Start time: February 17, 2007; 12:57 AM, PST
Thanks to the reviewers. I appreciate it.
Anyway, here's chapter seven.
HARKINIAN RESIDENCE: JANUARY 17, 2006; 10:08 AM
Eight nominations.
Can you believe that? I for one can't. It's all very overwhelming. People say that they can't believe all of the success I've had, like the four consecutive number one debuts, the fourteen million albums sold worldwide, and the eight Ocarina nominations, but how do they think I feel? I'm still having trouble trying to believe that I even got a record deal. If you want me to actually mull over everything, then you'd better call an ambulance, because I'd probably have a stroke due to being too overwhelmed.
I'm going up against Marin in six of my nominations, including Record of the Year, Album of the Year, and Artist of the Year. People may have trouble believing this, but I really do wish her luck, and may the best girl win. We're both deserving in our own rights. I'm uncertain about those six awards, but I'm pretty much certain I have my two other nominations, Best New Artist and Song of the Year, secured. Then again, I'm going up against The Indigo-Go's in those categories, and I'm personally a fan of theirs, so I don't know. It's gonna be one hell of a night come February 8, that's for sure.
I'm invited to perform at the ceremony; I'm opening up the show. I still don't know what song I'm going to do. The typical thing to do would be to perform "Gateway to Freedom" since that's the song that's nominated the most. Maybe "The Only One", "Through My Eyes" or possibly "If You Only Knew", but you never know. I'm thinking about doing a song that I wrote for the new album I'm working on. That's my temporary plan, but it might end up being what I'm going to do.
I was recently paid by Hylia Music. I made thirty million Rupees off Eponymous, more than half of what my contract's worth, and that's not counting the songwriting royalties. I was paid an additional ten thousand for my songwriting effort. So what did I do with my money? I took the girls out on a shopping spree, of course! The first thing I bought was a pair of Chanel glasses for eight hundred Rupees. I replaced by iPod photo with that fifth generation video iPod that came out last September or so. I bought a whole new wardrobe, replacing all the worn out clothes I used to wear. I bought a 2006 Acura RL, and I know I'm stooping down to Link's level, but I named it like he named his car. My car's name is David. It's lame, I know, but it's my life and welcome to it. The girls and I moved out of the apartment a couple of months ago, but we have no real new permanent residence at the moment. Since then, we've been staying in hotels because of our jet setting schedule of the past eight months. That doesn't mean that I'm not looking for a place to call home, though. I've been looking around the metro area for the ideal home. I might just buy a house in Eastlake. Speaking of which…
I pull up into the driveway of my old home in Eastlake. The house, the parents and the familiar life I left behind almost a year ago. This is the first time I been in Eastlake since I left, and this is going to be the first time since that night that I'm going to make contact with my parents. I wonder what they thought about my abrupt departure? I wonder what they think of my fame and fortune and living the dream that I've been so wrapped up in for the past eleven years of my life? Chances are is that they aren't too happy that I just left with only a note behind, but I'm sure they're happy for me that I'm finally doing what I wanted to do for so long.
I turn off the ignition and I pull the key out. I grab my purse and I get out of the car, closing the door and locking it. I walk over to the front door as I take in my surroundings. All the houses are model homes, each similar to one another in architecture. The walls of the houses are a light mocha color, the doors are oak with ornate oval glass windows, and there are two garage doors: one big enough for two cars, and another one-car sized. The roofs are made of red-orange tiles. The front yards are made up of grass lawns and are lined with shrubbery and topiaries.
Nothings really changed at all.
I'm now in front of the doors, and I press the doorbell button on the wall to my left. The bell goes off, and I wait patiently for someone to answer. I pull off my Chanel glasses and place them on top of my head. The door finally opens, and on the other side, I see my mother.
Mom hasn't changed, either. She still has the same blonde hair, the same sparkling blue eyes, and the same house clothing comprised of a T-shirt, sweat capris, and fuzzy slippers. For the first time, I actually see that I resemble her very closely. It's like looking into the future.
She immediately bursts into tears ans she mauls me, encasing me in a giant bear hug. I can only laugh and return the hug. After several minutes, she pulls away and she examines me.
"Is that really you?" She asks, and I nod.
"Yes…"
She turns around and yells into the house, "Dad, come out here! Zelda's back!"
…
I'm sitting with Mom and Dad in the family room. In front of me is the giant flat screen LCD television. On either sides of the TV are shelves built into the wall filled with DVD's, books, stereo and entertainment equipment, and souveneirs from other countries Dad brought back from his overseas tours when he was in the Hylian Navy.
