CHAPTER TEN
"Fateful Encounter"
The days seemed to fly by for our heroine. Her companions did everything humanly possible to make her stay as busy as they could without causing injury to the girl-upon Brittany's insistence, of course. Her days were filled with caring for the livestock or milking the cows on Lon Lon Ranch, and her nights confined to the library for Hylian ABCs with Minister Pothos and the princess. Now and then, she would pop over to the blacksmith's house and join Link and his grandfather in the workshop (not that she made very much progress within two weeks...she wound up amusing herself by fashioning jewelry from tiny metal slivers around pretty rocks she found, earning a few rupees in the marketplace for her work). By the time the end of the month rolled around, she had already begun to make a name for herself in the village.
"Thank you! Come again soon!" said the girl as a young woman handed her a few green shards. She watched as the maiden skipped of merrily, fiddling with the ends of the braided cord of her new necklace.
"Hmm...It seems like business is going well for you, huh?"
"Malon!" Brittany nearly jumped out of her skin as she noticed the skirt-clad female on her right. "What are you doing here?"
"It's lunchtime, Miss Hyper," she mused. "Didn't you realize how much time has passed?"
The maiden let out a chuckle as she dumped her wages into the bandanna the redhead had given her-which, thanks to a bit of thread and a needle, was now a drawstring purse. "I guess I was having too much fun to notice."
"You've not even been here three weeks and already you are a part-time rancher, jeweler, AND now a merchant! What next? Gonna go become a priestess?"
Brittany rose from her corner on the trader's mat and brushed off her skirt. After she had worked for a while on the ranch, Malon had given her more of her late mother's old wardrobe to wear. Even though it was all light-colored blouses and skirts, it certainly beat the coarse material of the constrictive jeans she had been wearing when she first appeared in Hyrule-not to mention that they kept her cool in the hot summer weather. Besides, bright colors just suited her energetic personality. She would have preferred a few more fiery tones in her clothing, but she was content with the comfort the rancher's garments brought her.
"Well, I suppose I'll go find Impa," she thought aloud. "She's usually in the kitchen this time of day. Maybe she'll make me a honey sandwich..."
"You and your honey sandwiches!" Malon cried out. "Don't you ever get tired of eating honey all of the time?"
"No, should I?"
"Gah!" Malon threw her hands up in the air and began to walk away. "You're hopeless, kid. You eat honey like its going out of style."
"I always have like weird things. My friends used to say that I was a pregnant lady in training."
At that, the redhead started to giggle. Brittany gave her fellow merchant a quick thank-you for sharing his mat space with her, then followed Malon on up the road. She playfully bumped into the girl, who gave her a little friendly shove back. Eventually, the two of them were laughing at their little pushing war and chattering up a storm.
"So, the Picori Festival is in a couple of days, right?" Brittany wondered.
"Yeah," Malon nodded. "I guess you've noticed the boom of commerce we've had around here lately?"
The maiden laughed. "Who knew that steel filaments wrapped around a piece of quartz would be such a top-selling commodity?"
It was true: the town had been particularly crowded lately. Brittany found it harder and harder to push her way through the bustling burg as the days leading up to the Picori Festival slipped away. Fortunately, many of the tourists had money to burn, and, glad she could repay the ranchers' for their kindness, she began to fashion bits of jewelry from stones she found at Lake Hylia and leftover metal sheathings from the smithy (That was one good thing about her being a gamer-years of controller usage and an artistic mind made her a natural at fashioning simple Celtic knots).
"Do you think Link will go to the festival with Zelda this year?"
Such a random question snapped Brittany out of her daze. "Where did THAT come from?"
"Oh, no reason," Malon tilted her head down and let her long hair fall around it. "Just thinking to myself."
Oh, boy, I knew this was going to happen...Even though she could not see Malon's face, she could sense that the girl had turned the same shade of scarlet as her hair. Still, it was quite obvious that their friend Zelda was equally infatuated with the green-clad hero. Not wanting to choose one over the other, she decided the best thing for her to do was play dumb.
"What's the big deal about Link going with Zelda?" she huffed. "Do you think someone is going to kidnap her or something?"
"Oh, NO! That's not what I meant, at all! I just meant...well...um..."
The obvious discomfort in the air around Malon was beginning to pester Brittany. She had that same creeping, guilty feeling in her ribcage that she could probably help her friend get together with Link, but there was no way she was going to get involved in romantic affairs. The princess had been pals with him for far longer than she had, so if Malon wanted Link, she'd have to get him herself!
