-righteous "hero" has become a serious threat. His most recent victim was the master's wife. Of what the servant saw, she was a decent woman, undeserving of such a fate. This made the master very upset. Did that "hero" know that he was killing actual people, or think about whom he was killing? Well, maybe if the master and his cohorts did not take the forms of monstrous creatures, the "hero" would reconsider slaughtering them.
The servant could understand the prospect of losing a person and being angry, but he did not understand why the anger occurred: love. The servant had never known love, only rejection, ridicule and hate. In fact, the only one that the servant was even close to feeling "love" for…
Is the master.
-
The first thing Grasshopper did when he woke up was finding the closest sister and tell her the news of the new song he learned. There was quite a hubbub centered on this fact.
"Where should we go first?" Grasshopper said in an excited glee, looking at The Multitask all the while.
"We are not going anywhere," Cremia said in a regretful tone, emphasizing the word "we," "the ranch needs much looking after and until we can find ranch sitters, Grasshopper will have to go on his little ventures alone."
"Awwwwww..." Grasshopper and Romani moaned in unison.
"It's for both your own goods."
"I guess it is. I promise to tell you guys everything that happens wherever I go."
With that, Grasshopper whipped out the Multitask and played he song of Soaring. After he played the song, a pair of wings wrapped around him and vanished, taking Grasshopper with them.
"Cool." Romani blurted.
-
In the air, Grasshopper's mind, without any reason, turned to those Zoran musicians who played at the milk bar some days ago. As soon as he did think of them, he found himself back on the ground. Grasshopper looked around the current area he was in. He was on a small strip of land surrounded entirely by water and his only company was the owl statue. He eventually noticed the huge cave and went in.
The look of the cave was deceptively small from the outside. Inside the cave was a very expansive area that was multiple stories and many, many rooms. The area was also filled with Zoras. Floor to ceiling, Zoras. Grasshopper's head rotated in almost every direction, taking in the watery community. He apparently looked ridiculous, as a group of Zoras passed by him and one muttered, "Tourist..."
His searching of the area made him sit on a bench and lean on a drawer. Grasshopper then looked at the drawer and it contained pamphlets that had the title, "Cape Zora."
"That's convenient."
The pamphlet contained information about the housing, the Zoran communities, and a "Zoras for the ignorant" section, which was really only a name. Grasshopper tried to ignore until he forced himself to look at it.
-
"Heads up!"
Grasshopper barely had time to look when a green ball came flying at him. He instinctively thrust his fist at it in self-defense. The ball was surprisingly spongy and flew right back to where it came from. The ball flew into an alcove where a Zora awaited its return. He wasn't ready for the ball and it flew right past him, smacking into the wall behind him. A "Whoa!" rose up from all the Zoras nearby. Grasshopper got curious and walked over to the field-like area.
"Dude, that was awesome!" A Zora greeted him as he came by,
"None of us could think making a goal from all the way over there was possible! That was good for someone who isn't Zoran."
"Not much I can do about that." Grasshopper joked as he saw the field he was in. The area in total was no bigger than a typical sports field with two alcoves about six feet about ground level. There were six Zoras on the ground and two in the alcoves, one for each. It seemed there was one Zora on the sidelines who was meant for the field.
"Have you played Fin before?" The Zora asked. It was unfamiliar to Grasshopper.
"What's Fin?"
"Dude! You've never even heard of Fin and you've already scored a goal! That's crazy!" The Zora went on to explain the rules of the game "Fin."
-
The game of Fin has ten players, eight on the court and two in their team's corresponding alcoves. The name of the game was to get the ball (called the "fin") into the alcove, the inside wall of the alcove to be specific, and score as many goals as possible. The game ends at the first team to get to 15 points. In the beginning of the game, the fin is tossed into the air and two Zoras try to leap and knock it to a teammate (players can position themselves anywhere at the time of the jump). Holding the fin for extended periods of time is illegal, so hitting it with your fist is the only way to transport the fin. There is no limit to how many times in a row a player can hit the fin, so they have all the time to set up a perfect pass or shot, assuming they do not have the fin taken from them. A player can hold the fin in both hands only for a very short amount of time. In this time, an opposing player can take or knock the fin from the player holding it.
If the fin is on the ground, it's a free-for-all for who gets the fin first. A player who grasps the fin in both hands while he is on the ground is able to pick it up without fear of it being taken away. If they hold the fin to the ground in attempt to stall for a strategy, it results in turning over the fin to a player on the other team. Once the player has the fin in a position in which they can throw or hit it comfortably, the other players may proceed to attempt to disconnect the player from the fin. As far as scoring goes, one point is scored is the fin is tossed into the alcove successfully. Two points are scored if the fin is hit in the alcove by contact with fist or foot or any part of the body, as long as it is knocked in. If the goal is made from half court, then the point values are doubled, so it is possible to obtain 4 points in one goal. The goalie protecting the alcove may hold the fin for as long as they wish if they catch it. They can hit it or throw it, even in attempt to score a goal on the opposing team's goal, a feat in which the likelihood of performing successfully in slim to none. If the goalie leaves or falls from the alcove, the game still continues. It is the responsibility of the goalie to get back into the alcove.
-
"That sounds simple enough." Grasshopper said, going over the rules again in his head.
"Cool! We're down a guy, want to join?"
"I don't know..." The rest of the Zoras all yelled in encouragement of Grasshopper joining a new game. Grasshopper smiled, "Majority rules, I guess." and then joined the game.