"So you guys aren't mad at me even after I left the way I did?" I ask them, placing my glass of water on the coffee table in front of us.
"Of course not, sweetheart," Mom says. "But we were kind of shocked. The morning after you left, we woke up, but we didn't go up to your room to wake you up because we figured you were tired from the night before. It wasn't until one in the afternoon that I went up to your room because you never sleep in that late. When I found the note, I was kind of scared, but Nabooru, Saria, Ruto, and Malon's parents found notes that were very similar to yours, so I was relieved that you weren't alone."
"Although we were rather upset that you never even called to let us know you were okay," Dad adds, and I blush slightly at that.
"Sorry," I apologize. "Did you ever doubt that I wouldn't make it as a singer?"
"Of course not," Mom shakes her head. "You father and I know perfectly well what you are capable of, and as your parents, we know better than to undermine your ability. You're a strong girl, Zelda."
"We knew that if you were to come back," Dad says, "it would be when you were a star. I guess we were right."
The three of us laugh softly at that.
"Where were you staying before you landed your deal?" Dad asks me. I just laugh and shake my head.
"I don't even want to think about that place," I chuckle.
"Was it that bad?" Mom smiles, and I shrug.
"Yeah," I nod. "It was really bleak. The wallpaper was peeling and there were water stains on the ceiling, but I guess I can't complain because at least I had a roof over my head."
"Where are you living now?" Dad asks again, taking a drink of his coffee.
"I'm hotel hopping at the moment," I reply. "I'm a vagabond in that sense. I'm still looking around for a place to live in permanently, but no luck as of late. I was thinking about buying a house here in the neighborhood."
"How are the girls doing?" Mom asks.
"They're fine," I answer. "They're back at the hotel room. They're the same as they were before we left, although all the spoiling I did recently might have made them a little more pretentious."
Mom and Dad both laugh softly. "So about that blonde man," Mom starts with a smile.
"What blonde man?" I raise an eyebrow.
"The guy that's always with you," Dad says with a smile as well. "Blue eyes, tan skin…"
"You mean Link?" They both nod simultaneously. "What about him?"
"He's quite the handsome young man," Mom giggles.
"Mom!" I groan. "He's the head of my record label! I can't be in a relationship with him. Do you know how awkward it would be to work at the label if a relationship between us were to not work out?"
"You two seem to be very compatible," Mom shrugs. I blush furiously at that and Mom and Dad laugh at me.
"Whatever mom," I roll my eyes. "He's good looking, but I doubt we can be anything but good friends."
"Oh?" Dad rubs his chin slowly. "I saw you on Dana Numberwoman a few days ago… You said your date for the Ocarina Awards was going to be Link."
I blush harder and Mom laughs. "Is that really?"
"Two friends can't go as dates?" I ask them. "Besides, we're both nominated that night, so it's only natural that we'd go together."
"Sure, Zelda," Dad nods slowly, taking another sip of his coffee, and I roll my eyes in reply.
"Whatever, dad…"
HCT METRODOME- DRESSING ROOM: FEBRUARY 8, 2006; 7:55 PM
I'm so freakin' nervous.
Yes, I've performed in front of people before, but those were small studio audiences of around two hundred people or so, and even then, that's unnerving. I've done awards shows before, but half the audience was made up of fans. These are the Ocarina Awards, and I'll be performing in front of the biggest names in music. Eighty thousand people to be exact. Yes, half of those people are fans and regular people, but the entire floor level of the arena are where the celebrities are, and the fans will be on the upper levels.
For the performance, I'm wearing a black spaghetti strapped dress that goes straight to the ground. There are slits on both sides that go all the way up to my mid-thigh. I'm also wearing black stiletto heels. My hair is wavy and curls at the ends, with the left side of my face mostly covered with hair, and my bangs are styled so they cover my left eye.
I hear someone knock at my door, and I tell them to come in. The door opens and I see one of the stage managers walk in.
"Five minutes before you go on, Miss Harkinian," he says, and I nod.
"Okay," I say, and he leaves the room.
I get up from my seat and I walk out of the room, making my way towards the stage. I'm greeted by many celebrities who are presenting the awards, most of them wishing me luck on my performance and that I win some awards. I smile and wave at them until I meet with Link.
"Here's your microphone," he says, handing me a black microphone. "And here's your ear piece," he hands me a small black dot, and I put it my right ear.
He guides me towards a staircase. "I'll be in the audience, okay?"
"Okay," I nod with a smile.
"Good luck," he gives me a thumbs up, and I give him a quick hug.
"Thanks, Link," I say when another stage managers comes up to me.
"Three minutes!"
