A.N. Just a head's up, thi chapter is a bit slow, though there is a bit of Character development for Ember at the end.

"Telma, can I ask a huge favor?" Ember ask from across the counter to the bar owner.

"Well it depends on what it is." Telma crossed her arms. "Is it going to anyway harm, or break something?"

Ember huffed.

"You know, not everything I do is reckless."

"No, but more often then not it is." She chuckled to herself. Ember couldn't argue with that. "What's your favor sweetie?"

"Oh well, I was wondering if maybe we could borrow your wagon to take to kakariko? And possibly a few days off?"

"'We' huh?" Telma put her hand on her hips and leaned forward. "Does this 'we' include a certain man with glasses." She winked. "just the two of you?"

Ember blushed noticeably.

"Ahm Yes . . . I need some help said he was happy to come along and offer his assistance."

"I Think it would be nice for you two to get away for some alone time."

"It's not like that. It's just business."

"What kind of 'business' exactly are you talking about?"

"Nothing you're thinking. He's been helping me with a new device I'm working on. I need to get some scrap metal from the Gorons and could bare to have an extra helping hand." She failed to meet Telma's gaze as the large woman continued to beam suggestively at her.

"And you said this would take a few days?"

"y-yes. I doubt I could get there, find what I need and be back in just a day."

Telma hummed at her happily.

"I'm glad to see you've gotten close with him. Maybe this trip will come with results and something will finally happen between you two."

Ember's mind flashed to the incident last night. The way he called her name, then telling her 'don't stop'. Her heart beat faster, and she hoped Telma couldn't hear it slamming against her chest.

"I could use the help tonight," Ember felt instantly dejected. "but I guess if my worker isn't in town at the time, there really isn't anything I could do is there? She'll have to make up for it when she's back in town."

Ember couldn't help but grin wide and suck in an excited breath.

"Go ahead and use the cart, don't let me stop your romantic endevours."

Her excitement faultered

"You have no shame."

"Never claimed to in the first place." She chuckled. "Have fun, honey." Ember gave her thanks and started excitedly for the door. "Come get me when you're ready, I'll get the wagon hooked up for you. Oh and give Shad a kiss for me."

Ember rolled her eyes. There was no escaping her taunting.


"You sure you have everything you need?" Telma asked Ember, looking uncertainly at the few bits they were bringing. She had gotten the covered wagon ready for Ember before she had even come to tell her she was good to go. They were at the West exit to Hyrule Castle Town, toward Eldin province.

"It's not a whole expedition to some unknown place. It's a few days in a civilized town with warm beds and I'm sure they have food there too. The cart is just for the heavy lifting." Ember pulled herself into the coach seat of the wagon. "We'll be fine. Quit worrying." She offered her hand to Shad, pulling him up alongside her, he took the reigns in his hands. He said a quick thanks before turning his attention to Telma.

"It'll be a chance for me to take another look at the owl statue in Renado's basement as well."

"Still going after that dream of yours, huh?"

"Never stopped." Shad retorted happily.

"Oh that reminds me." Telma pulled out a letter and handed it to Shad. "Could you give that to Renado when you see him?"

"Happy to oblige this request." he handed it to Ember who opened her duster and tucked the letter in her inside pocket.

"Shad a word of advice. Take care of Ember, don't let her get into any trouble." She leaded to him and whispered. "And don't do anything I wouldn't do." She gave him a sly smile.

"T-that doesn't exactly exclude much."

"Exactly." She laughed heartily as she watched his face drop in embarrassment. "Now go on, what are you waiting for?"

"A formal invitation, complete with singing telegram would be nice." Ember returned smartly gaining a snicker from Shad.

"Alright you smart-ass, get out of here." Shad took up the reigns and gave them a good snap. "I'll see back at the bar in a few days!" She called after them. She waited for a moment while they headed through the rock passageway into the western field.

"Singing telegram?" Shad questioned Ember when they were well out of earshot.