-
Fin was a very physically demanding sport. Only in the first few plays, Grasshopper found himself drenched in sweat, despite the cool atmosphere of Cape Zora. It made his tunic cling to his form, which bothered him a bit.
"This guy is an ANIMAL!" One of the Zoras yelled, referring to Grasshopper, who had along already scored 5 points. 9, if one includes the one he made from the bench.
"12 to 7, here it comes!" Another Zora exclaimed at the fin launcher placed in the center of the court popped the fin into the air and the Zoras jumped for it. The Zora on Grasshopper's team hit the fin back with his fist and it landed square on Grasshopper's fist. The fin soared high above the court and another Zora on Grasshopper's team caught it, spun around, and tossed the fin into the goal. It was good.
"Yes! Lucky number 13!" The scoring Zora yelled, intending the contradiction of what he just said, both as a show of confidence and a taunt to the opposing team. Meanwhile, while they played, there were many spectators, Most of them Zoran girls. For no particular reason besides entertainment, they took to messing up the players by flirting. Most of the time it worked. In a short amount of time, a vast majority of these expressions were thrown to Grasshopper. His face was already red with fatigue, but these distractions made his face turn a darker shade of red. For some reason, he felt that their suggestive flirt was beyond that of merely messing him up.
The fin was launched shortly and none of the jumping Zoras got to it. They had smashed into each other by accident, dashing any chance of actually coming in contact with the fin itself, so the fin landed right in the center of the court. There was a moment of silence as both teams prepared to dive for the fin. The silence was broken as an all-out war broke for possession of the fin. A Zora on the opposite team grabbed the fin, making all else back away. He tossed it and bumped it hard into the goal, but the goalie caught it. Everyone below watched as the goalie surveyed the court and eventually tossed it blindly. An eruption of fists rose up to hit the fin in a beneficial direction, but a grabbing hand got to it instead. It was a Zora on Grasshopper's team.
"G!" The Zora yelled to Grasshopper. They thought calling him 'Grasshopper' was too odd, so they just called him 'G.' The Zora, instead of tossing the fin or bumping it to Grasshopper, rolled the fin along the ground at a high speed (which is very legal in Fin). Grasshopper got the hint and saw that all opponent Zoras were way too far away to stop him. Grasshopper ran at the oncoming fin and when he got close enough, thrust his foot forward in a crushing kick. The fin collided with his foot and was sent like an arrow pulled back all the way before letting fly. The thing is, the fin is very rubbery and sways with the slightest wind. Such an impact made the fin almost undetectable as it soared toward the goal. The goalie didn't try to block it. On the contrary, he dove away from the fin in fear. As the fin entered the alcove, a great cheer rose from all the Zoras supporting Grasshopper's team. The score was a hit made within close range, so it was worth 2 points. That made the score 15 to 7, which meant Grasshopper's team won.
-
The two Zoran team captains met in the center and exchanged a handshake.
"We smoked you, Tan!" The captain of Grasshopper's team exclaimed, shouting the word "smoked" for emphasis.
"No you didn't, Rist. He did!" Tan said, pointing at Grasshopper, "next time, we get him, okay?"
Grasshopper scratched the back of his head at their expecting him to come back. That must mean they like him.
"Whatever, man! I could go for a drink. What a game!"
"You're telling me," Grasshopper said between gasps, "I might be good, but never in my short memory have I been this tired!" Keeping in mind the previous day's encounter.
"What you need," Rist said to Grasshopper, clapping an arm over his shoulders, "Is some misting. We meet there after we play. If you sit on a rock just far enough from that waterfall, the mist of the fallen water will cover you. It totally cools you down. You might want to take off some of that there, uh..."
"Clothing?"
"Yeah, that's what you guys call those things. I don't really know what it is with your kind and clothing. We don't wear clothing. Not all the time anyways."
"Well, we just have much more to hide."
"Like what?"
"Rist, got change for a purple?" A Zora yelled from a nearby refreshment bar.
"Coming!" Rist said as he dropped the subject and ran over to his friend.
-
Grasshopper had taken up on Rist's invite and slightly disrobed to the point where he only had his long pants on. If he weren't so well built, he probably would have felt less awkward about it. He joined Rist and the others near the waterfall.
"Dude, you made it!" Rist greeted as Grasshopper leapt some rocks to get to the rock next to where all the other Zoras hung out. As Grasshopper approached, Rist presented him with a bottle of beverage, "Try some!"
"What is it?"
"I think it's made of seaweed and Takkuri down but after our brewers are done with it," Rist took a swig, "man that some good drinking!"
"Right..." Grasshopper said as he eyed the greenish mixture. He slowly tilted the bottle and drank some, almost immediately he took the bottle from his mouth and coughed. He then muttered, "Smooth..."
"You like?"
"Uh," Grasshopper held the bottle out to Rist, "You can have my share. I already brought something."
"Your loss." Grasshopper watched the Zora drink more of the beverage. The drink must be a Zora thing. Grasshopper definitely knew what he liked. From his pocket he took out a bottle of milk he brought with him from the ranch.
-
After finishing the milk and placing the bottle back in his pocket, Grasshopper felt something tugging at his leg. He looked down and saw one of the Zoran girls, about his age, trying to pull him into the water.
"Hello?" Grasshopper said to the Zora.
"Come on in!" She said back in a playful yet mischievous manner. Grasshopper in return tightened his grip on the rock he was on.
"I'm fine, thanks."
"Awwww!" She moaned in a disappointment that showed not sign of retreat, "But the water is so cool and you need to cool down after that display while playing Fin!"