"Hurry and get up there!" Link exclaims, pushing me up the stairs, and I laugh as I run up the steps. They lead to a catwalk above the stage. For my entrance, I'm going to enter through a caged elevator where the band is going to play the intro to "Gateway to Freedom", and when I reach the stage, the band and I are going to switch into a song that's going on the new album called "Sensations".
I look down, and below me is the band getting ready. I hear the announcer's voice boom throughout the arena.
"It's time for the 48th Annual Ocarina Music Awards. Ladies and gentlemen, Zelda Harkinian!"
The audience roars with applause, and I see all the lights on the stage go off. I get on the elevator platform and the music begins to play the intro to "Gateway to Freedom". I ad lib softly as the elevator goes down slowly. The elevator reaches the ground when the intro ends. I get off the elevator and there's a loud booming sound as the stage lights flicker on and off rapidly, and the audience breaks out into another loud applause.
The drums start first and the rest of the band jumps in, and I desend the steps leading to the lower level of the stage slowly, humming softly as I do so, causing the audience to cheer louder.
Mmm
Yeah
When I reach the bottom of the steps, the back up singers sing the first chorus, and I join in on the second line.
There's no way to describe the sensations
That I'm feeling only for you
Ohh, there's no way to describe the sensations
That makes me feel so shiny and new
The audience dies down somewhat, and I switch into the first verse.
When there's you
In my life
I always feel
so
Good inside
I am yours
You are mine
You make my heart
beat
Doubletime
The lights dim to a bluish-purple hue, and I slowly walk to the right.
I'm on top of the world
When
I feel you lovingly
You're
too good to be real
I
like the way you make me feel
Sublime
On the last syllable of "sublime", I switch into the whistle register, pressing my finger to my earpiece so I can hear myself over the music. Through my squinted eyes, I can see all the lights on stage go off except for my spotlight, and when the backup singers and I begin the chorus again, all the lights flicker back on, and I continue to walk energetically to the right.
There's no way to describe the sensations
That I'm feeling only for you
Ohh, there's no way to describe the sensations
That makes me feel so shiny and new
During the second verse, I slowly walk back to the left towards the center of the stage.
When
I open
Up
my eyes
I
see you there
With
a smile
And
when I lay me
Down to sleep
I can see you
In my dreams
The lights dim to the same violet color again.
I'm on top of the world
When I feel you
tenderly
You're just too good to be real
I like the way you make me feel
Sublime
I sing the whistling note on "sublime" again, only I trill up higher up the scale, and the same lighting effect goes off, and when I go into the chorus, the lights come back on and I walk over to the left side of the stage.
There's no way to describe the sensations
That I'm feeling only for you
Ohh, there's no way to describe the sensations
That makes me feel so shiny and new
We sing the chorus again, and I slowly walk back to center stage.
There's no way to describe the sensations
That I'm feeling only for you
Ohh, there's no way to describe the sensations
That makes me feel so shiny and new
The lights turn the mauve color again as I sing the bridge.
There's no real way
To explain how you make me feel inside
A single drop of your sweet love
Is enough to make me feel
Sublime
On "sublime", I press my finger to my earpiece and hold a note in the whistle register for five seconds, and the lights flash on and off rapidly. I can barely hear myself or the music over the audience as they roar loudly with applause again to the point that I almost forget to let go of the note because all I hear is the audience. Once I finally break the note, the lights return to the purple color
Ohh
Oh, baby
Yeah, alright
Oooh… Ohh
Mmm… Hey, hey…
Whoa…
The backup singers and I begin the chorus again and the lights return to their normal colors, and I power walk to the right, waving at the girls who are sitting in the upper decks.
There's no way to describe the sensations
That I'm feeling only for you
Ohh, there's… sensations
That makes me feel so shiny and new
The backup singers continue to sing the chorus again, and I take a deep breath before I trill up in the whistle register three times over the chorus, with each ending note higher than the last, walking back to the center of the stage as I do so.
You make me feel sublime
Instead of singing a whistling note on "sublime", I dip into the lower register so I sound like a bass, and the song ends. The lights dim to pitch black and the audience breaks out into another applause. A few seconds later, they turn back on, and I see that all of the celebrities and artists and producers on the ground level giving a standing ovation. I see Link in the front row right in front of me, smiling with approval and clapping, and around him is my management group, Rauru to his right, and an empty seat—my seat—to his right. It's then that I decide that I really don't care if I win anything tonight. Knowing that they appreciate me like that is gratitude enough.
…Thorugh winning an Ocarina or two would really make this night perfect.