"It's jovial don't you think?" Shad raised an eyebrow. She turned her head partway to him. "What? You can't expect me to come with the perfect retort to Telma's antics all the time. It was the first thing I thought of."

"I suppose not."

Ember reached into her inner pocket and took out the letter Telma had handed them. She studied the small red parcel.

"I wonder what this is. Couldn't she have sent the mailman?"

"It's probably a love letter."

Ember snorted,

"Right, I'm sure." She returned sarcastically. She looked to Shad's face for any hint of him joking. There was none. "Wait, really? Somehow that unjustifies all the teasing she's been putting on me."

"Teasing?" Shad smirked at her. "Pray tell what about?"

"Mnaaaah, Well you know, just . . . things. None of your business things."

"Keep your secrets if you wish, it's no skin off my bones." He smiled amused, returning his attention back to steering the cart. He was pretty sure what 'things' she was talking about, since he got the same taunting treatment, but he chose to let her save face.

They rode in a comforting silence, the steady sound of trotting their only company. Ember took to occupy herself, by reviewing the notes in her book. She admitted Shad had done a decent job of organizing it all. He drew the part to be focused on on one page, numbering on certain things, then putting the corresponding note to that number on the other. It gave for more drawing room. She chewed the pencil she had in her hand, a bad habit she had long since picked up.

"Do you know of any place I might get some dragon wing membrane?"

"I was kind of wondering about that myself. Where ever you find it, I doubt it would be cheap."

"Money isn't really an issue for me." She said through the pencil in her mouth. "I inherited my father's money when he passed away."

"May I ask how much? I mean I don't mean to pry, that's a bit personal to ask, but I'm a rather curious fellow you know."

"I know, and it's okay, usually I don't divulge into my financial situations, but for you I'll make an exception.

"I'm honored." He joked

"As you should be. Back on track though, I sum at this point I may have spent a good forty thousand rupees so far, mostly for building material and purchasing my home. That's barely a tenth of what I was left."

"My word. That's enough to live comfortably for a long while. Why would you pick up work, having access to such funding?"

"It's humbling." She mused, flipping the page of her journal. Eventually she'll have to get a new one. She realized she was running quickly out of pages. "Besides, I only dip into it for large purchases or emergencies. Most of what I live off of comes from working at the bar. If I get relaxed into the comfort of money I hadn't earned myself, not only will I find it whittling away faster, I may turn into one of those stuck up aristocrats. My nose stuck in the air all the time."

Shad chortled loudly causing Ember to jolt a bit away from her book.

"I can't imagine you divulging in such juvenile behaviors. You're too level-headed for that."

"And where do you think I get that? I don't get things handed to me on a silver plate. Well I mean I do, but I don't take it for granted and I especially don't wish to guffaw about the assets readily available to me. It's preposterous and people don;t take kindly to such things.

"I think it's admirable you humble yourself." He turned to give her that look she loved so much on him. It always made her thoughts stop racing if only for a moment. Her eye caught the mark just peeking out from his collar.

'please don't stop' she heard his voice in her head. She suddenly grew afraid he'd somehow be able to hear her thoughts. This intimate act they had shared, whether on accident or not, didn't help in suppressing her attraction to the young man beside her. She wondered briefly if it was effecting him just as much, and if it had been, he hid it well. Only now did she realize the small confines the coach seat offered. They had little less than a few inches between them, between their faces. Why hadn't she noticed before? The closeness made her nervous.

A large thud under the wheels, made the cart jump, surprising them both. Ember had grabbed onto Shad's jacket for support, still trying to hold onto her notebook in the process. He pulled the reigns to stop the horse from progressing.

"Farore. Maybe I should take charge for a bit." Ember offered. Shad gave her an apologetic look and held out the straps for her to take.

"S-sorry."

Ember let go of him to switch to steering the horse onto smoother ground. He heard her sigh and quietly call him a 'dork'. He smirked.


They arrived in Kakariko just before the sun was ending it's decent, calling the day to a close.

"Head to that egg-shaped building at the edge of town." Shad pointed down the only road to the very last building. "We can stop by to see Renado real quick, I'm sure he's in the sanctuary as always."