"What about Milo?" Brittany suggested.
"Milo? That flirt?"
"Yeah! Why don't you go with him?" the girl chirped. "That way, you won't be alone at the festival and Milo will stop pestering you for a date. Sounds innocent enough, right?"
Malon had a look of disgust on her face. "Yeah, but...Milo?" she raised an eyebrow. "Be serious, Brittany. The moment a pretty girl walked by, if Milo didn't sprint of right then, I'd be having to clean drool off of him for the remainder of the day!"
The Earthling shrugged. "At least, you would have a pal for the festival. Besides, wouldn't you want to get rid off him? I mean, he is a flirt and all. You said so yourself."
Malon got very quiet. Oh, geez! a shout rang out in Brittany's mind. This kid doesn't know WHO she wants! So naive...
Apparently, the rancher had had enough interrogation and decided to fire back her own question. "If you are so cocky," she crossed her arms, "then who is taking you to the festival?"
Without missing a beat, Brittany blurted, "Smith."
"You're going on a date with Link's GRANDPA?"
"Hell, no!" the maiden shouted. "I'm helping him prepare the arena for the tournament. I'm one of the hired hands, you know."
The romantically-inclined woman sighed. "Not even on the Picori Festival do you stop working..." she turned to Brittany with a bemused expression on her lips. "Haven't you ever heard of a vacation?"
Brittany snorted. "Back where I came from, a vacation was just a time to get work done that you didn't have the time to before."
"Man, I don't know where you came from, but it certainly does not sound like much fun..."
"It wasn't," the American added. "I had to make my own fun. Unfortunately, balancing books on my head and dancing in the store aisles weren't things my mother approved of."
Malon frowned. Ever since Link and Zelda had told her about Brittany's little outburst, she had seen her new friend through a whole new light. The rancher knew that there had been something odd about the brunette but she had hoped that the day after she arrived she would be feeling well enough to tell her. Unfortunately, Sir Verdun's attempted theft had thrown that idea out of the proverbial window. Looking at her now, though, Malon realized why the girl worked so hard. Her father had done the same thing when her mother died until he came to grips that she was really gone. Perhaps that's what kept the hyper Empath's mind off of her past. She shook her head.
"Well, you are in Hyrule now!" Malon beamed. "From what I've seen, there has been nothing wrong with your antics. They might be a bit strange, but they make everyone laugh."
A huge grin overtook Brittany's countenance. "That's the whole point of doing silly stuff, Malon-it makes you feel better inside. I remember, back in the old world, there was always so much sadness around me. Death, war, declining health, financial problems...if you snitched on someone for a crime, you could get away with murder-literally. You had to struggle so hard in school because if your grades were just one point below someone else's, it could ruin your whole chance at going to a university. And since a higher education was about the only thing standing between a half-way stable life and grubbing in the streets, it really got to you."
At this, the girl cast her eyes down and focused on a pebble that had worked its way loose from the cobble stoned path. Malon watched as a sad smile tugged at the corner of her pal's lips.
"All anyone ever did was beat you down. They wanted to make sure they came out ahead in life and the only way they could do that was by getting rid of the competition. The really sad thing about it was that kids were raised up thinking either they weren't good enough or that everyone around them was evil and must be done away with. Depending on the place, you could be a marked woman for your skin tone, religion, family, or even the people you called friends. Greed and a lust for power replaced compassion in those corrupted children because they believed that material goods would get them by in the long run. The sad thing was...it usually did. Many's the time a saw a gifted classmate give up and drop out of school because they did not think they were as smart as their classmates. They lost interest in education-the only hope they had at bettering themselves."
It was here that Brittany smiled and gazed up at the sky. Malon could almost feel the warmth of the girl's hopeful optimism that exuded from her face.
"But not here. Don't get me wrong, now-bad things still happen everywhere. It's just human nature," she watched as the puffy white clouds drifted in the azure field above. "But compared to that place, Hyrule is absolute Heaven. Everyone works, everyone pulls their share. The people take care of one another here," she said, her eyes resting on a bird's nest high full of chirping chicks atop a nearby tree. "Working hard, playing hard, living hard! There is so much peace and goodness around here that it makes your heart sing."