…
I'm sitting with Link, waiting for the commercial break that the show went to after my performance, since the show is being filmed live. I changed out of my black dress into a white strapless evening dress that hugged my figure, matching white stiletto heels, and white diamond earrings and bracelets. My hair is in the same style, only I'm wearing a sleek white headband.
Backstage, I did a couple of interviews and took a few pictures with the celebrites there, who were all saying they loved my performance, and I was really happy they enjoyed watching it as much as I enjoyed giving it.
I see Lulu from The Indigo-Go's come up to me, and she bends over to say something.
"Great performance, Zelda," she tells me with a smile.
"Thanks, Lulu," I blush slightly. "That means a lot to me."
"…Well, the first award is coming up in a few minutes," Lulu says.
"I know," I nod. "Best New Artist."
"Good luck then," she pats me on my shoulder and I smile up at her.
"You too. I hope you win, though," I reply.
We both chuckle softly and she walks over to her seat with the rest of the band two rows behind me when the announcer's voice comes up.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome talk show host Dana Numberwoman," the man says, and the audience claps as she comes up from backstage in a cream colored designer pants-suit holding a white envelope with the Ocarina Award logo on it. She approaches a microphone that comes out of the ground and pauses a second before speaking.
"The first award of the night is Best New Artist, which is awarded to the breakthrough artist of their debut year," Dana says. "The nominees are The Indigo-Go's…"
The audience claps loudly as they appear on the screens, and I turn around to smile at Lulu, who returns the smile back.
"…Bootie and the Glowfish…"
The audience claps again and they appear on the screens.
"…Chris Green…"
The audience cheers as he shows up on the screens.
"…And Zelda Harkinian."
I appear on the screens and the audience cheers for me. I smile and I clap softly, turning to Link, who is smirking at me with a thumbs up.
The clapping dies down and Dana speaks up again. "The award for Best New Artist goes to…"
She opens up the envelope and she looks at it for a second. There's a quick moment of silence before she smiles and leans into the microphone.
"Zelda Harkinian."
The audience cheers loudly as "Gateway to Freedom" plays over the stereo system, and Link, my management and I get up from our seats. I hug Link quickly and shake the hands of Rauru and everyone. I turn around and walk on stage towards Dana and she hands me a golden statuette of the ancient Ocarina of Time. I take one good look at it, and on the black base, there's a small golden plaque with an inscription on it.
HYLIAN ACADEMY OF
RECORDING ARTS AND SCIENCES
ZELDA HARKINIAN
BEST NEW ARTIST
2006
I turn to the audience and their applause slowly dies down. I feel some tears stinging my eyes, due to the overwheming feeling of it all, but I fight them back.
"I just want to thank the Goddesses for the gift of music that gives me infinite joy in my life… Link Avalon for his invaluable friendship, guidance, and his believing in me from day one…" I glance at him quickly and he gives me another thumbs up. "Rauru Sayge and everyone at Hylia Music and The Rarity, HARAS for giving me this award, thank you very much… Everyone at my management that I hired to take care of every single factor of my life…" I giggle softly. "My parents for their fath in me and my friends who are up in the audience somewhere…"
I hear a group of girls cheering to my right and everyone in the stadium including myself turn in that direction, and we all see the girls standing and cheering like crazy maniacs. Everyone laughs softly and I wave at them.
"Thank you," I finish through laughter and they all clap again. I walk over with Dana backstage, and the announcer declares the next presenters.
…
The next few awards were the ones I was nominated in. The Indigo-Go's won Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Group or Duo for "The Ballad of the Wind Fish" and they beat me for Song of the Year with "Ballad of the Wind Fish" as well. I won another award: Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. I lost Best Female R&B Vocal Performance to Marin's "Hot and Spicy" and Best Pop Vocal Album to Marin's Shining. For my nominations, all I have left are Record, Album, and Artist of the Year. The next award up is Record of the Year.
"For Record of the Year," the female presenter on stage says into the microphone, "the award goes to the artist and the record's production crew. The nominations are "Gateway to Freedom" by Zelda Harkinian. The producers are Link Avalon and Zelda Harkinian."
The audience cheers as the song plays and Link and I appear on screen.
"…"In the Zone" by Marin Tarin. The producer is Ganondorf Dragmire."
The audience claps as Marin and Ganondorf show up on the screens.
"…"Gust Underneath My Shoulders" by Betty Mydlir. The producer is Afir Gardin."
Betty appears on the screens as her song plays and the audience cheers.
"…And "Street of Shattered Visions" by Brown Week. The producers are Bob Vocallo and Brown Week."
They appear on the screen and their song plays, and the aucience claps.
"The award goes to…"
She opens the envelope and looks at it for a second.
"Marin Tarin and Ganondorf Dragmire for "In the Zone"," she says.