"The, uh, waterfall's mist is doing a good enough job, thanks." He tried being dismissive but he knew he was losing the tug of war, as the rock he was on was slightly wet. Judging by how badly she wished for him to lose, he knew that as soon as he slipped off and crossed over to her realm, he'd be at her mercy. Of course, it was obvious what she wanted, and he was sure life would go on without it.
There was back and forth dialogue until all of the male Zoras started yelling out "Dang!" and "Move away!" and all dove into the water. What - or who - they were getting away from was an elegant woman Zora who was actually wearing a purple dress.
"Now now, Zenkit." She said, smiling, to the girl Zora pulling on Grasshopper's leg, "let's not be rowdy."
Zenkit saw who it was that was talking to her and gasped, "I'm... sorry... Miss... Lulu..." and then her face grew a shade purple as she sunk into the water, dismissing herself.
"Thank you, I guess," Grasshopper said as he readjusted himself and watched Zenkit swim away hurriedly, "I was afraid to be where she wanted me."
"That Zenkit. She always is dangerously playful. Especially around the cute boys."
Grasshopper scratched the back of his head and suddenly recalled Lulu in his memory. "Haven't I seen you, before?"
"Oh, you must have seen the Indigo-gos perform at the Clock Town Milk Bar or something. I'm Lulu, the singer for the group. And you are...?"
"Grasshopper." His introduction was met with the usual raised eyebrow, blank stare, then acceptance that yes, someone has the name "Grasshopper."
"I guess you and your group are celebrities around here."
"Yes, we live and practice here. Every time we practice, we always get a crowd. We don't mind, since we work with crowds everywhere else. It's hard to tell the difference between a practice concert and a public appearance anymore." Lulu laughed slightly, and then went silent.
"Is something wrong?" Grasshopper said, with his trademark ability to sense bad vibes that are hidden.
"Oh, no. Well, yes. Talking about performing with the guys has reminded me... of Mikau..."
"…And who's Mikau?"
Lulu thought for a second, stared off, narrowed her eyes, chewed her bottom lip then stood up, "You don't need your day ruined by my needless reminiscing. It was nice meeting you, Grasshopper." Lulu said quickly in a somewhat bossy and dismissive tone. Grasshopper knew something was up, especially with the indignant look and the way she held herself.
-
After completely redressing, Grasshopper resumed his self-tour of Cape Zora and found himself in a hallway filled with many memorials. Some to soldiers slain in battle, some to brave Zoras who braved treacherous waters for the sake of treasure; but one memorial piqued Grasshopper's interest. There was a plaque, and in front of it was a guitar that was made of the bones of fish. The plaque said, "Here lies Mikau of the Indigo-gos. He perished by the hand of the Gerudo while attempting to reclaim the eggs of his love, Lulu."
"That's who Mikau is..." Grasshopper muttered to himself, realizing how memory of him was painful for Lulu. For a minute, he wondered if having memories of such sorrow really were better than having none at all, but ended up scanning the plaque and saw directions for the song Mikau had been seen last performing. The song was titled "The New Wave Bossa Nova" and was described as Mikau's final song before vanishing. Grasshopper took out the Multitask and set it to "guitar" and played the song: Left, up, left, right, down, left, right.
Grasshopper continued to play the song as it's beautiful rhythm filled the hall and all of Cape Zora. Almost all activity halted to listen to the flawlessly played tune. From her room, Lulu peeked outside and saw the music was coming from the memorial hall. Lulu entered the hall and saw a lone figure playing in front of Mikau's memorial.
"Mikau?"
As soon as she said that, the music stopped and Grasshopper looked from the ground to Lulu in the entrance of the hall.
"Not exactly..."
"Oh. I'm sorry; it's just that Mikau played that song... For a time, I didn't talk in mourning for Mikau. But I heard that song and found the courage to speak again. I just thought, by some crazy dream, that Mikau would appear again and play the New Wave Bossa Nova once again..."
"Wow. How poetic."
"If you think..." Lulu said, her gaze shifting to the Multitask, "what is that?"
"This?" Grasshopper lifted the Multitask, "I call this the Multitask. I don't know where it comes from, but as soon as I first played it, I felt like I was meant to play it and got very good very fast."
"Oh, it's an instrument...? Perhaps you can help after all. Would you mind following me?"
"I've got nothing better to do."
-
Lulu lead Grasshopper to the room of the Indigo-go member Japas. Inside were Japas and the other two members of the Indigo-gos. Japas was in his bed and looked sick.
"Ooohhhh... Tijo... is that you...? Everything's getting dark... Oooohhhh..."
As Lulu approached, the bigger Zora looked to Lulu, then looked Grasshopper over, "I thought you were going to get a replacement bassist, not some kid who isn't even Zoran."
"Must you be so critical, Evan?" Lulu said in response, "he has a lot of potential. You hear the guitar music moments before. That was him."
"I don't believe you." Despite his musical talent being dishonored, Grasshopper turned the subject to the sick Zora, "What's wrong with him?"
All in the room looked at Japas as he muttered, "I see a light... Mikau?"
"Hm." Evan rolled his eyes and shook his head, "He's over exaggerating, but he is sick. It's bad milk, I tell you."
"Yeah," The Indigo-go drummer, Tijo butted in, shoving past Evan and jabbed his finger at the ground repeatedly, "When we left a performance at the Clock Town Milk bar a couple of days ago, those Gorman guys practically shoved some free samples of their milk in our faces. They said if we like it, to buy more. Much more. Japas here was the only one to have some. According to those Gormans, they owe us, because of the low quality of the milk, you know."
