"What's the problem?" she hisses when she is beckoned outside by Laurel and a furious Ningan. "We deserve a vacation!"
"Dakota, last time we had a 'vacation', I was poisoned and nearly died." Ningan replies bluntly.
"I just don't think it's appropriate for us to abandon our journey so early." Laurel concurs. "We have no idea how far Hyrule could be, and we want to make the most of the summer months."
"Summer has only just started!" she protests. "We have plenty of time! And there's nothing to fear! There's nothing out here!"
"I just think we should have been consulted first."
"Well, if you want to continue, I'm not stopping you." Dakota folds her arms. "But I'm going to stay here with Ezra. I deserve a break."
Of the four of them, Dakota has undoubtedly suffered the most, with the recent loss of her husband. None of the others could comprehend that kind of grief, and so she had knowingly built an argument they could not demolish.
"Three days." Laurel declares firmly. "No more."
With that affirmation, Dakota chooses to spend the day lounging on the beach, soaking up the sun rays all afternoon. Ningan and Laurel observe from a balcony of the village which overlooks the shore.
"You know, maybe we are closer to Hyrule than we first thought." Laurel suggests. "This could be our last taste of exploration and foreign lands before we wind up home."
"What makes you think that?" Ningan asks with a puzzled frown.
"I don't know, I just have this feeling." he shrugs. "Like now we've finally reunited with Ezra, perhaps we're destined to return as we departed; together at last."
"You don't believe in all that fate rubbish, do you?" Ningan sneers.
"How else do you explain we found Dakota and Ezra within the space of a few weeks? Coincidence?"
Ningan rolls his eyes. "Maybe the continent isn't as vast as we think? Or maybe Princess Zelda is behind all this, just like she was with us two?"
After their fallout, Princess Zelda took it upon herself to reunite Ningan and Laurel without their knowledge, by arranging a meeting via letter. Ningan and Laurel fell straight into her trap and were forced to confront each other for the first time in two years. They settled their differences and became the closest of friends once more, all thanks to her masterminding.
"I see after all these years, you haven't lost your cynicism." Laurel smirks.
"If there really is such thing as fate, then the goddesses must be playing some kind of sick joke on me." Ningan mutters.
A propeller-like noise distracts their conversation. Two or three Dekus fly overhead using their Deku flowers; Laurel and Ningan watch them glide over the sand and towards the jungle.
Laurel turns back to his companion. "Don't worry. We'll be home soon. We just need to convince Ezra to come along. Then we can end our journey as we began: four friends proud to serve under the command of Princess Zelda."