Ember yawned. "Then can we get some sleep please?"

"It's a bit early for that." He then realized she must still be recovering her sleep from the days she stayed up. One night of good rest isn't going to reset her sleep patterns. "But, yes, we can get you to bed right after."

"Fantastic, best news I've had all day." Ember almost mumbled. "We'll give him his love letter, say a quick howdy-do then shovel on off to hit the hay." Shad chuckled.

"and you call me a dork."

"Hush, you ARE a dork" She pulled the wagon to a stop in front of what she now knew as the Sanctuary and allowed herself to close her eyes now that she didn't have to focus on steering. Only for a second though before she moved to jump off the seat and stretch her legs. "You go ahead on in, catch up with your friend, I'll take the horse for some water." She said while undoing the reigns on the horse and leading it out from it's mount.

"Of course, I'll be back in a moments pass." She nodded to him, and as he passed her to go inside, she held out the letter from Telma for him to take.

He opened the door without knocking and stepped inside. Ember assumed this was a public building as he would never be so impolite otherwise.

"Ah Shad, what brings you here this time? Back to look at that statue?" Renado greeted the young scholar warmly.

"Not quite the case you see. Though I wouldn't mind taking a peek later I fit's not too much trouble."

"Not at all, but if not that, what are you here for then?"

"I'm helping a dear friend of mine. Though I'd figure I'd drop by and let you know we were here. We came to gather some metals from Death Mountain. Apparently she says they allow her salvage from their scrap."

"She? So this is a lady friend. I hope she's more well mannered then that Ashie."

"Oh indeed she is. Though really it isn't saying much."

Renando bustled a laugh

"No I suppose not. Well it's good to see you still doing well and I'm glad you stopped by to say 'hello', as always you are welcome to the beds upstairs in the inn."

"It's very much appreciated." He started to turn to leave, but stopped. "Oh it almost slipped my mind." He turned back and handed Renado the envelope in his hand. "From Telma." He took it with a disapproving face. Shad felt sorry for the Shamen. Telma could be a bit pushy with such matters.

"Thanks." his voice was less than trilled.

"I should head on, my companion was practically asleep when we stopped and I should get her to bed." Shad made his leave.

Returning to outside, Ember had tied the horse to the post right outside and he had found her laying the length of the coach seat, arm over her eyes.

"Ember-"

She jolted,

"Yeah, yes. I'm up." She sat upright. Shaking the sleep from her head. "Did you give him that letter?"

"He was less than please to receive it, but yes."

This confused Ember.

"That's . . . please explain?"

"Oh yes of course, I sometimes forget you haven't been around for long."

"I've been 'around' for a good four months." She defended. Reaching in to back to grab the few bags they had brought with them.

"Yes, but I mean before that, around when Hyrule was in chaos. Telma had found personal obligations leading her here. From what I hear from Link, she took a shine to him instantly. Though he didn't take her advances kindly." Ember tossed his his bag where he awkwardly caught it, almost dropping it.

Link. Ember had met him a time or two, when he accompanied Rustle from Ordon. A quiet guy, always saving his words for seldom speech. Any conversation you wished to hold with him you had to infer what he was thinking by his facial expressions. It seemed to her he was bit of an innocent soul, despite the trials she had been told he'd been through. A kind heart, but a little clueless, she thought.

"R-right. I'd take this against her for defense, but I'd rather not stoop to such childishness. I'm too proud for that." Ember jumped to the ground and once sure she was steady on her feet, she motioned her head for Shad to lead the way .

"Glad to hear, you don't take the advantage." He started across the road, Ember in tow. She saw a sign stating 'Elde Inn' on a sign over double doors. She had stayed a time or two when she come to recover parts. After going up a small ramp from the side, Shad opened the door and stepped aside for her.

"Ladies first."

"Chivalrous as always I see." She mock curtseyed for him as she passed. "Thank you good sir."