"I can believe that..." Grasshopper muttered. Japas did seem to be exaggerating quite a bit, yet he was green around the gills, so to speak.
"...And we need a replacement bassist otherwise we can't play tonight," Evan said darkly, "Or any other night. Man, first Mikau, now Japas..."
"Dude, don't say that!" Tijo yelled.
As the Indigo-gos bickered among themselves, Grasshopper couldn't help noticing a sheet of paper labeled in Zoran script. Some of it was in a language Grasshopper could understand, however. There was a song called the Song of Healing. There were also notes in scripture Grasshopper could understand. They read: If played for too long, healed will become a mask. Grasshopper went over the notes in his mind and then went toward Japas. He took out the Multitask and began playing with it set on "guitar." He played: Up left right, up left right.
As Grasshopper played, he noticed black slime-like orbs of… something exiting Japas. He continued playing as more and more gobs exited the Zoran bassist's body. Eventually, blue gobs starting exiting Japas's body and Japas became transparent. Grasshopper immediately stopped playing. Japas returned to normal.
"I'm better!" Japas's voice cut through the tension. All looked to Japas. Japas jumped out of the bed and looked himself over. "No more queasiness. No more blurred eyesight. No more urge for Cucco meat... How did this happen?"
"I think that was my doing." Grasshopper said, motioning to the musical notes and the Multitask he held in his hand.
"That's impossible." Evan, ever the skeptic, said.
"No, man! He's right! I remember! I was about to throw up when I heard that song of healing I saved from that green clothed kid and I was better!"
"Well, then, Japas. That means you can play today, doesn't it?"
Japas realized this with a start, then muttered, "Yeah... you're right. Thanks a lot, man..."
That thanks did not sound too sincere. Something was up. Japas put on a show of being sick and now he seemed disappointed that he's able to play? Grasshopper was getting to the bottom of this.
-
It was later and Grasshopper visited Japas as he tuned his bass guitar.
"Oh, it's you. Thanks again for the save. I really, uh, appreciate it."
"I don't think you mean that. Can you tell me what's going on so I can help?"
"You? Help? What, do you think you can solve any problem you walk in upon?"
"I try." Grasshopper said with a shrug and raised eyebrows.
Japas sighed, "Fine, fine. You know Mikau, right?"
Grasshopper nodded.
"He was my best bud, blood brothers, amigos, all for one and one for all, you know? I felt like with him there, I could perform all day every day! But... after he died..."
"... You lost the ability to play?"
"No, no. I can play like no one's business. It's just that..." and before continuing, Japas looked all around, then whispered, "Mondo stage fright..."
"Stage fright? From a performer?"
"Sssshhhh! Dude, you want all of Cape Zora to know the ugly truth? Well, they will eventually know, after all the crummy playing I've done as of late whenever we go in front of a crowd."
"You needed Mikau to perform well?"
"Yes! Without him, it's like someone pulled the plug on my nerves and let it all flow out and leave me a quivering mass, or at least a guy who messes up when he doesn't run. It stinks, man."
"That doesn't sound too rational. I mean, why do you need someone else to play well? I mean, it gives you confidence when doing something with someone, but how does someone's absence make you a worse player?"
"It just does!"
"So you're telling me that you are so occupied with Mikau that you can't play well? Haven't you played base enough that you don't need to think?"
"Kind of… Sometimes I have that 'one-ness' type thing going."
"And with the stage fright, do you really think that your fans will think of you any differently because Mikau's gone?"
"Don't know why they would..."
"Exactly! So take my advice and stop brooding on what could be and start being the best you that you can be! In the end, fiction is exactly that. Fiction. Just tell me how thinking of something that you know never will be will make things better?"
"You know what? You're good at this problem-solving thing. I'm going to get up there and be "Japas"! Not "Japas, friend of Mikau!" Respects to my deceased bud, but now I have a life to live. I bet moving on is just what Mikau would have wanted me to do."
"I'm glad I could help." As Grasshopper turned to leave, Japas called to him again.
"Dude, with that instrument you have, you should play with us today! I might not need Mikau anymore, but it would be nice to have a guitar sound behind me. You know, a slow and steady path to being Mikau-free?"
"Sure, why not? I have nothing better to do, anyways."
"You should ask Evan, the big guy. Sure, Toto is our manager, but he leaves Evan in charge when he's away. Besides, what's the worst thing Evan can say?"
-
"Hell no!"
"Apparently, that's the worst thing he can say..." Grasshopper muttered to Japas from the side of his mouth.
After Grasshopper asked if he could join the Indigo-gos for a night, Evan just got into a fit of repeatedly yelling "No!" After spouting the reasons that Grasshopper shouldn't play, he added, "On a completely unrelated topic, the guy isn't even Zoran!"
"That's it, right there!" Lulu suddenly snapped. The room went silent after that, for such ferocity was not typical of the Zoran singer. It wasn't Grasshopper being in the Indigo-gos for a night that made Lulu snap; it was Evan and his controlling ways. He had always been hardnosed and did things his way when Toto wasn't around, but ever since Mikau died, Evan became a dictator of the way things went in the Indigo-gos, almost as if he had to prove something.
"You really believe in this guy, don't you, Lulu?"
Lulu folded her arms in a huffy manner and nodded. She saw a bit of Mikau in Grasshopper, though she never told anyone.
Evan rubbed his brow and sighed, "Fine. You know what? Fine. I'll give this guy a chance. I'll put him through a sound test. If his prowess with... that thing-"
"Dude, it's the Multitask!" Tijo suddenly said.