Suddenly, the girls were jerked out of their fancy as several small children ran past. They were all tittering excitedly, bright open smiles illuminating their faces. It was when the adults began to scurry by, though, that curiosity got the better of them. Music and indistinguishable noise could be heard nearing the gates at the other end of Hyrule Castle Town, and a bustling crowd had gathered in the square-everyone whooping and hollering in celebration.
"I wonder what's going on?" Malon pondered.
"I don't know," spoke the other, a wicked smirk spreading from one of her rounded ears to the next, "but I wanna find out! C'mon!"
With that, the hyperactive Empath and the rancher darted back down the steps and headlong into the throng of chattering Hylians. Coos of 'oohs' and 'ahhs', along with clapping and cries of awe could be heard as they snaked their way along. A few half-whispered squeals sprang up from the delighted children around them. Just as the duo pushed themselves between the tourists leading the crowd, the sound of trumpets blared across the square, matched only in volume of the enthusiasm of the town. A deep voice boomed as Brittany and Malon struggled reach the outside of the mob.
"MAKE WAY FOR THE FINEST PERFORMERS IN ALL OF HYRULE!"
Cheers roared from the crowd. Just as the girls made their way through, a lively scene came into view. Musicians sounded away on their flutes and guitars. Others were carrying huge drums that were being pounded by yet more entertainers. Several people rode in on brilliant white horses, standing tall on the creatures' back with their arms outstretched, their bodies shimmering as the sunlight reflected off their sequenced costumes. A lean man wearing naught but a turban, a loincloth and a smile rushed forward and belched out a stream of fire with the help of a torch he was carrying. Then came a hulking monster of a man, flexing his muscled arms as two women silly with giggles rode on his broad shoulders. Plate spinners, clowns, vendors of all sorts burst into view as a parade of flag-bearers marched up the sides in their mosaic of uniforms.
"Hey, it looks like Din and Nayru are back!" Malon said. "This is the performance troupe they left with a few weeks ago!"
Brittany's eyes widened. Her rescuers were back! Maybe she would finally learn why she was brought to Hyrule! She looked back up just as a proud man on a speckled horse galloped onto the scene. He was dressed from head to toe in deep vermillion red, his long waistcoat falling over the creature's flank from the excessive fabric. Two shiny knee-length boots garbed his legs, and the starched white undershirt and black vest could be seen from the opening in his coat. A long mustache curled below his nose and a strange fez-like hat sat atop his head. A horn made of bleached bone hung from his belt. Behind him a covered carriage was drawn by two dusty brown mares. Another flagman stood on its roof, proudly bearing the flag of the Hylian Royal family.
Taking the horn from its strap, the horseman pulled back on the reigns and lifted the instrument to his mouth. A long, clear note bellowed out and flooded the village, instantly stopping the gang of performers and decreasing the excited chatter of the people. He placed the horn back on his hip and stretched out his arm in greeting.
"Hello and good afternoon to all!" shouted the ringmaster. "It is my honor-no! my privilege-to announce the return of our humble troupe."
While the enthusiasm of the crowd was quelled, Brittany snuck around closer to the carriage. Maybe I can see Din or Nayru from here...she thought.
"After several weeks of touring in the distant provinces, we have arrived, once again, in our beloved Hyrule-just in time for the Picori Festival!" A few more wild whoops rang out, but the man held up a hand to hush them. "Now, now...I know you aren't wound up merely over a few musicians and a fire-breather..." Laughter dotted the crowd. The flame-bearer pouted, but soon smiled again as the ringmaster spoke.
"I think we all know who you REALLY came to see-"
Several whistles and cat-calls rang out from the mob. Brittany nearly got clobbered by one particularly enthusiastic man. The mustachioed ringmaster tugged on the reigns of his horse, pulling the animal away from the front of the carriage.
"The moment you have all been waiting for!" he stretched his arm out toward the carriage. "I give you the dancer who can entice flames in your soul and the angel whose voice can charm the little birds down from the trees! The ravishing, majestic spirit that has swept thousands off their feet with her fiery steps, and she who could sooth the giant Biggoron to a soothing slumber! I give you-"
Crrrrack-POW! A burst of scarlet and orange smoke burst forth from nowhere in the center of the clearing. As the tendrils curled out away from the area of impact, a sultry voice floated out from within it.
"Time to get this party started!"
The ringmaster's horse shook his head and snorted. "Not again..." The man smacked his forehead and did the same.
Suddenly, a flash of crimson and red leapt from the plumes of colored smoke and into the square. Huge golden bracelets encircled its arms and a crimson leotard decked its body. Long cinnabar hair pulled back into a ponytail swiped through the air like a flaming whip. Brownish-red eyes stared out from its tan face.