"Sarcastic as ever I see." He sighed. She turned to her immediate left and went up the stairs to the upper floor. She took the first bed she could find, set her belongings down next to it and allowed herself to fall onto the soft mattress.

"mmmm . . . bed." she hummed

"Astute observation." Shad returned, taking a seat on his own on the other side of the wall.

"Shut up, I'm tired. My lethargic aptitude greatly decreases my ability to care." She turned on her side, facing him with her head on the pillow with her arm tucked underneath."If you want me to, I can always prattle on about the uses for a mattress besides sleeping. Will that satisfy your expectation of my usual curious observations rather than just saying 'bed'?"

"Perhaps. What 'uses' did you have in mind?" He crossed one leg over the other and grabbed his knee with both hands.

Ember stared, her face reddening slightly, there was one use that immediately she thought of, but she wasn't going to say it out loud. Instead she rolled over with a huff, facing away from him.

"Goodnight Shad." She said, none to happily. A chuckle from behind her sounded.

"Sleep well my dear. I'll be up for a bit longer. If you need anything let me know."

She waved him off without a word.

Shad never knew Ember mumbled in her sleep, well . . . hummed mostly. The one night he spent by her, he had fallen asleep before he was able to hear it. Now as she lay in the bed across from him, every so often he would hear her.

"Hmmmmm ticking . . . beautiful gears."

Shad rolled his eyes. Even in her sleep she was all about her clockwork. He wondered if this girl's mind was ever quiet, and figured if he had the same racing thoughts all the time like she did, he would go mad. He speculated if she was like that the whole time she was growing up. That would explain how she's able to keep it subdued, as much as she did. Sure he had moments when he was all over the place with his thoughts. Though not to such extremes as she had been.

He recalled a time when she tried to explain how her thought process worked when he asked about how she knew what went into constructing new things


"That's explained best using an example. What would you call that?" She asked him, pointing to the book in his hand he seemed to carry everywhere with him.

"It's my father's research journal."

"Well yes, but what do you see?"

"I don't understand. I see a book."

"How I see it, it's the construct of the wood from a tree making up the paper within, the use of the inedible parts of a cow, dried to make the outer shell that is the cover. Crushed hawthorn branch and wine, for the ink staining the pages, the cotton, used to make string, binding everything together. Until you pick it up and open it it is a world of possibilities on what it can contain. From all the way to a biography of the world, to a simple children's story, the contents unknown unless you read it. How far the 'book' has come from being written on stone tablets, to wood carvings to parchment. That, Shad, is how I view the world. Not just from what I see, but what goes into making it. This is what helps me in knowing what exactly I need to create the ideas I think. I know what I want the final product to be now it's just reverse engineering to figure out what I can use to make it."

"Do you analyze so deeply with everything you see? I'd imagine having to break everything down all the time is distracting."

"It use to be that way, always trying to figure out how everything was made by looking at everything in a different sense. It's how I got to be the inventor that I am now. As time went on I learned I couldn't divide my attention so thinly if I wanted to get anything done. So I conditioned myself to rather than seeing everything at once, I would only look at what I need to in that sense. Otherwise, instead of spending my time talking with you I'd probably be analyzing what went into making your glasses and if I can get the materials to make it on my own. At that point I wouldn't hear a thing you say since I'd be lost in thought."

"I suppose you'd need such a mind to do what you do."

"It helps."

"You never cease to amaze me Miss Ember."

A.N. I find myself thinking a lot like Ember, though not to such extremes as her character does. Much of her personality is based of my own sense of curiosity, and while i can't say my own vice has gotten me into as much trouble as her's has, it has it's downfalls in and of it's own. Much like her, but less often i will find myself staring into space at some mundane object wondering how it orginially was thought up and how it may have come to imagination. A lot of my own though processing gave me inspiration to create a successful tinker of which i can only wish i was.

but i digress i must be boring you with such idle chit chat

I may wait to upload the next chapter until i complete more. While i do have material for another 10 pages, i don't want to catch up with myeself before i have a chance to flush everything out beforehand.