"The Multitask..." Evan was obviously under a lot of stress by the way he emphasized the instrument's name, "Then I might change my mind about him."
"Sound test...?" Grasshopper said to the other Zoras, a bit nervous.
"Dude, you'll do fine!" With that, both the male Zoras almost pushed him into the sound test room.
-
The sound test room was awfully petite. It only contained amplifiers and a keyboard, most likely for Evan to play on.
"I don't suppose that thing has a slot for the amps, does it?" Evan asked, holding up a plug meant for the amplifiers.
Grasshopper looked the Multitask over and saw a hole in it that didn't look like it was for construction purpose, "This?"
Evan checked the hole. The plug fit in perfectly, "I guess that'll do."
As Evan got set up, he explained the sound test, "This is how it goes, I'll present you with notes. You memorize them. If you can play those notes well enough being accompanied by my keyboard playing, I'll consider you a competent musician."
Using the word 'competent' didn't lighten Grasshopper's opinion of Evan.
"Okay, first off. Lulu says you were the one playing the New Wave Bossa Nova earlier. Let's see if she's right..." Evan flicked some switches on the keyboard and the directions for the New Wave Bossa nova appeared in Neon right in the front of the keyboard set. "Got it?"
"Yeah."
Evan began playing the keyboard and on his signal, Grasshopper played the song with the Multitask still on 'guitar.' The notes that followed were almost flawless. Evan fought not to tear up at this beautiful playing. Had it been a Zora, Evan would have halted the session right now and welcomed the new member, but this was a non-Zoran person. Evan intended to give this guy more of a challenge. The thing is, the fans have been dwindling ever since Mikau died. Evan saw that accepting a non-Zoran member would look like an act of desperation and an overall act of poor judgment. If Evan were to take a risk with this guy, he would make sure the risk was well worth it.
"Not bad, not bad. Let's try this song." The new directions for a song appeared in neon for the next sound test: "A," down, left, left, right.
"Got it."
The guitar ability that spawned from an instrument that wasn't even a guitar just choked Evan up inside. He knew this Grasshopper guy was good, but did his talent surpass Zoranly possible feats?
"Okay, guy. You are doing pretty well so far. Let's see if you can handle this!"
A very long string of notes appeared in front of Grasshopper that seemed to never stop. That song was, in fact, one of the closing acts of that day's program. They had done the song before, but always they needed the song sheet in front of them to remember the song. If Grasshopper messed up, Evan wouldn't hold it against him. He planned how he would say "Just kidding" after Grasshopper messes up a million times.
"Got it." Grasshopper muttered, not looking the least bit overwhelmed.
We'll see, Evan thought as he started playing.
What happened after that was unbelievable. Grasshopper almost looked possessed as he played his notes. The tune flowed smoothly and Evan could not deny it. Zora or no Zora, this guy had this song down.
"He's not even looking at my song sheet, he has his eyes closed! This guy's the real deal..."
As the song came to a close, a voice erupted from the door. "Encore! Encore!"
Both Grasshopper and Evan looked to the door. "Who...?"
As soon as that entered both their minds, the door flew open and Japas and Tijo fell forward, formerly leaning against the door. Lulu was behind them, still standing. The three of them had been eavesdropping!
"Dude, that was awesome!" Japas yelled, not taking authority or respect for privacy into account, "You didn't even look at the notes a second time or anything! You just played that song like second nature!"
Despite all compliments, it was all in what Evan thought. Evan slowly approached Grasshopper, making a show as if he was indifferent, but he knew his answer the entire time.
"Grasshopper, is it? I don't know how you got that name, but it's going be on our program for today's show! You're in!"
There was a big excited hubbub mostly held up by Japas and Tijo.
"Dude, today's show is going to be sooooo awesome!"
"It's not going to be awesome unless you guys start practicing!" Evan cut through the moment like a hot knife through butter.
"Yeah, yeah. It only takes five seconds to be classic Evan, huh?"
-
Despite the obvious respect Grasshopper earned from Evan, Evan still rode his back about practicing. Some hired kid running around announcing stuff was already hyping today's show. Somehow, that didn't make Grasshopper feel better.
"'Wherever…' 'Wherever…' ahh, Dammit!"
Grasshopper had been wandering about the area that the Indigo-gos resided when he heard the female voice in great frustration. He slowly approached the open door and saw Lulu sitting over a piece of paper with a writing utensil. Several crumbled pieces of paper on the floor signified that she was working on something.
"Knock-knock." Grasshopper interjected gingerly to notify her he was there.
"Huh?" Lulu looked over, her eyes confessing to her distressed feeling.
"Working on something?" Grasshopper asked, cutting in to the problem.
"Oh, um, well, yes." Lulu muttered, embarrassed at how angry she had previously looked.
"What is it?
"It's a song… Evan is actually letting me write my own song and music for tonight's show."
Grasshopper looked at how the papers were strewn about the ground. That and Lulu's hissed anger said something, "It's not going well… is it?"
"No." She said immediately, as if Grasshopper had been shoving it in her face.
"What seems to be the problem?"
"Oh… I can't think of anything. I used to have so many ideas back when… when…"
"Mikau was alive?" Grasshopper completed gently.
"Yeah… when Mikau was alive." Lulu said softly and looked down, eyes brimming with tears, "It wasn't so much as gaining confidence as… having a muse to work with."
"I see." Grasshopper nodded, he could see the difference between her problem and the one that Japas had earlier, "What kind of song are you looking for?"
"Just something… meaningful. Something that would strike a heartstring or get a person up and dancing, you know?"