The audience claps softly as the song plays, and the two walk up on stage. As Marin passes me, I feel her brush against me rather roughly, and I jerk away, raising an eyebrow. She walks up on stage and accepts her award.
"I just want to thank HARAS for giving me this award, Ganondorf for being an amazing producer, my label One Tear Drop Records, and my family and friends," she says with a snooty smirk. The audience claps again as she and Ganondorf walk off stage.
…
They gave out Album of the Year just a few minutes ago—to Marin for Shining. In the few minutes, they're giving out the last award of the night, Artist of the Year, my last nomination—as well as Marin's.
King Nohansen, King of Hyrule comes out on stage. He always presents Artist of the Year, which is always the last award given out.
"The last award of the night," he says, "is Artist of the Year. It is given out to the artist whom the voters at HARAS deemed the best artist of the previous year. The nominees are Marin Tarin… Bootie and the Glowfish… Brown Week… and Zelda Harkinian."
"The award goes to…" He pulls an envelope out of his pocket bearing the Ocarina Awards logo, and he slowly opens it. He takes a long look at it. There's a moment of silence before he leans into the microphone.
"…Marin Tarin."
There is a short quietness after he announces Marin's name, as if they were expecting me to win it. Marin appears on screen and the silence is broken as "In the Zone" plays, and the audience finally claps—but for one reason or another, the audience as a whole doesn't sound all too happy about the decision HARAS made.
Marin accepts the award and kisses King Nohansen on his cheek before he steps aside so Marin can make her speech. To my left on the other side of the aisle, I hear Darunia Rock and Mido Lee talking to each other, and all I'm saying is that they weren't too kind to Marin in their conversation.
"Thank you, HARAS, for giving me this award," Marin says into the microphone. "You picked the right person… I, um, want to thank everyone at Sheikah International, my parents and my friends, and especially Zelda Harkinian for inspiring me to write my own songs for my new album. I mean, she's the only reason why I'm writng songs this time."
I see her look at me with a face that has "How many Ocarina Awards did you win, again?" written all over it. I feel my face heat up and I look away from her towards Link, Rauru, and my management, who are all bearing expressions as if someone just died.
"Um… Yeah, thanks," she finishes and she walks backstage. King Nohansen approaches the microphone. "Thank you for watching the 48th Annual Ocarina Awards. We'll see you at the 49th."
HCT METRODOME- BACKSTAGE: FEBRUARY 8, 2006; 11:16 PM
So I walked away with two of my eight nominations won, while Marin got away five awards. Still, I'm happy that I won something. The fact that HARAS recognized me to win one of the Big Five was really gratifying, as well as a possible choice for the other four that I lost.
I've done a lot of interviews since the show ended, and they've been asking more about how I felt that Marin stole the show from me rather than focusing that I even won.
I'm about to walk with Link across the street from the Metrodome to the Metrodome City Amusement Park where it has been closed off to celebrities for the after-party, when Koume and Kotake approach us.
"Zelda, you gave a wonderful performance!" Kotake gushes.
"Thank you," I nod, holding onto my two Ocarina Awards.
"So the story of the night is you and Marin," Koume says. "You lost Album, Record and Artist of the year to her, along with Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance."
"Well, what can you do, right?" I laugh. "I'm grateful that I got these two, and congratulations to Marin on winning those five."
"And Link," Kotake turns to him, and he leans in. "Have you talked to Ganondorf or Marin at all lately? Since Marin is your ex-girlfriend and all."
I turn to him slowly, and he cringes noticeably. I raise an eyebrow curiously.
"Ex… girlfriend?"
So that's chapter seven for you. There are many references to the Grammy Awards in this chapter.
Th Hylian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (HARAS): A play on the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), the 12000 member academy of people who vote on the awards given during the Grammy Awards ceremony.
"Bootie and the Glowfish": A play on Hootie and the Blowfish, the winner of Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards in 1996.
"Chris Green": A play on Chris Brown, one of the nominees for Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards in 2007.
"Gust Underneath My Shoulders" by Betty Mydlir. The producer is Afir Gardin.": A play on the winners of Record of the Year at the Grammy Awards in 1990: "Wind Beneath My Wings" by Mette Midler. Producer: Arif Gardin.
"Street of Shattered Visions" by Brown Week. The producers are Bob Vocallo and Brown Week.": A play on the winners of Record of the Year at the Grammy Awards in 2006: "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" by Green Day. Producers: Rov Covallo and Green Day.
For one last show of statistics:
Zelda: 2/8
Marin: 5/6
Review, please.
End time: February 21, 2007; 10:01 PM, PST