"TA-DA!" the young woman shouted, raising her arms in the air in a victorious pose. A multitude of cheers and whistles erupted as she swept into a graceful bow.
"Din, could you not just WALK out of the carriage like NORMAL people?" whined the ringmaster.
"Why?" the dancer raised up and struck another sassy pose. "Being ladylike is more Nayru's kind of thing."
The very moment her name was mentioned, a head peeked out of the carriage door. "Din, will you come back in the carriage already?" lilted a soothing voice. "Your little blast scared the horses."
"Aww, you're no fun, Nayru!" shouted the dancer.
"Listen to the lady, Din," the flustered man said. "You'll have plenty of time at the Picori Festival to show off!"
The fiery-haired maiden pushed her lip out into a pout. "Sheesh! We've only been here a few minutes and I have to get back in there," Din crossed her arms and sauntered over to her sister. "I just wanted to stretch my legs..."
"You mean you just wanted attention," Nayru mused. She shook her head when her elder turned and waved to the mob, garnering a few more cheers from her fans. But as the gown-clad woman stepped back up into the buggy, something caught her eye: a young brunette with glasses and round ears staring at her with a look of shock plastered on her face.
Blue hair...BLUE HAIR! That's her! yelped Brittany's mind the moment she spotted Nayru...Hey, I think she sees me!
Nayru DID see her. Not only did she see her but the surprise on the singer's brow meant she recognized Brittany. Din noticed her sister's concern and asked her what was the matter. Mouthing something that Brittany could not hear, she saw an equal look of shock marked the dancer's face as she whirled around to face the girl. The brunette gulped. Din smiled, then whispered something to her sister. The vocalist nodded, and the two of them walked back toward the square.
"Hey!" protested the ringmaster. "You were supposed to convince her to go sit down, not join her!"
Nayru and Din flashed their smiles at the man, who got the message that he wasn't going to win. They walked over to him and he leaned down. Nayru whispered something in his ear. The mustachioed man raised a brow, but the singer nodded. He shook his head and sat back up.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Since we have missed Hyrule so much," he glanced down at the sisters, who waved for him to continue, "I have decided to treat you! One lucky young man or woman from this crowd shall have the chance to spend the rest of the day with our stars, Din and Nayru!"
Immediately, the mob broke into an excited chatter.
"Pick me, Din!" shouted a little boy.
"No, me!" cried a girl. "She's gonna pick me!"
"Over here's a real man, Nayru!"
"Oh, please, choose me, Miss Din!"
"Me!"
"Me!"
"Me-!"
"QUIET!" bellowed the ringmaster who, when the mob went silent, blushed slightly in embarrassment. "Now, then...Ours stars have already made their decision. Right, girls?" the man raised a critical brow.
Nayru smiled and looked to the crowd. Her eyes met Brittany's gaze. She pointed.
"Ah, there's our lucky girl!" hollered the ringmaster. "You with the long hair-no, not you...The kid with the glasses! Yeah, you! Get over here!"
Instinctively, Brittany pointed at herself. With an impatient nod from the ringmaster, he waved his arm for her to follow.
"That's right, kid! Come on, we don't have all day. You're holding up the works!"
The brunette gave a nervous glance over to Malon, then stepped forward. A few disappointed groans came from the people the sisters had passed over, but also a few scattered cheers that met her ears as she headed toward the center of the clearing. She was welcomed by smiles from the performers and the frustrated ringmaster, who was now drumming his fingers against the reigns in agitation.
"Yeah, yeah," he rolled his eyes, "are you happy now, you two? If your finished goofing off, Din, I want the three of you back in that carriage-pronto!"
The two girls took hold of Brittany's wrists. As hyper and outgoing as she usually was, meeting her saviors again was enough to take the bounce right out of her step. It was so unlike her to be nervous around anyone new! She'd just walk up to someone and pop out a random question (i.e. "So...do you like sporks?")-just hit it off with people right away. But seeing the two girls made her mind nearly shut down and her body begin to react in the same instinctive manner it had that night she escaped her mother. However, the serene atmosphere surrounding the sisters flooded her senses, and she became so tranquilized in the soothing words of Nayru's welcome that she never noticed her being led into the buggy. She barely snapped back to reality long enough to wave good-bye to Malon as the coachman closed the carriage door behind her.