"Yeah, yeah… I've been talking music with some of the guys here… perhaps you could try making the lyrics as such, then later remix it into a techno beat?"
"Yeah… I don't need everything in one song, I could make both songs and people can request whichever song befits the occasion!"
Grasshopper nodded, "Now all we need are the lyrics, huh?"
"Yes, that is what I was thinking about… I'm thinking of taking the 'sad love story' angle and working with that. Do you know any sad love stories?"
"Not really, but maybe we can piece it together… a sad story, a love story, then mix it all up."
"Well, I was originally thinking something to do with my life…"
Grasshopper narrowed his eyes, "No offense, but doesn't that seem a bit… expected?"
"I suppose, but who's story can I do?" Both Grasshopper and Lulu looked around, as if to see somebody there to do a story off of, "Wait… how about you?"
"Me?"
"Yes. Deny it all you want, but you have indirectly become my new muse."
"Me?" Grasshopper repeated. He felt flattered, but it made him wonder if she meant that in the way of a typical muse or the type of muse that Mikau had been, all other relations inherent.
"Yes. Now… tell me about yourself.
Even though he barely knew anything about himself, Grasshopper had a surprising lot to tell. Pretty much the theme of amnesia played a key role and it turned into a theme of loss. Loss is always essential to a sad love story. After a while…
"Done!" Lulu said triumphantly, "I think this one is really good!"
"Let's hear it." Grasshopper grinned.
Their compiled song, in a purely basic form, sounded more professional and smoothed out than it really was. When Lulu finished, she looked to Grasshopper for approval and he applauded.
"Fantastic, Lulu! I think we have something here!"
"Grasshopper, thank you so very much."
Before he knew it, Lulu had gingerly approached him and gently hugged him. Out of courtesy, he hugged her back. She seemed to engrossed in the hug, so Grasshopper said, "Um, you can let go now."
"Oh… of course." Lulu said with a nervous chuckle. She let go and hid her purple face.
After saying goodbye and leaving, Grasshopper thought about the hug and wondered if she was really hugging Mikau back there… or worse, hugging him with the same tender affection she would Mikau. Maybe if he forgot about it, it would just disappear…
-
"Doesn't Evan seem a little uptight?"
"I know! You pass by him and he says, 'get to work!' I mean, dude, does he do any work himself? Hypocrite, man..."
"I know!"
Japas and Tijo were enjoying a nice conversation when they crossed Grasshopper.
"Dude! Just the guy we wanted to see!"
"I am?"
"Yeah! It's like, what? An hour at least before the show and we were wondering if you're content with your image."
"My image?"
Grasshopper looked down at his "image." I light green shirt and tan pants. Nothing out of the ordinary, which might be what they were contesting
"What's wrong with my image?"
"Nothing, nothing!" Japas waves his arms in an X, as if it proved his point more, "But we were thinking, you being one of us and all, perhaps you should look more like us!"
"Uhhhh... makes sense... I guess..."
"What do you think, Tijo?"
"I say... rock star makeover!"
"How come I feel like I'm going to regret this?" Grasshopper asked.
-
Japas and Tijo's idea of improving Grasshopper's image seemed awkward for him. Rather than a nice, normal shirt, they pressed on him a jacket made of leather with no way of closing it, so it uncomfortably exposed his chest. Instead of normal pants, they gave him funny feeling long pants made entirely of denim. On his face he wore sunglasses and purple paint streaks going from his eyes down. For a final touch, they added a red bandana and used some kind of gel to make his hair stand up entirely.
"Bro, we've done it."
Grasshopper tilted the sunglasses down, "Is this all really necessary?"
"Dude, you are so rock legend! I mean... dude!"
"Dude" wasn't high on the list of descriptions Grasshopper had for his new "image." As if Grasshopper didn't feel enough like a dummy already, Lulu had entered the room then.
"Has anyone seen my-?"
"Lulu! Lulu! Check it out! Grasshopper..." Then kneeled forward and made an 'X' with his arms, "Extreme!"
Japas and Tijo presented the oddly dressed Grasshopper to Lulu. There was a moment of silence as Lulu would intake the information being fed to her brain by her eyes. As soon as she confirmed how Grasshopper was dressed, she burst into laughter. She didn't even care about what she came into the room for. She just stumbled out holding her side.
"Was it something I said?" Japas said to the other two.
-
It seemed like no time at all before the time of the "practice concert." It barely seemed like a practice concert, as screaming fans were in front of the stage, which was a huge clam, and there were spotlights shining everywhere.
"This is a practice concert?" Grasshopper said to the other members, more than slightly surprised.
"What can we say?" Japas said, "We cross over the line so much that the line is a dot to us."
Evan, despite the situation, still kept a uniform look and formulated how they would come onstage when they were announced.
"Okay, you two jump right out. Lulu, you can just walk into position, and Grasshopper, you can stalk in the shadows. You know, suspense before we unveil our one-time fifth member."
"I can do that."
Grasshopper looked out and saw all the screaming fans, the only thing keeping them from bursting onto the stage was a Zoran comedian... and a row of Goron security.
"Nervous?"
Tijo had come from behind with that question.
"Not really. You?"
"Uh, yeah. But that's always before a show."
"Okay, so how do you feel? Walk me through your emotions."
"Emotions? Okay. Emotions... Well, I'm nervous... a bit nauseous, um, a little tired. A smidge sad, aaaaand hungry. Yeah, hungry. Okay now I'm really hungry. Hey does anyone have food?"
That was met by a barrage of "No"s.
"Thought I'd ask."
-
The moment of truth was at hand. The comedian wrapped up his act and started to announce the Indigo-gos.
"Now I'll stop talking and introduce the people you all came for! Mind you, today they are performing with an extra member, you lucky people! One time only! Here they are..."
The excitement was just unbelievable.
"The... Indi... go-gos!"
The roar of the crowd was deafening. Grasshopper didn't know how long he could stand it, but he knew he was there to have fun and to show everyone what he was made of. Japas and Tijo jumped out first, making the crowd get somehow louder. Evan calmly walked over to the keyboard and Lulu came next, slowly and gracefully, to the center podium where she would always sing.
"Here goes nothing..."
Grasshopper emerged from the curtain, averting his eyes from the numerous lights. His appearance spawned a temporary surge of heightened excitement amongst the crowd. Who wouldn't cheer louder for a mystery performer? Grasshopper looked at Evan and a slight nod indicated where Grasshopper was to stand. The crowd did not yet know the identity of the mystery performer, but they would soon enough. A moment Evan had in the back of his head all day.
"How's it going, Cape Zora!" Japas yelled to the crowd, spawning a more deafening tone, "Think we have a good turnout, today?"
This question was aimed at Tijo next to him. The drummer rubbed his chin in a pretend thought. This was the pre-song performance that hooked the fans in closer and closer until they begged to start, which is right where the Indigo-gos wanted them. It was a common music performance trick.
"Do you think it's because of my ability with the base?" Japas egged on more. This conversation was rehearsed before. The crowd responded with louder cheers.
"...Or do you think it's the drumming abilities of our own Tijo?" The fall in noise was brought back up.
"...Or perhaps it's the background music played by our own ingenious genius, Evan?" Once again, the cheers fell after they cheered for Tijo, but the cheer regained at Evan's mention.
"You know what? I think it's the vocals of our own Lulu!" Japas motioned toward the singer as she did a little bow for the crowd. The cheer for Lulu was loudest yet.
"No way, bro." Tijo cut in, building suspense, "I personally think... that it's this guy, back here!"
Though Grasshopper knew no one could really see him as anything more than a silhouette, he raised the arm he did not hold the Multitask in. He really didn't need to hold the Multitask, as Japas lent him and old guitar strap of Mikau's.
One could not believe the cheers that spawned from a mystery person. It was like an explosion, but sound-wise.
After announcing they get the party started, Japas began playing and all others followed in suit. Most of the songs did not hold big parts for Grasshopper, but he did not mind. He didn't want to make a big name for himself, anyway. He seriously did not care if his face was even shown. As long as he played and the people knew it was all that mattered.
-
The concert had gone on great, as planned. Their songs were all executed perfectly. Maybe it was the good vibes or the weight that had been lifted off a lot of their shoulders, but even though Grasshopper hadn't been to many of their performances, he could sense that they were giving it more than they had in recent months.
The defining moment was one of their falling action songs, a lyric-infused version of the Ballade of the Windfish, one of their more popular songs.
The song was going off great without a hitch until some Zora who was a stage manager decided it would be fun to aim a spotlight at the mystery musician as a, you know, cool thing. When the spotlight hit Grasshopper, however, the cheers did not increase. In fact, they came to a screeching halt.
The silence that followed was agonizing. It was so silent that there wasn't even a ringing in anyone's ears anymore.
"This new guy isn't a Zora?" A cry of disbelief rang from the crowd.
"Have the Indigo-gos lost it? Are no Zoras good enough for them?" And so forth with the finger pointing and comments as sharp as daggers.
It was then the booing started.
Never have the Indigo-gos been booed. Maybe almost once, but never officially. All the Indigo-gos looked at each other, Evan casting anyone he locked eyes with an "I told you so" type look. It seemed tonight's show was ruined.
It seemed that way to all except Grasshopper. He wouldn't have any of it. This wasn't nice. So he wasn't a Zora? Big deal. Get over it. Grasshopper almost involuntarily pressed a button on the Multitask, sending a single note that halted the booing and resumed a silence. This silence was different, however, it was one of scrutiny. The crowd now watched in anticipation of what this new guy would do next, so they could officially judge him.
Grasshopper knew it was game time, and he suddenly was not at Cape Zora anymore.
-
To clear any confusion, Grasshopper was still on that stage physically, but his mind was in another place. He was in a room. His room. The instrument in his hand freshly made. He looked down at it and started playing. The notes flowed out like no musical technology had ever replicated. His random playing erupted into an official sounding song, one he kept close to his heart. It went: Down, Down, Up, Up, Right, Up, Down, Left. The tune that followed was a very catchy dance tune.
He knew he had created something special. Years of his life paid off in this one moment of musical glory. All his life he heard the ultimate in musical Multitasking had been replicated into huge, bulky, piano-ish forms, but he has now done one better.
The Multitask.
-
Grasshopper was back in Cape Zora, on the stage. Was all that just happened real? What was that room? How come he felt it was his first time with the Multitask after all the playing he had done already. One thing was for sure, that song he played in the room had been heard by all in Cape Zora, for he hear Japas mutter to Evan, "Did you write that?" A question to which the keyboard player said, "I... don't think so."
The crowd's silence was now one in awe. The guitar solo they had just heard hit them right in the heart, making them feel how much this new guy wanted their support. All the Zoras in the crowd agreed. Their cheer erupted slowly, then a full-blown roar emitted to the stage; not one of prejudice and hate, but one of support. Some even chanted "New guy!" repeatedly.
The show had truly started.
-
Many encores spawned from repeated request of the crowd, mostly for hearing more of the non-Zoran musician who wielded an alien instrument that sounded like a guitar. The excitement in Cape Zora almost matched that of when Mikau was still alive.
The Indigo-gos and Grasshopper all decided on one final performance. They were all worn away from constant playing, Lulu's voice seemed to weaken, but still remained strong and melodious. The song they decided to finish off on was the one that Lulu and Grasshopper had completed. Apparently, Lulu had been able to give it to Evan, get it approved, and then smooth it out before the show.
Everybody agreed silently that if they were going to finish this concert, it was going to be with one hundred and ten percent effort. After Evan gave the cue, the music rose. Per the song, Lulu waited for some of the music to pass by and merely swayed or did little dance moves. Once the cue for the lyrics to start was heard, she began to sing.
"What do you know?
What do you know?
What do you know?
And… how do you know?
How can you deny, deny the times past,
In a relationship that was said to last?
Why do you, try to hurt me so,
Or do you even know?
I have a feeling,
I have a feeling,
I can't deny.
I can't deny.
I have a feeling,
I have a feeling,
I don't know why,
I don't, know, why!
It's a feeling I know you before,
I try and I try… but I can't ignore!
How can it be, I feel this way,
Why doesn't it just go. A-way!
Don't you think that you get the news?
Don't you get the feeling to choose?
Or do you actually need some kind of muse?
Because believe me, you still have much… to… lose!
Can love really be true, if it merely rises and falls?
Is it really is better to love and lose than to never have loved at alll!
Don't you get that feeling,
Don't you get that feeling,
You can't deny,
You can't deny,
You have that feeling,
You have that feeling,
Don't you know why?
Don't you know why?
Can it be that, there's something inside,
That won't come to you, but you'll have to get up and find!
It's there and I know, but I can't see it now,
It's completely vanished and I don't know how!
It's not as easy as you think that it is!
It's all come down to this!
Make a struggle and put up a fight!
Together we will see the light!
We have a feeling,
We have a feeling,
We can't deny,
We can't deny,
We have this feeling,
We have this feeling,
And now… we… know… why!"
The song went over very well, the crowd even cried out for the "new guy" to do several solos, but that was all the Indigo-gos could muster; they were spent.
-
As night fell, and autograph requests were two minutes apart, Grasshopper decided to go back to the Romani Ranch. He had, of course, been brought back to his "original image." He and the Indigo-gos were saying goodbyes on the outdoors side of the entrance to Cape Zora, next to the owl statue.
"I had a great time at Cape Zora." He said needlessly to the Indigo-gos as they saw him off as he prepared to play the song of soaring.
"It's been real," Japas said, exchanging a handshake, "Say hello to the people at home for me."
"Yeah, home..."
"You're going to come back, right?" Tijo asked as Japas took his leave.
"You know I will." Grasshopper said with a grin.
"Tight."
"I'm so sorry for being the way I was," Evan said in the silence of Tijo leaving, "But you saw how they were at first. I was trying to avoid having that and having it stick."
"You were only doing your job, it's really nothing personal."
Grasshopper and Lulu watched Evan leave, and then Lulu turned to Grasshopper. Counter-intuitively, Grasshopper spoke first.
"I can see you changed the lyrics a bit," He said, "seems like the amnesiac actually gets his memory back."
"Yeah…" Lulu said, folding her arms against the cool wind. She looked off in the distance, her clothing flapping elegantly, "That's because… I know you can do it."
Grasshopper hadn't expected that, "Thank you… very much." He said just as silently as she had. The wind whipped around and tried to muffle their words, but they both heard each other clearly.
"You've really helped me today," Lulu cut through the wind, "I never really got over Mikau, as most of the band, but I think I'm ready to complete my moving on now. I'm sure it's what Mikau would have wanted."
"Same here."
There was another silence, but a temporary halt in action. Lulu began to walk gently over to Grasshopper. Grasshopper had no clue of her intent. When she was close enough, she lifted a hand and placed it on Grasshopper's cheek. Grasshopper closed his eyes and shivered slightly, her webbed hand was warm. Then suddenly, she started to lean forward, intent on pressing her lips to Grasshopper's. He thought of it quite forward of her and entirely too soon, but wouldn't contest it if she kissed him. She must have felt it, for right when the tips of their lips nearly touched, or perhaps they grazed, it was too close to tell, she rotated her head about his and instead kissed his cheek. Oddly enough, differing from the rest of her Zoran skin, the feel of which resembled rubber slightly, Lulu's lips were soft, warm, slightly moist, and felt just like "regular" flesh. Per this, Grasshopper shivered yet again at he felt the temperature in his skin rise.
As soon as she was done, Lulu backed up, for surely being close to him for an extended period of time would have eventually flared up her lust to a point too far for ignoring. She solemnly stopped across the strip of land from Grasshopper. Grasshopper exhaled, relieved that she felt the same way he did. He took out the Multitask and brought it into playing position.
"Goodbye… for now."
He played the song of soaring and like before, a pair of wings wrapped around Grasshopper and made him vanish.
"Bye… Grasshopper…" Lulu whispered and walked back into Cape Zora.
-
Grasshopper landed at the Owl statue a short walk from the Romani Ranch. As he walked, he went over the day in his head. Playing Fin… then playing for the Indigo-gos. Perhaps, for Cremia's sake, he would leave out all the tender moments with Lulu, because there really was nothing going on there… or so he wanted to believe. He looked as the sun barely finished setting on the day and all Grasshopper needed was some sleep.